The Red Panda Winter Carnival 2018 plays host to the official felicitation ceremony~
Sikkim, Window to the Himalayas, the Heavenly State of India, Sikkim, every year eagerly awaits its most prestigious event, ‘The Red Panda Winter Carnival’. And while the State has already been converted into a winter wonderland, the festival transformed into something extraordinarily on the 8th January as they honored the first Brand Ambassador of Sikkim – A.R. Rahman!
This association was announced at the carnival, the most appropriate time of the season, promoting everything that the State stands for. The festival primarily aims at increasing the flow of tourists and promoting the state’s economy, their rich culture, opulent cuisine, and tourism with their naturally blessed landscapes that are visually enthralling for the tourist and the aesthete both.
Having been chosen as the face of the State, A.R.Rahman, commented, “As Helen Keller rightly said – The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. I feel this was said for Sikkim and Sikkim only. The beauty of Sikkim doesn’t only lie in its hills and valleys but in its feelings and culture as well. I’m highly impressed by the State’s development and mesmerizing culture. I’m honored to be the face of this beautiful State.”
The unique essence of nature, the chants from the monasteries, the susurrus roars of Teesta and Rangeet River, and the magnetic attractions of the sacred summit, Mount Khnagchendzonga, the State will manage to leave you mesmerized every single time. But the State harps about its truly unique Ecclesiastical Department that wholly caters to the functioning of institutions of different religions. There are around 200 monasteries, churches, temples, gurudwaras, and mosques in this tiny state! There are as many as 13 languages spoken in this sparsely populated mountain state, with most of them being taught in schools and colleges. Sikkim has already become the first fully organic certified state of India!
The board in its latest endeavor has brought on board A.R.Rahman. Besides being one of the most talented and influential music faces, he truly blends with the essence of the North Eastern state.
Hon’ble Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Mr. Ugen T Gyatso, on signing the music legend to promote Sikkim, said,“Despite being the second smallest State in the country, we are growing at a rapid pace. We see a bigger and better future for Sikkim and with Rahman and his versatility and graceful nature, he lives up to the affectionate nickname of ‘Isai Puyal’ (Music storm) as he breezes in from the south to the Himalayas, resonating his mellifluous melodies to the world. There couldn’t have been a better fit”
There are various indicators of development, one of them being the GDP. In 2016, Sikkim contributed 67.73 percent to the state’s GSDP at current prices and at a Growth rate of 33.91 percent, the secondary sector has been the fastest growing among the three sectors from 2004-05 to 2015-16.
At the event, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling declared and felicitated, Rahman on the prosperous association. “We are honored to have Shri A.R.Rahman as the brand ambassador of our state. He has always been our choice and we are grateful that he has come on board. We look forward to working in tandem to take the State to higher levels and achievements”, he adds.
