Manali: The week-long Kullu Dussehra celebrations, beginning October 22, will have a new attraction in 2015 in a huge tricolour flying high atop a 100-feet-tall flag mast at the mela site, disclosed Deputy Commissioner Kullu, Rakesh Kanwar.
Deputy Commissioner Kullu, the chief organizer of the centuries-old Kullu Dussehra, told Hill Post that the flag will be put up at the initiative of the state government and will be taken down when the festival concludes on October 28.
The monumental flagmast would be dedicated to the courage and valor of soldiers who tirelessly defend the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, Kanwar added.
With this, Kullu will join select 40 places in India where the tricolour has been installed atop 100-feet-tall flag masts by the Flag Foundation of India. The first such high-flying flag in the state, this will be a huge 20 feet by 30 feet in dimension, Kanwar said.
He said the tricolour would be hoisted near Dev Sadan in front of the Rath Ground. This area would in the future be developed as a multi-purpose cultural complex.
The tricolour weighs nine kg and is made from knitted Denier Polyester fabric manufactured in Mumbai. The monumental flag-cum-mast comes at a cost of Rs.14 lakh, Kanwar disclosed.
The ‘chakra’ of the flag has been printed by using specialized printing process, he said.
He revealed Kullu Natti is all set to enter Guinness Book of World Record with 12,000 Plus participants in the category of Traditional Folk Dance. The dance will be dedicated to ‘Girl Child.’ This year, a website on Kullu Dussehra and devtas of Kullu is also set to be launched on the occasion.
DC added that Foundation stone of Indoor Auditorium and Multi-purpose Cultural Complex will be laid. Entire estimated amount of Rs 14.38 Crore has been sanctioned.
Kawar said Chief Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of works worth crores of rupees.
He also disclosed that Foundation Stone of Indoor Sports Complex, Kullu, Inauguration of Parking Complex of MC Kullu, Inauguration of Polytechnic Building at Seobag, Foundation Stone of School and Hostel for Visually Challenged Children, Inauguration of New Block of the GSSS Haripur, Foundation Stone of Police Station Building at Kullu and Release of Three Books on Kullu on the occasion of Dussehra
He said the biggest attraction will by international teams from Russia, Kirgizstan, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Bali Islands, Taiwan, Nepal; Special performances by Prasidha Foundation will also be part of this year’s Dussehra. Performances by West Bengal, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Goa, Uttrakhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and all 12 districts of Himachal are also on the cards. A State level Folk Dance Festival will be held here.
Kawar added that nationally acclaimed artist will perfume on
- October 22: Dr Mamta Joshi
- October 23: Miss Pooja
- October 24: Kshitij Tare
- October 25: Dev Negi
- October 26: Master Saleem
- October 27: Kumar Sanu
- October 28: Himachali Nite: Thakur Dass Rathi, Narender Thakur, Pinki Bhandari, Ramesh Thakur and others
- Also performances by Himachali Bands: Laman Band and Rio Nissi Bandss
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
