Kashmiri Pandits gear up to celebrate Dushera festival in Srinagar
32 feet long Ravan statue to be torched; Event incomplete without Participation of Muslims, people from other communities: Ratan Chakoo, KPSS Gen Sec
Srinagar : Kashmiri Pandits have made all arrangements to celebrate the Dushera festival in Srinagar this evening.
The event has been organised by the Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS), a non-migrant Kashmiri Pandit Organisation.
Talking to reporters, KPSS General Secretary Ratan Chakoo said that they have been celebrating the festival of Dushera since 2007 in Srinagar. “All communities celebrate this festival together. Not only the different communities living in Kashmir but the tourists and pilgrims present in Kashmir also take part in the festival,” he said. Chakoo said that the 32-feet Ravan would be set afire at 5:30 pm.
“Everyone who attends the event will be the chief guest of the event,” he said. Asked whether it was true that the KPSS has brought the Ravan statues from Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh and same are being made by Muslims, he said: “It is not the question who made the Ravans we are going torch later. We are all first humans and we are working together,” he said. The event will be held in Polo Ground, Srinagar. Dusehra, also known as Vijayadashami or “the day of victory,” comes after the nine nights of Navratri.
Chalkoo said that the festival of Dusheera marks victory of good over bad. Sandeep Koul, another KP said the today’s event is being organised by KPSS in collaboration with Puneet Bhalan Group.
“The event will start at 5:30 pm and end at 7 pm. This event will display the communal harmony and unity between various communities. We enjoy full support of majority community people here,” Koul said, urging every one to join the event.