SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said that Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam’s live concert in Srinagar will give a significant boost to the Union Territory’s tourism sector while providing a valuable platform for local artistes to showcase their talent before a wider audience.
The Lieutenant Governor’s remarks came as Srinagar geared up for the high-profile event, which is expected to draw large crowds and further highlight Kashmir’s growing appeal as a cultural and tourism hub, with less than 20 hours left for the concert to begin.
Praising NDTV Good Times for organising the star-studded show, Sinha said the concert would not only promote tourism but also encourage homegrown talent.
Speaking to NDTV in Srinagar, the LG said, “I would like to thank NDTV that Sonu Nigam jaisey kalakaar Srinagar aa rahe hain. Sthanik kalakaaron ko NDTV ne avsar diya hai. Inki charcha poori valley mein hai, aur mujhe lagta hai bohot saare log is karyakram ko dekhne aur sunne aayenge.”
Highlighting the rise in tourist arrivals in recent years, Sinha noted, “A lot of tourists, both domestic and international, have been visiting Jammu and Kashmir since 2019. The number of foreign visitors increased after the G20 Summit.”
He added that over two crore tourists have been visiting Jammu and Kashmir annually during the past three to four years — a reflection, he said, of growing confidence and the message that “Kashmir is a safe place for tourists.”
Referring to the Amarnath Yatra and recent challenges faced by the region, Sinha remarked, “Despite the terror attack in Pahalgam and natural challenges like landslides, the tourism sector revived strongly later. I hope this concert will further boost tourism.”
Acknowledging the contribution of Bollywood and local performers, the LG said, “The local artistes are very talented. I hope they continue to get opportunities and platforms to showcase their skills to the world.”
Sinha, however, mentioned that he would be unable to attend Sonu Nigam’s Srinagar concert due to Chhath Puja commitments, but confirmed his participation in another NDTV Good Times event, ‘Harmony by the Ganga’ featuring A.R. Rahman, scheduled to be held in Varanasi on November 14.
