The Dahi Handis in Thane, will become territorial this year, as the govinda mandals have decided not to venture out of their areas. The Sarvajanik Dahi Handi Samanvay Samiti, Thane, said, their celebrations will not only be low key but even local this year.
This year, Dahi Handi will be less competitive as govinda mandals across the district, have decided to take it easy. After 72 hours notice to the state government to soften their stand on Dahi Handi celebrations and no response from the former, the mandals have decided to participate but not compete in Janmashtami celebrations this year. "We will celebrate in our area but not move out to break handis in other localities," said Rakesh Yadav, secretary of the Samanvay Samiti.
The legal curbs on the tiers of human pyramid formed to break the handi, age of the govinda who breaks the handi to be 18, provision of safety gears by the Dahi Handi organisers, among others, have not gone down well with govinda mandals. They allege that all this kills the spirit of festival celebration. Moreover, it also takes away the opportunity of doing social service with the prize money they get from breaking the Dahi Handis.
However, the organisers of Dahi Handis from Thane, are unperturbed by Samanvay Samitis' decision. They said that they will celebrate Janmashtmi like every year. MLA Pratap Sarnaik's Sanskruti Pratishthan, who organises Dahi Handi every year, said, this year will be no different. "We will have Dahi Handi like every year but it will not be competitive. It will be held on a larger scale but no prize money. The govinda mandals are welcome to participate and take away token money," he said.
TMC corportor Ravindra Phatak from Shiv Sena, whose Sankalp Pratishthan organises Dahi Handi, said, they will go ahead with the celebrations. "We will celebrate Dahi Handis, adhering to court rules. There will be safety gears and height on tiers of human pyramids will be looked after," he said. "Those who want to participate and enjoy this festival with us are welcome," he added.
