Jammu, Apr 13: Baiskahi is being celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir with traditional fervor and gaiety on Wednesday.
 The festival marks the beginning of the solar year and for the farming community of Punjab, it marks the time for harvest of Rabi crops.
 The Sikh community visits Gurudwaras and the day is marked by processions and traditional performances. In Kashmir Baisakhi observes a special significance as the famous Mughal gardens are opened for public. 
 Meanwhile, the Governor, N N Vohra and chief minister, Omar Abdullah has felicitated the people on the occasion.
 In their messages, they said the day had significance for the Sikhs it marks the beginning of the New Year in the Indian Calendar.
 They said in various parts, particularly in the northern States, Baisakhi signifies the commencement of the harvesting season.

Suchetgarh to be developed as tourist destination: Chib
 The Medical Education Minister, Prof R S Chib today said the government was had formulated a project to develop Suchetgarh Border Post as tourist destination under Border Tourism Development Programme.
 Declaring open the 3-day Baisakhi Mela at Indo-Pak border in Suchetgarh, he said the project consists development of park over 150 kanals, entry gate, tourist facilitation centre, land scaping and development of terrace garden with fountains, development of walkway to oversee international border, watch tower, war memorial with photo gallery of war heroes of the area, construction of amphitheatre and necessary tourism related infrastructure.
 Besides, up-gradation of R S Pura-Suchetgarh road, maintenance of heritage sites are also the components of the project, he said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST