Almora: Besides promoting religious tourism, to protect our culture which is getting extinct there is need to give priority to organize traditional fairs. This was stated by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat while inaugurating the ‘Shravani Fair’ at Jageshwar, today. He said that the group of temples of Jageshwar attracts tourists coming from outside and we must pay attention towards its conservation and beautification. He said that the state government with an aim to promote tourism and religious tourism is preparing an annual calendar of important fairs and budget is being allocated for holding these fairs from tourism and culture departments.
Chief Minister said that Jageshwar has made a place for itself on the tourist map and collective efforts are needed to make it a fifth ‘Dham’. He said that work has been going on an ambitious plan to beautify the place by Union Tourism Ministry and temple committee is coordinating with the union ministry.
Chief Minister said that a proposal to have sewer line at Jageshwar will be submitted after survey so that ‘Jata Ganga’ river is saved from pollution. He directed the district administration that the sewerage water should not go into Jata Ganga and gave a time of three months to the people. He said that strict action will be taken against the defaulters if sewerage water continues to pollute the river after the deadline.
Chief Minister said that the classes at Almora Medical College will start from next academic session. He said that with an aim to raise the standard of education, efforts are being made to start a residential school for girls with the help of Himjyoti Foundation and land has been selected for the same. There is plan to open an international level school in which poor but academically brilliant students can get admission. The Kumoan Commissioner and District Magistrate have been directed to select a place for the school.
Chief Minister said that special efforts are needed to ensure that pilgrims and tourists coming from outside the state do not face any inconvenience. He also released Hindu New year calendar and said that the ‘Chaulai Laddos’ prepared by women self help groups should be distributed as ‘Prasad’ at the temple.
Govind Singh Kunjwal, local legislator, BJP state President Ajay Bhatt, Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh, SSP P.Renuka Devi and other public representatives and officers were present at the inauguration of the fair.
