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Four-day Paragliding Flying Festival and Hospitality Expo kick-started in Junga located 30 km from Shimla on Wednesday. The event was inaugurated by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla. 400 Paragliding Pilots have taken part in the event.
With over 40 paragliders from Himachal Pradesh and various regions across the country participating, the festival aims to both encourage adventure sports and promote lesser-known tourist spots around Shimla. Participants from Nepal are also attractions of this festival. The event marks the second time that such a paragliding competition is being organized in Junga, and excitement is palpable among participants and organizers alike. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, in his inaugural speech, emphasized the dual goals of fostering adventure tourism and boosting the popularity of places like Junga. "The Shimla Flying Festival, organized in Junga village of Shimla, is not just about a few people coming here for an event. It is about promoting adventure tourism in Himachal Pradesh. I thank the organizers for holding this program for the second consecutive year. This initiative will surely benefit the whole state and increase the popularity of Junga." Shukla said. He further highlighted the festival's role in addressing social challenges, such as drug addiction, by engaging youth in productive activities. "Concentration is very important in adventure sports, and those who struggle with addiction will lack this focus. This festival can play a role in curbing drug abuse by providing alternative, healthier activities," said Governor Shukla. Participants shared their experiences and challenges of paragliding in Junga. Gopal Thakur, a seasoned paraglider from Himachal Pradesh, expressed the thrill of the competition, stating, "This is the second time a paragliding competition is being organized in Junga. In this, the person who lands closest to the designated spot will be the winner. It's quite challenging, but it's essential to ensure equipment and safety measures are in place. A lot of people are coming here, eager to learn adventure sports, and we're enjoying the opportunity to learn from top-level players." International participants have also joined the festival, adding a global flair. Aman Thapa, a paraglider from Nepal, spoke of the complexities of the Shimla air currents. "This flying competition is quite challenging. There is a lot of change in the airflow here. I have been here for two or three days trying to understand it. Even with practice, it remains quite difficult. Paragliding in Dharamshala, Manali, and Ladakh is different due to the open geography and consistent airflow there. But here, the winds can be tricky and unpredictable. Understanding these conditions is key to becoming a good pilot," said Aman Thapa participant from Nepal. Shre Yashi, the only female participant from Kalimpong, highlighted the unique challenges of the Junga site. She said, "This paragliding site of Shimla in Junga is very challenging. I have also flown in Ladakh before, where I faced competition and even secured second place, but it's much more difficult here. The terrain and air are different, and landing in the middle of the mountains makes it quite difficult. After arriving here, I learned that no girl had participated before, which felt disheartening. I urge other women to come forward and fly here. It's a new and enriching experience." The event is seen as a strategic effort to boost tourism in the region, and the organizers have focused on making it a safe and inclusive experience. Arun Rawat, one of the main organizers, emphasized the festival's aim of promoting trade, tourism, and tradition. "This is the second edition of the Shimla Flying Festival and this time it includes a hospitality expo. We have exhibitions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and seminars, all aimed at promoting tourism, trade, and tradition. We have taken special care regarding safety, with expert teams from the Mountaineering Institute of Manali and Sikkim on board, along with disaster management measures, ambulances, and other risk controls," said Rawat. He further expressed the goal of making Junga a significant adventure tourism destination, stating, "Our efforts are directed toward establishing Junga as a hub for adventure tourism. When visitors come to Shimla, they often seek more activities after two days, and paragliding provides an exciting option. By doing this, we're supporting the local hotel, tourism, and transport businesses. We believe that in the near future, Junga will become a major adventure tourist destination." The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has also extended its support to the festival. Dhanish Gautam, a representative of the MSME ministry, noted, "We are supporting stakeholders in the tourism industry. This time, we have also integrated MSME schemes to provide financial backing to organizers and participants. Last year, there was no such provision, but after discussions, we've made efforts to connect with MSME projects to promote tourism in Himachal Pradesh. Our regional office in Solan is helping facilitate this, and we're thrilled to see over 26 stalls in the hospitality expo this year, showcasing enthusiastic participation." The organizers remain hopeful that the festival will continue to grow in popularity, attract more adventure enthusiasts, and contribute significantly to the local economy. They believe that such initiatives are crucial for both expanding the adventure sports scene and providing a platform for local businesses to thrive. (ANI)
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