Sirsa celebrates 'Haryanvi' culture, artwork & cuisine

Haryana Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm on Saturday at the local Panchayat Bhawan, where a vibrant cultural festival showcased the state’s rich traditions, folk art and cuisine. The event was organised by the Information and Public Relations Department and drew large crowds of residents, students and officials.

Nalwa MLA Randhir Panihar was the chief guest and inaugurated the exhibition featuring traditional Haryanvi food, paintings and clay models created by school students. Impressed by the creativity on display, he praised the students’ efforts and sampled traditional dishes made from millets, calling these a reflection of “our ancient culture and the spirit of self-reliant India.”

District Council CEO Dr Subhash Chandra honoured the chief guest with a traditional turban and shawl. A live telecast of the state-level Haryana Day celebrations from Panchkula was also shown during the event.

Addressing the gathering, Panihar said Haryana had written “a new chapter of progress” in the 59 years since its formation. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India, saying Haryana was moving swiftly toward becoming one of the nation’s most advanced states. Panihar highlighted achievements in education, healthcare and infrastructure, adding that the state had overtaken Punjab in several development indicators. He also credited Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for leading Haryana on the path of rapid growth.

Panihar said the government had effectively implemented welfare schemes such as ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ and ‘Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana’ to empower girls, ensuring these initiatives went beyond slogans and delivered real results.

The cultural festival featured traditional dishes like bajra roti, kachri curry, gud ke chawal, churma, and rabri, which attracted large crowds at the food stalls. Students displayed paintings and clay models inspired by Haryanvi life, earning appreciation from visitors.

The event began with a Saraswati Vandana followed by dance, music, and skit competitions. Teams from various schools won top honours and cash prizes ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,100 along with trophies and certificates. The audience applauded the performances, which celebrated Haryana’s spirit of culture, creativity and progress.