Mulayam inaugurates Lucknow Mahotsava

Lucknow, Nov 25 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today inaugurated the annual Lucknow Mahotsava here today.

The Chief Minister arrived at the inauguration venue on a specially decked up 'baggi' (horse carriage) accompanied by Speaker of the state legislative assembly Mata Prasad Pandey and state tourism minister Kokab Hamid.

Stressing that the Mahotsava highlighted the 'Laknavi tehzeeb', the Chief Minister maintained that the event involvd the entire state. ''The idea is to showcase the culture of UP and not only the capital city,'' he said.

He opined that the Mahotsava would help people from various parts of the state to assemble on a single platform to exchange and learn the diverse cultures for which the most populaef state was famous for.

Mr Yadav said the event would also provide a chance to the visitors to enjoy the cultural events presented by personalities from varied fields invited from across the country.

The CM also released a souvenir to mark the occasion.

Nayyar Khan, son of legendary shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan and Pt Birju Maharaj will be performing later in the evening today.

Anup Jalota, Udit Narain, Alisha Chinoy and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy would also perform in the 'cultural nites' spread across 11 days.

''The theme selected for this year's festivities is 'Virasat bhi, vikas bhi' said Lucknow divisional commissioner and chairman of the organising commitee R K Mittal here today.

While Lucknow is known for its rich heritage and culture, the event would also showcase development carried out in the Uttar Pradesh capital over the years.

The organisers have set up 250 stalls for artisans, who would present their exhibits at the high-voltage fair.

Specially decked up auto-rickshaws have been put on road to enable people reach the venue at Ambedkar maidan on the outskirts of the main city.

UNI NAB SAM DB2054