Gangtok, 11 May 2012:

The Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling inaugurated the five days long Sikkim Spring Carnival 2012 and Military Tatoo today at a function held at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok. With this the Spring Carnival organized by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim to woo the tourists started all round the state.

The inaugural function at the Paljor Stadium, Gangtok saw various adventurous programmes from the 17 Mountain Division of the Indian Army. The programme included fly past by the Helicopters, bhangra dance, khukri display, dog show, kalari payattu, malkhamb and band display.

Inaugurating the Carnival the Chief Minister while addressing the gathering of public representatives, army personnel, tourists, students, local gentry and officers from state administration talked about the various initiatives taken by the state government to project Sikkim as a repeated cliental destination.

The GOC, 17 Mt Division V.N. Prasad in his address expressed his happiness in being associated with the civil administration of the state government in this mega event. Such joint venture will bring a bond between the army and the people of the state which will be of great help for the protection of the country.

The Chief Minister during entire day visited the various other programme sites organised in view of the Spring Carnival in and around Gangtok.

After the completion of the inaugural function at Paljor Stadium, the Chief Minister visited the Directorate of Handlooms and Handicrafts complex and inaugurated and visited the exhibition on ethnic bamboo products cum live demonstration by rural artisians from all round the state. The exhibition at the DHH complex also included unique tools and equipments used by the Lepcha tribe in their daily lives vis-à-vis hunting, fishing, musical instruments as well as daily household kits made up of bamboos and stinging nettle. The exhibition highlighted and show cased the magnificient and languishing traditional arts and craft of the state. The exhibition was also supported by various departments like Forest, Tourism, Commerce and Industries, Horticulture, SRDA and various NGO’s.

Thereafter, the Chief Minister proceeded towards White Memorial Hall where he inaugurated the Buddhist art of Butter Sculpture and Sand Mandala exhibited by Tourism and Civil Aviation Department and Photo exhibition by Information and Public Relations department of the State government. He also flagged off the seven days Mountain Biking expedition to Gurudongmar consisting of twelve participants including one from Norway at Ridge Park and inaugurated the newly beautified Ridge Park. The Chief Minister along with other dignitaries visited various stalls of the ethnic communities of the state showcasing traditions and culture.

 

Comment