DIR, March 23: Thousands of people were drawn to the banks of Lowari Top River as the three-day Dir Mela got under way here on Thursday. The event, which has become a regular annual cultural feature, was first organized by the DCO of Dir Upper.

Sports events like football, badminton, cricket, karate, basketball, volleyball and table tennis are also held to mark the occasion at the Dir Cricket Stadium.

The festival provides guidance to the general public about clean drinking water facilities, vaccinations to children, mother and baby care, arms safety, livestock, dairy facilities, tourism, sports and above all education to kids, specially for females besides offering them entertainment.

The opening ceremony started with recitation of the Holy Quran followed by flag-hoisting by students of the Government Centennial Model School of Dir Upper, national anthem and a march past by Levies, Police, Civil Defence contingents, and kids of local schools.

An acrobatic and gymnastic performance by children of various primary and high schools thrilled the crowd.

DCO Syed Zafar Ali Shah said termed the festival on the occasion of Pakistan’s Day an auspicious occasion for the people of the Upper Dir District and said the people of the district had made great progress in sports. He expressed the hope that they would perform better in competitions this year and the next.

He said it was important for the people, specially the youths, to remember the Pakistan Day, adding that they should be constantly be able to recall sacrifices rendered by their elders for creating a separate homeland.

He said that it was also important to instil in the minds of the youth to follow in the footsteps of their elders to strengthen the homeland.

He said that he was determined to put the district on the right footing in all respects, adding that progress was only possible through the people’s coordination. — APP