The famous Dhanu Yatra at Bargarh is losing its sheen due to mismanagement and administrative indifference.

It is said the yatra was started by a handful of people to celebrate the freedom of India. With the story of ‘Krishna Leela’ and ‘Mathura Vijay’ revolving around the triumph of truth over the evil, a proposal to stage the yatra was mooted and since then there has been no looking back.

Although over the years the yatra has undergone several changes, the organizers are yet to take any step to streamline the arrangements. More-over, with similar yatras being staged in almost all big villages across the region, the Bargarh Yatra is losing its lustre. The change of cast this year also did not go down well with the people, Gopal Sahu, who had been enacting the role of Kansa for past 23 years, was replaced by Hrusikesh Bhoi. But people complained that Bhoi has neither the ferocious looks nor the bulk to project himself. As the demon king.

Earlier, there was no account of the income and expenditure. The district administration was never involved. But things changed after Surendra Kumar was appointed Collector. He initiated efforts to keep accounts of income and expenditure besides fixing accountability. For two years the yatra was staged with a proper planning and lands were leased out keeping mind the interest o vendors and customers.

However, the arrangement stopped and the yatra was back to square one after the transfer of Kumar. And soon the visitors started complaining about the high prices of articles, wares and food at the trade fair and mina bazaar. With the vendors having to pay through their nose for space, they were forced to shift the burden onto the customers. Likewise, there has been a decline in the number of artistes in the Sanchar where different plays from Mahabharat and Ramayan are staged to hook the rural crowd. It is said that Sanchar performers are unhappy with the paltry amount they are being paid.

Similarly, locals feel Gopa Sahu should have been given a graceful exit. He should have been invited and asked to pass on the baton to his successor.