Country’s tallest effigy draws thousands

Tribune News Service
Panchkula, October 19

The 210-foot-tall effigy of Ravana was consigned to the flames by Haryana Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya through a remote at Shalimar Ground in Sector 5 here this evening.

Thousands of people not only from the city but also from Chandigarh, Mohali, Zirakpur, Mani Majra and Baddi had come here to witness the tallest effigy of the country going up in the flames.

A huge traffic jam was witnessed for about three hours after the Ravana’s effigy went up in flames. The police had to face a tough time controlling the traffic as a large number of people had also come to witness six effigies going up in flames at the Parade Ground in Sector 5 here.

Haryana Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya, while congratulating the people of Panchkula on Dasehra, lauded the organisers for making proper arrangements for the function. He also honoured Tejinder Chauhan, a resident of Barara near Ambala, who had made the tallest effigy.

Vishnu Goel, chairman, Shri Mata Mansa Devi Dasehra and Development Committee, said the festival was organised on the lines of Kullu Dasehra. Cultural programmes were organised for five days for the first time here.

He said besides police, private security guards and bouncers were deployed to manage the crowd around the effigy at the ground.

Six effigies, including that of crime against women, stay away from diseases by adopting hygiene and wipe out drug menace, were set on fire at the Sector 5 parade ground. The festival at the parade ground was organised by Hindu Dharam Sabha Shri Ram Temple, Sector 2. Haryana DGP BS Sandhu was the chief guest on the occasion.

Ambala Member of Parliament (MP) Rattan Lal Kataria offered Rs 11 lakh to the club for organising the event.

Delhi’s renowned 80-member Ram Lakhan Band was also the main attraction during the Dasehra festival.

Guv lauds organisers

Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya, while congratulating the people of Panchkula on Dasehra, lauded the organisers for making proper arrangements for the function. He also honoured Tejinder Chauhan, a resident of Barara near Ambala, who had made the tallest effigy.

Traffic snarls in P’kula

A huge traffic jam was witnessed for about three hours after the Ravana’s effigy went up in flames. The police had to face a tough time controlling the traffic as a large number of people had also come to witness six effigies going up in flames at the Parade Ground in Sector 5 here.

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