The event coincides with the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s announcement to restart 4G Internet services in entire region.
Actors Vidya Balan and Arbaaz Khan were the first to arrive on Saturday The event, that is being organised by the Indian Army and district administration, is a joint initiative to give a leg-up to commercial tourism activities in the region.
Actor Vidya Balan seen with Sidharth Roy Kapur in Gulmarg on Sunday
“We are providing round the clock assistance to clear snow ensure motorability with salt sprinkling. We have stationed electrical and Jal Shakti engineers and besides all facilitating help to shops dealing in food, winter wears and to those who want to set up kiosks. Its an intitiative to connect local awaaam with rest of the country and vice versa. Objective is to bring tourist footfall in J&K and we are very excited,” Aijaz Asad, Baramulla deputy commissioner, told TOI.
While folk dance called Rouf, performances by rockbands skii race and and snow cycling remained the star attraction on first day, Army officials said that local singers such as Shazia Bashir, Aabid Aly, Altamash Faridi will join hands with Balan and Khan for the big Sunday event.
Celeberities stayed overnight in log huts in Gulmarg.
More than 40 local hotels in and around Gulmarg have been booked by tourists who arrived from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Jaipur, said district adminisration.
Senior army officials from 19th Division and Pir Panjal Brigade are overseeing the event.
Since December, Jammu and Kashmir administration has also launched introductory ski course for boys and girls from across the country.
“Today we launched the sixth such batch and hope places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Yusmarg can bring more tourism and recreation here,” said deputy director (Recreation), tourism, Ideel Saleem, Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Indian Army is organising Gulmarg winter festival to promote tourism, winter , spor and Kashmiri culture. Come acknowledge the efforts of Army Jai Hind,” tweeted Khan ahead of his visit.
He praised efforts of defence ministry, northern command and 15 Corps unit based out of Srinagar.