Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Sep 11: National Conference senior leader and Member Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad on Friday said local artists of Jammu and Kashmir should be given priority and adequate opportunities in film festivals and other cultural programmes organised in the region.
Talking to reporters here, Mian Altaf said, “Artists from Jammu and Kashmir working in different fields, including films, drama, theatre and poetry, should be accommodated and encouraged. Whichever programme is organised here, the first preference should be given to local artists and people from J&K, irrespective of the field they belong to.”
He said the participation of filmmakers and artists from outside the region was welcome, but equal attention should be paid to local talent.
“Our local artists should also be encouraged in the same manner. They should be invited, separate programmes should be organised for them and they should also be provided funding,” he said, adding that the concerns raised by local artists were genuine and deserved the government’s attention.
On the situation in Ladakh and the demands raised by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, Mian Altaf said he did not have sufficient knowledge of the ground situation in Leh to comment conclusively.
He said different versions were being presented by the stakeholders and maintained that the situation could become clearer in the coming days.
“Both sides have their own versions. We should wait; perhaps the position will become clear in a week or ten days,” he said.
On the BRICS Summit, Mian Altaf termed the hosting of the major international event in Delhi a positive development, saying the participation of heads of several countries would provide an opportunity for discussions and deliberations.
“Such conferences are held across the world. What their agendas are and whether they are result-oriented will be seen, but holding such a major event in Delhi is a good thing,” he said.
On the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he stressed the need for greater unity among people. “We also need to unite,” he said—(KNO)
