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.