JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a review meeting of Department of Culture here at Civil Secretariat, focusing on revitalizing Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural heritage and infrastructure. The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya, Principal Secretary Culture Suresh Gupta, Secretary PWD, and other senior officials. Kashmir-based officers joined via video conferencing. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasized the original vision behind the conceptualisation of Tehzeeb Mahal in Srinagar, underscoring its role in promoting local artists. “Tehzeeb Mahal must serve as a space where artists can showcase their talent while preserving its core theme. Wherever possible, the available space should be expanded to align with this vision,” he said. Omar Abdullah also directed the department to revive the restoration of Naagar Nagar at the foothills of Hari Parbat, a project halted a decade ago, to save its deteriorating walls. Speaking on the need for a comprehensive Cultural Policy for J&K, the Chief Minister urged the department to consult stakeholders. “Engage with the stakeholders to formalize a robust Cultural Policy,” he added. He also called for immediate filling of departmental vacancies to ensure seamless functioning. Earlier, Principal Secretary Culture presented a detailed overview of the department’s functioning, highlighting its initiatives through directorates such as Archives, Archaeology & Museums, Libraries and Research, and the Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. The progress on various key projects was reviewed, including the restoration of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and archival repositories. The meeting was informed about the digitization of archival records which has been fully completed in Jammu and is 50% complete in Srinagar, with six lakh records being shifted to a new facility near Kala Kendra at a cost of Rs 7.2 crore. The meeting also discussed the 100 days target for cultural and heritage development in Jammu and Srinagar. Key initiatives include the operationalization of a new archival repository, modernization of the SRS Library under the Smart City Project, restoration of 16 heritage sites, and the completion of several library and cultural infrastructure projects. A special presentation on Tehzeeb Mahal gave details of its design, architectural heritage revival, and cultural elements, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting J&K’s rich legacy.
