Saturday, October 27, 2007

NAMCHI MAHOTSAV BEGINS ON 1st NOV'2007


Namchi (south Sikkim), Oct. 27: Preparations are on in the south district headquarters for the annual Namchi Mahotsav that aims at keeping alive traditional Sikkimese art, crafts and culture.
The two-day event will begin on November1, 2007.
This is the fifth time the mahotsav is being organised and the event has already created a brand image for growth of tourism in south Sikkim. Apart from tourism, the programmes in which residents, the administration and the panchayats participate is also a show of camaraderie.
The venue for this year has been shifted from the main town to Bhaichung stadium at Alley, where workers were today busy putting in place the three traditional houses that are touted to be the attraction at the festival. The houses symbolise the traditions of the Bhutia, Lepcha and the Nepali communities.
District collector (south) Mr. Anandan, also the chairman of the mahotsav organising committee, estimated that more than 30,000 people would attend the festivities each day.
Chief minister Pawan Chamling will attend the inaugural day's function as chief guest. Dance and music, culture and traditions exhibition stage and film shows, flower corners and fashion shows have been lined up for the event.
Zilla upadakshya (south) B.M. Rai said: Local participation had made the last mahotsav a success and we are hoping for a similar response this time as well.?
To encourage tourists, the organisers have included adventure sports and village tourism as some of the main events during the festival. The district administration has also decided to accommodate tourists at the model village in Asangthang and the nearby towns of Ravangla and Jorethang.