17-Jun-2022: Literary personalities from 15 countries including India are taking part in the International Literature Festival of Culture Ministry organized in  Shimla from 16th - 18th June

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and Sahitya Akademi are organizing Unmesha, an International Literature Festival in Shimla from 16th to 18th June 2022 as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, with the support of Department of Art and Culture, Government of Himachal Pradesh.

The festival is being organised in the heritage buildings, the Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex and the Town Hall, on the Ridge, Shimla.

The inaugural session took place in the main auditorium of Gaiety Theatre on 16th June 2022 from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon wherein Ministers of State for Culture& Parliamentary Affairs Sri Arjun Ram Meghwal graced the occasion.

Literature of any country represents and reflects culture of that country. Literary Festivals bring out these reflections and representations in all their colours. That is the reason why the Ministry of Culture and Sahitya Akademi are organizing this Festival. With over 425 writers, poets, translators, critics and distinguished personalities from various walks of life from 15 countries including India, representing over 60 languages and 64 events, UNMESHA - International Literature Festival is the largest literature festival in the country.

The event is free for public on all the days during the festival. There  is  display of about 1000 books related to the Indian freedom movement and the publications of five Indian publishers  for sale.

8-Jun-2022: Large crowds of Kashmiri Pandits and devotees gathered at Mata Kheer Bhavani Temple on the occasion of Jyestha Ashtami

On the auspicious occasion of Jyestha Ashtami, around 18,000 Kashmiri Pandits and devotees visited the famous Mata Kheer Bhavani Temple. Every year, on this auspicious day, Kheer Bhavani Mela is organized at Mata Kheer Bhavani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal and devotees from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir visit the holy shrine here.

Kheer Bhavani is considered to be the deity of Kashmiri Pandits, who have a lot of recognition there. Jyeshtha Ashtami holds immense religious significance for Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters. Over the years, the Kheer Bhawani Mela has become a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir. Elaborate security arrangements were made in this event, it was monitored by the Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha himself.

Around 2,500 Kashmiri Pandit devotees participated in the evening aarti. The religious sanctity of Mata KheerBhavani Temple, built atop a holy spring, has a special spiritual significance among Kashmir Pandit devotees across the world.

The event could not be held here due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

A free bus service was run from Srinagar Airport, Tourist Reception Centre, Dal Lake Side Nehru Park, Shankaracharya Temple, Shivpora, Bibi Cantt, Indira Nagar etc. in areas where Hindu communities live in large numbers.

Full attention was given to ensure that devotees do not face any kind of problem. Parking facility was provided for vehicles near the temple premises. Mobile urinals have also been made available at all suitable places.

Several NGOs and civil society had also made arrangements to provide wheel chairs and other aids for the convenience of the devotees at the fair.

Special health check-up stalls were also set up by the Health Department, during which many devotees took consultations.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi also greeted Kashmiri Pandits on the occasion of Jyestha Ashtami. The Prime Minister in his tweet said, "Happy Jyestha Ashtami to all, especially Kashmiri Pandit sisters and brothers. We pray to Mata Kheer Bhavani for everyone's well-being and prosperity."

The Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Shri Amit Shah also congratulated the Kashmiri Pandits on Jyeshtha Ashtami and said that Jyeshtha Ashtami is a special festival of worshiping Maa Kheer Bhavani. On this holy festival, I extend warm greetings to all Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters and pray for the progress and prosperity of the country by bowing at the feet of Maa Kheer Bhavani.

The Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha extended his warm greetings to the Kashmiri Pandit community. He said “this auspicious occasion is a celebration of religious life, love, compassion and harmony. Let us pray to Mata Kheer Bhavani to guide us on the path of righteousness and bring peace, happiness and prosperity to our land.