Mumbai: The famous dahi handi festival organised on the occasion of Janmashtami in Mumbai, saw at least 200 people injured. The injured were mostly ‘govindas’, a term used to refer to the youth who form the human pyramid to break the handi. The festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna and it was celebrated across the country on August 26-27 this year.
Over 200 ‘govindas’ injured, several still admitted to hospital
According to reports some 206 ‘govindas’ who were part of the ‘dahi-handi’ festivities were injured. Of these 25 are still admitted to hospital, while 157 have been discharged so far. 24 of them are being treated at the OPD of various hospitals.
Mumbai’s JJ Hospital said that they treated and discharged 3 youths, who were injured during the celebrations. In Saint George’s Hospital 6 of the youth were admitted. Of them, 1 has been discharged, 3 are still admitted, while the treatment of 2 is going on in the OPD.
The 5 ‘govindas’ admitted at GT Hospital and the 18 taken to Poddar Hospital in the city have all been given treatment and discharged. The KEM Hospital saw a massive 46 admissions after the festivities. Of these 39 have already been discharged, while 7 are still in hospital. At the Nair hospital, 11 people came seeking treatment. Of these 9 people were discharged after basic first aid, while 2 remain under treatment.
Of the 17 people admitted at Sion Hospital, 13 have already been sent home after treatment, while 4 are admitted. 12 people were taken to Rajawadi Hospital, of whom 7 were discharged, while 5 are being treated by doctors. The 3 injured youth taken to Veer Savarkar hospital have already been discharged, said reports.
At MT Agrawal Hospital, 2 ‘govindas’ were admitted, of whom 1 has been discharged, while the second remains under treatment. 5 injured people were taken to Kurla Bhabha hospital, of whom 4 were discharged while 1 is still under treatment. All the 12 people taken to Shatabdi Govandi hospital are now discharged. Another Govinda is being treated at Leelavati Hospital, while 12 others are admitted to OPD of Trauma Care Hospital.
Taking measures to ensure safe ‘dahi-handi’ festival: CM
Meanwhile the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde had said on Tuesday that his government was taking all possible steps to ensure a safe and successful ‘dahi-handi’ festival. He himself attended a Dahi Handi event at Tembhi Naka in neighbouring Thane city. Speaking at the event he said that his mentor Anand Dighe had revitalised the festival, bolstering traditions and community spirit.
He also talked about how his government had lifted restrictions imposed during MVA rule on ‘dahi-handi’ festivities. We are providing people an opportunity to have a free and safe celebrations, said the CM.
