Language, Art and Culture Minister Govind Singh Thakur today presided over the review meeting of works being carried out by the department and said that State Government is committed towards conservation and preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the state.Govind Singh Thakur directed the officers to work towards providing International identity to language, art, culture and folk culture of the State. He said that the culture of various districts that are on the verge of extinction should be revived under Guru-Shishya tradition, for which training would be imparted to the youths of the State and efforts would be made to provide employment to them. The department would develop the heritage villages of the State from tourism point of view. Construction of unauthorised and multi storey buildings near temple premises would be stopped. Nav Grah Vatika would be developed in the premises of temples, which would be maintained by respective temple trust and people of the village.
He said that the department is also conserving the historical forts of the State.Govind Singh Thakur said that over Rs. 15 crore has been contributed by various temples of the State towards Covid-19 fund. He said that the department had organised various activities online through 'Him Kriti Karykram', keeping in view the Covid-19 situation. The upcoming Hindi Pakhwada would also be organised online, under which various competition would be organised. Research work on rich culture of the State was being encouraged and 36 research scholars were carrying out research work on manuscripts of Himachal Pradesh.Minister directed the officers to present the development journey of the State through various medium on completion of 50 years of the Statehood. He said that efforts were being made to get Chamba declared as heritage town by UNESCO and conserve the ancestral house of Baba Kanshi Ram as museum.Additional Chief Secretary LAC R.D. Dhiman, Director Kumud Singh and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.