121-ft Ravan effigy to go up in flames at Aishbagh today
LUCKNOW : ‘Dahan Karo Dar Ka Ravan’ – is this year’s theme for Dussehra celebrations at Aishbagh Ramleela ground where a 121-ft Ravan effigy would go up in flames on Friday.
“The theme was decided by our panel members. It is for the common man to bury his fear and fight against atrocities. The fight could be against anything like corruption, terrorism, nepotism or goondaism,” said Aditya Dwivedi, secretary, Aishbagh Ramleela Committee.
The celebrations will start at 5 pm while the Ravan effigy will be torched at 6.45 pm. Effigies of his brothers, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad, will also be burnt.
Dwivedi said Aishbagh Ramleela committee had invited vicepresident Venkaiah Naidu as the chief guest for Dussehra celebrations. “The vice-president’s office was to give a written confirmation by 5 pm on Thursday, but the committee has not heard anything from the vice-president’s office, so UP governor Ram Naik and Bihar governor Lalji Tandon are expected to grace the occasion as chief guest and special guest,” he added. Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma and local MLA Brajesh Pathak would also be present on the occasion.
Dwivedi said, “The committee has made arrangements for parking at Rastogi Inter College park. Parking will not be allowed on the road. Over 200 volunteers will be present for crowd management at the venue.”
The Jal Sansthan has arranged 5 water tankers for people attending Dussehra celebrations while LMC has arranged five mobile toilets.
Other venues are also set for
Dussehra celebrations. The Ravan effigy at Mahanagar Ramleela is around 50 ft tall while in Cantt it is 80 ft. Alambagh will witness a 60-ft-tall effigy being torched and Bakshi ka Talab’s Ravan is around 80 ft tall.