The Maharashtra Bhushan Award event, which was held in the Kharghar area in Raigad district neighboring Mumbai on Sunday, turned tragic. The function was attended by lakhs of people, and at least 11 people reportedly died due to sunstroke. Union Home Minister Amit Shah conferred the award on spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari during the event.
What Happened at the Event?
The Maharashtra Bhushan award event held on Sunday was attended by lakhs of people in an open ground in the Kharghar area of Raigad district. Due to the massive crowd, the event organizers had arranged for audio/video facilities for the followers of Shree Sadasya (Dharmadhikari’s organization) to witness the function. Union Home Minister Amit Shah conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan Award on spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari during the event.
Sunstroke Causes Multiple Deaths
According to a police official, at least 11 people died due to sunstroke at the event. A couple of patients are on ventilator support at hospitals in Navi Mumbai and Panvel City, and their condition is being monitored. The nearest weather station to the spot of the event recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.
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Before the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) released an official statement, Chief Minister Mr. Eknath Shinde had told reporters outside a hospital in Navi Mumbai that at least 50 people were admitted, out of which 24 were still hospitalized, while the rest have been discharged after primary treatment. He described the deaths as “very unfortunate.”
Compensation for the Victims
The kin of the deceased will receive a compensation of Rs. 5 lahks. Moreover, the medical treatment of the people under treatment due to sunstroke will be free, and the state will pay for their treatment. The Chief Minister also directed officials to shift patients to specialized hospitals if they needed additional treatment.
Mr. Eknath Shinde’s Tweet
आज खारघर येथे आयोजित डॉ.आप्पासाहेब धर्माधिकारी यांना #महाराष्ट्र_भूषण पुरस्कार प्रदान सोहळ्यात उष्माघातामुळे काही श्री सदस्यांना रुग्णालयात हलवावे लागले, दुर्दैवाने त्यातील ११ जणांचे उपचार सुरू असताना निधन झाले, ही अतिशय अनपेक्षितपणे घडलेली दुर्देवी आणि वेदनादायी घटना असून मृत…
— Eknath Shinde – एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) April 16, 2023
Reaction from Opposition Leader
Nationalist Congress Party Leader Mr. Ajit Pawar termed the deaths “very unfortunate, Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased. We pray for the speedy recovery of the members undergoing treatment at the hospital. May their condition improve soon.”
खारघर येथे महाराष्ट्र भूषण पुरस्कार सोहळा पार पडताना घडलेली घटना अतिशय दुर्दैवी आहे. उष्माघातानं मृत्यूमुखी पडलेल्या श्रीसदस्यांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली! मृतांच्या कुटुंबीयांप्रती सहसंवेदना व्यक्त करतो. उपचाराखातर रुग्णालयात दाखल श्रीसदस्यांची प्रकृती लवकर सुधारावी ही प्रार्थना.
— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) April 16, 2023
Who is Appasaheb Dharmadhikari?
Appasaheb Dharmadhikari is a spiritual leader and social reformer who received the Maharashtra Bhushan Award at the event. He has a massive following in the state due to his tree plantation drives, blood donation and medical camps, and de-addiction work in tribal areas.
Conclusion
The Maharashtra Bhushan Award event, attended by lakhs of people, turned tragic due to sunstroke that caused the death of at least 11 people. The organizers had arranged for audio/video facilities for the followers of Shree Sadasya to witness the function, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah conferred the award on spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. The government has promised compensation for the victims and free medical treatment for those who are under treatment due to sunstroke.
Source: The Tribune
