Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Ram Leela celebrations at the DDA grounds in Dwarka. Modi urged people to work towards furthering the empowerment of women and ensuring their dignity by taking forward the spirit of Navratra, as he participated in Dussehra festivities in the national capital.
Narendra Modi also said that as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary they should take up the mission of not wasting food, conserving energy and water and avoiding single-use plastic. He exhorted the people to kill the demon within "if we really want to feel Lord Ram", stressing that "defeating our weaknesses is our duty".
Greeting people on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said India is a land of festivals. "Festivals are the life of our country. This Diwali we should felicitate our daughters who have achieved something or who have inspired others."
Narendra Modi applied 'tilak' on the forehead of participants playing the role of Ram, Sita and Lakshman at the stage. The 107-ft effigy of the demon king Ravana and those of Kumbhakarna and Meghanad were prepared with green crackers, said chairman of Dwarka Sri Ramleela Society Rajesh Gehlot
This is the first time that PM Modi celebrated Dussehra at Dwarka and not at the Ramleela Maidan where top dignitaries usually participate in the festivities.
Prime Minister Modi was speaking at a Dussehra event organised at Dwarka where giant effigies of demon king Ravana and those of Kumbhakarna and Meghanad were burnt, signifying the triumph of good over evil.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Dussehra called for eliminating social evils like casteism, fundamentalism, corruption and discrimination that impede the progress of the society and the nation.
Venkaiah Naidu and former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday participated in the Dussehra celebrations at the Ram Leela grounds in New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Venkaiah Naidu extolled the virtues of Lord Rama's kingdom which was believed to have been an ideal state and said Mahatma Gandhi also dreamt that India should aim for 'Ram Rajya'.
After making a grand entrance on a crane, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday participated in the Dussehra celebrations at the traditional Luv Kush Ramlila celebrations at the Red Fort grounds in New Delhi on Tuesday evening.
The Delhi Chief Minister urged people to abstain from burning firecrackers during the upcoming Diwali festival and told them of a new event planned for a day earlier.
Arvind Kejriwal began his speech by raising slogans of 'Jai Shri Rama' and was felicitated by presenting a turban and an idol of Lord Ram, Maa Sita and Laxman. Actress Bhumi Pednekar was also present at the event.
Arvind Kejriwal also witnessed the burning of giant effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarn and Meghnad signifying the triumph of good over evil, during the event.
Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar wore a royal blue salwar kameez at the event. She also has films like "Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare", "Bala" and "Pati, Patni Aur Woh" releasing this year. Year 2020 will see her cast in Karan Johar's magnum opus "Takht" and "Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship" with Vicky Kaushal.
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