18th, March, 2023

Topic: Nalwari fair commences at Bilaspur

 

Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains are essential.

Importance for  Prelims: History, geography, political, art & culture and socio-economic development of Himachal Pradesh.

Significance for the Mains Exam:

• PAPER-IV: GENERAL STUDIES-I: UNIT III: Society and Culture in Himachal Pradesh: Culture, customs, fairs and festivals, religious beliefs and practices, recreation and amusement.

 

What is the news?

• The 134th Nalwari fair for the state was opened today in Bilaspur by Mandi Divisional Commissioner Rakhil Kahlon.
• She prayed at the temple of Lakshmi Narayan and then joined a religious procession. She also opened the shows that different departments had set up on the fairground.
• The fair is thought to have been started by King Anand Chand of the old state of Bilaspur. It is set up at the start of the harvest and planting seasons. For the next crop, people buy or trade their pair of oxen. People from Punjab and Haryana bring their best pairs of oxen to the fair so that lots of people can see them.

About the fair, Nalwari:

 

Nalwari Fair Bilaspur:

• Bilaspur is a well-known city in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is 673 metres above sea level. The Govind Sagar reservoir, which was built on the Sutlej River, is very close to the city of Bilaspur. It is a big town in Himachal Pradesh that people pass through on their way to Manali.

 

About the fair’s history:

• In 1889, W. Goldstein, who was in charge of the hills of Shimla as Superintendent, realised that the whole state needed high-quality cattle. So, he started a fair where people could buy and sell cattle to encourage breeding and increase the number of cattle in the area.
• The bullocks were the most important group, but there were fewer of them.
• Nalwari Mela is one of the most well-known events in Bilaspur, or we could say that it is a famous fair. On the Luhnu ground, this fair is being held.
• It is a cultural and historical fair in Bilaspur for almost a week every March.
• The Mela Management Committee is in charge of setting up this fair.
• There are cultural nights at this fair, and artists from Bilaspur take part in these nights to entertain the people who come to this fair. Yuvak Mandals, Mahila Mandals, and several other youth clubs all put on cultural shows at this fair.
• The cultural nights are fun and full of colour. People say that the Bilaspur Nalwari Cattle Fair is one of the most exciting events in this beautiful state. Many people come from all over the world to enjoy the fun of the fair.
• Wrestling is an integral part of the event, which lasts about 5 days and has many other things to do. The local gymnasts and athletes get a chance to show off their skills and abilities.

(Source: HP Tribune)

 

Topic: Chief Minister urges people to observe Earth Hour on 25th March

 

Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains are essential.

Importance for  Prelims: General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization and General Science

Significance for the Mains Exam:

• PAPER-VI: GENERAL STUDIES-III: UNIT II: Issues, concerns, policies, programmes, conventions, treaties and missions aimed at environment protection and dealing with the problem of climate change.

 

What is the news?

• Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu appealed to the state’s people to be part of ‘Earth Hour’, to be observed under the theme ‘The Biggest Hour for Earth’ on 25th March 2023.
• He said that it was an Endeavour of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to raise awareness about the conservation of nature and climate change – the two biggest threats facing the planet today.

What did the Chief Minister share?

• He urged the State’s people to switch off all non-essential lights on 25th March for one hour between 8.30 PM to 9.30 PM to support this mission. He said this mission would go a long way in creating a better and healthy environment for future generations.
• Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the present State Government is also working in this direction and has initiated effective steps to develop Himachal Pradesh as a ‘Green Energy State’ by 31st March 2026. Steps were also taken to encourage using electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions in State. Apart from this, private bus operators and truck operators would be given a subsidy of 50 per cent for purchase of e-buses and e-trucks, besides a 50 per cent subsidy for establishing charging stations.
• The Chief Minister said that the degradation of the environment was a big challenge globally, and the present State Government has gone for a green budget for the year 2023-24. This will not only conserve the natural environment of the State but also mitigate the problem of climate change.

(Source: HP Government)