Maniram Village Festival showcases village’s touristic appeal

NAMCHI, 10 April: The 2-day Maniram Village Festival 2011, organized on the theme ‘Explore Rural Tourism’ by the South Sikkim Tourism Development Society (SSTDS), Maniram Branch, concluded today at Maniram Village Tourism Society premises.
The festival was inaugurated yesterday by Chairman, Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, NK Subba.
The programme began with the inauguration of a traditional gate leading to the Maniram Village Tourism Society complex followed by the inauguration of two new Chortens at the complex.
The programme began formally with a welcome address by the president of the organizing committee, MB Thapa followed by presentation of a report on Maniram Village Tourism by the SSTDS general secretary, also the South Zilla Upadakshya cum patron of the organizing committee, Himal Tamang. He tabled the various developments achieved by the society since its formation and informed that home stays as an autonomous part of village tourism was attracting number of domestic as well as foreign tourists.
The chief guest, Mr. Subba in his address said that Chief Minister, who was to inaugurate the festival could not do so due to his busy schedule. He further appreciated the efforts put in by the Maniram unit of SSTDS and all others who extended their support and said that their tireless effort has made Maniram village, well known in both the national and international tourism map.
He also highlighted that if the Maniram Village Tourism Festival was included in the tourism map of the state by the Tourism department it would help the festival attract a larger number of tourists as well as entrepreneurs.
He urged the younger generation to venture into the tourism sector professionally instead of running after a government job stressing that the tourism sector has endless opportunities to offer.
Similarly, SSTDS president cum chairman, Tea Board, Gagan Rai, in his address focused upon the emerging opportunities in the tourism sector in South Sikkim. Appreciating the work of the Maniram Village Tourism Society he said that likewise other villages in the state should also follow in their footsteps.
During the inaugural function, achievers from the area were also felicitated; amongst them were Laxmi Thapa for representing the state in the National Volleyball team, Barsha Chettri for obtaining Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship this year, social worker Dil Bdr. Rai and Dhan Singh Rai a progressive farmer. Similarly, the award of Responsible Home stay was given to Mai Kumari Rai while Norbu Tamang was awarded with Responsible Village Guide.
In ‘Sur Sangam’, a singing and dancing competition, Jit Kr. Rai won in the singing category while Saran Tamang and Salina Bhutia stood 2nd and 3rd respectively. In dance, Topchen Bhutia was adjudged the winner followed by Khusboo Rai and Sharmila Bardewa in the 2nd and 3rd postions respectively.
The second day of the festival, which had area MLA Binod Rai as the chief guest, saw a performance by pop singer Raj Moktan and local bands. Various traditional cultural presentations and stalls of different communities added more glory to this festival.
Also present during the festival were, MLA Namchi Singithang, Binod Rai, other MLAs, Madan Cintury, Tenzi Sherpa and Phituk Tshering Lama, SAATO, Namgyal Tours and Travels and Club site Siliguri.