The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Thursday extended a warm welcome to devotees undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, wishing them a safe, peaceful and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage while calling for greater interaction between pilgrims and local communities.
In a statement, the Chamber said the people of Kashmir have, for centuries, welcomed the annual pilgrimage with warmth and respect, reflecting the Valley's enduring traditions of hospitality, communal harmony and brotherhood.
Referring to its suggestions made during a recent review meeting at SKICC, KCCI urged the administration to facilitate greater freedom of movement for pilgrims while ensuring that all necessary security arrangements remain firmly in place.
The Chamber said enabling yatris to visit markets and interact more freely with local communities would enrich their overall pilgrimage experience while providing a significant boost to the local economy.
KCCI President Javid Ahmad Tenga said the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is not merely a religious pilgrimage but also a reflection of Kashmir's centuries-old tradition of hospitality and coexistence.
"We wholeheartedly welcome the pilgrims to Kashmir and wish them a safe and spiritually enriching Yatra. While security remains paramount, facilitating greater interaction between pilgrims and local communities will not only enhance their experience but also provide much-needed support to thousands of people associated with tourism, transport, trade, handicrafts and other sectors. Such engagement will further strengthen the bonds of goodwill, mutual trust and brotherhood that have historically defined Kashmir's association with the Yatra," Tenga said.
The Chamber noted that increased interaction between pilgrims and residents would provide much-needed support to tourism, transport operators, shopkeepers, traders, artisans and other stakeholders dependent on the pilgrimage season.