Addressing the concluding ceremony of the International Kullu Dusshera festival at Kullu today, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh announced a sum of rupees one thousand for ‘Gair Muafidaar’ (whose land have gone in tenancy) deities for performing daily religious chores and to those who could not come to the Dusshera festival. He also announced six percent increase in Nazrana of the deities. He said the Dusshera festival speaks in volume of rich cultural legacy of the state worldwide and a stage for promotion of handloom and handicraft of the state along-with the Lavi fair of Rampur is a traditional trade fair. He said the Congress government has always worked for development and welfare of people of the state.He said he is often criticised by the BJP for opening educational institutions, but that never altered his motive of providing education available to every child at their very door steps. BJP was known for de-notifying educational institutes and Congress believed in spreading light of education in every nook and corner of the state.
The Government has also given added priority to health sector. Out of three new medical colleges, two medical colleges at Chamba and Nahan have been made functional and forest clearance was awaited for construction of medical college at Hamirpur. The land for AIIMS, foundation stone of which was laid by Prime Minister has already been provided by the state government, irrespective of claim of BJP in this matter. The government has given them adequate land much before for the reputed health institution, but its foundation stone was much delayed, said he.He said that the congress was known for upholding the spirit of true democracy and secularism. We consider people of all religion alike and not differentiate unlike the BJP. We believe in joining hands and not breaking the bonds of love and fraternity. India is a secular state and Congress believes in respecting all religions and Congressmen do not have fanatic mindset.He also exhorted to uphold the traditions, culture and customs wherever we reside. He also released Souvenir of Dusshera committee and distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions held during the fair.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Kullu Yunus Khan welcomed the Chief Minister and other distinguished guests present on the occasion. He detailed about the new initiatives taken during the week-long festival and thanked the Chief Minister for enhancing the Nazarana of the deities by five percent in the state level meeting of the Dusshera Committee held at Shimla last month. He thanked everyone for making the festival a grand success. The State Ayurveda Medical Officers Association led by its President Dr. Dinesh Sharma presented a cheque of rupees 4.51 lakh towards Chief Minister Relief fund. MLAs Khub Ram and Ravi Thakur, Former MLA Satya Prakash Thakur, General Secretary HPCC Sunder Singh Thakur, President, Mandi Parliamentary Constituency Aditya Vikram Singh, Chairman Zila Parishad Kullu Hari Chand Sharma, DCC President Budhi Singh were also present on the occasion amongst others.