The 5th edition of Kholey Dai is our most collaborative and community-driven yet, bringing together culture, ecology, youth leadership, and creative entrepreneurship in powerful new ways. This year introduces a deeper agro-cultural focus with Dai harvesting, Bhumi Puja, seed stories, and food-mapping curated with OOO Farms and Grounded Futures, alongside an expanded lineup of hands-on workshops in crafts, arts, ecology, and learning facilitated by Studio Zeyma, Dehi Arts, Ushimi Linggi, Totola Collective, and more. A major new initiative is the collaboration with renowned textile designer Aleyn Foning, who is training girls of Parengtar in soft-toy making—creating festival merchandise and laying the foundation for a year-round micro-enterprise. Similarly, chefs Ishita Dewan and Palina Rai are working closely with Parengtar’s women to develop rich, heritage-based culinary experiences that culminate during the festival. This edition also features a strengthened partnership with the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS), who will host workshops and a bootcamp on music rights to empower local and regional musicians. Combined with nature-led wellness sessions, cross-Himalayan folk performances, new exhibitions with The Confluence Collective, and our award-winning zero-waste model supported by partners including Studio Interweave, The Earth Circle, Zero Waste Himalaya, Neora Valley Sustainable Ecological Society, Kalimpong District Administration, and GTA Tourism, the 5th edition offers exceptional opportunities for collaboration across sustainability, arts, food, crafts, youth development, and community-based tourism.