On the closing of the traditional State Level Nalwari fair of Bilaspur Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was present as the Chief Guest today. He also witnessed a bout of traditional Chinj’ and released a souvenir of the Nalwari festival on the occasion.After distributing prizes to the wrestlers, the Chief Minister announced the closing of the seven day long festival.
He said the Nalwari is a traditional festival of the state which has become quite famous for hosting traditional ‘Chinj’ (wrestling bouts). Besides, its prominence as the cattle fair since ages.
He announced enhancement in prize money of the ‘Chinj’ bouts. The first prize in ‘general category’ from Rs 71 thousand to Rs 1.1 lakh and second prize from 51 thousand to Rs.75 thousand and the third and fourth prize to Rs 31 thousand and Rs 25 thousand.
In ‘Him Kumar’ category, the first and the second prize money was enhanced from Rs 31 thousand and Rs 21 thousand respectively to Rs. 51 thousand and Rs 31 thousand respectively. Similarly, the prize money for third and fourth place is enhanced to Rs 21 thousand and Rs 15 thousand.
He said that this fair was well known for the display, sale and purchase of cattle where the farmers had an opportunity to purchase better livestock, adding that as of today, the number of cattle which used to be the main attraction of the fair was diminishing.
The Chief Minister also warned those abandoning the cattle after utilising their services.
I am afraid that such a practice was against the human ethics and values,
he said, adding that this was the biggest downfall as seen in our culture. To counter the problem, the government needs the support of everyone.
The Chief Minister appealed that the cattle should not be left to its fate, adding that they should be taken care of when they grow old. The government had constituted ‘Gauvansh Samvardhan Board’ to look after and take care of the stray and abandoned cattle.
I am quite disappointed that despite the ample budget, there were very few people who had come forward to supplement the cause,
he said.
He said that the government had proposed in its budget an award of Rs 1000 to all the owners of well reared cows and buffaloes which will give more than 15 litres milk per day under ‘Uttam Pashu Puruskar Yojna. Under ‘Panchayat Puruskar Pashudhan Yojna’, a sum of Rs 7.80 crore had been proposed in the budget for making panchayats free of stray cattle, but we need the support of the people to curb the menace.
The Chief Minister said that a sum of Rs 16.68 crore had been sanctioned for construction of Baghchal bridge on which the work had now been started by Gammon Construction Company, thus fulfilling the demand of the people.
He said,
As we progress ahead in the scientific era and world of modernisation, we also need to preserve our ancient old culture and customs, which provides us distinct identity. A lot of change has been witnessed in the fair as it has become more commercial and has also provided an adequate platform to businessmen from out of the state.
Chairman, 20 Point Programme Implementation Committee Ram Lal Thakur, while talking on the sidelines of the function said that the Luhnu Kehloor sports complex comprising of indoor, hockey and football stadium, which was constructed way back when he was Sports Minister, had not been handed over by HIMUDA to the Sports department till day.
He said that with the change in government in 2003, the Luhnu ground was not handed over to the Sports department. He urged the Chief Minister to get the process of transferring the Luhnu stadium to sports department at the earliest.
