Drishti Marine’s lifesavers along with a hand-picked team of volunteers, will aid the state administration in ensuring public safety during immersion of Ganesh idols along 45 beaches in the state, the Goa-based lifesaving agency has said.
Drishti Marine will be deploying its teams of lifesavers and volunteers at 53 locations, including 45 coastal beaches and eight other immersion sites until the late hours of the night.
“At the designated beaches, teams of lifesavers will assist people and ensure they are safe and assist them to return to shore safely after the immersion process, as the beaches are not yet open for sea access yet. In some cases, where the sea conditions are rough, the lifesavers will offer to carry the idol into the deeper sections of the water for immersion after the ceremonial puja,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO, Drishti Marine.
Drishti Marine requests people to carry out immersion of their Ganesh idols at the main entry point on beaches where the lifesaving teams will be posted. The agency has advised adult members of Ganesh immersion groups to closely watch over children on the beach, especially after nightfall, regardless of the water’s apparent shallowness. It has also cautioned both locals and tourists, particularly those under the influence of alcohol, against entering the water.
The team has made arrangements for an additional back-up lifesaver team and vehicles on stand-by in case of any emergency. Beaches where Drishti Marine’s lifesavers and volunteers will be posted are:
North Goa: Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Sinquerim, Vagator, Anjuna, Arambol, Miramar, Siridao, Morjim, Mandrem, Vainguinim, Dona Paula, Ashwem, Querim, Bambolim, Coco beach and Ashwem.
South Goa: Baina, Bogmalo, Velsao, Arossim, Hollant, Majorda, Utorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Sernabatim, Benaulim (near Taj Exotica), Varca, Zalor, Cavelossim, Mobor, Betul, Cananguinim, Agonda, Cabo De Rama, Khola, Palolem, Patnem, Rajbagh, Colomb, Galgibagh, Talpona and Polem.
In addition to the 45 beaches, lifesavers will also be deployed at Mapusa Taar, Vaddem lake, Parra Verla pond, Morjim lake, Aldona pond, Cumbarjua ferry point, Panaji ferry point and Betim ferry points.
