After celebrating ‘International Gita Mahotsav’ in Kurukshetra, Haryana Government is now gearing up to organise ‘Saraswati Mahotsav’ next year.
The State Government will celebrate ‘Saraswati Mahotsav 2017’ in a befitting manner in 10 districts in the State from January 28 to February 1, said Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary to Haryana Chief Minister.
Khullar on Monday convened a meeting of Deputy Commissioners concerned through a video conference in this regard. During the meeting, he directed them to make elaborate arrangements for
the celebrations.
He said that essay competition concerning Saraswati and other literary activities would be organised in all Government colleges and schools in the State. Prize money of Rs 51,000 and Rs 21,000 at State level would be given in teachers and students categories respectively.
During the celebrations, a chetna yatra would be started from Sirsa district on January 28 which would pass through the flow path of Saraswati river in districts of Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Panchkula and Yamunanagar. The chetna yatra would be concluded in Yamunanagar on February 1. Apart from this, two-day international seminar on Saraswati River would also be organised on January 28 and 29.
During this seminar, scientists from about 20 countries are proposed to be invited. Also, scientists of renowned research institutes and universities of the State would take part in the celebrations.
The BJP led Haryana Government had in 2015 decided to restore Saraswati creek from Adi Badri to Mustafabad in Yamunanagar district and set up Adi Badri Heritage Board.
The Saraswati river, considered sacred in Hindu religion, finds mention in ancient Hindu scriptures like the Rig Veda, Mahabharata, Ramayana and others, giving credence to the belief that it existed during those times.
The Haryana Government has planned to set up a Centre of Research on river Saraswati in Kurukshetra University. The Government has already approved an amount of Rs 20 lakh for the establishment of research centre.
The State Government has also planned to organise ‘Saraswati Mahotsav’ at international level in the year 2018.