Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said here today that fairs and festivals have for years contributed in promoting our cultures. He said that younger generations have the onus of protecting our rich culture. "It is important that as our society moves towards prosperity we also keep intact our values," said the Governor.
He was addressing the concluding ceremony of the International Renuka Ji fair in Sirmaur district. Lady Governor and Chairperson, State Red Cross Hospital Welfare Section, Janaki Shukla was also present on the occasion.
The Governor said that Himachal is known for education, culture and natural beauty, but the rising problem of drug abuse is eclipsing the prosperity of the State. He called upon the people to work together against drug addiction. He said that drugs lead to death, and there was a need to save Himachal from this evil.
Sh. Shukla further stated that district Sirmaur is progressing rapidly in the agriculture and horticulture sector. He stressed further developing the district from a tourism point of view. He also asked the district administration to work for the beautification of Shri Renuka Ji Lake.
Sh. Shukla said that the Renuka Ji fair is a manifestation of the reverence and devotion of Lord Parshuram towards his mother Goddess Renuka Ji and it upholds the rich values of Indian society. He said that fairs and festivals are symbols of the rich cultural heritage of the state and should be preserved at all costs.
He congratulated all for their contribution in the successful organization of the fair and said that Goddess Renuka Ji has its own religious sanctity and people from all over India visit the place to pay their obeisance. Earlier, he performed pooja in Lord Parshuram Ji and Mata Renuka Ji temples and also participated in the ‘Dev Vidai’ procession.
Deputy Commissioner and Chairman, Shri Renuka Ji Development Board, Sumit Khimta honoured and welcomed the Governor and expressed gratitude for presiding over the closing ceremony of the fair. He also detailed various activities organized during the fair. He also honoured the Lady Governor at the occasion.
Earlier, he also witnessed Sirmauri Nati performed by more than 1,500 local female artists under the direction of Padma Shri Vidya Nand Sarek. He also visited Exhibition stalls put up by various government departments and non-government organizations. He evinced a keen interest in the exhibition and also interacted with the beneficiaries of various central and state governments’ welfare schemes.
MP Suresh Kashyap, MLA Vinay Kumar, Superintendent of Police Raman Kumar Meena, Office Bearers of Renuka Development Board, prominent personalities of the area and senior officers of the district were also present on the occasion. On reaching Sirmaur, the Governor was accorded a warm welcome at Maina helipad in the morning by local MLA Vinay Kumar, DC and other senior officers of district administration.