Himachal - A Fruit State

 

Himachal Pradesh, which is endowed with enormous natural beauty and resources has a total geographical area of 55,675 kms. It is rich in natural resources and has varied agro-climatic conditions suitable for the development of horticulture. The State has a vast potential of horticulture and has taken a leap forward to produce different varieties of fruits from tropical to temperate, which has made it the fruit bowl of the country. It has also helped in the economic upliftment of rural population and has also generated employment.

The total area under fruit in HP is about 2.07 Lac hectares with a production of about 5.00 Lac MTs of all kinds of fruits. Apple is the major fruit accounting for more than 40% of total area under fruits and about 88% of total fruit production. 

The agro-climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh are extremely suitable for growing different varieties of Fruits. The state is successfully growing fruits such as apple, pear, peach plum, almond, walnut, citrus, mango, raisin grapes etc. There has been tremendous progress in fruit growing during the last three decades. Commercially, apple is the most important of all the fresh fruits grown. It has a rich collection of as many as 450 cultivars of apples collected from all over the World. The main varieties of commercial importance grown predominantly, however, are Royal Delicious, Rich-A-Red, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. Himachal Pradesh currently accounts for over 4 lac tones of apple production annually.
It has been recognized as the Apple State of India for being adjudged as the best producer of Quality Apples. Here farmers are encouraged to grow the world's finest varieties of apple. The State Department of Horticulture helps them by making available the most modern orchard technology and expertise and the hpmc looks after the marketing and processing requirements of it.

                                                              

                                                                   HPMC

Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd. popularly known as hpmc, was established in the year 1974 as State Public Undertaking with the objective of marketing of fresh fruits and processing of all types of surplus fruits. It has developed the most modern system of marketing in the country. The unique characteristics of this organization are that it provides all the services to the fruit growers, which are required for marketing of fruits. The Corporation has set up two modern Fruit Processing Plants and has acquired their on lease basis from the HIMPROCESS and has a vast range of processed products.

Between the years 1974-82, the Corporation engaged itself in the establishment of pre and post harvest activities, comprising  of a net work of mechanically operated packing houses, cold storages, transshipment centers and fruit processing plants, besides a net-work of sales offices in the terminal markets Railways Stations and Airports through out the Country. The entire infrastructure of grading/packing houses, pre-cooling and cold storages has been established in rural areas for providing pre and post harvest facilities to the farmers at their door step. To day hpmc has emerged as one of the leading and largest organizations for the post-harvest handling of horticultural produce in India. Under the auspices of this organization in the past few years, the entire fruit industry has started experiencing a radical change from conventional to modern marketing system hpmc has contributed substantially to mechanized grading and scientific packing of fruits, substitution of conventional wooden cases by tray-packed telescopic cartons distribution network, introduction of juice dispensing machines, making thereby the health giving pure apple juice a common man's drink, manufacture of apple and pear juice concentrate and development of a sound base for the export of apple and other fruit products. It is a service-oriented organization with a commitment to ensure remunerative returns to the fruit growers and nutritive quality products at a reasonable price to the consumers. 

Market Intervention Scheme: (MIS)

The Government of Himachal Pradesh has introduced the policy of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for the procurement of Mango, Apple and Citrus Fruits in the State. In order to implement the Market Intervention Scheme of the State Government, the hpmc, being the premier fruit marketing agency, procures the unmarketable fruits which are processed under most hygienic conditions in its Processing Plants. The efforts made by the Corporation have resulted in stabilizing the prices of the fruits in the market. Apart from fruits procured under MIS, hpmc also procures other fruits like Peach, Pear, Plum, Litchi, Almonds, strawberry, kiwi etc. grown in the State, for marketing and processing to increase the capacity utilisation of the Plants and to assist the farmers of the State in getting remunerative returns for their produce. Procurement prices of the fruits under the Market Intervention Scheme for last five years are as under:                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                         (Rate: Rs./Kg.)

