CM Omar Abdullah Extends ‘Paradise on Earth’ Invitation to Nature Lovers

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, March 26: Asia’s largest tulip garden, located in Srinagar—the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir—welcomed tourists and locals on Wednesday with a vibrant display of 1.7 million flowers across diverse varieties this season.  

Established in 2008, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, also known as Siraj Bagh, spans 15 hectares and is poised to become the world’s second-largest tulip garden. It is renowned for housing rare tulip species and captivating visitors with its kaleidoscopic blooms.  

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the garden, clad in a traditional Kashmiri pheran. He toured the sprawling grounds and engaged with tourists, underscoring the garden’s significance to regional tourism.  

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister as per Kashmir Despatch highlighted the Tulip Show as a celebration of Kashmir’s diverse natural beauty and a key attraction for nature lovers worldwide. 

He emphasized Jammu and Kashmir’s timeless charm and scenic landscapes, inviting tourists to explore its unmatched splendor. 

Interacting with visitors, Chief Minister Abdullah welcomed them to the “Paradise on Earth”, encouraging them to cherish and share their experiences of the Tulip Garden in their home countries. 

Accompanying the Chief Minister were Minister for Agriculture, Javid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, and several Members of the Legislative Assembly. 

Senior officials present at the occasion included ACS to Chief Minister, Dheeraj Gupta; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; DC Srinagar Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat; Director Floriculture Kashmir Shakeel-ur-Rehman; and other senior officers from the Floriculture Department

Meanwhile, Long serpentine queues of locals and tourists marked the garden’s opening day, reflecting its growing popularity. 

An official from the Floriculture Department informed Kashmir Despatch that the garden now features 73 tulip varieties, with its area expanded to accommodate the blooms. To improve accessibility, an additional four kanals (0.5 acres) of land have been allocated for parking.  

“Each year, we introduce new attractions. This season, we’ve added floral surprises, vibrant color schemes, and varieties like daffodils and hyacinths,” the official said, emphasizing tulips’ pivotal role in boosting Kashmir’s tourism sector. “We anticipate record-breaking footfall this year.”  

Last year, the garden attracted over 460,000 visitors, compared to 370,000 in 2022 and 360,000 in 2021.  

Shakeel Ur Rehman, Director of the Tulip Garden, highlighted efforts to streamline visitor management. “QR codes and online ticket-booking facilities are available at the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and the garden entrance to manage crowds effectively,” he told Kashmir Despatch.

Meanwhile, tourists were seen enjoying the first day amid a huge rush that began early in the morning.

“We’ve seen gardens like this in Europe, but it’s truly amazing to experience such a vast one here,” said a group of tourists from Karnataka—all bundled up in woollens.  

Another group of students from Mumbai, speaking to Kashmir Despatch, expressed that visiting this garden is a dream come true, as it feels like stepping into paradise. They praised the efforts of the J&K Government for transforming the garden into such a beautiful space.  

Jehangir, a tourist from Bangalore, told Kashmir Despatch: “My family and I have been in Kashmir for the past week, but with the anticipated opening of this garden, we held off on booking our return tickets. Now that we’ve visited it, our Kashmir trip feels complete.”  

He added, “Exploring the Tulip Garden was a true delight, and we’ll take back vibrant memories with us.”  

Jehangir also mentioned that he plans to revisit the garden next year with his friends.

JAMMU, MARCH 26: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today attended NITI Aayog’s workshop on promotion of innovation, investment and industry in MSME sector at IIM Jammu.

In his inaugural address, the Lieutenant Governor extended his felicitations to the NITI Aayog, IIM Jammu, and other stakeholders for bringing together the policy makers, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for the Workshop aimed to explore challenges and opportunities in three key sectors of Jammu Kashmir’s Economy- Textiles, Food Processing and Tourism.

The Lieutenant Governor said, such deliberation on reforms to create growth environment will have a wide-ranging impact on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Union Territory of India. He emphasised that the Communication between all stakeholders of MSME sector should be deepened, reforms should be seamless and policy makers and entrepreneurs should work as partners.

The Lieutenant Governor reiterated his resolve to empower Small and Micro Entrepreneurs of Jammu Kashmir.

“We stand committed to ensuring that our industry moves ahead with confidence and without fear or apprehension.

