AAP Minister attend Bharat Parv inauguration ceremony

In a conciliatory note between AAP and Centre on 'Bharat Parv' invitation issue, Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra today attended the inauguration ceremony of Modi government cultural festival after Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma spoke to him few hours before the event.
In a fresh acrimony between AAP-led Delhi government and Centre, Mishra had yesterday said that Centre had not invited the UT for participation in 'Bharat Parv' even though it was being celebrated in the heart of national capital here to mark the Independence Day.
However, Sharma's call to Mishra few hours before the event made the latter attend the event and even indicating that Delhi government may participate in the week long festival which will culminate on August 18.

"I have come here to attend the ceremony. We may decide later whether we would be participating in the event. It would just take one day for us to put our stall here," Mishra said.
"Bharat Parv is a celebration of India. It was disheartening to not receive an invite from the Central Government...Union Minister Sharma gave me a call and requested me to attend Bharat Parv alongside him and other senior Cabinet Ministers," he said.
Earlier in the day, however, Sharma had maintained that his ministry, which is nodal agency for the event, had communicated to all the states and UTs, including Delhi for participation in the festival aimed at arousing patriotism among the citizens.

"Tourism Ministry had communicated to Delhi government, inviting it for the participation in the festival. There was some communication gap at their level. I will speak to Kapil Mishra, extending the invitation," he said.

Pacifying the heat generated over the issue, Sharma said the event is about the culture and "Delhi (government) and India (government) cannot have different culture".
As many as 30 state and UTs are participating the event, showcasing their cultural heritage with their cuisine, folk and tribal dances, among others.
Centre is organising a week-long festival at north and south of Rajpath lawns to mark the 70th anniversary of India's Independence.

Besides Delhi, Puducherry, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, West Bengal and Bihar have not sent their consent for participation in the festival aimed at generating patriotic mood.
The event will was inaugurated by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today evening in the presence of Sharma, Mishra and Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu.