Heritage Fairs Held Across 23 Districts in Punjab, Says Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond

Punjab’s Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that heritage fairs are being organized across all 23 districts of the state as part of a major cultural initiative by the Punjab Government. The minister made these remarks while attending the second day of the ‘Punjab Sakhi Shakti Mela-2026’ in Khanna. During his visit, he toured various stalls set up by skilled women and artisans from Punjab, as well as participants from different states and Union Territories across the country. He interacted with exhibitors and appreciated the display of diverse cultures and cuisines. Later, the minister also attended the star night of the fair as the chief guest. A large number of families visited the mela to enjoy shopping, food, and entertainment. Interacting with visitors, many attendees credited Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for reviving such fairs in Punjab, stating that these events have brought back the vibrant spirit of the state. Addressing the gathering, Minister Sond said that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the Punjab Government is making dedicated efforts to revive and promote traditional fairs. He noted that this is the first time such a large-scale ‘Punjab Sakhi Shakti Mela’ is being आयोजित in the history of Khanna. He further informed that similar fairs are being held across all 23 districts of Punjab. Referring to the growing participation, he said that the turnout on the second day in Khanna was four times higher compared to the first day, reflecting the enthusiasm among people. Highlighting the significance of such events, the minister said that every stall at the fair witnessed active buying and selling. He added that these heritage fairs, which had declined over time, are an essential part of Punjab’s cultural identity. He also appealed to residents of Khanna, Ludhiana, and across Punjab to visit the fair with their families. The minister emphasized that such fairs promote inter-state cultural exchange. Artisans from Punjab are participating in fairs across India, while artists and craftsmen from other states are showcasing and selling their handmade products in Punjab. These interactions provide an opportunity to understand and appreciate the cultural diversity, traditions, and languages of different regions. The cultural evening saw a lively performance by renowned Punjabi singer Alaap Sikander, who entertained the audience with his popular songs. He also paid tribute to his late father Sardool Sikander by performing several of his hit tracks, which received an enthusiastic response from the crowd. The upcoming schedule of performances includes popular artists such as Khan Bhaini on February 23, Labh Heera on February 24, the duo Meet Kaur and Deepak Dhillon on February 25, Harf Cheema on February 26, Harbhajan Mann on February 27, Sippy Gill on February 28, R Nait on March 1, and Ranjit Bawa on March 2, who will conclude the mela with a grand performance. Each evening will feature a blend of Punjabi folk, contemporary, and Sufi music, offering rich entertainment to visitors.