Leh (Ladakh), June 12 (Scoop News) –Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora who was the Chief Guest on the occasion declared the three days Singhey Khababs Sindhu Festival (SKSF) open with hoisting the national flag which was followed by a brief prayer ceremony performed by all the religious heads in the presence of the guests seeking blessings for peace to prevail and to ward off the impurities made to the Indus which holds a sacred significance.
Addressing the gathering Jora said, “Celebrating this festival is a means of paying tribute to Sindhu from which has born the most ancient civilization, the Indus Civilization and speaks of the heritage of India and Pakistan”. Citing the objective of the festival Jora said that the primary purpose of celebrating this festival is to attract more and more tourists, domestic and foreigners to this region as tourism sector is the main support system for economic growth in Ladakh and the industry has proved highly beneficial in providing job opportunities which in turn has resulted in improved economic conditions of the people in every part of the district.
“We have achieved great success in promoting tourism in Ladakh as we have been able to lengthen the tourist season and have been raising funds from Centre and State for all the three regions of the State in equitable manner and ensure development through tourism in all the possible ways,” asserted Jora. He made an appeal to the guests and tourists to perform their national duty and spread good message among their people about Ladakh which over a time has acquired a significant place in the country.
Singhey Khababs Sindhu Festival (SKSF) is a symbolic event on communal harmony and sends across the message of brotherhood and peace in the country and in the world. SKSF which in a very unique way marks the fact of unity in diversity in India commenced today at Shey Manla Sindhu ghat with grand inaugural celebration and festive fervor.
Amrita Rawat, Minister for Tourism & Culture, Uttrakhand who was the guest of honour on the occasion expressed happiness over her wish of attending Sindhu festival come true for which she credited her luck and hoped to get such chance again and again. She said, “Sindhu, the word from which has come the name Hindustan holds a great significance and is very auspicious in Indian culture and this festival in true sense projects India’s unity in diversity. Uttrakhand is a new born state and is in many ways similar to Ladakh like the mountains, landscape and its religious importance with places like Badrinath, Kedarnath and flow of sacred rivers, Gangotri and Yamnotri. The rivers like Ganga and Sindhu are symbols of unity as they bound people of every caste, religion, place and class together without any biasness and give the message of brotherhood and such festivals play a great role in keeping the sanctity of these rivers preserved and alive.”
To further promote tourism in both states Amrita Rawat expressed her wish to carry a cultural exchange programme by sending cultural troops from Ladakh to Uttrakhand and vice versa and strengthen the ties between the two states.
“I didn’t find Ladakh so beautiful before and it indeed is the exact example of India as a secular state with people of all the religion participating with equal importance and zeal in the Sindhu festival,” quipped Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State Home and Tourism, who was the guest of honour on the day. Calling tourism the cutting edge for economy the Minister said that the State govt. is trying to bring development in every district in uniform way and each department is playing a significant role in achieving the developmental goals and the Govt. ensures participation in almost every Travel fair to promote tourism in J&K and specially in Ladakh.
CEC, LAHDC Rigzin Spalbar in his speech expressed pride in getting the festival inaugurated by the most dynamic leader of Ladakh, Nawang Rigzin Jora who has contributed tremendous in bringing development in tourism sector in particular and other areas in general of which no Ladakhi could ever dream of. “Projects like creation of Golf Course, Trans-Himalayan Culture Centre, Food Craft Institute and other programmes and projects on conservation and promotion of heritage sites are the giant steps taken by our Minister in promoting tourism in Ladakh at international level,” asserted Spalbar. He made an appeal to all the visitors to the region to bear in their mind while enjoying their vacation the fragile environment of Ladakh which has a limited carrying capacity and natural resources that pose a grave challenge to the entire region.
During the inaugural function a CD on Rock Art of Ladakh by Tourism dept. was released and as a token of gratitude CEC Rigzin Spalbar presented portraits to all the three ministers. A colourful cultural programme was also presented by different cultural groups and school children on the occasion.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Bakula Rinpoche, MLC Norbu Gyaltsan, Former Union Minister P Namgial, ECs, Councilors, DC Leh Tsering Angchok who gave the vote of thanks, SP, Addl. SP, ADC, Defence heads, religious, social, political heads, district officers and tourists and locals in huge numbers.
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