~Parishka Gupta
Srinagar’s Dal lake now proudly houses India’s very first open-air floating theatre. Inaugurated by the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Arun Kumar Mehta, this incredible theatre had a grandiose inauguration with a Shikhara rally. The occasion was marked by performances by local singing and dancing to Kashmiri songs.
The new floating theatre is surely a cherry on the top for the magnificent Dal lake. This new addition is definitely promising, considering the tourism prospect.
Kashmir ki Kali from 1964, starring Sharmila Tagore with Shammi Kapoor was shown to the tourists and residents present at the Dal lake that day.
Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary of Tourism and Culture, was reported saying, “We have a great demand for evening activities. The concept of open-air is pretty unique, not found anywhere in this world. It will greatly advantage the tourism in Kashmir. Shikara, houseboat owners, the hotel industry is welcoming tourists with open hands. J-K is safest from the Covid-19 point of view since the entire tourist industry is vaccinated. Various capacity-building programmes were done on Covid protocols by the industry. Since winter is coming soon, hope people from the country and world will visit J-K,”
Tourism will be boosting in the local area in no time, showing a great improvement in the income of the locals currently working in the tourism industry. This open-air floating theatre was generously showered with appreciations from the ministers of Kashmir.