BASANT PANCHAMI

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Elaborate arrangements for Basant Panchami bathing

SANGAM (ALLAHABAD): The Mela police, on Friday, reviewed the security arrangements in and around the area for Basant Panchmi bathing on Saturday.
Around 40 lakh pilgrims are expected to take a holy dip on the occasion.

Assignments have been given to the sleuths of quick reaction teams (QRTs), commandos and para-military forces. The personnel of the special task force and the anti-terrorist squad (ATS), bomb disposal squad, anti-mines squad and intelligence officials checked the ghats where devotees would take bath on Saturday.

DIG MK Bashal said that the Mela police have increased the strength of check points in the area and also implemented Disaster Management Plan (DMP) to deal with any eventuality.

Claiming that the number of pilgrims could be higher as schools and colleges would be closed on account of Basant Panchami, the Mela police have also drafted a special security plan to deal with any emergency. An emergency reserved route or evacuation route is under the police scanner.

The police checked all the vehicles coming to Allahabad.

Meanwhile, the Mela administration also checked the services to be offered to the pilgrims and asked health department to keep the area clean.

Basant Utsav from Jan 31

CHANDIGARH: The UT administration has decided to hold a two-day Basant Utsav-2009 from January 31 at Leisure Valley, Sector 10, that would aim
for the promotion of tourism, heritage and culture in Chandigarh and surrounding areas. The celebration would mark the annual Basant Panchami festival.

Besides the usual launching spring tree plantation campaign, there will be several contests and competitions like on-the-spot-painting for school children, kite-flying, tug-of-war, kabbadi, fancy dress, wrestling, turban tying. In a decision, administration has decided that participants and others would wear yellow costume to connect with the celebration.

Not only the costumes, but the food and drinks that would be available at the stalls will be of basanti colour. According to officials, special segments like Basant Bazaar, Basant Bhaar and Basant Darbar would be created for the occasion.

For the entertainment of people visiting the Basant Utsav special arrangement to entertain them through live bands has would be made. It was informed that there will be brass and pipe band show and an exhibition of international kites by the artists too would be held.

The ambience of the festival will be created in such a manner that it will promote heritage, tourism and culture, said a senior official, adding that there will be fun and frolic for every age group.

Considering that children love to enjoy their time with special attractions meant exclusively for them, administration has decided to place fun games, amusement park, one-minute games.

The event is being organised by Environment Society of India and supported by Tourism and Cultural Department, Chandigarh administration.