Mumbai15 minutes ago
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This type of crowd is seen in Mumbai during the Dahi Handi festival in normal years. In such a situation, if this event had taken place, the risk of spreading the infection would have increased significantly. – File photo
In view of the threat of third wave of corona infection in Maharashtra, the state government has announced that Dahi-Handi festival will not be organized this year. Against this decision of the state government, BJP leader Ram Kadam says that he will organize Dahi Handi festival at any cost.
Like last time, this time also Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held a virtual meeting with Govinda Mandals and Dahi Handi Utsav Organizing Committee and during this meeting, the CM has spoken about not organizing Dahi-Handi. The meeting was attended by several senior government officials, members of the Kovid Task Force and representatives of the Dahi Handi Coordination Committee.
Instead of fighting the government, we should fight against Kovid: CM
During the meeting, CM Uddhav Thackeray said, “We all have similar feelings regarding the festival, but today’s priority is to save lives. Since last one and half year we are fighting against Kovid-19 and hence we have to follow some restrictions. Some people speak out against the restrictions. Instead of agitating against the government, they should fight against Kovid.
The number of ICUs caused concern
He further said that the recent report of NITI Aayog on the possibility of third wave and the number of ICUs required has raised concerns for Maharashtra. During the meeting, Dr Shashank Joshi, member of the COVID Task Force said that thousands of people come in contact with each other during the festival and there is a risk of spreading the infection. Therefore such events should be stopped.
BJP leader announced the event
In a meeting with CM Thackeray, the Dahi Handi Utsav Organizing Committee had sought permission to organize Dahi Handi festival at its place. It was also said that both the doses of the vaccine would be given to the members of Govinda Toli to break the Dahi Handi. It was also assured that Govinda’s team would not go to any other place to break Dahi Handi. Following the Kovid guidelines, permission was sought to celebrate the safe Dahi Handi festival, which has been denied by the CM.
What is Dahi-Handi festival?
This festival is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Shri Krishna. The group of boys gather in the ground, road or compound and form a pyramid and break the earthen pot hanging at a height of 20-30 feet from the ground. The practice of Makhan Handi is quite famous in Maharashtra and Gujarat, where the matki is hung by filling it with curd, ghee, almonds and dry fruits.
The tradition of Dahi Handi was started in Mumbai in 1907.
It is believed that this tradition has been going on for the last 104 years in Ghansoli village near Navi Mumbai. Dahi Handi was first started here in 1907 on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. Mayanagari celebrates the Dahi Handi festival held every year all over the world. Not only the country but people from abroad also come here to see the Dahi Handi festival. For every Dahi Handi Mandal, some Mandals are also given a reward of crores for breaking the handi.