Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, Dec 31: As a part of rich traditions and New Year celebrations, this year also the hill station Patnitop was lit up in a festive and celebratory mode, festooned with colourful lights, banners and buntings on 31st December, 2022.
Under the aegis of Department of Tourism J&K and under constant guidance of Secretary Tourism Department Sarmad Hafeez, Directorate of Tourism, Jammu and Patnitop Tourism Development Authority had put in place a mesmerizing cultural extravaganza for tourists visiting Patnitop.
The Festival provided the visitors a unique and exciting cultural, heritage, adventure and thrilling experience as the winter Bonanza had something from everyone. The event was planned as a family carnival event featuring musical performances and adventure activities like Hot air ballooning.
The event was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mussarat Islam in presence of BDC Chennani Prakash Chander, Chief Executive Officer Patnitop Development Authority Sher Singh, Joint Director Tourism Jammu Sunaina Sharma Mehta, SDM Chenani Parvaiz Naik, Deputy Director Tourism Jammu Dr Umesh Shan and Deputy Director Tourism Publicity Jammu Abdul Jabbar.
The highlights of the function were folk performances, handicraft/handloom stalls, ATV rides, Children Craft station, Hot Air Baloon and celebrity performances by Sonali Dogra, Chaman Lehri and Rohanpreet Singh. Also Indian Army had put up a special stall for highlighting their schemes. The vivid performance of local artists which varied from Thali Dance, Kud Dance, Dogri Dance held the audience spellbound.
The performances of Sonali Dogra and Chaman Lehri enthralled the spectators. Also the musical evening by Rohanpreet Singh entertained the New Year revelers. Many tourists were seen dancing on loud and melodious songs of celebrity singers invited for the occasion. Nearly 4000 people were present in the evening.
CEO Patnitop Development Authority while giving the welcome address said that the Festival is aimed to promote Patnitop as all season destination. He said that the Festival presented anamalgamation of nature with colourful culture enough to set the celebratory mood.
Sunaina Sharma Mehta while giving the note of thanks said that this festival marks the spirit of vivaciousness, joy and compassion where tourists experienced deep culture of Jammu region along with colourful dance performance, upbeat music of hills, yummy ethnic food etc.
Also present on the occasion were Sandeep Mehta (SSP JKP), Sheena Sahni (ADT Jammu), Jyoti Kaul (Tourist officer, Udhampur), other senior officers of district administration along with jam-packed audience consisting of tourists, locals and prominent citizens of the area.
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