Mussoorie Winter line Carnival-2013, an initiative by the Government of Uttarakhand, the City Board Mussoorie and Ministry of Tourism and Culture to enhance the State tourism, started on Friday. Youth and Sports Minister of Uttarakhand Dinesh Agarwal inaugurated the carnival.
Agarwal announced Rs 10 lakhs in the favour of Carnival Committee and said that the carnival will give tourists an opportunity to re-explore Mussorrie and also teach them about the culture and art of the State. The carnival begins from Mall road with the tableau of seven different States which ends in Gandhi Chowk, Mussoorie.
Renowned artist’s actor Tom Alter staged a play on famous Urdu poet ‘Ghalib’. Famous Garhwali Jagar singer Basanti Bisht lured audience with her performance and well-known percussionist A Shivmani was the highlight of the day. The carnival will showcase a range of events from plays, music, and dance performances to adventurous activities to captivate the audience. Several programmes including Mussoorie walk, run for Mussoorie, photography competition, roller skating, treasure hunt among other activities will also be held at the event.
Day 2 starts at 10 am and will bring programmes like Mussoorie heritage walk circuit, mountain biking and cycling, run for Mussoorie, rock climbing, fashion show and performance by Kathak dancer Arushi Pokhriyal. On Sunday, the 29th activities that are planned include a heritage walk, roller skating, treasure hunt, band competition and a chance to have a tea with Ruskin Bond.
In the evening, the culture of Uttarakhand will be showcased through musical performances by Narender Singh Negi and Pritam Bharatwan, famous folk singers of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and after that a performance by Bollywood singer Shibani Kashyap. On the 30th, along with a heritage walk, a vintage car rally and a painting competition are planned. This will be followed by a performance by Bobby Cash a singer. The finale to the programme will be with a performance by Bollywood singer, Arijit Singh.
Companies like Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam limited, Garhwal Post, SIDCUl, HelpAge India, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam ltd. and Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority have come together to sponsor the event.