Lacklustre Puja, Ramlila Await Capital

As many committees go for big budget cuts, 10 days of festivities in Delhi are likely to be a lacklustre affair

- Sushant Mehra and Ajay Kumar

It was quite a spectacle when Prime Minister Narendra Modi released an arrow to symbolically set on fire a Ravana effigy during Dussehra celebrations organised by Luv Kush Ramlila Committee at Delhi’s August 15 Ground last year.

The event was also attended by President Ram Nath Kovind and a host of other dignitaries.

This year, however, the enthusiasm is missing at Luv Kush Ramlila Committee. Its main organiser Arjun Kumar Gupta said, “We depend on donations, but many businesses have backed off. Those who are still with us are giving smaller sums,” he said.

In a year, the committee has lost 3,800 contributing members – from 5,000 to 1,200. It has planned only 25 tableaux, down from last year’s 50. Major characters such Ram, Ravan and Sita will wear last year's costumes.

It’s not a one-off instance. As most Durga Puja and Ramlila organisers are reeling under the impact of the economic slowdown, the 10 days of festivities in Delhi are likely to be a lacklustre affair this year.

India’s economy clocked its weakest growth in more than six years at 5% in the April-June quarter, prompting the Opposition to mount an all-round attack on the government and forcing Finance Minister to announce back-to-back measures to address the slowdown.

Both Durga Puja and Ramlila committees have gone for 30 to 50% budget cuts as sponsorship and donations are down by 20 to 50%, multiple estimates show. There are no big plans for top celebs, performers and tech blitz like LED screens or expensive lights.