13-year-old drowns in construction pit

Veda Ramaswamy and Saurabh Katkurwar, Navi Mumbai,
June 26, 2012 - Mid Day

Deceased failed to come up after jumping into a 30-feet water filled pit in the middle of a Navi Mumbai construction site, builders blamed for violating rules

Dead: Lifeguards pulled out the body of Abhishek Bharadwaj who was drowned in a 30-ft hole that was dug within a construction site opposite Sanpada railway station

Just a day after the tragic death of Mahi from Haryana, whose lifeless body was pulled out of a borewell on Sunday, a boy from Sanpada died under similar circumstances. Abhishek Bharadwaj (13) yesterday drowned in a 30-feet hole that was dug within a construction site opposite Sanpada railway station.

According to police officers from Turbhe police station, at around 1.30pm on Monday, Abhishek had visited the spot with two of his school friends to take a swim. He took a plunge into the water from a nearby wall, unaware of the depth. The hole was situated within the 22-25 meter long and 15-20 meter wide construction site.

When he failed to come up, Abhishek’s friends informed their school authorities immediately, who in turn alerted the NMMC fire brigade. The rescue operation continued for four hours, but his lifeless body was pulled out by Bholenath Chavan, a lifeguard at the NBC Club who happened to pass by.

“I was on my way to work when I noticed a huge crowd at the construction site. On knowing what had happened, I started searching for the boy myself. After a 30 minute search, I found his body, but he wasn’t breathing. I handed over the body to the firemen and left,” said Chavan. The NMMC officials took the body to a nearby municipal hospital, where he was declared dead.

When asked whether the construction site lacked vigilance, JN Sinnarkar, deputy municipal commissioner of NMMC, said, “As per rules, we are not bound to hire life guards. However, if a case of drowning happens, we call professional lifeguards. The land belongs to two developers, and it was their duty to have at least provided some security personnel at the site. It is not our responsibility to allot lifeguards at a private land,” said Sinnarkar. The NMMC have now filed a FIR against the two developers at the Turbhe police station.

The builder who dug the hole, apparently did not obtain permission from the NMMC to start construction on the land. Sagar Naik, mayor of Navi Mumbai, who visited the spot, declared that the builder will be reprimanded if he has violated the rules. “I have come to know that the builder, who has dug up the holes, has not taken any permission from the corporation. We do not know who has started the construction here, so we will take strong action against the builder after investigation of the matter,” said Naik.

Link to the original article available here.

Swallowing mystery object claims 4-year-old's life

Veda Ramaswamy, Mumbai
June 5, 2012 - Mid Day

Mother says toddler gestured with hands that something was stuck in his throat after he came home from play

Grief-stricken: Suvarna and Shashikant Sawant grieving Manthan’s loss

Tragedy struck Suvarna and Shashikant Sawant, when their four-year-old son, Manthan, was declared dead on arrival at Ghatkopar’s Rajawadi Hospital around 11 am yesterday. However, mystery shrouds Manthan’s death, as he was hale and hearty when he left home to play with his colony friends. The Sawants are residents of Gautam Nagar in Govandi.

“Manthan had chapati with jam and a couple of rava ladoos for breakfast following which he left home to play with his colony friends. However, he came back within 10 minutes. He was feeling restless and started vomiting,” said Suvarna. She also said that Manthan was gesturing with his hands that something was stuck in his throat and she thumped his back, hoping that it would help him get it out. But Manthan collapsed in her lap, and stopped breathing.

“The incident occurred around 10 am in the morning. We immediately rushed him to Sai Kripa Hospital in Chembur. The hospital staff advised us to admit him to Rajawadi hospital, as they lacked ICU facility. But he was declared dead on arrival at Rajawadi,” said Suvarna. His aunt said, “All of us had the same breakfast and sweets. Nothing has happened to any of us. I am certain that he might have swallowed some object, maybe a coin while playing, which led to his unfortunate death.”

“The autopsy report is not yet out. Once we have it, only then can we confirm the exact cause of his death,” said Pandit Sonawane, API, Deonar police station. A case has been registered under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code (doubt regarding the cause of death). Till last night, the police officials were still awaiting the report, so that they could give Sawants the permission to claim the toddler’s body and perform last rites.

“Two months ago, he had fallen off a moving truck, and had injured his jaw. But he made it through that. Little did I know that his life would come to such an abrupt end. He was supposed to start schooling this month,” mourned Suvarna. 

Remembering Manthan as an energetic and a playful child, Supriya, a neighbour, said, “He used to play all day long. He was a very active boy. We thought he would become a sportsperson someday. Of all the children, he was his grandmother’s beloved and she would fondly call him ‘Sonya’."

Link to original article available here.

Local NGOs teach disaster management

Veda Ramaswamy, Mumbai,
June 18, 2012 - Mid Day

With monsoons beginning in the city, local ALMs and NGOs have begun organising disaster management classes for citizens in the area. Kicking it off this Sunday was the AGNI K-East Joint Area Action Group (JAAG).

