Traders set to make most of fair

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 11

Himachal is known for its rich culture, customs and traditions. People here celebrate all religious and traditional festivals with enthusiasm.

This was stated by Governor Acharya Devvrat at the inaugural ceremony of the four-day International Lavi Fair in Rampur Bushahr, Shimla district, today.

“Fairs and festivals play an important role in the preservation of the state’s rich cultural heritage. Efforts should be made to preserve the heritage and restore the glory of traditional fairs and festivals,” he said.

The fair has its own historical importance and is famous not only for trade, but also old traditions.

He said Lavi remained an important trade fair between India and Tibet for centuries and was a unique example of the glorious, social, cultural, economic history and legacy of Himachal.

Even today, the tradition was as vibrant as ever, he added, expressing hope that folk artistes from different parts of the state would enthrall the audience with their performances.

Devvrat urged the people to come forward and eradicate social evils like female foeticide. He said girls were performing far better in every field.

The Governor also expressed concern over drug abuse saying the youth should engage themselves in acquiring knowledge, social work and mainstream activities.

Lauding the efforts of organisers of the fair, he said woollens, dry fruits and other traditional crafts and products exhibited in the market were unique and the fair provided a good opportunity for their promotion and sale, besides benefiting traditional craftsmen and farmers.

The Governor inaugurated the ‘Kinnauri market’ and exhibition put up by various government departments and other organisations.

Earlier, he took a round of the Rampur market and interacted with locals. He lauded members of the nagar parishad and Vyopar Mandal for maintaining cleanliness in the market area.

Deputy Commissioner and chairman of the Lavi Fair Organising Committee Rohan Chand Thakur welcomed the Governor and honoured him with a Himachali cap, shawl and a memento.

A colourful cultural programme was also presented.