Published by: World Tibet Network News Monday, November 10, 1997

Contact: Ajai Singh, Vice-President

Tel: 01892-21010

His Holiness the Dalai Lama to inaugurate the celebration of Himalayan cultures

DHARAMSALA, (10 November) - "It's a celebration of the ancient cultural diversity which the Himalayas have nurtured and sustained over the centuries. It's also an attempt to bring the rich and gentle cultures of the Himalayas to the wider world," said Major Vijai Singh Mankotia, the Minister of Tourism and Law of Himachal Pradesh, commenting on the Third International Himalayan Festival to be held in Dharamsala from 10 to 12 December.

"We would like the world to know that the Himalayas are not just the most stunning mountains in the world but are also endowed with landscapes and cultures that will take your breath away," the minister said.

Why Himachal Pradesh is taking the lead in bringing together the cultures and peoples strung along the whole length of northern India, from Pakistan in the west to Burma in the east, in celebration of their unique cultures is an indication of the degree to which this exceedingly beautiful state has succeeded in establishing itself on the tourist map of the world.

10 years ago, Himachal Pradesh, internationally, was a tourist backwater. Now it ranks fourth in the number of tourists who visit India annually, after Rajasthan, Kerala and Goa. And the number of tourists visiting Himachal is shooting up and Himachal will soon establish itself as the number one revenue earner for India in tourism.

Himachal Pradesh's social peace, political stability, its stunning sceneries crowned by perpetually snow-capped mountains, its cultural diversity, the gentleness of its people and the presence of the Dalai Lama have contributed to making Himachal a tourist success story and every tourist's ultimate dream destination.

Recently Himachal's energetic drive to attract more tourists got much-needed boost when the United Nations Educational and, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the over-one-thousand-year-old Tabo monastery, tucked away in the state's Spiti valley, as a world heritage monument.

"This year, outside Himachal, cultural troupes from Nepal, Bhutan, Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir will be participating in the festival," said Ram Swaroop, President of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association which is organising the festival in cooperation with the Himachal Tourism Department and the Tibetan Government-in-exile. "Troupes from different parts of Himachal Pradesh will also participate, including members of the world famous Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.

"The festival starts on 10 December because that day in 1989, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was presented with the Nobel Peace Prize," Ram Swaroop said. "We are delighted that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be present at the inaugural function of the festival and that he and the State Chief Minister, Raja Virbhadra Singh, along with Major Vijai Singh Mankotia will kick off the festival which includes display of traditional Himalayan handicrafts and contrasting folk songs and dances," said Ram Swaroop.