by Anita Sood
Dusshera was celebrated in Silver Oaks after a gap of 12 years. As the three effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath were put up, the excitement amongst the children was palpable. The residents gathered in large numbers in the evening at the football grounds where the celebration was to be held. The children were not satisfied with sitting on the chairs laid out for the occasion but found vantage points higher up to watch the show. The President, Mr. Gulshan Sharma, and the Secretary, Mrs. Malti Sawhney, addressed the gathering.
Anecdotes about Shri Ram were played along with bhajans as the residents settled down. And then came the much anticipated Ravan Dahan. Board members fired arrows at the effigies one by one and much to everyone’s delight, they burst into flames and firecrackers in them made the children clap in delight. Slogans of Jai Shri Ram were raised by many, especially the children. For many of them it was the first Ravan Dahan they had seen.
Fire fighting equipment was kept ready at the venue as a safety precaution.
The presence of a large number of residents, the enthusiasm and bonhomie was good to see. Tea and piping hot snacks were served after the event which the residents thoroughly enjoyed.
