Jamshedpur : The success stories of Indian women at Rio Olympics today inspired chief minister Raghubar Das to open dahi handi competitions for girls in city.
Hailing the achievements of shuttler P. V Sindhu and Sakshi Malik at the Rio Olympics, Raghubar Das announced during the prize distribution ceremony of dahi handi competition as part of the Janmashtami celebration organised by Surya Mandir Committee at Sidhgora that from next year even girls team will be allowed to participate in the competition.
� Our girls have proved themselves in every field. We have seen how female athletes brought laurels for our country at the recent Olympics and we must all them to exhibit their calibre in this traditional competition.
From next year we will allow even girls team in the competition. The organizers will bear the expense of Rs 3 lakh for imparting training to the girls� team prior to the competition,� said Das.
The chief minister also called upon youths to preserve traditions.�The idea of competitions is an attempt to preserve our ancient tradition and culture and more youths should be encouraged to preserve their culture and traditions,� the chief minister said.
Earlier, the chief minister gave cash awards and trophy to Bagun Nagar Baridih Basti team which won the competition by breaking the pot in shortest time (32.75 seconds) and got richer by Rs 21,000 while the second prize went to a group from Burmamines which broke the pot in 33.69 seconds and collected a cash prize of Rs 15,000. The third prize with a cash prize of Rs 11,000 went to Gorai and Son Group from Devnagar, Baradwari .
With elaborately decorated cradles and devotees offering prayers at temples the birth of Lord Krishna, Janmashtami was celebrated with much gaiety in city.
Surya Mandir Sidgora was beautifully decorated with streamers and lights which would be lit up at night. A huge tableau has been prepared and Lord Krishna and Radha in new clothes were decorated with flowers for the celebration picked momentum after sunset. Several competitions like Handi Fodh and Bal Krishna Sajao was organised.
The city was draped in a spirit of festivity as devotees thronged several decorated temples offering their prayers to the Lord. The entire city reverberated on the tunes of �Hare Krishna… hare krishna�.
