Mumbai, Aug 13: The Maharashtra government has set to accord the standing of ‘adventure sport’ to the centuries previous ancient ‘Dahi-handi’ celebrations that mark Janmashthami every year, Education Minister Vinod Tawde said here on Wednesday.
Minors aged between 12-15 will participate within the celebrations – that entails forming tall human pyramids of six or a lot of levels – only with the written consent of their parents.
“With the standing of ‘adventure sports’, we shall kind a state-level body to control ‘Dahi-handi’ with a group of rules and regulations. Any celebrations that don’t adhere to the present wouldn’t be recognised,” Tawde said.
Under the new standing, it’ll be obligatory for all organisers of high-profile ‘Dahi-handi’ celebrations to confirm correct insurance for all participants, provisions of first-aid, ambulances to shift the skinned ‘Govindas’ to nearest hospitals.
Additionally, they need to organise safety nets, helmets, constraint, mats and alternative security needs to stop injuries – and potential deaths – once the human pryramids return bally down.
Tawde said someday past, a committee headed by Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar was told to arrange a report on ‘Dahi-handi’ and it’s suggested to declare it as an ‘adventure sport’ on the lines of mountaineering, rock-climbing etc, that was accepted by the government.
The minister said henceforward, ‘Dahi-handi’ wouldn’t be restricted throughout Janmashthami, however are going to be celebrated round-the-year below the auspices of a state-level body.
Janmashthami celebrations in Mumbai became an annual business affair with prizes running into crores of rupees, mega-sponsors, intense competition among numerous teams, principally backed by politicians and political parties, attracting millions of locals, domestic and foreign tourists.
In the past few years, there are many casualties, together with temporary injuries or permanent handicap and deaths of ‘Govindas’, that led to complaints and queries raised on the protection and security of the participants.