How a friends group supports festival crowds at the annual Panguni festival in Mylapore

Mylai Mandaveli Friends Unit has added a fresh feather to its cap. On March 29 when the mada streets around Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore were teeming with devotees for the Arubathimoovar procession, these volunteers took a strategic position, stationing themselves in the compound of Indian Bank on North Mada Street. Their presence equalled safely. With a public address system, they were continually urging devotees to keep their children safe in crowded spaces. By the end of the day, they had helped reunite three children with their parents. And 25 others who are in their second children: they are seniors.

“Two boys, one girl and 25 senior citizens, some who have difficulty in walking,” 76-year-old Thambi K. Parthasarathy spells out the details. Parthasarathy is a core member of Mylai Mandaveli Friends Unit; his voice is hoarse from hours of shouting.