VOLUME 1
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Flash WHITELINE
ISSUE 35
PAGES 8
April 2 - 8, 2010
YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS WEEKLY
www.whitelinegroup.in
Congress Making a Villain of Bachchan
Dr Ulhas Vishwanath Kolhatkar
Pachu Menon
Shivangi Bangera
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How to take a domicile certificate?
A Staff Reporter
Many a migrated people living Maharashtra do not know what is the importance of a Domicile Certificate. What is a Domicile Certificate? A Domicile or Residence Certificate is an important document which proves that the person bearing the Certificate is a Domicile or Resident of the State or Union Territory by which the Certificate is being issued. Now comes the next question why a Domicile Certificate is necessary. A Domicile Certificate is necessary to get preference in state Common Entrance Test (CET) for medical, pharmacy and engineering courses and for preference in state government jobs. A Domicile Certificate certifies a person is continuously residing in a state for the last 10 or 15 years. This Certificate is required as proof of residence to avail Domicile /Resident Quotas in
educational institutions and in the Government Service, as also in case of jobs where local residents are preferred. To apply for a Domicile Certificate in Maharashtra, a person must be a resident of a period of 10 years. How and where to apply for Domicile Certificate? The Domicile Certificate should be applied in the prescribed application form which are available from the SubDivisional Magistrate's office, Te h s ild a r ' s o ff i c e , R e v e n u e Department office and District Collector's office. Documents for proving your identity, attestation of the form by officers with the necessary authority, will be required. What are the documents required along with the application form? Original and photocopies of School leaving certificate,
Electricity bill or telephone bill or driving licence or society maintenance receipt or house property tax paid receipt as residential proof, Birth certificate or passport or driving licence to prove date of birth, ration card, Income Tax Returns, father's birth certificate or school leaving certificate or any document to prove the date of birth. How much time it will take to get the Domicile Certificate? One day to one week is the normal time. But, generally it takes some more time to get the Domicile Certificate. What is the cost? If you go personally, you can save money. The application form is free. But, a court fee stamp of Rs. 5 should be affixed on it and to be filled in Marathi. A photo affidavit on Rs. 20 stamp paper attested by a Notary should be submitted along with the application.
It is recommended to take the advice and avail the service of a good advocate and entrust him the job so that you can minimize the number of visits to government offices for a Domicile Certificate. Or you can avail a service of a trusted agent. Please remember there is no official agent for the services of Domestic Certificate. He might charge Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 for getting a Domicile Certificate.
So, if you are a migrant and want a Domicile Certificate for your daughter or son, first you apply for your Domicile Certificate and after getting your Certificate apply for your ward. The Maharashtra CET date is approaching soon. Please hurry up. Like passport you can not apply for two different Domicile Certificates from two different states.
Great potential for growth: KDMC Mayor NRI business man Hari Menon, Whiteline Flash Editor-in-Charge Sasidharan Nair, Mayor,Builder Devikrupa Sivadas and Whiteline Managing Editor Anil Raghavan.
Whiteline Flash Managing Editor Anil Raghavan interviewed KDMC Mayor Ramesh Sudam Jadhav. In his exclusive interview Mayor elaborated regarding his party's programmes and development plans in detail. Some of the major development and plans are describing in this concluding part of the interviewKalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation is the first Municipal Corporation in India that started offering online services to citizens. The then Chief Minister Vilasrao
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Deshmukh inaugurated Citizen
Facilitation Centre at KDMC office
on 24 t h September 2002 and dedicated the e-governance project to KDMC, state and nation. There are four Citizen Facilitation Centres functioning now including the one in Kalyan East and one in Dombivli. Now KDMC offers over 90 services to citizens at different Citizen Facilitation centres through leased lines. KDMC has an able Municipal Commissioner named Govind J. Rathod. He drives the municipal commission and executing the development works planned by the KDMC. KDMC claims that they offer host of Citizen Services on a realtime basis. The services include important services like complaint lodging, status monitoring, downloading forms, applying on-
line and so on. KDMC now brings to the citizens' doorsteps the Birth and Death Certificates, for these 2
Model College Summer Vacation Activities Dombivli Model College will be conducting two months long various summer vacation activities from 10th April to 10th June. The activities are in film making, children's summer camp and cricket camp. For participation and more information, please contact Mrs. Harsha Bhosale, Model College (New Building), Dombivli. Phone: 2470010.
