Srinagar Sep 15: Noted Kashmiri businessman and chairman Houseboat Owners’ Association, Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo has been conferred upon an award by Adventure Tour Operators Association of India.
 Wangnoo’s was the first name among the awardees pronounced from the dais at the valedictory function of the 9th ATOAI at SKICC here on Wednesday.
 Governor Jammu & Kashmir NN Vohra gave away the award to Wangnoo amid thundering applauses.
 Interestingly, on the same day Wangnoo was honoured with another award at Nigeen Club. He was in for a bigger surprise when his name was announced by the Department of Tourism for the award.
 The award to Wangnoo has come in for his “outstanding performance” in the promotion of tourism in the state.
 J&K Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora, handed out the award to Wangnoo in presence of Minister for Irrigation, PHE & Flood Control, Taj Mohi-ud-din and MoS Home & Tourism , Nasir Aslam Wani, and several other dignitaries.
 Wangnoo when asked to comment on his bagging the two awards on the same day, thanked almighty Allah and attributed it to the collective hard work of the stakeholders in tourism industry, his parents, brothers, friends and well-wishers  “whose cooperation in tourism promotion during his stint as chairman HBOA” he appreciated.
 He also thanked the members of HBOA for the love and cooperation they have extended “me during my tenure as chairman” and wished them all the best in future.
 Jora on the occasion appreciated Wangnoo for his contribution to tourism sector particularly the houseboat industry. “He (Wangnoo) was always after us to get the things done for the benefit of the houseboat community and he has succeed to secure for them during his tenure what they did not get in the last 60 years,” the minister said.
 Minister for Irrigation Taj Mohiuddin also appreciated Wangnoo for his contribution to the houseboat community.
 Wangnoo hailed Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Sogami for helping the tourism industry to grow in Kashmir. He also hailed the efforts of Director Tourism Farooq Shah towards promoting tourism in Kashmir.
 Meanwhile, a CD was released featuring the ‘wooden heroines’ read houseboat of Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST