Ajanta festival to open in May, preparations initiated

Aurangabad, Apr 19: Minister of State for Revenue, Rural Development, Ports, Khar Land Development, Special Assistance Abdul Sattar on Tuesday gave instructions to the concerned agencies for complete planning for two initiatives including ‘Saras Pradarshan’ (Great Exhibition) and Ajanta festival at Ajanta in month of May in district. He was speaking at the pre-preparation review meeting of Ajanta Festival held at the Divisional Commissioner’s Office today. ‘Saras Pradarshan’ will be organized in Ajanta in the month of May to sell and display the products of the Self-Help Group under the Rural Development Department also Ajanta Festival will be held in the same period. Divisional Commissioner Sunil Kendrakar, District Collector Sunil Chavan, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Nilesh Gatne, among others were present. The Ajanta Caves in the area, a world tourist destination, will provide a boost to tourism, employment opportunities for the locals and wide publicity of the Caves. With this in view, both these initiatives are to be taken up at Ajanta in the month of May, said M Sattar. In order to implement it successfully, district collector should set up a festival committee under his chairmanship. “It is necessary to make perfect arrangements for accommodation, meals, transportation, security and other ancillary facilities for the members of the self-help group, artists participating in the festival, tourists and spectators,” said.  Mr. Sattar. He also instructed all concerned to make the grand exhibition and Ajanta Festival a success by planning everything more rigorously. (UNI)