Sudha may take part in Bibi ka Alam rally

Hyderabad: After taking part successfully in Bonalu procession, 'Sudha', the new elephant brought from Karnataka, will also be taking part in the centuries-old procession of Bibi Ka Alam in the month of September. Organisers will be officially getting a nod from the Ministers including Home and Forest, after formally having discussion over modalities.

Speaking to The Hans India, the Fatima Seva Dal Society general secretary and Mujawar of Bibi Ka Alam, Aliuddin Arif, said that he would be formally meeting Home Minister Mohammad Mehmood Ali and Forest Minister Allola Indrakaran Reddy on Wednesday and would discuss the modalities.

"I shall be submitting to them a letter of appreciation and formally seek nod for availing of the services of new elephant in the procession. As transporting the animal to and fro from neighbouring State is a tedious task and could impact its health, we shall be requesting the government to ensure that it stays on a for few days in between rehearsals and the day of actual procession," he said.

With just a month left for the next event, where an elephant will be seen in the streets of the Old City once again for the procession, the organisers have already discussed the matter with high officials from police and other departments.

Even the mahout (mahavath) was given details about the Bibi Ka Alam, the total weight and the nature of the items which have to be carried on the elephant. Sudha will be back in the first week of September for rehearsals, which will be held on September 4 and will take part in the traditional procession of Bibi Ka Alam which begins from Dabeerpura on the day of Youm-e-Ashura on September 10, (the tenth day of Muharram commemorating the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions) and concludes at Chaderghat.

Recalling that this was not the first time the historic processions were facing problems, Arif, who is from the 11th generation of family serving this tradition, recalled that even in 2009 usage of pachyderm was barred and the organisers had to approach New Delhi to get permission.

However, he expressed satisfaction that the Telangana government assured smooth conduct of both the traditional festivities of Bonalu and Moharram. Talking about the animal, he said that it was healthy enough to undertake the next task in Hyderabad and well trained and certified to remain cooperative with the thousands of devout. "We hope that the government would find a permanent solution by the next time these events are organised," he hoped.