Fairs to be given priority to save cultural heritage: Rawat

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat today said in order to preserve the vanishing cultural heritage, priority has to be accorded to organising fairs and festivals.
Inaugurating Nanda Devi Fair at Almorah late last night, Rawat said many social evils have crept into the present generation which can be eradicated by giving special attention to organising these fairs and festivals, an official release said.
These fairs can attract pilgrims and tourists to the state, he said, adding, the state government has also taken various steps for welfare of artistes including providing pension to them to conserve dying cultural practices.
The state cultural department has been asked to identify artistes proficient in old art forms to and encourage them to develop and propularise their art, the Chief Minister said.

Stating that Nanda Devi fair preserves both faith and history, Rawat announced the fair would soon be upgraded to a state fair and Rs 10 lakh monetary grant would also be provided for it.
Speaking on the occasion, Speaker of Uttarakhand Assembly Govind Singh Kunjwal said such fairs help in conserving faith and cultural heritage.