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R HEART U O Y S E H C T H AT T O U Y L I A D G IN AN INSPIR Vol. 1 No. 22 Pages 16 PUNE, WEDNESDAY MAY 16, 2012 Rs.4 WEATHER Sunrise .....................06:00 Sunset ......................19:02 Moonrise .................02:45 Moonset ..................15:20 Temperature Min ...........................22 0c Max ...........................38 0c
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Pic: Nitin Lawate
PRADIGM SHIFT
Kondhwa’s
anti-hookah campaign Nanda Lonkar and residents of NIBM Road worked in close coordination to curb the hookah menace in this area
Residents of NIBM Road hope the success of the crackdown on hookah parlours in their area, led by corporator Nanda Lonkar is not short-lived LAXMI BIRAJDAR
W
hat started as a residents’ complaint about a menace in vogue on NIBM Road has resulted in complete resolution of the problem. Around seven hookah joints, some of them part of eateries and restaurants in the area, have been shut down a week ago with due intervention by citizens, spearheaded by Ward No 61 Corporator Nanda Lonkar.
How it all happened The corporator, along with Narayan Lonkar, President of Hadapsar Legislative Assembly, met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar 10 days ago
with an application demanding a stop on operations of hookah joints thriving in and around the NIBM Road area under Ward No 61. “Mr Pawar assured me of immediate action. He called up the Joint Commissioner of Pune Police, Sanjeevkumar Singhal, and ordered a raid on the hookah joints in the Salunkhe Vihar Road and NIBM Road areas. Within 48 hours, these joints, that are part of eateries and restaurants, were shut down. They’ve remained shut for the past week now,” says Lonkar, a first-time elected Corporator. The application says that hookah joints in the NIBM Road area have turned into typical hangouts for the youth and students, adults as well as minor. It further requests
the Assistant Commissioner of Police in the WanowrieKondhwa police station to issue a two-year written bond from those operating the hookah joints, to avoid relapse cases.
Issue raised in election manifesto During this year’s civic elections, Lonkar had included strong action against the menace of hookah addiction in her ward as a prime agenda in her election campaign manifesto. “I have been inundated with requests from the residents of the NIBM Road area to get these eateries to shut down the hookah facilities. I raised this issue and promised that I would close down these joints in my ward once I got elected. I have also requested
residents to inform me if they notice any of these joints reopening,” Lonkar said.
Bad influence According to Nitin Deshmukh, a local resident, the hookah problem in the NIBM Road area has intensified, particularly in the last two years. “The sight of youngsters puffing away on hookah pipes in this area and around Salunkhe Vihar had become quite common. These joints are shut now, but I don’t know how long the ban will stay in effect. These hookah joints should remain closed as they can be a bad influence on citizens, especially the younger lot who are extremely curious to try out new things. I have two young daughters and there are several parents like me who are
worried about the hookah joints thriving in our locality,” he adds.
A women’s issue Rekha Shirke, who works with various women’s self-help groups in the Wanowrie area, feels, “This kind of an addiction ultimately becomes a huge problem for women, because the male members of their families often hang out at such hookah bars, a habit that takes a toll on their personal lives. That’s the reason I suggested that we collectively approach Lonkar and request the shutting down of these hookah parlours.”
Mohalla Committees’ support The NIBM Road Mohalla Committee has lauded Lonkar’s efforts with a letter of
appreciation. “We had invited Nanda Lonkar to our Mohalla Committee meeting last month, and discussed how hookah bars were mushrooming in our locality. She assured us of action and it’s been a week since these joints have been closed down. I personally do the rounds of these areas to check on their status,” said R Subramanyan, Member of NIBM Road Mohalla Committee. The National Society for Clean Cities (NSCC) and other Mohalla Committees in the city, too, have shown solidarity towards this initiative.
EXTRAA Nanda Lonkar can be reached on 9881224422. R Subramanyam can be contacted on 9325501573
Determined to achieve their LAKSHYA LAKSHYA, an DHEERAJ BENGRUT NGO established t is every sportsman’s dream to participate in the in 2009, has been Olympics and showcase nurturing talent at his/her talent at the highest professional level. With the the grassroots level 2012 London Olympic Games with the intention just around the corner, the of bringing sporting country’s focus has once again shifted to India’s representation glory to the nation in the arena. Sadly, for a country of more at the Olympics than a billion, India has achieved stage little success on the Olympic
Prime Contenders: Top (L to R) Jai Bhagwan, Jwala Gutta, Pooja Rani (Bottom) V Diju, Rani Sarnobat
I
front over the years. Most sports enthusiasts attribute the competitive failure not to dearth of talent, but to lack of finance, proper guidance and latest equipment, which often steals players of the chance to shine at the highest level. The city’s sports lovers, taking cognizance of the scenario, decided to launch an initiative to support local sportspersons at the grassroots.
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ongoing project, LAKSHYA has partnered with numerous sponsors for the cause. The major ones include Kumar Properties, Pravin Masalewale, Vascon, Sahyadri Industries Ltd., Sancheti sports medicine division, Bharat Forge, Venkateshwara Hatcheries, and many more.
India’s Olympic lineup Rahi Sarnobat
The result was LAKSHYA (Looking At Knowledge in Sports and Helping Youth Achieve), an NGO established in 2009. LAKSHYA’s main aim is to identify young talented sportspersons, help them develop their skills, hone their techniques and get them closer to their aims and aspirations.
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
Now, after three years, five players of LAKSHYA are all set to represent the country across various disciplines at the Games. Currently, the NGO supports around 50 players who have managed to succeed in national — and international — level competitions. “Our main mission is to
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.
nurture budding talent in sports, provide holistic support to enhance their performance, create awareness in different sections of society to promote sports and ultimately see India shine in the global sports arena,” says LAKSHYA secretary Swastik Siriskar. To finance such a huge
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(25 M. Sports Shooting) – The 20-year-old qualified for 25 M. Pistol shooting. Has bagged a gold medal at the CWG Delhi 2010 in 25 m pistol pairs and silver at the CWG Delhi 2010 in 25 m pistol.
Jai Bhagwan (Boxing) – Qualified for Olympics 2012 at World Boxing Championship 2011 held at Baku. >> Continued on page 5
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