Anti-chitta walkathon flags off Radhashtami Fair at Dharamshala’s Dal Lake

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MLA Kewal Singh Pathania leads rally from Tangle Mor; separate facilities and langar arranged for devotees

Dharamshala, September 18

The Radhashtami Fair began at the historic Dal Lake in Naddi, Dharamshala, on Friday with an anti-chitta rally from Tangle Mor to the lake, combining the start of the religious fair with a campaign against drug abuse in Kangra district.

The anti-chitta campaign was also linked with the Manimahesh pilgrimage, with a walkathon organised from Tangle Mor in the Shahpur area. MLA Kewal Singh Pathania flagged off the rally and called upon people to collectively work against drugs.

Pathania said the campaign was being conducted across Himachal Pradesh under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Inspired by the campaign, similar efforts would be taken forward in Shahpur and across Kangra district, he added.

The MLA further said while the police and administration were taking action, social participation was essential to tackle the drug problem. He appealed to parents to keep a watch on their children and inform the police and the administration about any drug-related activity.

Pathania said people from villages and households would have to join the campaign to achieve the goal of making Kangra and Himachal Pradesh chitta-free.

A pledge against chitta was also taken during the programme associated with the Manimahesh pilgrimage after seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva. Pathania appreciated the action being taken by the police administration against drugs.

Referring to Dal Lake and the fair, the MLA said positive changes were now visible at the lake, where water-related issues had persisted for a long time. He appreciated the efforts of the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, officials, BDOs, SDMs and engineers in this regard.

The administration has made arrangements for devotees attending the fair, including separate facilities for men and women and a langar.

Pathania said local schools, a Tibetan school, Kendriya Vidyalaya, the Health Department and other departments were also supporting the religious and cultural programmes associated with the Dal Fair and the Manimahesh pilgrimage.