Darjeeling Carnival expects two lakh visitors

About two lakh visitors are likely to attend the ongoing Darjeeling Carnival in West Bengal. The 10-day carnival, being organised for the fourth year, has proved a cultural bonanza for tourists. Many attractive packages have been offered to fascinate an increased number of tourists. "I think it's a great festival. It is very good for this region. It's a good initiative to put the youth together," said Allen, a Swiss tourist. Among the active participants in the Carnival are the artistes of Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre of the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Culture) portraying the colourful cultural scenario of Darjeeling and its neighbourhood. Organised by Darjeeling Initiative, a non-registered civil group, the Carnival in its fourth edition in intends to mobilise the community and exhibit the culture of scenic hill station. "The Carnival is being held for the fourth time. We organise the Darjeeling Carnival to promote tourism as well as to showcase our culture before the world," said Sameer Sharma, organiser of Darjeeling Carnival.

The British Council and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations are participating in this extravaganza. Darjeeling is a district of West Bengal in the Shivalik hills. Its headquarters are at the hill station of Darjeeling. Kalimpong, Kurseong and Siliguri are the major towns of the district. During the British Raj in India, Darjeeling's temperate climate led to its development as a hill station (hill town) for British residents to escape the heat of the plains during the summers. The hill station is internationally famous for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tea plantations date back to the mid 1800s as part of a British development of the area. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connecting the town with the plains was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 and is one of the few steam engines still in service in India. Mirik is a recently developed lake resort here. Several British-style public schools, which attract students from many parts of India and neighbouring countries are here in Darjeeling.

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