Ramlila stages get VVIP orator this yr

PM speech in US beamed live at venues

 For a change, the show stopper at some of Delhi’s popular Ramlila stages was neither Lord Ram or Demon King Ravana. It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The live beaming of Modi’s show on giant screens at venues of Ramlila in the city kept the audience captivated even as the curtains at some of the stages remained down for almost an hour.

Despite no performance on the stage, the green rooms at the back stage remained busy. Even artists with their make-up remained glued to live beaming on TV screens.“They also want to catch a glimpse,” said an organiser, pointing to an artist dressed-up as demon king Ravana. 

“It is entertaining,” said Prem Prakash, a resident of Ajmeri Gate who came to watch the Ramlila at Ramlila Maidan near Red Fort. “I have come to enjoy the double bonanza – Modi’s speech and Ramlila,” he said.

At another Ramlila organised in Pitampura by Raklakhan Dharmik Committee, the on-stage performance of the epic made way for Modi’s speech on the giant screen around 10 pm.  

“People in the US are also seeing the might of Indians. Also, the Indians across the globe are feeling proud about this development,” said Bhartiya Janata Party MLA N K Garg, who welcomed the live beaming of Prime Minister’s speech.

Not many complained as “Modi-lila”, being played out at the revolving stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City, edged out the live performance at Ramlila venues in Delhi around prime time.

“Modi-lila is also worth it,” said Ramesh, an old Delhi resident who initially wondered about the delay in Ramlila’s start but later settled for a Modi speech’s on the giant screen.Similar giant screens were also put up in some BJP offices, including the saffron party’s headquarters.

Sambit Patra, BJP spokesman, said: “The arrangements at Ramlila Maidan and the party headquarters also reflect the popular demand to see Modi in action in the US.”