14 August,2009 07:38 AM IST | | Vaidehi Limaye
We play safe: BDD Chawl, Worli celebrated Gokul Ashtami at midnight with a difference. All the govindas wore masks to protect themselves against swine flu. PIC/SHADAB KHAN
All govindas at Ghatkopar's dahi handi will be given swine flu masks
Krishna sheltered Draupadi from human torment, but Mumbaikars don't want to take chances with swine flu. This year, most govindas who will break matkis at various dahi handi mandals in the city plan to wear protective masks to shield themselves from the H1N1 virus.
Rs 25 lakh
One of the biggest mandals in the city Ghatkopar's Ram Kadam Mitra Mandal has big plans to protect all the govindas, who come to try their hand at the handi, from swine flu. The mandal has announced the most costly handi of the year Rs 25 lakh. Chairperson of the mandal, Ram Kadam, said, "Dahi handi plans are on with a good cause in mind. All govindas, who come to our mandal, will be given masks to protect against swine flu. The festival must be celebrated with fervour, and we will not let any virus scare us." The mandal had earlier planned to invite govindas from all over Maharashtra, but it has decided against it due to the pandemic.
On the other hand, it was pack up for NCP leader Sachin Ahir's dahi handi at Jambori Maidan, Worli, last night.
The pandal was entirely ready along with electronic equipment, but the two-day long effort by the organisers went waste. Thanks to the swine flu scare, Ahir called a press conference at 11.30 pm and announced the cancellation. This handi would have offered winners a Maruti car and Rs 5 lakh cash-prize.
