Darjeeling, Nov. 6: Gopal Krishna Gandhi,
the governor of West Bengal inaugurated the Darjeeling Carnival
- a feast of music, dance, food and flowers - at Chowrasta
yesterday.
Around 2 lakh people will take part in the
event that will last for 10 days. It is being held in association
with The Telegraph - and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations,
Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), DGHC Tourism, the Darjeeling
Municipality and the British Council have all extended support
for the event.
Today, the music bands played acoustic music
and the cultural troupes sponsored by EZCC from Gujarat and
Kerala performed Kuchipudi dances and Sidhi Dhamal. Organisers
praised the local people for their initiatives and credited
them for making the festival a success for the third consecutive
year. Hotel owners have provided accommodation and, the people
from different professions have extended a helping hand in
whatever ways possible. It is heartening that even the unemployed
youths have agreed to work as volunteers for organizing the
event.
It must be noted that the government had
organised a similar event a few years ago, but it was just
a flash in the pan – the festival was not held over
again for the next few years. But the continued success of
the carnival has shown that a public movement can triumph
over all odds.
One of the organisers says, `We`re not doing
this to prove any one as incompetent. This is an endeavor
of the hill people that comes out from their heart. Earlier,
we noted that the previous carnivals were successful in attracting
many tourists and now we intend to transcend national boundaries
to celebrate the true spirit of Darjeeling.`
A painting exhibition of the famed Russian artist, Nicholas
Roerich, is also one of the highlights of the festival apart
from concerts, bhajans, piano recitals and classical music. |
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