Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Satish Sharma, today flagged off a heritage walk besides inaugurating an archival exhibition at Kala Kendra here today.
Principal Secretary Culture, Suresh Kumar Gupta, Secretary in Culture Department, Deepika Sharma, Director Archives, Archaeology & Museums, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, Secretary Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Harvinder Kour, Director School Education, Jammu, Ashok Sharma were present on the occasion.
The Minister flagged off the heritage walk from Kala Kendra to Abhinav Theater, Jammu being organised by Department of Archive Archaeology and Museum in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and Department of School Education. A large number of students from different schools participated in the event.
The Minister also inaugurated an exhibition of rare archival texts.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that World Heritage Week is a global celebration dedicated to preserving and promoting cultural and historical heritage. He asserted that one of the primary goals of World Heritage Week is to inspire the younger generation to take pride in and actively participate in heritage conservation. These initiatives not only educate but also empower the younger demographic, encouraging them to serve as ambassadors of J&K's rich legacy, he added. He added that it highlights the value of natural and cultural heritage, encouraging respect and understanding between various communities. He emphasized that it motivates action to safeguard and conserve these priceless locations, guaranteeing their continued existence for upcoming generations.
Satish Sharma stressed upon the youth to become conservationists by fostering a sense of stewardship and accountability for preserving our common legacy. He said "J&K has a legacy that holds immense significance both nationally and globally. Its vibrant traditions and historical artifacts serve as a window into the region’s illustrious past".
Satish Sharma said that the present government under the leadership of CM Omar Abdullah is keen to preserve cultural and historical heritage of the UT and has taken many significant initiatives showcasing region's rich legacy and diverse aspects.
The Minister appreciated the department of Archive, Archaeology and Museum for preserving the ancient monuments of cultural and historical significance.