Lucknow: The 14-day Uttarakhand Mahotsav began on Sunday with traditional prayers and rituals at Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Parvatiya Sanskritik Upvan, located along the Gomti River on Birbal Sahni Marg in Lucknow.
Organised by the Uttarakhand Mahaparishad, the festival opened with a formal puja and prayer ceremony at 1 pm. Office-bearers, members of the organisation and other dignitaries participated in the rituals and prayed for the successful conduct of the festival.
As part of the celebrations marking the 26th anniversary of Uttarakhand’s formation, a debate competition on the theme ‘Changes in the State of Uttarakhand: Its Present Condition and Future Direction’ was organised at 4 pm.
A total of 11 teams representing various cultural, social and community organisations participated in the competition. These included Ramleela Samiti Mahanagar, Arts and Cultural Society Kalyanpur, Uttarakhand Mahaparishad Women’s Self-Help Group, Kurmanchal Nagar Ramleela Samiti, Brahma Kamal Cultural and Social Committee, Uttarakhand Mahaparishad Women’s Wing, Srijanankur Gomti Nagar, Devbhoomi Social and Cultural Committee, Parvatiya Mahaparishad Lucknow and Uttarakhand Mahaparishad Lucknow.
Participants presented arguments both in favour of and against the motion, examining the changes witnessed by Uttarakhand since its formation and the challenges facing the hill state.
In the affirmative category, Mahendra Singh Gailakoti secured first place, followed by noted poet Fakira Singh Chauhan in second place, Kailash Singh in third and K.S. Chufal in fourth.
In the opposition category, Karnika Tiwari won first place, followed by noted poet Dhan Singh Mehta ‘Anjaan’ in second place, Priyanka Bisht in third and Bhoomika Chauhan in fourth.
The judging panel comprised Dr Chandra Mohan Nautiyal, Sanjay Kala and Lalit Singh Pokhriyal. The judges were felicitated by the Mahaparishad office-bearers with bouquets and shawls.
Uttarakhand Mahaparishad convener Diwan Singh Adhikari and president Harish Chandra Pant presented mementoes to the winners. They also congratulated all participants and expressed their best wishes for their future endeavours.
Rajendra Singh Kanwal, media in-charge of the Mahaparishad, said that a live cooking competition would be organised at the festival venue on Monday at 2 pm. Women participants will prepare traditional Uttarakhand delicacies at the venue, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the state’s cuisine.
A devotional music evening and cultural programme will follow at 6 pm, led by popular radio jockey RJ Prateek and his team. The programme will feature bhajans and a series of colourful performances.
The 14-day Mahotsav will bring together cultural activities, competitions, traditional cuisine and performances celebrating Uttarakhand’s heritage and identity.
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