Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI:In a poignant turn of events at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, a 60-year-old senior citizen from Goa, Rama Pednekar, lost his life due to a heart attack. Pednekar, a resident of Curchorem in South Goa, had traveled to the holy site as part of a special initiative by the Goa government to facilitate free travel for devotees.
The incident occurred while Pednekar was being rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead by medical personnel. Family members have since arrived in Prayagraj to handle the necessary formalities.
Pednekar was among the thousands of devotees who benefited from the Goa government’s arrangement of three special trains to Prayagraj. The first two trains departed on February 6 and 13, with the third scheduled for February 21. Each train, part of the Mukhyamantri Dev Darshan Yojana, accommodates around 1,000 passengers and provides free travel and meals.
State Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai had earlier outlined the eligibility criteria for this scheme, stating that it was open to applicants aged 18 to 60 years with no major health issues. Despite these precautions, the sudden demise of Pednekar highlights the risks associated with long-distance travel, especially for older individuals.
The Goa government’s initiative aimed to make the spiritual experience of Maha Kumbh accessible to all segments of society, but this tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of health screenings and medical preparedness during such large-scale events.
