'Czech Castles' exhibition begins in Leh

The 87-day exhibition "Czech Castles", a part of cultural projects of Czech Republic's embassy in India, commenced in Leh district of frontier Ladakh region today.
Governor N N Vohra and Delhi-based ambassador of Czech Republic Miloslav Stasek jointly inaugurated the exhibition at Leh Palace, 434 kms from here, an official spokesman said.
He said the exhibition is a part of the Czech Embassy's cultural project, "2014-The year of Czech Culture in India".
The exhibition presents enchanting pictures of 37 historical castles and chateaux of Bohemia and Moravia, selected on the basis of their architectural, artistic and historical importance, the spokesman said, adding that the exhibition would be on in Leh until September 7.

Appreciating the rich history and cultural wealth of the Czech Republic, the Governor said India and the Czech Republic had shared excellent relations for centuries past and hoped that the valuable relations would deepen in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Vohra inaugurated the Ladakh International Centre (LIC), conceived and established by Ambassador P Stobdan - an eminent scholar and diplomat who belongs to Ladakh - with the objective of providing a platform for holding conferences, seminars, dialogues, workshops, exhibitions, informal discussions and researches on various important issues of national and regional importance.

Lauding Ambassador Stobdan's initiative, the Governor said the Centre could play a major role in providing platform to the think tanks from across the world to chalk out strategies for saving the fragile ecology of the Himalayan region from the impact of climate change.

Vohra hoped that many eminent scholars and scientists from across India and foreign countries would gather in Leh to discuss socio-cultural, developmental, environmental, national and regional security issues for the betterment and progress of Ladakh in all spheres.
"Ladakh offers a most wonderful opportunity to all visitors and tourists to gain firsthand experience of the centuries old Buddhist culture and traditions, border and adventure tourism along with the added attraction of the unique topographical features of the region," Vohra said.
The Governor appreciated the decision of the Ladakh administration to relax the Inner Line Permit System and said that this measure would go a long way in boosting tourism.

He also urged the chairman and councillors of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council to develop world-class infrastructure including all-weather roads in the entire region.