Sky Lanterns Illuminate the Night in Memory of Martyrs, 101 Lamps Offered to the Ganga
Annual Sharad Purnima event held at Dashashwamedh Ghat; 11 police and PAC personnel honoured for their supreme sacrifice
Varanasi: Dashashwamedh Ghat was illuminated with the glow of sky lanterns on Sharad Purnima as a tribute to police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty while protecting the public. During the annual programme organised by the Gangotri Seva Samiti, 11 martyrs were remembered and paid heartfelt homage amid the stirring melodies of the PAC band. After sunset, the sky lanterns, arranged in bamboo baskets, glowed brilliantly against the moonlit night, creating a spectacular sight. In a solemn gesture of remembrance, 101 lamps were also offered to the sacred waters of the Ganga.
Dr. Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, Minister of State in the Uttar Pradesh government, along with other distinguished guests, lit sky lanterns in memory of the fallen personnel. The names of the martyrs were recalled, and tribute was paid to their extraordinary courage, sacrifice and dedication to duty.
Earlier, five Vedic priests performed the Shodashopachara Puja of Maa Ganga. Gangotri Seva Samiti President Pt. Kishori Raman Dubey said that sky lanterns are lit along the banks of the Ganga during the holy month of Kartik in memory of police and PAC personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. According to religious belief, these lamps illuminate the path of departed souls. Lamp offering holds special significance during Kartik, and the sky lanterns symbolise society’s reverence, respect and gratitude towards the martyrs.
11 Martyrs Remembered
The following personnel were honoured for their supreme sacrifice:
Sub-Inspector Mohit Kumar
Sub-Inspector Satyabhan Singh
Constable Ashok Kumar
Constable Pradeep Kumar
Fire Service Driver Tirathpal
Fireman Constable Rohit
Constable Jitendra Kumar
Sub-Inspector Rahmat Ali
Sub-Inspector Santosh Kumar Yadav
Constable Ravneesh Kumar
Constable Nishant Chaudhary
Distinguished Guests Attend the Ceremony
Prominent attendees included Shri Mahant Mahamandaleshwar 1008 Sukdo Das Ji Maharaj of Brahm Rishi Bhandkhandi Ashram, Angad, Regional Manager of Central Bank, Ashok Gupta, Deputy Zonal Head of UCO Bank, and Dilip Kumar, former Assistant Commandant of the CRPF.
Samiti Secretary Dinesh Shankar Dubey, Kanhaiya Tripathi, Gangeshwardhar Dubey and several other distinguished personalities were also present. The programme was conducted by Rajesh Shukla, convenor of Namami Gange.