A taste of the Himalayas in Kolkata
The Statesman|December 23, 2024
This year's festival featured highlights such as agrotourism, crafts, culture, cuisine and heritage.
Photographs by ANWESHA SANTRA
A taste of the Himalayas in Kolkata

With the onset of winter, the chilly air carries the sweet and tangy aroma of oranges a staple whether you're strolling through parks, enjoying picnics or travelling in hill stations.

This season, Kolkata played host to the Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival, a vibrant event where men and women from northeast India and neighbouring countries gathered to promote tourism to their picturesque homelands while showcasing their organic and handcrafted products.

The Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival, initiated four decades ago, is a sustainable tourism initiative aimed at preserving the rural Himalayan lifestyle.

Raj Basu, the convener of the Association for Conservation and Tourism (ACT), explained that the festival emphasises the harmonious coexistence of life and nature, promoting traditional practices that maintain pure air, soil and water.

"The initiative uses tourism as a tool to sustain the self-reliant Himalayan villages, which are independent of industrial products. By organising training programmes, bird festivals and cultural events, the festival has become a platform to connect rural Himalayan values with urban audiences, particularly in Kolkata. Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's vision of uniting the people of the hills and plains through festivals, the event began in 2014.

After a series of village leaders' meetings and local festivals, "Himalayan Orange" was chosen as the title to unify the villages participating in the festival.

Denne historien er fra December 23, 2024-utgaven av The Statesman.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 23, 2024-utgaven av The Statesman.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE STATESMANSe alt
Seoul searching~I
The Statesman

Seoul searching~I

There were fast-paced developments in the prelude to the eventual impeachment.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 23, 2024
The Statesman

Feel of print

SIR, The author of the write-up, \"Why every home must get a newspaper\" (Dec. 19) deserves praise for his excellent and thought-provoking piece.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
The Statesman

Fair Lending

The government's proposal to clamp down on unauthorised private lending practices signals a decisive move to tackle unregulated financial activities that have long preyed on vulnerable segments of the population.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 23, 2024
The Statesman

England announce squads for upcoming India tour and Champions Trophy 2025

The England Cricket Board on Sunday announced the squads for next month's white-ball tour of India, which includes three ODIs, five T20Is, and the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, as reported by the ICC.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
Sports Minister flags off 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' initiative in Delhi
The Statesman

Sports Minister flags off 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' initiative in Delhi

Keeping continuity with the Fit India Cycling Drive launched earlier this week, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off the 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' initiative at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
Pro Kabaddi League: Puneri Paltan aim to finish season on high as tribute to fans
The Statesman

Pro Kabaddi League: Puneri Paltan aim to finish season on high as tribute to fans

The defending champions of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Puneri Paltan have not had the best season by their lofty standards.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
ISL: NorthEast United aim to regain form against struggling Hyderabad
The Statesman

ISL: NorthEast United aim to regain form against struggling Hyderabad

Hyderabad FC are hosting NorthEast United FC when the two sides face off in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Monday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
G Trisha, spinners star as India win inaugural U19 Women's Asia Cup title
The Statesman

G Trisha, spinners star as India win inaugural U19 Women's Asia Cup title

G Trisha stood tall to hit a fine 52 while spinners took seven wickets collectively as India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs to become first-ever winners of the inaugural U19 Women's Asia Cup at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
BBL: McSweeney hits fiery 78 to guide Heat to thrilling win after Australia snub
The Statesman

BBL: McSweeney hits fiery 78 to guide Heat to thrilling win after Australia snub

Australia batter Nathan McSweeney, who was dropped from the Test side after playing three games in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, bounced back to form with a scintillating 78-run innings to help Brisbane Heat register a thrilling last-ball win against the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL) on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
BGT: Richardson 'excited' to return to Oz Test squad
The Statesman

BGT: Richardson 'excited' to return to Oz Test squad

Australia have added Richardson as an extra pace option after a calf injury ruled Josh Hazlewood out of the series

time-read
2 mins  |
December 23, 2024