Mumbai: Shiv Sena MLA offers highest prize for Govindas

Every year, major events like Dahi Handi, Ganeshotsav, and Navratri end up being used as political platforms. This year, with civic elections in focus, Dahi Handi was used as a show of force by not only the BJP, but also the Uddhav Thackeray camp and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction. Celebrations across the city were marked by grand shows and big cash prizes for Govindas. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena was all out to corner the Thackeray faction.

The city's biggest Dahi Handi in terms of prize money turned out to be Taramati Charitable Foundation's Dahi Kala festival at Devipada grounds in Borivli. The event organised by Shinde camp MLA Prakash Surve offered prize money of Rs 55,55,555. The highlight of the event was a power-packed performance by rural Maharashtra performer Gautami Patil, who turned out to be a crowd-puller. She came for the event from Pune.

Govindas form a pyramid at MLA Prakash Survey's Dahi Handi event

"It's a festival of love. The year-long hard work by the entire mandal is finally put to the test today. This festival brings everyone together and increases the feeling of brotherhood," said Pravin Tanapure, a member of a Dahi Handi mandal. Local resident Rajesh Kamble said that it was great to see the enthusiasm of the mandals and pathaks. "I just want everyone to be careful so as to not hurt anyone while layering."

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Like every year, there was a unique celebration, with the Govinda Pathak team associated with Yuva Seva leader Rahul Kanal of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) erecting a pyramid and paying homage at the Hazrat Makhdoom Shah Baba Mahim (R.A.) Dargah at Mahim.

Speaking with mid-day, Kanal said, "This has been our ritual for years. The managing trustee of Mahim Dargah and the trustee of the Haji Ali Dargah were present along with our elder brother Suhail Khandwani-ji and his committee to welcome our pathak. Each year, our team tries to spread a message of brotherhood and unity.." The BJP organised events at 400 locations, including at Jambori Maidan in Worli - the constituency of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray.

Ashish Shelar's Dahi Handi offered a grand prize of R51,51,510, while Ram Kadam's (in Ghatkopar) offered a prize money of R25,25,255. Govinda mandals in Mumbai and Thane battled fiercely to exceed last year's record - set by the well-known Jai Jawan Mandal - by making a human pyramid of nine to 10 tiers.

BMC's preparations for the festival

The BMC kept 125 beds ready at civic hospitals for the treatment of the Govindas in case of any injury. Ten beds were available at Lokmanya Tilak General Hospital in Sion and seven beds at KEM Hospital, along with four beds and special treatment facilities made available at Nair hospital. Also, 105 beds were kept ready in 16 suburban hospitals with five to 10 beds in each.

The civic body deputed health officers and staff in three shifts for treatment of Govinda at civic hospitals. Besides, these hospitals have been directed to keep injections, medicines and surgery materials ready.

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