A mega tourism extravaganza, Sikkim Red Panda Winter Carnival 2019 was formally inaugurated by the Tourism & Civil Aviation Minister Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia at MG Marg in Gangtok on Thursday.
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The annual popular tourism festival of Sikkim has been kicked off with series of cultural, traditional, art and other activities at different venues in and around Gangtok.
The opening of the carnival marked with the beating the Chabrung, a traditional musical drum, and releasing of doves for peace and prosperity by the Tourism Minister, who then declared open the three-day long carnival.
The Sikkim Red Panda Winter Carnival is an annual event of Tourism & Civil Aviation Department to showcase the rich culture, tradition and heritage of Sikkim and to provide a wider platform to local talents of Sikkim to showcase their talents in different fields.
The carnival is also having the participation of delegates and artistes from Bhutan, Nepal, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration and Gangjong Doeghar Kalimpong, who will be showcasing their culture, tradition and handicraft and handlooms in these three days of the carnival.
Sikkim Food Festival in various hotels and restaurants in the capital and Sikkim Film Festival at Manan Kendra are some other highlights of the carnival. Likewise, Institute of Hotel Management Sajong in East Sikkim has organized a three-day basic programme on preparation of puddings, salads, mocktails and fruit carving at Hotel Mount Jopuno and live demonstration by local artisans under the aegis of the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms, display of organic products at Manan Kendra, kids entertainment corner, morning fitness programme, fashion shows and DJ Nights are other some major attractions of the carnival.
The carnival also has the performances by local bands and artists in all these three days. Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation has arranged helicopter joy ride during the carnival.