Journalism of Courage
Vighnaharta gets a warm send-off
Thousands descended on Laxmi Road and other parts of the city to bid adieu to Vighnaharta on Sunday. The Ganesh immersion processions on Sunday morning saw eye-catching performances and parades that enthralled the crowd.
The students of Netaji Subhashchandra Bose School presented a military-styled parade for the crowd.
A teacher,Sanjay Patil,said,The main reason for presenting a parade was to encourage youngsters to take up a career in the armed forces. We wish to show the world what kind of life the armed forces can offer.
The processions for the five Manache Ganpati (prominent Ganesh Mandals) were also lined up with a variety of brass bands performing not only local favourites but also classical numbers. Prominent among them were the Darbar Brass Band and the Prabhat Band. Another highlight of the processions were dhol-tasha groups performing throughout the route.
Lezhim dances are a speciality of the region so the students performed the dance during the procession. Dhol-tashas are common in Pune,we decided to showcase the speciality of our region, said Aniruddha Bhide,who trained the children of the City International School,Sangli.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar,Pune Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal performed the aarti of Kasba Ganpati,the first manacha Ganapati. Kasba Ganpati was accompanied by a dhol troupe with 150 dhols. The procession comprised a dozen foreign students and women. The procession reached Alka Chowk around 2.20 pm and the Ganesh idol was immersed at 3.45 pm at the ghat near Z bridge.
The Tambadi Jogeshwari Mandal procession that arrived an hour later was accompanied by Shivmudra Troupe and Taal Dhol Tasha Pathak. The procession had the theme of environment conservation and messages against female foeticide. Women,in saaris,shouted slogans and performed street plays based on these themes. Theimmersion of the idol took place around 4.20 pm.
The third Manacha Ganpati the Guruji Talim Mandal,which is celebrating its 125 years reached Alka Talkies Chowk at 5.30 pm. Shivgarjana Pathak,accompanying the Ganpati,enthralled the audience with a salaami of about 125 dhols. The main attraction of the procession was the Dhol- Lezhim troupe of 500 students from Subhash Chandra School.
The Tulshibaug Ganpati,the fourth Manacha Ganpati,arrived at 6.15 pm from Laxmi Road followed by Kesriwada Ganpati,the fifth Manacha Ganpati,which,as per tradition,arrived from Tilak Road at 6.30 pm. President of each Manache Ganpati and accompanying troupes were felicitated by the Mayor.
The visuals at the Alka chowk were treat for the eyes. Childrens troupes,clad in traditional clothes,performed lezhim,jhanjh and dhol-tashe. A malla khamb group performed acrobatic feats and captivated the audience. They presented pyramids in the lotus and lamp formation asanas.
Maharudra Satale from Parbhani,said,We dont have such a huge procession back home. Its quite fascinating to see these troupes perform with such coordination. Gaurva Tikekar from Narayangaon said,I come every year for the visarjan. This time I have brought my 6-year-old son with me.
Among the other prestigious mandals,the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Mandal and Hatti Ganpati Mandal entered the immersion procession around 12.30 am and their immersion took place at 7.30 on Monday morning.
CP skips Belbaug Chowk aarti
It has been a tradition with Commissioners of Police (CP) to perform an aarti before idols of major Ganesh mandals like the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati at Belbaug chowk during the immersion procession. Police commissioner Meeran Borwankar,however,avoided Belbag chowk during the procession. She said,For a commissioner of police,all mandals are the same. Performing aarti at only some of the mandals is not fair. Also,movement of the commissioner should be free during the procession. Going to the crowded Belbaug chowk could have restricted my movements across the city, she said.
Police mitra wields the baton
The was a scuffle at Belbaug chowk around 1 pm and the police had to resort to mild lathicharge on some mandal activists. A police mitra (citizen deployed as volunteers by police) at the spot was also seen beating activists with a stick. Police commissioner Meeran Borwankar later said that volunteers are roped in to help the police and are not suppose to misuse their powers. Borwankar said that henceforth,police mitras would be selected by senior police inspectors at police stations and their records would be verified a second time by the special branch before issuing I-cards to them.
