Gangtok winter festival kicks off, 3 lakh tourists expected

Gangtok, Dec 9 (UNI) The annual Gangtok Winter festival was kicked off with a glittering street carnival,''Himalayan Wedding.'' Participants representing different ethnic communities in traditional costumes showcased their culture in a procession last night.

The four-day festival which would end on January 11, was aimed at wooing tourists to the state in the lean winter season.

State Urban Development Minister D D Bhutia, who inaugurated the festival, blessed the mock couples of the carnival representing the Gurung, Lepcha, Mangar, Tamang, Limboo, Nepali, Rai, Marwari and Christian communities.

Speaking on the occasion, he appealed to the people to maitain peace and reap the benefits of the tourism boom in the State.

State Tourism Minister R B Subba said the state had already made mark in the field of tourism. Due to the agressive marketing, the number of tourists visiting the state was likely to cross three lakh by the end of this financial year.

Tourism Secretary A Srivastava said the objective of organising different festivals was not only to woo tourists but also to educate the younger generation about their traditions.

He said over the last few years, the number of festivals has increased from two to eight now with the Union Government financing six of them.

The Secretary said the number of tourists had registered a 20 per cent hike in 2006 over the previous year and the sector generated a revenue of Rs 140 crore last year.

He stressed on community participation to give a further boost to the sector.

UNI