Panchkula :Smt. Geeta Bhukkal, Hon’ble Minister for Education and Languages, Industrial Training, Social Justice & Empowerment, Women and Child Development, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, Archaeology & Museum and Archives Haryana was the Chief Guest on 3rd Day of 6th Pinjore Heritage Festival at Yadavindra Gardens, Pinjore to celebrate the centuries old heritage of Pinjore town and its ancient Mughal Gardens. She was warmly received by Sh. Dhanpat Singh, IAS, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary Tourism Haryana, Sh. Anand M.Sharan, IAS, Managing Director, HTC, Haryana, HTC, Mrs. Ashima Brar, Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, officers of Tourism Department, Haryana and officers of the district administration, Panchkula in the traditional style, reminiscent of the Mughal times. The gardens wore a festive look at its best with the Mughal heritage illuminated to show its glorified past. The floral décor was specially planned to give the entire stretch an ethnic look.
Sh. Dhanpat Singh while welcoming the chief Guest stated that the 6th Heritage Festival is being organized with new activities and events. There is an added flavour of cultural inputs in this years’ festival. Haryana Tourism under the dynamic leadership of Ch. Bhupender Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Chief Minister Haryana & with the able guidance & support of Kumari Selja, Union Tourism Minister has already put Panipat-Kurukshetra-Pinjore on the international tourism map with its sustained efforts of improvement. The Mughal gardens are restored to its ancient glory by special preservation technique entrusted to the best workmen in the trade.
He further stated that the annual Heritage Festival is organized to preserve the ancient heritage of these Mughal Gardens to their ancient glory. Pinjore as a heritage Tourism and Kurkshetra as a Pilgrim Tourism are the best tourism potential sites in Haryana and Haryana Tourism is focusing on these two sites to put them on the international map more aggressively.
Smt. Geeta Bhukkal while addressing the capacity gathering stated that as a part of corporate responsibility, Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Civil Justice and Empowerment ministry, Haryana had cordinated visit of differently abled children from all over Haryana on the “World Disabled day” today. A Heritage Walk and variety Cultural Programmes for the differently abled children had also orgainized in the day. All the participants were provided transportation with packed breakfast on way to Pinjore Gardens. After reaching Pinjore Garden the participants were given caps, soft drinks, snacks & Lunch. The very idea of arranging the visit was to provide them with an opportunity to see the rich heritage of Pinjore Gardens and to bring them in the main stream of life.
She further stated that under the dynamic leadership & guidance of Ch. Bhupender Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Haryana, Haryana has aggressively launched a serious of welfare programmes for differently abled persons. She stated that almost 100% differently abled persons are covered various pension schemes and the amount of pension was more than doubled by his Government.
She applauded the efforts of Haryana Tourism for making this 7-step heritage gardens disable friendly by building ramps as part of social responsibility. She stressed that the visit and the events organized by Haryana Tourism & her ministry would be long remembered by all the differently abled persons and the entire well coordinated event had gone into the memory lanes of all those who became part of this wonderful event. She stated that she will continue to work tirelessly to uplift the standards of living of all the differently abled persons of her state.
The entire gardens have been tastefully decorated with flowers and all the buildings and trees have been illuminated in the evening. The entrance gate, parking area as well as the entire Gardens is illuminated in the manner to enhance the pristine beauty of these Gardens by highlighting its architectural, aesthetic and landscape splendor. A Craft bazaar, reminiscent of the Mughal times is specially created during the festival days with shops and clusters of stalls, tented pavilion, food plaza, performance stage etc. Haryana Roadways has made special arrangements for plying the buses between Chandigarh-Panchkula-Pinjore and back at short intervals.
A number of competitions for children were organized like Drawing, Mehandi & Painting competitions for various age groups. The Cultural Programmes/Folk Dances by Schools/Colleges of Pinjore, Panchkula, Chandigarh & adjoining areas were the star attraction for the capacity crowd.
Crafts Bazaar was set up where craftsperson and weavers are selling their Handlooms and Handicrafts products. The Crafts Bazar proved to be a good attraction for the ladies and the families to buy the unique home made products. The special wood craft on display & sales from Tibet region was an added attraction this year.