Nihang olympics to start in Anandpur Sahib: Minister

Times News NetworkChandigarh: The Punjab government is soon going to organise ‘Nihang Olympics’ at Anandpur Sahib and then the Dara Singh Chhinjh Olympics in Tarn Taran district, where the winner will receive a cash prize and the title of Rustam-e-Punjab, said a minister on Sunday. Punjab tourism and cultural affairs minister Anmol Gagan Mann also said the state government would now organise heritage fairs and festivals throughout the year to highlight the heritage and cultural importance of the state to attract tourists. The minister announced that 22 fairs will be held in the state throughout the year with the aim of making Punjab a ‘Rangla Punjab’. The tourism minister also mentioned specific festivals such as the Maghi Mela at Muktsar Sahib, Basant at Ferozepur, Kapurthala Heritage Festival in January, Kila Raipur Rural Olympics in Ludhiana, Heritage Festival and Baisakhi Fair in Bathinda, Patiala Heritage Festival, Hola Mohala at Anandpur Sahib in March, Punjab Handicraft Festival at Fazilka, Equestrian Fair at Jalandhar in November, Military Literature Festival at Chandigarh, Rivers Fair at Pathankot, and Sufi Festival at Malerkotla. Additionally, annual adventure sports will be initiated in Ropar and Pathankot. The minister announced the first Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa Josh Festival in Gurdaspur, which will highlight the bravery of Punjabis. In January, the Rangla Punjab Festival will be held in Amritsar, showcasing all aspects of Punjabi culture with participation from notable novelists and poets. The festival will include delicious dishes of Punjab, colorful cultural programmes, and displays of Punjab’s arts and crafts. The tourism minister also said the Tourism Summit and Punjab Travel Mart will soon be organised in Mohali.