Mandi: In a glaring oversight, the Office of the Superintendent of Police in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, has sparked outrage after mistakenly mentioning the former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur instead of the current Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in a notification regarding the International Shivratri Fair 2024.
The fair, renowned for its grandeur and religious fervor, is scheduled to take place from March 8th to March 15th at Paddal Ground, drawing over 200 deities and devotees from across Mandi district.
The blunder, which has stirred widespread criticism on social media platforms, highlights the apparent lack of attention to detail within the administrative machinery.
Despite the significance of the occasion, the superintendent's office failed to rectify the mistake, showing how casually such orders are issued.
The notification, issued by SP Mandi, Sakshi Verma on March 7th, 2024, outlines traffic regulations and security measures for the event, including the presence of extra personnel to ensure crowd control and maintain law and order.
However, the erroneous mention of Jai Ram Thakur instead of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has overshadowed the preparations for the prestigious fair.
Netizens have lambasted the Mandi police for their negligence, accusing them of merely going through the motions without due diligence.
The goofup has raised questions about the competence of the police authorities entrusted with organizing such significant events, but they adopt "cut and paste" job and sign the order not even reading what is typed and printed in such order.
Amidst the uproar, preparations for the Shivratri Fair continue, with the arrival of the presiding deity, Dev Kamru Nag from his Abode, adding divine frenzy to the temple town of Mandi.
Devotees from various corners of the state, including Suket and Saraj, are eagerly participating in the festivities, despite the administrative hiccup.
The historical significance of Shivratri in Mandi, dating back centuries, adds to the importance of the event.
The tradition of celebrating Shivratri in Mandi traces its roots to ancient times, with the fair evolving into a cultural extravaganza that attracts pilgrims and tourists alike.
The participation of deities and devotees from diverse backgrounds underscores the unity in diversity that characterizes the region's religious landscape.
The Shivratri Jaleb starts from Madho Rai temple to Paddal Maidan in which devtas and their devotees participate with fervor marked with traditional musical instruments played by bajantris.
As Mandi gears up for the week-long festivities, the faux pas by the Superintendent's office serves as a sobering reminder of the need for greater vigilance and accountability in administrative affairs.
Has SP Mandi Rectifed her mistake?
