This apart, the excitement with which Govindas travelled from the city to Thane and vice versa is not there this time. Thane mandals, it is said, have asked their Mumbai counterparts to not to go there as they have decided not to celebrate the festival.
Though the Dahi Handi Utsav Samiti (DUSS) officials have promised to show up in full strength, the city is likely to see subdued Dahi Handi celebrations this Sunday. Mandals are confused because there's no prominent place to go for them to showcase their talents and the government has not yet clarified their apprehensions through press statements.
This apart, the excitement with which Govindas travelled from the city to Thane and vice versa is not there this time. Thane mandals, it is said, have asked their Mumbai counterparts to not to go there as they have decided not to celebrate the festival.
However, Bala Padelkar, president of DUSS, said: "Most of our apprehensions have been met. At our end, we will be showing up in full strength. Children will not be below 12 years and mandals will be forming pyramids as per their preparation," said Kamlesh Bhoir, member of the DUSS. "We have been told that there will not be any archan (problem)."
Those like Jai Jawan Mandal from Jogeshwari, which created a world record in 2012 and won the award for most layers — nine — said it will be forming as many as they were prepared for this time too. "Last year, we did not have anyone who was below 12. We have our safety norms in place," said David Fernandes, one of the members of the Jai Jawan.
However, not all were as sure. Sarvajanik Govinda Pathak of Mazgaon, which too has been lauded for forming nine layers, stated that they are yet to take any decision. "The issue is where do we even go to celebrate? That apart, no matter what any DUSS member states, have they or the government representatives taken a press conference to clarify issues we have apprehensions about? There are oral assurances, but we will be in trouble if there is a problem tomorrow," said Arun Patil, coach of the Pathak.
Except for Ram Kadam's Dahi Handi celebrations in Ghatkopar no prominent mandal is organising anything. Ram Kadam did not answer calls from dna on Friday. But earlier, he was non-commital over the height he would allow and taking up measures. "I will decide as preparations of Mandals but right now my focus is on taking one lakh people for Kumbh," Kadam had told dna.
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