Disability no deterrent for Lord Shiva devotees

Sandeep Rawat

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 4

The annual Kanwar pilgrimage to fetch holy Ganga jal from Ganga ghats in Haridwar is among one of the longest and toughest pilgrimage in the country.

A few decades ago it was mainly treaded on foot, but with the change of time vehicular Kanwar pilgrimage has become a major one.

Still thousand of Lord Shiva devotees complete this pilgrimage on foot as per traditions and customs.

Treading 100-400 km on foot is an arduous journey but many a Kanwariyas take inspiration from physically challenged fellow Kanwariyas, who tread this pilgrimage on foot.

Braving physical limitations, odd weather conditions and shoddy Kanwar stretch, these differentlyabled devotees seem to be quite different from normal Kanwariyas.

A young Deepak Semwal from Hapur, who got afflicted with polio at an early age but this didn’t deter him to go on Kanwar pilgrimage.

Having utmost dedication for Lord Shiva and holy Ganga, Deepak has been coming here for the past 10 years to fetch holy Ganga jal and offer it at his hometown Shivaliya on Maha Shivratri.

Lakhan, who lives at the Badarpur border in National Capital Region is severely afflicted with polio and can move only one feet at a time.

Undeterred by his physical disability, Lakhan treads 250-km on foot to fetch holy Ganga jal.

Delhi resident Pradeep Kumar has been visiting the place despite his both legs affected with polio.

Kumar says that Lord Shiva calls me and he treads the path easily, fellow Kanwariyas also motivate and help me.

Many a Kanwariyas on seeing these physically affected persons get strength to complete the pilgrimage. While most feel that if Deepak, Lakhan or Pradeep can undertake Kanwar pilgrimage on foot then why people are coming in vehicles in the Kanwar fair.

These differentlyabled devotees surely gives message of their dedication, spiritual spirit and overcoming their physical shortcomings through mental power.

SSP inspects working of Kanwar mela force

Haridwar: Haridwar SSP Sweety Aggarwal on Tuesday inspected the functioning of the Kanwar mela force. The force comprises police personnel from various districts of the state, jawans of the ITBP and the SSB, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Guldaar commando wing and intelligence sleuths. While presiding over a high-level meeting of super zonal and zonal officers of the mela force, SSP Sweety Aggarwal reviewed task works given to them and enquired about the works left in each zonal officer’s area. The zonal officers were directed to ensure that no decorated Kanwar is above eight feet in height. They have been asked to verify details from shops selling and making Kanwars. — TNS