Let’s use our festivals to spread the right message

Dahi Handi. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Govinda mandals have asked the state government for permission to hold a low-key festival. The Dahi Handi fest will be celebrated at the end of August, but Govindas forming the human pyramid will have to start practising. So, mandals have informed the government that they will have limited participation.

Moreover, the participants will be fully vaccinated and they will also avoid long distance travel, holding events in the locality from where the majority of participants will be chosen. The pyramids will also be much shorter with just three to four tiers said organisers, some who claimed to have started practice, following all Covid guidelines, a report stated in this paper.

With the festival season upon us, we are bound to see some pressure exerted on the government for allowances. Let this not devolve into who is allowed what. We should not be harping on victim complexes, pointing out that this, that or the other festival or community is targeted. This edit space has already highlighted the futility, danger and divisions caused by attitudes like they are allowed, so why not us.

Let the government take decisions without fear or unnecessary pressure. Politicians have always played a part in Govinda festivals and dahi handis. This time, let us see banners with them exhorting the public to follow Covid rules, and mask up, whatever be the decision about dahi handis. These mandals can spread the word about caution as the pandemic is not over. We can use this avenue to capture the eyeballs and imagination of the youth. If dahi handis get the green light then fully masked Govindas, sanitizers at the venue and take the vaccine messages through megaphones will be a celebration for safety. Even the Divine will approve.