Lord Rama’s fiery win entertains many

It was a crackling start to a fun-filled Dussehra on Wednesday evening. People got their photographs clicked with Ramleela characters, who preached wisdom to schoolchildren. Scores of makeshift shops selling toys and sweets had been set up at sectors 46, 17, 34 and 24; and thousands of people reached the venues 4pm onwards, and waited till the time Ravan effigies went up in flames.
Once the shobha yatra from Sector-32 Sanatan Dharam concluded, Ram, Ravan and Hanuman alighted from their chariots and posed with hundreds of families. “My kids were so excited to shake hands with Lord Ram. They had been seeing his performance in Ramleelas for a week. The evening was a memorable experience and it was fun to see the effigy burning,” said Kamaldeep of Sector 44.
Sunil Sharma, who played the role of Ravan, is a regular blood donor and he encouraged the youth to participate in blood donation camps. In Sector 46, organizers could be seen repairing effigies that were partly damaged in Tuesday showers. However, Raman Lamba of Sector 48 complained: “It was a huge Ravan figure but the moment it was set ablaze, people stood on their chairs spoiling the scene.” The celebrations concluded with a spectacular show of fireworks.