Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. KATRA: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has fast-tracked the implementation of key decisions taken during its 76th Board Meeting held on February 8 under the Chairmanship of Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, J&K-UT, reaffirming its commitment to enhancing pilgrim facilities, promoting regional development and strengthening community engagement.
In line with the directions of the Board, the Shrine Board has commenced consultations with key stakeholders and initiated the formulation of a comprehensive strategy for youth engagement in the sports sector along with promotion of pilgrimage in and around Katra.
In this regard, Shri Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, along with senior officers of the Board, held a series of meetings today with delegations from the sports sector as well as stakeholders of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, Katra.
A delegation led by Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma, Former Joint Secretary, J&K State Sports Council (JKSSC) and President, J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, along with other representatives from the sports fraternity, held detailed discussions on various aspects of sports development in the region. Emphasizing the importance of youth engagement and community development through sports, the deliberations focused on formulating a comprehensive strategy to actively engage local youth and nurture sporting talent across the region.
A roadmap for structured coaching support, infrastructure strengthening and capacity-building initiatives was also deliberated to establish a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem and to encourage wider participation in sporting activities. It was further decided to organize youth interaction programmes to understand their aspirations and challenges in the sports arena and to hold follow-up meetings with stakeholders for finalizing and implementing the proposed initiatives in a phased manner.
A delegation led by Shri Rakesh Wazir, President, Hotel and Restaurant Association, Katra along with hotel owners held detailed deliberations on formulating a multi-pronged strategy for promoting pilgrimage destinations in and around Katra with the objective of enriching the overall spiritual and tourism landscape. The proposed strategy will focus on enhanced publicity, strengthened visitor information systems, improved connectivity and coordinated outreach in collaboration with local stakeholders, aimed at encouraging longer pilgrim stays and promoting diversified pilgrimage circuits.
Special emphasis was also laid on the revival and promotion of traditional and ancient pilgrimage routes associated with the Yatra. The CEO stated that the Shrine Board is committed to implementing these initiatives, which are expected to strengthen the overall pilgrimage ecosystem, generate local employment opportunities and promote sustainable tourism growth in and around Katra.
