Srinagar, Jun 12: Waheed Jeelani, artist, cultural activist, and Chairman of The Kashmir Music Club Srinagar, has appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to raise the concerns of the artist community of Jammu & Kashmir during his ongoing meetings with Union Ministers in New Delhi.
Jeelani stated that while the Chief Minister is actively pursuing various developmental and public issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir, the challenges faced by the region’s artists and cultural institutions also deserve urgent attention at the highest level.
He urged the Chief Minister to take up these matters with the Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, the Union Minister for Culture, and the Union Minister for External Affairs, seeking equal opportunities and representation for artists of Jammu & Kashmir in national and international cultural festivals, exchange programmes, cultural delegations, and other government-sponsored initiatives on par with artists from other parts of the country.
He further requested the Chief Minister to strongly impress upon the Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting the urgent need to revive and strengthen Akashvani and Doordarshan centres in Jammu & Kashmir. These institutions have traditionally served as vital platforms for local artists and have provided livelihood opportunities to thousands associated with the cultural sector.
Jeelani emphasized that the revival of these institutions and enhanced participation of J&K artists in national and international programmes would not only help preserve the Union Territory’s rich cultural heritage but also create meaningful opportunities for artists struggling due to the lack of professional platforms and regular engagements.
He expressed hope that the Chief Minister would utilize his current engagements in the national capital to effectively project the aspirations and concerns of the artist fraternity and secure tangible support for the cultural sector of Jammu & Kashmir.
