NAGGAR:   CivicHelp and Progress Foundation (CHAP Foundation), a Delhi-based team of social entrepreneurs today launched the two days long Shobla Bana Naggar fest,  an initiative for adding a little cheer to weavers  communities that bore the brunt of the pandemic in Kullu district.

Baragarh Spa Magnet and Progressive Apple farmer Nakul Khullar, the chief guest,  kickstarted this two days long bonanza of  Kullu colour and culture at historic Naggar Castle to promote responsible tourism in  valley. On the April 10, the fest will be graced by Mrs. Kalpana Thakur, Mrs. India 2017, Mrs. Asia International 2017 Photogenic and a social entrepreneur, who will be delivering a speech on ‘Reviving Handloom in the Hills’.

Khullar said the CHAP has taken a laudable step to bring some cheers in the life of the weavers’ community and their kids and locals that will rejig responsible tourism in the valley of gods.  Everybody had a tough time and managed to overcome the rough phase. CHAP ‘s  initiative is a fun-packed festival featuring many events, supported by others  will benefit all including the weavers, locals and tourism industry and these events should be encouraged more and more by bringing all stakeholders on board, he added and wished everybody a merrymaking event .

CHAP’s mission is to introduce what is globally known as “responsible tourism”, through a two day fest called Shobla Bana Naggar Fest, encompassing several aspects of the affected communities. Responsible tourism in the hills will not only ensure economic independence of the local communities, but also result in reduction in the rate of migration of bright young minds out of their homeland.

Aparna Aggarwal founder and director, CHAP said Shobla Bana Naggar Fest at the Naggar Castle grounds is a two-day awareness-raising fest to support kids' education and empower the women weavers of Himachal Pradesh. In addition, the CHAP Foundation aims at bringing qualitative change to Naggar and its surrounding villages in the long run, through various programs that will emerge from this initiative. An initiative like Shobla Bana Naggar Fest is a first in Naggar, which is also extremely significant in reviving tourism post the pandemic and in encouraging local development, she added.

COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal life and played havoc the world over. The handloom communities across Himachal Pradesh were no exception. Despite the rich art and craft tradition, a lack of direct access to the market has always meant dependency on tourism.

In villages like Sharan, one of the craft and handloom villages of India, women are trained in weaving, however due to lack of market access, they are not encouraged to practice it as a profession. The pandemic added to the misery by halting tourism as well. Livelihood opportunities shrank, the education of the young children from the local communities was severely impacted. The cumulative impact of these tremors will be felt for a long time especially in desolate places tucked in mighty Himalayas, she said.

There will be several competitions judged by renowned names from Himachal Pradesh, and interactive sessions for the locals as well as for the tourists, over the two days of the fest. The first day will see competitions involving stitching, weaving and crochet, a cultural program by Mamta Dance Academy and a performance on health and sanitation by Liberation and Education Computer Center. Followed by Creative Dance Competition, Superstar Singing Competition, Naggar Culture Fashion Walk, fitness competition, career counselling session on the second day which will be hosted by the legendary Sheru Baba.

Exhibition stalls displaying the rich local fabric, traditional and fusion garment designs and local delicacies are also being set up. All proceeds from these stalls will be directed towards the development of educational facilities for the local children. These stalls are also a platform providing direct market access for the local female weavers, which will be of great help in uplifting them, socially and financially.

An ‘Own a laptop challenge’ will also be a part of the fest, to support young minds of the region with technical and digital amenities and to encourage them to achieve their dreams of a better future.

Excitement and anticipation around Shobla Bana is at its peak - 221 participants are already on board, with a steady rise in the numbers.

Shobla Bana is supported by Fairfest Media Ltd., the organisers of TTF, Kids Chaupal, an organisation working towards the holistic development of young minds and Arscor Nutrition, a company delivering premium-quality food supplements since 2002. Alliance Home Stays - running an Indo-French Homestay which practices responsible tourism commercially, and Gratstays, which is a vertical of Gratus Earth Foundation - a Non-Profit organisation working towards eco-tourism, are also supporting the initiative.

"Shobla Bana Naggar Fest is a unique launch event for a series of activities to promote responsible tourism in the region, to help local economy", remarked Ms. Aparna Agrawal, ideator behind the initiative. "With generous support from many more institutions and individuals, we wish to take it to the next level and make it a permanent event in the travel and tourism calendar', she added.