In an attempt to discourage drug use among youth in the State, an effigy of drugs raised along with effigies of Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhkaran was set ablaze in Phagwara in Punjab on the occasion of Dussehra festival on Friday.
“A 40-feet high black-robed effigy of drugs was set up and burnt along with effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran so that the State could get rid of evil of drugs and intoxicants, plaguing youths of Punjab,” said Maharana Partap Kala Manch Dussehra Committee chairman Darshan lal Dharamshot.
The other three effigies were a bit higher and made in conventional colours but the drugs’ demon was made in black colour, he said, adding, “This modern times evil of nashas (addiction) is ruining many areas of the country, especially Punjabis, in a catastrophic way”.
Similar traditional effigies of Ravana were burnt and people cutting across religious communities exchanged sweets and greetings as Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh joined the nation in celebrating the festival of Dussehra — marking the victory of forces of good over evil.
The effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkaran and son Meghnad were burnt and fire crackers set off at different places as scores of people watched. A tight security arrangement was made around places where the effigies were burnt, officials said, adding that the celebrations held with enthusiasm passed off peacefully. Reports of Dussehra celebrations were received from several parts of Punjab and Haryana and the two states’ joint capital Chandigarh.