Not only this; the festival itself, which began on November 14 on the Malle in Darjeeling hadthestamp of official approval and was organised by the Darjeeling Hill Council and the Bengal and Sikkim Governments.The festival, as was its wont, moved from place to place. From Darjeeling, it went on a detour to the Sikkim Dooars and finally ended at the Mainak Hotel in Siliguri with a seminar. The idea was to highlight the tourism potential of the eastern region of the Himalayan valley.The festival was inaugurated by theUnion minister of state for tourism, Omak Apang, while Bengal tourism minister Manabendra Mukherjee was the chief guest.Subhas Ghising was in the president's chair.

A special toy train ride was organised which made its way through the Batasian Loop to the Ghoom Monastery above Darjeeling. The next stop was at Sonada, 17 km from the town.A troupe from Himachal showed what hand-gliding was all about.It was a major experience for theuninitiated.

A visit was organised to the tea gardens where a ropeway ride showed what the gardens looked like from above, not to forget the glory of the Kanchenjungha at a distance. The visit was capped by a cultural function organised by the tea workers themselves.