Year	Mango		Apple	Kinnow/Orange		Galgal
	Seedless	Grafted		‘B’ Grade	‘C’ Grade
2001-2002	3.08	3.75	3.75	4.35	3.75	2.60
2002-2003	3.33	4.00	4.00	4.60	4.00	2.85
2003-2004	3.33	4.00	4.00	4.60	4.00	2.85
2004-2005	3.58	4.25	4.25	4.85	4.25	3.10
2004-2005	3.58	4.25	4.25	4.85	4.25	3.10
2005-2006	3.58	4.25	4.25	4.85	4.25	3.15
2007-2008	4.08	4.75	4.75	5.35	4.75	3.65
2008-2009	4.58	5.25	5.25	5.85	5.25	4.15
2009-2010	4.50	5.25	5.25	5.85	5.25	4.15

Export of Fruit and Fruit Products

Among all fruits, Apple being the main crop of the State occupies place of pride in its economy. The major commercial varieties grown in the State are; Royal Delicious, Red Delicious, Rich-A-Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. At present, Himachal Pradesh produces over 4.00 lakh tonnes of Apples annually which is cultivated at the altitude ranging between 6,000 to 10,000 ft. above sea level and is free from pollution. The quality of Himachal Apple meets the entire export standards. In the past hpmc has exported quality apples to Iran, UAE, Sri Lanka, Singapore and U.K. Fresh apples are available from August to November on firm demand.

  

Standard Packings for Export  

 

Size of Apple	No of Apple Pocket in a Tray	No of trays in a Carton	No of Apples in a Carton
Extra Large (80 to 85 mm)	20	4	80
Large (75 to 80mm)	20	5	100
Medium (70 to 75mm)	25	5	125
Small (65 to 70mm)	30	5	150
Extra Small (60 to 65mm)	35	5	175

Grade Standards

Only two Quality Grade Apples i.e. ‘EXTRA FANCY’ and ‘FANCY CLASS 1’ are offered for export. The broad parameters of the Quality are that the fruit must be sound, clean, fully developed, coloured, juicy and full of flavour and freshness.

Tray Packed Cartons

Tray Pack Cartons have specially been developed for export of Himachal Apples. It consists of an inner fibre board carton, a series of moulded trays and an outer telescopic lid which fits right down over the sides and end of the inner carton. Apples in Tray Pack cartons are wrapped as per requirement of the buyer. The net weight of apples in the carton is not less than 38 lbs (17 kg.) but in practice it is usually over 40 lbs (18 kg) depending on the variety. The inner dimensions of the carton are 500x300x278 (ht) mm and inside dimensions of the outer cover are 504x303x281.mm

 

Farmers in Himachal Pradesh turn to kiwi cultivation

                                       
 Fruit growers in Himachal Pradesh are increasingly taking to commercial cultivation of the exotic kiwi fruit. Horticulture experts say it's a good step towards crop diversification and fetching them good returns too.

Successful cultivation of kiwi along with pomegranate, cherry and strawberry by progressive farmers in the state has encouraged the horticulture experts to promote the cultivation of this fruit crop, a shift from traditional apple cultivation.

'Mid-hills and valleys of Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Mandi and Kullu districts are ideally suited for kiwi cultivation. It's ideal for crop diversification and has a market among high-end consumers,' Sudhir Katiha, assistant project officer of the state horticulture department, told IANS here.

He said in certain areas the production of apple has been severely affected by climate changes.

'In certain pockets of Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts, the production of apple has declined due to climatic changes. Apple orchards require 1,000 to 1,600 hours of chill, while kiwi requires just 200 hours of chill for a favourable crop. Farmers in the areas where the chilling hours are not static now have opted for kiwi cultivation as a cash crop,' he said.

As per horticulture department estimates, at least 200 farmers in the Kullu valley alone have taken up kiwi cultivation.

'A group of farmers in Kullu has started cultivation of kiwi. This encouraged the farmers in other districts of Mandi and Shimla to opt for cultivation of trans-climatic hybrid fruit in the apple-dominated areas,' horticulture director Gurdev Singh said.

Last year, the total kiwi yield in Himachal Pradesh - known as the fruit bowl of the country - was 137 tonnes, Singh added.

'These days the Hayward, Abbot, Allison and Bruno varieties of kiwi are cultivated on almost 120 hectares. Farmers are making good profit by selling it in the local markets,' he said.

