Janmashtami Special: 75000 Govindas Insured For Dahi Handi Festival In Mumbai

Preparations for the Janmashtami celebration is at peak in Mumbai. The Maharashtra Government has invested Rs 56 lakhs for the insurance coverage of 75000 govindas on the eve of Dahi Handi festival that would take place on September 7.

Reportedly the number has increased compared to 36,500 govindas who were insured individually by their mandals last year with the combined effort of the state government, public sector insurance company and dahi handi samanvay samiti.

Sachin Khanvilkar, manager of Oriental Insurance was quoted saying as, "As of September 5, we have insured a total of 79,333 govind which is unprecedented. Each player gets Rs 10 lakh cover by paying a premium of just Rs 75. The state has paid the premium for 75,000 youths from 983 dahi handi mandals which works out to Rs 56.25 lakh. The rest have been insured by the mandals themselves."

According to Khanvilkar, 42 mandals had independently purchased policies for 2,820 members of their own volition until Monday. And in addition to this, 60 mandals outside the MMR region have also taken policies.

According to the insurance policy rules, the claim will be denied if the govinda is alcoholic because Intoxication might put everyone at risk as the entire human pyramid might collapse due to one alcoholic govinda.

Meanwhile, President of the Samanvay Samiti, Bala Padelkar asserted that the number of insured youth has doubled this year. However, a few thousand govindas from smaller mandals could be benefitted if the state government allocates surplus funds.

"We would like to secure the last mile player of the smallest mandal. But we are thankful the state has at least taken the first step," Padelkar was quoted as sauing.