Gala event to showcase rich culture diversity and development of the Islands
Port Blair, Jan. 6: The ten-day long Island Tourism Festival (ITF)-2013, got off to a colourful start at the exhibition ground, VIP road here this evening. The Lt Governor, Lt General (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM inaugurated the tourism fiesta by lighting the ceremonial oil lamp in presence of the First Lady of these Islands, Smt Bhawanee Singh. The Lt Governor declared the festival open and extended his New Year greeting to the gathering present on the occasion. The Member of Parliament, Shri B.P. Ray and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Organized under the aegis of Tourism Department of the A&N Administration, the festival aims at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Islands besides displaying the development initiatives of the UT Administration in various fields.
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the enthralling performances by local as well as artists from mainland dressed in colourful costumes. Besides mesmerizing performances by artists of South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), Chennai and Eastern Zone Cultural Centre (ESCC), Odhisa, the performance by artists of Andaman and Nicobar Islands showcasing the unique blend of our cultural traditions and spirit of ‘unity in diversity’ left the audience spellbound.
Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and other distinguished gathering, the Secretary (IP&T), Shri Satish Mathur stated that the major attractions of the 10-day annual mega event will be performance of flute maestro Padmavibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chouresia, comedy show by Bharti & VIP, Kawali by Sabri Brothers, musical nite and Bollywood nite. Besides Carnic festival is also being organized in Car Nicobar. Cultural programmes will be held in 18 venues in 10 different Islands. 36 stalls have been put up by various Govt. departments and 61 private stalls comprising food stalls and general stalls.
The inaugural function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Director (IP&T), Shri Amit Satija. He informed that today’s inaugural function was telecast live in over 30 countries all over the World by DD Bharti.
Among others, the function was also attended by the Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash, Chairperson PBMC, Chairperson, SWAB, Municipal Councillors, PRI members and senior officers from the civil Administration and Defence establishment.