Khan Jahangeer
Sopore, Oct 4 (JKNS): In a partnership with Majlisun Nisa J&K and Adabi Markaz Kamraz, Sopore ob-served “Youmi Meeras” on Sunday to mark the A Legacy Preserved Youm-i-Meeras Pays Tribute to Late Atiqa Bano noted education-ist, activist, and heritage enthusiast
Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Ab Rahim Rather, today attended a special programme organised at Meeras Mahal, Sopore, Youm-i-Meeras at Meeras Mahal: Remembering Late Atiqa Bano’s Contribution to Kashmir’s Cultural Heritage
The programme was organised in collaboration with Majlis-un-Nisa J&K and Adabi Markaz Kamraz, with the objective of remembering the remarkable contribution of late Atiqa Bano’s towards the preservation and promotion of Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage.
Speaker Ab Rahim Rather was the chief guest, while MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar was the guest of honour.
The programme was attended by historian Mohd Saleem Beigh, Dr Rafiq Masoodi, Advisor Majlis-un-Nisa and Patron of Adabi Markaz Kamraz, Additional Secretary J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar Lal Chand, motivational speaker Aijaz-ul-Haq, President Adabi Markaz Kamraz Mohd Amin Bhat, Mufti Bashir Ahmad of Darul Uloom Sopore, General Secretary Adabi Markaz Kamraz Shabnum Tilgami, besides civil society members, traders, students and other prominent personalities.
Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Ab Rahim Rather assured his full support to Meeras Mahal and said that he would extend every possible assistance within his capacity for its development, preservation and promotion.
Rather appreciated the efforts of late Atiqa Bano in collecting and preserving traditional and historical objects from different parts of Kashmir. He said the preservation of such heritage is a major contribution towards keeping Kashmir’s cultural identity and history alive for future generations.
He also appreciated the efforts of Muzamil Ahmad, son of late Atiqa Bano, and Dr Rafiq Masoodi for their role in establishing and developing Meeras Mahal as an important centre for preserving Kashmir’s traditional material culture.
The occasion also witnessed the presentation of the Meeras Award 2026 to Mohd Amin Bhat, President of Adabi Markaz Kamraz, in recognition of his contribution towards cultural, literary and heritage-related activities.
MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar emphasised the need to connect Meeras Mahal with the tourism sector and promote it as an important heritage destination. He said the museum’s unique collection has considerable potential to attract tourists, researchers and students.
Kar also highlighted Sopore’s significance as a major centre of education, healthcare, trade and horticulture and reiterated the demand for granting district status to Sopore.
Speaking on the occasion, Muzamil Ahmad said that more than 8,000 traditional and historical artefacts are currently preserved at Meeras Mahal, while efforts are continuing to collect, register and document more such objects.
He appealed to the Education Department to facilitate regular educational visits of students to Meeras Mahal so that the younger generation can learn about Kashmir’s traditional objects, their historical significance and their use in earlier times.
As part of the programme, five individuals were also felicitated for their contribution towards the registration and documentation of around 3,000 items preserved at Meeras Mahal. The awardees included Nusrat Bashir, Ruhi Jaan, Tabia Mohd, Shahida Rashid and Irshad Ahmad Bhat.
Historian Mohd Saleem Beigh spoke about the historical and cultural importance of Meeras Mahal and paid rich tribute to late Atiqa Bano for her dedicated efforts towards preserving the traditional heritage of Kashmir.
Dr Rafiq Masoodi also highlighted the painstaking efforts undertaken by late Atiqa Bano to collect traditional objects from different parts of the region and preserve them at Meeras Mahal. He said the collection now serves as an important repository of Kashmir’s traditional material culture.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, with the organisers expressing gratitude to the chief guest, guests of honour, dignitaries, civil society members, traders, students and all those associated with the preservation and promotion of Meeras Mahal and Kashmir’s cultural heritage. (JKNS)
