This Dussehra, this is a story to warm your heart. For the first time in the city, a Sikh is at the helm of a committee to organise the festivities. Charanjeet Singh Channi, a resident of Civil Lines, has been elected as the president of the Shri Dussehra Committee, Upkar Nagar. He won by 42 votes.

Channi, a businessman, said: “Some of the members did protest saying a Sikh could not be the president of a Dussehra committee. They wanted a Hindu at the post. But I did not back out.”

He added: “I have deep regard for every religion. Serving on the committee will give me immense satisfaction and I also plan to bring about some vital changes in its functioning. We have doubled the decorations and implemented crowd control measures at the Ram Leela function. At Friday’s function, we had over 10 bands playing in the scene wherein Lord Rama weds Sita. We have also displayed around 40 tableaus depicting different scenes from the Ramayana.”

As every year, the Ram Leela attracts people from all religions, cast and creed. Aslam, a resident of Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, said: “I love watching

it every year as it represents the victory of good over evil.”

Karnail Singh, a farmer from Jhande village, said: “I used to perform in the Ram Leela when I was in school. Now, whenever I watch it, I am reminded of my childhood.”