Mumbai: Garba passes being sold on social media; winners to get gold coins as prizes

Sterling Banquet Hall in Goergaon West had organised a garba event on October 8

Garba organisers simply don't get the message. While BMC has issued strict rules against organising garba this year, many venues have been found to be doing just that and selling passes at prices ranging from Rs 300-Rs 400. mid-day visited some of the venues and found that a few events were held on October 8 and 9, and some are even scheduled for October 14 and 15 in Mumbai and Thane.

MID-DAY visited some venues in Goregaon, Thane, Airoli and Borivli and found out that many organisers conducted garba on October 8 and 9. They sold the passes through Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook and took payments through various online modes. They also kept prizes as an added attraction.

A pass for a garba event at a banquet hall in Airoli

RJ Navratri Nights 2021, BK Satra Banquet Hall, Sector-19, Airoli

At BK Satra Banquet Hall, organisers Raj Bauva and Jenil Nandu has arranged for garba on October 14-15 and more than 300 passes have been sold for it. This event was initially organised on October 9 but due to some reason they changed the date. mid-day spoke to a woman, who was selling passes for the event.

Reporter - I want to book passes for the garba event on October 14.
Ankita Gala - Yes sir, you will get it and the price is '400 for a single pass.
Reporter - How to pay for it?
Ankita Gala - Send the money via Google Pay using my number.
Reporter - How will I get the pass?
Ankita Gala - You have to collect it from my address.
Reporter - Can I book later?
Ankita Gala - Already 300 passes are sold out and only a few are left. The banquet hall can accommodate only 300 people but we are managing. If you book early you will get the pass.
Reporter - Any special gifts for winners?
Ankita Gala - Winners will get gold coins as prizes.

Rajora Banquet Hall in Malad West had held the event on October 8

Navrang Rasiya 2021, Kanti Visariya Hall, Thane

This event is being organised by Sachin Boricha, Dipti Vora and Dhaval Thakkar. Popular singer Teena Cheda will also perform at the event, which will be held on October 23.
Reporter - I need a pass for the garba event.
Sachin Boricha - Yes, you will get it, but the event has been postponed.
Reporter - What is the price of the pass?
Sachin Boricha - It's for '350. Earlier the price was '500 but we reduced it.
Reporter - What is the date?
Sachin Boricha - The date has not been fixed but it will be on a weekend.
Over the call another organiser Dipti Vora spoke to this reporter
Reporter - I need a pass for the garba event.
Dipti Vora - Yes, book it for '350, the event is on October 23.
Reporter - How to pay?
Dipti Vora - Pay online and collect the pass from the address I'll share.

Some people in Borivli spotted playing garba on the street

Sterling Banquet Hall, Topiwala Centre, off SV road, Goregaon West

Some organisers booked this hall on October 8 and held a garba event from 6 pm to 10 pm. Around 100 people attended the event and paid '350 for a single pass. The participants were not wearing masks and social distancing rules were not followed. The passes were sold through WhatsApp and other social media sites.

Mid-day visited the hall and spoke to the people who were sitting inside. They said, "A garba event was held here on October 8 and many people took part. No other event will be held here."

Rajora Banquet Hall, Mind Space, Malad West

A garba event at this hall was held on October 8 and more than 200 people were invited. The organiser sold the passes through social media. However, while the event was on, the Bangur Nagar police received information and raided the place.

A pass for a garba event in Thane

Speaking to mid-day, Senior Inspector of Bangur Nagar police station, Shobha Pise, said, ‘After receiving information, our team rushed to the spot and took action against Rajora Banquet Hall. We also served a notice to the hall owner and asked them not to arrange any garba events. We returned the money that people had paid for the passes. We didn't allow them to play garba and action was taken before the event started."

On-street garba at Borivli

Meanwhile, some slum residents were spotted playing garba at Ganesh Mitra Mandal in Borivli West. Around 30-40 people took part in it.