The Last Word

The Ravana and the Gutka

Rajen Kumar
Nov 2008
The Ravana and the Gutka 

It was a grand finale like every year. The effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath were waiting to be consigned to flames in Subhash Maidan in Delhi on the Dusehra day.
 

However, all eyes turned towards the VVIP guests, Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Vice President Hamid Ansari and a few other dignitaries who obliged the audience and the organizers by their arrival and also to accomplish the traditional ceremonies.
 
The man on the mike was more audible as his enthusiasm paced with the passing of moments. The PM, Sonia Gandhi and the Vice President were the star attractions as rituals were observed. Ravana and his two accomplices stood tall and high.
The mandap in which the dignitaries were sitting faced the well-decorated Shamiana. What seemed to greet the VVIPs, the Ravana and his accomplices was a series of display boards atop the Shamiana advertising a popular brand of GUTKA. Camera showed the message in pride as it panned left to right and right to left showing to the world at large that Gutka still rules the roost.
It was confusing though, as to who sponsored whom. Gutka sponsored the dasera or dasera sponsored the Gutka. God..ooops.. the organisers alone knew.
 
Who allowed the organizers to display Gutka and its message of tobacco under the very nose of our VVIPs overshadowing the message of Dasera - the triumph of good over evil - even while the Government's harsh measures to ban smoking are underway?
Kind Attention: Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, The Health Minister of India.
 
High Tension Parties: Courtesy Delhi Tourism
 
Azad Hind Gram Tourist Complex at Tikri Kalan is a project developed by Delhi Tourism to honour Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and “to create quality leisure space” and wayside amenities for the citizens, says the website of Delhi Tourism and adds that its architecture is inspired by the language of North Indian achitecture and the traditions of Indian craftsmanship.
 
Located barely two KM from the Delhi Haryana border on NH-10 on Rohtak Road, Azad Hind Gram Tourist Complex has been leased out to a catering and tent enterprise which claims to be “official caterers for Delhi Tourism”
Surprise is not only that it has been leased to a catering company for 'honouring' the great freedom fighter. What is intriguing is that marriage and other parties are being held here under very high tension wires posing a potential danger to the lives of hundreds of people who gather here to rejoice and attend a variety of functions.
 
The questions: 
 
How has Delhi Tourism conveniently flouted the rules of safety? In what way the leasing out of the premise is going to help Delhi Tourism's objectives of promoting tourism in the capital.
 
The General Manager of Delhi Tourism Kulanand Joshi, on enquiry, was at a loss to give us any tangible answer but was quick to reply, “I have just joined the department and I am not aware of this.” He further requested me to "please write to me and I will go into the details.”
 
We believe better sense will prevail in Delhi Tourism before it is too late.
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