President skips Gita festival in Haryana; event has subdued start

Following Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa's death, President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday cancelled his visit to Kurukshetra in Haryana to inaugurate the 'Gita Mahotsav'. Cultural and other celebratory events were also cancelled.

The low-key inauguration was done by Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Khattar told the media that cultural and other celebratory events have been cancelled at the Mahotsav.

Other events like seminars and discussions will be held as scheduled.

The Bharatiya Janata Party government in Haryana was preparing for the past over one year for the Rs 100-crore extravaganza on Hindu scripture 'Bhagvad Gita' from December 6.

The holy land of Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna had delivered the celestial message of Bhagvad Gita to Pandava warrior Arjun, is about 100 km from here. The Bhagvad Gita is a 5,000-year-old scripture.

The Mahotsav, to be held from December 6 to 10, will see the participation of scholars from across the country and abroad.

--IANS

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