SHIMLA -15^th November, 2024-Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said here today that culture is our heritage and we should follow our heritage only then we could prosper. He said that Renuka Ji is the most beautiful pilgrimage place of Himachal. "This tradition of meeting of Shree Renuka Ji and Lord Parshuram Ji and Renuka Lake attracts people and they have followed this age-old tradition with enthusiasm.

He was addressing the concluding ceremony of the International Shree Renuka Ji fair in Sirmaur district. Lady Governor and Chairperson, State Red Cross Hospital Welfare Section, Janaki Shukla was also present on the occasion.

Governor said that fairs and festivals have for year contributed in promoting our cultures. He said that younger generations have the onus of protecting our rich culture.

"It is important that as our society moves towards prosperity, we also keep intact our values," said the Governor.

Sh. Shukla said that the Shree Renuka Ji fair is a manifestation of the reverence and devotion of Lord Parshuram towards his mother Goddess Renuka Ji and it upholds the rich values of Indian society. He said that fairs and festivals are symbols of the rich cultural heritage of the State and should be preserved at all cost. He congratulated all for their contribution in the successful organization of the fair and said that Goddess Renuka Ji has its own religious sanctity and people from all over India visit the place to pay their obeisance.

The Governor performed pooja in Lord Parshuram Ji and Mata Renuka Ji temples and also participated in the ‘Dev Vidai’ procession.

Earlier, the Governor also witnessed the famous Sirmauri Singtu Dance performed by local artists.

He also visited Exhibition stalls put up by various government departments and non-government organizations. He evinced keen interest in the exhibition. He also presented first prize to the exhibition of Industries department.

On reaching Sirmaur, the Governor was accorded a warm welcome at Birla helipad in the morning by local MLA Ajay Solanki, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and other senior officers of district administration.

Deputy Commissioner and Vice-Chairman, Shree Renuka Ji Development Board, Sumit Khimta honoured and welcomed the Governor and expressed gratitude for presiding over the closing ceremony of the fair. He also detailed various activities organized during the fair. He also honoured Lady Governor on the occasion.

Office Bearers of Shree Renuka Ji Development Board, prominent personalities of the area and senior officers of the district were also present on the occasion.

The Governor also joined the Prime Minister programme on "Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas" held in Bihar virtually from Renuka Ji.

On the occasion, the Governor said that the day is celebrated in the memory of Birsa Munda, an Indian tribal independence activist and a folk hero belonging to the Munda tribe of Jharkhand. He also honoured six beneficiaries from Sirmour district under "Dharti Abha Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan" by presenting himachali cap and shawl. These included Zahid Hassan, Noor Hassan, Liyakat Ali, Bhura Singh, Amar Nath and Hussan Singh.