Traditional start to Manali carnival

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 2

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today inaugurated the five-day ninth National Winter Carnival-2020 in Manali. He flagged off the carnival parade from the Circuit House, Manali, after performing “puja” at the famous Hidimba Devi Temple. The carnival is held from January 2 to 6 every year.

Addressing locals at Manu Rangshala, the Chief Minister said the state was known for its rich tradition and culture.

The carnival attracted lakhs of tourists from all over the world every year. Thakur said Rs 163-crore sewerage scheme would provide facilities to Manali town and adjoining areas. The state government was committed to promoting Manali as a favourite tourist destination. He said efforts would be made to upgrade infrastructure so that locals and tourists could be facilitated.

“More than 135 mahila mandals and NGOs of the area participated in the procession during which important issues such as cleanliness, drug abuse, “Gau Sanrakshan”, women empowerment, awareness on female foeticide and environment conservation were raised,” he added.

Thakur said a light and sound show would be organised in Manali, adding that a primary health centre would be opened at Bhakli (Manali). Science classes would also be started at Government Senior Secondary School, Bhakli.

He said a bridge would be constructed at the Goshal road and Rs 5 crore would be spent on the maintenance of the left bank road. An auditorium would also be constructed in Manali. The main attraction was a tableau.

Later, he laid the foundation stone of Manali Civil Hospital to be constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore and inaugurated 55-m Span Bridge at Klath. Government Senior Secondary School building at Palchan was also opened.

Thakur also laid stones of the Forest Rest House building in Chiyal, Manali, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 1.58 crore, eco park, Jagatsukh, and sewerage scheme worth Rs 163 crore.

A car rally was flagged off. The Chief Minister planted a sapling of deodar near the Circuit House, Manali, and released the souvenir brought out by the organising committee and also a poster on road safety.

He also honoured 102-year-old woman Thelbaru Devi of Balsari village.

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur, MP Ramswaroop Sharma, MLA, Banjar, Surender Shourie, vice-chairman, HPMC, Ram Singh, chairperson, BJP Mahila Morcha, Dhaneshwari Thakur, district BJP president Bhimsen, BJP leader Yuvraj Bodh, Deputy Commissioner Richa Verma and Kullu SP Gaurav Singh were present.