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Journalism of Courage
KURUKSHETRA, August 19: For the first time in history, an insurance cover of Rs 50,000 was being provided to pilgrims converging here on account of the solar eclipse, with a ceiling upto Rs 50 lakh, said Deputy Commissioner of Kurukshetra, T V S N Prasad while speaking to The Indian Express here today.
This insurance cover would be applicable on cases of food poisoning, deaths by drowning or stampede. Prasad said that 5 to 8 lakh pilgrims were expected to take the holy dip during the eclipse. However, the usual rush of the pilgrims is absent this time. Except the regular pilgrims from outside, no rush of devotees was seen here today. Elaborate preparations have been done to handle the event this time.
The partial solar eclipse, slated for August 22, between 5.55 am to 6.10 am, would be visible only through a microscope and will not be seen with bare eyes, according to the meteorological experts. This is being considered as the sole reason of indifferent of the devotees. Prasad revealed that sacred "Bramha Sarovar’s" water had been specially treated with alum and copper-sulfate to make it free from germs.
He maintained that this year, unlike the previous fairs, the district administration had planned to install permanent fixtures for lighting and would be extra careful to provide basic amenities like, sanitation, potable water and also have loudspeaker points. All these permanently created structures could also be utilised for the next year’s full solar eclipse on August 11, he maintained.
The district magistrate of Kurukshetra has banned carrying of sharp-edged weapons, pistols and fire arms in the entire district. The sale of liquor and meat items has also been banned during the fair. Prasad also said that to provide immediate health services to the visiting pilgrims, the district administration had fixed 12 first-aid boxes.
A special make-shift hospital had also been erected in the civil hospital. Elaborating upon the security arrangements during the fair, Prasad disclosed that the entire area will be monitored through close-circuit TVs and would be attached with the control rooms of police and central fair office.
Nearly 5,000 police personnel, home guards, scouts and volunteers of Mahavir Dal and other local organisations would be pressed into the fair duty, revealed Prasad.
