‘Press has a huge responsibility to project right image of Kashmir to public’
German ambassador to India, Martin Ney has reassured German nations and tourists that it is safe to visit Kashmir as he spent two-week summer holidays in the Himalayan region last year.
“I feel safe, very safe while coming to Kashmir. I spent my summer holidays privately in Valley. Since I can do this, others can also,” Ney told reporters on the sidelines of reopening ceremony of Dewan-e-Khas at Shalimar Bagh.
He was accompanied by Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar and former Convenor, National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Saleem Beg.
Replying to a query regarding adverse travel advisories by many European countries, the ambassador said the media should play a constructive role in changing the negative perception about the Valley.
“Press has a huge responsibility to project a right image of Kashmir to public. It is one thing to concentrate on security problems and another to concentrate on cultural identity to create opportunities. And media also has to give a message that Kashmir is normal, there is consolidation, reconciliation that will attract more and more tourists,” Ney said.
He also unveiled a plaque commemorating the project and also inaugurated the restored Papier Mache ceilings inside the Dewan-i-Khaas.
The ambassador praised the beauty, handicraft, and heritage of Kashmir and assured more help in the preservation process.
“Germany has spent more than Rs 400 crores on 2650 projects since 1981 which were aimed at preserving cultural heritage in 144 countries. In India alone more than 50 such projects have been undertaken and Rs 22 lakh Dewan-i-Khaas project has now been added to the renowned list of such sites in India,” he said.
He also praised the workmanship of Kashmiri artisans and proposed that the Papier-Mache designs at Shalimar should be replicated on shawls and sold as souvenirs to tourists.
The ambassador also interacted with the students of Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Nawa Kadal and GHSS Kothi Bagh.
On the occasion, Education Minister Naeem Akhtar said there was a scope of more international cooperation in such work.
“The 25 years of darkness have come to an end in Kashmir and it is making huge strides and students are cracking elite examinations and many are headed to Germany as part of the global job market,” the minister said.
“Kashmir is blessed with so much of cultural heritage and natural wonders that people had taken it for granted. Now the mindset is changing and people are imagining its worth and providing a helping hand in conservation and preservation of such sites,” he added.
The Minister said Kashmir is sitting on a goldmine of heritage sites “and together with the support of people we will preserve it for generations to come”.
“The new generation of Kashmiri students have made their mark in every field and they are brimming with confidence. The government is trying to channelize the confidence in these students and translate the same into a revival of our tradition of knowledge and tradition of crafts,” he said.
Others who were spoke at the event includes Secretary Tourism, Farooq Shah, Director Floriculture, Talat Parvez, Director Tourism, Mahmood Shah, Project Coordinator INTACH, Saima Iqbal, Director, Department of Archives and Archaeology, MS Zahid and State Convener of INTACH, Altaf Hussain.
