According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, 278 people required medical attention across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), of whom 29 were admitted to civic hospitals
Members of a Govinda pathak form a human pyramid on Gopalkala at Sitaram Jadhav Marg, Lower Parel on Saturday. Pic/Satej Shinde
Mumbai’s Janmashtami Dahi Handi festivities on Saturday brought both joy and tragedy, with two deaths and 95 injuries reported across the city. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, 278 people required medical attention across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), of whom 29 were admitted to civic hospitals.
One of the deceased, Jagmohan Shivkiran Chaudhari, 32, fell from a G+1 structure while tying a rope from the first floor of a chawl in Maharashtra Nagar, Mankhurd. He fell inside the house and was rushed to Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi by relatives, but was declared “brought dead.” His body was later sent to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar for post-mortem.
Chaudhari, a skilled labourer and sole breadwinner for his family with two young children, has left his family devastated. His brother-in-law told mid-day, “This was most sudden. We were also asked to pay Rs 2100 for transporting his body barely 10 km home. The ambulance, plastered with political party stickers, refused to take the body unless we agreed to the charges.”
The second death was of Rohan Valvi, 14, who was recovering from jaundice. He was seated in a tempo, not participating in the Dahi Handi, when he suddenly fainted. He was rushed to a private hospital and then to Rajawadi Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Injuries across hospitals
Cooper Hospital: 14 patients (mostly fractures/head injuries), 6 declined admission.
Shatabdi Hospital, Govandi: Several patients with ortho injuries; free treatment provided.
KEM Hospital, Parel: 67 patients, 9 admitted to ortho/surgery units.
Sion Hospital: 12 patients, 1 admitted, stable.
Nair Hospital: 15 patients, 5 admitted, stable.
Peripheral hospitals: 129 patients, 11 admitted, 6 with serious injuries.
The injured govindas
Ravi Kummu, 32, Govandi
Pyramid layer: 7th layer
What happened: During the first climb, the top three layers collapsed, pulling the lower layers down with them. “Three people fell on me, and I couldn’t get up,” said Kummu, who works at a clothing store. He was taken to Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi. “I had no money on me, so my coach helped. My phone broke in the fall, and I haven’t even told my boss yet because I’m scared of being scolded.”
Monthly income: R25,000
Dependents: Mother
Nature of injury: Spinal fracture with an L2 compression fracture. Requires surgery and 2 months of rest. “But I cannot afford that. I hope to recover in 15 days and return to work,” he said.
Doctor’s note: “We are planning surgery after the CT scan,” the treating doctor told mid-day.
Vishal Chandhane, 36, Govandi
Pyramid layer: Middle layers
What happened: “I was getting off the pyramid when I fell. I admitted myself to the hospital to get checked,” said Chandhane.
Occupation: Tempo driver
Monthly income: No fixed income
Dependents: Wife and 13-year-old child
Nature of injury: Hairline crack in foot
Doctor’s note: “It is a first metatarsal fracture, being managed conservatively in a cast. He will be discharged this evening,” said the treating doctor.
Sumedh Jaiswal, 19, Govandi
Pyramid layer: 5th layer of a 5-layered pyramid
What happened: “It was raining, and the person bursting the handi slipped off my shoulder. I lost balance and fell, twisting my leg,” Jaiswal said. He lives with his parents and sister in Govandi.
Occupation: Std XII student
Nature of injury: Calcaneum fracture (heel bone)
Doctor’s note: “We will operate once the swelling reduces. Plating/wiring will be done on his right leg,” said the treating doctor.
Nikhil Mahadev Patil, Dhobi Ghat
Pyramid layer: 3rd layer of a 7-layered pyramid
What happened: “People from the higher levels started falling, bringing us down too. Many fell on top of me,” recalled Patil.
“Fracture will heal with a cast; no surgery is required. Recovery time will be about a month,” added Patil.
Occupation: Merchant Navy
Nature of injury: Fracture in left leg
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