Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated the five-day National Level Winter Carnival by offering prayers at Hadimba Temple in Manali and flagging off the Carnival Parade from the Circuit House Manali. He inaugurated and laid foundation stone of developmental projects of approximately Rs. 41 crore and also inaugurated the State Level Swarnim Van Mahotsav. The Chief Minister inaugurated the Bhekhli-Jindaud-Biasar road from Ramshila highway constructed at a cost of Rs.16.93 crore, Mari-Gadherni-Shaleen road constructed at a cost of Rs.3.97 crore, the bridge over Haripur Nalah constructed at a cost of Rs.1.78 crore, artificial rock climbing wall of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute Manali and Manali Range Office constructed at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh. He also inaugurated the Nature Park Beas-Bihal constructed at a cost of Rs. 3 crore and Swarnim Vatika Kothi constructed at a cost of Rs. 26 lakh.
Jai Ram Thakur laid the foundation stone of Hamta-Chikka Forest Inspection Road to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 30 lakh, jeepable bridge over Khanaura Nallah to be constructed with an expenditure of Rs. 89 lakh and motarable bridge over Beas river at Bahang to be constructed at a cost of Rs.12 crore. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the cultural programme at Manu Rangshala. Later, while addressing the public meeting the Chief Minister said that with the construction of new bridges and roads in the valley, various places would be developed as tourist places, which would boost tourism in the area. He said that the rock climbing wall would facilitate adventure sports enthusiasts and strengthened adventure tourism activities in Manali. The Beas Bihal Nature Park would provide clean and beautiful natural environment to tourists, besides providing employment opportunities to the local people.
He said that keeping in view the importance of forests, the state government is laying emphasis on expansion and strengthening of forest area. As many as 4,38,12,000 saplings have been planted during various Van Mahotsav organised during four years in the state. Jai Ram Thakur also observed the tableaux presented by Mahila Mandals, various departments and institutions on the occasion. Chief Minister announced Rs. 2 crore 50 lakh for construction of bridge over Kathi Nallah, Rs. 1.22 crore for bridge to be built in Grahan village, upgradation of Government High School Jindaur to Senior Secondary School and upgradation of Government Middle School Meha to Government High School. He also announced Rs. 10 lakh from his voluntary fund for organizing the Winter Carnival. He also honoured Anchal Thakur of Manali for winning bronze medal in the International Skiing Competition held in Montenegro, Europe.
Education Minister Govind Singh Thakur said that the Winter Carnival Manali has immense significance in view of tourism, trade, preservation of traditional beliefs and culture. The carnival provides a platform to various artists of different states to showcase their talent. He thanked the Chief Minister for inaugurating and laying foundation stone of projects worth crores of rupees in the valley and development of the valley. Chairman, Municipal Council, Chaman Kapoor welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries on the occasion. MLA Banjar Surender Shourie, HPMC Vice President Ram Singh, retired Brigadier Khushal Thakur, State BJP Vice President Dhameshwari Thakur, Deputy Commissioner Ashutosh Garg, Superintendent of Police Gurdev Sharma, SDM Manali Surender Thakur, District BJP President Bhim Sen Sharma, Zila Parishad member and State President of Wrestling Association Chander Mohan, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
