Carnival to feature rock climbing, rock bands, mountain biking

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, December 13

Rock climbing, rock bands, half marathon, mountain biking treasure hunt and several other entertainment programmes will be part of the Winterline Carnival being organised by the Dehradun district administration and the local Municipal Council from December 25 in Mussoorie to boost tourism.

District Magistrate, Dehradun, Chandresh Yadav, presided over a meeting held at the SDM office here yesterday and finalised the itinerary of the carnival.

It was decided at the meeting that the carnival would begin on December 25 with a parade in which artistes from across the country would showcase their cultures. The parade would start from Survey Ground and end at Gandhi Chowk. The chief guest would inaugurate the carnival at Gandhi Chowk around 3.30 pm.

A photography competition, a heritage walk from Garhwal Terrace to George Everest House, mountain biking, a vintage car rally, a photo exhibition on the history of Mussoorie, a football tournament, and a half marathon would also be organised.

A trade expo displaying handicraft products from the region, besides a fashion show would also be organised at Garhwal Terrace. The colour theme for the carnival would be red and gold and all hotels and shops would be decorated in accordance with it. The District Magistrate said local artistes would perform ‘’Ramchol’’ on December 26 and the administration was planning to rope in Narendar Singh Negi to be the lead singer that night.

Celebrities such as Kailash Kher, Neha Kakkar, Tom Alter, rapper-singer Badshah, comedian Khayali and other local performers would also be part of the festivities to be held from December 25 to 30. A firework display would be held on the New Year eve, he said.

He directed the SDM, Mussoorie, Ramji Sharan, to prepare a brochure of the events by coming Sunday so that promotional activities could be started earnestly. He said the entry to the carnival venue would only be through tickets and no passes would be issued to either media or government officials. “I will also be entering the carnival venue on the municipal council premises with a ticket,” said Chandresh.

Artistes from Uttar Pradesh, namely Suresh Kushwaha and Anushka Manchanda, would also be performing. Later the District Magistrate told mediapersons that the district administration was supporting the carnival during its initial stages and once it becomes popular their role would be minimised in a phased manner.