The Hindu : National : Srinagar's Exhibition Grounds gets a makeover, turns big draw

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Friday, Jul 15, 2005

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National

Srinagar's Exhibition Grounds gets a makeover, turns big draw

Shujaat Bukhari

It has 68 shutter-less marts, restaurants, kiosks and parking space for 400 vehicles

— Photo: Nissar Ahmad

NEW FACE: People at the Kashmir Urban Haat exhibition in Srinagar on Thursday.

SRINAGAR: : After a gap of 17 years the sprawling Exhibition Grounds in the heart of Srinagar once again bustled with life as thousands, amid a downpour, thronged it. Renamed as "Kashmir Haat," the ground was dedicated to the people on the eve of Martyr's Day.

Till a few months back, it was playing host to security forces' makeshift camps.

With the onset of militancy in late 1989, the Grounds was among the larger landmarks of Srinagar, which were neglected. The area had a regular visitor — Hizb-ul Mujahideen's `supreme commander' Mohammad Yusuf Shah, who for many years led the prayers in the mosque located inside the premises.

The makeshift camp inside was temporarily used for detaining Kashmiri youth too at the peak of militancy for many years.

But on Wednesday evening, it was just like another page of history — after it was thrown open by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Thousands of visitors were mesmerised by the Sufiyana music played on the occasion. Dressed in turban and Kashmiri `pheran' (long coat) Ustad Mushtaq Ahmad Saznawaz and troupe kept the crowds spellbound.

The verses of 14th century Sufi saint-poet Sheikh-ul-Alam with the accompaniment of the Santoor made the audience emotional.

The music played by police bands captivated the people fully. It was the traditional music of Kashmir.A number of stalls depicting the State's rich heritage have been set up in the Kashmir Haat. "It really is the new face of Srinagar," said a visitor.

The Mufti had set a one year deadline for the makeover, which has been done meticulously by the Roads and Buildings Department, Industries and Commerce Department and Handicraft Department.

Mr. Sayeed presented a gold medal to Parvez Maqbool Fazili, the project's engineer in-charge.Completed at a cost of Rs. 2.65 crores with the Union Textile Ministry's assistance, the Kashmir Haat has 68 shutter-less marts and amenities such as restaurants, kiosks and parking for 400 vehicles.

The band-stand in the middle has been done up for holding cultural events.

The place is arguably the best recreational spot in uptown Srinagar. The Kashmir Haat would host regular exhibitions and festivals in future.

The second phase of the Kashmir Haat, work on which has started, envisages a crafts museum, exhibition hall, buyer-seller meet facility and infrastructure for promotion of handicrafts.

The Rs.5.91-crore project will be commissioned by March 2007.

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