Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Oct 11: Dussehra festival, which marks the triumph of good over the evil, reminding us about the victory of Lord Rama over Lanka king Ravana, was celebrated with great religious fervor and enthusiasm across the region today.
In Jammu, a grand Shobha Yatra was taken out by Sanatan Dharam Sabha before Dussehra celebrations at Parade Ground where Dy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh was the chief guest at the main function. Besides him, State BJP chief Sat Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP Shamsher Singh Manhas, Minister of State for Education and Culture Priya Sethi and Jammu East MLA Rajesh Gupta were among the prominent persons present on the occasion. Senior officers including IGP Jammu, Danish Rana and other district officers also witnessed the occasion.
Shobha Yatra on highly decorated chariots with tableaux of Lord Rama, Lakshman and Hanuman Ji and others was taken out from historic Dewana Mandir and after passing through various markets it reached Parade Ground where, tall and impressive effigies of Demon king Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkarna were installed for burning. Local artists playing role of Lord Rama along with Lakshman came down from the chariot and burnt the effigies of Ravana and Kumbhkarna using arrow while Lakshman did the same for Meghnad. Despite inputs regarding possible terrorists strike in Jammu, about 20,000 people attended the Dussehra celebrations at Parade Ground. Elaborate security arrangements had been made by the local administration.
Dy Chief Minister addressed the large gathering and greeted the public on this occasion. He asked the people to remain vigilant from today’s devils and help Government to register win over the evils. He referred to the terrorists activities in the State and maintained that Government is capable to defeat evil designs of the subversive elements.
Another grand function was organised at Dussehra Ground Gandhi Nagar by Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Committee. Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta was the chief guest. He was accompanied by former Minister and president Mandir Committee Gulchain Singh Charak. Thousands of people watched burning of sky high effigies of demon kind Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son, Meghnad, to mark the victory of good over the evil.
Another function was organised at Sainik Colony Jammu where Administrator, Lakshadweep Farooq Khan was the chief guest. Jai Singh Congress leader was the guest of honour.
At Kathua, impressive Dussehra festival was celebrated at Ramlila Ground which was witnessed by over 12000 to 15,000 people. Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Ramesh Kumar was the chief guest on the occasion while SSP Kathua and other district officers also witnessed the occasion. Reports of Dussehra celebrations were also received from Billawar, Hiranagar, Basohli, Bani, Lakhanpur and other areas of Kathua district.
At Samba, Dussehra celebrations were held at Sports Stadium near Degree College where former MLA Samba and District Congress president Parkash Sharma was the chief guest. Senior officers from District Administration also attended the function. Another function was held at Kehli Mandi Samba where BJP MLA, Dr Devinder Manyal was the chief guest. Several prominent persons including officers from District Administration witnessed the occasion. At Vijaypur Dussehra function former MoS, Manjit Singh and at Gurha Slathian, former Minister SS Slathia were chief guests.
Report from Poonch said that Dussehra festival was celebrated with pomp and show at Sports Stadium, where DC, SSP and Commander Poonch Brigade were the special invitees. Dy Chairman Legislative Council Jahangir Hussain Mir, was the chief guest while, MLA Shah Mohd Tantray, MLC Shehnaz Ganai and former MLA Aijaz Jan were the guests of honour. Sanatan Dharam Sabha Committee members under the leadership of Satish Sasan organised this function which was witnessed by thousands of people.
A Jhanki was also taken out in the Poonch city which finally culminated at Sports stadium. In Mendhar town, Dussehra was celebrated at Hanuman temple ground and Jhanki was also taken out by SD Samba members in the town.
In Rajouri, the main Dussehra function was held near Jhulla bridge at the bank of Tawi. Entire district administration was present on the occasion. Similar reports of celebrations have been received from Kalakote, Nowshera and Sunderbani.
At Udhampur, Dussehra was celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious fervor at Sports Stadium. MLA Udhampur Pawan Gupta was the chief guest. DC Neeraj Kumar was the guest of honour. DIG Udhampur -Reasi Range Surinder Gupta, SSP Suleman Choudhary, ACR Subhash Dogra and ASP M L Kaith were the special invitees to the programme. They greeted the people on this occasion.
In Leh, thousands of people thronged historical Polo Ground to witness Dussehra celebrations function. LAHDC chairman Dr Sonam Dawa was the chief guest on the occasion. He extended greetings to the people. The festival was organised by Hindu Mahasabha Trust Leh. An impressive Shobha yatra was also taken out from Hare-Rama Hare Krishna temple.
Similar reports have been received from Reasi, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Ramnagar and other parts of the region. At Kishtwar function, MoS Sunil Sharma was the chief guest. DC and SSP also witnessed the occasion.
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