Ahmedabad: Jammu and Kashmir’s vibrant tourism potential, diverse art and craft, and authentic regional cuisines took center stage at a national festival in Gujarat’s Narmada district, held to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
According to an official release from the Jammu and Kashmir administration, the Union Territory is showcasing its rich cultural heritage and adventure tourism at the ongoing ‘Bharat Parv’ in Ekta Nagar, Narmada. The J&K pavilion highlights the region’s traditional art, cuisine, and tourism opportunities.
The festival, organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism as part of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) celebrations, aims to portray India’s “unity in diversity” through cultural displays, crafts, cuisines, and thematic exhibits from all states and Union Territories.
Joint Director Tourism, Jammu, Aijaz Qaiser, along with senior officials, represented Jammu and Kashmir at the event. A live studio kitchen set up by the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) offered visitors a taste of the UT’s authentic and traditional delicacies.
The J&K pavilion drew large crowds, attracting visitors eager to experience the region’s breathtaking landscapes, adventure offerings, and cultural richness. The fortnight-long event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi late last month, brought together states and UTs under the theme ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ to celebrate India’s cultural mosaic.
Speaking on the occasion, Qaiser said Jammu and Kashmir’s participation in Bharat Parv provides an opportunity to highlight the UT’s cultural depth and focus on sustainable tourism.
“Our aim is to showcase an evolving tourism identity that harmoniously blends heritage, ecology, and community participation, in keeping with the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,” he said.
He added that such events help promote Jammu and Kashmir as a year-round destination while strengthening the national message of unity in diversity.
“These platforms not only spotlight our natural beauty and adventure potential but also encourage cultural exchange and tourism-driven national integration,” Qaiser noted.
The J&K Tourism Pavilion also featured live cultural performances organised by the Department of Culture, along with displays of Kashmiri and Dogra cuisines — symbolising harmony and inclusivity in the spirit of National Unity Day.
