Peerzada Sayeed
TITHWAL karnah , November 7(JKNS): The border subdivision of Karnah witnessed a grand celebration of youth, culture, sports and community spirit as the Karnah Youth Festival 2026 was organised at Shaan-e-Tithwal Stadium, Tithwal, on Saturday, drawing thousands of people from different parts of the region.
The festival turned into a vibrant gathering, with a large number of locals, youth, women, children, civil society representatives and visitors participating in the celebrations. The event showcased the rich cultural heritage of Karnah, the sporting potential of its youth and the message of unity, social harmony and national integration.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Abdul Rashid Qureshi, who warmly welcomed the dignitaries, guests and participants. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) arrived at the venue around 3 PM and was accorded a warm and traditional welcome. On the occasion, Abdul Rashid Lone presented a traditional cap to the GOC as a mark of respect and honour.
The programme featured an impressive Gatka performance, welcome Bhangra and a series of cultural presentations reflecting the diversity and artistic traditions of the region.
Artists from outside Karnah, including Srinagar, also participated in the festival, adding further attraction to the celebrations. The Yamberzal Dance Group presented captivating cultural performances and other artistic presentations, adding diversity to the cultural segment.
The Pahari Culture Centre presented special Pahari cultural performances, highlighting the rich traditions and heritage of the Pahari-speaking community. Popular local singer Shazia Basheer enthralled the audience with her melodious voice, while artist Abid Ali also presented musical performances, receiving appreciation from the gathering. The Shining Karnah Musical Band further entertained the audience with its energetic performance.
The Pahari Culture Centre also presented a special skit highlighting women empowerment and the Nasha Mukti campaign, conveying an important message against drug abuse and encouraging positive social change among the youth.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Abhishek Sharma, IAS, also attended the festival and interacted with the media. Speaking on the occasion, he appreciated the initiative taken by the Indian Army, stating that providing young people with opportunities in sports and constructive activities was a positive step towards keeping them away from drug abuse and engaging them in productive pursuits. He emphasised the importance of encouraging youth participation in sports and other positive activities.
One of the major attractions of the festival was the exhibition of stalls set up by various government departments and institutions. Departments including Agriculture and Horticulture, along with financial institutions such as the State Bank of India and Jammu and Kashmir Bank, participated in the event. The stalls provided visitors with information about departmental schemes, services, financial facilities and opportunities available to the local population.
The festival also witnessed a successful blood donation camp under the aegis of FSC 328 Field Hospital And SDH Kupwara where more than 100 people reportedly donated blood, making it an important contribution towards community welfare and humanitarian service. The enthusiastic participation in the blood donation drive reflected the spirit of voluntary service and social responsibility among the people of Karnah.
Sports competitions remained another major highlight of the celebrations. Girls participated in athletic events, including shot put and 100-metre races, while the inter-village tug-of-war final attracted considerable enthusiasm. The occasion also featured the distribution of mobility equipment among beneficiaries.
The prize distribution ceremony honoured winners and participants of various sporting events, including the Karnah T-20 Men’s Cricket Tournament, Karnah Volleyball League, Girls Under-17 Badminton Competition, Karnah T-10 Girls Cricket Premier League, Girls Athletics Competition and Tug-of-War Competition.
The entire programme was anchored by Javed Qureshi, RJ Angela Khanim and Aaliya Khurshid, whose energetic presentation and effective coordination kept the audience engaged throughout the event. Their stage management and lively interaction added to the overall success of the celebrations.
The festival concluded with the vote of thanks, closing remarks by the GOC, followed by tea, interaction among participants and a spectacular firecracker show.
The Karnah Youth Festival 2026 emerged as an important platform for bringing together people from different communities and backgrounds while providing local youth with opportunities to showcase their abilities in sports, music, dance and other creative activities.
The massive public participation, performances by local and visiting artists, departmental exhibitions and the successful blood donation drive made the event a memorable occasion for Karnah. The festival also reinforced the importance of constructive youth engagement, women empowerment, cultural preservation, sportsmanship and collective efforts towards building a peaceful and progressive society in the border region.(JKNS)
