PRESIDENT AND PM PARTICIPATED DUSSEHARA CELEBRATIONS

PRESIDENT AND PM PARTICIPATED DUSSEHARA CELEBRATIONS

21-OCT-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI--------------------------President Droupadi Murmu attended the Dussehra celebrations at the Dwarka Shri Ramlila on Tuesday, accompanied by Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Vijayadashami celebrations at the Indraprastha Ramlila Maidan.

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal attended the 'Lav Kush Ramlila' event held at the Ramlila Maidan near the Red Fort.

In Dwarka, President Murmu participated in the festivities alongside Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma. During the event, she witnessed the burning of the effigy of Ravana.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Gupta remarked that Dussehra is a day of joy for Delhi, symbolizing not only Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana but also the triumph of good over evil. She stated, “Even today, Ravana exists in society in the form of darkness, ego, rage, violence against women, and corruption.”

Before the effigy of Ravana was set ablaze, President Murmu performed the traditional *aarti* of Lord Ram, Lakshmana, and Mother Sita. Following this, she shot an arrow to ignite the effigy of Ravana.

Extending her wishes for Dussehra, the President urged people to embrace the virtues of Lord Ram.

She remarked that the story of Lord Ram inspires people to respect nature, protect the environment, and care for everyone.

At the Dwarka Shri Ramlila, 90-foot-tall effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnada were erected. This was shared by Bharat Bhushan Malviya, a member of the organizing committee and the event’s media head.

This year, the organizers integrated digital features and eco-friendly measures alongside the traditional celebrations. Malviya noted that the event was broadcast live on social media platforms. Additionally, an app and a digital ticketing system were introduced.

He further mentioned that the organizers had also planned to use ‘green’ (eco-friendly) firecrackers during the festivities.