* Noted Santoor player Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, a son of the soil, mesmerized those on the dais as well as audience for over 15 minutes at Zorawar Singh auditorium with his instruments. His disciple from Japan also performed with him.
* The audience were left spell bound with the performance of Sharma, who is about 77 now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also seen listening very keenly to the music. Pt Sharma had specially come here to perform on 100th centenary celebration of Girdhari Lal Dogra.
* The Prime Minister reached Upper Hall of the auditorium at 11.22 am and inaugurated exhibition on the life of Dogra. He along with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and MoS in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh had keen look at the exhibition for nearly 10 minutes.
* He reached the auditorium at 11.35 am and the function lasted exactly one hour.
* Nidhi, the daughter of Dogra and sister-in-law of Jaitley, presented the vote of thanks at end of the function.
* Jaitley presented a shawl to Modi to honour him at start of the function.
* Almost all speakers highlighted a rare quality of Girdhari Lal Dogra that he had presented 26 budgets in the State. Some of them even said that the rare feat could even be a record.
* Mufti Sayeed and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who were seated together, had some conversation between them for about a minute.
* Congress leader Dr Karan Singh first wished Modi on his chair and then went to address the audience, when his name was called.
* Representatives of almost all political parties were present at the function. While BJP, Congress and PDP leaders were present at the dais, prominent NC leaders including Devender Singh Rana, Ajay Sadhotra and Surjit Singh Slathia were seated on front rows of the audience.
* Keeping up the tradition, Dr Karan Singh addressed the gathering in Dogri.
* The Prime Minister started his address at 12.18 pm and concluded it at 12.34 pm. He returned to New Delhi at about 1 pm.
* At Technical Airport, Modi was received by the Governor, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel