Preserve age-old culture, customs, says Virbhadra

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 14

The Lavi fair has a long distinguished history. Even before Independence of the country, it was a famous trade fair as Rampur was the old silk route of trade between India and Tibet, said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh while presiding over the closing ceremony of four-day International Lavi Fair at Rampur today.

He said that the fair had been an important event from the bygone days when it was recognised because of its trade activities and even today it was celebrated as an important trade fair. He stressed upon preserving the age-old culture and customs of the state and said that such fairs being celebrated all over the state were playing important role in promoting brotherhood and showcasing the rich traditional culture of Himachal Pradesh.

“It becomes our responsibility to make this generation aware of the age-old traditions and customs of the state. No matter how far we progress in life, wherever we stay, we should not forget our culture and our language. Rather, we should be proud of it”, the Chief Minister said.

“Himachal is a land of Gods and Goddesses and our day-to-day life revolves around them”, stated Virbhadra Singh adding, “We should make earnest efforts to make such fairs a success as these play an important role in promoting fraternity and love. We should make our generations aware of such age-old traditions”, said the Chief Minister.

Congratulating the people and the administration for organising the fair in a successful manner, he said that the mela ground would be expanded to facilitate traders from the north who comes here annually.Singh also distributed prizes to the organisers of the exhibition. The Health Department got the first prize followed by Horticulture Department. The third prize was shared by Animal Husbandry department and the ITBP.

The four-day-long Lavi fair (November 11 to 14) is purely a trade fair and outcome of the treaty between Maharaja Kehar Sigh of Rampur Bushahr and Tibetan rulers in the early 17th century. It is an example of the glorious, social, cultural, economic history and legacy of Himachal Pradesh and is the biggest trade fair of the greater Himalayas.

Years back, Rampur was the Gateway to Kinnaur, Tibet, Ladakh and Afghanistan. Traders from Tibet and other countries used to assemble here through Silk-route but after occupation of Tibet by China, the fair lost its charm.

However, the trade with China has since been revived, many goods like wool, dry fruits, pashmina, shawals, Chamurath horses of Spiti and other products are bought and sold through this trading destination.