NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 23 (KNS): Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta today launched the celebrations in order to celebrate Jammu &Kashmir day at 41st India International Trade Fair here at Pragati Maidan.

The event was marked by cultural programme of the UT.

Dr Mehta, who was the chief guest on the occasion, along with the other officers were given a detailed visit to the JK pavilion where different stalls were put up for display.

While interacting with the visitors at the fair, Dr Mehta urged them to visit J&K as the region has numerous scenic spots and destinations dotted across the length and breadth of the Union Territory.

The fair started on November 14 and will conclude on 27th November.

The programme proves to be an epitome of the richness of diverse cultural ethos of J&K which has attracted a huge ovation.

People from across the globe thronged the J&K Pavilion where the artefacts displayed by the artisans were put to the exhibition depicting the talent of indigenous art and craft of J&K having which has won the admiration worldwide.

The visitors were in all praise for the cultural feast presented by the Handicrafts and Handloom Department at Pragati Maidan Amphi Theatre. As many as eleven government departments and corporations including Agricultural, Horticulture, Agro Industries, JKI, JK Minerals and others had set up their stalls in the fair to showcase their products.

Jammu and Kashmir remains the main focus of the visitors every year in the 14 day long India International Trade Fair. The fair has assumed status of an iconic event and the participation through the J&K pavilion is a distinctive feature in the fair.

The Department of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir had put a special focus on GI-certified products in the current Trade Fair besides a live demonstration of crafts was kept on display in the event through the master craftsmen from School of Designs Kashmir.

Managing Director JKTPO, Khalid Jahangir while giving inaugural speech, appreciated the audience for taking time out of their busy schedule for visiting JK Pavilion and watching cultural show at JK UT Day celebrations.

Director Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah briefed the Chief Guest about the departmental initiatives to provide a stimulus to the handicraft industry for extending enhanced business opportunities to the artisans and weavers.(KNS)