TURA, Dec 19 � Children led the beginning of �Ahaia-Garo Hills Beckons�, a three-day multi-cultural winter festival of the West Garo Hills with the inauguration of a park amid the beating of Garo traditional drums by the Commonwealth Games drummers at the grand inaugural function held at the Deputy Commissioner�s park here on Saturday morning.
The function also featured a toy train on the park premises for children.
This is the third year in a row that the Ahaia winter festival organised by the district administration in collaboration with other departments and various NGOs is taking place. Ahaia is a festival of the Garos which is celebrated after the harvest season to give thanks to Misi Saljong, a Garo deity. The festival is celebrated for joy and gaiety after the toils and troubles of the people during the year.
The West Garo Hills district administration has dedicated the toy train and other newly-added amenities like slides, swings, etc., to the children of the region. Food stalls presenting the rich culinary skills of the locals were also set up inside the park premises so that revellers could enjoy local and other gastronomical cuisine amid the live music played in the background.
Some highlights on the first day of the festival included the live music played by the BSF and other local bands like the Titans followed by a Miss Garo Hills contest at the Tura District Auditorium. A special illumination of the entire Deputy Commissioner�s park complex with coloured lights lit up the area, giving a splendid aura. A spectacular fireworks show was staged among the glittering decoration lights of the park.
The festival was inaugurated by Parliamentary Secretary Saleng A Sangma and West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal who also released the Ahaia 2010 souvenirs during the day.
The festival has several events lined up including painting and slogan writing competitions for children, beach volleyball competition, beach festival, music concert, among others which are expected to draw huge crowds from all walks of life.
