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India
Goes Festive Amidst Tight Security
NEW
DELHI: The festival season has begun
in northern India, this year in the background of a series of stepped
up militant attacks at several places and communal disturbances in Gujarat.
The police therefore are on their toes everywhere. Special security
arrangements are being made, especially at the venues of the current
10-day celebrations of Dussehra (Ramlila) and Durga Puja, culminating
on Tuesday, October 15.
In
Delhi, the Capital of India,especially, disaster management centres
have been set up. Sniffer dogs will be deployed at places of various
functions, where usually people throng in large numbers. The police
have identified all major venues of Ram Lila and idol immersion. There
will be commandos positioned t high risk areas and mobile anti-terrorist
squads have been formed.
For
north Indians, the ten-day Dussehra ends with the burning of effigies
of Ravan, the demon king who kidnapped Lord Ram's consort Sita and was
killed in a war that followed - symbolising victory of good over evil.
For others like Bengalis it is the period of
Durga (Goddess of power) puja
festival, ending in the immersion of idols in river. Usually both fall
on the same day. For all Hindus the period of celebration is also called
Navratri, culminating in Vijaydashami (victory day). South Indians perform
Saraswathi (Goddess of learning) puja, confined to their homes and limited
to a visit to the temple in the morning. Deepavali, a greater festival,
follows on November 4. Thereafter Christmas, which is also celebrated
all over India on a large scale.
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