Lohri celebrated with fervour in Haryana
Lohri festival was celebrated with enthusiasm by various sections of society across the state. They lit bonfires, shared groundnuts, rewri, peanuts and danced on folk songs, symbolising unity, prosperity and happiness. The celebrations highlighted the rich cultural heritage and the inclusive spirit of the festival.
In Karnal, Lohri was celebrated by BJP MLAs with party workers at the party's district office, Karna Kamal. Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand, Assandh MLA Yoginder Rana, Indri MLA Ram Kumar Kashyap, officiating district president Brij Gupta, former minister Shashipal Mehta, former Mayor Renu Bala Gupta and other party leaders and workers celebrated the festival.
Another programme was organised by the District Bar Association, Karnal, in which from Judges to advocates participated and exchanged greetings. District and Sessions Judge Chandrashekhar and Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand lit the ceremonial fire. Association president Sandeep Chaudhary welcomed the guests. District and Sessions Judge Chandrashekhar extended greetings and emphasised the importance of celebrating festivals together to promote unity and preserve cultural traditions. MLA Anand highlighted the spiritual significance of Lohri and Makar Sankranti.
In another programme, the National Integrated Forum of Artists and Activists (NIFAA) celebrated Lohri with the girls of childcare institution (CCI), Bal Bhawan. Women’s wing president Dr Bharti Bharadwaj and secretary Nisha Gupta organised the event.
In Kaithal, Lohri festival was celebrated at Indira Gandhi Women’s College. Principal Dr Aarti Garg, evening session in-charge Shweta Tanwar, and managing committee head Ram Bahadur Khurania lit the bonfire to commence the celebrations. The programme included cultural performances, traditional songs, and distribution of sweets. Khurania underscored the festival's connection to prosperity, unity and the changing seasons.
In Ambala, Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta celebrated Lohri with slum-area children at Mini Bal Bhawan. Launching the “Ek Nayab Kadam” project, the DC announced free education and skill development for underprivileged children, aiming to make them self-reliant.
Parth Gupta said under the project, children from slum areas would be provided free education and trained in sports and cultural activities. Efforts will be made to give a new direction to the lives of these children by making them self-reliant through education and skills. The children will be taught moral values, dance, fine arts, yoga, martial arts, computers, embroidery, beauty parlor courses, sports and will be provided career counselling. This project aims at inducting 300 children in the first phase. The children presented cultural performances on this occasion. Meanwhile, the festival was celebrated at various educational institutions and colonies. The residents were seen buying sweets and peanuts in the market areas for the celebrations.
In Bhiwani, the Women and Child Development Department celebrated Lohri with the theme of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, spreading awareness about the importance of girls' education and empowerment. The event featured a Haryanvi cultural show with performances by women and girls. Bhiwani MLA Ghanshyam Saraf inaugurated the event who highlighted women's empowerment and nutritious diet for women. A traditional Lohri bonfire marked the celebration, which was attended by local women, teenagers, and anganwadi workers.