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Flash WHITELINE
April 2 - 8, 2010
NEWS STORY
Great potential for growth: KDMC Mayor
important certificates our EIP takes you through a step-by-step guide so that even a novice user can also apply online. To add the comfort of citizens, KDMC offer Home Delivery Service saving the valuable time. Though KDMC offers online payment, the gateway is limited to HDFC, IDBI and ICICI customers who have accounts and registered for net banking with them. Currently this can be utilized for paying water and property. KDMC planning to popularise this facility by adding more banks. One of the biggest projects of recent times by KDMC is 150 MLD Water Supply Scheme at Netivli Tekedy which will complete in 2011. When it is completed, the
water shortage in KDMC areas will be permanently solved and almost 24x7 water supply can be established, reiterated Mayor Ramesh Sudam Jadhav. The citizens of Kalyan East were since years asking for a bridge. Joining West and East is a big task and Mayor Ramesh Sudam Jadhav took personal interest to initiate the project. Now it is underway and the bridge will be a reality after few months from the F cabin point. The preliminary work and survey has already completed and the construction of the work will take place soon. The road development is another area to which Mayor Ramesh Sudam Jadhav and his Shiv SenaBJP ruling alliance giving top
Do you visit a dentist for heart pain ? Or Call a plumber for electrification job ?
priority. He is very keen to implement the road development in fast phase. Some citizens or a group of citizens have a tendency to object any development for petty reasons. In such situations Mayor Ramesh Sudam Jadhav stands like a rock in front of the opponents of the developments and leads the activities for developments quickly and at any cost for the benefits of citizens. That is why the 171 crores road development programme is in full swing. Govindwadi bypass road was one example which has been inaugurated on 10th March. This reduces the city traffic considerably. KDMC started Kalyan-Thane and Kalyan-Panvel bus routes. These new bus routes are very helpful to commuters. KDMC has already ordered 150 buses. 75 buses will come in April and they will ply in the existing and recently introduced Kalyan-Panvel and Kalyan-Thane routes. The balance lot of 75 buses will come after two months. Under the Basic Services for Urban Poor (BSUP) scheme KDMC has undertaken road widening and rehabilitation development scheme. Under this scheme, the people who lost their dwellings due to widening of the road will be rehabilitated with land and dwelling at government cost. Kachore, Umbarke, Gauri Pada, Dombivli Dutt Nagar, Govindwadi, Kalyan East Siddharth Nagar are the major villages and places included in this scheme. In Kalyan East Siddharth Nagar, 18 people have already signed the willing letter to move the road side who are affecting due to road
widening. This is a welcome sign and Mayor hopes the remaining few people will also sign the willing letter. When all people agree to move, soon the road widening programme in Siddharth Nagar will take place, probably within a month or two. Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation has distinct place in cleanliness. KDMC got the best clean Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra award under Nagarik Swachat Abhiyan. On 14th April, Mayor Ramesh Sudham Jadhav will unveil Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar's standing statue at Mahatma Phule Chowk in Kalyan. There is no full standing statue of Dr. Ambedkar anywhere in KDMC or in any nearby areas. KDMC also planning to build a statue of the veteran Marathi singer Prahlad Shinde, who lived in Siddharth Nagar, at village Gandhari on Kalyan-Nashik road soon. Irrespective of party lineage and support, people across Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation areas love, admire and appreciate Mayor Ramesh Sudham Jadhav alike. They know well that he does work for them quickly and efficiently better than anyone. That is why they want him back as KDMC Mayor for another term after the next municipal elections so that he can take forward the works he started and complete them for the benefits of the citizens. Which other Mayor in Maharashtra won the hearts and confidence of the citizens like him?
