To encourage tourism in the State, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday directed the officers concerned to take strategic initiatives to bring ancient heritage sites like Kurukshetra, known for the battle of Mahabharata, Lohgarh the first Capital of the Sikh empire to the Civilizations that existed even before the Harappan and Mohenjodaro times, on the world map.
These directions came on the occasion of the release of a Special Cover made by the Department of Archaeology and Museums in association with the Indian Postal Department on Rakhigarhi, the world famous archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization.Khattar said mythology, culture, and history have their own importance and any country or state can be on the path of progress only if its youth is aware about its history and culture. He said Haryana has more than 100 sites with historical and mythological prominence and the state should work towards preserving such sites with a motive of promoting the importance of ancient culture for future generations. Besides this, tourism will also be encouraged at these sites.
Sharing historical anecdotes, the Chief Minister said that the battle fought against Mughals by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, who was the first commander of the Sikh Empire, has its roots in Haryana. Moreover, Lohgarh which was the Capital of Yamunanagar, under Banda Bahadur will also be developed so as to promote tourism in that area and a Museum along with a Martial Arts School is also being established there. Sharing more details he said that the place of origin of the Saraswati River, Adi Badri is also being developed majestically.
Chief Secretary, Vijai Vardhan said that Rakhigarhi has special importance as it is related to a civilization older than the Harappan and Mohenjodaro. Divulging details of the Rakhigarhi Civilization he shared that the ancient and invaluable artefacts found during excavation of the site suggest that the state of Haryana must have been highly developed during that era. He added that a Museum and a Lecture Centre are being set up in Rakhigarhi.Principal Secretary, Department of Archeology and Museums, Ashok Khemka, was also present.
STATE GEARED UP FOR KHELO INDIA YOUTH GAMES, SAYS CM
Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar said that the State is all geared up to host ‘Khelo India Youth Games -2021’ and directed the officers to start preparing immediately so that these Games can be conducted successfully and wherever there is a need to strengthen the basic infrastructure that should be completed on priority. He said that Haryana has emerged as a leading sports hub in the country as it has always remained a force to reckon with as far as sports and sportspersons are concerned.
Presiding over the meeting with the Sports and Youth Affairs Department regarding the ‘Khelo India Youth Games -2021, Khattar said the state will leave no stone unturned to ensure proper arrangements for organizing various sports events. “Adequate lodging and other facilities will also be provided to the players coming to participate from across the country," he said.
Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sandeep Singh was also present in the meeting.
To ensure that the Games are organized successfully three committees were approved namely Monitoring, Core and Executive Committee headed by Chief Minister, Sports Minister and Chief Secretary respectively. Khattar said the objective of organizing the ‘Khelo India Youth Games -2021’ is to give the players a better platform to prove their talent.
During the meeting, the CM was apprised about the lists of facilities required for upgrading the sports infrastructure for the upcoming event. Setting up of high-level gyms for the players at major venues and facility of score boards has already been done by the department. Besides this, proper staying arrangements of the participants, geo-mapping of sports infrastructure have also been done, he was told.