Garba deadline: Blessing in disguise

After the 10 pm deadline for garba during this Navratri, there seems to be a positive trend in attendance pattern of students in schools and colleges of the state this year. Earlier, owing to late night garbas there used to be a lean attendance in schools and colleges.

Chandani Upadhyaya, a student of class 10 of Swastik school, said, "We had one to the garbas on the first day and found that the number of visitors was just half than it sued to be earlier and police presence on the venue far outnumbered the visitors. And we are not planning to go everyday".

While Mausam Shah, here classmate, said, "We are students and if we play the whole night we cannot concentrate for the next day, thanks to the government we can study as well as enjoy. The deadline should be followed every year."

Anvi Visaria, a class 10 student of H.B. Kapadia School said while these steps have proved to be beneficial for the students, it has certainly dampened the festive spirit.

Jeetendra Shah, principal of J.P. High school remarked that the attendance problem was more in the western part as the area is dominated by club and party plots and it was not a problem in the north and the walled city.

Prof. Jaswant Thakkar of S.K.U. College for Women said the attendance has certainly improved over the past years.

A.U. Patel, principal of L.D. Arts College, said attendance is bound to improve this year owing to the new deadline for garba celebration which is a step in the right direction.

Dinesh Patel, principal of Umia College for girls agreed with the improved attendance this year and added this should be made the trend every year as it is good for the students.

Republished from The Asian Age