Garba passes being sold on social media; winners to get gold coins as prizes

Garba organisers simply donrsquot get the message While BMC has issued strict rules against organising garba this year many venues have been found to be doing just that and selling passes at prices ranging from Rs 300Rs 400 midday visited some of the venues and found that a few events were held on October 8 and 9 and some are even scheduled for October 14 and 15 in Mumbai and ThaneMIDDAY visited some venues in Goregaon Thane Airoli and Borivli and found out that many organisers conducted garba on October 8 and 9 They sold the passes through Whatsapp Instagram and Facebook and took payments through various online modes They also kept prizes as an added attractionA pass for a garba event at a banquet hall in AiroliRJ Navratri Nights 2021 BK Satra Banquet Hall Sector19 AiroliAt BK Satra Banquet Hall organisers Raj Bauva and Jenil Nandu has arranged for garba on October 1415 and more than 300 passes have been sold for it This event was initially organised on October 9 but due to some reason they changed the date midday spoke to a woman who was selling passes for the eventReporter ndash I want to book passes for the garba event on October 14Ankita Gala ndash Yes sir you will get it and the price is 400 for a single passReporter ndash How to pay for itAnkita Gala ndash Send the money via Google Pay using my numberReporter ndash How will I get the passAnkita Gala ndash You have to collect it from my addressReporter ndash Can I book laterAnkita Gala ndash Already 300 passes are sold out and only a few are left The banquet hall can accommodate only 300 people but we are managing If you book early you will get the passReporter ndash Any special gifts for winnersAnkita Gala ndash Winners will get gold coins as prizesRajora Banquet Hall in Malad West had held the event on October 8Navrang Rasiya 2021 Kanti Visariya Hall ThaneThis event is being organised by Sachin Boricha Dipti Vora and Dhaval Thakkar Popular singer Teena Cheda will also perform at the event which will be held on October 23Reporter I need a pass for the garba eventSachin Boricha Yes you will get it but the event has been postponedReporter ndash What is the price of the passSachin Boricha ndash Itrsquos for 350 Earlier the price was 500 but we reduced itReporter ndash What is the dateSachin Boricha ndash The date has not been fixed but it will be on a weekendOver the call another organiser Dipti Vora spoke to this reporterReporter ndash I need a pass for the garba eventDipti Vora ndash Yes book it for 350 the event is on October 23Reporter ndash How to payDipti Vora ndash Pay online and collect the pass from the address Irsquoll shareSome people in Borivli spotted playing garba on the streetSterling Banquet Hall Topiwala Centre off SV road Goregaon WestSome organisers booked this hall on October 8 and held a garba event from 6 pm to 10 pm Around 100 people attended the event and paid 350 for a single pass The participants were not wearing masks and social distancing rules were not followed The passes were sold through WhatsApp and other social media sitesMidday visited the hall and spoke to the people who were sitting inside They said ldquoA garba event was held here on October 8 and many people took part No other event will be held hererdquoRajora Banquet Hall Mind Space Malad WestA garba event at this hall was held on October 8 and more than 200 people were invited The organiser sold the passes through social media However while the event was on the Bangur Nagar police received information and raided the placeA pass for a garba event in ThaneSpeaking to midday Senior Inspector of Bangur Nagar police station Shobha Pise said lsquoAfter receiving information our team rushed to the spot and took action against Rajora Banquet Hall We also served a notice to the hall owner and asked them not to arrange any garba events We returned the money that people had paid for the passes We didnrsquot allow them to play garba and action was taken before the event startedrdquoOnstreet garba at BorivliMeanwhile some slum residents were spotted playing garba at Ganesh Mitra Mandal in Borivli West Around 3040 people took part in it