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TOI : PUNE: The Pune fire brigade lost its ace driver in an accident at Paud on Saturday morning. The driver, identified as Dnyaneshwar Tukaram Khedekar (55) of PMC colony at Ganj Peth, was proceeding for the bandobast for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when his fire tender met with the accident.

Khedekar’s fire tender was accompanied by two other fire tenders. His vehicle hit a wall and turned turtle while taking a sharp turn at the Bhukum ghat near Pirangut around 6.30 am. Khedekar, who was nominated for the President of India medal on the Republic Day, died instantly while five other firemen were injured.

The injured firemen were identified as Sampat Chaware, Shivaji Athawale, Dilip Bibwe, Bhau Shinde and Sunil Gilbile. Chaware, who was severely injured, was shifted to the Sahyadri hospital.

Chief fire officer, Devendra Pothpode, attributed poor visibility due to fog as the reason for the mishap. Pothpode said the vehicle overturned from the driver’s side after hitting the wall. Pothpode described Khedekar as the ‘best driver’ and said the fire brigade has now become handicapped because of his untimely death.

I have lost an ace driver and my five other firemen were injured, but still we have provided timely bandobast for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit at Paud, said Pothpode.

An accident involving a fire brigade vehicle has taken place after 27 years, he said…More

TOI : PUNE: Enter Satyam Shivam Housing Society on Baner road and a voice greets you: “ Kaha jaana hain aapko ?” (Where do you want to go?). Even as you expect this question from a tough and tall male security guard, don’t be surprised to find a female instead, but no less tough for that.

The trend is changing in the city and malls, multiplexes as well as housing societies are showing keenness to employ women security guards because they are more”sincere than men”.

Says Shankarrao Nimhan, a resident and builder of Satyam Shivam society,”Why shouldn’t women be given an opportunity for the job? I interviewed the girl and found her quite tough and thought she should be given an opportunity. And, I must say, she is doing a good job.”

Shubhangi Gaikwad, the guard at the society, who is in the profession for the last five years, is satisfied with the job:”After completing my graduation, I contacted a placement agency and they came up with this offer. I thought I should take this up until something better comes up. I first served at a women’s hostel and now I am here. I feel satisfied when people appreciate my work.”

Shubhangi is confident as she knows basic self-defence and has undergone a training in fire fighting…More

TOI : PUNE: Although Valentine’s Day is celebrated all over the world to express love, in the city this day has been generating feelings not quite like love.

While the Shiv Sena has been opposing Valentine’s Day celebrations for the last few years, gift shop owners feel that this time around the protests will be much stronger and demanding more security, come February 14.

Celebrations have been muted for the past few years and burning of Valentine’s Day cards and other protests have been common, mainly by the Shiv Sena.
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TOI : PUNE: The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) will provide safety equipment to its line staff who work on electricity supply lines and give safety training to them in a bid to reduce accidents.

This was disclosed by Col Rahul Govardhan, executive director, human resources MSEDCL, during his visit to the Rasta Peth office on Friday.

While latest accident figures were not available, about 500 accidents were reported in 2003 and 2004.

A statement issued by MSEDCL here on Saturday said that majority of the accidents happened when the line staff were working on power lines.”We are considering to give special safety equipment to ensure safety of the MSEDCL staff and also train them in safety drills. A final decision in the matter will be taken shortly and implementation started,” Govardhan stated.

He said that MSEDCL was also considering offering life insurance cover to its staff instead of just giving accident insurance cover. Some mediclaim schemes were also being considered to offer health benefits to employees and their family members, he said adding that any decision regarding these issues will be taken only after taking the workers’ unions into confidence…More