Srinagar

Not long ago South Kashmir was a hot bed of terrorism and unrest, especially among the youth. Today history was created when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha threw open Multipurpose complexes each housing a cinema hall, space for infotainment and skill development centers for the youth at Shopian and Pulwama towns.

Sinha and all senior officers sat with the local youth to watch blockbuster Hindi film Bhag Milkha Bhagh starring Farhan Akhtar.

It’s after three decades of a terrorist-imposed ban on cinemas that public viewing of cinemas in Kashmir has restarted. Sinha said every district of the UT will get a similar multipurpose Cinema Hall under Mission Youth. Governor

“Today is a historic day for J&K UT. Multipurpose Cinema Halls at Pulwama and Shopian will offer facilities ranging from movie screening, infotainment and skilling of youth,” hesaid.

Students, youth and people from all walks of life gathered at the new Multipurpose Cinema Halls at Drussu, Pulwama, and Shopian to witness the event. The Information department of J&K released the following pictures on the occasion on Twitter:

A historic day for J&K UT!
LG Shri Manoj Sinha inaugurates Multipurpose Cinema Halls at Pulwama and Shopian. It offers facilities ranging from Movie screening, infotainment and skilling of youth.@PMOIndia @HMOIndia
@OfficeOfLGJandK pic.twitter.com/H6RACODpHQ

— Information & PR, J&K (@diprjk) September 18, 2022

The construction of Cinemas is the project of the Mission Youth Department in collaboration and the district administrations. Cinema Halls in Anantnag, Srinagar, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar and Reasi will be inaugurated soon.

Sinha dedicated the multipurpose cinema halls of Pulwama and Shopian to the people, especially the younger generation of Kashmir “who have waited for a long time for this moment.” 

“Cinema is a powerful creative medium which reflects culture, values and aspirations of the people. It opens the door to the world of knowledge, new discoveries, enables people to get a better understanding of each-other’s culture.” Sinha said.

J&K has a long association with the world of cinema. The new film policy and facilities created has once again made the UT the favourite shooting destination and brought back the golden era of film-making in the UT, the Lt Governor said.

With the support of Mission Youth, District Administration, Jadooz Group and the society, I am confident the timeless creativity offered by Cinema will be appreciated across generations, added the Lt Governor. Cinema has played a huge role in social change in our country; giving us role models, inspiring us to work for the society and for the nation, the Lt Governor further added.

Reiterating the Government's commitment to make the youth empowered, the Lt Governor said, the government is ensuring that the talented youth of J&K get the right platform and modern facilities for education and skill development.

The new cinema halls will generate employment for locals and also provide a vibrant space for training of youth and seminars.