In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a meeting to review tourism promotion and publicity activities of Tourism Department with a focus on enhancing the J&K's visibility and increasing visitor engagement to further strengthen J&K’s tourism profile.

The Chief Minister directed the Tourism Department to prepare an advance annual calendar of events to ensure better planning, effective execution and improved coordination. He stressed the need for high-quality, meaningful designs and effective presentation at national and international travel marts, and instructed that all stalls and promotional material must reflect the true strength and potential of J&K tourism.

Directing targeted promotional strategies, the Chief Minister said that tourism publicity and advertising should be focused on airports with high footfall of tourists in cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur and Goa. He asked the department to identify the top ten airports in the country in terms of tourist traffic and undertake focused advertising and marketing campaigns at these locations.

The Chief Minister also called for early finalisation of dates for the Kashmir Marathon and stressed on incentivizing participation of local and national-level runners and enthusiasts by having a wide spread of prizes so that it encourages greater participation. He directed that a title sponsor should be identified for the Kashmir Marathon on the pattern of major marathon events such as the Delhi and Mumbai Marathons. He further suggested introducing themed short-distance runs such as a “Tulip Run” during spring and a “Chrysanthemum Run” during the autumn season.

He emphasised the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology at travel mart stalls, stating that immersive digital walk-throughs of destinations would generate greater interest and create a strong recall value among potential tourists.

Earlier, the Department of Tourism gave a presentation on publicity and promotion initiatives taken during 2025, highlighting a multi-pronged strategy to position Jammu and Kashmir as a leading all-season global tourism destination. It was informed that high-impact digital campaigns through social media, short videos, reels and airport screen promotions have significantly enhanced online engagement. The department’s official handles have crossed 10 lakh followers, registering over 300 per cent growth in engagement and more than four million views across platforms.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Ashish Chander Verma, Managing Director, J&K Tourism Development Corporation, Directors of Tourism Kashmir and Jammu, and other concerned officers.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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