Div Com inaugurates annual Jhiri Mela

Thousands of devotees pay obeisance to farmer saint
JAMMU, NOVEMBER 12- Divisional Commissioner, Sanjeev Verma in presence of Inspector General of Police, Mukesh Singh today inaugurated annual week long ‘Jhiri Mela’ here at village Jhiri to commemorate the martyrdom of Baba Jitto Ji, the farmer saint who gave up his life in protest against the oppressive demands of a land lord about 500 years ago.
Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Sushma Chauhan, ADC (LO) Jammu Rishpal Singh, ADC (Adm) Jammu Tariq Firdous, SDM Marh Tariq Hussain and officers of other departments were also present on the occasion.
The Divisional Commissioner welcomed the devotees/pilgrims from different parts of the country who thronged the shrine of Baba Jitto and his daughter Bua Kodi to pay obeisance and seek the blessings of farmer saint.
Paying rich tributes to Baba Jitto, he observed that supreme sacrifice made by Baba Jitto Ji is exemplary for each of us to follow.
The Divisional Commissioner appreciated the efforts of District Administration Jammu to make this auspicious event successful. He inspected awareness camps and exhibition stalls installed by various Government departments including Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Floriculture, Handicrafts, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry and various other departments to showcase their schemes and programmes.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages presented a cultural programme depicting the rich cultural heritage of the Dogras. A Dangal competition was also organized by Mela Management Committee which witnessed bout of professional wrestlers from different parts of the country.