Bhopal: “Burning Ravana’s effigy is a tradition, but eliminating Ravana’s tendencies from society is our responsibility. Despite possessing immense knowledge and power, Ravana allowed his ego to overpower his wisdom, which ultimately led to his downfall,” said senior journalist, author and political analyst Krishnamohan Jha.

He was speaking as the keynote speaker at the 24th edition of the Sanskar Utsav Samiti’s annual event.

Sharing his experience of exploring Ravana’s character while writing his novel Trijata, Jha said Ravana was a learned scholar, a devotee of Lord Shiva and a ruler endowed with extraordinary power. However, he made the mistake of placing his desires above moral boundaries and righteousness.

“Without wisdom alongside knowledge, restraint alongside power, and humility alongside capability, downfall becomes inevitable,” he observed.

Jha urged people to use Vijayadashami as an occasion not merely to burn Ravana’s effigy but also to resolve to eliminate evils such as arrogance, injustice and disrespect towards women from their own lives and society.

“Chanting the glory of Lord Ram is an expression of faith, but following his ideals is the true victory of Vijayadashami,” he said.

A distinctive tradition of the Sanskar Utsav Samiti is to reduce the height of Ravana’s effigy by one foot every year. Continuing this practice, a 41-foot effigy of Ravana was burnt this year. The tradition symbolically conveys the message of gradually reducing social evils and bringing about positive change.

Former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, former Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation chairman Tapan Bhaumik, Bhopal Mayor Malti Rai, Samiti president Dr Shantanu Sharma and convener Surjeet Chauhan attended the event.

The programme was conducted by Pankaj Shrivastava and Radhika.