Guv gets tough against gambling during Lavi Fair

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 11

The twin villages of Brow and Jagat Khana in Kullu district, separated from Rampur by the Sutlej and notorious for gambling during Lavi Fair, had a surprise guest today — Governor Acharya Devvrat.

The Governor, who was aware of gambling during Lavi, went to these villages after inaugurating the four-day trade fair at Rampur, taking the locals by surprise. He directed the police and administration of Kullu and Shimla districts to form a joint force to resolve the jurisdiction issue and stop the age-old tradition of gambling in the villages.

The twin villages are considered a safe haven for gamblers, who gather here during the Lavi fair. Villagers even get their houses vacated for one week and charge up to Rs 30,000 per day for a single room to facilitate gambling. The village does brisk business and the locals await the Lavi Fair to earn through sale of liquor, meat and other eatables.

Gambling of crores of rupees takes place in this week and there had been cases of people committing suicide by jumping in into river after suffering heavy losses in gambling. The tradition is as old as the fair itself which started in the 17th century and the fair is held on fixed dates from November 11 to 14 every year. The Governor also appealed to the locals to curb the practice.

The fair is a trade fair and outcome of the treaty between Maharaja Kehar Sigh of Rampur Bushahr and Tibetan Rulers in 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 and Ladakh and 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. But the trade with China has been revived and many goods like wool, dry fruits, Pashmina, shawls, Chamurath horses of Spiti and other products are bought and sold.

A Kinnauri market is specially set up to sell the products from Kinnaur and traders from other parts of the country also reach here to sell other consumer goods.