In a first, Delhi to mark ‘virtual’ Dussehra today with electronic fireworks

In the nearly 225-year-old history of Ramlila celebrations in Delhi, the national capital will for the first time around mark the auspicious occasion of Dussehra on Friday with ‘virtual’ celebrations, which will include the unique digital or electronic fireworks, in view of the prevailing coronavirus pandemic in the country. Residents of Delhi will be able to watch the Dussehra night festivities—when the giant effigies of the mythological demon king Ravana are burnt—from the comfort of their homes and view the electronic fireworks on their television screens.
Also Read | On Vijayadashami, PM Modi set to inaugurate 7 new defence firms for India
According to a report by HT's sister publication Live Hindustan, Ramlila committees in Delhi have reduced the size of these folklore re-enactments effigies this year due to the Covid-19 situation and concerns regarding pollution. For much of the same reason, firecrackers, which are typically burst along with the burning effigies, will not be used this time either. The committees will instead opt for virtual firecracker celebrations on digital screens, accompanied by the sound of the bursting crackers. In some places, the effigies will also be burnt virtually, according to the report.
Ramlila at Red Fort: Size of effigies reduced
Ashok Agrawal, the chairperson of the Lav Kush Ramlila Committee—one of the oldest in Delhi that has been organising Ramlila at the Red Fort—said that due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation and concerns over pollution, the length of the effigies has been reduced to 30 feet this time around. Before the pandemic, the effigies used to be up to 110 feet tall. However, in line with instructions on staging the Ramlila celebrations this year, the size was reduced. Agrawal added that firecrackers will also not be used during the burning of Ravana's effigy and said the audience will get to see ‘digital fireworks’ for the first time in history. A recorded soundscape will be used for this purpose instead of actual firecrackers; the virtual celebrations will be shown on screen for all.
Also Read | Dussehra 2021: Wishes, messages, images, greetings to share on this day
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to attend celebrations
The chairperson of the Lav Kush Ramlila Committee said that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will be the guest of honour at the Dussehra function this year, too. This is the third time that Kejriwal will be attending the Ramlila celebrations at the Red Fort, according to reports.
The Ramlila is a cycle of plays that recounts the epic story of Lord Rama, particularly relating to the dramatic plays and dance events staged during the annual autumn festival of Navratri. The Ramlila festivities were declared by Unesco as one of the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" in 2008.
-
Delhiwale: This way to Ajmeri Gate
This venerable stone gateway originally signposted the way to the aforementioned pilgrim town. One of the 14 Mughal-era gateways to punctuate the Walled City’s wall, the graceful Ajmeri Gate today is like a queen without her palace.
-
Delhi: Cop’s hunt for kidnapper ends after a 15-year wait
Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Sanjeev Tomar’s quest ended on May 28, when he and members of his team arrested a man named Hari Om for abducting and killing Choudhary. Tomar, 47, now posted with the crime branch, was a constable at the Badarpur police station when the crime took place in 2007.
-
89 new trucks to help DFS speed up rescue operations
The approval for purchasing 89 new fire trucks was sought against the condemnation of 60 fire trucks, which have diesel engines and have reached their expiry time of 10 years, and have to be taken off service.
-
ED arrests 2 more in money laundering case against Delhi minister Satyendar Jain
Vaibhav and Ankush were arrested under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ED said both are directors of Ram Prakash Jewellers Pvt Ltd, which was raided on June 6. After the searches at premises linked to six people including the jewellery firm’s five directors, ED said it recovered ₹2.85 crore and 133 gold coins, alleging that the gold was from “unexplained sources” and was “secreted” in the properties.
-
Problem of plenty: Ban no bar, Delhi markets struggle to get rid of plastics
Following the latest notification of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2022 in February, the central government directed all states and union territories (UTs) to phase out SUPs in a planned manner by July 1, 2022.