Ramesh Kamta, a farmer from Shimla, said the price of kiwi at the local wholesale fruit market this year was Rs. 60-100 per kg. The kiwi crop that is ready by mid-September continues till October-end.

'Though people have not so far developed a liking for its peculiar tangy taste, its demand is quite good among certain buyers. Of course, its long shelf life is helpful for the growers,' he said.

Neel Kamal Thakur, a farmer of Patan village in Kullu, is growing kiwi at an altitude of 8,500 feet.

'Kiwi typically needs temperate climate to grow, but we (the farmers) have made it a success even at extremely low temperatures,' he said.



He said farmers in this economically backward area had also taken up the cultivation of exotic vegetables and other fruits to boost their income.

Approximately 200,000 hectares of land in Himachal Pradesh is under horticulture cultivation, which yields approximately half a million tonnes of different kinds of fruit. The state earns more than Rs.25 billion from cultivation of fruits and vegetables.


Apple is the state's main fruit crop and is being grown in nine out of 12 districts.

Besides apple, other fruits like pears, peaches, cherries, apricots, almonds and plums are the major commercial crops of Himachal Pradesh.

High altitude dams cause low horticulture yield

Dams are robbing Kinnaur of its big cash crop—apples,chilgoza etc..

Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh)

Chilgoza, another victim

Hydel projects are also hurting the production of chilgoza, a rare dry fruit. Chilgoza trees regenerate naturally. In India they grow only in Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh). Hundreds of chilgoza trees have been felled to make way for the approach road for Tidong dam, say residents of Rispa village in Nichar. Rispa is a prosperous village with 80 families, each holding 5.6 ha on average. They depend on chilgoza apart from a little farming. “Our ancestors lived off chilgoza trees as they last hundreds of years,” said Vinod Kumari, who owns 60 chilgoza trees. “I have lost most of my trees to illegal felling.”

While laying the road the builders, Hyderabad-based Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd, damaged many more trees than 1,261 allowed in the forest clearance, noted an inspection report by the district administration. Residents of six villages in Tinala forest say they stand to lose 80 per cent of their chilgoza trees to blasting and debris dumping. “Tunnel ing for the dam will start soon. We will be left with hardly any trees,” Vinod Kumari of Rispa, said. “When we have good plantations, why does the government want us to take up daily-wages job?”

Pine nut(Chilgoza)

Pine nuts are the edible seeds of pines (family Pinaceae, genus Pinus). About 20 species of pine produce seeds large enough to be worth harvesting; in other pines the seeds are also edible, but are too small to be of great value as a human food.

       Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) Energy 3,657 kJ (874 kcal) Carbohydrates 13.1 g - Starch 1.4 g - Sugars 3.6 g - Dietary fiber 3.7 g Fat 68.4 g - saturated   4.9 g - monounsaturated 18.7 g - polyunsaturated 34.1 g       Protein 13.7 g Water 2.3 g Vitamin A equiv. 1 μg (0%)- beta-carotene 17 μg (0%) Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.4 mg (35%) Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.2 mg (17%) Niacin (vit. B3)   4.4 mg (29%) Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.3 mg (6%)Vitamin B6 0.1 mg (8%) Folate (vit. B9) 34 μg (9%)Choline 55.8 mg (11%) Vitamin C 0.8 mg (1%) Vitamin E 9.3 mg (62%) Vitamin K 53.9 μg (51%) Calcium 16 mg (2%) Iron 5.5 mg (42%) Magnesium 251 mg (71%) Manganese 8.8 mg (419%) Phosphorus 575 mg (82%) Potassium 597 mg (13%) Zinc 6.4 mg (67%) 

Pollination and seed development

The pinyon pine nut (seed) species will take 18 months to complete its maturity; however, to reach full maturity, the environmental conditions must be favorable for the tree and its cone.

Development begins in early spring with pollination. A tiny cone, about the size of a small marble, will form from mid-spring to the end of summer; the premature cone will then become and remain dormant (with a cessation of growth) until the following spring. The cone will then commence growth until it reaches maturity near the end of summer.^[6] The mature pinyon pine cone is ready to harvest ten days before the green cone begins to open. A cone is harvested by placing it in a burlap bag and exposing it to a heat source such as the sun to begin the drying process. It takes about 20 days until the cone fully opens. Once it is fully open and dry, the seed can be easily extracted in various ways. The most common and practical extracting method used is the repeated striking of the burlap bag containing the cone(s) against a rough surface to cause the cone(s) to shatter, leaving just the job of separating by hand the seed from the residue within the bag.

