For the first time in 60 years, the Lower Parel-based Vijay Bajrang Vyayam Shala will not participate in the festival.
After risking their lives and limbs to break the dahi-handi on Janmashtami, for the first time in 60 years, the Lower Parel-based Vijay Bajrang Vyayam Shala will not participate in the festival. The reason — the number of growing injuries to the Govindas.
“We have decided to concentrate only on training the young kabaddi players instead of breaking the handis,” said Sadanand Shetye, executive president of the organisation. “We have taken the decision with a heavy heart but our workers feel that if they continue with the tradition, then the injuries may ruin their lives,” he said.
On August 22, 2008, DNA had published an article on how the Govindas felt that the results of the dahi-handi competitions were predetermined.
Shetye said they decided to step out of the competition this year due to
an accident that took place last year. “One of our Govindas, Dayanand Bhadwankar, was seriously injured last year.
Another Govinda fell on him while attempting to break a handi at Elphinstone Road. His spinal cord was damaged. He spent more than Rs2.5 lakh for the treatment but still is not completely cured,” he said.
An NGO Support India Foundation had filed a petition in the Bombay High Court demanding certain measures to avoid injuries to the Govindas.
Shetye supported the purpose of the petition. “These days it has become a trend make higher pyramids. But the risk of injury increases by manifolds in such pyramids. They may not realise it, but the injuries could be serious and the Govindas may have to suffer for their entire life. We do not want to put our people’s lives at stake for a quick buck and publicity,” Shetye said.
According to Shetye, another reason for them not participating in the competition is the commercialisation of the festival. “Earlier, the Govindas used to enjoy it and everything was done in a healthy spirit. Now, it has become too commercial. We do not support it,” he said.
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