Chandigarh:18,000 students will recite verses from the Gita at the inaugural function of the International Gita Mahotsav-2016 at Kurukshetra on December 6 to be organised by the Haryana Government with events in all the districts of the state.

Gita Mahotsav will be organised in all districts of Haryana up to block level where Gita verse recital, declamation and quiz competitions would be held between December 1 and 5.

It was announced during a meeting of the state-level management committee to review preparations for the five-day event, held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary D S Dhesi here today.

With a view to project the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita at an international level, scholars and members from Indian diaspora associated with the book would be invited to participate in this festival, an official release said.

Special activities will be organised for different groups of people, including students, Gita scholars, students and teachers of subjects such as archaeology and religious studies.

These activities would include international-level seminar on the Bhagavad Gita, national-level Gita Sloka recital, exhibitions by spiritual, religious and educational organisations, international book fair on the Bhagavad Gita, cultural programmes and a crafts mela.

Hoardings of the International Gita Mahotsav would be installed at various public places. Shuttle bus service to and from the venue would be made operational in Kuruskshetra before the event.

Inter-state delegations from 574 districts of the country representing the verses spoken by Lord Krishna would also participate in this event.

Troupes from various countries such as Mauritius and Sri Lanka would participate in cultural programmes in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and North Zone Cultural Center (NZCC) during the festivities.

National-level exhibitions from the places associated with Lord Krishna including Mathura, Ujjain and Dwarka would also be organised on the occasion of Gita Jayanti.

PTI