COVID-19 Care Hospital set up at Ram Nagar

Nagpur’s Ekta Ganesh Utsav Mandal got a mention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Mann Ki Baat, which was aired today (Sunday, August 30).

This year, the Lord Ganesha idols at the mandal, organised by former NCP MLC Prakash Gajbhiye for past 32 years, were set up with the theme Corona Care Hospital? with idols dressed up as doctors, nurses and cops at Hill Top in Ram Nagar.

Idol of a COVID-19 warrior 

The images of the idols were shown on screen while Modi spoke about the zeal of devotees during Ganesh Chaturthi amid the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic this year.

When the images were being telecasted vis-à-vis Ganesh Chaturthi, Modi said, In every event, the amount of caution and simplicity being observed is unprecedented. Ganeshotsav too is being celebrated online at some places and at most places eco-friendly Ganesha idols have been installed.

Idol of a cop

Lord Ganesha idol with a stethoscope

When we spoke to Prakash Gajbhiye, he said, We paid a tribute to our COVID-19 frontline workers ? doctors, nurses, police and other health staff; they are our real Gods. We even kept idols of patients. People need to get our message clear ? we don’t need temples, we need hospitals. I’m a staunch believer of secularism. I’m grateful to Modiji for showcasing our mandals idols across the country. Each year we try to adapt a theme, which gives a food for thought to people. Also, our idols with nearly 30 feet in height are the tallest in Maharashtra.