Ahmedabad Congress Seeks Diwali Deepotsav at Kankaria, Wants Free Entry Like Christmas Carnival
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Congress party has urged the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to organise a five-to-six-day ‘Kankaria Deepotsav’ during Diwali, on the lines of the annual Kankaria Carnival held during the Christmas season.
Rajesh T. Soni, General Secretary of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, has written to Municipal Commissioner Banchanidhi Pani, proposing a grand festival of lights at Kankaria Lake, featuring lakhs of earthen lamps, decorative lighting and cultural programmes.
The party has demanded that the proposed celebration be organised during the festive period covering Diwali, Gujarati New Year or Bestu Varas, Bhai Beej and Labh Pancham, starting from the upcoming Diwali.
Congress Proposes Five-to-Six-Day Festival at Kankaria
According to the proposal, Kankaria Lake should be decorated with lakhs of diyas and attractive lighting to create a festive atmosphere.
The proposed Deepotsav would also feature performances by well-known artists and singers, folk music programmes and entertainment activities for children and families.
The Congress has further demanded that entry to the festival be completely free for all citizens, similar to the Kankaria Carnival organised during Christmas.
‘Diwali Celebration Should Be Accessible to Every Family’
Soni pointed out that the AMC organises a grand Kankaria Carnival every year during the Christmas season, with performances by renowned artists and singers and a range of cultural programmes.
He argued that a similar public celebration should be organised during Diwali, one of the major festivals celebrated in Gujarat, so Ahmedabad residents can enjoy the festivities with their families within the city.
He said the proposed event would give citizens an opportunity to celebrate locally instead of travelling outside Ahmedabad during the Diwali holidays.
Congress Cites AMC’s ₹18,000-Crore Budget
The Congress leader also referred to the AMC's budget of approximately ₹18,000 crore, arguing that the civic body spends crores of rupees on various initiatives and should allocate funds for a public Deepotsav at Kankaria.
According to the proposal, such an event would allow poor and middle-class families to enjoy a large-scale Diwali celebration without incurring additional travel expenses.
The Congress has urged the municipal administration to accept the proposal and begin organising the Kankaria Deepotsav from the upcoming Diwali.
