AMBERNATH NEWS

16-year-old athlete falls off running train, loses leg


Looking for an electric point to charge his mobile phone on train, cost a 16-year-old hammerthrow player from Ambernath in Thane district lost his leg, and career.

Neeraj Singh, a hammerthrow player, was in Ranchi to represent the state at the Junior Athletics Meet on Friday. As the state made  no arrangements for their tour, the players had to make do with the seats they managed to get at the last minute. Neeraj booked a seat on Shalimar Express.

On his return journey, as the train neared Wardha, Neeraj’s phone battery got discharged. He found an electric point close to the door. Leaning on the door, he tried to put his charging pin into it. But, the door gave way and Neeraj got hurt on his head. Owing to the injury, Neeraj lost his balance and fell on the

tracks between Nagpur and Wardha. 

Vilas Gaikar, Singh’s coach and family friend, said: “According to the rules, the junior athletes team must be accompanied by an official for an outstation sports meet. But, no official from the state was with the team.”

Admitted to Kasturba hospital at Wardha, Singh underwent a surgery wherein his left leg was amputated knee down on Saturday.

So far, no official from the Maharashtra Athletic Association or the Thane District Association has inquired about his condition or offered help, Neeraj’s family claimed.

“An official from Wardha District Association visited Neeraj once, but offered no help,” Gaikar said.

AMBERNATH NEWS

Kshamata Gaikwad

She is the first Indian woman to co-author a description of a new species of lizard. Kshamata Gaikwad (24) from Ambernath has made a universal discovery of new species of lizard in Kolhapur, under the guidance of Dr Varad Giri, the curator of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). After completing her post graduation in environmental science from Mumbai University in September 2007, she volunteered in BNHS, learning the basics of taxonomy on caecilians and reptiles. In September 2008, she was given the post of research fellow when she began working on this gecko. "I always had a liking towards wildlife. I observed that a lot of research was being done on larger group of animals whereas little creatures like reptiles and caecilians were unexplored. Thus, I plunged in and took the opportunity to explore their world under my microscope," quips Kshamata. Her mentor Dr Giri is full of praise for the young scientist. "Kshamata has been patient and persistent throughout these years. She volunteered for a year with BNHS and travelled all the way from Ambernath to Fort everyday even when she wasn't paid a penny. We need thousands of Kshamatas to come forward and popularise the beauty of reptiles," he says. For her part, Kshamata is thankful to her mentor. "Giri sir always cleared my doubts but never spoon-fed me; instead, he nudged me to think on my own," she avers. Kshamata is proud of her work and yet believes in staying simple and working hard. "I am happy that at this point of my career I have received a co-authorship for a universal discovery but will be content when I will become the first author," she confesses. The determined girl is now working in the Western Ghats looking for new species of reptiles and amphibians. She will also check their breeding season while finding out if they are facing any problems related to survival and ensuring that the species is preserved. We wish her all the very best!  About the lizard  This gecko has been termed scientifically as cnemaspis kolhapurensis, after the locality where it was discovered. It belongs to the group of dwarf gecko (cnemaspis genus) and is smaller in size, has a strange snout and a long neck. As this lizard moves on the ground, it has circular pupil and smooth scales. It also has slender digits and a shiny tail. The under side of the tail has black and yellow dots. These characteristics mark it from other specimens of this family Fast facts • The first sample of this dwarf gecko was picked by Dr Giri back in 2005 • It took four years for the finding to be published as the scientists had to compare this gecko with every individual species in the group to guarantee that the specimen was first of its kind • This species is registered in Zootaxa, a scientific journal from New Zealand

REAL ESTATE IN BUKAD

“One can find plenty of 1BHK homes costing Rs 10-15 lakh here, which is perfect for government employees,” says Mohan Tharwani, from Tharwani infrastructure. Tharwani’s ongoing projects include Rosalie, Rosalie LX at Kalyan and Ritu World- Wind of Change at Barrage Road, Badlapur (West). “Ritu World is the first of its kind luxury project in Badlapur with all modern amenities at affordable prices,” informs Mohan Tharwani.  

Ambernath is faring well with its new projects like Wadhwa constructions. “Ambernath is a blend of old-world charm, culture and modern times. People keep getting attracted to its ambience,” says Prakash Wadhwa, from Wadha group. He adds, “We have slashed 100 rupees from the booking price for Gudi Padwa to boost sales in Ambernath,” adds Wadhwa.

In Dombivli, premium lifestyle projects such as Lodha’s Casa Bella and Regency Estate have altered the perception of the city. “These flats offer high-end amenities at reasonable prices, moreover Dombivli is really well connected, has good education options, a mall nearby,” says Kishore Pishori, a CA and a resident of Regency Estates.

Interestingly, Government policy has a role to play in the emergence of these areas as realty hotspots. Avers Bhavin from Raj Group, “The home loans are more attractive. Most of these projects are backed by banks; these factors are responsible for a huge spurt in realty demand.”

There are positive signs of development in the far flung suburbs too. Neptune builders and Nirmal Lifestyle are coming up with projects in Ambivli and Shahad, which are all set to revolutionise the face of these towns. “The main advantages of these suburbs are low pollution level and affordable rates,” says Raja Rochlani of Madhav constructions.

"Badlapur has become a haven for professionals from the public sector. One can find plenty of 1BHK homes costing Rs 10-15 lakh here, which is perfect for government employees”

INTRODUCTION

                                                          

BUKAD literally means Badlapur, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan, Ambernath and Dombivili. Our historical towns were once prosperous and cosmopolitan. We were part of the Maurya and Gupta empires, the Yadavas, the Marathas, the Moghuls and the Portuguese.

We had direct trade through sea with Persia and Mesopotamia i.e. Iran and Iraq even Bombay port was established. We’ve had Christian missionaries dropping in on their way to China, The Parsi’s too had settled here.

The famous temples like the Shiv Mandir, Kodeshwar temple, Vithal temple are still intact because of the efforts of the common man.

Today BUKAD is considered a part of the Greater Mumbai metropolitan agglomeration, along with Navi Mumbai, Thane and Bhiwandi.

Unfortunately today we are at the mercy of bukkads, the corrupt have ruined us, and we simply accept this as a part of our normal lives.

Today with Anna Hazare showing the way, our Politicians cannot carry on like an Ostrich with its head buried in the sand. I guess we have a great M.P. and MLA’s unfortunately it is the ones below them that are responsible for the mess we are living in.

We would take this blog with all your comments to our elected guardians and revert to you. Please do not use abusive language but definitely this is a blog to vent your ire on the misfortunes bestowed upon us by the corrupt.

Now look forward to your posts.