It is very unfortunate to hear what has happened at Prayagraj the other day…

By Deepak Panwar, I.A.S. (Retd)

I recollect my days as Sub Collector (Grade-1), Rajahmundry in January 1978. Late Sri Krishna Swamy, the then Chief Secy. selected me for this assignment as Pushkaram was to take place in 1979. It was a challenging assignment as lakhs of pilgrims visited Rajahmundry for a holy dip in the river Godavari at Pushkaralupet.
I had to remove a lot of encroachments including more than a dozen small temples that were constructed by vested interests and were falling in the way obstructing the free flow of pilgrims. I removed these temples, duly following religious rituals, and relocated them on one side. The local people/representatives of people and priests of local temples helped me in this task. Of course, my batchmate Mr. Ahluwalia IPS, ASP Rajahmundry rendered an excellent help.
The present open space, platforms near Pushkaralupet, which we see now, were constructed by me. A temporary Pushkarnagar was set up for pilgrims at appropriate places in the city with the help of voluntary service organizations. The statue of Godavari Mata was installed at the Ghat.
The then CM Mr. Chenna Reddy came to Rajahmundry a few days before to inspect the arrangements made and he was impressed. Before his departure at the Rajahmundry railway station, he dictated an order to post me after the Pushkaram as Dy. Secy GAD, an important portfolio that was directly under him.
The Pushkaram went off very well without any mishaps. No special treatment was given to any VVIPs. Even the CM did not visit the district during the Pushkaram days. Such was the confidence placed by the government in the team of officials headed by the then District Collector Sri S Narayanan.
Later on, in the year 1982, when our batch was ready for posting as District Collectors, I was posted to East Godavari as the Collector as perhaps people and their representatives wanted me to serve them again. I remain grateful to the people of this district for bestowing this privilege in recognition of my work during the 1979 Pushkaram.
It is very unfortunate to hear what happened in Prayag Raj the other day.