Bir Billing (HP), Nov 10 ( UNI) In the eight-day competition of World Paragliding Competition held here in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, Austin Cox from the United States secured first place in the overall category, with Ranjit Singh of India coming in second, and Dominik Kapica from Poland placing third.
At the closing ceremony on Saturday, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani honoured the participants. In this category, cash prizes and trophies of Rs 3 lakh, 2.5 lakh and 2 lakh respectively were given to the winners.
The minister rewarded the winners of the Paragliding World Cup and wished them for the future.
In the women’s category, Joanna Kokot of Poland secured first place, Daria Altekova of Germany secured second place and Marina Oleksina of Brazil secured third place and in this, cash prizes and trophies of Rs 2 lakh, 1 lakh 60 thousand and 1 lakh respectively were given.
In the Indian category, Ranjit Singh secured first place, Sushant Thakur secured second place and Amit Kumar secured third place.
Speaking on the occasion, Dharmani said that hosting the Paragliding World Cup at Bir-Billing is a matter of immense pride for Himachal Pradesh.
The minister highlighted the state’s rich natural beauty and emphasized the government’s focus on strengthening tourism infrastructure.
Dharmani said that organizing the Paragliding World Cup in Beed-Billing is a matter of great pride for the state.
He said that the World Cup has been organized in Billing for the second time with the special cooperation of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and the state government.
The minister said that BPA deserves congratulations for successfully organizing the event without any accident.
He expressed gratitude to all the foreign pilots who became a part of this competition from all over the world and became the identity of Beed Billing on the world map.
Dharmani said that Himachal is full of natural beauty and the State Government is giving special emphasis on strengthening the tourism infrastructure of the State.
He said that it has been declared to make Kangra district the tourism capital.
The minister said that a big geological park in Bankhandi of Kangra district, expansion of Kangra airport at a cost of nearly Rs. 2500 crores and construction of a world class golf course in Kangra are proposed.
He said that Rs. 32 crores have been released as compensation to the displaced people of Kangra airport.
Dharmani said that serious efforts are being made to promote tourism based activities in the state.
He said that on the lines of Gobind Sagar Lake, water sports and adventure tourism will also be started in Pong Dam of Kangra district.
The minister said that in order to attract international tourists in addition to domestic tourists, religious tourism is also being promoted along with adventure tourism.
He said that Himachal Pradesh has immense natural beauty and it is the responsibility of all of us to take care of the natural beauty along with tourism activities.
Dharmani called upon BPA to work with more efficiency in future.
He said that the Chief Minister has assured all possible help to BPA.
Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Kishori
Lal was specially present in the program.
He said that since Bir Billing is a tourist destination, this place will be given a new dimension.
Earlier, BPA President Anurag Sharma thanked Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu for his complete support in organizing the Paragliding World Cup in Bir-Billing.
