INVC NEWS
Shimla,
Himachal Pradesh is a State for ‘all Seasons and for all Reasons’ said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh here today after inaugurating the ‘Apple Festival’ organised at Ridge together by Department of Tourism and State Horticulture department.
He said that the State had vast tourism potential and Himachal had everything for everyone to offer with. Right from its delicacies to open green meadows and high hills, the State is endowed with salubrious climate and offers number of adventure sports activities besides religious tourism to the visitors.
He said that it was a matter of great pride that the apple fest gives a glimpse of different varieties of apples and other fruits grown in the State. The economy of the State mostly depends upon the horticulture sector and Himachal was also known as ‘Apple State’ he said.
There were as many as 282 entries of the progressive farmers and had 30 different varieties of apple and other fruits.
The Chief Minister also took keen interest in the ‘Food Festival’ staged atop Padam Dev Complex on the Ridge which showcased variety of Himachali Cuisine. He appreciated the efforts of the Tourism Department and the Hotel Association of Shimla to organize the food festival and hoped that it could be a regular feature as the tourist can enjoy the food of various districts under a single canopy.
Horticulture and Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Vidya Stokes, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Col. Dr. Dhani Ram Shandil, Ayurveda Minister, Karan Singh, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Jagjeevan Pal and Nand Lal, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Rangila Ram Rao, Vice-Chairman Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board, Maj. Vijay Singh Mankotia, Vice- Chairman, HIMUDA, Yashwant Chajata, Vice- Chairman, HPTDC, Harish Janartha, Mayor, Sanjay Chauhan, Deputy Mayor, Tikendar Panwar, Member BoD, HPTDC, Rupesh Kanwal, Director, Tourism, Mohan Chauhan, Director, Information and Public Relations, M. P. Sood, President Shimla Hotel Association, Deputy Commissioner, Dinesh Malhotra were also present on the occasion amongst others.
