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Lajpat Nagar residents to go green this Dussehra, won’t burn effigy
New Delhi
New Delhi
This Dussehra, residents of a neighbourhood in south Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar have decided to go green to do their bit for the environment. Instead of burning colourful effigies of Ravan, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakarna, they will go for a digital celebration.
Yogesh Pahuja, president of C-Block Lajpat Nagar-II residents’ welfare association (RWA), said considering the rising pollution levels, residents unanimously decided to refrain from burning effigies and bursting crackers.
Pahuja said air pollution was a major problem and everyone should contribute in best possible ways to save the environment. “This is a unique step. A resolution was passed in the RWA meeting on September 8, where we decided that for the conservation of the environment, no effigy of Ravan, be it large or small, will be burnt this year. Crackers will also not be burst,” Pahuja said.
To ensure the festival fervour is maintained, the RWA has decided to hold a laser show on Dussehra to showcase the burning of Ravan.
“We will hold a laser show on October 8 where the Ramayan and Ravan Dahan will be showed in sync with audio so that the spirit of the festival is not hit,” Pahuja said.
Similarly, Rajiv Kakaria of the Greater Kailash-I RWA also said his residents’ body was also in favour of celebrating an eco-friendly Dussehra and was mulling over the option of digital Ravan instead of the conventional one.
Kakaria said digital Ravan is an effigy without crackers and self-destructs without pollution. It is embedded with LED lights that blink and gives the effect of burning. It does not contain crackers but produces a similar sound.
“The concept is good but expensive. When the authorities talk of going eco-friendly while celebrating festivals such as Dussehra and Diwali, they should provide subsidy as well. Digital Ravan is so expensive that we might have to give it a miss and go on with the conventional effigy,” Kakaria said.
Kakaria said while the government was talking about green crackers, they are yet to be seen in the market.
Residents of BK Dutt Colony has also decided not to burst crackers this Dussehra. “Keeping air pollution in view, we will not burst crackers this time on Dussehra. From next year, we will not burn the effigy of Ravan,” Harbans Dunkall, president of BK Dutt Colony RWA, said.
