Information Center Set Up at Shravani Mela Plays a Crucial Role in Reunitng Separated Kanwarias; When Kanwarias Inquire About Missing Comrades, Staff Broadcast Messages via Public Address Systems
Sultanganj (Bhagalpur), Special Correspondent: Amidst the arduous and sacred Kanwar pilgrimage to Deoghar, a specific arrangement at the historic Shravani Mela in Sultanganj has brought smiles to countless faces, vividly highlighting the administration's sensitivity and human-centric approach. In the massive crowds, vast gatherings, and walking journey of the pilgrims, elderly individuals, women, or children often get separated from their families and companions. In such scenarios, the Information and Assistance Center active in the Sultanganj fairgrounds has proven to be nothing short of a boon. The vigilance of the deployed staff and the constant announcements made through public address systems (microphones) have played an instrumental role in reuniting separated loved ones.
Separation of Loved Ones is Common in This Ocean of Crowds
From the banks of the north-flowing Ganges in Sultanganj up to the beginning of the unpaved Kanwaria path, lakhs of Shiva devotees throng the area:
Immense Gathering of People: Within this heavy crowd of Kanwarias, elderly parents often get separated from their young children, or little ones lose their grip on their guardians' hands amidst the rush of the fair.
Panic and Uncertainty: After getting separated from loved ones, the failure of mobile networks, dead batteries, or the inability to communicate due to overwhelming crowds cause immense mental stress and panic for the pilgrims. In such moments, they are left clueless about who to contact for help.
The Information Center Becomes a Beacon of Hope
During such emergency and stressful situations, the information center established by the district administration in the Sultanganj fairgrounds acts as a crisis savior:
Immediate Announcements: As soon as someone approaches the center with information about a missing relative, the staff on duty spring into action without wasting a single second.
The Magic of Public Address Systems: Through loudspeakers, the name, attire, age, and details of the home district or group of the separated individual are continuously broadcast across the fair zone. This sound reaches far-off tents and camps, yielding immediate results.
Sensitivity of the Staff and Round-the-Clock Hard Work
The duty of the administrative personnel and police jawans stationed at the information center is not merely to make announcements, but also to comfort panicked individuals separated from their families:
Counseling and Instant Relief: When a crying child or distressed elderly person arrives at the center, the staff first offers them water to calm them down, notes down their complete details, and takes care of them until their family members reach them.
24-Hour Activity: Throughout the duration of the fair, this information center operates round-the-clock (24x7). Day or night, diligent staff remain alert at their posts, taking every distress call with utmost seriousness.
Moments of Emotional Reunion
Through the information center, numerous instances have emerged where separated individuals became emotional upon reuniting with their loved ones:
Recently, an elderly villager panicked severely after getting separated from his group. He neither had a mobile phone nor remembered anyone's phone number. Thanks to the information center, within minutes, an announcement over the microphone reached his son, who rushed to the center. The sight of the father and son embracing brought tears to the eyes of everyone present.
Similarly, many young children who grew exhausted searching for their parents amidst the crowds were safely handed over to their guardians.
Praise for Administrative Vigilance and Technical Support
This year, the district administration deployed modern Public Address (PA) systems and special volunteers at the information centers, yielding positive results:
Coordination of Social Media and Local Networks: Alongside traditional loudspeakers, police walkie-talkies and the networks of local service camps are fully utilized to spread information swiftly.
Pilgrims' Feedback: Kanwarias arriving from various states across the country have showered high praise on this administrative arrangement. They expressed that such robust and humane arrangements instill a sense of inner security during their journey.
The information center established at the Sultanganj Shravani Mela is not merely an administrative counter; rather, it has become a center of warmth for the thousands of devotees who feel disoriented after losing their loved ones in the crowd. The sensitivity of the staff, prompt decision-making, and timely announcements via loudspeakers have once again proven that genuine public service and administrative readiness can resolve even the most difficult problems with ease. This initiative not only renders the Shravani Mela safe but also presents a living example of human empathy.
