Governor Bandaru Dattatraya reviews preparations for International Gita Mahotsav
Engage important spiritual organizations in International Gita Mahotsav: CM Nayab Singh Saini
5 Dariya News
Chandigarh 23-Nov-2024
Haryana Governor Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya on Saturday chaired a review meeting with regard to preparations for the upcoming International Gita Mahotsav, scheduled to be held from November 28th to December 15th, 2024 at Kurukshetra, in the august presence of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. Odisha is the partner state for the mega spiritual annual event, while the United Republic of Tanzania is the partner country.
Sh. Dattatraya stressed the need for making more efforts to make International Gita Mahotsav a social event. “Slowly and steadily, the International Gita Mahotsav should become a social event where the state government plays a supportive role, and everything related to the Mahotsav is managed by different stakeholders in the society,” he said.
The Governor said prominent spiritual personalities from across the country should also be invited to the International Gita Mahotsav. The southern states of India are not much aware of this grand spiritual event. “By hosting eminent religious personalities and making optimal utilization of digital platforms, we can further expand the reach of the event,” he said.
Sh. Dattatraya said there is also a need to widen the structural ambit of the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) by appointing national-level personalities as its members. He also said some women should also be appointed as the members of KDB.
In his concluding remarks, Sh. Dattatraya said the International Gita Mahotsav should have a dedicated programme for women. Similarly, efforts should be made to draw more and more children from the deprived sections of society such as SCs, STs and OBCs for the recital of the Gita, he said.
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, while underscoring the need for involving more and more stakeholders in organizing the International Gita Mahotsav, said social and spiritual organizations such as Nirankari Mission, Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan, NCC cadets and NSS volunteers should be involved in this Mahotsav.
Inquiring about different programmes and competitions to be held during the International Gita Mahotsav, the Chief Minister said the winners of online Gita quiz and other top competitions should be honoured during the event. He also suggested that efforts must be made to involve NRIs and industrialists in the celebration of International Gita Mahotsav.
Taking stock of the ongoing sanitation drive and beautification works, the Chief Minister said nothing should be left unturned to ensure total neatness and cleanliness in and around the event venue. He also said trees in Jyotisar should be properly decorated with lights to create a panoramic view.
Expressing his satisfaction over the preparations being made for the mega annual event, which draws lakhs of visitors from across the world, the Chief Minister said that Hon’ble Governor Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya has rightly suggested making the society the principal stakeholder in organizing the International Gita Mahotsav.
“Let us make sure that more and more people from the neighbouring villages participate in Deepotsav programme. Every possible venue should be explored where people can contribute to the Mahotsav,” said the Chief Minister, while asking the KDB to explore the possibility of holding a wrestling competition during the Mahotsav.
The Chief Minister also took stock of the arrangements being made for parking of vehicles, plying of special buses from the District Headquarters to Kurukshetra during the Mahotsav, installation of temporary dustbins, toilets and signages for the convenience of guests and visitors.
Chief Secretary Dr. Vivek Joshi, Gita Manishi Swami Sri Giananand Ji Maharaj, Political Advisor to CM Sh. BB Bharti also shared their valuable inputs in the meeting. Sh. K Makarand Pandurang, Director General, Department of Information and Public Relations, briefed the Hon’ble Governor and Chief Minister about publicity measures having been taken for the International Gita Mahotsav.
Prominent among others who attended the meeting included Smt. Kala Ramachandran, Principal Secretary, Heritage and Tourism; Sh. Atul Dwivedi, Secretary to Governor and other members remained present.