Bangana (Una), June 5- The historic three-day district level Piplu fair organized in Kutlehad area of ??Una district got inaugurated with grand ceremony on Thursday. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri inaugurated the fair with full rites by offering prayers, hoisting the flag and playing traditional Tamak at Shri Narsingh Temple. On this occasion, local MLA Vivek Sharma and his wife Mrs. Mridu Sharma were specially present.
Before the inauguration, the Deputy Chief Minister participated in the grand procession organized from Bangana to Piplu. A large number of devotees and local citizens enthusiastically participated in this procession organized on such a large scale for the first time this year.

State level status to Piplu fair-
Addressing the inaugural ceremony on this occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister announced to provide state level status to Piplu fair. He said that this fair will be organized in a more grand form in the coming years with the preservation of its ancient traditions. He said that the state government is taking concrete steps to preserve and notify traditional fairs so that they can be organized in a planned and assured manner every year.

Priority to Himachali artists-
The Deputy Chief Minister said that our emphasis is on giving priority to local Himachali artists in fairs and cultural events. The administration in every district has been instructed that at least one-third of the budget of cultural programs should be earmarked only for Himachali artists.
Along with this, the government is trying to make traditional fairs a medium of interstate and international cultural participation. So that cultural teams from the country and abroad also participate and cultural exchange is ensured.

18 drinking water schemes under construction in Una-
The Deputy Chief Minister said that 18 drinking water schemes worth crores of rupees are under construction at a rapid pace in Una district. These include the Upper Kutlehar drinking water scheme of Kutlehar area worth Rs 15.50 crore. Apart from this, work is being done on irrigation scheme worth Rs. 46 crore from Bharmouti to Lower Kutlehar and drinking water scheme worth Rs. 14.64 crore from Turkal Panga to Upper Kutlehar.

Andaroli area will become water sports hub-
He informed that an MoU has been signed with a private company to make Andaroli area a centre for water sports activities. This initiative will give the area a new identity on the tourism map and will also create self-employment opportunities for the local youth.

MLA listed development projects-
On this occasion, MLA Vivek Sharma, while wishing Piplu fair in his address, said that work is going on on many schemes for sustainable development in Kutlehar.
Kharodi-Kyariyan road worth Rs. 6.50 crore and Boul-Jhambar road worth Rs. 10.50 crore are now taking shape.
He informed that decisive initiatives have been taken regarding water sports hub in Andaroli, eco tourism in Lathiani and Sohari and industrial development in Momanyar.
He informed that as a special initiative this year, 'Kutlahad Mahotsav' is also being organized on 7th June, whose cultural evening will be organized in Bangana. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu will be the chief guest in this.

Festival of faith, tradition and culture-
It is noteworthy that Piplu fair is organized every year on the occasion of Nirjala Ekadashi. This fair is a symbol of faith and devotion towards Lord Narsingh. Thousands of devotees from Una, Hamirpur, Kangra and other districts and outside states reach here to see the stone of Narsingh ji seated under the ancient Peepal tree. Here people offer their new crops and receive blessings.

Confluence of development and culture-
Development exhibition, sports competitions and cultural evenings were organized to make the fair attractive. Himachali singers Anuj Sharma, Sunil Masti and local folk artists mesmerized the gathering with their splendid performances.
On this occasion, District Congress President Ranjeet Rana, State Congress Secretary Deshraj Modgil and Deshraj Gautam, Kutlehar Block Congress President Ram Asra, Executive President Vivek Minka, Women Commission Member Indu Bala, District Council Member Satya Devi, Panchayat Pradhan Mahendra Singh, Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal, Superintendent of Police Amit Yadav, SDM Sonu Goyal, Tehsildar Amit Sharma, and a large number of public representatives and officials including people from Una, Hamirpur and Kangra districts participated in large numbers.