From Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 5: Union Tourism Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, on Thursday inaugurated Journeying Across the Himalayas, a groundbreaking 10-day festival celebrating the legacy and resilience of the Himalayan landscape and its communities.
Organised by Royal Enfield’s Social Mission, the festival blends creative expressions, engaging conversations, curated cuisine, live music and community tales to honour the timeless spirit of the Himalayas.
The union minister, an avid motorbike enthusiast and Himalayan rider, praised Royal Enfield’s efforts to preserve the region’s heritage and empower over 100 Himalayan communities to build resilience against climate change.
He highlighted the brand’s initiative to inspire one million riders to explore responsibly, fostering a ‘Leave Every Place Better’ ethos.
Bidisha Dey, Executive Director of Eicher Group Foundation, emphasised the festival’s mission to connect audiences with the Himalayas’ cultural and natural heritage.
“We look forward to welcoming audiences to Journeying Across the Himalayas. This 10-day celebration presented by Royal Enfield Social Mission showcases the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage through the lens of sustainable exploration. As we gather to share stories, music, and cuisine from the Himalayas, we hope to inspire collective action and a deeper connection to this iconic region that we call our spiritual home,” said Dey.
Bringing together over 50 communities, 100 partners, 150 experts and 200 artists and creative practitioners on one platform, the festival spans a range of disciplines to foster cross-learning and the sharing of ideas.
The festival also features other installations and exhibitions such as Helmeted Hyphae (XXL), Risha (Aratrik Dev Varman and Jisha Unnikrishnan), and Entanglements (sā Ladakh). Snow Leopard-inspired Custom Motorcycles and Apparel by Arjun Raina, Bobbee Singh, and Suket Dhir are also being showcased. Installations by Plasticvalla aka Manveer Singh and One Earth Foundation spotlights themes like circularity and waste management.
Panel discussions and conversations during the opening weekend delve into safeguarding cultural heritage, responsible tourism, climate resilience, human-animal harmony and culinary traditions. Workshops, film screenings and modern storytelling sessions explore complex themes like climate change, making them accessible to the public.
Prominent speakers from diverse fields, including conservation, crafts, culinary arts, contemporary art, and literature, will engage with youth changemakers and representatives from Himalayan communities. These discussions aim to amplify stories from the Himalayas and inspire sustainable solutions.
Spokeperson highlighted the festival’s focus on sustainability and artisanal craftsmanship, with contributions from Action Northeast Trust and designer Sonam Dubal.