Among a variety of creative activities like photography competitions, exhibitions, boating, interschool music competitions and kavi sammelan, folk music and dance and cultural shows are going to be the special attractions of this year’s Shardotsav that has begun in the lake city Nainital.
A symbol of Uttarakhand’s cultural identity the Shardotsav that also marks the beginning of the winter season, is a special annual event as it not only promotes the hill state’s diminishing rich cultural heritage but also gives an opportunity to the new budding folk artists to showcase their talents.
Overall, it comes as a huge opportunity to give momentum to the tourism sector which remains rather a low key affair during the winter season here. Since the lake city, Nainital, is one of the major tourist destinations, therefore, to attract a number of tourists during this period such kind of events may come in handy for us, says Pramendra Kumar, a tour operator.
So we are hoping that the people including the occasional visitors would take part in this festival in a big way, he expressed hope.
Apart from the tourism sector and the folk artists, the local traders, entrepreneurs engaged in traditional trading activities, handicrafts to name few may also have an opportunity to showcase their products in this festival.
Though the annual Shardotsav has begun in the lake city Nainital, members from the BJP have strongly registered their opposition against organising this annual feature which is symbol of Uttarakhand’s rich cultural
heritage.
The protestors were opposing such fair saying that since many a number families are rendered homeless, so instead of organising such programmes the Government must work for the
affected families.
Opposing cultural festivals or other annual events in the name of natural calamity or area specific grievances may not be good for the socio-cultural and economic health of the Himalayan State. Such activities must go on, further said Kumar.
The matter of fact is that the local people have already prevented the Corbett Mahtosav from being organised in Ramnagar recently.
Following the strong protest by the people, the organisers finally decided to cancel he Corbett Mahotsavb which otherwise could have come as a big boost to revive the dwindling tourism sector, added the tour operator.
In the meanwhile, Governor of Uttarakhand Aziz Qureshi has also emphasised on the need to organise such annual events, saying the
State has gone through a bad phase due to the devastating monsoon this year.
So it is high time to put the State back on track and a message should be given out that Uttarakhand is safe for travelling. Therefore, tourism sector must be promoted to attract tourists by organising festivals like Sharadotsav, he added.