23 September,2009 09:41 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
With the swine flu toll in the city going up after Ganpati, mandals believe Navratri processions could result in a similar scenario
Pune's 500 Navratri mandals have been requested not to carry out processions during Navratri for fear of the H1N1 virus spreading. The mandals' apex body has cited that since the number of swine flu deaths went up after the Ganpati festival, they had to be careful during Navratri.
Around 18-20 people died of the disease before the Ganesh festival began on August 23. That number went up to 35-37 after the festival. According to Balasaheb Amrale, president of Dhanlaxmi Prathishtan Navratri mandal, "There was a rise in the number of swine flu cases post Ganpati. We don't want to take any more chances and are asking people to refrain from participating in processions during the Navratri festival."
The procession
Around 200 Navratri organisations carry out a procession with coconuts and flowers from their mandal to the Chatushrungi temple from the fifth day of the festival. Thousands of people take part in them, increasing the chances of the spread of swine flu. "We are putting up posters and spreading the message of refraining from attending by leaflets and SMSes," said Amrale. Sanjay Deshmukh, Vilas Thakar, Jeetendra Sonawane and Satish Shinde who are heads of various mandals have agreed to not hold processions.
"We know that it's for everyone's benefit," they said.
Dr Pandit Chavan, joint director, National Vectorborn and Waterborne Diseases Control Programme, state health department, warned, "People should not forget that the virus is still in the air and there are chances of the virus spreading because of large public gatherings."
