The 2024 cultural calendar of Rajasthan concluded with the beginning of three-day extravaganza -Kota Festival on December 23. The event was held for the first time with the intention to rope in industrial investments and to add an additional glitter to the rich traditional and the cultural flavour of the city. The event was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Krishna Birla at the famous Khade Ganesh Mandir followed by a floral welcome by Collector Ravindra Goswami. 

 

Taking the podium, the speaker said that the year 2025 is the beginning of a golden era for the people of Kota. "In the new year a lot of emphasis will be paid to create major attractions for the people of Kota as well as to woo national and international interests. This will include cruise trips on Chambal River Front, development of industrial and stone parks, and Dusshera Maidan - where seminars and gatherings can be held on a large scale - and Kishore Sagar Lake will be other major attractions of international level." 

 

The speaker also added that soon the tiger reserves in the area will receive new big cats and safaris will be initiated. He also stressed, "There is no dearth of resources. But we need new innovations, new ideas and must make use of technological skills to develop digital albums of Kota's exotic places and help it reach different corners of the world." 

 

The evening celebration unfolded with a mesmerising Chambal Arti by  LS  Speaker followed by a scintillating rendition by classical and folk artist Kumari Maithili Thakur and Kathak performance by Barkha Joshi.

 

The event was convened by Mr Purushottam ADM City Mr Anil Kumar Singhal, ADM Ceiling Ms Krishna Shukla, SDM Mr Gajendra Shekhawat, SP City Ms Amrita Duhan and others worked hard for the success of the event. The three-day event includes a Career Fair, Photo exhibition, Craft Bazar, painting workshop, Kachori Fest, Heritage Walk, Film Festival and fireworks.

(By Harsha Bhatnagar From Kota)