Bhavna Vij-Aurora April 29, 2021 00:00 IST Who Bears The Cost Of The Pandemic outlookindia.com 2021-04-30T16:40:05+05:30
On April 17, during an election rally in Bengal’s Asansol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the huge crowd that had gathered to hear him speak. He didn’t hide his delight. “I have seen such a (large) gathering for the first time. Wherever I look, I can only see people. You have done wonders,” he said during his speech. This was on a day when India saw more than 2.61 lakh fresh Coronavirus cases across the country and over 1,000 lives lost. It was the fourth consecutive day that had seen over two lakh cases as the second wave of the pandemic raged through India. “This is also the first time when such huge crowds of sick people and a record number of deaths have been seen,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi responded to the PM through a scathing tweet.
How the Uttarakhand government lost the plot with the Kumbh Mela
How the Uttarakhand government lost the plot with the Kumbh Mela | India Today Insight
Over 2,100 people have tested Covid-positive at the Kumbh so far. Will the once in 12 years gathering turn superspreader once the faithful returns home?
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UPDATED: April 18, 2021 20:48 IST
Devotees gather to offer prayers during the third Shahi Snan of the Kumbh Mela, at Har ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar on April 14, 2021. (PTI)
On April 17, the Uttarakhand government swung into action to scale down the swelling crowds at the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. But it will take a lot of effort to get the millions of pilgrims, who are either camped in Haridwar and Rishikesh or are on their way for the holy dip, to now return without having their wish fulfilled. Roughly, 2.8 million people took a dip in the holy Ganges on April 12 (Somvati Amavasya Snan day, second of the four
I appealed that two
shahi snan (royal baths) have taken place and Kumbh (participation) should now be kept symbolic. This will give a boost to the fight against this crisis, PM Modi tweeted in Hindi.
Responding to PM Modi s tweet, Swami Avdheshanand replied in Hindi: We respect PM Modi s appeal. Saving lives is sacred. I request people to not gather for the ritual bath in large numbers and follow all Covid protocols.
This year, the mega Kumbh Mela or pitcher festival has already been shortened to just one month from April 1 to 30 due to the pandemic. Usually, the event is held from mid-January to April.
New Delhi: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi s call to observe the ongoing Kumbh Mela in a symbolic way, the Juna Akhara on Saturday concluded the annual event from its side ensuring that other sants linked to different Akharas also agree to end the holy pilgrimage.
Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha President Swami Avdheshanand Giri made the announcement through his Twitter handle and a video, declaring the Kumbh Mela is now concluded for Juna Akhara . On the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Juna Akhara have decided to end Kumbh. The Gods whom we had invoked have been duly immersed. Other sants from different Akharas are also agreeing, Avdheshanand said.
PM appeals for ‘symbolic’ Kumbh Mela to strengthen fight against COVID
The Prime Minister s appeal comes as the annual event has sparked nationwide concern amid the alarming second wave of COVID-19.
By IANS| Updated: 17th April 2021 2:50 pm IST Devotees gather at Har Ki Pauri Ghat to offer prayers during Kumbh Mela 2021, in Haridwar.
New Delhi: With reports of a
huge number of COVID-19 positive cases from the ‘Kumbh Mela’ area in Haridwar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to observe the event “symbolic” to strengthen the fight against the deadly virus.
The Prime Minister’s appeal comes as the annual event has sparked nationwide concern amid the alarming second wave of Covid-19 pandemic as tens of thousands of devotees have gathered along the banks of the Ganga in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar.