HPI
NEW DELHI, INDIA, May 20 ,2003: The Sindhu Darshan Photo Exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Jagmohan, Minister of Tourism and Culture, on May 18, 2003, at the Tea Lounge of New Delhi’s Ashok Hotel. The exhibition will remained open for the public until May 19. Speaking to the journalists on this occasion Sri Jagmohan said the exhibition is connected to the Sindhu Darshan Festival which is celebrated at Leh, Ladakh, from June 1 to the 3 every year and is now entering its sixth year. According to Shri Jagmohan, the festival has imparted a national focus to the river Sindhu which gave India its name and provided a good number of seeds for its rich civilization. This annual festival of national pride is dedicated to the mighty river Indus, from which the name India (and Hindu) has been derived, and to the men and women of the armed forces who protect India’s borders. The festival is jointly organized by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India.
The river Sindhu symbolizes the power and permanence of the ancient Indian civilization , which evolved over a period of thousands of years. The river name comes from the Sanskrit word “Sindhu,” mentioned in the Rig Veda. The Sindhu Darshan aims at projecting the Indus as a symbol of India’s unity and communal harmony.
A variety of cultural activities awaited the enthusiasts at this three-day festival. A host of renowned artists enthralled visitors with their colorful performances. The Sindhu Darshan Festival 2003 witnessed the august presence of a galaxy of dignitaries, among them His Holiness Kanchi Sankaracharya, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, Minister for Defense George Fernandes, and the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Sayed.
The three-day festival featured an all-religions meeting with participation of leading figures from all faiths, a literary seminar with the presence of prominent writers and literary figures over countrywide, a photographers and painters camp and a grand cultural extravaganza on the inaugural day. A star attraction was a specially choreographed performance on the Sindhu river by the eminent artists Shovna Narayan, Bharati Shivaji and Kiran Sehgal. Another prominent performance was a musical evening by the renowned Shaabri Brothers. A host of artists and performers showcased the best of Ladakhi music, dance and culture.
As part of the process of creating awareness for the festival, a touring exhibition was held at various locations in the country. This brought to light the various aspects of the festival and the beauty of the Ladakh region through the lens of veteran photographer and editor of Panchjanya Sri Tarun Vijay, who was in fact the brain behind it. Sri Tarun Vijay feels that Sindhu Darshan should be a very pious thing for all Indians. Says Tarun, ” I think Sindhu Darshan must be treated as a tirtha (pilgrimage), the fifth one, where people of all religions, languages, castes must come and feel the message of national unity.”