The Tourism Department in Kargil organised ‘Mamani’, Ladakh's ethnic food festival, with enthusiastic participation from the crowd on January 20 at Chiktan.

Executive Councillor, Kacho Mohd Feroz; Director of Tourism Kunzes Angmo; Councillor Chiktan, Kacho Liyaqat Ali Khan; SDM Shakar Chiktan, Abdul Gaffar Zargar; Assistant Director of Tourism Aga Syed Toha; Lambardar, Former BDC, officers of SDM Shakar Chiktan, artisans, and thousands of villagers, along with domestic tourists were present.

EC Kacho Mohd Feroz underscored the importance of traditional festivals like 'Mamani' in promoting communal harmony and preserving Ladakh's rich culture. He advocated for prioritizing traditional foods, highlighting their high nutritional value, particularly considering local weather conditions.

Expressing commitment to preserving culture and identity, he articulated the goal of positioning district Kargil on the tourism map, leveraging contributions from Zanskar to Shakar Chiktan to bolster the local economy. He commended the artisans of the Handloom/Handicraft Department for showcasing their artifacts and ethnic foods, urging them to take advantage of beneficiary-oriented schemes. He thanked the Tourism Department in Kargil for organising the annual festival at Chiktan.

The event featured a play by the RANTHaG Group Kargil and cultural performances by various cultural troops from Boodh Kharboo, Mundik, Chiktan, Kukshow, Henaskot, Balti, and Sheena.
Kunzes Angmo, Director of Tourism Ladakh, expressed that such festivals would continue to be organized to stimulate the local economy and safeguard Ladakh's cultural heritage. She praised Self Help Groups and outlined plans for expanding homestays in Chiktan under the Homestay Policy.

SDM Zargar highlighted the cultural festival's potential to showcase local culture and cuisine nationwide, suggesting elevating it to a national-level event to boost the tourism sector and the economy of Kargil.

The Assistant Director of Tourism stated that the program aims to explore winter tourism and attract domestic and international tourists to Kargil. The Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Kargil also disseminated information regarding registration and participation in the electoral process to promote civic awareness.