Comedian Lehri dominates cultural evening
Hamirpur, September 2
The first cultural show of Hamir Utsav held last night was dominated by famous comedian Sudesh Lehri. Lehri, during his one-and-half-hour performance, mimicked singers like Gurdas Maan, Harbhajan Maan, Hansraj Hans, ghazal singer Jagjit Singh and Wadali brothers. He had the audience, including Chief Minister PK Dhumal, in splits with his inimitable style of performance.
Lehri also mimicked film actors such as Shahrukh Khan, Nana Pateker, Sanjeev Kumar and others.
Other performers of the evening included Indian idol fame singers Sanchari Bose and Rohit Raj. Sanchari left the audience spellbound with her rendition of evergreen song “Vande- Matram”.
While artists from Rajasthan presented Kalia dance, local performers and schoolchildren also took part in the cultural programme.
Earlier, Dhumal formally inaugurated the utsav by lighting a lamp.
Addressing the audience on the occasion, Dhumal congratulated the people of Hamirpur district for the progress it made after its formation on September 1, 1972. Transport Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, MLAs Baldev Sharma, Urmil Thakur and several other dignitaries were also present on this occasion. They were received by Hamirpur DC Abhishek Jain.
Oppn politicising apple issue, says Dhumal
Hamirpur, September 2
Chief Minister PK Dhumal criticised Opposition leaders who were accusing the state government of not making adequate arrangement to transport apple crop to the market and said they were merely trying to get political mileage.
Replying to a question during a press conference held at the Circuit House here today, Dhumal said, “It was a bumper apple crop this year with about 2 crore apple boxes already reaching different markets.”
“While the state has taken several steps to benefit apple growers, a few leaders are busy criticising the government and making statements about bad roads, shortage of trucks and packing material,” he added.
Lashing out at Congress leaders, Dhumal alleged, “They cannot digest the work done by our government for apple growers like providing Rs 85 crore for replacing old root stocks, developing six new verities of apple, installing three anti-hail guns to save the crop from hailstorm, besides providing insurance cover to the crop.”
Talking about strides made by Hamirpur district in the field of development in the past 38 years, Dhumal said, “Hamirpur district is a pioneer in the field of literacy and implementation of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna, besides various other sectors.”
The Chief Minister also launched aloe vera plantation campaign at Toani Devi, laid foundation stone of PWD zonal office, Hamirpur bus stand and an ayurveda bhawan.
PWD Minister Gulab Singh Thakur, Transport and Housing Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur and MLAs Baldev Sharma and Urmil Thakur and other dignitaries were also present during the occasion.
50,000 take dip in Manimahesh Lake
Chamba, September 2
Over 50,000 pilgrims took holy dip in the sacred Manimahesh Lake on the occasion of Janamashthmi here today. During the month-long Manimahesh pilgrimage that officially commenced from August 20, nearly 1.5 lakh pilgrims have so far taken bath in the icy cold waters of the holy lake.
Chamba Deputy Commissioner Devesh Kumar told The Tribune that the pilgrims had been making a beeline en route Manimahesh to have holy bath as the pilgrimage would conclude on September 15 on the auspicious occasion of Radhashthmi. The figure of pilgrims the holy place is expected to go in lakhs.
The DC said over 200 police personnel have been deployed to facilitate the pilgrims and help in the regulation of traffic from Rakh to Hadsar.
Kumar, who took stock of the situation of the ongoing pilgrimage, stated that the parking arrangements of about 1,500 vehicles carrying pilgrims from the neighbouring states had been made on the highway side parking lots.
The DC said an NGO, Sulabh International, was already appealing to the pilgrims to help in keeping the environment clean on the virgin hill slopes of the sacred Manimahesh Lake so that Manimahesh Nala, Budhil river — a tributary of the Ravi — should not be contaminated.
Officials of the state government are on their toes to provide all possible help and facilities to the pilgrims visiting the lake, the DC stated.
“The langar organisers, who were not adhering to the norms of cleanliness, had been advised to follow the rules so that environment on the itinerary of Manimahesh could remain pollution free,” he said.
HIMACHAL EDUCATION 