Sindhu Darshan Festival renamed 'Ladakh Singhey-Khabab

New Delhi, May 31 (UNI) The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) today announced that the popular 'Sindhu Darshan Festival' has been renamed the 'Ladakh Singhey-Khabab Festival' to provide it ''cultural linkage with the region where the Indus river exists''.

''Over the years the festival had appeared to loose its link with the local people and culture....It was perceived as being managed from outside, lacking originality. It was felt by all concerned to localise it in terms of content and format,'' LAHDC Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor Chering Dorjay told a news conference.

He said the name 'Singhey-Khabab' which is the local name of the Indus River, will link it culturally with the Land where the river runs for some distance before flowing out into Baltistan in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

However, there were major differences among some participants at the conference over the ''real reason'' for the rename of the annual festival held in June.

MLA from Nubra in Leh and Leh Hotels' Association chief Pintoo Narboo said the move was a result of a ''political compulsion'' after the change of Government.

''It is shocking how politics can come to this.... Just because one Government started the festival it has to be changed when another party comes to power. The word Indus or Sindhu does not belong to one ideology or party. It is the word our country derives its name from, based on the oldest civilisation of the world Indus Valley Civilisation,'' he added.

Mr Narboo said the festival had gained popularity in tourism circles because the Indus river is associated with Ladakh the world over.

''The new name is not a familiar one for the outsiders and this will affect its popularity,'' he added.

However, Mr Narboo said Ladakh, with its unique characteristics, can still score over other tourist spots and become a prime tourist destination both among domestics as well as foreign visitors.

Elucidating the concept, Mr Dorjey said Ladakh is an ideal destination which has something to offer to all the people.

He said all facilities and infrastructure were in place to provide the best hospitality to the visitors.

''We offer adventure tourism including trekking, mountain climbing and mountain biking. Culturally Ladakh offers a rich package of tribal groups, fairs and festivals. The main attraction still is the centuries-old monasteries, which are the repositories of artistic and cultural heritage,'' he added.

Appealing to the Union Civil Aviation