‘Punjab Panorama’ will unlock untapped tourism potential of state: Sidhu

Ravi S. Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 24

The Punjab government has set eyes on boosting state’s economy through the means of its rich vein of history and culture which will be on global display during the proposed two-day “Punjab Panorama” to be hosted at the historic Qila Mubarak fort in Patiala from March 3.

Exuding optimism, Punjab’s Tourism and Culture Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu termed the proposed event as landmark. “It will help unlock huge untapped tourism potential of the Punjab -- the land of Sikh Gurus -- and present Brand Punjab to the world,” he said.

This is the first time that the historic fort will be presented to history and culture aficionados on an international scale and through it, among others, the glorious history of the state -- the land of Sikh Gurus.

He said the dilapidated fort, constructed in 1763 by Baba Ala Singh, is being refurbished at a cost of Rs 25 crore. Baba Ala Singh is the founder of Phulkian royalty, to which CM Capt Amarinder Singh belongs.

To paraphrase, “Punjab Panorama” is the first international contemporary arts forum. It will be inaugurated by Capt Amarinder. It will be attended, among others, by Greek Ambassador and the Consul General Canada.

Sidhu said the event, supported by Punjab government, will provide a platform to provide an opportunity to market the state’s art, history and culture internationally.

The Minister said the landmark  historical places are being given a facelift.

The state’s defining cultural ethos is universal brotherhood humanistic matrix accreted and flowing from the cumulative teachings of the Sikh gurus will also be propagated internationally vide the event.

Born in Patiala to the Royal family, and founder and Director of Punjab Panorma, Sara Singh, accompanying Sidhu, said the major highlights of the event will be curated exhibition of international film work by female artistes from around the world.

The event,organised in collaboration with several embassies, will bring together internationally reputed cultural representatives. Among the participants are Greece, Canada, Swiss Arts Council, Goethe Instut (having headquarters at Munich, Germany) and Asia Society.

As many as five major world museums — from Denmark, Greece, UK, USA and Canada — will take part in it.