Director Tourism’s speech leaves many surprised

Srinagar, Oct 30: Director Tourism Tasaduq Jeelani’s recent speech ridiculing the absent delegates at the Kashmir FAM Autumn Festival has come as a surprise to many.
A small clip of his speech has gone viral on social networking sites in which he expresses his annoyance against the tourism association leaders who had not attended the event.
“I am very upset as the association leaders, whom I expected to be here on these chairs, but they have slept. I wanted to get their feedback, positive or negative,” Jeelani is seen saying.
“The message should go to them that I have seen ‘90s and post ‘90s. I am six feet tall, a positive, and God-fearing person. I want to contribute to my future generation.”
Director Tourism all of a sudden deviates from the topic and starts describing his personality to the audiences.
“Don’t think I am a layman. Don’t think I don’t know anything about tourism. It is just a small department I enjoyed since two months. My friends I give you a challenge, be positive and sensitivetowards Kashmir,” Jeelani is seen speaking in the video.
The tourism director when interrupted by an official resists and asks him to let he continue his speech.
He later in the video claims that he doesn’t accept orders and challenges. “Let it be even if it is last day of my stint as my Director Tourism. I am a practical man and I want to contribute. I don’t accept challenges, discussion and orders of anybody,” Jeelani says in the video clipping.
“I don’t worry today, they can shift me to anywhere but I want to contribute to my Kashmir which I have seen in bad times.”
While many are heard laughing in the background of the video, he suddenly makes a remark “Khuda mujhse sab kuch le sakta hain,… Jaan bhi le sakta hain magar meri zubaan nahin. (God can take away everything from me, my life even but he can’t take my voice).”
The entire video is being criticised by the people, particularly on social media networking sites.
“I heard him, but I didn’t understand exactly,” writes Farhan Rashid a Facebook social.
The FAM Kashmir Autumn was attended by over 70 delegates from different parts of the country including leading travel agents and tour operators, filmmakers, representatives from print and electronic media.
The Kashmir FAM Tour was organised in an effort to offset “negative perception” about Kashmir.