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Dusshera celebrations begin in Kullu, Nainital Kullu/Nainital: The festival of Dusshera may be over in most parts of the country, but places like Kullu in Himachal Pradesh and Nainital in Uttaranchal have just begun their celebration of the event, albeit with a difference unique to the region. Kullu's famous weeklong Dusshera is a tradition of nearly 400 years standing. Started by Raja Jagat Singh (1637-72), the festival today is carried forward by his descendants. According to Maheshwar Singh, one od Raja Jagat Singh's descendents, Dusshera commences in Kullu while it ends in other parts of the country because according to the Ramayana, Ravana the demon king, died on the day of Purnima or the full moon and Vijay Dashmi does not fall on a Purnima. Earlier, the festival used to be celebrated till the next Purnima came along, but during British rule it was cut down to seven days. "When the celebration of Vijay Dashmi ends everywhere in the country, it starts in Kullu," said Maheshwar. Another uniqueness
about Kullu Dusshera is that effigies of Ravana, Kumbh Karan and Meghnath
are not burnt unlike other parts of the country. The festival is celebrated
with great enthusiasm. 250 to 300 idols of Gods and Goddesses are assembled
at the Dhalpur ground. Lord Ram, who is known as Bhagwab Raghunathji
is brought to the ground on a wooden rath, pulled by hundreds of devotees.
To keep the old tradition and local culture alive, a dance festival
known as the international dance festival is also organised. Artists
from all over the world come to the hill station to perform during the
festival. In Nainital, the festival promotes the cultural heritage of
the state through songs and folk dances. The festival started on October
23 and will end on October 28. Indira Haldpesh, the state's information
and public affairs minister, inaugurated the function. "Nainital is
the major attraction centre for tourists in the area. It is the duty
of the administration as well as the people to keep the place beautiful
and attractive to draw more tourists as it generates major employment
opportunities," said Haldesh. Uttaranchal villagers near hydel project on hunger strike (Go to Top) Agar (Uttaranchal):
Villagers living near a controversial dam are on hunger strike protesting
the high tension power lines which pass over their houses and fields.
The 800 kilo watt wires are to transmit power to northern Indian towns
after the Tehri dam in Uttaranchal becomes functional. Hundreds of these
cables crisscross over nearly a dozen villages. Locals say after failed
attempts to get proper rehabilitation from the authorities, there was
no way but to sit for strike. "Our demand is that we should be given
satisfactory compensation as our fields, houses have been destroyed
due to the high tension wires. Otherwise these lines should be removed
from residential areas. If it is important for them then we should be
given compensation according to the new rates," said Rajendra Singh.
Others say they have been duped by local authorities who promised them
money for relocation but not a penny has been provided so far. "Neither
are they giving us our claim for the destroyed crops nor for the houses
which have been demolished. The rates which we are being given are of
1981," said Prem Singh Negi. Chief Minister Narain Dutt Tiwari said
he would look into the matter and assured proper compensation to the
villagers. "The rehabilitation is a part of the pogramme. They will
have to do it. They are making high tension wires. I will hold talks
with them so that we can find a solution and compensation for the affected
villagers," said Tiwari. Cannabis farmers demand compensation (Go to Top) Malama
(Himachal Pradesh): Residents of Malama village in Himachal Pradesh
are up in arms against the authorities for not giving them compensation
after a crackdown on their cannabis cultivation. Residents of the village,
a treacherous 12 km hike from the nearest motorable road, have also
accused the government of ignoring their repeated pleas for alternative
jobs and rehabilatitation. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have launched
a massive crackdown on farmers cultivating cannabis without license.
More than 14,000 acres of illegally grown cannabis crop land has so
far been cleared. "We have no help, there is no money with the school
authorities to even hold classes for our children. They said they will
help even the uneducated youth get employment in hotels and other establishment
but not a single village boy is employed. There is no rehabilitation,"
said Bodh Ram, a villager. The natural bounty of Malama has made it
a haven for smokers of pot with almost everyone here being involved
in the illegal trade. Most of the families have been growing cannabis
for over five generations. Narcotics officials say they have drawn up
plans along with the provincial government to rehabilitate villagers.
"We are not only talking about alternative cropping but also assistance
to state. We have formulated in the last year to provide assistance
to state who have any plans," said NCB Zonal Director Srikant Jadhav.
The Kullu Valley, with over 2,000 foreigners who visit every month in
search of bliss and nirvana which they reportedly attain through drugs,
is fast becoming the drug capital of the country. Many of them never
ever return. Thiruvalluvar's statue under renovation (Go to Top) Kanyakumari:
The 133 feet tall statue of world renowned Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar
near Kanyakumari is being given a new lease of life. The statue situated
on a rock adjacent to the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial is being
given a poly-silicon coating to safeguard it from sea erosion. "The
statue is being given a poly-silicon coating to protect it from sea
erosion. Government has sanctioned about 27.73 lakhs for poly-silicon
coating. Work is processing, " said Rajesh Lakhoni, Kanyakumari District
Collector. Giving details about the work, he said that the conservation
work has been undertaken in the months of October and November, as the
sea is relatively calm during these two months. "Due to heavy winds
in that particular area, only one particular window is available from
15th of October to 15th of November. During that period only work can
be carried out, otherwise there are heavy winds. Also, there is monsoon
season in Kanyakumari. Scaffolding has been done and work is being carried
out," he added. Officials say that out of the allotted Rs 67.43 lakh
provided for the facelift of the statue as much as Rs 23.73 lakh will
be spent on providing a coating alone. They further say that it would
take atleast one month for the completion of the completion of the coating
job. |
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