To,

Mr. Rigzen Jora,

Honble Minister for Tourism,

Jammu and Kashmir.

Dear Sir,

We are petitioning you on behalf of the Ladakh Confluence 2010.

We were very saddened to hear of the cancellation of the festival. We were looking forward to the festival and many tourists had already made plans to visit Ladakh for the Confluence. The Confluence organisers have apprised us of the situation in Ladakh.

We appreciate your reasons for withdrawing support from the festival just a week before the starting date. Cancelling the festival at such an advanced stage has meant that no alternate arrangements could be made in time. It has also meant that tourists to Ladakh have been stranded as they have already purchased tickets to the Confluence and made travel arrangements. We will appreciate that traveling to Ladakh is neither inexpensive nor simple.

The income from ticket sales has been allocated towards production of the festival.

We understand that little can be done now to salvage the festival in its current location and date. As visitors to Ladakh and stake holders in Ladakh tourism, we request you to stand by your word to the Confluence organisers, and to support them with the sponsorship amount promised by you. The organisers have assured us that this money will be used to refund ticket holders.

Tourists were looking forward not just to the offerings of the festival but also to the beauty of Ladakh. Along with music from the world over, tourists were keen to partake of the cultural and environmental offerings of the Confluence.

We have heard of threats being made against festival organisers and partners. The whole situation has disappointed us and left a bleak impression on our minds. We do not believe that this is in agreement with the peaceful and loving culture of Ladakh. Again, we request you to stand by your promise, as this will restore the positive image of Ladakh.

Sincerely,


Cc: Honble Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah