Jul 07, 2006
BaywatchMumbai
After five beach deaths, BMC appoints 17 lifeguards to man afew popular hotspots. But none are trained!
By: Shailesh Bhatia
While they may not make it to a show like Baywatch (right), these lifeguards, (from left) Dinesh Mangre, Rohit Patil, Sunil Jadhav withinstructor Manohar Shetty at Juhu beach, feel they know the ropes
After five deaths on Mumbai’s beaches in the last one month, the BMC has now appointed 17 lifeguards to man them.
However, none of the men have been trained for the task andhave almost no experience in swimming at sea. They began work yesterday.
Says BMC health officer Dr Mohan Pradhan, "There was notime for training. They will get trained on the beach. They are expert swimmersand quite a few have been associated with NGOs who help with Ganpatiimmersions."
People insist on swimming at high tide
He added the 17 had been short-listed from over a 100applicants. "We checked for their physical fitness, which includedswimming 400 meters in open sea and other attributes. They fit the job requirements."The full-time job pays them Rs 6, 000 for an eight-hour shift. The lifeguardswill be posted at Aksa, Juhu, Madh, Shivaji Park and Girgaum Chowpatty.
The men were to be trained at the Mafatlal swimming pool, Chowpatty, from Wednesday for eight days, but the BMC decided to cancel theplans. "The BMC felt it was urgent to get us on the job, so they decidedthat on-the-job training was sufficient, " said Dinesh Angre (26), one ofthe lifeguards.
Rains prompt action
Said Dr Pradhan, "After the heavy rains and theincreasing number of people who frequent beaches to enjoy the showers, we feltit necessary to get the men on the job."
Nevertheless, the men seem confident. They said that theyare well prepared to handle emergencies on beaches without official training.Said Rohit Patil (19), "I first started helping an NGO immerse Ganpatiidols. I liked it so much that I decided to take it up as a full-timeprofession." Added Sunil Jadhav (29), "My first day on the beachincluded learning basic first aid, handling life-saving equipment like floatsand tubes. I am very excited about the job."
Of the 17 men, two have been posted at Shivaji Park, two at Girgaum Chowpatty, five at Aksa and Madh Islandand four at Juhu beach. Only Aksa and Juhu had lifeguards. The other six willalso be posted at these beaches, but the orders have yet to arrive.
Added Manohar Shetty, a lifeguard who doubles up as aninstructor, "The lifeguard’s primary job on Mumbai’s beaches is to controlcrowds. In spite of all our requests and warnings, tourists insist on swimmingduring high tide."
training schedule that went bust
The eight-day training programme in Mafatlal pool at Charni Road was to include:
1 Visually identifying a drowning victim in a crowd ofswimmers.
2 Scientific rescue methods, which if not applied can resultin the victim dragging the rescuer to the bottom, thus endangering lives ofboth.
3 First aid and artificial respiration methods.
4 How to deal with casualties by informing the police.
5 Filling up requisite paperwork and maintaining a logbookin case of both rescues and causalities.
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OUR CRUSADE THROUGH JUDICIARY FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Tinaikar Report : The Maharashtra Govt. had appointed acommittee under the chairmanship of Shri S.S.Tinaikar, the former BrihanmumbaiMunicipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner on the corruption in BMC. Though thereport was submitted to the government in 2001, the government didn’t publishthe same for public. Manch filed the PIL (Public Interest Litigation) in theBombay High Court against the government for publishing the same which ispending.
Prohibition of Child marriages: Complaint filed beforeLokayukta under Child Marriages Restraint Act, 1929 but dismissed due to lackof substantial material proof.
Demolition of illegal religious structures: Thousands ofillegal temples, mosques, gurudwaras, churches & squares have mushroomed onpublic and private properties especially on roads and footpaths causing noise, traffic problems and communal disharmony at times. The Petition filed and thecourt was pleased to ask BMC to demolish such structures and file the reportbefore the court. Demolition has commenced in full swing. Over one thousandillegal places of worship demolished by BMC.
J.J.Hospital Doctors Sheltering Criminal: The doctors in anexus with criminals admit them under fake names and facilitate them to flee orobtain bails under the blessing of the ministers and top officials. Manch filedthe petition to punish such doctors named in two inquiry reports. Earlier onecommittee could not work at all. The last and 4th enquiry report accepted andendorsed by the CM was promised by the govt. for action and will be submittedto the Court, with a copy to the Manch before 22-3-2004. Court’s final order will follow soon.
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