Meticulous Planning Underway in Kishtwar for a Seamless Ram Navmi Celebration
Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir – April 4, 2025 - As the sacred festival of Ram Navmi approaches, the district administration of Kishtwar, under the astute leadership of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sh. Rajesh Kumar Shavan, JKAS, is leaving no stone unturned in its commitment to orchestrate a flawless and spiritually enriching experience for all devotees. A meticulously planned meeting convened today served as the platform for a comprehensive review and precise finalization of arrangements spanning essential services, security protocols, and public safety measures.
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Meticulous Planning Underway in Kishtwar for a Seamless Ram Navmi Celebration |
The significance of collaborative planning was underscored by the active participation of representatives from the Sanatan Dharma Sabha, whose invaluable insights directly shaped the agenda and fostered a community-centric approach. Their specific suggestions regarding the granular details of festival preparations – encompassing the critical aspects of sanitation standards, the imperative for uninterrupted electricity and potable water supply, the intricacies of traffic flow management, and the assured availability of essential ration supplies – were given due consideration and integrated into the comprehensive plan.
Deputy Commissioner Shavan placed particular emphasis on upholding the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene across all festive venues. Directives were issued with precision to the concerned departments, mandating the thorough application of lime lining at key locations, especially within and in the immediate vicinity of temples, which are expected to witness a significant congregation of devotees. Furthermore, a proactive and sustained sanitation drive was emphasized, underscoring the administration's commitment to public health and well-being during the festivities. To ensure the effective implementation of these directives, officials have been specifically tasked with conducting on-site assessments of temples, guaranteeing that ground-level readiness aligns with the overarching planning objectives.
Recognizing the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of every individual participating in the Ram Navmi celebrations, the Deputy Commissioner engaged directly with the law enforcement leadership. A clear directive was issued to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishtwar, Javed Iqbal-JKPS, to formulate and deploy a meticulously detailed security apparatus encompassing all temples throughout the district. This strategic measure aims to provide a secure and reassuring environment for devotees to observe the religious ceremonies without apprehension.
The meeting further served as a crucial forum for reinforcing the necessity of seamless interdepartmental synergy. Deputy Commissioner Shavan explicitly directed the Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Power Development Department (PDD) to implement all requisite measures to guarantee an uninterrupted and reliable supply of both potable water and electricity throughout the festival period. Recognizing the potential for increased demand, the Executive Engineer (ExEn) of PDD was specifically instructed to ensure not only consistent power but also the provision of adequate and functional lighting arrangements at key public spaces and temple complexes.
Addressing the economic and health-related aspects of the festival, Tehsildar Kishtwar Nirbhay Sharma was entrusted with the responsibility of rigorous monitoring of the rates and quality of all food items offered for sale during the festival. Regular and unannounced market checks will be conducted to safeguard consumers against price gouging and ensure adherence to quality standards. Simultaneously, the Health Department was directed to make precise and adequate provisions for medical facilities, including the strategic deployment of medical personnel and essential medical supplies, to effectively address any unforeseen emergency situations that may arise.
The intricate planning extended to the logistical challenges posed by festive processions. Detailed discussions were held concerning the implementation of foolproof traffic management strategies to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Arrangements for the setup of stages for religious and cultural programs, along with other critical safety measures, were also meticulously reviewed, with specific directives issued to the relevant authorities to guarantee comprehensive preparedness across all these operational domains.
The comprehensive planning session witnessed the active participation of a wide array of senior officials, including SSP Kishtwar Javed Iqbal-JKPS, ADC Kishtwar Pawan Kotwal, PO ICDS/CEO KDA Kishtwar Rishi Kumar Sharma, ACR Kishtwar Idrees Lone, AD Food Shafqat Keen, AD Fire & Emergency, EO Municipality/Dy. Registrar Cooperative Kishtwar Mirza Mumtaz Iqbal, Tehsildar Kishtwar Nirbhay Sharma, ARTO Kishtwar Tasleem Wani, Executive Engineers from PWD and Jal Shakti, alongside dedicated representatives from the Traffic Police and other pivotal line departments, as well as esteemed members of the Sanatan Dharma Sabha Kishtwar. Their collective engagement underscores the unwavering commitment of the Kishtwar administration to ensuring a meticulously planned, safe, and spiritually fulfilling Ram Navmi celebration for all residents and visitors.