Ajita Pandey, a resident of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, has earned the nicknames “Snake Girl” and “Snake Rescuer” on social media for her daring snake rescues. She has safely returned thousands of snakes to the wild after saving them over the last few years. Her dangerous rescue videos have gone viral and garnered a lot of attention.

The first time Ajita became fascinated with snakes was when snake charmers came to her house. Through books, newspapers, and internet resources, she educated herself and discovered that while some snakes are poisonous, most are not, according to local media reports. Inspired to stop needless snake kills, she now dedicates her life to raising awareness of the ecological significance of snakes.

Watch: Chhattisgarh Woman Bravely Rescues Snake Hiding In Office With Bare Hands

Ajita achieved the World Record for rescuing the most snakes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March 2017 and July 2021, she rescued 984 snakes and released them in forests with the support of the local forest department.

Watch video here: 

Alongside her training in nursing and wildlife conservation, she continues to advocate for calling experts instead of harming snakes when they are spotted.

Ms Pandey, a resident of Bilaspur, is a dedicated nursing officer, a passionate snake rescuer, and a committed animal lover. To share her work with a wider audience, she maintains an Instagram page, @invincible._ajita, where she regularly posts thrilling animal rescue videos.

ACC, the cement and building material company of the Adani Group, has donated a portable X-ray machine to the District Tuberculosis (TB) Hospital in rural Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. This initiative aims to help detect TB early, a major regional health issue, the Adani Foundation said.

The ‘Mini90’ X-ray machine is lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for use in remote and hilly areas, they said, adding, that it helps doctors diagnose patients quickly by providing clear images, which is especially important for checking chest, spine, and head conditions.

This will allow for better screening, resulting in faster treatment for people who need it the most in rural areas, wherein such devices may not be easily accessible. 

TB remains a serious concern in Bilaspur, with 249 cases per 100,000 people. The X-ray machine will help identify more cases and ensure quicker treatment.

The group said the “ACC and the Adani Foundation are committed to supporting community welfare by focusing on projects that improve health, education, and livelihoods across all locations.”

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

Bilaspur:

A video of girl students drinking beer inside a government school in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district surfaced on social media, prompting the education authorities to launch a probe, an official said on Tuesday.

The purported video was from the Government Higher Secondary School in Bhatchaura village in the Masturi area and was shot on July 29, the official said.

In the video that went viral on social media, girls could be seen drinking beer and soft drinks, said TR Sahu, District Education Officer (DEO) of Bilaspur.

A three-member committee was constituted to probe the alleged incident, and the team recorded the statements of concerned students and teachers on Monday, he said.

Mr Sahu said students informed the probe team that they had waved beer bottles for fun while making videos but did not consume the drink.

“Action will be taken against the principal and the head of the institution to ensure that such incidents don’t recur in schools. Besides, notices will be sent to the parents of the girls involved,” the official said.

According to the official sources, some girls celebrated their classmate’s birthday inside a classroom on July 29, and they allegedly consumed beer during the party. One of the students later shared the videos and photographs on social media. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)