The State Government is organising a function at the historic Gaiety Theatre on the occasion of New Hindu Calender Year, Vikram Samvat 2068 on 4th April, 2011. This was announced by Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal at Mathura in a function organised by Hindu Jagran Manch on eve of the launching of traditional Hindu Calender Year. Prof. Dhumal stressed upon the need to popularise the fairs and festivals held at Mathura on the eve of Hindu New Year and said that all Indian citizens need to be educated about the importance of ‘Panchang’, adding that though all the important festivals were organised on the basis of ‘Panchang’ there were still many people who were not aware about its religious and social importance. The Hindu organizations in the country should come forward to make people realise the importance of the Panchang and the Indians living aboard should also be provided Hindu New Year Calender through websites and other means so that they may feel associated with Indian culture.
He added that Indian culture and values had always been respected and was more enriched than western culture, and that the beginning of New Year as per western culture, was marked by hooliganism and parties whereas Hindu New Year begins with paying obeisance to God and prayers for the welfare of the community which clearly marks the difference between the two distinct cultures.
