Safety measures for Govindas participating in Krishna Janmashtami celebrations

Mumbai is gearing up for its dynamic festive season Krishna Janmashtami is set to be celebrated with great fervour and pomp on September 6 This special occasion marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna which is accompanied by a prominent cultural activity known as Dahi Handi Dahi refers to yoghurt while Handi signifies an earthen pot filled with dairy productsThe highoctane celebration comes with a competitive edge The participants known as lsquoGovindasrsquo form human pyramids to reach and break the Handi suspended at a height The tradition is in line with the belief that Lord Krishna as a kid was so fond of butter and curd that he began to steal it with his boy band from the neighbourhood housesTragically there have been instances where Govindas get injured or succumb to their injuries during Dahi Handi celebrations These accidents typically occur due to the inherent risks involved with forming human pyramids at steep heights without proper safety measures Often Govindas at the top of the pyramid lose their balance or fall when attempting to reach the Dahi Handi pot Such falls from considerable heights result in severe injuries including head injuries fractures and sometimes deathAvinash Dalvi a member of a human pyramid team expressed Weve been diligently practicing for the past month focusing on each participantrsquos security Safety is our utmost concern and as a precaution we secure the individual at the top with a safety beltAhead of Dahi Handi celebrations Govindas share safety measures and essential gear tipsSafety GearParticipants especially those at the top of the pyramid should wear appropriate safety gear such as helmets pads and gloves to protect themselves in case of a fall The Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak in Jogeshwari which boasts a record ninetier human pyramid has mandated the use of helmets for Govindas within their group They are also supposed to carry the helmets while travelling by motorcycle to various locations for Dahi Handi celebrations Other safety gear like crash pads can be installed next to the pyramid to ensure a soft landing in case of a mishapDahi Handi pathaks should ensure first aidEncourage the Dahi Handi mandals or event organisers to provide adequate firstaid support Given that many Dahi Handi celebrations are sponsored events its essential to verify that your mandal or the event organisers have first aid available in case of emergencies Additionally inquire about the availability of ambulance services through the event organisersEnsure that your mandal has medical insuranceAs per the directives of the Bombay High Court in 2017 Dahi Handi mandals must possess insurance coverage Ensure your safety by verifying with your Mandal whether it has procured the necessary insurance ldquoWe have asked the Govinda pathaks to mainly focus on getting the medical insurance covered for their members It should be done on a priority basisrdquo informed Badal Padalkar the president of Dahi Handi Samanvay SamitiStay fed and maintain optimum hydration levelsDahi Handi kicks off in the late morning and carries on until late afternoon If you intend to take part in the event make sure to have a meal in the morning Its not advisable to participate on an empty stomach as youll need strength to endure the extended duration The same advice applies to those who plan to spectate the event Additionally remember to stay hydrated by drinking water at regular intervalsDonrsquot drink if you are participatingRefrain from consuming alcohol if you intend to participate in Dahi Handi As a Govinda its crucial to remain sober as alcohol can impair your physical strength and coordination which are essential for this sport Past incidents have shown that individuals at the base of the pyramid have suffered injuries due to participants losing their balance emphasising the importance of staying alcoholfree during the eventDonrsquot give in to peer pressureThey should also avoid yielding to peer pressure especially considering that this age group is susceptible to influence and they should not be manipulated by local political figures either Its easy to point fingers at organisers and politicians who rush to offer compensation but what Govindas should prioritise is advocating for safety measures in advance or if necessary opting not to participate in the eventOur safety is in our own handsWhile organisers bear some responsibility participants should now take a stand and decline to volunteer for Dahi Handi events if proper safety precautions are not in place It should be the Govindas themselves or their parents who confidently decline participation if organisers fail to provide essential safety gear from the very beginning including during practice sessions Govindas aged 18 and above possess the maturity to make this decisionFamilies should spark a dialogue on safety with their kidsDuring Janmashtami celebrations in 2022 a total of 111 govindas in Mumbai were injured and approximately three died due to severe injuries It is imperative to seize control of the situation now as ultimately its their lives at stake Families should engage in open conversations with their younger children providing them with accurate guidance and emphasising that these tragic accidents are a real possibility Without safety precautions they could easily find themselves in a perilous situationState guidelines for Dahi Handi celebrationsTo mitigate these risks safety measures guidelines and regulations have been put in place in some regions to ensure the safety of participants However accidents can still occur especially when safety precautions are not followed rigorouslyIn the previous year Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared Dahi Handi an official sport He also added that participants or their families would receive compensation in the event of fatal or other injuries sustained by the players during the human pyramid formations This comes as the festival will be celebrated without any Covid19 restrictions for the second year This year the state government organised the inaugural official Pro Govinda League on August 31 at the National Sports Club of India NSCI in WorliSupreme Court had mandated that children below the age of 12 years would not be allowed to participate in the construction of human pyramids during the festival This decision was quashed by a Bombay High Court order that raised the minimum age of participation to 18 in 2014The Bombay High Court had established a maximum height limit for human pyramids at 20 feet in 2016 Nevertheless this ruling has been contested in the Supreme Court by various organisations each raising distinct legal arguments against the stance In Mumbai there are approximately 1500 to 2000 Govinda pathaks but only three to four of them can construct a ninetier human pyramid while 20 to 25 pathaks can assemble an eighttier human pyramid