Chairperson District Development Council, Udhampur, Lal Chand today inaugurated the 3-day Historic Baisakhi Mela here on the bank of holy Devika rivulet in Udhampur town.
Vice Chairperson DDC Juhi Manhas Pathania; DDC member, Udhampur-1, Puran Chand; DDC member, Majalta, Amit Sharma; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Joginder Singh Jasrotia; Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Rafiq Ahmed Jaral; Mela Officer, GM DIC, Pankaj Anand; Deputy DEO, Gurdev Kumar; District Information Officer, Rajinder Digra and other officers, Councillors, Representatives of Beopar Mandal and prominent citizens were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairperson DDC extended his warm wishes to the people on the auspicious Baisakhi day and hoped that the festival will bring peace, prosperity and harmony in the UT.
He added that the historic Mela on the sacred Devika Ghat has its own significance in which people from all walks of life are curious to visit and take holy bath in the sacred devika rivulet during the mela.
The DDC Chairperson reiterated that such melas bring people of different religions, races and regions closer which would help to maintain harmony amongst all the sections of the society.
The District administration has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Mela like uninterrupted power, drinking water, sanitation, medicare, Joint Control Room, assistance booth and security besides various departments have put up their departmental stalls.
A number of temporary sweet shops, toy shops and other eatables corners set up by the local and outside vendors were the main attraction for the general public visiting the mela site.
The Chairperson DDC along with Vice Chairperson DDC took a round and inspected the stalls set up by various departments for disseminating information about various welfare and other schemes launched by the GOI.
In the evening, a scintillating cultural programme was organised by District Information Centre, Udhampur on the first day of historic Devika Baisakhi Mela wherein Chairperson DDC Udhampur was the chief guest. People from all walks of life witnessed the cultural bonanza and were entertained with Dogri music and folk dances presented by the local artists.