Daily News & Analysis

Mumbai, Mar 16: The Holi celebrations turned tragic for six perons in the city. In the first incident, two young men were drowned in the sea near Prem Nagar on Wednesday. Akash Prakash Bhuwad,12, a Malabar Hill resident on Bhagwandas-Inderjeet Road, went swimming on the nearby beach at 3pm on Wednesday. 26-year-old Ganesh Anand Sautavdekar, another Prem Nagar resident, died while trying to rescue Akash. Locals said Akash and Ganesh were part of a 25-member group that went to the beach to wash off Holi colours.

Akash started shouting for help soon after he was swept off by strong undercurrents. Hearing the shouts, Ganesh jumped in the sea to rescue him. But he too drowned.

Four young men were  drowned in Malad- three on Aksa beach and one on Marve  Four bodies have been recovered. Victims are: Rakesh Jethwa, Jayesh Gohil, and Bavesh Gohil. One body has not been identified.

‘He was an ace climber’

Akash was the cynosure of Prem Nagar. Residents remember him as a young boy, who actively took part in all celebrations. “Akash was an ace climber during the Govinda matki celebrations. He was a nice boy. Now the entire area will miss his presence during the celebrations,”said Sanjay Tambe, 24, a neighbour of Akash.

“Ganesh was a very quiet man. All said and done, I will always be proud of my son, who lost his life while trying to save another soul,” says Suhasini, Ganesh’s mother.

Ganesh was a peon in a school at Chembur.