12 August,2011 08:44 AM IST | | Rinkita Gurav
Ahead of Narali Poornima on Saturday, fishermen, faced with dwindling catch and rising losses for the second year in a row, prepare to appease the sea god for the coming season
As yet another oil spill puts their business in dire straits, fishermen in the city don't want to let the sombre mood disrupt the celebration of Narali Poornima, an important Koli festival that marks the beginning of fishing season after a two-month gap. Instead, they have decided to pray more fervently to the sea god for a better catch.
The oil spill has not dampened the spirit of Mumbai's Kolis.
To mark the beginning of the fishing season, on the occasion
of Narali Purnima, fishermen will adorn their boats
Explaining that the festival, which falls tomorrow, is celebrated to appease the Almighty for calm and safety in the seas, the president of Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti, Damodar Tandel, said, "The festivities will not be hampered. Narali Poornima will be celebrated the way it has been every year."
This is not the first spirit dampener for the Kolis ahead of an important festival. Last year, two cargo ships, MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia, had collided, causing a huge oil spill due to which fishermen across 40 villages along the city's coast incurred a loss of Rs 8 crore.
"This year as well, there will be losses. But we will pray for a good catch the entire year," said Tandel.
On August 4, MV Rak, carrying 290 tonnes of fuel oil and 50 tonnes of diesel, sank 20 nautical miles off the city's coast, causing a 9x1 km oil slick that may threaten marine life.
Tandel added, "What bothers me is that, though fishermen do not make any demands on the government, we have to go on suffering like this. The government cannot secure the coastline or give us safety and shelter," said Tandel.
Dattaram Teli, a fisherman from Khar Danda, says, "With so many oil spills, the quality of fish deteriorates and people avoid buying fish."
The concerns of a poor catch and dwindling profits have strengthened the Kolis' resolve to gratify the gods. Sunil Maher, secretary of Mahim Nakwa Society, said, "The oil has not yet reached Mahim. We will pray to the sea god to help us cope with the obstacles of our occupation."
The locals have begun painting their boats and will wait for a few days for the spill to disperse, said Teli. In Versova, the community worships the sea god by offering coconuts, whereas in Khar Danda, there is an annual fair.u00a0
Rs 8 cr
Losses suffered by fishermen due to the oil spill last year
