Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2009
Vyas Purnima observed with religious gaiety at Amarnathji Cave

	Vyas Purnima being observed at the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji.

Holy Cave, July 7 – Vyas Purnima, also known as Guru Puranmashi, was marked by a special pooja at the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji early this morning with devotees chanting religious hymns and paying obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum.
The Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Mr. B. B. Vyas, accompanied by Mr. Madan Mantoo, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Board, Dr. C. M. Seth, Environment Consultant of the Board, Mr. K. G. Bamba, General Manager Works of the Board, and other officers of the Civil Administration and the Shrine Board joined the devotees in offering pooja in the spiritual ambience of the Holy Cave and the devotees praying for peace and universal brotherhood. In the yester years, from times immemorial, the Vyas Purnima marked the commencement of the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnathji in the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

A large number of devotees kept thronging the Cave Shrine from the Baltal and the traditional route of Pahalgam on the 22nd day of the Yatra today. Groups of Yatris reciting Shiv Sutras climbed upto the sanctum sanctorum from the wee hours this morning to perform darshan.

Mr. Vyas discussed the arrangements made in the Holy Cave periphery, particularly with regard to the cleanliness and sanitation, with the officers of the Shrine Board and the Civil Administration. He also took stock of the facilities being provided by the various utility departments, especially the health services. He stressed the crucial importance of providing timely medical assistance to the ailing pilgrims all along the high altitude track, and informed that the Shrine Board was organizing prompt air-rescue of the critically ill Yatris. So far, seven such rescues by helicopters have been organized by the Board.

Later, the Chief Executive Officer took an extensive round of the Baltal Base Camp and reviewed the functioning of various service providers. He discussed with the local officers the arrangements put in place for the smooth conduct of the Yatra.

Mr. Vyas also interacted with the pilgrims and enquired about the arrangements made for them at the Base Camps, enroute and in the Holy Cave area who generally appreciated the arrangements made by the Shrine Board, the Civil Administration and the Security Forces for ensuring a smooth Yatra.

Meanwhile, a Spokesperson of the SASB said that the pilgrimage to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji is progressing smoothly on both the routes, adding that well over two lakh pilgrims had performed darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine so far since the commencement of this year’s pilgrimage on 16th June from Baltal and 26th June from Pahalgam.

The Spokesperson added that 3000 pilgrims left from the Nunwan Base Camp and 4929 from the Baltal Base Camp to the Holy Cave this morning. Similarly, another batch of 1920 Yatris left from Jammu for the Nunwan and Baltal Base Camps today, he added.

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Government of Jammu & Kashmir determined to restore Pristine Glory of Dal, Nageen Lakes

Srinagar, July 7 - “Not only Dal and Nageen lakes are required to be revived, beautified, but the entire surrounding of the lake demand massive beautification drive,” said Deputy Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Tara Chand, while having day-long visit of Dal and Nagin Lakes, Pokhribal and all its surrounding areas including Hazratbal, North Fore-Shore road (NFR), Shalimar, Nishat, Brain, Boulevard road, Dalgate and other areas.
The Deputy Chief Minister was accompanied by Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Khawaja Farooq Ahmad Renzu and Vice Chairman, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), Mr. Irfan Yasin and senior-level officers and concerned engineers of LAWDA and SMC.

Mr. Tara Chand said Dal and Nageen lakes are not only epitome of scenic beauty of Srinagar but their national and international environmental importance has been acknowledged since times immemorial.
Last month, the Deputy Chief Minister, along with senior officers, had made a visit to this area and today within one month, outcome of his instructions was reflected on ground. He appreciated the concerned department for quick action taken for preservation of lakes and beautification of its surroundings.

It was only in the late Sixties when traditional parapet, which has archive value, was constructed from Dalgate up to Lam, but within only one month, as per the instructions of the Deputy Chief Minister, the parapet has been extended from Lam to Nishat and the work to to connect it up to Hazratbal is in accelerated mode. The work is going on round-the-clock to extend the parapet to holy Hazratbal Shrine, covering entire area of NFR.
Mr. Tara Chand personally inspected landscaping work on NFR, which is presently in progress and shall help to enhance surrounding beauty of the lake. While detecting the old junkyard of LAWDA on the sides of NFR near Ishbar, Nishat, he gave on-spot instructions to immediately remove it within 15 days so that this patch of land is turned into a piece of beauty and merged with the natural captivating atmosphere of the area. He also advised LAWDA authorities to develop available 13 kanal of land on the sides of NFR into a beautiful park.

The Deputy Chief Minister visited Dal dwellers colony, inhabitants of which have been rehabilitated. He interacted with them for development of the area. He also inspected the under-execution work on roads.
Mr. Tara Chand instructed SMC to construct a modern bus-stop in front of Nishat Garden which should be a symbol of beauty and a piece of great architecture.

Later, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected the Intermediate Pumping Station (IPS), work on which is presently underway at an estimated cost of Rs. 1 crore. He gave directions to LAWDA for immediate commissioning of the same and kept July 22 as deadline.

On a surprise check of sewerage line being laid outside National Institute of Technology (NIT) and Brain, the Deputy Chief Minister gave instructions were to executing agencies for proper quality check. Vice Chairman, LAWDA, was asked to submit a detailed report about the material used. SE, LAWDA was instructed to remain stationed to personally check ongoing works.
Mr. Tara Chand, while going deep inside the lake, interacted with the people and shikara owners, assuring them that the government is conscious to their rehabilitation but at the same time expressed determination of the government to restore Dal Lake to its original pristine glory.