First leg of the Mega Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2022 concludes at RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM in Andhra Pradesh on 27^th March, 2022

Vast array of cultural performances, handicrafts, cuisines and literary programmes present a memorable Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav

Why is it in news?

The festival was inaugurated by Governor, Andhra Pradesh Shri Biswabhusan Harichandan and Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER Shri G. K Reddy on 26th March 2022. The festival is being organized for the first time in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana.

Highlights

·       The two days festival being organised at the Arts College Grounds, Rajahmundry on March 26th and 27th was  also graced by  Sh Dharmana Krishnadas, Dy CM of Andhra Pradesh, Sri M. Srinivasa Rao, Minister of Tourism and Culture, AP; other prominent Ministers, Sri Margani Bharat, MP, Rajahmundry; Sri M. Mohan Babu, Cine Actor and Former MP; Smt. Jayaprada, Cine Actress and Former MP and Smt. Adi Reddy Bhavani,  MLA, Rajahmundry City & other prominent dignitaries.

·       The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav had an auspicious beginning with a discourse on Bhagvad Gita by Sri Gangadhar Sastry. On the occasion, the classical Odissi dance performance by Aloka Kanungo & Taal Vadya Kacheri, a musical treat by P. Jaya Bhaskar enthralled the audience while the popular singers Sri S.P. Charan, Smt. S.P. Shailaja, Shri Vandemataram Srinivas, and Smt. U. Sunita, regaled the gathering with some eternal melodies from the legends of Indian Cinema as a tribute to Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, Sri Ghantasala, Sri S.P. Balasubramanyam and Sri Sirivennela Sitaram Sastry.

·       Earlier, on Saturday, in his inaugural address, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh Shri Biswabhusan Harichandan said Festivals like Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav will further strengthen our culture and traditions.

·       At the inaugural event, Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri G. Kishan Reddy said that the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is the flagship festival of the Ministry of Culture which aims to preserve, promote, and popularize the rich cultural heritage of India.

·       The Union Minister said that Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav has been instrumental in showcasing folk and tribal art, dance, music, cuisines and culture of one state in other states reinforcing PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s cherished goal of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”, presenting the rich culture of southern states as well as introduce the local population to the varied culture of other parts of India.

·       The highlight of the Mahotsav was the choreographed presentation by over 540 Zonal folk artists representing various states of India and 280 folk artists from Andhra Pradesh, who exhibited the spirit of ‘EK Bharat Shsretha Bharat‘ through a colorful cultural extravaganza as the opening acts  making the Mahotsav cherishable for a lifetime. Spellbinding performances by drummers from all Zonal Cultural Centers and choreographed folk martial arts by artists drawn from all parts of India on the second day, were the hallmark of the event.

·       The Mahotsav also saw brisk sale of the handicrafts  from the Artisan exhibition stalls set up in the colorful Aangans representing each Zonal Cultural Centre as well as the State of Andhra Pradesh. The public also relished the cuisines, both local & from other states, organised through the Food Festival where 30 cuisine stalls were installed. About 140 artisans from ZCC were showcasing their products in the Aangans while 40 artisans of Andhra also made part with a special Aangan prepared for them.

·       A one day Literary Seminar on the theme of ‘Godavari Districts Literary & Cultural Heritage’ was also organised by the Adikavi Nannaya University as part of the Mahotsav .

·       The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav at Rajahmundry truly showcased the rich heritage of the Southern states and introduced the local population to the varied culture, craft & cuisine of the other parts of India on one platform and place. To ensure maximum participation of the general public the entry was kept free to the Mahotsav.

The second and third leg of RSM took place at Warangal and Hyderabad on 29th-30th March and 1st-3rd April respectively.

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind graced and addressed the concluding ceremony of the silver jubilee celebrations of Divya Prem Seva Mission in Haridwar on March 27, 2022.

Why is it in news?

The President said that he has been witnessing the activities and development of this mission since it started providing medical services for leprosy afflicted people in a thatched hut in Haridwar. Praising the founder of the Mission, Dr Ashish Gautam, he said that it was not easy for a youth of Prayagraj to come to Haridwar two decades ago and establish this institution by going against the traditions of the society. But with his determination and perseverance, he has set an example.

Highlights

·       Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it gives him immense pleasure to be present at the Silver Jubilee celebration of Divya Prem Seva Mission, which is consistently contributing to the welfare of humanity since its establishment. He said that the basic element of spirituality is welfare and service of humankind and the Divya Prem Seva Mission is continuously following the same path.

·       The President noted that Divya Prem Seva Mission is undertaking many exemplary and commendable activities such as clinic for treating leprosy patients, schools for children of socially marginalised leprosy patients, hostels for students specially for girl students and skill development centre, for the overall development of children residing there. He congratulated the founders of the Mission and their associates for such excellent service and dedication.

·       The President said that all we know is that untouchability was abolished and made a punishable offence under the Constitution after independence. Untouchability based on caste and religion was abolished by Article 17 of the Constitution, but the centuries-old untouchability towards people afflicted by leprosy has not been completely eradicated even today. It is unfortunate that many misconceptions and stigmas are still present in the society regarding this disease. 

·       The President said that a person afflicted with leprosy should be accepted as an integral part of the family and society like a person affected by any other disease.

·       The President said that psychological rehabilitation of leprosy afflicted people is as important as their physical treatment. The Parliament has passed the “Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act – 2016” under which the Indian Lepers Act 1898 has been repealed and discrimination against people afflicted by leprosy has been legally abolished. Persons cured from leprosy have also been included in the list of beneficiaries in the 2016 Act.

·       The President said that Mahatma Gandhi, during his life dedicated to the service of humanity, used to treat and take care of leprosy patients. According to Gandhiji, the best way to know oneself is to dedicate oneself in the service of mankind. He believed that leprosy is also a disease like cholera and plague which can be treated. Therefore, those who consider its patients inferior are the actual patients. Gandhiji's message is relevant even today.

·       The President said that the youth of our country can contribute in clearing misconceptions related to leprosy among the people. They can spread awareness among the people about the treatment of this disease through organisations like NSS. He urged the youth to take inspiration from exemplary examples of serving the leprosy afflicted people and also give their active contribution in eradication of social stigma associated with leprosy.