Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah used the platform of the sixth Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg to issue a stark climate alert. Amid balmy February conditions melting ski slopes, he affirmed Gulmarg’s supremacy as a winter venue while stressing adaptive measures.
‘This is no small feat—six years running in Gulmarg,’ Abdullah said. ‘But this heatwave in winter is our new reality, demanding immediate steps.’
He cited the ongoing Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy, impossible without artificial snow, a staple since 1997 across all such events. ‘Gulmarg requires similar tech for competitive edge in sports and to invigorate tourism,’ he urged.
Winter tourism remains Gulmarg’s economic cornerstone, and Abdullah committed to facility expansions. Politically, he doused INDIA alliance leadership speculation, denying any meetings. Mani Shankar Aiyar’s views, he noted, are personal until party consensus.
Turning to Rahul Gandhi, the CM robustly defended him: ‘Rahul Gandhi never spares the BJP—be it rallies or Parliament. He’s the ideal opposition voice. Expecting more is unrealistic.’
As young athletes push limits on patchy snow, Abdullah’s speech weaves sporting pride, climate urgency, and opposition strategy, outlining a resilient roadmap for the valley’s winter heritage.