Una, April 14:- Adorned with the festive spirit of Baisakhi and the vibrant hues of folk culture, the state-level Haroli Festival reached its zenith of joy and enthusiasm on April 14, concluding with a grand finale. Celebrated this year from April 11 to 14 at the Haroli grounds in Roda—situated along the banks of the Sonbhadra River—the festival garnered immense public support, truly becoming a celebration of the people. The final cultural evening of the festival witnessed a record-breaking turnout of the public, with the collective enthusiasm of the masses reaching its absolute peak.
Former MP and State Congress In-charge, Rajani Patil, served as the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony, while Education Minister Rohit Thakur attended as the Special Guest. Deputy Chief Minister and MLA for Haroli, Mukesh Agnihotri, felicitated both the Chief Guest and the Special Guest.
Congratulating Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and all the residents of the region on the magnificent organization of the Haroli Festival, Chief Guest Rajani Patil remarked that while she has witnessed numerous large-scale events in metropolitan cities, the grandeur and public participation displayed at Haroli have left a particularly profound impression on her.
Applauding the enthusiastic participation of women and young women in the festival, she stated that this event stands as a powerful testament to social empowerment. She expressed her desire to attend the festival again in the future, adding that given its sheer magnificence, she would strive to ensure that their national leader, Rahul Gandhi, is also brought to attend the event at some point.
Extending his festive greetings to everyone, Education Minister Rohit Thakur observed that Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri's visionary outlook and leadership have ushered in new dimensions of development for Haroli. He noted that, through systematic and planned efforts, Haroli has traversed an inspiring journey—rising from humble beginnings to reach the pinnacle of success.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri expressed his deep gratitude to all the organizers, officials, and local residents for the successful execution of the festival. He affirmed that this fair would continue to be celebrated in the years to come, emphasizing that the overwhelming support of the public remains the festival's greatest strength, and promising that future editions would be organized with even greater grandeur and innovation. *Fashion Show Becomes the Center of Attraction, Courtesy of ‘Siya’*
The final cultural evening of the Haroli Festival offered a glimpse into local youth entrepreneurship. A fashion show, organized courtesy of ‘Siya’—a clothing brand established by Ankush Barjata, a young entrepreneur from Una district—captured the special attention of the audience.
The fashion show featured a captivating presentation of garments across the categories of sarees, lehengas, and suits, showcasing a beautiful fusion of traditional and modern fashion. The highlight of the show was Miss Universe finalist Dr. Rijul; alongside her, other professional models walked the ramp with poise and beauty, leaving the audience spellbound.
Ankush Barjata’s ‘Siya’ brand has now expanded beyond the local level, establishing outlets in eight locations, including Una and Amb. Notably, he also garnered acclaim for participating in *Shark Tank India* with his innovative business model. This event proved to be a meaningful initiative aimed at encouraging regional entrepreneurship and connecting the youth with opportunities within the fashion industry.

*A Musical Finale That Set the Mood*
During the final cultural evening, popular artists from the Punjabi music industry—Ammy Virk and Gurlez Akhtar—delivered spectacular performances that compelled the massive crowd gathered at the Haroli Grounds in Rora to dance to their beats. This harmonious blend of melody and enthusiasm made for a truly memorable conclusion to the festival.
Present on the occasion were various dignitaries, including Gagret MLA Rakesh Kalia, Baddi MLA Ram Kumar, Kutlehar MLA Vivek Sharma, HIMFED Chairman Maheshwar Chauhan, HIMCOFED Chairman Vikram Sharma, State Congress General Secretary Ranjit Rana, Vinod Jinta, Dharmendra Dhami, District Congress President Deshraj Gautam, Ashok Thakur, Pawan Thakur, Satish Bittu, Vinod Bittu, Mehtab Thakur, Subhadra Chaudhary, Surekha Rana, and Prashant.