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T DA I LY T H A G N I R I P S AN IN Vol. 1 No. 18 Pages 16 PUNE, SATURDAY MAY 12, 2012 Rs.4
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THE POWER OF FOUR
OPT FOR A ‘SMART’ FIX
SIX YARDS OF GRACE
Let this multi-artist exhibition blow your mind away! >> P2
Choose from a host of PMC’s affordable utility services >> P4
An original idea from India to the world >>P12
Ban big fat Indian weddings? Did you know that the central government is in the process of making a law to bust the vulgar display of wealth and wastage of food in marriages and proposes `one dish’ concept for such occasions?
VINITA DESHMUKH
S
ince the last several years, the ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’ may have attained a glamorous tone globally, but the clamour to stop lavishness bordering on vulgarity of wealth display, has finally begun. And surprise, surprise, the first steps have been taken by the govrnmen whose members of Parliament are also often criticised for hosting extravagant weddings. Recently, Delhi-based RTI activist Subhash Chandra Agarwal invoked the RTI Act to find out the status of the recommendations made to enact a law to curtail expensive weddings. In fact, an existing law by the name of Guest Control Order Act, was implemented in the 1960s but it has not been adhered to. In fact, the central government authorities are unable to find the original document and
instead, the Assam’s State Guest Control Order Act of 1967 is being used as reference to form the new Law.
What if? What are the repercussions if such a law comes by? Well, you would not be allowed to serve tandoori kebabs, Chinese, Thai, Italian and South Indian —all in one stretch—to impress your guests. The plans are to have in place, rules similar to a Pakistani Law, which is being well implemented there since the last 15 years, which is —‘one dish, one rule’ for everyone. The committee to reduce wastage of food grains and ostentatious behaviour witnessed during marriages, parties and meetings was formed on May 30, 2011 for an initial period of two months and extended up to March 31, 2012. (There’s been no consensus as yet.) However, it has
The picture in Pakistan z In 1997, the then PM Nawaz Sharif introduced the ‘One dish, one rule for everyone’ mantra for weddings z The implemented Act permitted only one dish (one curry, with roti, rice and salad) z The number of invitees not to exceed 300 z Rupees five lakh penalty for those violating the norms z The Law is presently being well implemented
The two main facets of the law z No person celebrating a marriage shall serve or allow anyone to serve more than one dish to persons participating in the marriage in a club, hotel, restaurant, wedding hall, community centre or any other place, except hot and cold soft drinks z The same ground rule applies to a person in charge of the aforementioned enterprises at a wedding formulated certain measures to create public awareness. The recommendations are: z Launching an awareness campaign through the `Jago Grahak Jago’ scheme z Introduce legislative and administrative measures
z Examine how the government/public sector could set an example by practicing austerity Agenda of the first meeting on June 30, 2011 z Awareness campaign through audio-visual publicity
in schools and colleges z Sensitise students about avoidable wastage z Identify NGOs involved in collection of surplus food for distribution to the poor z Ask an expert organisation to conduct a survey on food wastage to assess the magnitude of the problem Accordingly, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food & Public Distribution sent a letter dated August 25, 2011 to all state governments and union territories. It has directed them to conduct awareness campaigns in schools and colleges against vulgar expenditure in weddings and other functions.
The chain of events On April 4, 2011, before the directive, Sudarshan Agarwal, former Governor of Uttarakhand and Sikkim wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stating: ‘it is with deep >> Continued on page 5
Guardians of the enduring green legacy ECO WATCH
An inspiring tale of how civic apathy pushed locals into taking eco-conservation matters in their own able hands
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LIFE 365 daily all about?
LAXMI BIRAJDAR
J
ust as nine heritage Banyan trees lined up along a small road in Yerawada were about to be felled by the Pune Municipal Corporation, it was the citizenry that came forth to protect their green legacy. Having spread their roots deep next to an IT park, off Jail Road, these trees are predicted to be over 100-yeard-old. Activists, local citizens and even a temple trust have come forward to save these Banyans.
Two have already succumbed Two of these nine Banyan trees are lying on the side of this road, all thanks to the work of covering up a nullah that runs along this road. “Some two months ago, the first Banyan tree fell when the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) dug up the road to lay pipelines in order to close up the nullah. This kind of work leads to the loosening of soil around the tree’s roots. The second tree came unhinged some 15 days
Life 365 is more than just a daily that packages `life’ in its 16 pages. It is a platform to understand your city better in terms of the good work silently being done by hundreds of good samaritans. Their stories of
back,” explains tree activist, Vinod Jain. Today, the two trees are lying on the roadside, with no sign of transplantation on the horizon.
Citizens’ protest save the third
Local citizens have been taking turns to guard the precious Banyan trees
how they lend an extending hand could propel you to contribute your bit to the society. In this progressive city of Pune, the desire to the serve the society is very strong, as we learnt from interaction with citizens.
Blaming the PMC’s callousness, Jain reveals how a third Banyan tree on the road was saved. “We noticed a mixture of calcium carbonate and wet cement spread around this tree. This leads to the tree’s roots not receiving enough moisture,
Do you know of a person, a group of persons, an institute, an initiative or an activity that would inspire people or promote the larger social good? Are you one of them? Life 365 offers itself as your
as a result of which the tree automatically dies a steady death. It’s interesting how the PMC doesn’t make it obvious that it wants to rid these trees,” he adds. Jain, along with 15 other citizens, staged a nightlong protest late last week, and a filed a police complaint, too. “We slept under this Banyan tree that night. Eventually, the calcium carbonate and wet cement mixture around this tree was removed by the PMC the very next day,” he says. >> Continued on page 5
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