Keep Navratri and Dussera celebrations a low key affair, urges Asst. Commissioner and Health Officer
Akash Dhanurkar————————————————————————————
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, members of various societies from across the city attended a webinar on how to celebrate the upcoming festivals and also ensure that the spread of Covid19 can be curbed.
In a meeting with Commissioner, Asst. Commissioner and Health Officer of PCMC, Housing Society Federation members expressed displeasure over the ‘My Family, My Responsibility’ survey. The meeting also addressed the civic body’s preparation for controlling COVID19 during the festive season of Navratri, Dussehra. While first addressing the meeting, Health Officer, Dr. Pavan Salve insisted people to co-operate with the surveyors of ‘My Family, My Responsibility’ state wide survey, as many members from the PCMC Housing Society Federation expressed their doubts over the procedure followed while surveying every house.
Questioning authorities about the efficiency of the survey, Tejaswini Dhomse, president, Pimpri Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Society Federation said, “As round 2 of the survey is about to begin, I will look to bring this problem to the attention of PCMC. The surveyors wrap up each survey in less than 2 minutes. They are not even aware of the survey they are conducting. With this kind of procedure, how will the civic authorities collect proper data?”
Another member, Suryakant Muthiyan, too, questioned that “In this way neither it will help the citizens nor the corporation. We are spending on the survey then how can we accept such negligence?”
Countering the questions, Dr. Pavan Salve said, “I am glad the residents brought these issues to our notice and must say that these are volunteers who are helping us in this initiative. We all should co-operate with them as it is very tough for the corporation to bring the volunteers for the survey. Also, these surveyors are neither medical professionals, nor professional surveyors, but we are still getting success as we are able to reach every house and track the members.”
He further said, “Talking about Navratri, PCMC urges people to celebrate the festival in a low-key manner. We shall issue the same orders issued by the state government.”
Addressing the meeting, Asst. Commissioner, Santosh Patil, talked about COVID situation in the city and the Navratri festival. He stressed on the need that people must not take the COVID for granted, as observed in recent times. People are getting out for no reason. He said, “Situation seems to be in control but if you all remember, we had a similar situation in the month of June. Everything seemed under control until Ganesh Utsav. There was sudden spike in the COVID19 cases post Ganesh Utsav. Festivals are a period when virus can get spread faster.?
The state government has asked for no mass gathering for the Garba or Dandiya program, instead has asked the organizers to organize blood donation camps. The state government has asked the pandals and the people to spread awareness on the ways to tackle Covid19, Dengue, and Malaria.
Immersion of idols will not be allowed in the public places, so, the pandals and the houses celebrating Navratri Utsav, will have to immerse the idol in house.
Online Darshan will be largely appreciated.
