Lalit Kala Academy Hosts Cultural Event in Shimla: “Mere Mati, Mera Desh”

Shimla, October 13, 2023 – Lalit Kala Academy, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is organizing a cultural extravaganza in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh from October 11 to October 13, 2023, with the theme “Mere Mati, Mera Desh.” The event aims to celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage and promote art and culture among the masses.

On October 11, 2023, Lalit Kala Academy’s dedicated staff, along with various artists, inaugurated the event by planting a diverse range of plants at the Academy Guesthouse Garden in Shimla. This tree plantation activity symbolizes the nurturing of art and culture, just as one nurtures plants.

On October 12, 2023, at 2:00 PM, a live painting demonstration was held at the Lalit Kala Academy’s theater, providing valuable insights into the nuances of fine art to young art students from schools, colleges, and Himachal Pradesh University.

On October 13, 2023, at 2:00 PM, Dr. Om Prakash Sharma, the Head of the Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University, Shimla, delivered a lecture on the topic “My Soil, My Nation.” He highlighted that the program had been announced by India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program on July 30, 2023. This program will run from August 9 to August 30, 2023, coinciding with India’s 77th Independence Day on August 15, 2023.

As part of this program, 7,500 pots filled with soil from various parts of the country will be collected, and a beautiful ‘Amrit Vatika’ (Garden of Nectar) will be established near the National War Memorial in New Delhi, symbolizing the unity and diversity of India. The event also pays homage to the valiant freedom fighters who participated in the 1857 First War of Independence, including heroes like Subedar Bhim Singh and Budhi Singh from Himachal Pradesh.

Dr. Nand Lal Thakur, Deputy Chairman of Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, inaugurated the event and conveyed a message of staying connected with one’s roots and preserving India’s rich traditions and culture.

Apart from university and college students, the event also welcomed distinguished guests, making it a truly inclusive celebration of art and culture.