Avoid gatherings for aarti, IMA suggests

Surat: With the state government banning garbas during Navratri and allowing only aarti with strict implementation of Covid-19 norms, the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) Surat chapter has taken to social media asking residents to stay away gathering during aartis.
IMA office-bearers have been circulating messages on the social media platform ‘I don’t support 200 people Navratri celebration and gathering at aarti. Still Covid not over’.
The IMA stated that there was no point in allowing aarti at housing societies as it would only allow the people to gather at one place, violating the social distancing norms and resulting into the spread of the virus.
Dr Parul Vadgama, immediate president of IMA (Surat) told TOI, “I don’t understand why the government has allowed aarti with gathering of upto 200 people. This is not going to serve the purpose and will create more problems for the people. It is our humble request to the residents to offer aarti in their houses and avoid gathering in the residential complexes and societies.”
Dr Vadgama added, “It is a welcome move by the government for not allowing the sheri garba and commercial Navratri celebrations across the state.”
Dr Vinesh Shah, medico-legal expert and senior office-bearrer of IMA said, “In a residential complex having more than 6,000 people, it would be difficult to hand-pick 200 people for aarti. When the Navratri celebrations have been put off, there is no need for allowing the people to gather for aarti.”
Dr Chandresh Jardosh, IMA State president told TOI, “Aarti is not complete without the distribution of prasad. It is a religious customs and people will follow it when they are allowed to perform aarti in the open grounds. There are chances of people getting infected during the time of prasad distribution.”