The class was conducted by Rajesh G Shirke, a certified health and safety auditor from the National Safety Council of India, specialising in damage control and advanced fire fighting.

In three hours, he covered topics like causes, prevention and control of fire. He also threw light on handling kitchen fires, LPG and pipe-gas leakages. He taught various survival and rescue techniques in case of fires and floods, first-aid for burn injuries, heart attacks, bleeding and CPR procedures. In the end, there were practical sessions conducted on how to operate fire extinguishers and douse live fires.

With the arrival of the monsoons, the probability of disaster striking has only increased. Shirke advises Mumbaikars to get their houses surveyed for leakages. “Once leakages are identified and dealt with, electrical fires can be averted,” he said.

Stressing on the philosophy that prevention is better than cure, he added, “Instead of fretting over the price of fire-alarm devices, people should install them. If you wouldn’t have a family to protect in the first place, whom are you saving up for?”

Dhanalakshmi Rao, a resident of Marol who attended the session said, “Despite owning a fire extinguisher, I never knew how to use it. Not only did I learn how to operate one here, I also doused a fire.”

Another attendee, Veronica Miranda, a resident of Dadar, found the class highly informative. “Such sessions should be conducted often. The public should be aware of fire-fighting and damage control techniques, especially during the rainy season when such cases occur frequently,” she said.

Link to original article available here.

It may be time to bid goodbye to these tongas

Veda Ramaswamy, Mumbai
June 24, 2012 - Mid Day

Dy Mayor writes to the BMC about rehabilitating horses out of the city and providing alternative employment to stable and horse owners

According the deputy Mayor, Mohan Mithbaonkar, horses pose a threat to the health of the citizens and are kept in dismal conditions themselves. File Photo

Soon, Mumbaikars may not see the horse-drawn carriages on roads as the Deputy Mayor of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mohan Mithbaonkar on Friday wrote to BMC Commissioner Sitaram Kunte, suggesting that they be rehabilitated outside the city.

Mithbaonkar has also suggested that the tonga and stable owners be employed at the 180 BMC kiosks that were set up through a private company seven years ago. The kiosks function as information centres for the public.

“The stables and tongas encroach upon public spaces, footpaths and areas near the sea shore. Horses are potential carriers of tetanus. Affected horses can spread the disease to people, too. Citizens of South Mumbai have complained that their health is affected,” said Mithbaonkar.

Last June, the NGO, Animals and Birds Charitable Trust, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court. In accordance to the court order, a committee was set up to survey the stables and examine the health of horses. According to their report, out of 371 horses in Mumbai, 25-26 horses were kept in unhygienic conditions. “Apart from the stables in Gorai, Borivali and Malad, most other stable owners were not following the rules and regulations laid down by the BMC. According to Section 394 (4) of the BMC Act, we can confiscate the horses,” said Mithbaonkar. BMC Commissioner Sitaram Kunte said he was aware of the issue. “I have acknowledged Mithbaonkar’s request. I will look into the matter and take a decision,” he said.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Nukri, an eight year-old mare died because of the ill-treatment meted out by her owner, Raju Ghodewala. She was rescued from an illegal stable at Tabela Chawl, near Pila Haus in Kamathipura by YODA (Youth Organisation in Defense of Animals) three days before her death. She succumbed to her injuries at the BSPCA. A complaint has been filed by Mili Gandhi, a member of Mumbai for Horses, against the stable owner in VP Road Police Station. The owner blamed the hospital for her death. 

Link to the original article available here. 

17-yr-old cyclist dies under BEST wheels

Anuradha Varanasi and Veda Ramaswamy, Mumbai
June 4, 2012 - Mid Day

Teenager sustained grievous head and chest injuries after bus rammed him from behind; succumbed to injuries before he could reach the hospital.

In yet another case of rash driving by a BEST driver, a 17-year-old boy lost his life when the bus driver rammed the teen’s bicyle from behind at Dadar (W) yesterday.

The boy, identified as Shubham Shinde, a Std X student of Sharadashram Vidyamandir School, was on his way to his tuition classes when tragedy struck.

The bus conductor rushed the youth to KEM Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police said the accident happened close to Portuguese Church at 10.45 am, in which Shubham suffered severe head and chest injuries.

The bus driver Sanjeev Jandev Bholnagale (44) has been placed under police custody and has been booked under section 304A of the IPC (causing death by negligence).

The young boy’s father, Ram Krishna Shinde (48), is a head constable at the Mumbai Police’s Social Service branch (SS) at Crawford Market, and the family resides at Worli police camp.

In mourning

“The family members are in a state of shock right now. The post mortem of the boy has been conducted and an FIR has been lodged against the bus driver by the father,” said Balakrishna Ghadigaonkar, assistant police inspector at Dadar police station.

Speaking to MiD DAY, the victim’s father said, “My son had breakfast and left home as usual for his classes. But at around 11:30 am we got a call from KEM Hospital notifying us about the accident. When we reached the hospital, we were informed about his death. My family will leave for our native place in Satara to perform his last rites.”

