City prays for ‘Vijay’ over COVID-19 on sombre Dussehra
   Date :25-Oct-2020

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Staff Reporter :
 
Dussehra or Vijayadashami is an occasion when the city of Nagpur attracts the attention of the world. For, on this day, two major annual events in city’s calendar are held. One is ‘Vijayadashami Utsav’ of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the another is ‘Dhammachakra Pravartan Din’ celebration at historic Deekshabhoomi. However, this year, the city will miss grandeur of both the events. Due to COVID-19, the celebrations will be sombre. ‘Dhammachakra Pravartan Din’ celebrations attract lakhs of Ambedkarites from across the country. Every year, the people start pouring in at least two days ahead of Vijayadashami. A section celebrated ‘Dhammachakra Pravartan Din’ on October 14 every year. This year, due to COVID-19 pandemic, there is restriction on crowding.
 
Hence, on October 14 also, only a limited number of people visited the place. Many bowed in reverence from outside the Deekshabhoomi gates. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti also cancelled the usual grand programme and appealed to the people to celebrate ‘Dhammachakra Pravartan Din’ at home. Police bandobast was deployed around Deekshabhoomi as usual. Barricades were placed and policemen as well as volunteers near the barricades appealed to the devotees to avoid crowding near Deekshabhoomi. “Good health of our brethren is our responsibility in this fight against COVID-19. Hence, do not crowd near Deekshabhoomi,” stated the banner put up by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti. Usually, ‘Vijayadashami Utsav’ of RSS is held at Reshimbagh ground. The swayamsevaks assembly in big number, conduct physical drills in a disciplined manner, present song.
 
A dignitary invited as chief guest addresses the gathering, which comprises of not only swayamsevaks of RSS but also invitees from various walks of life and representatives of different religions and sects. The highlight of the programme is the speech of Sarsanghchalak. However, due to COVID-19 and related guidelines, RSS is conducting this programme at Maharshi Vyas Sabhagruha of Dr Hedgewar Smriti Mandir, Reshimbagh at 8 am on Sunday. Dr Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Sarsanghchalak, will deliver his address. A limited number of people and guests will attend the programme.
 
There will be no physical drills presented by Swayamsevaks. Rajesh Loya, Mahanagar Sanghchalak; and Shridhar Gadge, Mahanagar Sah-Sanghchalak, have appealed to the people to watch the event live on facebook.com/RSSOrg or on YouTube.com/-RSSorg or on twitter.com/-RSSorg. Besides, the event will be telecast live on Doordarshan, Sudarshan TV, UCN, and other TV channels, stated a press release. Similarly, Rashtra Sevika Samiti’s ‘Vijayadashami Utsav’ will be streamed live online on Facebook from 4 pm to 5.30 pm. Shantakka, Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, will deliver the address. The programme will be live-streamed on www.facebook.com/RSSamiti; rashtrasevikasamiti.org and twitter@RSevikaSamiti. This year, almost all the festivals have been celebrated in a sombre manner.
 
The festivals were celebrated, without usual festivities. During Ganeshotsav also, many mandals decided not to install the idol of the deity. The organisations that installed the idols of deity, also did it conforming to the guidelines issued by the Government. During Navratri too, the usual fervour of Raas, Dandiya, Garba was not there. Many organisations either did not install the idols of deity or installed smaller idols as per the guidelines issued by the Government. The festive season will continue even after Vijayadashami. There will be Eid, Diwali, Chhath Pooja, Christmas etc later in the year. The people will continue to follow the Government guidelines and avoid crowding, to strengthen the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Though there were, are, and will be, no usual festivities, there was a common prayer to deity -- Help the humanity come out of COVID-19 crisis.