Srinagar, July 3: The Rotary Club of Kashmir on Thursday welcomed devotees undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and called for greater interaction between pilgrims and local communities while maintaining robust security arrangements.
In a statement, the club wished the pilgrims a safe, peaceful and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage and said the people of Kashmir have, for centuries, welcomed the annual yatra with warmth and respect, reflecting the Valley’s traditions of hospitality, communal harmony and brotherhood.
The club also referred to suggestions made to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha during a recent review meeting at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), urging the administration to facilitate greater freedom of movement for pilgrims while ensuring that necessary security measures remain in place.
According to the club, enabling pilgrims to visit local markets and interact more freely with residents would enrich their overall pilgrimage experience while providing a significant boost to the local economy.
Rotary Club of Kashmir President Dr. Touseef Bhatt said the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is not merely a religious pilgrimage but also a reflection of Kashmir’s centuries-old tradition of hospitality and coexistence.
“We wholeheartedly welcome the pilgrims to Kashmir and wish them a safe and spiritually enriching Yatra. While security remains paramount, facilitating greater interaction between pilgrims and local communities will not only enhance their experience but also provide much-needed support to thousands of people associated with tourism, transport, trade, handicrafts and other sectors. Such engagement will further strengthen the bonds of goodwill, mutual trust and brotherhood that have historically defined Kashmir’s association with the Yatra,” said Rotary Club Assistant Governor Rtn Jagjit Singh.
The club noted that increased interaction between pilgrims and local residents would benefit tourism, transport operators, shopkeepers, traders, artisans and other stakeholders whose livelihoods are linked to the annual pilgrimage season.
