For the past few years, dahi handi mandals have been going for eight to nine-tier human pyramids. So as the pyramids go higher, so does the risk factor for the govindas.
Practice for the actual dahi handi festival starts a month in advance. So mandals are now approaching insurance companies to insure these govindas for a full month. Most mandals have started practising from Gurupournima (Saturday). There are more than 1,200 mandals in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane.
The insurance scheme is applicable from July 12 to August 19. To claim reimbursement, the govinda has to be admitted in a hospital and the insurance company has to be informed in writing. The firm will then send a cheque in favour of the govinda mandal whose member is injured.
"This time in insurance policy, we are covering one month before the festival. As a part of premium, we charge Rs 30 per person and give a Rs 1.5 lakh insurance cover. We pass the insurance claim depending upon the seriousness of the injury," said Sachin Khanvilkar, administrative officer of Oriental Insurance Company Limited. Currently, Oriental Insurance Company Limited, which is the only firm offering insurance covers to govinda mandals for the last seven years, will issue the insurance this year. Gradually, other firms will follow suit.
"Organisers want govindas to build eight to nine-tier human pyramids to break handis. Naturally, the risk factor increases so we got our members insured," said Siddhesh Mangonkar, office bearer of the Gopal Krishna Krida Mandal Govinda Pathak at Bombay Central.
Earlier, govinda mandals would seek insurance cover for road mishaps and dahi handi-related injuries.
"As a precaution, most of the mandals had taking insurance one month before the festival. It's good that so many mandals have come forward to take this insurance scheme." said Bal Padelkar, Coach, Sai Datta Krida Mandal Govinda Pathak, Mazgaon, one of the most popular mandals across the state.
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