Social Activist Pushpashree Agashe Dies in Hit-and-Run Accident in Thane

Thane, 24th January 2025: On Thursday morning, 73-year-old social activist Pushpashree Agashe tragically lost her life in a hit-and-run accident near Teen Hath Naka in Thane. Agashe, a resident of the Roshni Building, was returning home after purchasing milk at around 7:00 am when she was struck by a speeding vehicle. The vehicle, believed to be travelling from Mumbai to Nashik, fled the scene.

A passerby quickly took Agashe to the Thane Civil Hospital, but due to the severity of her injuries, she was transferred to Sion Hospital in Mumbai, where she was declared dead on arrival. “We are reviewing CCTV footage from various angles to identify the vehicle and locate the driver,” a police official stated. The Naupada police have filed a case against the unidentified driver under Section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by reckless driving.

Pushpashree Agashe, who spent 28 years working for the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and was honoured with the Best Employee Award in 2008, had been an active social worker. Since 1981, she and her husband, Shreepad Agashe, have been strong advocates for eye donation, later broadening their efforts to support organ, skin, and body donations.

In a heartfelt tribute, Agashe’s eyes were donated with the help of doctors from the Sahiyara Eye Bank at Thane Civil Hospital, reflecting her lifelong commitment to the cause.

After retiring, Agashe focused on helping blind students, promoting environmental initiatives like reducing plastic waste, and supporting abandoned children. She was also involved in the successful “Dhanya Bank” project, which provides food grains to families in need.

In addition to her social work, Agashe contributed to the arts, portraying Sadhana Amte in Samruddhi Pore’s film Prakash Vaata, starring Nana Patekar. Recently, she has been collecting books for underprivileged children, further showcasing her dedication to social causes.

Agashe is survived by her husband, two sons—including PTI journalist Ashish Agashe—two daughters-in-law, and a grandson. Her sudden passing has left a deep void in the community, but her legacy of kindness and service will continue to inspire others.

The police have urged anyone with information about the vehicle involved in the accident to come forward. Investigations are still ongoing.