HPTDC Chairman inaugurates Asian Rafting Championship in Nadaun

The three Asian Rafting Championships being organized by the Tourism Department in collaboration with the District Administration and The Indian Rafting Federation started here on Friday. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Chairman RS Bali formally inaugurated the championship at Ramlila Ground here.

 Apart from Nepal, Bhutan and Kazakhstan, about 24 teams including teams from various states of the country, Army and various paramilitary forces as well as local teams from Himachal are participating.

Congratulating all the participants, organizing committee and Nadaun residents on this occasion, RS Bali said that this competition, being organized as per the instructions of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, will go a long way in taking tourism and adventure sports to new heights in Nadaun and surrounding areas.

RS Bali said that the Chief Minister has entrusted him with a huge responsibility of the tourism sector. To properly exploit the immense potential in this area, a massive project worth about Rs 2500 crore has been given clearance with the help of ADB. The results of this project will start becoming visible within a year in Himachal Pradesh. He said that tourism industry can make a huge contribution in making Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant and most prosperous state. Therefore, the Chief Minister himself is making new schemes for this sector. In this series, DPRs for schemes worth crores of rupees have been made for Tourism Corporation’s hotel, wellness center and water sports center in Nadaun also.

RS Bali said that the Chief Minister has announced to develop Kangra district and its adjoining areas as tourism capital. Nadaun area will also benefit greatly from this. He said that the way the Chief Minister has worked to make disaster-affected Himachal stand on its feet and rehabilitate the victims, he has emerged as a public leader in the true sense. He himself went to Ground Zero and inquired about the condition of the victims and provided relief and also handed over his entire life’s earnings to the victims.

Even without the help of the Central Government, he has released a package of Rs 4500 crore for the rehabilitation of the disaster affected. RS Bali said that the World Bank, NITI Aayog and other prestigious institutions have also appreciated the Chief Minister. He said that the Chief Minister cares for even the last person of the society and works for their upliftment. He will soon return completely healthy and will start serving the people of the state. On this occasion, he also praised all the officers, employees and local people for organizing the Asian Rafting Championship brilliantly.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairava welcomed the chief guest, other guests and all the participants and gave detailed information regarding the championship. World Rafting Federation President Danilio Bermez also expressed his views and Indian Rafting Federation President Shaukatpal Singh expressed his gratitude to everyone. Promotional videos related to the championship were also screened during the ceremony. During the inaugural ceremony, RS Bali inaugurated the women’s rafting marathon event by flagging off the rafts of the participants on the ghat of river Vyas.