CM Mufti Sayeed inaugurates Ladakh's Sindhu Festival

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today inaugurated the annual three-day Sindhu festival here, extending an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the region - a great seat of Buddhist culture.
"I would like Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ladakh when he plans his next tour to Jammu and Kashmir," Sayeed said after inaugurating the festival aimed at attracting tourists to Ladakh.
Describing River Sindh as fountainhead of one of the world's oldest civilisations, Sayeed asserted that Ladakh's identity as a great seat of Buddhist culture would be showcased before the world.
"Indus is not a river but a flowing civilization that makes us proud of our glorious and historic past," he said.

Also known as 'Singhey Khababs', the festival is a carnival for tourists, in particular foreigners, who witness the captivating charms of Ladakh.
On his arrival at Leh Airport, the chief minister was received by Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC, Leh, Rigzen Spalbar.

He was also given a rousing reception at Sindhu Ghat by a huge gathering of people on his first visit here after becoming the chief minister.
Describing cultural tourism as the backbone of Ladakh's economy, he said it provides avenues of employment and business opportunities for local population.
He said he favoured opening of more trading points in Ladakh, as has been done in the case of Sikkim.

Urging not to put tourism at loggerheads with environment, Sayeed described Ladakh as an adventurer's delight, which offers vistas in mountaineering, trekking and river-rafting.
"The biggest attraction though remains the great Buddhist culture living in its monasteries, which continue to mesmerise visitors from across the country and abroad," he added.