PANAJI
Drishti Marine, the State-appointed professional lifesaver agency, stationed at 40 beaches along the coast is assisting people in the immersion ritual of the idol of Lord Ganesh and ensure that they are safe.
The State is celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi festival and the life-savers of Drishti have suggested ways to stay safe during immersion celebrations along the coast ahead of the 11-day immersion on September 19. Drishti lifesavers will be deployed at Arambol, Morjim, Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Miramar, Baina, Colva and Palolem beach.
Drishti will have a team of lifesaver’s stationed late into the night at 40 beaches along the coast during the ongoing Ganesh festivities to assist and aid people in the immersion ritual of the idol which generally takes place late in the night. Lifesavers were deployed beyond their regular hour of duty at these 43 identified locations.
At the designated beaches teams of lifesavers will assist people and ensure they are safe and will assist them to return back to shore safely after the immersion process. In some cases, if the sea conditions are rough, the lifesavers will offer to carry the idol into the deeper areas for immersion after the ceremonial puja takes place.
Drishti has requested people to carry out their immersion at the main entry point of the beaches where lifesaver teams will be present or approach the lifesaver tower for assistance.
The agency has also advised locals and tourists, many of who turn up to watch the festive proceedings, not to enter the waters and most certainly restrain themselves from doing so if under the influence of alcohol. The team has made arrangements to have an additional back-up lifesaver team and vehicles on stand-by in case of any emergency. The team will be deployed at 40 beaches.
