The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : `Gandhigiri' versus Dasara spirit

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Thursday, Sep 28, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

`Gandhigiri' versus Dasara spirit

Staff Reporter

Consuming liquor and non-vegetarian food on Dasara day is a tradition in Telangana, including the twin cities, and Gandhi Jayanti coinciding with Dasara has put a question mark on the festivities

HYDERABAD: People are caught in a piquant situation over Dasara festivities. `Gandhigiri', the word much in fashion, thanks to the Hindi blockbuster `Lage Raho Munnabhai', is pitted against the customary Dasara merriment replete with the flow of liquor and choice non-vegetarian dishes.

Dasara, which happens to be the `day of Bacchus,' quite literally, in the twin cities, is Gandhi Jayanti day this year and needless to say, there is a feeling of `guilt' among those who had drawn up big and `spirited' plans for the day.

All the liquor outlets and meat shops will remain shut on Gandhi Jayanti, which means either stocking in advance for the D-day or giving up the festivities. Ironically, both are difficult propositions, revellers say.

Consuming liquor on Dasara day is a tradition in almost all parts of Telangana, including the twin cities, and Gandhi Jayanti coinciding with Dasara has indeed put the festivities in a spot of bother.

"Because people are not adhering to Gandhiji's principles, the Government has made it a rule to close down all liquor shops and meat shops on Gandhi Jayanti. But let us be realistic here. How many people are following these rules? Moreover, Ayudha Puja is on September 30 and most of them will try to compensate for the dry day," says secretary of Ganesh Utsav Committee and organiser for Bathkamma Jatara during Dasara G. Hanumantha Rao.

Stocking supply

However, few people are already putting their plans in action.

"We have decided to stock our supplies a day in advance. The two days of Dasara are meant for fun and enjoyment with near and dear. However, it does not mean that we do not have respect for Gandhiji," says T. Krishna Reddy a merchant in Uppal.

Gandhi Jayanti or not, Dasara merriment is poised for a full swing on October 2 in the twin cities.

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