Dear @sambit_dash , there are several things you got wrong in your article:
Firstly, you got Chronology wrong. Chief Servitor of Lord Jagannath started preparing for the #RathYatra as early as April. Even before d Ratha construction was to be started on Akshaya Trutiya.. 1/n
Firstly, you got Chronology wrong. Chief Servitor of Lord Jagannath started preparing for the #RathYatra as early as April. Even before d Ratha construction was to be started on Akshaya Trutiya.. 1/n
a detailed proposal was submitted on how the #RathYatra can be held without compromising on public health. The proposal was submitted to every1 - Gajapati, Shankaracharya, @CMO_Odisha, @HMOIndia & @PMOIndia and welcomed by the @sjta_puri 2/n
When the Rath construction was started upon receiving GREEN signal from @HMOIndia, all the carpenters were tested & Rath construction happened in compliance with all health norms. The two usually crowded rituals viz., Rukmini Vivaha & Deba Snana was conducted w/o Devotees 3/n
& upon subjecting ~800 Sebayats to COVID-19 testing. The Govt. in the meanwhile instructed d Carpenters to complete Ratha construction to complete the 3 Rathas as per schedule w/o delay, which they did. Petitions came to be filed in Odisha HC questioning conduct of #RathYatra 4/n
Odisha HC after taking into consideration d extensive preparations undertaken by @sjta_puri , left d #RathYatra at d discretion of State.
It is then that d NGO approached SC. @CMO_Odisha instead of informing SC of extensive preparations by @sjta_puri for >2months.. 5/n
It is then that d NGO approached SC. @CMO_Odisha instead of informing SC of extensive preparations by @sjta_puri for >2months.. 5/n
instead plainly agreed to cancellation of sacred ritual, drawing suspicion and furore from ppl of Odisha and esp. Puri who were from beginning aware of prepartions in place for zero-crowd #RathYatra. It seems U didn't do your homework before writing Ur piece. There is more.. 6/n
Your suspicion on d conduct of COVID-19 tests so quickly upon SC order is without basis, as the @sjta_puri was all the while prepared to conduct the tests as per their plan, just like they conducted over 800 tests before Deba Snana on 05/June. Moreover.. 7/n
All d Sebayats had been strictly instructed to maintain home quarantine & elderly Sebayats were prohibited from participating. Regarding social distancing, U r right that it is simply not possible, but then again, they r all confirmed Covid-19 negative, so no cause to fear. 8/n
Regarding Masks, please understand #RathYatra of ~85 tonne Rath (each) by a limited no. of Sebayats involves great physical exertion & wearing masks leads to inordinate consumption of CO2 trapped inside d mask & is very harmful to health 9/n
Your conclusion that #RathYatra was well organized only on paper is therefore baseless as I've shown how it was well organized in letter and spirit. Please give credit where it is due.
You've raised an ethical Qn - which too - lacks basis as .. 10/n
You've raised an ethical Qn - which too - lacks basis as .. 10/n
Because d @sjta_puri's plan encompassed Police, doctors,etc.
While d State Govt's mischievous stand b4 SC made it look like d whole preparation was 4 nothing & created great confusion, yet d SJTA deserves great credit for preserving tradition with full compliance to health norms.
While d State Govt's mischievous stand b4 SC made it look like d whole preparation was 4 nothing & created great confusion, yet d SJTA deserves great credit for preserving tradition with full compliance to health norms.
