7-8 attendees of Maharashtra Bhushan award event in Navi Mumbai die; case of sunstroke, says CM
Mumbai, Apr 16: The 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award event in Navi Mumbai on Sunday turned tragic with the death of at least 7-8 people apparently due to sunstroke as the function, attended by lakhs, was held in an open ground.
At least 24 people are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Navi Mumbai, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said.
Earlier in the day, Union home minister Amit Shah conferred the award on Appasaheb Dharmadhikari at the ceremony held in Kharghar area in Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai.
Shinde told reporters outside a hospital in Navi Mumbai on Sunday night that at least 7-8 people have died while at least 24 others are hospitalised.
"As per the briefing received from doctors, 7-8 people died today, while some 24 are being treated. This is a case of sunstroke.
"Some 50 people were admitted to a Navi Mumbai-based hospital of which 24 are still admitted while the rest have been discharged after primary treatment," he said, and termed the deaths "very unfortunate".
The nearest weather station to the spot of the event recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.
Shinde said the kin of the deceased will be given a compensation of Rs 5 lakh.
"Medical treatment of the people under treatment due to sunstroke will be free. The state will pay from its coffers for their treatment," he said.
Lakhs of people had come for the event.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to shift patients to specialised hospitals if they needed additional treatment.
Replying to a question, Shinde said he would not comment on political allegations of the Opposition and his priority is to ensure that the affected people get proper treatment.
He said a Deputy Municipal Commissioner-rank official of the Panvel Municipal Corporation has been deputed to coordinate with relatives of patients and medical teams and to give timely updates.
"Lakhs of people had come for the event and it went well. It is painful to see some of them suffer. It is a very unfortunate situation which is very painful for me," he said.
Dharmadhikari has a massive following in the state due to his tree plantation drives, blood donation and medical camps as well as de-addiction work in tribal areas.
The 306-acre ground, where the function was held, was packed with people and equipped with audio/video facilities for followers of Shree Sadasya (Dharmadhikari's organisation) to witness the function.
Amit Shah conferred the award to Dharmadhikari and presented him a shawl, a citation and memento and a cheque of Rs 25 lakh, besides a 10-feet garland of roses.
The Maharashtra Bhushan Award is given to personalities working in the fields of literature, sports, science, social work, journalism, public administration and health services.
Chief Minister Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Kapil Patil among MLAs, MLCs, and ministers were present on the occasion.
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Man jumps to death from 22nd floor of posh Noida society; depression suspected
Noida (PTI): A 37-year-old man allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the 22nd floor of a posh residential society in Sector 107 here, police said on Monday.
The incident took place on Sunday in Prateek Edifice Society under the jurisdiction of the Sector-39 police station. The deceased has been identified as Sajjal Mehrotra, a company director who lived in the society with his family.
"On Sunday afternoon, he jumped from the balcony of his flat on the 22nd floor," a police official said.
Family members and security guards rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, police said, adding that no suicide note has been found.
Prima facie, the deceased was suffering from depression, officials said, adding that other aspects of the case are being investigated.
The body has been sent for post-mortem and further legal formalities are underway.
Police said the man got married about 10 years ago and is survived by his wife and two children. No complaint has been received from the family in connection with the incident.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
