BHUBANESWAR: Amid alarming rise in Covid-19 cases in the state, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday projected the just-concluded Rath Yatra in Puri as a best practice to fight against the virus.
In a four-minute video message, Naveen said the successful conduct of Rath Yatra amid the pandemic has taught three key messages — sacrifice, self-restraint and discipline — which should be adopted by everyone to ensure victory over the novel corona virus.
This year’s Rath Yatra created history as all rituals were performed smoothly and in a disciplined manner without the congregation of devotees. “Just a day before Rath Yatra, I had told that the world was watching us as we were scheduled to host Rath Yatra under the Covid glare. By god’s grace, we succeeded in hosting the festival,” Naveen said.
He said the Puri Rath Yatra set an example for the whole world in terms of proper compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines and safety precautions. “Puri showed the way. Though the deities were on the chariots for four days on the Grand Road, people of Puri and devotees obeyed the Covid guidelines and stayed in their homes. They did not come out to watch the festival. Their sacrifice, self-restraint and discipline is incomparable and cannot be forgotten,” Naveen said.
Naveen said the sibling deities came out of the Jagannath Temple to instil the lessons of sacrifice and discipline among devotees. “To win the Covid battle, we have to strictly adhere to sacrifice, discipline and self-restraint the three main weapons against the virus,” Naveen said.
“Cases are also rising in Odisha. I had earlier warned that the cases might increase during the monsoon. Until the Covid vaccine or treatment is available, life will never be the same again. We all have to obey the Covid-19 guidelines and stay indoors,” said Naveen, adding, “People should accept the new normal of wearing mask, maintaining social distance and washing hands frequently to keep Covid at bay.”
In a four-minute video message, Naveen said the successful conduct of Rath Yatra amid the pandemic has taught three key messages — sacrifice, self-restraint and discipline — which should be adopted by everyone to ensure victory over the novel corona virus.
This year’s Rath Yatra created history as all rituals were performed smoothly and in a disciplined manner without the congregation of devotees. “Just a day before Rath Yatra, I had told that the world was watching us as we were scheduled to host Rath Yatra under the Covid glare. By god’s grace, we succeeded in hosting the festival,” Naveen said.
He said the Puri Rath Yatra set an example for the whole world in terms of proper compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines and safety precautions. “Puri showed the way. Though the deities were on the chariots for four days on the Grand Road, people of Puri and devotees obeyed the Covid guidelines and stayed in their homes. They did not come out to watch the festival. Their sacrifice, self-restraint and discipline is incomparable and cannot be forgotten,” Naveen said.
Naveen said the sibling deities came out of the Jagannath Temple to instil the lessons of sacrifice and discipline among devotees. “To win the Covid battle, we have to strictly adhere to sacrifice, discipline and self-restraint the three main weapons against the virus,” Naveen said.
“Cases are also rising in Odisha. I had earlier warned that the cases might increase during the monsoon. Until the Covid vaccine or treatment is available, life will never be the same again. We all have to obey the Covid-19 guidelines and stay indoors,” said Naveen, adding, “People should accept the new normal of wearing mask, maintaining social distance and washing hands frequently to keep Covid at bay.”
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