PM, CM attend Dussehra celebrations
New Delhi: Delhi witnessed a grand celebration of Dussehra, with mainstream political leaders stepping among the people to solemnize the festival, where good wins over evil. To mark the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Dussehra celebrations in Delhi's Dwarka area. The event was organised by Dwarka Sri Ram Leela Society at DDA Ground in Sector 10.
"A 107-ft effigy of the demon king Ravana and those of Kumbhakarna and Meghanad were prepared for the occasion," said the organisers. After witnessing a short performance of Ram Leela, the prime minister, in his every year ritual on Dussehra, shot an arrow, after which the effigy of Raavan was demolished.
He also addressed the crowd gathered at the ground and said, "On this Vijaya Dashami, at a time when we mark 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, I have a request for my fellow citizens. Let us take up a mission this year and work to achieve it. This mission can be, not wasting food, conserving energy and saving water." He further said that in India, festivals are a way of uniting people. "In our country, festivals form part of our values, education and social life. Festivals unite us and mould us. They generate energy, enthusiasm and new dreams," said Modi.
Meanwhile, Congress working president Sonia Gandhi attended the Ramleela in Delhi, which was organised by Nav Shri Dharmik Lila Committee. Along with the Congress President, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Jai Parkash Aggarwal were also present at the event.
Earlier in the day, Sonia Gandhi extended her greetings on the occasion and said, "Followed by days of fasting and worship, the festivities of Dussehra signify the victory of truth over untruth, virtue over vice and good over evil and provides us with the message of goodness, modesty, moderation and the holy and unassailable position of women." Taking a jibe at the present ruling government, Gandhi said that, "Vijayadashmi also underlines that, arrogance and injustice, even of the most powerful is ultimately defeated."
On the other hand, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal celebrated Dussehra at Lav Kush Ram Leela in Delhi. "The way Lord Ram ended Raavan, same way we have to end all evil things that are Raavan like," tweeted the chief minister. Along with many Aam Aadmi Party leaders, Kejriwal was the chief guest at the event, where he too shot an arrow to set on fire the effigy of Raavan.
Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister also attended the Dussehra celebrations at Patparganj's Badrinath Temple. "The excitement and happiness among the people was a sight to the sore eye. I pray to God that along with Raavan we also end hatred, greed, jealousy and fear within ourselves and only welcome prosperity," he tweeted. The festival was celebrated with vigour all over the city, with enthusiastic people attending events, despite heavy traffic.
