With the annual “Saifai Mahotsav” to begin on Friday, it will be festival time in Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s home village, Saifai, in Etawah district from December 26 to January 8.
The mahotsav will be inaugurated by Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan in the presence of the SP chief and the Chief Minister.
Last year’s Saifai Mahotsav was marked by controversy with the Samajwadi Party Government assailed by the Opposition parties for the festivities and performance by Bollywood stars even as hundreds of Muzaffarnagar riot victims suffered in relief camps.
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“The Saifai Mahotsav which begins from December 26 aims to preserve ancient rural arts and crafts and encourage new talent,” said the Samajwadi Party spokesman and Political Pensions Minister Rajendra Chaudhary.
Mr. Chaudhary said in addition to a exhibition and trade fair, hockey, volleyball and badminton tournaments will be held. An interesting feature of this year’s festival will be Indian Rural Cricket League from December 27 to January 7.
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Folk artistes from different parts will perform on December 28 and 29 and on January 1, 2015 Sufi music programme and a performance by film star Monica Bedi and orchestra party would be staged, the Samajwadi Party spokesman said.
A dangal tournament is slated for January 2 with Mr. Mulayam Singh the chief guest. Kavi Sammelan and ghazal programme are the other features of the mahotsav.