SHIMLA 9th March, 2024
• Announces 10 percent increase in Nazarana of deities and 10% hike in honorarium of Bajantris
The globally acclaimed International Shivratri Mahotsav began today with Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu formally announcing the opening of the grand event from the historic Paddal Ground of Mandi.
Earlier, the Chief Minister offered obeisance at the temple of the main deity Shri Raj Madhav Rai and participated in the traditional Shobha Yatra Jaleb that started from the temple. The Chief Minister’s wife Kamlesh Thakur was also present with him.
Thousands of devotees dressed in traditional attire carried the palanquins of their local deities to the Paddal ground. The procession took place at Paddal ground. The Chief Minister also participated in the turban ceremony and performed puja at Shri Raj Madhav Rai Temple.
Addressing a huge public meeting at Paddal, the Chief Minister announced a 10 percent increase in the Nazarana of the deities and 10 percent increase in the honorarium of the Bajantris. He said the people of Himachal have strong beliefs in Gods and local deities. The government was blessed to work for the benefit of Dev Samaj.
The Chief Minister said that the BJP was driving the six disqualified Congress MLAs, who betrayed the party, from one place to another like a shepherd. He questioned the BJP’s motives behind shifting these MLAs and the independent MLAs of the state to Dehradun in a chartered plane and arranging their stay at a seven-star hotel in Rishikesh. He stated that these MLAs were already resting under BJP’s strict watch in a luxurious five-star hotel in Panchkula before they were shifted. He added that these MLAs have defied the trust of the people of their respective assembly constituencies and of the party by not listening the call of conscience and rather selling their soul for money.
He said that he came from an ordinary background and has become the Chief Minister by fighting for the rights of the people and has undergone numerous struggles and challenges in the process. “The post of Chief Minister belongs to a common man, like a farmer’s son, an employee’s son and other common people, who climb the ladder of challenges and struggles to reach here with the sole purpose of service of its people. It does not belong to someone who wants the chair for power and enjoyment and uses money to snatch it. The general public will teach a lesson to those who try to snatch it with a conspiracy,” remarked the Chief Minister.
He said that the State Government has a safe majority in the house and would complete its full 5 year tenure successfully. “Our government is working with the utmost dedication for the service of its people. Our fight is for democracy and we will safeguard the democratic processes. We won’t let the BJP’s anti-democratic plans to succeed,” he stated.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the exhibition organized by various departments, boards and corporations at Paddal Ground. He also released the souvenir published by the fair committee on the occasion of Shivratri Mahotsav.
Earlier, Fair Committee Chairman and Deputy Commissioner Apoorva Devgan welcomed the chief guest and gave details of the activities of the fair.
On this occasion, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Singh Thakur, MLAs Chandrashekhar, Anil Sharma, Bhuvaneshwar Gaur and Suresh Kumar, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Chairman Kuldeep Singh Pathania, APMC Chairman Sanjeev Guleria, Mayor Virendra Bhatt, former minister Kaul Singh Thakur, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur, Congress leaders Champa Thakur, Pawan Thakur, Jeevan Thakur, SP Sakshi Verma, President of Sarv Devta Samiti Shivpal Sharma and all the officials of the fair committee and a large number of devotees were present.
