With Dahi Handi festival just two weeks away, members of Dahi Handi Utsav Samanway Samiti, the umbrella body of mandals, met the pathaks (Govinda groups) across the city and highlighted the necessity to insure the life of every Govinda. Apart from different issues discussed during the meeting, the committee members asked the pathaks to make sure that every Govinda performing in the city has a life cover on a priority basis.
"An insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh is provided to the participant for a one-time premium of Rs 75. They can claim the insurance in wake of accident or death. Life and security come first; thus, each and every mandal should apply for the insurance. We are also trying to make sure that HC's safety guidelines for the festival — minimum age limit of Govindas to be 14 years and height of human pyramids should not exceed 20 feet — are followed," said Arun Patil, committee member of Dahi Handi Utsav Samanway Samiti, and coach of Mazgaon Govinda Pathak.
Last year, a total of 219 Govindas, who form a human pyramid on the day of the Dahi Handi festival, were injured in the city, while around 963 Dahi Handi pathaks purchased life cover for their members.
The committee will also approach Dahi Handi organisers across the city to purchase 'spot insurance' for Govindas performing in their areas. Big manuals usually invite few pathaks in advance to perform at their locations. They can purchase insurance cover for pathaks performing for them at the cost of Rs 250 per pathak.
Patil, added, "We are urging the organisers to apply for life cover for every pathak performing for them so that the Govindas can reap benefits from both the covers in case of major injuries."
