The Bathukamma celebrations held at the Credit Union Centre in Dallas left a bitter experience among the participants on Saturday evening. Row over ‘entry for ticket holders only’ turned the Telangana Peoples Association of Dallas (TPAD) event into a pandemonium. Hundreds of Telugu families reached the venue with excitement, to participate in the programme. However, they were left disappointed as the event ended up in chaos due to lack of transparency and mismanagement.
Trouble brewed as the organisers did not have proper planning. Initially, they announced that it was a ‘free entry event’ following which families turned up in huge numbers but many alleged that even those having tickets were not allowed inside. Due to lack of proper information from the organisers, those waiting at the premises became impatient, leading to the pandemonium.
Sensing that the situation was turning acrimonious, the organisers announced that those not having tickets should leave the premises as those having tickets would only allowed inside. Following the announcement, women and their families who reached the venue felt their enthusiasm watered down.
“We had to wait outside the venue for nearly 5 hours in darkness and it had been really painful for children and old people,” a few women said. Those carrying the Bathukamma arrangements for a long period could not withstand the delay and expressed their dissatisfaction.
“Initially, they said it was a ‘free event’ but allowed only those having tickets inside. This is the first time the event has been so poorly managed,” complained many at the event. With the organisers failing to manage the crowd and the poor security at the venue, the participants faced trouble.
While those inside happily celebrated the event dancing and singing around the Bathukammas, those outside felt left out in desperation.
However, the TPAD organisers did not respond to the allegations officially but there is information that the organisers have been discussing about it internally.
Several participants felt that a transparent action plan, clear information, tight security arrangements are necessary at community events.
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