Gangtok, April 21 (IPR): The North East India Inter-State Friendship Car Rally and Youth Conclave 2022 in its final leg reached the capital city of Gangtok on the evening of 20th April after covering the seven states of North East India. The Car Rally was flagged off from Hollongi check-gate (Arunachal-Assam border), Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh on the 7th of April 2022, and will culminate on the 22nd of April as they return to Guwahati from Sikkim.
The Inter-State Friendship Car Rally and Youth Conclave is supported by the North East Council, Ministry of DoNER, Government of India.
On 20th April, the participants of the Frienship Car Rally were accorded a warm welcome by officials of the State Tourism Department and tourism stakeholders of Sikkim at the Tourist Guest House in Rangpo on their arrival. After a brief introductory session and exchange of pleasantries, the Rally proceeded towards Gangtok.
On 21st April, the participants were escorted by Tourism Department officials and Members of TAAS to various monasteries and places of interest in and around Gangtok. They also visited the local markets and interacted with residents. The participants of the Rally were also treated to cultural programmes, which was followed by interaction with local youth on how tourism has changed their lives. The participants also had discussions with tourism stakeholders of Sikkim on ways to improve the sector, as well as promote rural tourism, thus ensuring economic benefits at the grassroots level.
In the evening, the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Sikkim, hosted a felicitation cum dinner event in honor of the guests.
The event had the special presence of MLA Gangtok cum Advisor Tourism Department Y.T. Lepcha, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism and CA Department, G.P. Upadhyaya, Chairman STDC Shri Lukendra Rasaily, Chairman, Housing Board, Karma Tashi Bhutia, officers of the Tourism Department, President and Members of TAAS and other tourism stakeholders.
The participants of the Friendship Car Rally were accorded a warm welcome by the ACS and officers of the Tourism Department and members of TAAS.
MLA, Gangtok, cum Advisor, Tourism Department, Y.T. Lepcha in his address lauded the initiative of the International Friendly Car Rally Association (IFCRA) to connect all the States of the North East through the car rally to understand each other’s culture and promote peace and unity.
Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, G.P. Upadhyaya in his opening remarks said that the North East of India is known for its tourism potential and warm and hospitable people. He added that tourism in Sikkim and in all other north eastern states is a way of life. The ACS also mentioned that this programme has been clubbed with the ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ initiative of the Government of India to promote unity among all the States of the country.
Shri Upadhyaya briefly spoke about the progress being made by Sikkim as a sought after tourist destination. He informed that the Government is developing and upgrading all the necessary infrastructure especially to improve connectivity. The ACS further said that Sikkim has consistently added new tourism products to attract national and international tourists. In conclusion, he spoke about the activities being held in the State under the banner of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Chairman, Siķkim Tourism Development Corporation, Lukendra Rasaily, in his address extended a warm welcome to the participants of the Car Rally, and called for more events of such nature in future to strengthen the bond of friendship.
The programme was also addressed by General Secretary, IFCRA, Pem Namsa from Arunachal Pradesh, who shared about the objective of the rally.
The programme also had experience sharing from the participants.
During the programme, the participants of the Friendship Car Rally were felicitated by Tourism Department and TAAS.
The North East India Friendship Car Rally 2022 is an attempt to build upon the age old connections and enhance the relationship between the people of the region so that peace can prevail.
The Rally was successful in connecting the people of the region. It provided a platform for the youth to exchange cultural ties. It helped encourage the youth to explore and experience the myriad cultures and communities across the region.
The programme also had colourful cultural presentations by the Dynamic Dance Flicker group.
