In Ladakh, the upcoming two-day Drass Festival, scheduled for September 4 and 5, will provide a major platform to showcase the tourism, cultural and adventure potential of Drass, recently announced as a new district.
Speaking to Akashvani, Deputy Commissioner Drass, Imtiyaz Kacho, said the revival of the Drass Festival has assumed special significance following the recent formation of the new district.
He said the Drass Festival was organised in the past but had witnessed a gap in recent years. The District Administration has now taken the initiative to revive the festival, even on a modest scale this year, to generate renewed interest and highlight the identity and potential of the newly announced district.
DC Imtiyaz Kacho said there is tremendous enthusiasm among the people, with interest and queries pouring in from across Ladakh and outside the Union Territory.
He said the District Administration aims to develop Drass as an important tourist destination on the national map by promoting its spectacular natural landscapes, rich culture, heritage, adventure tourism and traditional sports.
The Drass Festival will feature a wide range of activities, including eco-adventure and nature tours, visits to heritage sites, Horse Polo, Tent Pegging, cultural programmes and youth activities.
The festival will also focus strongly on youth engagement, providing school and college students platforms to showcase their hidden talents through cultural, sporting and other extracurricular activities.
Being organised under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the festival will include awareness programmes, theatre performances and cultural events highlighting the dangers of drug and substance abuse. Programmes promoting patriotism and national unity will also form an important part of the celebrations.
The second day of the festival coincides with Teachers’ Day, and special programmes will be organised to honour teachers. The celebrations will conclude with a cultural evening at the iconic Mannan Top View Point at Lamochan.
Various institutions and departments, including Power Grid Corporation, the Army, BRO and other government departments, are supporting the initiative.