HimVani
Shimla: This Republic Day (RD), people of Himachal may face disappointment as they would not be able to see the tableau of the state rolling down the Rajpath, New Delhi. It is not the first time that Himachal has been left out of the league of cultural tableaus. On one earlier occasion too, Himachal tableau was not included for display.
But officials in the Language Art and Culture Department of Himachal Pradesh feel otherwise – that remaining out of the national celebrations does not mean anything negative. As the duration of RD celebration has been sized down, the Ministry of Defence has to take care that all states get opportunity to participate among about 19 tableaus to be included in the Parade.
Dr Prem Sharma, Director, Language Art and Culture Department told HimVani that Himachal had given two themes this year – the Kangra Tea Gardens and Apple Orchards – and the ideas were accepted at the very outset. “We had even got the approval, but later, due to delay in finalisation of the venue (Nehru Stadium or Rabindra Rangshala, in New Delhi) for making the tableaus, the Ministry of Defence refused many states, due to lack of space.”
When asked that does it not mean that we were wiped out due to tough competition and lack of innovative ideas, Sharma said, “Not at all. Of the 28 states and seven Union Territories, only 19 can participate each year, and to ensure equal opportunity for all, some have to remain out. And Himachal had been participating for many years.”