Though it was formally announced in 1982 to form the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation merging Kalyan and Dombivli Municpalities and the villages of Mohone, Shahad and Titwala, it was established on 1st October, 1983. The KDMC was covering 51.98 sq. km and according to the 2001 census the population was 1,193,266. The road length is around 500 Kms and the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation has established the Transport Undertaking in 1997. Now KDMC ply more than 200 buses. The municipal corporation has a total hospital beds in municipal and private hospitals. The average rainfall is 2555 mm per year and has a teledensity of 125 telephones for 1,000 people and an estimated 576 mobiles for 1,000 people. The Municipal Corporation consists of Councillors Elected directly at Ward Elections. The City is divided into 107 Wards. The number and boundaries of the Wards into which the City is divided is specified by the State Election Commissioner by notifying it in the Official Gazette. There are five Councillors nominated by the Corporation. As per the provisions of the Act, the total number of Councillors is 112. The Corporation elects one of its members as the Mayor and another to be the Deputy Mayor. The tenure of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor is of two and half years. This is an overview of Kalyan Dombivli Municpal Corporation.
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Flash WHITELINE
EVENTS
April 2 - 8, 2010
3
Christians celebrated Easter
K.V.S. Nelluvai
Christians in Kalyan diocese on Sunday celebrated Easter, Jesus Christ's resurrection on the third day of his crucifixion, with hopes of a new life and a renewed commitment to Christian ideals. Easter is the oldest Christian festival and the most important event on the liturgical calendar. The dawn of Easter Sunday is considered a symbol of new life and hope. Christ had told his disciples that he would rise from death on the third day of his crucifixion. Churches across the State, irrespective of denominational differences, held Easter services from midnight up to pre-dawn. Depending on the denominational allegiance, the start of the services ranged from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
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At most churches, lights were turned off for a few minutes amid prayers, to be turned on at the time when Jesus was believed to have risen from death. This was marked by fireworks and exclamations of joy by the faithful. Sweets were distributed around, in marked contrast to the serving of a bitter liquid made of bitter gourd leaves or curry leaves on the day of crucifixion, the Good Friday. Dramatic re-enactments and tableaus of resurrection were staged to remind the believers of the son of God's happy return to life. Midnight mass During the midnight services, holy water was blessed and candles were lit from the holy fire as a mark of renewal of the baptismal promise
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the procession held during Easter rally conducted by Kalyan east church. Hundreds of devotees attended. Tableaux enacting the resurrection of the Christ were staged and Easter eggs distributed.
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4 VOLUME 1
April 2 - 8, 2010 ISSUE 35
PAGES 8
Apr. 2 - 8, 2010
Chairman & Managing Editor : Anil Raghavan Editor : C. Vimal Kumar Editor-in-Chage : Sasidharan Nair Associate Editor : P.V. Vasudevan
Flash WHITELINE
Flash WHITELINE
EDITORIAL
Unemployment highest in the UK and grim chances now to get jobs for Indians Sasidharan Nair
EDITORIAL Foreign education in India On 15th March, 2010 the cabinet approved a proposal to allow foreign universities to set up campuses, in a move that could reduce the flow of Indian students abroad. Tens of thousands of students head to universities in the United States, Britain and Australia among others for quality education each year and crores of rupees are flowing out from India. Earlier political parties have opposed the entry of foreign universities, saying the poor will not be able to afford the fees. However, except the communist parties all parties including BJP are in favour of foreign universities to set up campuses in India. The demand for graduates over the next five years is likely to be 13.8 million, analysts have estimated. But with only 13.2 million students graduating over the same period, India will face a shortfall of 600,000 graduates. India's large English-speaking population and growing middle class are expected to make the country a desirable destination for top foreign universities. Foreign direct investment (100%) in education in the automatic route has been allowed since 2000; the proposed legislation will also enable such institutions to confer degrees and diplomas in the country. The proposed legislation calls for the establishment of an “accrediting agency” to regulate the foreign service providers, who also have to maintain a corpus of a rather trifling Rs 50 crore. One important clause in the draft bill prevents any universities from repatriating profits or surpluses earned through their operation and decrees that such profits or surpluses must be utilised for development of local operations. This clause is binding on even those institutions that can avail of a waiver on other conditions stipulated in the proposed legislation, if an advisory board decides so. Education is a big business in the UK, the USA, Australia and other developed countries. Without foreseeing any benefits or profits, no foreign university will come forward to set up their campus in India just of saying, we have a campus in India. Dear readers, do you think Oxford, Cambridge or Harvard or any other prestigious foreign universities will set up their campus in India? The answer is a big no. Here we have to find out answers for some relevant questions: Will the entry of foreign universities into India lead to an increase in access to higher education and, if so, of what kind? And perhaps most important, what impact will this have on the Indian state-run university system, where the overwhelming majority of college-going students will continue to have to obtain their education?
