Indian Navy diving team at Ganga Sagar for rescue and relief operations
Kolkata, Jan 8 (IBNS): During ‘Makar Sankranti’ in January every year, lakhs devotees from across Indian and neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh congregate at the annual Ganga Sagar Mela to pay obeisance at Kapil Muni temple after taking a holy bath at the confluence of river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal.
Like every year, this year too, the Indian Navy (IN) has positioned a team of specialist Diving Team from 08 – 17 January 2019 for rescue and relief operations in case of any eventuality during the Mela.
This deployment of the IN Diving Team from Eastern Naval Command comprising of 10 divers has been coordinated by the Naval Officer-in-Charge, West Bengal, on special request from the State Government, read a government statement.
The district administration of South 24 Parganas has also rendered full administrative support to the IN Diving Team. In addition, NDRF and ICG are also likely to be deployed at the Sagar Island in subsequent days.
The triangular Sagar Island, situated around 130 kms from Kolkata, is separated from the mainland by rivers Ganga and Muriganga on two sides and faces the sea on the third side.
The island is considered auspicious by the Hindus, who converge here at this time of the year to take the holy dip which is considered as a sacred wellspring of salvation. Around 18 - 20 lakh devotees are expected to visit Ganga Sagar Mela in next one week. The Ganga Sagar Mela is rated as the second largest assembly of people after the quadrennial Kumbha Mela.
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