Himalayan Carnival to Kick Off 10 December
Dharamsala, 8 December 2003: The Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association, Dharamsala, will hold a three-day “Ninth Himalayan International Festival” here at the backyard of Hotel Bhagsu, Mcloed Ganj, from 10 to 12 December. The annual festival, opening on the day of conferment of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1989, was started eight years ago to commemorate the international recognition to His Holiness’ peace initiatives with the prestigious Nobel Prize for peace.
The festival every year draws scores of cultural troupes from Himalayan regions. This year’s festival is sponsored by Department of Tourism, Himachal government, and the Central Tibetan Administration. The Indo Tibetan Friendship Association has been organising the event every year.
Talking to reporters here, Mr. Ajai Singh Mankotia, the President of the Indo Tibetan Friendship Society, Dharamsala, said that this year’s event would be participated by troupes from the northern Indian states like Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh etc. The artistes from the Tibetan institute of performing Arts will represent Tibet in the festival.
Mr. Ram Swaroop, the founding president of the ITFS, told reporters that they regard Tibet as a separate nation from China and that the festival is truly international as it is an exchange of culture between two nations, India and Tibet.
The three-day festival will also feature exhibitions of traditional crafts, foods and artefacts. Maj. Vijai Singh Mankotia, the Tourism Minister of Himachal Pradesh, will be the Chief Guest for the inaugural day. Mrs. Gyari Dolma, Vice Chairperson of the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies, will be the chief guest for the second day’s programme.