Sasidharan Nair Editor-in-Charge
The recession situation is quite different in the developed countries than in India. Though the U.S.A. is recovering from the recession trauma, the UK is still experiencing the havoc of the recession. During my recent visit to the UK, I have noticed that libel tourism is higher now. It was also amazing to see the higher number of students from India studying in the UK universities and educational institutions by paying exorbitant fees The silver lining was also visible. The British economy was showing signs of recovering which gives hope to all. Nevertheless, when we look at the ground zero realities the picture is grim. No sufficient vacancies are there for British skilled people, managers and consultants. People are freely coming in to the UK from European Union and other countries for employment and business. After competing with the circumstances and clearing the hurdles of British, EU and other jobseekers only Indians or Asians can expect any jobs in the UK. This is the prevailing situation in the UK. Unless any miracle occurs soon, there is no hope for Indian students and in fact Asian students or professionals for jobs. Nowadays Indian students are promised by education advisers or agents of UK education institutions in India that they will surely get 20-hours weekly job and earn substantially to meet their living costs which is a sham. Don't fall prey to such tempting offers. The fact is that you have to find out or carry sufficient funds to meet your tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses. The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance increased by 24,900 in July 2009 to 1.58 million -
its worst level for more than 12 years. This marks the 17th consecutive month where the so-called claimant count has increased in the UK. The jobless total of 2,435,000 will put further pressure on the Government to take steps to boost the economy. Commenting before the latest figures were released Lord Mandelson, currently "minding the shop" in Downing Street while Gordon Brown takes a holiday, described unemployment levels as "unacceptable". Youth unemployment rose by 46,000 to 722,000, while the number of people out of work for longer than a year remained at an 11-year high, up by 36,000 to 543,000. And the ONS said the number of people in work fell by 271,000 between April and June to 28.9 million after a fall of 0.9% in the employment rate to 72.7%. This is the same rate seen earlier this year, which marked the worst since records began. But there was some good news, with a slowdown in the number of redundancies - down by 9,000 quarter-on-quarter to 277,000 in the three months to June, although this was up 150,000 on a year earlier. Vacancies fell to a record low of 427,000 in the three months to July, down by 26,000 on the previous quarter and 203,000 on a year ago. Manufacturing jobs fell again, by 212,000 year-on-year to 2.66 million in the three months to June, which remained at the lowest since records began in 1978. Unemployment benefit, now relabelled Jobseeker's Allowance, has existed in the United Kingdom since before the First World War, when mass unemployment reared its head for the first time In the slump that followed that war the number of peo-
ple receiving the benefit rose to two million, which, as the population was twenty million fewer than today, was a far greater proportion of the available workforce. Today the amount of Jobseeker's Allowance that's given out to unemployed people is dependent on how long they've been working and their circumstances. The name change to Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) was a deliberate attempt to change the image away from the idea of a payment for being unemployed toward a payment to encourage looking for work. Under the age of 18 JSA is not paid unless there are circumstances that make life very difficult. Those over 18 years old and under retirement age can get JSA if they are out of work, capable of doing it and can prove that they are actively seeking work. There are two forms of JSA, income-based and contributionbased, both of which have lower payouts for people between 18 and 24 years old than for those over 24. Both forms of JSA are reduced if a person has savings of more than £6,000 and those with over £16,000 are not allowed to receive it at all. Contribution-based JSA is paid to people who have been in work for long enough to have paid sufficient National Insurance (NI) contributions to qualify, and is higher than income-based JSA. Income-based JSA is generally lower than contribution-based, but has a higher rate for lone parents. There is also a combined rate for married couples or those in civil partnerships, which is slightly less than the income-based JSA for two individuals. Indians, especially prospective students who intend to go to the UK for higher studies and professionals for jobs must understand this fact and be prudent. According to the latest statistics the UK is the second most popular destination in the world for international students looking to study abroad. The insurance is free to any student in the UK studying for more than six months. It has been found 24% rise in Indian students during 2008 academic year and during 2009 the rise is estimated to 38%, thanks to UK's new student visa regime and the hostile situation in Australia against Indian students. Eminent UK writer, journalist and education expert John Gills says, the latest reports show that
