5th September 2022, Kupwara. The spectacular beauty & significance of the tiny Himalayan Valley-Lolab located in North Kashmir, certainly is flaunted as “A Paradise in Paradise’. The unique beauty of the Lolab’s entry gate, which lies 9 km north of the Kupwara is a pathway to this oval-shaped valley floor with stunning beauty and sprawling mountain ranges. The picturesque valley, surrounded by various deciduous trees that promise a colourful show in their fall season makes it one of the emerging tourist destinations in Kashmir. Lolab Mela was organised on 5th Sep 2022 and has served as an apt platform to project Lolab Valley as hub of tourist spot to the rest of the country with an objective to attract tourists from all across the nation and the world. Lolab Mela was also utilised to align the youth to various employment opportunities being provided by the government to the rural area.
Lolab Mela 2022 was an array of cultural and sports activities, which were spread over a period of one month. Various tournaments were organised as a precursor to the much awaited ‘Lolab Mela’. All the tournaments received an unprecedented response from the local populace especially from the youth. Various events organised were Lolab Cricket League (T-20) from 01 Aug 22 to 10 Aug 22, Lolab Football Tournament from 10 Aug 22 to 20 Aug 22, Inter School Girls Volleyball Tournament from 20 Aug 22 to 31 Aug 22, Mega Medical Camp from 27 Aug 22 to 28 Aug 22, Trekking Expedition from 02 Sep 22 to 03 Sep 22, Tiranga Bike Rally from 29 Aug 22 to 03 Sep 22 Lolab Mela on 05 Sep 22.
The mega event, Lolab Mela was witnessed by Dr Sagar Doifode, IAS, DC, Kupwara, Mr Yougal Kumar Manas, SSP, Kupwara, Mr Aijaz Ahmed, SDM, Sogam, Mr Aijaz Ahmed, DSP, Lolab and various other civilian and army dignitaries of the area. Flagging in of Trekkers was done by felicitation of winning team which drew a huge applause. The event commenced with cultural performance from renowned artists, to include, various plays and musical events, such as Lolab Mela and Rouff dance of the Kashmir region, in which stories commemorating the lives of saints (Islamic sages or Rishis) or more contemporary real or fictional figures were enacted. The other events conducted were Sufi and Patriotic songs by renowned artist, Younis Lolabi. People also witnessed the Brass band show and cultural performance by District Police Lines, Kupwara. Locals enthusiastically engaged in deriving knowledge from numerous stalls and kiosks which were on display to include Horticulture, Agriculture, Tourism, Handlooms and many others. Children feasted on the local cuisine on offer while indulging in the amusement rides and games.
The event left a lasting impression on the large audience who witnessed this one of a kind event. The traders, shopkeepers and the youths applauded the effort by Indian Army and Distt administration to project Lolab as a next tourist hub. They also applauded the opportunity given to youth to hone their hidden talents in different games and cultural programme.