Another option for harvesting is to wait until the cone opens on the tree (as it naturally will) and harvest the cone from the pinyon pine, followed by the extracting process mentioned above. Fallen seed can also be gathered beneath the trees.

Sujanpur Tihra

Tira Sujanpur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Hamirpur district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Climate and Geographical Location

Tira Sujanpur is located at 31.83°N 76.50°E.^[1] It has an average elevation of 562 metres (1,844 feet).

Climate here varies all through from very hot summer to cold winter. Being on the bank of river Beas, the winter is quite sever. Since there are no industries to create pollution, most of the people are healthy and live long (over 80 years). The temperature vary from 38Deg C in summers to almost zero Deg C in winters. Winters experience low lying clouds which add to the cold weather and one can enjoy walking amidst the clouds.

Sujanpur Tira is well-connected to all the major towns of Himachal Pradesh and of the country in all the directions through road network. It is at stones’ throw to Hamirpur (25 km), Palampur (35 km) and about 120 km from Dharamshala. Today over 200 buses cross this town to connect various other cities, villages and towns besides regular taxis. The nearest railway station is Maranda (near Palampur) where narrow gauge runs up to Pathankot on one side and Jogindernagar to the other. On one side it is connected to Una-Nangal by road, the other side it is connected towards Kangra, Pathankot; To Mandi-Manali and Ladakh and one side to Shimla. Its geographical locations connect this town with almost every direction through web of tarred road network.

About a decade ago, Sanik School was opened in Sujanpurtira which is located in the green ground in the middle of the town. This has increased the importance of the town.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[2] Tira Sujanpur had a population of 7,077. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Tira Sujanpur has an average literacy rate of 89%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 76%. In Tira Sujanpur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Overview

Tira Sujanpur is also called Sujanpur Tira or Sujanpur Tihra located on the bank of River Beas. It is a beautiful town inhabited by Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch who was the King of Kangra and later shifted from Kangra to Sujanpur Tira after the war with Muslim kings who wanted to capture Kangra fort. Maharaja Sansar Chand constructed his palaces, temples and courts (called Baradari) on the peak of hillock called Tira overlooking Sujanpur's famous Chaugan, hence the name of the town is Sujanpur Tira. In the middle of this beautiful town there is one square kilometer green ground popularly called in Pahari language 'Chaugan' (which remains green throughout the year). Now part of the ground is occupied by the Sanik School. The ground is a meeting place for most of the town people, ladies, men, children for evening walk and for playing all types of games. Most famous Holi fair also takes place on this ground which lasts almost 2–3 weeks during the month of March.

Based on the caste system each side of 'Chaugan' is occupied by Brahmins, merchants (Vaishyas), Kashtriyas and Shudras. The concept is now waning off. The town has two famous temples constructed by the king which are Bansiwala ( For Lord Krishna) on one side of the ground, and Narvdeshwar on the other side towards the river Beas. One of the famous temple at Tira was destroyed during the Kangra Earthquake in 1905, as also the most of the palace buildings. Archaeological Department has tried to restore some of the monuments but not to an extent desired. It is more like whitewashing done by Archaeological Department. Many of the invaluable Kangra paintings were collected by erstwhile commissioner E.N.Mangatrai and some were returned to the museum in Chandigrah.

People of Sujanpur Tira (earlier probably called Sajjanpur due to people being nice, honest and religious-minded) are very hospitable and helpful. Though the town is nowadays thriving with activities and population in around is over 10,000. The people are highly educated and most of them know how to read and write. This town has produced many scientists, administrators, professors, doctors. Once upon a time it was the most educated town in Kangra and Himachal at large.Dr.Vikram Mahajan H.A.S. topper 2008 belongs to this town.

The ruins still remind us the old paintings which exists on the temples and palaces though the passage of time and atmospheric attacks have sullened them a lot. Whatever were left were destroyed by locals by whitewashing due to their innocence.

