Tragedy strikes Navratri Celebrations: 17-year-old dies of cardiac arrest while playing Garba in Gujarat

As Navratri festivities began, a 17-year-old boy, Veer Shah, tragically lost his life due to a sudden cardiac arrest while participating in the vibrant Garba dance on the sixth day of the festival in Kapadvanj, Kheda district.

Dr. Aayush Patel, MD Medicine, shared the details of the incident with news agency ANI, stating, "A 17-year-old boy, Veer Shah, was playing Garba at the Garba ground in Kapadvanj when he complained of dizziness and became unresponsive. A team of volunteers at the scene immediately attended to him and performed a cardio-respiratory resuscitation. We monitored his vitals but found no pulse. There was no response and signs of respiration. He was given three cycles of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We shifted him to a hospital by ambulance. However, he was declared dead at the hospital."

The news of Veer Shah's untimely demise sent shockwaves through his native village, where a pall of gloom descended upon its residents. Veer's father, Ripal Shah, who was oblivious to the unfolding tragedy, was informed of his son's sudden passing.


Ripal Shah and his wife were engrossed in the exuberant Navratri celebrations at another Garba ground in Kapadwanj when the devastating incident took place.

Overwhelmed with grief, an inconsolable Ripal Shah implored the revelers to exercise caution, saying, "Be careful playing Garba, do not continue playing it without rest. I lost my child today and wish no such incident happens to anyone else."

At the very Garba ground where Veer Shah's life was tragically cut short, the organizers observed a poignant two-minute silence in a solemn tribute to the young boy.

In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, the Garba event that was in progress at the venue was postponed out of respect for Veer's memory.

(With inputs from ANI)