Rajiv Modgil appointed adviser, Sanjeev Kohli coordinator; organisation to focus on technology-driven staging while promoting Lord Ram’s ideals and cultural values
CHANDIGARH | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
A special meeting of Jai Shri Ramlila Manch, Chandigarh, was held on Friday at Seven Eleven in Sector 17, where the executive body of the organisation was expanded and several prominent people from different fields were entrusted with new responsibilities.
The office-bearers said the organisation is committed to promoting religious and cultural traditions while taking the ideals, values and message of Lord Ram to society. They said the Manch would continue working to strengthen cultural activities in Chandigarh and provide a platform through which the younger generation could connect with India’s rich traditions and ethical values.
During the meeting, Rajiv Modgil, Vice-President of the Chandigarh Congress Committee and Organising Secretary of the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha, was appointed as an Adviser to Jai Shri Ramlila Manch. His experience in social, cultural and organisational activities is expected to contribute to the functioning of the organisation.
Sanjeev Kohli, Protocol Officer with the UT Administration, was given the responsibility of Coordinator. The Manch also appointed Sanjeev Mahajan, Director of Chandigarh Dinbhar, as an Adviser.
The executive body was further expanded with the inclusion of Sandeep Garg, District Nazir with the Chandigarh Administration; Ashok Kumar, a resident of Sector 44; Lalit Soni, Sukhlal, Manmohan, Vivek Thakur, Neeraj Mahajan and Gurlal Singh.
The office-bearers welcomed all the newly appointed members and expressed confidence that their experience, professional background and cooperation would strengthen the organisation’s activities. They said the expansion of the executive body would help the Manch improve coordination and undertake its cultural programmes in a more organised manner.
The meeting also focused extensively on preparations for the upcoming Ramlila. The Manch announced that, continuing the tradition of previous years, a grand and high-tech Ramlila would be staged in Chandigarh this year.
The organisers said modern technology would be incorporated into the presentation to make the performances more engaging and meaningful for audiences. Special attention would be given to stage design, lighting, sound arrangements and presentation techniques. The objective, they said, would be to create an impressive experience for viewers while retaining the traditional essence and message of Ramlila.
The office-bearers said the use of technology would not dilute the cultural character of the event. Instead, modern presentation methods would be used to communicate the timeless message of the Ramayana to audiences in a manner that appeals particularly to younger generations.
They emphasised that Ramlila is not merely a form of entertainment but an important medium for preserving Indian culture, traditions, values and social ideals. Through the characters and events depicted in the Ramayana, audiences are introduced to values such as truth, duty, sacrifice, discipline, respect for elders, compassion and responsibility towards society.
The Manch said that the ideals associated with Lord Ram remain relevant in contemporary society. At a time when young people are exposed to rapidly changing social and cultural influences, traditional events such as Ramlila can help connect them with the country’s heritage while presenting moral values in an accessible form.
The organisers said the upcoming production would therefore focus on both cultural authenticity and modern presentation. The stage, lighting and sound systems would be planned to enhance the storytelling, while performances would be designed to maintain the dignity and traditional character of the religious and cultural event.
The newly expanded team is also expected to play an important role in coordinating the arrangements for the event. The office-bearers said responsibilities would be distributed among members according to their experience and areas of expertise so that preparations could be completed smoothly.
The Manch also discussed the importance of ensuring proper coordination with the administration and other stakeholders during the Ramlila. The inclusion of people associated with administration, social organisations, cultural activities and other fields is expected to help strengthen coordination for the upcoming event.
The organisers appealed to residents of Chandigarh to participate in the forthcoming Ramlila in large numbers. They said public participation is essential for keeping cultural traditions alive and ensuring that such events remain connected with the community.
They further said that the Manch would seek to make the upcoming Ramlila a memorable cultural event for the city while ensuring that its central message remains focused on the ideals of Lord Ram and the values reflected in the Ramayana.
The office-bearers expressed hope that the expanded executive body would bring fresh ideas and greater organisational strength to the Manch. They said the new members would work collectively to promote religious and cultural activities and encourage greater community participation.
The meeting concluded with the resolve to make the upcoming Ramlila a grand, disciplined and culturally meaningful event. The Manch reiterated that its objective would remain to preserve the heritage of Ramlila, introduce innovative presentation techniques and use the platform to convey the timeless message of righteousness, duty and social harmony.
