CM Khattar raises ‘Haryana ek Haryanvi ek’ slogan to eradicate casteism

Security was stepped up in the city, and all roads leading to the venue were closed to ensure one way flow of traffic. Despite, this, traffic snarls were witnessed on the roads. Highlighting that it was a historic day, Khattar said the festival has a universal significance as it symbolises the victory of good over evil. “The 10-day celebration includes Ramleela which showcases various facets of Lord Ram’s life and people can learn from him. The ideals he followed in life hold equal significance today as well. Corruption is also an evil and government requires support from each of the citizens to eradicate it,” the Chief Minister said.

Making an appeal to the people to ensure cleanliness in their surroundings and participate in Centre’s Swachh Abhiyan programme, Khattar also laid emphasis on the need to respect women at home as well as in the society.

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“Earlier, the sex ratio was 837 in Haryana and by September 2016 it has reached 922 which is a good sign. We all should also work to improve literacy levels,” he said. He also announced Rs 5 lakh grant for Mansa Devi Charitable and Development Trust and Adarsh Ramleela Dramatics Club, Panchkula. This year, a special aircraft was brought from Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation, Pinjore, which flew over the venue for around an hour and threw pamphlets of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. The organisers had highlighted that the celebrations would be used as an opportunity to urge people to stop female foeticide and also render active participation in Swachh Abhiyan.

The function began with a cultural programme as artistes led by Dilawar Kaushik presented a Haryanvi Folk dance, which was followed by performance from another group led by Harinder Singh. Heavy fireworks were witnessed at the venue, as the organisers used special crackers to symbolise the surgical strikes carried out by the Army recently.