Apex court cap on height of pyramid and child right panel's ban on below-12 children playing Govinda seem to have had a positive impact so far as untoward incidents during the celebrations are concerned
Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai were safer this year compared to last year. This year, one person died and as many as 129 Govindas were injured across the city. Last year, the number of injured was close to triple of what has been recorded this year, although death count remained the same. The revelry this time saw the death of 29-year-old Ganesh Ananta Patil after he had a fall while tying the rope for Dahi Handi. Patil had got married two years ago and is survived by his wife and a six-month-old baby.
The celebrations this year were subdued in the backdrop of restrictions on age of Govindas (below-12 children can't participate) and height of the pyramid which was capped at 20 feet. Even as the celebrations were subdued, rules were violated at many places. Among the injured in the city was a 10-year-old boy, Ankush Sahani from Kurla, who was admitted in Sion Hospital for X-Ray examinations. He had suffered a fall. Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has banned children younger than 12 years from participating in the fest. Up to 16 persons in the age group of 10-30 were treated in Sion Hospital. Most have suffered fractures on their hands and legs. Head injuries and injuries on the shoulders were also rampant.
Since Sunday afternoon, cases started pouring into the emergency department of BMC-run KEM Hospital in Parel. As many as 58 patients were evaluated in the Outpatient Department (OPD) and six were admitted, one in orthopaedic department and five in surgery. In Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central, up to 11 patients were admitted. Fourteen-year-old Kevin Udino of Jai Hanuman Mandal in Khar East was writhing in pain at KEM Hospital. "For the past six years, I have ascended the tiers to break the handi. This year, after breaking the handi, I fell from the fourth tier during the descent," said Kevin. He has sustained grievous injuries on his temple and head. "I am feeling continuously dizzy and nauseous," he said.
Another 22-year-old Govinda from Vignaharta Mandal in Lalbaug was injured after being hit by a water balloon. "The youngster fell after a water balloon hit his groin. He has suffered swelling on his private parts," said a member of the mandal. A 19-year-old boy from Siddarth Nagar Mitra Mandal in Dadar got hurt in the left foot after attempting to build eight tiers to reach the Dahi Handi. The Supreme Court has restricted the height of the tiers to 20 feet. In what seems to be a breach of rules, this year, some mandals attempted to reach eight tiers, an approximate height of 35 feet.
KEY FIGURES
2015 - Injuries - 129 / Death - One
2014 - Injuries - 202 / Death - One
2013 - Injuries - 365 / Death - Two
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