Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh has appreciated the efforts of Department of Information and Public Relations in showcasing and promoting state’s rich cultural heritage and legacy through a variety of cultural events.The Minister was speaking at a programme organized by the department to mark the 69th Republic Day Celebrations at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar.The Minister, while speaking on the occasion, asked DIPR to organise more such programmes to acquaint the youth with the cultural treasure trove of the state and also exhorted upon the youth to help in preservation and promotion of our local art and culture.Choudhary Lal Singh also threw light on the importance of the Republic Day and highlighted the sacrifices of great freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Chander Shekhar Azad, Subash Chander Bose, Rajguru, Sukhdev in attainting freedom for the country. He said Constitution of India has provisioned equal opportunities for every section of the society with special focus on emancipation of downtrodden and deprived classes.
The Minister hailed the students and artists of DIPR for showing such a great spirit of participation. He asked the students to showcase the local folk, art and culture at every platform to keep it alive for coming generation. He said students can play a vital role in reviving the glorious heritage and culture of their respective areas.Choudhary Lal Singh lauded Cultural Officer Raman Joshi of DIPR for his diligent efforts in organizing such an impressive show.Musical and dance performances based on folk and patriotic themes by the students of GCW Gandhi Nagar, artists of DIPR, GCW Parade, Model Institute of Education and Research Jammu, Doom Public School, Udhampur and Guru Hari Krishan Public School, Nanak Nagar were highly appreciated by audience.The dance and musical performances were composed and choreographed by Anjna, Narender Bhardwaj and Yash Pal Yash.
Later, the Minister presented mementos and commendation certificates to the participating students and artists.Commissioner/Secretary Forest Department, Sourabh Bhagat, Director Information Muneer-ul-Islam, Chairman State Pollution Control Board B Sidhartha, Chief Wildlife Warden Manoj Panth, Joint Director Information Manisha Sarin, Principal GCW Kausam Samotra, Deputy Directors Information Atul Gupta, Rakesh Dubey, Field Publicity Officer Priya Lakshmi, Cultural Officer Raman Joshi besides other senior officers and staff of the DIPR, Forests, Cultural Academy, faculty members of GCW Gandhi Nagar, prominent citizens, members of civil society and students of different educational institutions were present on the occasion.