Chandigarh, December 1 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is the essence of life. It is a matter of great fortune for the country and the people of the state that this time on the occasion of International Gita Mahotsava, the celestial message of Gita will be 5,158 years old. The Gita has life lessons for everyone from every walk of life. Following the guidance of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, Haryana Government is celebrating International Gita Mahotsava at national and international level since 2016. In this episode, this time International Gita Mahotsava will start from December 2, 2021 and will continue till December19, 2021. The main events will be held from December 9 to 14, 2021.
This information was given by Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal during a press conference at Purushotampura Bagh located on Brahmasarovar in Kurukshetra on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that till now there were 134 pilgrimage places in the 48 kos area of Kurukshetra but some pilgrimage sites were left out, this time 30 more pilgrimage sites have been added to it, after which the total number of sites will increase to 164. Along with this Mahabharata-themed building will be constructed at Gitasthali Jyotisar on 2 acres of land at a cost of Rs.205 crore. The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Saraswati river and Vedic Civilization will be depicted through multimedia system in this building.
Giving information related to the International Gita Mahotsava, the Chief Minister said that the Shilp and Saras Mela will start on December 2, 2021, in which about 350 eminent artists and craftsmen will participate. It will run till December 19, 2021. The main programme will start with Gita Yagya and prayers at Brahmasarovar on December 9, 2021. A grand Gita Maha Aarti will be organized on the holy bank of Brahmasarovar.
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav-themed programmes to be conducted
Sh. Manohar Lal said that Shrimad Bhagavad Gita has also been an inspiration for the freedom fighters who were martyred for the freedom of the country and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav-themed programmes will be conducted to honour their sacrifice. A three-day International Gita Seminar will be organized at Kurukshetra University. Research papers from within the country and abroad will be presented online in the seminar on the topic "Role of the Holy Book Gita in the Freedom Movement". On completion of 75 years of independence, 75 freedom fighters and their families will be honoured.
Sant Samaj will gather in the Sant Sammelan
The Chief Minister said that on December 12, Sant Sammelan will also be organized during the festival. During this, the saints will discuss the subject of Gita and spirituality and give their views. Along with this, Gita Sansad will be organized in many colleges of Haryana on December13, 2021. Cultural programmes will be organized at 75 pilgrimages of 48 Kos Kurukshetra on December 14, 2021.
1100 students will recite the Gita globally
Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that on December 14, 2021 about 1100 students will recite the Gita at Brahmasarovar, while 55,000 students from the country and abroad will participate in online Gita recitation. Along with this, 75 eminent sculptors will make sculptures based on the theme of Mahabharata and Gita.
People will also join celebrations online
Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that even before the start of International Gita Festival 2021, 3.5 lakh people from more than 25 countries including America, Canada, UK are associated with the festival through social media. The page of the website of this festival has received 38 lakh hits. People from the country and abroad can also join the Gita Mahotsava through this.
The Chief Minister further said that on November 21, 2021 online quiz competition was started on Gita Mahotsav 2021. People from America, Canada, and Kuwait have registered themselves for it.
Book fair will also be held
Sh. Manohar Lal said that a book fair will also be held during International Gita Mahotsav 2021. Haryana Pavilion will also be built on Brahmasarovar, in which the food and culture of Haryana can be experienced. About 800 stalls have been allotted to craftsmen on Brahmasarovar. This time due to COVID-19, alternate shops have been allotted so that social distancing can be maintained.
Welcome gates will be built on all the entry points around Kurukshetra
The Chief Minister said that four welcome gates will be made on all the entry points of Kurukshetra. Necessary facilities will be created for the pilgrims in the Mela area near Brahmasarovar. A 40-feet high statue of Lord Krishna has been installed at Jyotisar, the birth place of Gita at a cost of Rs. 1363 lakh.
The Chief Minister added that along with the State Government, the Central Government is also cooperating in the development of Kurukshetra. Kurukshetra has been included in Krishna Circuit for the development of Swadesh Darshan Scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. An amount of Rs 9734.7 lakh has been released by the government for the development of the pilgrimage sites of Kurukshetra. The Chief Minister said that the railway station of Kurukshetra is also being renovated. Efforts are being made to run trains from here to Mathura and Haridwar.
Social institutions lend their support
Sh. Manohar Lal said that it is not only the government which is contributing to the International Gita Mahotsava, social organizations too are lending their support. He asked to consider the formation of International Gita Mahotsava Committee in future.
During this press conference, Gita Manishi Gyananand Ji Maharaj, Kurukshetra MP, Sh. Naib Saini, Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sh. Sandeep Singh, Thanesar MLA, Sh. Subhash Sudha and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agrawal were present.