(Repeating yesterday's DI 14 for all needing)

New Delhi, Mar 4 (UNI) India will be at the centrestage of the ITB-Berlin as it hosts the opening ceremony of the world's largest travel and trade show to be held in Germany during March 6-11.

India Tourism has been chosen as the "partner" state for this year's edition of the annual global tourism extravaganza.

Tourism Minister Ambika Soni and top officials of her ministry will lead a delegation which will have 100 artistes and artisans.

India will showcase a mock Indian wedding, Ayurvedic and Yoga demonstration and classical and folk dances at its pavilion on the theme "Colours of India".

"Being a partner state, India will host the opening ceremony in a big way," Ms Soni told UNI here today, while giving out the details of the programmes planned.

The highlight of the opening ceremony would be a unique fashion and audio visual presentation--The Tree of Life--portraying India's rich textile craft heritage in contemporary terms, while retaining the cultural ethos.

To be presented by Ritu Kumar, one of India's foremost fashion desginers, the presentation will highlight the influence of Indian design motifs on the world.

"Tree of Life will be a spectacular visual journey across some of the most craft rich areas of India and tell the sensitive historic story of India's 16 million craftpersons who, till today, practice their textile crafts much as their ancestors did." This will be followed by a vibrant performance celebrating the diversity of the classical and fok dance forms of the country. The dance extravaganza includes "Kathak," "Kathakali" and "Mohiniattom," musicians from Rajasthan, folk dancers from Gujarat in Western India and Orissa in Eastern India, drummers from Manipur, exuberant and rhythmic dancers from Punjab, martial dance forms, acrobatic acts and a lot more, Ms Soni said.

"As a partner state, ITB Berlin will provide the ideal platform for showcasing the country's unique products and promoting India as a preferred tourist destination," she said, while pointing out that "the decision of the Messe Berlin (Organisers of the ITB) reflects the rising interest of the global travellers towards India".

"Significantly, ITB Berlin marks Incredible India as a truly major destination in the world." Tourism Joint Secretary Amitabh Kant said India's participation in the meet as a partner state would help its ongoing and successful branding and promotion campaign --Incredible India.

"It gives an opportunity to Incredible India to be the focus of about six million people for one week amd reach out to the largest audience - industry representatives, decision makers, media and potential travellers.

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