State declares 7-day mourning for Gujral

The state government has declared a seven-day state mourning as per the directives of Government of India to condole the demise of former Prime Minister I K Gujral. The ongoing cultural programmes at Lucknow Mahotsav will, however, continue as per schedule.

The festival, being celebrated from November 26 to December 6, is a cultural extravaganza organised at Regional Park, Sector-L in Ashiana.

According to a press release from Principal Secretary, general administration, Ashok Ghosh, the national flag will be flown at half mast and no government's entertainment functions will be organised from November 30 to December 6 (both dates inclusive).

Lucknow District Magistrate Anurag Yadav said, "Lucknow Mahostav is not a state government programme. There is a committee that generates funds from private sponsors and organises the event." The DM said that the government has no guidelines or funding for this event and that all cultural programmes at the Mahotsav would be organised as per their schedule.

Ghosh denied any involvement of Culture or Tourism Department in organising Lucknow Mahotsav.

On the other hand, Director General Tourism and Secretary to Culture Manoj Kumar Singh said, "Tourism and Culture Departments are associated with the event as its representatives are in the organising committee, formed under Lucknow divisional commissioner."

Singh said the state government organises Lucknow Mahotsav but it makes no funding for it. He said the funds are generated by the committee from private sponsors and stall occupants.

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