Uttar Pradesh Governor and former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Sunday expressed concern over the death of youngsters during the ongoing Navratri celebrations.
Patel, who had succeeded Narendra Modi as Gujarat CM in 2014, was speaking at a function in Patan district, North Gujarat. She was presiding over a function organised to mark the ground-breaking ceremony of a temple and an educational complex to be set up by the Khodaldham Trust.
Expressing concern over the issue, Patel said an analysis should be done as to how many youngsters died while performing garba.
Former CM said one should take into account the number of youngsters who had died in the last one year. While speaking about doing an analysis, she mentioned the name of Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, who was present at the occasion.
She even suggested that there should be a bifurcation in the figures of the deaths of women, men and youngsters.
On Saturday late evening seven deaths, including three from Garba arenas, were reported from different parts of the city. Though there is no confirmation on the reason behind the deaths, it is believed that the youngsters have been victims of heart attacks.
Among the ones who died include a 17-year-old boy in Kapadvanj in Kheda district of Central Gujarat. A 13-year-old boy had fallen off his bicycle and his reports were normal. Few hour later, he passed away in sleep at home. The age group of those who died have ranged from 13-55 years.
Dr. Bharat Gadhavi, president of Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association, told THE WEEK that while the reasons of the deaths cannot be confirmed but there is a probability of acute myocardial infraction.
He recommended the need for a retrospective study to be undertaken. Dr. Gadhavi said that the reasons could be multiple and a conclusion can be arrived at only if post-mortems of the youngsters, who died, are carried out.
He said that the reasons could also include the COVID pandemic, vaccine-related issues or other ailments.
Before the nine-night festival, which is even marketed as the biggest dance festival in the world, the Association had issued several guidelines that included a suggestion that the garba revellers should get their medical check-ups done before hitting the ground.
Death among youngsters after completing workouts in gyms or while playing cricket on weekends has been a major concern in Gujarat after the COVID pandemic.
