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Shivpuri Mahotsav begins on a grand note

Lalit Shastri

SHIVPURI (Madhya Pradesh): The first Shivpuri Mahotsav began here on Saturday evening with an performance by the famous Bharat Natytam exponent Malvika Sarukkai and a recital by the renowned Sitar player Ustad Shahid Parvez.

The specially illuminated district collector's office across Polo ground, the venue for the two-day Mahotsav, gave the event a festive look and there was plenty of excitement among the Shivpuri residents, who had turned up in large numbers, along with prominent citizens and foreign dignitaries to attend the inaugural function on Saturday night.

The State Minister for Culture, Lakshmikant Sharma inaugurated the event by lighting the traditional lamp.

The Madhya Pradesh Minister for Tourism and Sports, Yashodhara Raje Scindia, represents the Shivpuri constitunecy in the State Assembly and she is making determined efforts to develop Shivpuri as an important destination on the Tourist map of Madhya Pradesh.

Shivpuri, which was the summer capital of the Scindia's, is also famous for the Madhav National Park. It stretches over a 156 sq. km of wooded undulating deciduous and grassy terrain surrounding Sakhya Sagar, which is also the drinking water source for this town, with a population touching over 1. 50 lakh.

Deep inside the National park at its highest point is located the George Castle. This turreted castle was built by Jiyaji Rao Scindia. As one leaves behind the National Park and travels on the Shivpuri-Jhansi road, another monument, the Surwaya Gadahi stands out and attracts the tourists' imagination.

In an exclusive interview, Ms. Scindia, told The Hindu that she has been doing everything under her command for the development of Shivpuri. She said that the first Prime Minister's, Rural Roads Project in Madhya Pradesh was started in this district through her initiative.

Similarly, she said that the frst video conferencing facility was also launched in her district through the valuable help of the former Union Minister, Sushma Swaraj, who had earlier cleared the new telecom centre for Shivpuri .

Regarding a new sports complex and stadium, now in an advanced stage of completion on Jhansi road here, she said that it would become a modern facility for training and encouraging "our sportspersons" to compete with the best in the country.

Ms. Scindia said that the Chhatris of Madho Rao Scindia and Maharani Sakhya Raje Scindia, synthesise the Indo-Islamic style with their Shikharas and Rajput-Moghul pavillions. The grandeur of these Chhatris is awe-inspiring. The glittering marble surface of Madho Rao Scindia's cenotaph, which is in laid with pietra dura defies age and the floral motifs continue to retain the charm and beauty of timelessness.

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Shivpuri Mahotsav begins on a grand note

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