Murtu Devi, a 90-year-old woman, inaugurated the two-day district-level fair at her native Sipur village in Shimla on Friday. The convener of the fair committee welcomed chief guest Murtu Devi. He said that the fair had been organised continuously for the past 37 years with the committee’s support.
He added that for the first time, it had been unanimously decided that, as a step towards women empowerment, the oldest woman of the region would be made the chief guest at the fair’s opening ceremony.
He said that to make the fair more attractive, besides cultural competitions, a women’s kabaddi competition was also being organised. He added that so far, 18 teams had arrived for the volleyball competition, eight for the men’s kabaddi competition and 10 teams for the women’s kabaddi competition.
Government Primary School, Mashobra; Bagthal School, Moolkoti School, Maya Public School, Model Education School, Mashobra, and Sophia School, Mashobra, have been invited to participate in the colourful cultural programmes. The Health Department organised a medical camp for the the people of the area who were provided free tests and free medicines.
The convener said that the local Mahila Mandal and self-help groups were also selling their products and food items at stalls set up at the fair.
