Post Project Report - Spirit of Swat 17 Aug 2011

SPIRIT OF SWAT - 2011

POST REPORT – SPIRIT OF SWAT FESTIVAL

General        

1.            Swat, “Switzerland of the East”, is a paradise on earth. Blessed with lush green valleys having snow clad peaks in the background and crystalline waters of Swat River makes Swat a poet’s dream and a tourist’s heaven. The nature has unfurled every colour in the seasons of Swat. Historically Swat remained a peaceful area with minimum crime rate having strong inclination and reverence towards religion. The innocent and religious nature of the people of Swat was exploited by the extremists. This resulted in the recent episode of militancy and resultant operations in the Valley. The taliban implemented their draconian version of sharia, or Islamic law. A wave of assassinations was unleashed against police officers, tribal leaders and politicians. Those who dared to resist the Taliban were brutally slaughtered and town centres were converted into execution centres. Barbers were ordered not to shave beards and music was banned. Each family was asked to hand over one male member to help them wage jihad and a daughter to be wedded to Taliban or else the family will be beheaded. The army named its operation against militants as Rah-e-Rast (The Correct Path). With widespread nationwide support from the parliament, political parties, civil society and the masses, the army launched the operation Rah-e-Rast on 1 May 2009. Before the start of operation, a massive exodus of over two million people of Swat took place. Such a huge dislocation of masses had no parallel in the contemporary military history where a successful military operation was carried out and the population again rehabilitated in a short span of two months. The conflict was followed by calamity and floods of August 2010 which brought devastation never witnessed by the people of the area. But the people of Swat exhibited strong resolve and determination to reclaim their heaven and today, in a short span of time, life has returned to normalcy.

2.         Since, the attainment of normalcy in Swat, a need was felt to organize such events which help to soothe minds of the tyranny and calamity hit locals, restore the confidence of tourists to resuscicate the tourist industry, revive the local economy and bring hope to the locals for a better and brighter tomorrow. For this purpose, Headquarters 19 Division started the “Spirit of Swat” project with the help of PaRRSA and United Nations Develpement Projects. “Spirit of Swat” was a multi-facet project which included various activities like Sports events (Cricket, Volleyball, Badminton, Table Tennis, Football, Polo, Car Rally, Jeep Rally, Rikshaw Rally, Mountain Bi-cycling, Blinds Cricket and Golf), Musical Evenings and Fireworks, Recreational Events (Sindh Troupe Show, Lucky Circuis and Puppet Shows), Adventure Sports (Para Gliding, Hang Gliding, Sky Diving, Power Gliding, Micro Light Aircraft Flying, River Rafting, Dirt Biking, Rock Climbing / Repelling and Remote Control Aircraft Flying)  and miscellaneous activities (Marathon Race, Jala Competition, Camping and Trekking, Walk: a Cause for Peace and Vocational Training Centre Exhibition).   

Aim

3.         To explain in detail about the activities conducted in the Spirit of Swat, the effects generated and future Recommendations.

Sequence

4.         Post report of the festival is being forwarded in following sequence:-

a.            Activities conducted in the festival.

(1)          Sports Events

(a)          Cricket Competition.

(b)          Volleyball Competition.

(c)          Women Badminton Competition.

(d)          Women Table Tennis.

(e)          Football Competition.

(f)           Polo Tournament.

(g)          Car Rally.

(h)          Jeep Rally.

(i)            Mountain Bi-Cycling.

(j)            Golf Matches.

(k)          Squash Championship.

(l)            Basket Ball Competition.

(m)         Tug of War.

(n)          Body Building.

(2)          Musical Evenings

(a)          Musical Program in Mingora.

(b)          Musical Program in Kabal Ground.

(c)          Musical Program in Matta.

(d)          Musical Program in Shahi Ground, Kalam.

(3)          Fireworks.

(4)          Recreational Events.

(5)          Adventure Sports.

(6)          Peace Walks.

(7)          Circus / Troupe Shows.

(8)          Puppet Shows.

(9)          Exhibitions.

(10)       Local Competitions (Rikshaw Rally, Jala Competition etc).

(11)       Special Children Sports at national level.

(12)       Miscellaneous activities.