Week-long Shivratri fair from Feb 15

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 16

Power Minister Anil Sharma finally today bowed to public pressure to organise the week-long Shivratri fair at Paddal Ground. The fair will kick off on February 15 and continue up to February 21.

The minister was not in favour of Shivratri fair celebrations at Paddal ground as he wants to develop Paddal ground for only sports activity, where the state government was spending lakhs of rupees. During the previous Congress regime, Anil Sharma had opposed the Congress rally at Paddal Ground last year. The rally was addressed by Rahul Gandhi. Anil Sharma was then Rural Development Minister.

Today a general house was held to seek the opinion of the people over the issue, in which a majority of people strongly supported the fair celebration at Paddal ground, which made the minister change his decision. Kardar Sangh of Deity Society was not also in favour of moving the celebrations to a new place.

Shivpal Sharma, chairperson of Kardar Sangh, said, “Deity Society was not in favour of moving the fair at other place and it was decided unanimously by the members of Kardar Sangh that if the location of the fair was changed, out of a total of 216 deities, no deity will take part in the event.”

Every year, during the week-long Shivratri fair over 200 deities of the district congregate on the town to participate in the event and the town is abuzz with activities.

The minister said this year Shivratri festival at Paddal Ground would be celebrated with traditional fervor and cultural programs will be organised to entertain the audience.

“On the occasion, Saras Mela is being organised at Indira Market Complex with the aim of promoting rural handicrafts, in which craftsmen from different states can exhibit and sell their products”, he added.

The minister stated that all departments, corporations and boards should present exhibitions related to their achievements and the latest information during week-long Shivratri fair.