Chandrapur's Shitala Mata team wins Rs 1.51 lakh Dahi Handi prize, sets new record

The Dahi Handi festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm at New English School grounds in Chandrapur. The grand event was jointly organised by The Maratha Charitable Trust and the Balubhau Mitra Parivar.

In a tightly fought contest, the Shitala Mata Govinda team from Babupeth won the day. Building tall human pyramids to break the Dahi Handi, the team took home the first prize of Rs 1,51,000 and a trophy. The team broke the Dahi Handi for the second year in a row, setting a new record. MP Pratibha Dhanorkar was specially present at the event and praised the winners.

Also present on the occasion were Rajura municipal council president Arun Dhote, Warora municipal council president Archana Thakre, Mul municipal council president Ekta Samarth, Ballarpur municipal council president Alka Wadhai, Mahila Congress district president Kunda Jenekar, city Congress district president Shiva Rao, Congress group leader in Chandrapur Municipal Corporation Surendra Adbale, along with corporators of Chandrapur Municipal Corporation and various municipal councils, elected representatives, Congress office-bearers and workers.

Various competitions held as part of the festival saw enthusiastic participation. The event began in the afternoon with a tug-of-war competition for women above 18 years, in which women's teams drew loud applause from the crowd for their strength and team spirit. The Tug of War team took first place with Rs 10,000 and a trophy, the Irai team came second with Rs 7,000 and a trophy, while the Azad Golden team placed third with Rs 5,000 and a trophy. This was followed by a fancy dress competition for children aged 5 to 10 on the theme of great Indian personalities. Among the children dressed as figures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Savitribai Phule, Shifa Pawar took first place and won Rs 5,000 and a trophy, Sanjeevan Pawar came second with Rs 3,000 and a trophy, while Ahilya Lalsare placed third with Rs 2,000 and a trophy.

The main attraction of the evening was the Dahi Handi competition open to all, held amid a colourful atmosphere. The New English School grounds echoed with chants as Govinda teams built tall human pyramids. In this contest, the Shitala Mata Govinda team from Babupeth built thrilling pyramids to break the Dahi Handi and won Rs 1,51,000 in cash and a grand trophy. All winning players and Govinda teams were felicitated on stage with cash prizes and trophies by the dignitaries present.

The DJ was played in accordance with the rules and directions given by the district superintendent of police and the court. Speaking on this, MP Pratibha Dhanorkar praised the organisers for playing the DJ while following the rules, and appealed to all citizens and organising committees to follow administrative rules while playing DJs at all upcoming festivals as well. The grand cultural and sporting festival drew an overwhelming response from citizens, women and Govinda enthusiasts of Chandrapur city and the surrounding areas. Members and volunteers of The Maratha Charitable Trust and the Balubhau Mitra Parivar worked hard to make the festival a success, and Atul Waghmare thanked everyone present and all participating contestants on behalf of the organisers.