Mumbai’s dahi handi: BJP, Congress, Sena set to woo youth with DJs, celebs and cash prizes
The Bombay high court’s refusal to impose height and age restrictions on dahi handi on Monday has given a boost to dahi handi celebrations in the city
The Bombay high court’s refusal to impose height and age restrictions on dahi handi on Monday has given a boost to dahi handi celebrations in the city.
From DJs and artificial showers to Bollywood celebrities and cash prizes, political parties across the city are making grand plans for the day (August 15). “We will hold the tallest dahi handi in India,” said BJP legislator Ram Kadam, who came into public life through the festival.
The leader,in 2009, refused to cancel the celebrations even though the city was gripped by swine flu and major organisers had backed off.
Wadala Congress legislator Kalidas Kolambkar announced a cash prize of Rs5.50 lakh for winners. “More than 450 groups participate in the event. The prizes will depend on the height they scale,” said Kolambkar, who had also arranged for artificial showers to drench the revellers.
Read: Won’t curb dahi handi revelry, mishaps occur even in toilets, says Bombay HC
Shiv Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik called it the victory of “Hindu culture”. “We will celebrate the festival in a traditional manner, but with all the fanfare,” said Sarnaik.
For years, the Sena had a monopoly over the festival, which played an important role in its growth. In the past few years, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) stole the show with high-profile celebrations by leaders such as Sachin Ahir and Jitendra Awhad. Awhad even invited foreigners to take part in the celebrations.
“We will celebrate it on a grand scale again,” said Awhad, adding demonetisation and economic slowdown may bring down the cash prizes.
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