Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2009
6000 Yatris leave Baltal for Holy Cave

Srinagar, June 19 - As many as 4958 Yatris had darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji yesterday. According to a Spokesperson of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, another batch of over 6000 Yatris left the Baltal Base Camp for the Holy Cave this morning. The Spokesperson of the Board further stated that a batch of 1860 Yatris left Jammu today for the Baltal Base Camp.

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Governor reviews status of
Chandanwari - Holy Cave track for Shri Amarnathji Yatra
Takes stock of arrangements for Yatris.

	Governor, Shri N. N. Vohra and CEO Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Shri B.B.Vyas interatcing with Yatris (pilgrims) during visit to the Holy Cave Shrine.

Srinagar, June 19 - The Governor, Mr. N. N. Vohra, today visited the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji and the Baltal Base Camp to take stock of the arrangements made for the Yatris.

The Governor performed pooja at the sanctum sanctorum and prayed for peace, harmony, brotherhood, progress and prosperity in the State.
The Governor, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, interacted with the pilgrims at the Holy Cave and the Baltal Base Camp and enquired about the facilities being made available to them. The Yatris appreciated the arrangements put in place by the Board and efforts made by the State Government agencies, J&K Police, Army and Security Forces for facilitating their pilgrimage.

At Baltal, the Governor accompanied by his Principal Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, Mr. B. B. Vyas and other officials, had a round of the Base Camp and reviewed extensively the arrangements made to facilitate the Yatris. He also took stock of the sanitation, drinking water and power supply. The Governor stressed the need for proper regulation of the entry of Yatris into the Camp and their onward movement to the Holy Cave. He directed that rescue teams should be deployed at enroute various locations for ensuring complete safety and security of pilgrims, particularly in the context of adverse weather conditions.

At the Holy Cave also, the Governor reviewed the arrangements in regard to sanitation, water and power supply as well as other logistics put in place for the visiting Yatris.

On the return journey to Srinagar, the Governor landed at Panjtarni and took stock of the track clearance. He also undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the Holy Cave-Chandanwari route, which is not yet through due to heavy snow accumulation at various places and the continuing inclement weather.

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Aquatic Sports: Chief Minister calls for tapping,
grooming raw talent in Jammu & Kashmir.

Srinagar, June 19 - Outlining the vast potential of J&K in aquatic sports, Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah has called for tapping raw talent of our youth and properly grooming it so that we produce sportspersons of national and international standard. He said nature has bestowed us with great water-bodies, which are ideal for hosting water sports on a bigger scale.

The Chief Minister said this while chairing a meeting held today to discuss various issues pertaining to development of water-sports in the State.
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar, President, Kayaking and Canoeing Association, Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Legislators, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan, Mr. Abdul Gani Vakil, Mr. Mubarak Gul, Mr. Saifullah Mir, Mr. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi and Mr. Nasir Sogami, representing various water-sports associations of J&K and President, Hockey India, Treasurer, IOA and Organizing Committee, Commonwealth Games, New Delhi, 2010, Mr. Ashok Mattoo participated in the meeting.
Promising full support to water-sports bodies in nurturing talent in aquatic sports, Mr. Abdullah said avenues have to be created to maximize potential for which a coordinated effort is required. He said besides conventional sports like hockey and soccer, State must focus on promoting adventure and water-sports in a big way.

The Chief Minister said kayaking, canoeing, water-rafting, waterskiing and dragon-boat racing can easily be held in Dal and other lakes of the State. He asked the associations to formulate plans in this regard.

Later, Dr. Kamal gave a resume of water-sports activities that have been held in J&K since 1986. He said the Kayaking and Canoeing Association intends to hold dragon-boat race and waterskiing championships in near future. The meeting also discussed issues related to infrastructure facilities for aquatic sports and hosting of tourneys. President, Hockey India, apprised the Committee of the schemes under which sports associations can seek Central assistance for promotion of water sports in the State.