Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, June 12: Three day Singhey Khababs Sindhu Festival commenced at Shey Manla Sindhu Ghat today.
The Minister for Urban Development & Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora, who was the chief guest on the occasion, declared the festival open with hoisting the National Flag followed by a brief prayer ceremony performed by all the religious heads.
The Ambassador of Czech Republic to India Miloslav Stasek was guest of honour on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Jora said, that celebrating this festival is a mean of paying tribute to Sindhu which is the most ancient civilization, the Indus civilization and speaks of the heritage of India and Pakistan. Talking about his efforts in developing various tourist infrastructures in Ladakh during his tenure as Tourism Minister, Mr Jora said that Leh is the only tourist destination in India which enjoys per capita tourist more than one. He said that tourists who are spending their holiday in Leh are also doing national duty by providing livelihood to the people of border area.
Shedding light on the objective of the festival, Mr Jora said that the primary purpose of celebrating this festival is to attract more and more tourists, domestic and foreigners, to this region. Describing tourism sector the main support system for economic growth in Ladakh, Mr Jora said that the industry has proved highly beneficial in providing job opportunities which improved economic conditions of the people of the region.
Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Rigzin Spalbar while welcoming all the guests and tourists said that Singhey Khababs Sindhu Festival is a symbolic event on communal harmony and sends the message of brotherhood, unity in diversity and peace in the country and in the world. He said that the main purpose of celebrating Sindhu festival is to extend the tourist season from 2 months to 6 months and to make the national and international tourists aware about the importance of Sindhu River from which the name of India has been derived.
Earlier, the Executive Councillor for Tourism Mohammad Shafi Lassu welcomed the guests and tourists.
Deputy Commissioner Leh Simrandeep Singh presented vote of thanks,
The dignitaries, present on the occasion, were his holiness the Toldan Rinpoche, former Union Minister P. Namgial, MLC Norbu Gyaltsan, ECs, Councillors, SP, Leh, ADC, defence officers, religious, social, political leaders besides district officers, tourists and locals.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
