The vibrant spirit of Himachal Pradesh came alive as Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla inaugurated the historic International Minjar Fair–2025 in Chamba, a district known not only for its breathtaking natural beauty but also for its thousand-year-old legacy of folk art, cultural richness, and social harmony. Accompanied by Lady Governor Janaki Shukla, the Governor addressed the gathering as the chief guest, marking the ceremonial beginning of one of the region’s most anticipated cultural festivals.
Governor Shukla highlighted the deep cultural significance of the Minjar Fair, calling it a proud symbol of victory and unity in the state’s rich traditions. He extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of Himachal Pradesh and expressed hope that the fair would infuse renewed joy, community bonding, and cultural enthusiasm among its citizens. At the same time, he urged people to preserve their traditional folk heritage, underlining that such events play a vital role in nurturing social harmony across communities.
In a departure from mere celebration, the Governor took the opportunity to address a growing social concern—the rising menace of drug abuse. Expressing serious worry over the increasing prevalence of narcotic substances among youth, he stressed the importance of collective community awareness and proactive engagement to eradicate this societal evil. A strong message was sent across as an anti-drug pledge was administered during the event, followed by the flagging off of an awareness rally aimed at amplifying the campaign against drug addiction.
The ceremonial rituals of the Minjar Fair were performed with great reverence. Governor Shukla offered the traditional Minjar to Lord Shri Raghuvir and Shri Lakshmi Narayan, a gesture deeply embedded in the fair’s historical and spiritual roots. With the hoisting of the ceremonial flag accompanied by the melodic strains of the traditional “Koonjdi-Malhar,” the Governor formally inaugurated the festivities, signaling the start of the eight-day celebration.
Governor Shukla also inaugurated various sports competitions and visited exhibitions organized by state departments and social organizations, reflecting the fair’s inclusive approach in blending entertainment, awareness, and developmental initiatives. As part of the “Sampoornta Abhiyan,” the Governor honored officers and staff members who had shown exceptional service at district and sub-divisional levels, reinforcing the value of commitment in governance.
President of the Municipal Council, Neelam Nayar, presented the traditional Minjar token to the Governor, while Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal, who also chairs the Minjar Fair Organizing Committee, felicitated him on behalf of the administration. Repaswal emphasized that this year’s cultural evenings have been carefully curated to appeal to diverse age groups, ensuring a participative and engaging experience for all. Artists from Chamba and other parts of Himachal Pradesh will take the stage throughout the fair, showcasing the living legacy of the region’s performing arts.
The inaugural event was also attended by prominent dignitaries including Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania and his wife Neena Pathania, MLAs Neeraj Nayar, Dr. Hans Raj, D.S. Thakur, Dr. Janak Raj, and other local leaders and officials from various departments. Their presence underscored the importance of the Minjar Fair not just as a cultural celebration, but also as a platform for community dialogue, heritage promotion, and public welfare.
This is an auto web-generated news web story.
#MinjarFair2025 #ChambaCulture #HimachalTradition #ShivPratapShukla #SayNoToDrugs #FolkFestivalIndia #IncredibleIndia #CulturalIndia
