MATABARI / UDAIPUR, October 24 (TIWN): Power Minister Manik Dey inaugurated the two day long Diwali Festival 2014 here at the Dhanyamanikya Mukta Mancha by lighting the lamp. Sharp at 6pm the Diwali Festival 2014 was inaugurated by the Minister. Minister for Tourism and DWS dept Ratan Bhowmik is the Chief Guest on this occasion. Forest and Rural Development Minister Naresh Jamatia inaugurated the Exhibition stalls of different state govt departments, SBI and other organizations. He also inaugurated the Tribal Cultural Stage. Chief Secretary G Kameswar Rao remained present as Special Guest. Among others who remained present on this occasion include Gomati Zila Parish ad Sabhadhipati Suniti Saha, Chairperson of Udaipur Municipal Council Manika Das, SDM Udaipur Ajit Debnath etc. Diwali Festival Committee Chairman MLA Madhab Saha presided over the Programme and gave away the Welcome Address.Though the official inauguration was done at 6pm but from the morning itself lakhs of people from different parts of the state as well the country and behind her borders started to throng the streets leading to MataBari.

 As per police estimate upto  10.30pm more than one and half lakh people assembled at MataBari and Tripurasundari Temple . It is expected that around 5 lakh tourists and devotees will come to this fair. The temple and fair complex are flooded with sadhus, women, men, children and youths. Adequate security arrangements have been taken for the safety and security of the people who come here. I G (Law & Order) Anurag Dhyankar and DIG(Southern Range) Uttam Kumar Majumder have already arrived in the evening and they will supervise the entire security arrangements. Speaking to TIWN SDPO Udaipur Ratan Kumar Das said," 2000 police personnel along with 500 volunteers from NCC, NSS, Red Cross, Disaster Management and around 150 plain cloth police have been deployed at different sectors. The police personnel are stationed and divided in 17 different divisions. Apart from this two boats of Disaster Management Team are stationed at Kalyan Sugar to prevent any untoward incident. " The entire Temple Complex and Fair Complex are being monitored through CCTV cameras. Two control rooms too have been opened to assist the tourists and devotees.

Thrusday midnight picture of Maa Tripura Sundari at Matabari,Udaipur.TIWN Pic Oct 24

      The Tripurasundari temple and the four banks of Kalyan Sugar are magnificientky illuminated with lights and reflection in Kalyan Sugar too is mesmerizing. At 11pm thousands are seen standing in different lines waiting for their turn to worship Mata Tripurasundari. Around 1300 commercial stalls have been opened. And the famous 'Pera' is being sold in every ' Pera Bhandar'. As of now it can be assumed as midnight approaches crowd gathering too will increase.

      Speaking on this occasion Chief Secretary G Kameswar Rao said," Diwali is well known as the festival of light. But for me it is not only a festival of light ; it is journey from darkness to light. And to be honest journey from darkness to light signifies much. It is actually a journey to overcome unemployment, lack of communication, removal of illiteracy and sprayed of knowledge." In his inaugural speech Power Minister Manik Dey specifically mentioned," Women are treated as mothers. And without women civilization won't run. As such women must be respected and be given their due dignity. But in recent it is seen that society is not showing proper respect towards the women. This is very dangerous for the entire society. "Manik Dey probably uttered these words as part of damage control of the CPI(M) and state govt's image which has been badly suffered after the Tata Kalibari incident where a woman namely Soma Majumder was brutally assaulted in broad day light by the women leaders of CPI(M). Even the Governor P B Acharya had to intervene. Manik Dey further said that its for the development of a society peaceful situation is an essential ingredient. And in no way peace be allowed to be disturbed by the divisive forces.

      Around 500 school children took part in Mashal Michhil. More than 100 firecrackers were burst. Twenty 'Aakash Pradip' were enlightened. It is to be mentioned here that Diwali Festival in MataBari began around 1940 and from then it is being observed every year. And day by day Diwali Mela has assumed the stature of the greatest festival not only in Tripura but in the entire North-Easter region. And now it is termed as the Kumbha of the North-East.