This dahi handi, safety has come out on top, as the number of injured Govindas dropped to an all-time low of 117 across Mumbai, as of Tuesday evening. Compare this to last year, when as many as 147 govindas suffered injuries
A govinda mandal forms a human pyramid at Dadar West. Pic/Rane Ashish
ADVERTISEMENT
This dahi handi, safety has come out on top, as the number of injured Govindas dropped to an all-time low of 117 across Mumbai, as of Tuesday evening. Compare this to last year, when as many as 147 govindas suffered injuries.
One death
There was one death, however, at the dahi handi organised by Sunil Choughale Sports Association at Navi Mumbai. Jayesh Tarle, 30, who was part of the Sion (Chunabhatti) Dahi Handi Mandal, died from an electric shock. At the time of going to press, the Rabale police were in the process of filing a case against the organiser. Tarle was initially taken to Airoli Hospital and was later moved to Fortis, but, he succumbed to his injuries. Prashant Burde, the joint commissioner of police, Navi Mumbai, confirmed the development.
Vijay Choughale, president of the sports association that had organised the handi, said, "It is unfortunate and we, too, are shocked." When asked about who was responsible for the mishap, the organiser said it would not be appropriate to comment on it at this point.
Also read: 'Dahi Handi' celebrated with nationalistic flavour in Maharashtra
However, he clarified that it was the organisers themselves who rushed the victim to the hospital.
Despite the state imposing a restriction on Govindas under 14 years, however, Sion hospital received two patients aged 12 and 13 years. Both are stable, with no major injuries sustained.
Major civic-run hospitals like KEM, Sion, Cooper and Nair had received most of the patients who got injured during the dahi handi celebrations, while peripheral hospitals fewer cases.
Also read - Mumbai Govindas all set to raise the bar with 32 feet Dahi Handi
This is a far cry from 2013 when the city had witnessed 365 injuries and two deaths. There has also been a considerable improvement from the past couple of years as well.
Fewer cases this year
"This year, we have received fewer cases in comparison to past years. There haven't been any serious injuries either. This may also be due to the fact that on Tuesday, people were busy celebrating Independence Day," said Dr Avinash Supe, dean of KEM Hospital and director of major civic hospitals. Either way, hospitals were prepared with special wards to handle medical emergency dahi handi cases. "We had kept various departments like orthopaedics, general surgery, anaesthesia, ophthalmology and neuro surgery ready on an emergency basis. We have called in more nurses as well, so there is no dearth of staff if cases start pouring in," added Dr Supe.
You may also like - Photos: Govindas celebrate at Janmashtami in Mumbai
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