Food processing remains an area where we need to improve our performance and boost infrastructure in tourism sector and accelerate development of new tourist destinations,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor also spoke on the key policy interventions and institutional support extended by the government, under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in the last few years to promote local entrepreneurship and encourage industrial development in J&K.

He said the incentives under the New Industrial Scheme have made significant strides in transforming Jammu Kashmir’s Industrial landscape. The peace and favourable condition also ensured more direct investment in tourism and hospitality sector of J&K UT, the Lieutenant Governor further added.

“It is a matter of great pride for J&K that the handloom sector has been revived and through better market linkage, the products are being recognized throughout the globe. I am confident that our MSMEs in this sector will meet the new challenges and benefit from the new opportunities”, he said.

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the significant role of private players in diversifying the tourism offerings and developing better tourist-centric facilities in Jammu Kashmir.

“Peace is a prerequisite for development, thriving business, and a flourishing tourism sector. We are also witnessing a rise in Peace Stakeholders, that reflects the changed picture of Jammu Kashmir. The UT of Jammu Kashmir is an integral part of India and the future of Jammu Kashmir is also with India. No power in the world can separate Jammu Kashmir from India,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Workshop is a part of the NITI Aayog’s State Workshop Series – an initiative under State Support Mission.

Shri Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shri Anurag Goyal, senior Advisor, NITI Aayog; Shri Talat Parvez Rohella, Secretary, Planning Development & Monitoring Department; Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu; senior officials of the Government of India and the UT of J&K, entrepreneurs and experts from MSME sector were present.

Jammu — Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha underscored the pivotal role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in job creation, economic progress and seamless public service delivery.

He highlighted that J&K has drawn inspiration from economic models in Switzerland and Germany to foster self-reliance, digital adoption and investor-friendly policies.

“There is a crucial role of MSMEs in job creation, competition and seamless public service delivery in Jammu and Kashmir,” LG said while addressing a workshop organised by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu in Jagti on the outskirts of Jammu city.

Without naming anyone, the Lieutenant Governor warned against “irresponsible statements” that could shake investors’ trust and confidence and create further obstacles in J&K’s journey towards a prosperous future.

In his inaugural address, Sinha welcomed entrepreneurs, bankers, investors, industry leaders, and experts to explore the opportunities in the MSME sector and foster strategic collaborations during the conclave.

He highlighted the pivotal role played by the MSME sector in shaping the economy, driving the country’s manufacturing sector growth, and boosting the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the MSME sector has witnessed unprecedented growth and brought remarkable transformation to the Indian economy. MSME exports increased from Rs 3.95 lakh crore in 2020-21 to Rs 12.39 lakh crore in 2024-25. This figure shows that MSMEs are playing a crucial role in strengthening global trade,” he said.

He further stated, “If we look at three important aspects of socio-economic growth, MSMEs have proven to be the backbone in all three – employment generation, entrepreneurship promotion, and economic development. This year’s budget by the central government will give new hope and momentum to MSMEs.”

Sinha spoke about key reforms in the MSME sector sweeping through Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated that the central government is committed to extending all possible support to facilitate J&K’s industrial growth.

“We have created an entrepreneurial ecosystem in J&K to make it a preferred investment destination. Thousands of units have become operational in the past few years, and we are determined to take MSME growth to a new level — growth that is inclusive and sustainable.”

“For a successful MSME ecosystem, technology adoption, technology upgradation, innovation, and skills development are key. We have taken steps to address issues constructively, and my aim is to establish J&K as a hub of entrepreneurial excellence and employment generation,” he added.

He also noted that speedy economic reforms, accessible credit facilities, improved ease of doing business, attractive incentives, world-class facilities, new procurement and start-up policies, and many such interventions have infused new hope for the MSME sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lieutenant Governor placed special emphasis on scaling up businesses and upgrading micro and small units into medium enterprises.

He called upon policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to focus on important aspects like marketing, brand-building, infrastructure creation, and the availability of raw materials.

Apart from exports, MSMEs should also focus on PV cells, EV batteries, and electric equipment for the domestic market, he added.

He concluded, saying, “Big dreams of a developed India are growing in small enterprises. Considering the export volume of MSMEs and their contribution of about 30 percent to GDP, the progress of this sector should be prioritised.” — (PTI)