History of Kangra and Sujanpurtira

Sujanpur bears its name from Sajjanpur, which means the town of honest and gentle people. Tira was later added as Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch moved his capital from Kangra to this place and added more palaces, temples, courts and fort at the top of the hill ‘Tira’. Katoch have been kings for time immemorial and their dynasty can be traced back to 4300BC when Rajanaka Bhumi Chand founded the Katoch Dynasty. They claimed to have fought against Lord Rama in 3000BC and Raja Susrma Chandra fought against Pandavas during the Mahabharta War in 1500BC. He also built the Kangra Fort. In 900 BC Katoch fought Persian and Assyrian in Punjab and Rajanaka Permanand Chandra (also known as Porus) fought against Alexandra the Great in 500BC. In 275 BC Katoch kings also fought Ashoka the Great and lost their land in Multan. In 100 BC Raja of Kangra fought against Raja of Kannauj, 470 BC against Raja of Kashmir. In 853 AD Rajanaka Prithvi Chandra’s empire expanded. In 1009 AD Mahmud Ghazni attacked Kangra and captured large booty. Inn 1170 Kangra saw the division into Kangra and Jaswan. They lost the war with Muhammad of Ghor in 1220 AD. In 1526 to 1556 AD, Katoch fought against Akbar the Great along with the forces of Sikandar Shah Suri, but lost and yielded to alliance to Akbar in return to the title of Maharaja. Mughals attacked fort of Kangra 52 times but failed to defeat it. In 1620 AD Kangra was occupied by Mughuls. In 1700AD Maharaja Bhim Chadra joined with Guru Gobind Singh in fight against Aurangzeb and was given the title of Dharma Rakshak by Guru Gobind Singh. In 1750 Maharaj Ghammand Chandra took reins. From 1775 AD to 1820 AD, saw the golden era of Kangra under the kingdom of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch. Kangra flourished in education, business and paintings etc. Famous Kangra paintings dates back to the era only. From 1820 decline of Kangra kingdom started and Kangra was occupied by Sikh after the war with Gorkhas of Nepal. Katoch fought against British and lost. Raja Parmod Chand was imprisoned and died in captivity in Almoda in 1924AD. In 1924 Maharaja Jai Chandra of Kangra- Lambagraon was granted the title of Maharaja by British regime. 1947AD Maharaja Dhruv Dev Chandra, the last ruler of Kangra-Lambagraon merges his state with Independent India and in 1972 princely order was abolished in India and all kings became ordinary citizens of India akin to others. Kangra was merged with newly founded state of Himachal Pradesh. Later Kangra was split into three districts thereby separating Sujanpurtira from Kangra . Sujanpurtira became part of Hamirpur District. This was in short the historical background of Kangra and its kings.

Golden Era of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch- the most revered King

When Kangra was taken over by Muslim invaders, Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch moved his capital to Sujanpurtira on the left bank of river Beas. Overlooking the town of Sujanpurtira, Abhay Chand Katoch- the ruler, built a fortified palace at the top of the hill called Tira in 1748 AD. Hence the town thereafter acquired the name 'Tira' attached to its original name of Sujanpur. This king was very well respected as during his regime Sujanpurtira flourished enormously in business, education, arts and culture, sports and in all spheres of life. He also created a one square kilometer green ground in the midst of the town (called Chaugan) which was used to train soldiers for war. The ground still exists and remains green all through the year. This ground adds immense beauty to this small town. The ground is great place for people of all caste and creed to meet in the evening, to have evening stroll and as also great place for young and old to play various games. In fact it has been the most loved place for Himachal intercollegiate or school meets. Part of the ground is now occupied by Sanik School.

The Fort of Tira Sujanpur still belongs to the decedents of Maharaja Sansar Chand.

Adjoining the Kangra Fort is the Maharaja Sansar Chandra Museum run by the Royal Family of Kangra. The Museum also provides audio guides for the fort and the museum and has a cafeteria.

Organized settlement and occupations of the people

The major preoccupation is business, agriculture and services. Many of the young people prefer to serve the army. It may be pointed out that a small village near Sujanpurtira called Khaira has produced 6 army General in Katoch and Pathania families.

