DARJEELING, : The 2nd edition of the Darjeeling Melo
Tea Fest began today, garnering international attention with its vibrant
showcase of tradition, culture and community spirit.
Jointly organized by Darjeeling Police
and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the event commenced with a
“unity rally” from Motor Stand to Chowrasta, where West Bengal Chief Minister
Mamata Banerjee virtually inaugurated the fest from Kolkata.
The rally was a cultural extravaganza,
featuring participants in traditional attire and musical ensembles. Members of
various clubs, organizations and the 16 development cultural boards joined in.
One of the highlights was a Land Rover rally, with 1954-model vehicles unique
to Darjeeling and operational only here in India, adding a nostalgic charm.
“This fest aims to revive Darjeeling’s
glory days by celebrating its rich culture and tradition, attracting both
domestic and international audiences,” said Solomon Subba, chairman of the
Pahadia Minority Development Board.
Stalls showcasing local culture,
traditions, and cuisines have been set up at Chowrasta by the Development
Cultural Boards. The event also features a wide array of activities, from
musical performances to competitive events.
Highlighting the international appeal of
the fest, Vikram Rai, representing Tenzing Gym, shared, “I am associated with
the short film festival and marathon. This year, we have seen a significant
increase in international participation, indicating the fest’s growing global
recognition.”
The short film festival, set to be
screened at Gorkha Ranga Manch on December 20-21, has 17 finalists including
international entries like ‘The Last Shift’ by Russia’s Asker Unaev, ‘Without
Fight’ by Bhutan’s Pema Yangsel Norbu and ‘Nridesh’ by Nepal’s Ashok Pathak.
The Darjeeling Hill Marathon, now in its
11th edition, will take place on December 22 with 3,500 registered
participants, including runners from Nepal, Bhutan, and Kenya.
The opening day featured performances by
Darjeeling’s iconic band Mantra and former Europe guitarist Kee Marcello. A
solo singing and song writing competition was also held with seven finalists
showcasing their talent.
Upcoming highlights include the D-Rock
Nepali band competition on December 20 and the English band competition on
December 21-22.
GTA chief executive Anit Thapa said the
collaboration between Darjeeling Police and GTA has extended the fest’s
duration, aiming to attract tourists during the off-season. “We envision making
this a calendar event,” he stated.
