Ramgarh: Hazaribag MP Manish Jaiswal has maintained his decade-long tradition of distributing traditional weapons, including swords and lathis, to various Ram Navami committees and akharas within his parliamentary constituency. This practice, which began during his two terms as Hazaribag MLA, continues into his current role as MP.
Explaining this practice, BJP's Ramgarh district president Praveen Mehta said Jaiswal's move was aimed at preserving the ancient custom of weapon skill demonstrations during Ram Navami processions. "These demonstrations represent our rich cultural heritage where weapons training was essential for self-protection," Mehta elaborated.
The tradition of demonstrating weapons skills dates back to ancient times when warfare relied heavily on traditional weaponry. Today, these demonstrations serve as a cultural showcase during Ram Navami celebrations, keeping historical practices alive while highlighting martial arts skills.
Jaiswal's commitment to preserving this cultural tradition has expanded from his initial focus in the Hazaribag assembly constituency to now encompassing both Ramgarh and Hazaribag districts.
The initiative has received positive feedback from local akhadas and religious committees, who view it as an important effort to preserve traditional martial arts and cultural practices associated with the Ram Navami celebrations.