The 8th edition of Ladakh Zanskar Festival-2023 was inaugurated by the Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism and Culture, UT Ladakh, Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan at Padum on October 13.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Commissioner/Secretary stated that the organisation of this festival is an attempt to preserve Ladakh’s different regions’ cultural heritage, promote them and bring them to the fore so that the future generations of Ladakh know & learn its cultural heritage. He also said that cultural exchange is important to appreciate the cultural diversity of Ladakh and learn from each others’ experiences and practices. The Commissioner/Secretary appreciated the people of Zanskar for preserving their culture & identity. He said that Zanskar Festival has become one of the principal festivals in the UT and he hoped that Zanskar will be a beacon of light for other regions of the UT in the field of culture and traditions.

The Commissioner/Secretary emphasized that the Culture department’s mandate is not a promotion of tourism. However, it plays a significant role in the promotion of tourism in Ladakh. Therefore, the Tourism department also collaborates through publicity and promotion as this kind of festival provides an integrated platform for tourists/visitors to witness unique cultural experiences without going to different parts of Ladakh.

He affirmed that the UT Administration is committed to working for the transformation of Zanskar, with a focus on comprehensive development across various sectors such as road connectivity, electricity, telecommunications, tourism, education, health facilities, and many more.

Deputy Secretary, LAACL, Nazir Hussain, expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, artists, and attendees who had travelled from far-off places such as Himachal Pradesh, Leh, Kargil, and all the remote hamlets of Zanskar.

Nazir stated that the success of the Zanskar Festival is attributed to the unwavering enthusiasm and support provided by the people of Zanskar and the LAACL.

SDM Zanskar, Sonam Doorjay in his speech mentioned that the Zanskar Festival has the potential to bolster the tourism sector in the Sub Division. Further, he conveyed his gratitude to the UT Administration for approving the development of amenities and facilities at six significant Buddhist monasteries in Zanskar.

After inaugurating the event, the Commissioner/Secretary toured various stalls on display representing different departments, entrepreneurs, villages of Zanskar, and women's organizations. Following this, various cultural troupes from Zanskar, Changthang, and rock artists delivered captivating performances that enthralled the audience.