Maharashtra: Eknath Shinde announces adventure sport tag for Dahi Handi; job quota, compensation for Govindas

Dahi Handi festival is celebrated on a grand scale In Maharashtra, especially Mumbai.

TN National Desk

Updated Aug 18, 2022, 20:01 IST

Dahi Handi festival

Photo : IANS

Mumbai: The newly-appointed Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government on Thursday announced that the 'Dahi Handi' festival will be accorded adventure sport status.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared that the Dahi Handi festival will get adventure sport tag.

Speaking inside the Lower House of the Maharashtra Assembly, Shinde said the participants of Dahi Handi festival will be able to apply for government jobs under sports quota. The Maharashtra CM further said that monetary compensation will be provided to the family if any participant is killed or injured during the formation of human pyramids.

"The Maharashtra government has decided to recognise formation of human towers as part of Dahi Handi celebrations as an adventure sport. With this recognition, the players will become eligible to apply for government jobs under the sports quota," Shinde announced.

The Maharashtra chief minister said Rs 10 lakh as compensation would be given to the deceased family by the state government in case of unfortunate death of a participant during the formation of human pyramids. If a player suffers serious injuries, he would receive Rs 7 lakh, while one with fractures would be paid Rs 5 lakh as compensation, he furtehr announced.

Shinde informed the Assembly that state government would bear the medical treatment cost of injured 'govindas'.

Dahi Handi events are organised with full fervour across Maharashtra to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.

The participants also called as 'govindas' form a human pyramid to break an earthen pot filled with curd hanging mid-air during the Dahi Handi festival.

With Shinde government lifting all COVID-related curbs, the Dahi Handi festival is likely to be celebrated on a grand scale across Maharashtra.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced to hold its 'Dahi Handi' celebrations at the Jambori Maidan in Worli. The area is considered to be Thackeray-led Sena stronghold. Aaditya Thackeray is an MLA from the particular Assembly constituency.

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