Will try to accommodate Govinda troop members in govt service, says Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

Pic/PTI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said his government will try to give jobs to Govinda troop members in government service.

Govinda troops traditionally form multi-tiered human pyramids during the Dahi-Handi (Janmashtami) festival.

Speaking after the inauguration of the first 'Pro-Govinda League 2023', Eknath Shinde also announced that actor Abhishek Bachchan would be its brand ambassador.

"The Dahi Handi Govinda sport has been given the status of adventure sport, and now the players (Govindas) will be given facilities on par with those given to other sportspersons. All efforts will be made for accommodating them in government service," Eknath Shinde said.

Around 50,000 Govindas in the state have been provided with insurance cover. As some Govindas were left out, the government gave immediate approval to provide cover to additional 25,000 players, he added.

Eknath Shinde further said that the Dahi Handi Festival was started in Thane city by the late Anand Dighe and he was the first to celebrate this festival on a larger scale.

The Maharashtra chief minister said that all the people of the state can now celebrate the Ganeshotsav and the Navratri festivals with gaiety and enthusiasm as all the earlier restrictions are revoked and no longer in existence.

"The traditional festivals in the state are necessary for further strengthening the integration, unity and brotherhood," Eknath Shinde said.

Minister for industries Uday Samant said that it is the first time in the nation that the Govindas are insured.

He also said that the Govinda teams from other states have requested us to give insurance to their teams, adding that the government will also cooperate in this regard.

Uday Samant also announced that the 'Pro-Govinda League' will be organised at the national level.

Minister for sports and youth affairs Sanjay Bansode said that the chief minister has a dream to organize the Pro- Govinda League and today his dream came to reality.

"The government will leave no stone unturned to take this sport to universal level. The traditional games became popular at the world level and like IPL and Pro-Kabaddi, this competition will also help the Dahi Handi Govinda sport to gain more popularity," he said.

A total of 16 teams are participating in the Pro-Govinda League. The first prize will be of Rs 11 lakh, second will be of Rs 7 lakh third prize will be of Rs 5 lakh and the fourth prize will be of Rs 3 lakh. Women Govinda teams and visually- impaired Govinda teams will also be participating in the league.

(With inputs from PTI)