For nine days of Navratri, avail free medical tests at one-rupee clinics

THANE: This Navratri season, the one-rupee clinics at various Central Railway (CR) stations have announced free medical tests for commuters. This is applicable from September 29 to October 7.

The medical officers will conduct various tests like eye check-up, checking blood pressureamongothertests. Forthese nine days, commuters can show a valid ticket, pass and get a free test done.

“The one-rupee clinic established at 11 stations of CR will have routine tests for free, while the sugar test will be done for minimal rate,” said Dr Rahul Ghule, in charge of all one-rupee clinics.

He said commuters have to show their railway tickets and pass to avail the free check-ups. “The free check-ups for both of the tests will be available from the first to the last day of Navratri, that is September 29 to October 7 at all the branches of one-rupee clinics,” Ghule added.

There are 11 such clinics at Sion, Kurla, Chembur, Bhandup, Kalwa, Mumbra, Thane, Dombivli, Ambernath, Ulhasnagar and Titwala railway stations. THANE: Markets, which are flooded with colourful earthen pots, are buzzing with people. With the nine-day festival of Navratri starting today, pandals have already been put up.

Shree Jai Ambe Maa Public Charitable Trust, popularly known as Tembhi Naka Navrati Utsav mandal, is one of the oldest pandals in Thane.

“A temple of goddesss Bharat Mata is being erected. The design is a mixed architecture styles of ancient temples from Maharashtra, Rajasthan and southern states. The temple will be lit-up and decorated,” said Sudhir Kokate, a local corporator and activist of Shree Jai Ambe Maa Public Charitable Trust, Tembhi Naka, Thane.

The mandal will now be celebrating Navratri for the 42nd year.

Shivainagar Sarvajanik Navratrautsav mandal is busy making a madal with nine forms of Goddess Durga.

“This is the 33rd year of the mandal. The nine forms of Goddess Durga are from various temples across India. We will install the idols so that those who have not visited the places can see the replica,” said Sudhakar Chavan, organiser.

Among the nine idols are Goddess Mahalaxmi from Kolhapur, Goddess Renuka from Mahur, Saptashrungi from Vani, Goddess Bhavani from Tuljapur, Goddess Chamunda from Gujarat, Goddess Kalimata from Kolkata and Goddess Vaishnodevi from Katra in Jammu.

Shops and markets in Thane have displayed glittering ghagras, dandiyas and earthen pots.

“Like every year, we will worship Goddess Durga by dancing garba and dandiya. This is also a time to gather and meet friends and participate in festivities together,” said Deepali Date, 26, a resident of Naupada, Thane.

The popular dandiya of Sankalp Prathishthan will be organised for all nine days and Lokmanya Nagar Sarvajanik Navratri Utsav at Samatanagar, by Sanskruti Yuva Prathishthan, will be organised on the last two days of Navratri. An organ donation campaign has been organised by Vyapari Mitra Mandal, which is celebrating its 39th year, at Bajarpeth station road in Thane.

“The mandal aims at collecting 10,000 organ donation pledges during Navratri. The mandal will also invite doctors and citizens who have donated organs or received organs to our mandal,” said Vilas Dhamale, member of Vyapari Mitra Mandal.

Currae hospital will also organise ‘Raas Garba’ for pregnant women at Waghbil, Ghodbunder Road on October 2.

VYAPARI MITRA MANDAL HAS ORGANISED AN ORGAN DONATION CAMPAIGN AND AIMS TO COLLECT 10K PLEDGES DURING NAVRATRI