Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will burn a 125 feet Ravan after worshiping Lord Ram and performing his aarti here at the historic Aishbagh Ramleela ground on the occasion of Dussehra and Vijaydashmi on October 11. Accompanied by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is the local MP, the PM will also witness an act of Ramlilla to be performed by a troupe of Thailand at the Aishbagh Ramilla ground where there would be a capacity crowd of around 25,000 people. The stage " Ram Durbar" where the PM and other dignitaries would sit will be of golden colour with 3D effect. The PM is also likely to address the gathering on the occasion of Dussehra with a message against terrorism and highlighting the importance of the festival with a slogan of ' Win against the evils'.
However, PM's brief two hours visit could also be associated with the coming crucial Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh when the BJP leader will send a message to the majority community. The worshiping of Lord Ram at the function by Mr Modi could also give an indication towards the commitment of the BJP on the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya. According to officials, Mr Modi will reach Lucknow at around 1915 hrs and will reach the Aishbagh Ramlilla venue in next 15 minutes time. The PM would stay there for around one hour and there after will leave for New Delhi at around 2115 hours. During the function, which will be conducted by Lucknow Mayor and BJP national vice-president Dinesh Sharma, the PM will be honoured with Ramcharitra Manas, Gadda and bow and arrow to mark the festival after narrating the history of the Aishbagh Ramlila.
President and convenor of the Aishbagh Ramlila Committee Harish Chandra Agarwal told UNI here today that in the 156 year old Ramlila, this year, it would be a new chapter in opening, when PM Mr Modi would grace the occasion. "A troupe from Thailand would be performing while the effigy of Ravan would be more bigger this time. There would 3D lighting effect on the stage which would known as Ram Durbar," he stated. This is the first time that any Prime Minister would be attending the Dussehra festival in Lucknow and be present during the Ravan Dahan progamme. But due to the visit of the PM, the Lucknow district authorities have become extra vigilant as the next day is Moharram and as usual, Lucknow , is always sensitive on the day due to sectorial clashes in the past. Besides, on that day there would be heavy rush for immersion of Durga idols in Lucknow for which the district authorities are making additional arrangements.
But due to the visit of the PM, the BJP leaders of the state are extra vigilant and as per the direction, the party is arranging big LED screens in different parts of the state for the live telecast of the PM's Dussehra programme. " These LED screens would be put up at important places in the cities including that in Lucknow to relay the PM's programme ," a party leader here confirmed. Meanwhile, district officials are working overtime, to spruce up the security for the PM's visit. Regular meetings are being held by district magistrate Satyendra Singh and SSP Manjil Saini with the central security agencies for a fool proof arrangement.
Almost all the PMs have attended the Dussehra festival at the Ramlila ground in New Delhi in the past and if Mr Modi comes to Lucknow on the day, then it would be the first time that any PM would be celebrating it outside the national capital. However, political observers think that the visit of the PM is linked with the coming UP elections could be a way to boost the moral of the BJP cadre in the polls. Earlier, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has also celebrated festivals in Lucknow, which was also his constituency.However, Mr Modi’s constituency is Varanasi. (UNI)