When skin gets darkened due to scorching heat (due to ultra-violet rays), it is called in English as ‘sunburn’. Sunburn festival has similarity with the meaning as it darkens the cultural and moral life of young generation through drug-addictions and immoral activities carried on during this festival, that is being held from 28th to 31st December at Fursungi (Dist. Pune). People, who value Indian culture, are opposing to this festival and strongly demanding cancellation of such festival in Pune, which is known to be the cultural capital of this country.
1. Why Pune is chosen for Sunburn festival ?
In the background of Sunburn, the matter regarding Pune and drug-addictions needs to be considered seriously. The organizers of this program, were refused permission to hold it in Goa, and selected Pune instead of cities like Mumbai, Nagpur or other cities in the State. It was not a random selection. Selection of Pune could be because of its already falling in clutches of drug-addiction.
2. Pune in clutches of drugs !
Pune is known as the centre of knowledge. Pune is educational centre and many young men and women from other States so also countries come here for education. It must be the reason that Pune has been targeted for drug-trafficking and getting customers for their consumption. The percentage of youth falling prey to addictions is noticeable. As per one statistics, 10.80 crore youth have fallen in the clutches of addictions. Every year 10 lakh people die due to excess smoking. India stands second after China in highest number of smokers.
Incidents of drug-trafficking and confiscation of drugs are on rise in Pune. Recently, a student from Symbiosis College, along with another person was arrested by police for having Mephedrone (MD) drug. MD worth Rs. 1, 09,000 and Skoda car was confiscated from them by police. Police got news about two persons coming to CCD in Viman nagar area for sale of drugs and they arrested them. In this month, even at Pimpri, a Muslim woman, in veil, named Samira Faizan Ahmad Ansari was arrested by anti-drugs squad and 1 kg brown sugar worth Rs. 50 lakhs was confiscated from her. In high society like Koregaon Park area, we read news about sale of drugs on large scale. Recently a Nigerian citizen named Levi Madugve was arrested by anti-robbery squad of CID in Sadhu Vasvani Chowk and cocaine worth Rs. 1.13 lakhs was confiscated from him.
Along with drugs, issue related to ‘Rave’ parties is also alarming. ‘Rave’ parties are held at Lonavala and in bungalows on Mumbai –Pune highway; by hiding from police though it is open secret. In March 2007, police took into custody more than 250 youth during raid conducted in a Rave party held at the foothill of Sinhagad. The above examples are enough to explain the fearsome grip of drugs over Pune city and surrounding areas.
3. Why high society people falling prey to addictions ?
It has been observed that mostly youth from high society are taking part in consumption of drugs and Rave parties. The reason for the same is wealth of ‘sanskars’ ! The wealth of ‘sanskars’ is depleting day by day; still in middle class families, the thread of ‘sanskars’ is found; whereas in high society families, Hindu culture, Dharmacharan, sanskars are discarded, treating them as ‘worthless’. Young men and women from such high society fall prey to various addictions and get totally under the grip of addictions; making their life worthless.
4. Western music increases irresponsible behavior !
One more common thing found in ‘high profile’ feasts is western/Pop music played on DJ ! In Sunburn festival also electronic instruments are used and people dance in vulgar manner. Under the guise of enjoyment, then young people start dancing on pop music, increasing irresponsible behavior. One will not experience such things when Indian classical music is played. Nobody will think of dancing in irresponsible manner while classical music is played. Moreover, people experience peace while listening to Indian music.
5. Are other sources of revenue and tourism over ?
Maharashtra State Tourism Minister had announced during ‘Pune Film Festival’ held at ‘Ganesh Kala Kreeda Mandir’ during Ganesh festival that Pune city was going to be gifted with Sunburn festival on the occasion of western new year (1st January). Accordingly, Maharashtra Government has spread red carpet for organizers of Sunburn festival. The Minister patted his back justifying holding of such programs for increase in revenue and tourism although organizing programs like Sunburn to attract tourists is like ignoring our true precious stones like diamonds and pearls and showing off by wearing a string of simple stones. Every year ‘Sawai Gandharv’ festival is held in Pune. People from other countries also come to enjoy classical music. There are many extraordinary things in Pune like ‘Sawai Gandharv Mahotsav’ and even in India but it is unfortunate that program like Sunburn is proposed to be held here.
6. All Indian citizens worshipping radiance will oppose to this program in lawful manner !
The basic nature of Hindus is full of radiance; they believe in worshipping ‘Tej’ and awaken ‘Brahma-shakti’ in them. It is therefore, necessary to oppose, in lawful manner, a program like Sunburn which darkens skin due to the hot Sun.
– Prof. (Kum) Shalaka Sahastrabuddhe
