<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">SORENG, (IPR):</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif"> Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat today started his two-day official tour of Soreng district.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">On the first day, the Union minister participated in review meetings and held interactions with the local youth and tourism stakeholders to assess the tourism potential and developmental prospects of the district.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Shekhawat also visited several prominent religious and tourism destinations including Sang Ngag Yangtze Monastery at Rinchenpong, Rinchen Chholing Monastery at Meghi Dara, trout farming centre at Sribadam and Sribadam Waterfall. The visit highlighted the district’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and growing eco-tourism potential.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Highlighting the importance of tourism promotion, the Union minister stressed the need to effectively market tourism destinations of Sikkim through digital platforms in order to enhance visibility and attract more domestic and international tourists to the State.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Soreng DC Dhiraj Subedi briefed the Union minister on the overall developmental profile of Soreng district as an Aspirational District. He elaborated on the district administration’s initiatives towards promotion of eco-tourism, sustainable tourism and preservation of the district’s cultural and traditional heritage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The DC further expressed gratitude to the Union minister for visiting Soreng district and stated that such visits would significantly contribute towards strengthening the tourism sector and enhancing national-level recognition of the district’s unique cultural and natural assets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">During the visit to Sang Ngag Yangtze Monastery, the monastery committee briefed the Union minister on the history and significance of Buddhism in the region, along with the activities and achievements of the monastery. The committee also shared their future aspirations, including the proposed construction of a statue of Amitabha Buddha and its importance in promoting Buddhist heritage, spirituality and religious tourism in the district.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Cultural performances showcasing the rich traditions and heritage of the region were also presented during the visit, adding vibrancy to the programme and reflecting the diverse cultural identity of Soreng district. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The Union minister appreciated the cultural performances presented by the students and lauded the rich diversity, cultural roots, traditional values and unique cultural identity of the region. He encouraged the students and artists to continue practicing and preserving their traditional art forms for future generations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">During the evening programme, the Union minister also interacted with students, tourism stakeholders and local residents. Addressing the gathering, he spoke about the rich and ancient Indian civilisation and its enduring cultural legacy which continues to remain relevant even today. He emphasised about the Prime Minister’s vision of “Viksit Bharat” and how essential it is important for development at all levels. He encouraged tourism stakeholders and local entrepreneurs to embrace opportunities as they arise.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The visit is expected to further strengthen tourism development initiatives in the district while encouraging preservation of its cultural and spiritual heritage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">During the visits, the Union minister was accompanied by Rinchenpong MLA Erung Tenzing Lepcha, Soreng Chakung MLA Aditya Golay, Maneybong Dentam MLA Sudesh Subba, zilla adhakshya Tila Devi Gurung, APS to Chief Minister Eras Lucksom, Tourism secretary Hondala Gyaltsen, Soreng DC Dhiraj Subedi, SP Nahkul Pradhan, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (Ministry of Culture) director Ashis Giri, Soreng ADC DR Bista and other State government officials.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

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