Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
ISLAMABAD: Lok Virsa on Sunday evening arranged a Constitution Day celebration here at Open Air Theatre in connection with Constitution Day.
Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani was the chief guest on the occasion. Executive Director Lok Virsa Dr. Fouzia Saeed, Parliamentarians, diplomats, citizens, artists and a large number of people from different walks of life attended the ceremony.
The “Constitution Day” is being celebrated on Monday in collaboration with the four federating units. This year’s theme of commemoration is “Enhancement of Role and Powers of Senate of Pakistan; to protect the rights of the Federating Units”.
Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani in his speech highlighted the importance of Constitution Day on the occasion. He lauded Executive Director Lok Virsa for organizing cultural event in order to celebrate the Constitution Day on the occasion of Lok Mela.
He lauded the performances of the folk artists from all four provinces who presented melodious songs in the cultural night.
The on-going cultural festival ‘Lok Mela’ is attracting a large number of people here at National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa).
The Constitution of Pakistan was passed by the National Assembly on 10thApril, 1973 and received the Presidential assent on 12th April, 1973. The Senate, under the leadership of its Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani initiated the commemoration of “Constitution Day” by highlighting the importance of land mark date of 10th April. Since 2015, the Upper House of Parliament continues its practice of celebrating Constitution day with more vigor and zest every year.
Earlier, Executive Director Lok Virsa Dr. Fouzia Saeed warmly welcomed the Chairman Senate on arrival to Lok Virsa.
Addressing the participants, she said that it is an honour for the Lok Virsa to organize special event in connection with Constitution Day. She thanked Chairman Senate for attending the celebrations arranged by Lok Virsa. She said that Lok Virsa is making efforts to promote the culture of all four provinces including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir.
Lok Mela was inaugurated on April 7 that showcases traditions of the four provinces, besides Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
Cultural pavilions established by all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are the major attraction of the festival.
Later, Chairman Senate also visited various provincial Pavilions and lauded the artisans and artists for showcasing their beautiful cultural heritage in the federal capital.
More than 700 artists, singers and artisans participating in the festival and represent the real cultural values of the country.
A renowned folk singer Fazal Jutt Son of Ashiq Jutt folk theatre was also arranged after long time.
For the first time Lok Virsa initiated shuttle service to bring visitors from various points to Lok Virsa. The Lok Mela cultural activities can be live seen throughout the country and in many other parts of the world. For the first time Lok Virsa also arranged a folk theatre especially for the young talent in the Lok Mela.
The traditional food stalls of all four provinces including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir also attracting a large number of visitors and people.
A large number of people from different walks of life including professional and general masses, art and craft experts, cultural personalities, diplomats, political figures, media persons and students visited and entertained by the fascinating performances of the artists.
The visitors lauded Lok Virsa for arranging shuttle service to the Lok Mela.
The Lok Mela would continue with all its festivities till April 16.
Published in The Balochistan Point on April 9, 2017
