14-day Island
Tourism Festival gets off to a colourful start
The 14-day Island Tourism Festival got off to a colourful start at ITF
ground, VIP road on 8th January2007 evening. Drum beating by the cultural troupes
attired in colourful costumes as also delightful performances by cultural
troupes marked the inauguration of the festival. Lt. Governor, Lt. (Gen. (Retd)
Bhopinder Singh followed by other dignitaries present on the occasion
lighted the traditional lamp to declare open the much awaited festival.
Addressing the function, the Lt. Governor said, tourism development
in A & N Island will be done in such a manner so that it helps to not
only generate job opportunities but also synergize the socio-economic
development of A & N islands.
The Lt. Governor said that the nature has showered her
bounties on A & N verdant Islands. But what is discernible and
admirable is the grace of these islands and friendliness of its people,
who have settled in A & N Islands from different parts of the country.
“The spirit of unity among the islanders and the manner in which they
live in perfect harmony amidst diversity is certainly an example worth of
emulation by the people of the whole country”.
The Lt. Governor said, ‘more people from elsewhere in this
country should visit our island so that the gap between mainland and
islands is bridged and the obscurity among them is done away with. The Lt.
Governor said, he would always be in favour of seeing for himself the
implementation of any project and ascertaining ground realities instead of
forming committees to look into its execution. “My effort during my
tenure as Lt. Governor will be to benefit the poor segments of the people
by taking up developmental schemes at their door steps”.
Lt. Governor recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters who laid down
their lives for the cause of the motherland. Lt. General (Retd) Bhopinder
Singh said, “the Sacrifices by the freedom fighters have made these
island a sacred place. Every effort will be made to make this island a
place of pilgrimage for each countrymen to visit these islands”.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri
Manoranjan Bhakta said that it is the unity and the cooperation of the
people, which has made possible for these islands to develop in a better
way. “Through this festival, we should send a strong message to the
people of outer world that the people of these islands are united to face
any challenge, the MP said. The MP also urged the Lt. Governor to form a
committee incorporating members from the Administration and private to
chalk-out programmes for the ITF from next year onwards.
The function was graced, among others by the first lady Smt Bhawanee
Singh, the Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, Shri R Chidambaram, the Chairman,
Municipal Council, Shri Sher Singh, Councilors of Municipal Council, PRI
members, Senior officers from the Defence and Civil Administration.
In his address on the occasion, the Chief Secretary, Shri Shumsher
K Sheriff, said that many proposals have been prepared by the Department
of Tourism for the expansion of tourism in these islands in the coming
year to take this Industry to International Status. However, promotion of
tourism will be done keeping in mind the fragile eco-system of A & N islands. The Chief Secretary had a word of thanks for the artistes from
mainland who have come all the way to entertain the people here with their
cultural shows.
Welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the
Secretary, IP&T, Dr. G D Badgaiyan said that promotion of tourism is
the main objective behind the organizing of ITF. Tourism plays an
important role in the economic development of these islands and tourism
has the potential to unite people emotionally, the Secretary Dr. G D
Badgaiyan said, adding that various measures are on the anvil through
which the tourism Industry will attain a great height in the years ahead.
Smt Rashida Iqbal, Curator, National Memorial, who anchored the programme, proposed the vote of thanks.
Source: The Daily telegrams dt 9th January 2007