PNS/DEHRADUN
Considering the space constraint at Parade Ground caused by Smart City development and to prevent potential challan from the State administration, Bannu Biradari has relocated its traditional Dussehra celebration to the ground of Sanatan Dharm Inter College (Bannu) in Race Course this year.
Further, breaking from tradition, the organisers are not inviting any VIP at the event. This marks a significant change from previous years when the Ravana effigy torching event would take place at Parade Ground.
Informing this, the president of the Bannu Biradari, Harish Virmani said that this year the effigy burning ceremony for Dusshera would take place at Bannu Ground at Race Course instead of the Parade Ground which its traditional venue was for years.
This change was necessitated by space constraint caused by the development of the Smart City at Parade Ground. The decision to downsize the event is driven by safety and security considerations. Another thing which prodded them to shift the venue and organise the event on a small scale is the fact that the organisers had to shell out Rs four lakh as fine for the people having littered the ground.
Commenting on the preparations regarding the ensuing religious event, Virmani said that this year, the programme is specifically meant for the local people with no VIP being invited. “This is the first time when the centenarians who are members of the Biradari will be the chief guests of the event. As the event will be confined to the locals, there is no need for us to have invitation cards made,” he added.
He further informed that the preparations for the programme have already begun. “This year, the effigy of Ravana will be 50 feet tall while the heights of Meghanada and Kumbhakarna effigies will be 45 and 40 feet respectively. Ten to 12 artisans from Muzaffarnagar are making the effigies and the work is nearing completion. Approximately Rs 15 lakh will be spent on the event. Besides, we have taken foolproof safety measures. Barricades will be installed around the effigies,” he said.
“We have already written to the district magistrate for approval of fire brigade and police personnel at the event,” he said and added that this time the students of Sanatan Dharm Inter College would present a skit on Ramleela during the programme.
The Biradari secretary Manish Gera and vice- president Harish Gulati also said that they are going all-out to make the event a success despite the venue-shift and decision to downsize the gathering.