They were informed about what happened at the scene by the cops. “I wonder why God has snatched my son away. We are devastated,” he added.

Link to the original article available here. 

Priceless service for free

Veda Ramaswamy, Mumbai
June 1, 2012 - Mid Day

Two sides of the bandh: Commuters queue outside Dadar station waiting for a share taxi

The Roychowdhurys had chosen a particularly bad day to come to Mumbai. But they had no alternative. The family from West Bengal was here seeking treatment for its patriarch at Tata Memorial Hospital. The paralysed transport system wasn’t helping matters. They found their saviours in the form of two charitable trusts that were ferrying patients for free from Dadar railway station to their desired hospitals and back. Hari Om Charitable Association and Shri Sanatan Dharam Sabha proved saviours for many.

The services were available between 9 am and 8 pm yesterday. Three vans were running from Dadar station to hospitals like KEM, Tata Memorial and Hinduja. “Each vehicle took around 10-12 rounds on an hourly basis, accommodating as many patients as possible. We chose Dadar as the centre because of its proximity to main hospitals in the city,” said Suresh Vijan, secretary of Hari Om Charitable Association.

Their voluntary initiative has been well appreciated by the many who benefited from it. “My father is undergoing treatment for cancer. Being new to Mumbai, we aren’t familiar with the roads either. Because of the strike, we were apprehensive about finding means of transport. But we are grateful to them for providing this service,” said Sumona Roychowdhury, who used the service to travel between Dadar and Tata Memorial Hospital.

Another patient, Santosh Kumar, who commuted from KEM, said, “Not everyone can afford a private vehicle. And at a time when there is a dearth of autos and taxis, this facility has proved to be a boon for patients like me.”  

“If the strike continues, we will carry on providing this free transport service,” said Kuldeep Kumar Phul, a member of Shri Sanatan Dharam Sabha. 

Members of the charitable trusts offered free rides to patients wanting to go to Tata Hospital. Pics/Shadab Khan

Link to the original article available here.

BMC and hospitals set to fight malaria this monsoon

Team Sunday Mid Day, Mumbai
June 10, 2012 - Mid Day

A BMC worker carries out fogging at Parel ahead of body’s drive to control malaria and dengue during the monsoons last year

Although malaria cases in the city have dropped by almost 60 per cent for the period of January to May as compared to the same period last year, this monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will also survey abandoned buildings in addition to under-construction sites to keep a check on the spread of the disease.

According to Additional Municipal Commissioner (Health) Manisha Mhaisakar, “There has been a 50 per cent drop in cases from 2010-11. Over 6,000 cases of malaria have been recorded in the city from January to May. This shows a reduction of almost 60 per cent as compared to the same period last year.

This time we will also conduct 100 health camps across the city.” A BMC official from the health department added, on condition of anonymity, that as soon as cases of jaundice and gastroenteritis are reported at any of the civic hospitals, hydraulic engineers will be directed to the locality where the patients reside, to repair any leakage.

Of 2,622 construction sites, civic officials have visited 2,078. They found water stagnation and vector breeding at 619 buildings, of which 600 have been cleared. This year, the BMC has marked G South ward, E ward and K East ward as critical malaria-prone areas in the city. Six thousand posters have been distributed and an awareness campaign will be conducted across 1,38,000 buildings in the city.

“Data for 2012 shows a positive trend, with 6,762 cases of malaria registered in five months, as compared to 21,366 cases for the same time duration, last year. There was a 48 per cent decline in 2011, with 39,822 cases registered as compared to 76,755 cases in 2010. We hope to tackle malaria successfully this year as well,” said Dr Mangala Gomade, head of epidemiology, BMC.

Hospitals ready

City hospitals say they are ready to combat an outbreak, if it happens. At KEM Hospital, Lower Parel, AMO Dr Pravin Bangar said that no cases of malaria or dengue have come in so far. While part of the ground floor in the old building continues to undergo renovation, an OPD is scheduled to be set up on Monday to provide treatment for monsoon-related illnesses.

One hundred and eighty, 120, 140 and 590 beds have been set up for malaria and dengue cases in KEM, Nair, Sion and Kasturba Hospital, respectively. There are 2,147 beds at the other 16 peripheral hospitals of the BMC in the city.

While the malaria menace has started to blanket the Chembur suburbs, it is yet to become a peril in areas like Ghatkopar and Sion. The medical superintendent of Rajawadi Hospital, Dr Shubhash Poyekar, said, “Our hospital has not yet registered an outbreak of malaria cases.

Being a malaria-endemic region, receiving 10-12 cases a day is a regular trend in the monsoon.” Dr Rajeev Singh, AMO, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Sion, added, “The monsoon has just hit the city. Cases of malaria will increase soon.”

Reality bites

6,762 cases of malaria have been registered in five months, as compared to 21,366 cases for the same period last year. There was a 48 per cent decline in 2011, with 39,822 cases registered as compared to 76,755 cases in 2010

(With inputs from Rinkita Gurav, Aditya Hariharan, Anuradha Varanasi & Veda Ramaswamy)

Link to the original article available here.