PM urges Saints to make Kumbh Mela symbolic
TNN Bureau. Updated: 4/17/2021 11:40:50 AM
National
New Delhi, Apr 17: Amid the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases across the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged Sant Samaj to make ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar symbolic, to strengthen the country's fight against COVID.
Mr Modi said that he spoke to Swami Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara over the telephone and enquired about the well-being of all saints.
"Today, I spoke to Swami Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara over the telephone and enquired about the health of saints. Every saint is cooperating with the administration. I extended my gratitude to all saint for this," he tweeted in Hindi.
"I prayed that two 'Shahi Snans' have been done and now, the Kumbh should be kept symbolic. It will help us strengthen our fight against the crisis," Mr Modi said in another tweet.
His request comes in the wake of numerous saints and devotees testing positive during the mela and two prominent seers succumbing to it.
Responding to the PM's tweet, Swami Avdheshanand Giri, in a tweet, said, "We respect the request of the PM. Life is very important." He also urged the people not to participate in large number in the Holy Dip and follow all COVID norms.
In Haridwar, Uttarakhand, people, along with saints, are participating in the ongoing Kumbh Mela in large numbers, increasing the risk of COVID infections in the wake of second strong COVID wave.