Varied activities including the display of 28 tableaux based on motley aspects entertained the public on the inaugural day of the Nainital winter carnival here on Friday.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh appreciated the display of tableaux and said that organising such carnivals not only highlights the traditional culture of Uttarakhand but also provides a fillip to tourism. She averred that the State Government is organising such carnivals across the State in order to preserve the native culture of Uttarakhand and strengthen the local economy by boosting tourism activities. Such festivals like the Nainital winter carnival should also be held in the summer so as to maintain a steady flow of tourists throughout the year, said the cabinet minister.
Chief Minister’s adviser Ranjit Rawat commended the event organisers. As directed by chief minister Harish Rawat, winter carnivals are being organised successfully in Mussoorie and Nainital, he added.
Earlier in the morning, the Nainital winter carnival began with presentations of cultural items of Uttarakhand and other Indian states. The traditional Kumaoni dance- Choliya, Rajasthani folk dance, Naga folk dance, Kalash Yatra, depictions of Nanda Raj Jat Yatra, Bagwal Mela and Aipan along with army band, PAC band, school band and varied environment related tableaux elicited the attention of the locals and visiting tourists. The procession of tableaux started from the Tallital area and proceeded on the Mall Road to reach the Mallital area of the lake city.
Band from Kumaon regiment centre, Ranikhet played various folk and nationalist compositions on the occasion. MlA Sarita Arya and Nainital district magistrate Deepak Rawat among others were also present on the occasion.