Gadchiroli Oct. 7 (District Correspondent) ‘Samrat Ravana Festival’ was organized at village Maldugi in Kurkheda taluka the other day by Gondi Dharma Mahasangha.
Mr. Ramesh Korcha, tribal leader presided over the programme while Mr. Ramdas Masram, tribal activist, Ms. Akanksha Naitam, Sarpancha, Sandhya Naitam, former Chairperson of Panchayat Samiti, Bhimrao Patrikar, Ishwar Chaudhari, Yashodhara Nandeshwar were prominently present.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Korcha said Samrat Ravana is revered by the tribal community in India and many other parts of the world. It is therefore very wrong to burn his effigy. It hurts the sentiments of the crores of tribals and also creates a rift in the society. This practice should be stopped immediately, he demanded.
Tribals have a great tradition and culture. This culture never believes in any sort of discrimination and treats everyone equally. Tribals are the worshippers of the nature and have also fought bravely for its protection. They have their own identity and that needs to be preserved, said Mr. Korcha further.
The other guests also expressed their views on the occasion and strongly opposed the practice of burning Ravana effigy. The tradition of Ravana Festival was started in 1994 by Mr. Dukru Naitam of village Maldugi and that is continued till today, it was told by the organizers.
PARASWADI-Similar programme was organized at village Paraswadi in Dhanora taluka. Mr. Manirawan Dugga, well known tribal activist presided over the programme while Ms. Malta Pudo, President of Adiwasi Mahila aghadi, Prashant Madavi, Youth Leader, Vinod Dugga, social worker were prominently present.
A grand procession of the portrait of Ravana was taken out in the village which culminated into a public meeting in front of the Ravana idol.
Addressing the gathering Mr. Dugga mentioned Ravana as a loving and humanitarian King and said he preached equality and brotherhood to the people. There was no place for hatred in his Rule. Love, compassion and peace was his teaching. It is needed to follow the path shown by this great Raja, he stated.
Mr. Ganesh Halami made an introductory speech and gave the details of the programme. Hiraman Tulavi conducted the programme and Avinash Poretti proposed the vote of thanks. A large number of villagers attended the programme.
At various other places like Sironcha, Kamlapur, Dudhmala also the programmes of Ravana puja were organized by the tribals with great enthusiasm.
