This Diwali, gift of peace and apples from Kashmir---A first: Apple growers from Valley to hold fruit festival in Jammu from October 23 to 25

This Diwali, gift of peace and apples from Kashmir A first: Apple growers from Valley to hold fruit festival in Jammu
from October 23 to 25Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 18
People of the miltancy-hit Kashmir Valley will give the message of peace, harmony and secularism to the entire nation this Diwali.
With the efforts of the state government, for the first time, the apple growers from across the state — including those from Sopore and Shopian —which is known as the apple bowl of the state and has been the hotbed of militancy and stone-throwing incidents — will come under the banner of the department of horticulture to give the message “Happy Diwali from Kashmir Valley”.
“Apple growers in the Valley, a majority of them Muslims, will come to Jammu to sell their produce in gift boxes this Diwali, not only to make money but also to spread the message of communal brotherhood,” said Mohammad Javed Khan, Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing.
“The department in association with apple producers will also hold a three-day fruit festival at Kala Kendra in Jammu,” he added.
During the festival, all varieties of apple - Red Delicious, Royal Delicious and Golden Delicious - will be made available to the people. “With this event, people will be able to distribute apple rather than sweets to their near and dear ones on the occasion of Diwali,” maintained Khan.
He said the aim was to provide the apple fruit to customers at a cheaper price as well as spread the message of communal love and brotherhood.
“A majority of the apple growers have confirmed that they will be participating in the festival. The three-day event will be held from October 23 to 25. There will be no middleman between the customer and the producer. As a result, the customers will be able to get the stock at cheaper prices,” Khan said.
Lauding the efforts of Horticulture Minister Sham Lal Sharma, Khan declared: “Diwali is the festival of lights, which is not only confined to Hindus and Sikhs. This year, with the involvement of the department, people from all sections of society will celebrate the festival.”
Horticulture has been the mainstay of the economy of the militancy-plagued state.