Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, June 25: The three-day-long Chhinj and Pahari Cultural Mela was inaugurated by DDC Chairman, Col (retd) Mahan Singh at Bani today.
The event was attended by a large number of dignitaries, including District Judge, Simrit Sharma, DDC Member, Reeta Thakur, Mela Ram, Naresh Sharma Tehsildar Bani, Darshan Singh Naib Tehsildar Bani, Sarpanch Bani Rakesh Gupta, and thousands of locals, cultural artists, Pahelwans, shopkeepers, etc.
Upon his arrival in Bani, Col Mahan Singh was accorded a warm welcome by local residents and members of Pahari Cultural Munch and Chhinj Committee Bani. He was presented with a traditional Pagri and proceeded in a procession to the local Goddess Kali Mata Temple to pay obeisance and seek blessings for the peaceful conduct of the annual historic event.
The DDC Chairman visited stalls laid by local shopkeepers and outsiders, met with artists, including those who had come from Himachal and Punjab, and administered an oath on the theme of “Say no to drug, yes to life” to participants.
Speaking on the occasion, Col Mahan Singh congratulated the participants, Organizing Committee team, and artists, and appreciated their collective zeal to make this historic event a grand success. He emphasized the promotion and transformation of culture from one generation to another as a crucial aspect of society’s progress. He asserted that cultural growth and economic progress, strategic and defense superiority, and Atmanirbharta must go hand in hand, until the country achieves the status of “Vishwa Guru” by 2047 as envisaged by PM Narendra Modi.
The DDC Chairman also highlighted various developmental projects coming up in the Bani region, including tourist infrastructure and FDI, and emphasized united efforts and partnerships amongst Government machinery, public representatives, and the public to achieve sustainable development goals and the gross well-being of society.
On the occasion, the DDC Chairman distributed appreciation letters and trophies to artists and achievers.
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