MCD feels havan may help fight dengue

Religious ceremony on Wednesday attended by members of medical fraternity

Even the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) seems to be acknowledging that divine intervention is needed to combat the menace of dengue and swine flu in the Capital. With the civic agency and the health department in the city failing to effectively restrict the diseases, people are resorting to desperate measures.


Sunil Yogacharya and other devotees conducting Havan at Bhartiya
Vidya Bhavan, KG Marg in New Delhi on Thursday. PIC/Rajeev Tyagi

On Wednesday, an organisation called Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti organised a havan in order to check the increasing number of dengue and swine flu cases in Delhi ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Incidentally Dr Narender Saini, President of Delhi Medical Association (DMA), was a part of the ceremony. What's interesting is that MCD Standing Committee Chairman Dr Yogesh Chandolia believes steps like these can only help.u00a0

"We have taken all the effective steps that we could take. May be such steps will help in lowering the number," he said.

With that kind of response from the Capital's premier civic agency, it's natural that other parties are pinning their hopes elsewhere.

"The coming days will show a large number of dengue as well as swine flu cases. By this spiritual way we are just trying to contribute from our side," said Sunil Yogacharya of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti.

"Yes, it can definitely help in reducing the numbers. With the fumes in the air, the dirt in the environment will get cleaned up," said Dr Saini, President of DMA.

Generally, the function is held every year between Rakshabandhan and Janmashtmi. But this year, the havan has been conducted twice.