Helium cylinder blast: Zilla Parishad to create awareness drive in schools

After the helium cylinder used for blowing balloons blast at Kalyan school on December 24, the Zilla Parishad (ZP) education department has decided to create awareness in schools about keeping the explosives away from its premises.

The helium cylinder blast at the annual day celebration of Arya Gurukul killed the balloon vendor, injured five children, eight parents and teachers. The blast happened after the vendor shook the cylinder to check the gas content.
To curb such unfortunate incidents in future, the department will call a meeting of principals. "We will speak to them about the hazards of having such explosives inside the premises," said Meena Yadav, education officer, ZP, Thane.

The meeting will be held in the first week of January as all schools are currently shut for their Christmas vacation. "We will create an awareness drive and seek suggestions from principals and if they decide in unison, then we will ask the administration to ban explosives in school premises," she said.

The school said the deceased balloon vendor, Ram Garas Prasad, was called for various celebrations in school. "He would deliver the required number of balloons and go," said Bharat Malik, managing trustee, Arya Gurukul school.

On the fateful day, Prasad requested the school authorities to give him space in school premise to fill up the balloons as the road was jammed and he could not a space there. "Our mistake was that we agreed. Now, we will not let any balloon vendor within the premises," he added.