Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday participated in the ’50th Khalanga Fair’ organized by Balbhadra Khalanga Vikas Samiti at Sagartal Nalapani, Dehradun. On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced to give Rs 5 lakh to the Khalanga Fair Organizing Committee. The ’50th Khalanga Fair Souvenir’ was also released by the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in his address that Khalanga Fair is an occasion to remember the bravery and indomitable courage of the ancestors. He also paid tribute to the great son, commander Kunwar Balbhadra Thapa and his brave companions, brave women. He said that in the Anglo-Gorkha War of the year 1814 in the Veerbhoomi of Khalanga, commander Kunwar Balbhadra Thapa and his brave soldiers sacrificed their lives to protect the motherland. In this war, Kunwar Balbhadra Thapa and his brave soldiers faced a huge army of British soldiers and drove away the British army with their bravery and strategic skills.
The Chief Minister said that this war is a symbol of the indomitable courage of our brave Gorkha warriors and their immense love for the motherland, which will always inspire us to be patriotic. The saga of Khalanga is a symbol of the unmatched courage of our brave ancestors and our glorious heritage. He said that this fair is also a medium to preserve our rich cultural traditions and pass it on to the next generation. The historical heritage of our country is the identity of our glorious past and is also the strong roots of the banyan tree of our culture.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the work of strengthening our culture is being done across the country. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, along with development, heritage is also being taken forward. Keeping the Khalanga War Memorial under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India is a big example of this. He said that the state government is fully committed to the upliftment of the Gorkha society and is constantly striving for their development and welfare. Certainly, such events will help the new generation to preserve the traditions of these Gorkha society and remember the valor and sacrifice of their ancestors.
On this occasion, MLA Umesh Sharma Kau, Balbhadra Khalanga Development Committee Chairman Colonel Vikram Singh Thapa, Kuldeep Butola, Vishwas Dabur, Vijay Baluni, Padam Singh, Brigadier Ram Singh Thapa and others were present.
