Mumbai: Just hours after Bhuleshwar prepared to welcome its beloved Ganpati, the neighbourhood was forced to confront an unimaginable loss. On Sunday, local residents, mandal workers and political party members gathered in grief to bid a final farewell to Sanket Nevshe (33 years) the young mandal president whose life was tragically cut short during the very preparations he had helped lead.
Ganeshotsav preparations disrupted by deadly accident
As the city gears up for the 11-day Ganeshotsav celebrations from September 14 to 25, several mandals have begun bringing Ganesh idols to their pandals, marking the start of preparations for the festival. However, the festive preparations were marred by a tragic accident on Saturday that claimed two lives, including Nevshe's, and left five others injured. Among those hurt were two children, aged five and seven. The incident stands out as such accidents involving the collapse of Ganesh idols during arrival are uncommon.
22-foot idol collapsed near Bhuleshwar pandal
Explaining how the accident occurred, BJP corporator Akash Purohit said, “According to the mandal workers, some of them noticed that the idol was loose and unstable when they collected it from the Byculla workshop. However, they decided to address the issue after bringing the idol to the pandal. The procession was barely 300 metres from the Bhuleshwar pandal, where the ‘Bhuleshwarcha Raja’ was to be installed, when the 22-foot, nearly two-and-a-half-tonne idol began to topple. The welding eventually gave way, causing the idol to come crashing down," he said.
Nevshe died while trying to save others
Purohit further said, “Three people were on the trolley, helping to steady the idol, when it suddenly began to fall. Jeevan Manipally, one of the three, realised what was happening and managed to jump off the trolley in time, which saved his life. However, Nevshe and another mandal worker fell along with the idol and were crushed beneath it.” Nevshe, president of Akhil Bhuleshwar Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Trust, who managed the 'Bhuleshwar Cha Raja', lived in Chira Bazar and ran a wholesale vegetable business.
Eyewitnesses said Nevshe was pierced by the idol’s metal rod as he tried to stop it from falling. Some believed he may have instinctively rushed forward to protect children standing directly in front of the idol, placing himself between them and the falling structure. The next morning, the same narrow lane was enveloped in silence. Barely 12 hours after the tragedy, Nevshe’s body was carried through the lane for his final rites, with mourners showering the rath with rose petals. A place that had been preparing to celebrate the arrival of Ganesh was now witnessing a final farewell to one of its own.
The tragedy also claimed the life of 30-year-old Brijesh Hemant Joshi, who lived with his family in Shreepati Aradhana, a building just a few feet from the accident site. Joshi, who resided on the seventh floor, is survived by his wife, Rima, and their son, Rishav. “Joshi was closely associated with the mandal, largely because it was so close to his home. He was the sole breadwinner of the family. It is heartbreaking that someone who had come to be part of the Ganeshotsav preparations lost his life in this tragedy,” Purohit said.
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