Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Apr 21: Based in Pune, the non-governmental organization ‘Sarhad’ is working to transform north Kashmir’s Lolab valley into a knowledge hub.
An official said that the NGO has submitted a proposal to create a book village in Aragam village and transform the Lolab valley into a center of knowledge.
The district administration has already discussed the proposal and the NGO is working in collaboration with the J&K government on both projects.
He said that work is currently ongoing for both initiatives.
About Lolab, he said that a team of experts will be formed to select the appropriate locations to establish libraries, reading spots, meditation spots, music halls and procure books of various genres.
An annual multi-cultural festival will be organised where the Kashmiri culture will be showcased and the scholars of Kashmir can present discourse on the knowledge streams developed in Kashmir in ancient times and their relevance to the modern world, he said.
He also said that meditation spots and development with statues of Kashmiri scholars, saints and poets will be done in such a manner that they are surrounded by the natural beauty and creating a profound atmosphere.
About Aragam village, the official said that the village is located in the scenic region where the beauty of nature can provide solace to the minds of the visitors and make them more creative and probe the fundamental questions of life. “There cannot be such a place equal to Aragam in Kashmir that has a great potential to make a group and cultural village where unparalleled natural beauty can inspire to probe into Kashmiri literature and rich history of Kashmir, besides witnessing an astounding culture,” he said.
He said that the village is ideally nestled in forests along the banks of Asia’s second largest freshwater Lake wular lake.
Teeming with inspiration for art and literature-scenic beauty, diverse, cultural natural trails for leisurely walks and several locations for trout fishing while enjoying the books,” he added.
He said that this concept will be a unique destination where visitors can get absorbed into the ancient to modern literature and history of Kashmir and can get to introduce to its folk culture intimately. The visitors will find books almost everywhere and places to read at leisure, he added.
“The new and old books will be made available to read and contemplate,” he said, adding that it will be a village where folk culture will be showcased, besides the author’s historians and nature lovers will visit for their solace.
