Vaishno Devi Shrine Board gets new look

Jammu and Kashmir governor Satyapal Malik has reconstituted the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board ( SMVDSB) for a period of three years, including spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and a Delhi- based businessman in the nine- member body. Mr Malik, who is also chairman of SMVDSB, nominated former IPS officer Ashok Bhan, chairman- cummanaging director of AIMIL Pharmaceuticals K. K. Sharma, Justice Permod Kohli, Major General Shiv Kumar Sharma and educationist Vijay Dhar, among others. Mr Sharma, who has been contributing to the development of the holy cave and beautification of the complex for many years, thanked the governor for giving him a formal opportunity to serve the place of worship. The SMVDSB was set up under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1988, to provide for better governance and management of the hill shrine. In 2018, over 85 lakh devotees offered prayers at the Katra- based shrine.