Nancowry, Jan. 6:The picturesque Nancowry sub-division came alive as it hosted a vibrant Island Tourism Festival (ITF), 2024 yesterday at Indira Park, Kamorta, celebrating the rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and diverse traditions of the region. The event was graced by Shri Pravesh Ranjan Jha, Director (Shipping), A&N Administration, as the chief guest, and Shri Aditya Sangotra, Assistant Commissioner, Nancowry, as the guest of honor. Commanding Officers of INS Kardip and Indian Coast Guard, along with Chief Tribal Captain, Nancowry, Ms. Ayesha Majeed, were also present on the occasion.
A large gathering of enthusiastic crowd consisting of young and old, men and women from distant villages alike gathered to soak in the festivity of evening at the ground. The lights and music created a heavenly atmosphere, making it a moment to remain embedded for a long time in the minds of the people. The festival displayed an array of colorful performances by local groups and school children alluring the audiences with their diverse performances and sparkling costumes displaying a gem of local traditions and culture. In addition to cultural performances, stalls of various Departments of A&N Administration like Agriculture, Veterinary, Health, Fire Service and Rural Development were in display spotlighting on various initiatives of the Government, serving as a centre for knowledge and awareness. The events displayed Fire dance, Stick Fight and bamboo dance – a local art form of tribal communities of Nancowry group of Islands. The night shone brighter with performance of students from various schools viz. GMSSS Goal Tikery, GMSSS Kamorta, GMSSS Champin along with performance of Kamorta melodies and group dances and folk songs by various villages and communities of the Nancowry group of Islands.
The programme began with a ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by welcome address by Shri Mohammed Yunus M, Nodal Officer (ITF)/BDO Nancowry. The Assistant Commissioner, Nancowry, delivered the key note address in which, he outlined the key initiatives being taken up by the Administration and sought the support of the tribal leaders and villagers.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest congratulated the organizers for hosting the festival with all grandeur and participation. He assured the support of the Administration in addressing the issues of the region.
As a precursor to the main ITF event, various traditional games like tug-of-war, arm wrestling and coconut de-husking and grating competitions were conducted village wise with an aim to mobilize large crowd from distant and remote villages. The participating teams were led by the respective Village Captains.
The participants were felicitated by the chief guest and dignitaries, appreciating their efforts to putting forward vibrant and colorful programmes for all the people of the Nancowry Island. The ITF curtain closed leaving behind trails of happiness, joy and unforgettable memories for the people. The event was a grand success, leaving everyone with cherished memories and a sense of pride in their heritage.
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