The three-day Sindhu Festival, aimed at attracting tourists and extending the tourism season in the region, today commenced at Shey Manla Sindhu Ghat in Leh district.
Urban Development and Local Bodies Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora declared the festival open with hoisting of the national flag followed by a brief multi-faith prayer ceremony, an official spokesman said.
He said the Ambassador of Czech Republic to India Miloslav Stasek was guest of honour on the occasion.
"Celebrating this festival is also a mean of paying tribute to Sindhu which is the most ancient civilization, the Indus civilization and speaks of the heritage of India and Pakistan," he said.
Talking about his efforts in developing various tourist infrastructures in Ladakh during his tenure as a tourism minister, Jora said, Leh is the only tourist destination in the country which enjoys per capita tourist of more than one.
Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Copuncil, Leh, Rigzin Spalbar said Singhey Khababs Sindhu Festival is a symbolic event on communal harmony and sends across the message of brotherhood, unity in diversity and peace in the country and in the world.
