Friday, May 11, 2007

KALEZ VALLEY FEST UNVEILS WITH ETHNIC EXTRAVAGANZA


HEE BERMOIK, May 10: Amidst a customary and colourful note the three days long Kalez Valley Heritage Festival 2007 under Hee-Bermiok constituency was formally inaugurated today by PS Tamang, Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, government of Sikkim.

Organised by Hee-Bermiok Tourism Development & HeritageConservation Society (HBTDHCS), the primary vision of the event at its third consecutive years is said to mark Hee-Bermiok an exemplary destination in the tourism map of Sikkim in hand with conservation of culture, tradition and heritage.

Infact, hardly any variation was noted at this year’s festival comparing last year except the venue. However, this year the festival has apparently expanded both the ways in terms of area as well in flow of the vacationers. Hee-Kyangbari will now be the permanent location for the festival every year. Nearly hundred foreign tourists in major from countries like Israel and USA are participating in this festival with high sprits.

Speaking at inaugural ceremony, the chief guest for the day PS Tamang remarked the endeavour of concerned area MLA NK Subba as noble, for bringing in laurel not only in his constituency but the state as well with unanticipated tourism boom.

“Tourism and sports activities have always been two sides of same the coin” Tamang said stating that tourism and sports are the primary focus areas to invite more tourists in Sikkim. He also highlighted the various sports activities that are in the pipelines.

Earlier a half-marathon from Bermiok 13th Mile to the festival site was organised covering a distance of 13 kms. The marathon witnessed spirited participation from 192 participants (107 males and 85 females). Amongst males Namphor Lepcha (DGHC), Roshan Manger (Namchi) and Kamal Kanwar (Hee-Bermiok) stood first, second and third respectively. Likewise Sita Remal of Katmandu bagged the first position followed by Binita Desar of Kathmandu and Son Maya Subba of Barthang as second and third respectively among the women.

Various traditional and cultural presentations followed by rocking performances of local bands in the evening formed a captivating part of the event today. The traditional stalls of different communities of Sikkim were also on display with delicious cuisines with lucrative exhibits.

The second day of the festival is likely to witness the inauguration of the newly constructed artificial lake ‘Chaya Tal’. Speaking to Sikkim Express today, TN Sharma President to HBTDHCS informed that the first phase of Chaya Tal was completed at a cost of Rs 36 lakhs.

The second phase will have other tourist infrastructure build ups as cafeteria, park, staff quarters, horse riding path, boating etc. Also an expansion of trek route from Hee Kyang Bari to Barsey (Rhododendron hub) taking in a distance of 23 kms is also under speedy preparation.

The construction of 65 feets tall statue of Srijunga (Limbo literary figure) at Gufa Dara is underway. The first Kanchendongza Mountain Biking Championship Sikkim 2007 is also said to be the major event of attraction this year is scheduled to be flagged off by Minister for Tourism RB Subba on 12 May.

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