Youth Conclave at Lal Draman to witness variety of sports, cultural shows, other festivities

DC discusses arrangements; asks for making event a crowd puller

DODA, July 14: Lal Draman is a hidden treasure of natural beauty with a great tourism potential unexplored so-far due to its non-connectivity by road.

Now due to persistent efforts of the district administration, the picturesque Lal Draman Meadows have been connected by road, making it the nearest tourist destination from Doda town with a road distance of around 20 Kilometres only.

The District administration has scheduled a mega Youth Conclave/ Lal Draman Festival in the first week of August 2023, to give Lal Draman its due place on the tourist map of the district and provide youth a platform to showcase their talent and know their aspirations.

The Youth Conclave, being organized by the District Administration Doda, will witness a series of sports activities, a variety of cultural shows and other festivities to attract maximum visitors.

District Development Commissioner Doda Vishesh Mahajan visited Lal Draman along with senior officers of district administration today to discuss and give final shape to the activities and arrangements for sports, cultural and other activities during the festival scheduled to be held in the first week of next month.

The DC held detailed discussion with the stakeholders and finalised the variety of programs which could be a huge crowd puller. DC has instructed them to install solar lights at Lal Draman. Jal Shakti department has been entrusted with the task of providing adequate tapped drinking water at the venue. RDD shall make the already existing Amrit Sarovar at Lal Draman more attractive by its proper beautification. The concerned authorities have been asked to place temporary toilets at the venue. It is important to mention that interested entrepreneurs have been asked to put rental tents at the venue for the convenience of the visitors.

The DC asked the stakeholders that the activities to be performed on the scheduled venue must be more engaging, beautifully designed and youth oriented. It was decided that the programme shall be divided into three sessions, during which various cultural, sports and other fun game activities will be held for the youth/ visitors.

Sports department was directed to conduct the activities which are more popular in the area like volleyball matches, Kabaddi, tug of war, wrestling and horse racing.

Further, the School Principals and CEO Doda have been asked to lay more focus on involvement of students, including NCC and NSS volunteers in all the activities during the event, which will be a great learning experience for them.

Besides, arrangement of sound system, security, transportation, and other event related activities were also finalised.

During his visit, the DC also inaugurated a T20 Cricket tournament organised by ‘Tejas Ek Pahal’ NGO at Lal Draman. He also led the Swachhta drive in the Lal Draman meadows. The DC  trekked about 10 kilometres on foot around the forest surrounding the meadow to enjoy the nature bestowed with scenic beauty and mesmerising lush green conifer trees.