How The Mysterious ‘Garba’ Dance Claimed 10 Lives

Ten persons are claimed to have died from heart attacks in Gujarat, a state in western India, during the “Garba” dance during the current Navratri Hindu festival, according to officials.

Garba is a dance that honors, worships, and celebrates the feminine form of divinity.

The word “garba” comes from the Sanskrit word garbha, meaning “womb.”

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The deceased ranged from teenagers to middle-aged people, with the youngest being 13-year-old hailing from Dabhoi in Vadodara district.

According to reports, over 500 emergency calls were made within 24 hours after the dance.

“Over 500 ambulance calls were made in 24 hours and the government has also issued an alert and asked the organisers of such events to take all necessary measures.

“It said the measures should include ensuring that ambulances are available to take people to hospitals if they feel unwell.’’

The traditional Gujarati dance of Garba is among the key features of the Navratri festival, which spans over nine nights from October 15 and is performed especially in the state of Gujarat.

The local Gujarat government has issued an alert to all public hospitals and community health centers close to Garba sites, advising them to be on high alert.

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Doctors have advised revelers to avoid playing Garba for long stretches of time without taking breaks.

The event organisers have also been asked to keep automated external defibrillators which can help save lives in such situations.

The organisers were also asked to have some people who are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation deployed to the spot.