Janmashtami mandals to donate money for social causes

This year, Mumbai’s Janmashtami mandals have decided to donate money for social causes.

The Shiv Sena’s Saheb Pratisthan will get HIV affected kids to for m a human pyramid at Sena Bhavan. This dahi-handi has a prize of Rs 1.11 lakh and is a big draw.

The Chembur Naka dahihandi organised by Karna (Bala) Doonabale of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will donate Rs 5 lakh to social worker Sindhutai Sapkal, who has adopted several street kids.

Not to be left behind, MLA Vinod Ghosalkar of the Shiv Sena will give Rs 1 lakh to the family of Pundalik Mane, one of the five Indian soldiers who was killed by the Pakistani ar my in Poonch recently.

The Sena has decided to harp on patriotism this time. Three Maharashtrian singers, Vaishali Samant, Swapnil Bandavadekar and Karitka and Kautubh of `Sare Ga Ma’ fame will sing patriotic songs at the Dahisar Sports Foundation ground.

Thane’s Sanskruti Yuva Pratisthan of MLA Pratap Sar naik, who had given a prize of Rs 25 lakh last time, says this time there will be no declared prize money. ``Last year, many Govindas were injured while attempting to make an eight-tier pyramid. This year, we will give prizes based on each group’s abilities,’’ said Sar naik’s son Poorvesh.

He said that an ambulance will be kept ready at the site. He also said that they were going to the home grounds of all the groups to see their capabilities. ``We will not allow a group which can make only six tiers to attempt eight tiers on Janmashtami,’’ Poorvesh said.

Unlike last year, water is no problem. Revellers will be sprayed with water from tankers.