PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The four-day Uttarayani Kauthik Mahotsav will be organised at Parade Ground from February 5 to 8 under the aegis of Seva Sankalp Foundation.
Addressing the media here on Wednesday, Seva Sankalp Foundation founder Geeta Dhami said that the festival aims to preserve and promote Uttarakhand’s folk culture, traditions and rural life while providing a common platform to artisans, folk artists and grassroots entrepreneurs from across the State.
Dhami said that the inspiring personalities from different fields who have contributed to society and brought recognition to Uttarakhand through courage, hard work and talent would be honoured with the ‘Nanda Shikhar Samman’. The awards will be conferred by the Governor of Uttarakhand lieutenant general ( retd) Gurmit Singh and chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
She said that the artisans, farmers, craftsmen, folk artists, self-help group members and small entrepreneurs from all 13 districts of the state would participate in the festival. Around 100 stalls will be provided free of cost to promote local products and strengthen the spirit of vocal for local and self-reliance.
The festival will feature traditional cuisine, millets, handicrafts and folk performances, along with cultural competitions for children and self-defence and empowerment programmes for women and girls. The Mahotsav will begin with a cultural procession at 11 AM on the opening day from Parade Ground, featuring palanquins of goddess Nanda Devi, Goljyu Maharaj and other deities, accompanied by traditional musical instruments and folk attire from different regions.
Performances by renowned folk artists, including Narendra Singh Negi, Pawandeep Rajan and Lalit Mohan Joshi will be held during the event. Dhami added that the festival seeks to connect the younger generation with Uttarakhand’s cultural roots and ensure the continuity of its folk heritage.
