BHOPAL: The inaugural function of the five-day grand programme ‘Lokrang’ was virtually ruined due to a sudden spell of rains, accompanied by hailstorm and strong winds on Thursday at the BHEL Dusshera Ground. Poor management and co-ordination led to chaos. About 5,000 persons were present at the venue when the weather turned nasty. As the people ran helter-skelter to save themselves from the rain and hailstones, all arrangements collapsed.
Pandals came down, water gushed inside and plywood pillars decorated with flex signboards came crashing down.
A large crowd had gathered at the venue to watch dance drama ‘Satrupa’, based on a Gond tribal tale ‘Basin-Kanya’ and was presented at open stage by 180 artsists including well-know film and TV actor Himani Shivpuri who was playing the role of narrator in the drama. The one-hour-thirty-long dance drama was abandoned midway due to the hailstorm.
“I have been part of Lokrang for the past six years but I never ever saw such a situation. It was really shocking. Due to hailstorm and heavy winds the pandal of green room almost collapsed. The artists of the dance drama, including children, did not know what to do. In fact, there was no organiser to protect the noted actor Himani Shivpuri. She was shouting for help and we took her to her car,” said a visitor adding that “We rescued some child artists who were taking shelter in green room. Some uncovered electricity wires were scattered on the ground. No doubt, it was a natural disaster but arrangements should be made to handle such situation in emergency. Mujhe es baar Lokrang jaisa feel nahi ho raha.”
To mark the Republic Day, the fest is being organised by the directorate of culture for the past 32 years. Noticeably, it was organised at Ravindra Bhawan earlier. The venue has been shifted owing to construction work in on the Bhavan premises.
