Major organisers decide against garbas

Vadodara: Major garba organisers in the city have decided against holding the nine-day revelry in the city this year in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. While the state government was looking to give relaxations during Navratri, the organisers have dropped the event keeping in mind safety of the revellers.
The biggest garba globally, United Way Garba, will also not be held this year. Organisers of the Vadodara Navratri Festival (VNF) and other garbas have also taken similar decisions.
Chairperson of the resource development committee of the United Way of Baroda, Hemant Shah, said that the board of the organization had taken a decision against holding the event. “Physical distancing is not possible as a massive gathering takes place at our venue. Participants can not only infect themselves, but also carry the infection home and infect their families,” he said.
Mayank Patel from VNF said that given the extraordinary situation, it was not inclined to hold the garba. “We can stitch together the event in days, but will avoid it this time in the interest of the city. We will install an idol of Mataji at the venue, pray there and give offerings,” he said.