Bhubaneswar: against the background of Covid testing in Kumbh Mela in Haridwar and the scene of mismanagement in several festivals in other countries in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis, all eyes are in the Odisha government and Rath Yatra’s behavior, which are celebrated in Puri on Monday.
That the state government comes out with flying colors is an underestimated statement.
What is more significant is that the success of Rath Yatra’s behavior for the second year in a row can be a template to follow other countries.
It is a careful planning and appropriate arrangement that results in the hassle free behavior from Rath Yatra in the castle in accordance with the corresponding norms of Covid.
Like last year, the Supreme Court did not allow festivals to be held elsewhere in the country of restrictions on the castle, and it was also without worship.
It was the duty of Herculean for the government to keep the lakh worshipers and tourists stay away from gathering in the castle for the festival.
But the Odisha government not only persuades worshipers to stay at home, but also ensure that the festival was observed with strict compliance of the Covid safety protocol.
It was against the situation of Covid which was still uncontrolled in a coastal bag, including the castle, and the central team recently visited Odisha to take the stock of virus management.
The first step taken by the government is to strictly ensure that all participants during Rath Yatra (servants, police, districts, and temple officials and media) bring RT-PCR negative reports and fully vaccination certificates.
“We did a number of RT-PCR tests in run-up to Rath Yatra.
About 3,000 servants and 2,000 officials have undergone a RT-PCR test 48 hours before Rath Yatra.
The employees and officials who are fully vaccinated are also targeted by RT-PCR tests, “Collector said Puri Samarth Verma.
Another great preparation is to empty all hotels that have tourists and seal the entry point to the castle three days before the festival.
Focus is directed to keep travelers away from 41 hotels in the Grand Road.
Although administration imposes curfews to prevent public meetings, important steps are convincing local residents living at home.
“We held a series of meetings with locals in different areas and sensitive to them about the need to hold restrictions in the midst.
Cooperation of the local residents helped us carry out Rath Yatra by following the appropriate behavior of Covid,” said a senior police officer.
The Chairman of the Minister of Naveen Patnaik on Monday praised the population of Puri because it showed self-restricted and cooperating with the administration to make Rath Yatra successful.