Four sides of the ground are so well-planned that on the river side merchant community was inhabited, on the left side all Brahmins were inhabited ; on the right side all service community was inhabited and on the side of the hill all Kashtrya’s were inhabited. At present the total population is close to 10,000 and over 93% of the populace is literate. With the new governmental regulation of compulsory primary education the literacy is likely to achieve 100% mark. The population of men to women is almost 50:50 levels. Only 10% of the population is below 6 years old. This town has produced highly educated people occupying positions at national and international level as scientists, technologists, professors, educationists, politicians, doctors, engineers and administrators. Many of these have received national and international recognition for their services and excellence in professional life. At one time it was the most well-educated town in the old Kangra district which stretched from Nurpur till Manali and till Batsar and beyond. Due to the development needs Knagra was divided into many districts.

Temples of Sujanpur Tira

Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch built large palaces and temples. Some of the temples are a piece of great architecture and Kangra paintings. Murlimanohar ( now known as Bansiwala) temple stands on the left side of the ground (Chowgan); Narvadeshwar temple dedicated to Shiva- Parvti Is full of great paintings inside the walls overlooking the bank of river Beas. It is surrounded by 8ft high wall with passage all around. Another temple is Thakardwara not to speak of smaller temples. The temples were built 1790 AD and 1823 AD by Maharani Pransani Devi-Suketi Rani of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch. Maharaja Sansar Chand also built Chamunda Devi temple within the premises of the palace which still exists.The people of Sujanpurtira are very religious-minded and are the staunch believer of Indian Gods.

Monumental ruins still stand in Tira

Palaces, courts and temples built by Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch still exist in Tira though have been destroyed by the passage of time and earthquakes etc. One can see many of the ruins there and can conceptualize how beautiful they must have been. Baradari ( the daily court) still stands and can be seen from the 'Chuagan' ground. He also built a huge water reservoir to take care of the needs of daily water for the entire Tira. A lot of work was done by M. S. Randhawa who fell in love with Sujanpurtira and tried to restore parts of the heritage. He also started collecting the invaluable Kangra paintings. Many of them are available in Chandigrah Museum and with last living king of Lambagraon. Some of the photographs will be appropriate to add here. Maharaja Sansar Chand died in 1824 in Alampur just across Sujanpurtira on the opposite side of Beas River.

Devastation by 1905 Earthquake

see 1905 Kangra earthquake

Kangra district did go through ups and downs. Great earthquake of 1905 almost destroyed the entire valley of its architecture, palaces, temples etc. 90% of the houses were destroyed.

It is said that one of faithful courtier Dogra requested some funds from maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch to solemnize the marriage of his daughter, which the King declined. Dogra then committed suicide giving a curse to the King that he would not be able to rule on the left bank of river Beas. Thereafter the King went through much turmoil and had to move his kingdom to Nadaun – 15 km from Sujanpurtira. Nadaun was also on the left bank of river Beas, ghost of Cchurimar Dogra ( sword-killed Dora) haunted him there and he had to move his entire kingdom to Lambagaon located 8 km from Sujanpurtira on the right bank of river Beas. The last king and queen of Lambagraon still live in Delhi and also own a Banglow in Dharamshala. A small temple of Cchurimar Dogra was erected at Tira near the Palaces and still exists.

Festivals

The lavish decoration of Baradari and palaces were surrounded by green gardens. At the entry of Baradari there was Ashtdhtu statue of Lord Shiva placed with colorful décor. The famous Holi festival was celebrated with lot of pomp and show which has become a tradition now and every year for 3–4 weeks during the month of March Holi fair takes place in this ground. Some of the photos will elaborate it. Other festivals like Diwali, Lohri, Shivratri, Janamashtami Baisakhi, Basant Panchami and many others are also celebrated with great zeal and zest by the people. They all live as one community and help each other. Community feeling is very well imbibed in the mind of people as also the feeling of being Sujanpurian. In fact there is a Sujanpuri Association which meet regularly and arrange a luncheon every year in Delhi. Some of the photos of Holi fair (mela) are given below:

This town of Sujanpurtira has plenty to offer to the tourists, only they need to go and explore this beautiful town on foot. One can trek toward Tira, or walk miles along each side to explore the rich heritage which still bear marks of the old kingdom.