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| Bat in hand, message of hope: Raina revives spirit in Pahalgam | | | 
Early Times Report
Jammu, June 10: In a bid to restore confidence among tourists and local tour operators following the April 22 terror attack, senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina engaged in a friendly cricket match with local youth at the scenic Pahalgam resort on Tuesday.
Raina, the former J&K BJP president and ex-MLA from Nowshera, shared a video on social media platform X, showcasing his participation in the match. “Cricket at Pahalgam. Today, early in the morning, I played cricket with local youth,” he posted.
While addressing residents of the region, Raina praised the resilience of the Kashmiri people, stating, “The people of Kashmir have made supreme sacrifices for the nation. India salutes the brave people of Kashmir.” He assured that the entire nation stands firmly with them. Raina has been touring different parts of the Valley to engage with local communities. On Sunday, he visited Baba Nagri for the annual Urs of Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Kiyanvi and met National Conference leaders Mian Altaf Larvi and Mian Mehar Ali at their residence.
Amid concerns over declining tourism following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has announced a nationwide campaign titled ‘Rally for Valley,’ aimed at restoring visitor confidence.
The attack, which claimed the lives of Senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina engaged in a friendly cricket match with local youth at the scenic Pahalgam resort.
He shared a video on social media platform X, showcasing his participation in the match.
Raina has been touring different parts of the Valley to engage with local communities.
On Sunday, he visited Baba Nagri for the annual Urs of Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Kiyanvi and met NC leaders.
To counter this downturn, over 2,500 TAAI members will participate in rallies and roadshows across India, sending a message that "Kashmir is safe" for visitors.
TAAI President Sunil Kumar, currently in the Valley with 75 members and their families for a three-day visit, emphasized the need to dispel fear. “There is fear among people post-Pahalgam. We are here to address that fear and show confidence by being present in the Valley ourselves,” he said.
Kumar has urged the Union Home Ministry and the J&K administration to strengthen security measures to reassure potential visitors.
The campaign follows several tourism initiatives, including a symbolic roadshow from Dal Lake to Pahalgam and a familiarization tour by hoteliers and tour operators from across India.
In a strong show of political support, J&K’s administration, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, recently held Cabinet meetings in Gulmarg and Pahalgam to signal stability and encourage tourism.
Meanwhile, the Indian Tourist Transport Association (ITTA) has announced that 1,000 of its members will visit Kashmir for a three-day tour, further reinforcing efforts to bring travelers back to the Valley. |
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