While inaugurating the two-day international seminar organized under the joint aegis of Rupi-Siraj Kala Manch, Himachal Kala, Bhasha and Sanskriti Akademi and Sanskar Bharati Himachal Pradesh at Devsadan, Kullu today, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar stressed the need to reflect on various aspects of India’s rich culture and high traditions and said that we should work to re-establish these traditions. Arlekar said that any nation exists for a reason and our traditions have taught the world. “The world has got to learn from our thoughts, existence, heritage and tradition. But, the slave mentality has distanced us from our tradition. Now, we need to reflect on how to move forward towards ideological freedom” he said. He added that such seminars provide us an opportunity to move forward in this direction. He said that folk culture, education, environmental protection etc., were the subjects which were directly related to us and we must reflect on them. It was the responsibility of all of us to give a meaningful shape to the discussion through the seminar, he added and said that we should contribute to the society so that others could get inspiration.
Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP), the Governor said that this policy was an attempt to bring about a change in our mindset. He said that the developed nations of the world were developing in their own language. “We need to move forward by adopting our mother tongue completely and this is possible with this education policy”, he added. He said that we need to be proud of our culture and traditions. He appealed to the people to contribute for the country in some form or the other during the “Amrut Kaal”. He also called upon the people to adopt Swadeshi. The Governor also honored Deputy Commissioner Kullu, Superintendent of Police, Kullu and Aditya Thakur for their excellent work on the occasion. He also released a book written by Prof. Inder Thakur on the occasion. Prof. Inder Thakur, President of Rupi-Siraj Kala Manch welcomed the Governor and said that the Manch has been working with various social projects since the last many years. Through the Kala Manch various awareness programmes on water, environment and various other issues had been executed.
Dr. Dayanand Gautam, Secretary, Rupi-Siraj Kala Manch gave detailed information about the activities of the Kala Manch. Larisa V. Sergina, speaker of Moscow International Center expressed her views on Indian folk culture and environment on this occasion. She said that Russia and India have very deep friendship ties, which are also related to culture and spiritual thinking. Earlier, the Governor visited the museum in Dev Sadan and took keen interest in knowing the objects of archaeological importance. Deputy Commissioner, Kullu Ashutosh Garg, Superintendent of Police Gurudev Sharma, participants from the country and abroad, representatives of Mahila Mandal and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. Earlier, on reaching Kullu, he was received at Bhuntar Airport by the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police.
