Ramlila that promotes communal harmony

KANPUR: The famous Ramlila, depiction of events of Ramayan through plays, began at historic Parade Ground on Tuesday.
Presenting an example of communal harmony, the people of both - Hindu and Muslim communities - joined hands to ensure smooth organisation of Ramlila.
Ramlila is organised at Parade Ground every year, but for this holy activity, the Muslim brethren have to vacate their shops situated inside the Parade Ground to facilitate their Hindu brothers in organising the Ramlila.
This year too, the same exercise was followed and the ground was vacated to facilitate the organisers to begin Ramlila.
The Parade Ground over 150 shops, mainly run by the people of Muslim community. These shops are shifted to nearby locations so that the entire area could be made available to the Parade Ramlila Samiti for one month.
The Parade market has shops dealing in almost all kinds of articles like cloths, books, garments, sweets etc.
Kanpur Nagar Nigam authorities charge rent from the shopkeepers having their establishments at Parade Ground.
Mobin Khan, a shopkeeper, told TOI, "I have been running my shop in this ground for over 15 years. All the shopkeepers here are Muslims. For organising Ramlila, the shopkeepers provide space to the organisers."
Saleem Ansari, a 50-year-old shopkeeper, said, "I have seen life from close quarters and witnessed the Ramlila that is held here every year at the Parade Ground. More than 120 years have passed since Ramlila was organised here for the first time. Every year, shopkeepers, mostly Muslims, vacate this area of the Parade Ground so that Ramlila could be organised conveniently."
V K Agarwal, a member of Parade Ramlila Society, said, "This is for the 135th year that we are conducting Ramlila at this ground. Our grandfathers also used to organise Ramlila here. It is with the support of these Muslim brothers that we have been successful in conducting Ramlila for so many years now."
Mayor Ravindra Patni said, "Since my childhood, I have seen these hundreds of traders doing business through the shops located inside the Parade Ground. They fully cooperate with the Ramlila Samiti officials by vacating this place."