Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], October 7 (ANI): Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik said that between 35 to 50 lakh people are estimated to take the dip in Ganga daily during the Kumbh Mela 2021.
The 2021 Maha Kumbh Mela will be held at Haridwar. The bathing dates for it have already been announced beginning January 14.
Briefing the media, Kaushik assured that all the preparations needed to be done by the government will be completed timely.
He also said that the Akharas, and saints will finalise the extent of the Kumbh Mela and added that its grandeur will be on the same scale as earlier, despite the COVID-19 crisis.
Meanwhile, yesterday Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that special attention should be given to cleanliness during Kumbh Mela amid COVID-19.
While reviewing the preparation of Kumbh Mela 2021, Rawat gave instructions and said, “Pay special attention to cleanliness, garbage disposal in Haridwar and Rishikesh should be ensured, Kumbh will be organised in a grand manner, the beautification of the fair area should be completed on time.”
The meeting was held at Veer Chander Singh Garhwali Auditorium located in the Secretariat.
The Chief Minister said that keeping the religious and cultural significance of the Kumbh Mela, it should be organised safely in view of COVID.
Idol makers in Gorakhpur suffer losses due to COVID-19 pandemic
Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 7 (ANI): Idol makers in Gorakhpur said that their businesses have been badly hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are making only small idols this year for installation at home, that too only on demand. Idols that we used to sell for Rs 10,000 are being sold just for Rs 3,000,” said Manish Pal, an idol maker.
“We’ve not been able to pay our workers. The pandemic has caused a complete downfall for us, idol makers. We were expecting nothing from the upcoming Navratri season but thankfully the government has allowed for smaller idols to be sold. Hence there is some relief,” added another shopkeeper.
He further said, “Last year we sold around 70 big idols during the season. This year the count has hardly touch 30-35. The profits have been reduced to half of what we made last year.”
As many as 6,092 deaths due to COVID-19 were recorded in Uttar Pradesh until October 6, total cases have reached 45,024, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). (ANI)
