Heritage Week celebration - Tourism Department brings Heritage to Canvas; Hosts Painting Competition for students  

RAJOURI: In a unique fusion of history, art and education, the Department of Tourism, Rajouri–Poonch organised an innovative Heritage Week Painting Competition at Government Boys Model Higher Secondary School Rajouri.  The event transformed the school grounds into a live open-air art studio, set against the majestic backdrop of Danidhar Fort — one of Rajouri’s most iconic heritage monuments.

The competition aimed not just to test artistic ability, but to awaken historical consciousness among students and inspire them to see heritage as a living legacy. As many as 33 students drawn from the host school, PM SHRI Government Higher Secondary School- Fatehpur; Government Higher Secondary School (Girls), Rajouri and Government Girls Middle School- Danidhar participated in the competition.

Each student was provided with painting kits, certificates, refreshments and mementos — making the competition a warm and inclusive celebration of talent. Students beautifully portrayed heritage sites of the Jammu Division, reflecting a deep appreciation for culture, architecture and history. Their canvases came alive with forts, temples, shrines and traditional symbols of Jammu’s glorious past.

Government Boys Model Higher Secondary School Rajouri clinched Ist Prize, 2nd prize went to PM SHRI Government Higher Secondary School- Fatehpur, while Government Higher Secondary School (Girls), Rajouri bagged 3rd position. The programme was organised by the Directorate of Tourism Jammu under the guidance of Director Tourism, Vikas Gupta and coordinated by Assistant Director Tourism, Mumtaz Ahmad and the host School Principal, Muslim Wani.

To promote Heritage & Cultural Tourism, the department also released and distributed the latest edition of Rajouri Tourism Brochures, highlighting the unexplored treasures of the Peer Panjal region. Students were encouraged to become “Heritage Ambassadors” of their district.