Zubair Qureshi

Srinagar, Nov 30 (KNS) : A group of Pahari youths from Karnah, representing the Pahari Tribe of Kupwara district, secured 3rd position in both the Pahari Folk Song and Pahari Folk Dance categories at the UT-Level National Youth Festival 2025 held at the Convention Centre Jammu on Friday.

The team, guided by Youth Services & Sports Kupwara Incharge Raja Shafiq Khan and led by Javaid Ahmad Mir, comprised Ubaid Ayoub, Naveed Malik, Ishtiyaq Abasi, Yasir Naseer, Aubaid Younis, Faizan Rafi, Mohd Usman, Waseem Altaf, Basit Manzoor, Aadil Iqbal, and others.

Teams from various districts across J&K participated in the competition. The 104 Infantry Brigade provided logistical support to the group from Karnah.

This is a significant achievement for the remote region of Karnah, Lolab Kupwara, as the team progressed from district-level selections, represented the Kashmir division at Jammu, and secured a podium finish at the UT level in both categories.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The group expressed gratitude to the Pahari community, the Indian Army, and the Department of Youth Services & Sports, J&K, for supporting their participation and providing platforms to showcase Pahari cultural heritage.

It is noteworthy that the same team had earlier secured 2nd position in Pahari folk song and dance at a district-level event held at SP College Srinagar.

The UT-Level competitions were conducted under the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) – National Youth Festival 2026, organised by the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports (DYSS). Winners from Jammu and Kashmir will represent the UT at the national event scheduled for January 10–12, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.(KNS)