HIMACHAL PRADESH: Prime Minister Modi will be welcomed in the traditional Himachal style with a seven-feet long copper ‘trishul’ during his visit to the state on December 27.
The ‘trishul’, a trident, commonly used as one of the principal symbols of the Sanatana Dharma, will be carved out by artisans in Mandi or ‘Choti Kashi’ as it is more commonly known as. ‘Choti Kashi’ has several Shiva temples and as such it is only natural that these artisans carve out Lord Shiva’s favourite weapon as a gift to the Prime Minister.
The Indian Army was also equipped with non lethal weapons of which the ‘trishul’ of Lord Shiva was one, to counter the Chinese during violent face-offs along the Line of actual control.
Omicron fear looms large as Mandi readies itself for the PM visit
Despite grave concerns over the rising number of Omicron cases in India, politicians in India seem to remain unfazed and continue to throw caution to the winds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too seems to have disregarded this concern which was very sternly conveyed to him and the Election Commission recently by the Allahabad High Court.
The court had directed them to immediately ban rallies and public meetings and even consider postponing the UP elections in wake of the Omicron variant. The High court had recommended total ban since the “third wave of covid is at our doorstep.” The court’s orders seem to have fallen on deaf ears, as Prime Minister Modi is all set to visit Mandi, the home ground of Himachal Chief Minister, Jairam Thakur, to address a massive rally that marks the fourth year of BJP rule in Himachal.
The court had very aptly put it, “If there is life, election rallies and meetings can be held in the future as well.” Unfortunately, what holds true for Uttar Pradesh is not considered so for the rest of the country. After suffering a devastating defeat in the recently held by-elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party seems to be in a hurry to regain lost ground and the Prime Minister’s visit to Mandi is a good example of its desperate attempt even though the pandemic has yet to see its last days.
Preparations for this event, which will be attended by over six thousand, have been going on at a feverish pace. Himachal indeed has every reason to worry over the pandemic situation post this rally on December 27.
BJP media in-charge, Chakshu Puri said that meetings were held at the constituency level over the last week and there was a tremendous response from the workers to participate in the rally.
Meanwhile, with only a day to go for the Prime Minister’s visit, the Chief Minister reviewed preparations with senior officials to make sure that the event at Paddal ground in Mandi would turn out to be a “historic one.”