41 'Govindas' injured in Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai
Mumbai, August 27
At least 41 'Govindas', youngsters involved in the formation of multi-storeyed human pyramids as part of the Dahi Handi celebrations, were injured in Mumbai on Tuesday, officials said.
These injured ‘Govindas’ were admitted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-run and private hospitals in the city for treatment, a civic official said.
The Dahi Handi, part of the Janmashtami festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, is seeing enthusiastic participation by revellers. The festival is being celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in Mumbai and other parts of the state.
As part of the celebrations, ‘Govindas’ form multi-tiered human pyramids to break handis (claypots filled with curd) suspended mid-air.
Till 3 pm, 41 ‘Govindas’ sustained injuries while attempting to form the human pyramids in parts of the city, the civic official said.
Of these injured ‘Govindas’, eight were admitted to various hospitals and 26 were being treated at OPDs, while seven others were discharged after receiving treatment.
Of the eight ‘Govindas’ admitted, three were at Rajawadi Hospital, while one each was at KEM Hospital, Saint George Hospital, MT Hospital and Kurla Bhabha hospital, the official said.
Mumbai city and its suburbs have been witnessing intermittent light to moderate showers since morning. Several prominent 'Govinda Pathaks' (groups) tried to form a nine-tier human pyramid at several locations in the city.
In the wake of the several cases of sexual assaults reported from parts of Maharashtra and elsewhere, several ‘Govinda’ groups also displayed social messages through banners and posters, while breaking Dahi Handis in Mumbai, Thane and other places.
Several all-women ‘Govinda’ groups were also seen trying to break handis by forming human pyramids.
The festival also led to traffic snarls in many areas in the city as Dahi Handis were hung at key intersections and junctions. The haphazardly parked two-wheelers and other vehicles belonging to ‘Govinda’ groups added to the woes.
