Tourism Carnival ends, Lucknow yearns for more

The concluding ceremony of the threeday carnival held at Gomti Riverfront to mark World Tourism Day and completion of 50 years of UP government’s tourism department was a fun-filled affair.

Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma and state law minister Brajesh Pathak were the guests of honour at the function. Also present were principal secretary tourism Mukesh Meshram and other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, the deputy CM said, “The Tourism Carnival was an important milestone in the direction of expanding tourism activities in the state. Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a major tourism hub of the country.”A number of entertainment programmes, including folk, Indian classical and Sufi presentations, were staged. The second day saw presentations like a magic show, Awadhi singing and Kabeer Café Band. The performance of Bollywood singer Harshit Mishra left people asking for more. The final day also saw sufi evening with celebrated singer Kavita Seth along with Anhad Band performance. Kavi Samellan had poets from different cities participating with much enthusiasm. Other events like magic show, puppet dance and folk acts were applauded by all.

Artistes from across the state came together to present 12 types of dances, including Dhobia, Terehi, Dhudhaka dance, and others mesmerised all viewers. A kathak performance directed by Shruti Sharma was presented by budding artistes from Sangeet Natak Academy.

The tourism department had also arranged stalls from food to shopping. All the food stalls were set up at Chatori Gali where were visitors seen enjoying savouring delicacies from various cities of UP. Visitors were allowed in permitted numbers and all Covid protocols were in place, confirmed officials on duty. One such visitor Ranjan Kumar Singh, said, “It was an experience of lifetime. Hopefully next year again such event will be held when we would be free from pandemic so that I can get my parents and family along.”

Singer Kavita Seth