111th Brahmbho Upashana Fair

[Guest guest]

Statesman News Service

SANTINIKETAN, Dec. 23. — The 111th pous mela began today with the

Brambho Upashana, the inaugural function at the "chatimtala" with

Vedic hymns.

Maharshi Devendranath Tagore started the fair in Santiniketan in

1894, on the auspicious day of his Diksha in Brahma religion on the

7th day of the Pous month.

The century old fair, which has taken on a corporate character in

spite of its rural origin, has now come under the concern of Visva

Bharati authorities. For the first time in the history of Pous Mela,

the authorities have given free space to the handicraft artisans and

smallscale businessmen from the villages, who earlier had to pay

Visva Bharati for setting up stalls on the grounds of the fair.

The move was made to bring back the heritage and rural character of

the fair and give a break to rural artisans.

"We have given free space inside the fair ground to artistes from

the rural area, specially the Dokra craftsmen, who don't have the

financial capacity to book a stall for selling their hand made

products. The village artisans would get the market for their

products without investing money on booking stalls," said vice-

chancellor, Visva Bharati, Mr Sujit Kumar Basu.

The theme of the fair is Suchishilpo, stitched handicrafts. More

than a million people are expected to visit the Pous Mela as the

gala booking of hotels and lodges indicate and the police

administration has arranged a tight security cordon to handle the

event.

Six outposts will be set up inside the fair to watch over the law

and order situation. There will be cops in civil dress to keep a

stern watch on the crowd to avoid instances like pick-pocketting or

theft.

SP Birbhum, Mr Sanjay Singh said: "Neighbouring police stations like

Illambazar, Nanoor and Panrui have been alerted during the fair.

Police patrolling has been increased around the area."

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