ONGC doing good work to promote rich cultural heritage of India : Uttarakhand Chief Minister at Virasat, Dehradun
“The Virasat Festival engages people with literature, language, music, and numerous such subjects. It connect people with the rich cultural diversity of India and entertain them with our folk and traditional art forms. This event will also handover the heritage ( Virasat ) to the coming generation and enlighten them about the rich culture of our Nation”, stated the Honorable Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami.
The 26th edition of ‘Virasat Art and Heritage Festival 2022’ popularly known as ‘Afro-Asia’s Biggest Heritage and Folk Life Festival’ inaugrated at Dr BR Ambedkar Stadium ( Kaulagarh Road ) in Dehradun. The 15 - day - long festival will be held during 9 October to 23 October 2022.
It is a platform for the art lovers to closely experience music, art, and culture by the renowned classical dance and music maestros. Master craftsmen are also invited to perform.
This festival will witness scintillating performances by many of the finest artists. These artists include pioneers from different walks of the cultural world like Suresh Wadkar, Ashwini Bhide, Osman Mir, Wadalis, Prahlad Singh Tipania, etc.
Director (Offshore) Pankaj Kumar and Former CMD Dr Alka Mittal
The inauguration ceremony witnessed the eminent presence of Honorable Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami, CMD & Director ( E ) RK Srivastava, Director ( Offshore ) Pankaj Kumar and Former CMD Dr Alka Mittal.
During his inaugural address, the Chief Minister conveyed his gratitude to ONGC for sponsoring the event and motivated to keep up the good work. He said “I would like to include that ONGC is supporting Virasat since last 26 years. Former CMD Dr Alka Mittal extended her support for the festival after the halt of two years due to COVID pandemic. Now present CMD & Director ( E ) RK Srivastava taking this heritage ( Virasat ) to new heights. ONGC is doing good work to promote the rich cultural heritage of India.”
Mr Dhami included, “A person without Literature, Music and Art is equivalent to an animal without nails and horns.”
Speaking on the occasion, CMD & Director ( E ) RK Srivastava said “I would like to thank the Honorable Chief Minister of Uttarakhand for his presence, which raised the stature of this event and the level of the confidence of the organizers of Virasat”.
Talking about the cultural fest, he said, “Virasat is the amalgamation of all the elements which we have been using traditionally and culturally, and we want those things to remain there with us & passed on to the generations”.
Appreciating the efforts of REACH - the organizers of the festival, CMD & Director ( E ) said “REACH General Secretary RK Singh has taken it forward, for me the definition of REACH is ‘Revisiting Earlier Approved Cultural and all elements included in Heritage’. This organization is working to flourish & refine the artists, their elements and taking all these things to the newer heights”.
“It consists of all the elements, whether its language, writing, singing or the things which we have read in our History books about the blue and black pottery, & other crafts which are continuously evolving. We have reached at the level that we have to preserve, promote and bring it to the forth”.
“This program is for taking the amalgamation of these elements forward. We as ONGC have always supported Virasat. I would like to request to the Honorable Chief Minister of Uttarakhand to help us to promote this festival”.
CMD also conveyed his best wishes to Team REACH for conducting the event of the Virasat Arts and Heritage Festival successfully.
REACH, General Secretary RK Singh warmly welcomed the dignitaries and profusely acknowledged ONGC for providing its continued support to promote and organize Virasat. He also thanked Honorable Chief Minister, CMD & Director ( E ) RK Srivastava, Director ( Offshore ) Pankaj Kumar, and Former CMD Dr Alka Mittal for taking out some time to grace the occasion despite their busy schedules.
He said, “I (on behalf of REACH, and entire city of Dehradun) am thankful to ONGC that has held REACH as a new born baby in its hand and nurtured it over the years. ONGC patronized Virasat and supported REACH to conduct the festival swiftly. Due to which, the festival has attained respect, interest and attention of people of all dimensions of life. I believe that with the continuous support of ONGC, Virasat has the potential to be recognizable all around the world as the biggest fest of Art and Culture”.
