After 1 year break, Ramlila festivities kick off in Noida
Residents of Gautam Budh Nagar will enjoy Ramlila celebrations from Thursday. The two major Ramlila committees in the district -- Shri Sanatan Dharm Ramlila Committee (SSDRC) and Shri Ram Mitra Mandal Noida Ramlila Committee (SRMMC) will organise the much-awaited events at Noida Stadium’s Ramlila grounds in Sector 21A and in Sector 62, respectively, from 7pm to 10pm between October 7 and 16. Last year, there were no celebrations due to pandemic-related curbs.
SSDRC has constructed the Ramlila stage on the same lines as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Fifty artistes will be portraying different characters during the performances. “All Covid-19 protocols are in place at the Ramlila grounds, and all the artistes and the committee’s management team members are fully vaccinated. Only 2,500 people, wearing masks (mandatory), will be allowed to attend the event at the Ramlila grounds, which sees a footfall of 5,000 at the event every year,” said TS Chaurasia, president of SSDRC.
Also, there won’t be swings or joyrides at the Ramlila grounds this year. “We will face heavy
losses because of this, and the proprietors are unemployed and feeling dejected,” Chaurasia said.
Meanwhile, only 2,000 people will be allowed to attend the SRMMC’S Ramlila event, which usually saw a footfall of 10,000 people. “We are grateful that we have been allowed to hold the Ramlila event this year, but it is a huge responsibility to ensure that all the Covid-19 protocols are in place. Several Covid response teams have been formed, under which our volunteers
will ensure that all the attendees wear masks during the event,” said Munna Sharma, general secretary of SRMMC.
Kumar Ranvijay Singh, additional deputy commissioner of police, Noida, said, “In a first, such a grand event will be held in the city amidst the Covid-19 crisis. Last year, these celebrations were banned. Swings and joyrides tend to increase overcrowding at the grounds, especially among children, and we need to avoid that.”