Dahi handi mandals across the city register for insurance

Mumbai: Last year, when Bhagyavi Hadkar, 8, fell from the sixth tier during a practice session for dahi handi as part of a woman govinda group in Vile Parle, she received Rs15,000 as compensation under an insurance cover.

Mumbai: Last year, when Bhagyavi Hadkar, 8, fell from the sixth tier during a practice session for dahi handi as part of a woman govinda group in Vile Parle, she received Rs15,000 as compensation under an insurance cover.

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“The compensation was very helpful in meeting medical expenses since she received stitches on her face,” said Geeta Zhagde, Hadkar’s cousin and president of the Parle Sports Club Mahila Dahi Handi Pathak.

With less than a week for Janmashtami celebrations on August 10, mandals across the city are registering for insurance schemes in view of injuries that occur during the festival.

About 130 mandals have already registered under the Rajiv Gandhi Suraksha Kavach, an insurance scheme that offers insurance for one month to 50 govindas from a mandal.

It covers injuries with a compensation of Rs15,000 and Rs1.5 lakh in cases of permanent disability and accidental deaths.

A variety of political parties are offering insurance schemes for govindas.

“The govindas are aiming for higher pyramids for the prize money, putting them at greater risk,” said Dinesh Bobhate, secretary, Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena. The Shiv Sena’s student wing has announced Rs15 lakh as the total prize money.

“We have applied for insurance a few days ago,” said Sandeep Mhatre, president of Sewri’s Bal Mitra Mandal. “Though there has never been any accident or injury at our mandal so far, we have been taking insurance for several years now,” he said.