Baisakhi fair of Rajgarh concluded with bitter sweet memories

The three-day district level Baisakhi fair concluded with bittersweet memories. In the cultural evenings of the fair, except for a few good artists, most of the tuneless artists bored the people. This time the fair committee did not hold any audition for the selection of artists. Due to which the administration kept selecting artists on the phone of politicians and they were given huge amounts. The administration had neither money nor time for good artists approved by Radio and Doordarshan. The good artists who were called from outside got only 10 to 15 minutes on the stage to show their talent. Although there are two retired district level officers in the city, their services were never taken in the cultural committee. People say that fewer and good artists should be called and they should be given suitable time to perform.
The format of the fair is the same as it was two decades ago. Wrestling and cultural programs have been taking place in the fair since the past. Neither developmental exhibitions are held in the fair nor is there any provision for selling the products of self-help groups. The administration has never bothered to set up baby shows, flower shows, dog shows, free medical camps, stalls of various companies, etc.
The passes made for the fair were distributed only to their favourites. The chairs in front of the stage were occupied by Congress officials. On the last day of the fair, MP Suresh Kashyap and MLA Reena Kashyap accused the administration of politicizing the fair and ignoring the elected representatives. Due to the pressure, the administration had to bow down and the MP and MLA had to be invited as special guests in a hurry on the last evening. The committee members are accusing the committee of misusing the money collected in the name of the fair. The committee members say that the details of the income and expenditure of the fair should be made public. The amount given to the artists coming from outside should also be made public. Apart from this, the committee members also allege that the souvenirs of the fair are also given to some influential people. They say that every year an amount of about thirty lakhs is collected but the administration never gives an account of it. Proper arrangements for toilets and water were not made in the fair.
Next year, the status of this fair has become state level and now DC Sirmaur will be in charge of it. Time will tell how much the status of this fair will change after getting state level status.