Congress Making a Villain of Bachchan
Pachu Menon
The Congress party is apparently 'allergic' to matinee idol Amitabh Bachchan! If his mere presence, sharing the dais with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, at the inauguration of the northbound arm of the Worli-Bandra Sea Link could snowball into a controversy of sorts, the inanities of Indian politics could not have been more in evidence. The absurdities were stretched a bit further with the harried CM rescheduling his entire itinerary just to avoid being with the film star at the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan where
the two were supposed to come together on the concluding day of the function. The blanking out of his son from any form of participation at the venue of WWF's Earth Hour event in New Delhi, of which he was purportedly the brand ambassa-
dor, was the final nail in the coffin! One can definitely see a pattern behind these happenings! Amitabh Bachchan enjoys iconic stature and is renowned internationally. As popular entertainers, celebrities are known to endorse various products and brands. If Amitabh Bachchan is the brand ambassador of Modigoverned Gujarat, it does not imply that he is in trucks with BJP; industrialists have not decided to pour in investments in Gujarat for these considerations. Uttar Pradesh under, Mr Mulayam Singh with Big B as a
brand ambassador hardly ever scaled peaks of progress! Likewise, by agreeing to be the visible face of Kerala tourism, does he become a Communist overnight? By lending his name and voice to a number of worthwhile causes, he and his family have been doing yeomen service for the country and none can cast aspirations on Amitabh Bachchan's loyalty and patriotism to the nation. His detractors should realise that by being party to such malicious campaigns they are slurring the name of a great man, and a great country!
SPECIAL FEATURE & NEWS
Flash WHITELINE
Significance of Rama Navami
V.N. Gopalakrishnan
The festival of Ram Navami dedicated to Lord Rama is celebrated throughout the country with enthusiasm. Lord Rama is one of the ten avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, and one of the two most popular, along with Lord Krishna. Consequently, Rama Navami is widely celebrated, though not on the scale of festivals like Diwali or Dussehra. It was on the ninth day of Chaitra month of the Hindu lunar calendar, Lord Rama was born and hence Hindus the world over celebrate this festival by praying and chanting his name. As per the Gregorian calendar, Chaitra or Ugadi corresponds to the month of March-April. Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha, or bright phase of the moon and hence this year Ram Navami is celebrated on March 24. According to legend, Lord Rama was born at noon and is the epitome of perfection, the Uttama Purusha, fulfilling all his duties towards both family and his people. In the words of Swami Vivekananda, Lord Rama was 'the ideal son, the ideal husband, the ideal father and above all the ideal king.' Lord Rama was a personality grew into perfection as he faced the turmoil of life. His life and the life of his wife Sitadevi have become the role models for married couples. By adhering to the ideals of Lord Rama and Sitadevi, one can get guidance as to the right and wrong of a situation when one is confronted with a dilemma in human relationships. Rama Rajya (the reign of Lord Rama) is the ideal rule of a king or the one in power. Mahatma Gandhi aspired for Rama Rajya as it is synonymous with a period of peace and
prosperity. Rama Navratras, the nine-day worship dedicated to Lord Ram, starts on Chaitra Shukla Prathami and ends on Chaitra Shukla Navami. Hence Rama Navami or Rama Jayanti marks the culmination of Rama Navratri. Rama Navami is a grand event in the Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple at Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh, and Rameshwaram Temple in Tamil Nadu. Devotees narrate and listen to the legends of Lord Rama chant his name, recite shlokas and mantras associated with him and dance to the tunes of bhajans on the occasion. Though Rama Navami is celebrated in a grand manner everywhere in the country, the festival at Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Rama is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. During Rama Navami, people of Ayodhya take out a Rath Yatra (chariot procession) in order to commemorate the existence of the almighty on earth. The Rath Yatra consists of a merrily decorated chariot with four persons dressed up as Lord Rama, Laxman, Sitadevi and Hanuman. The chariot is accompanied by thousands of Ram devotees. They move with the procession throughout the city and chant the name of Lord Ram. The effigy of the ten-headed Ravana passes through the town, wearing an unusual crown and exaggerated moustache. But once Ravana reaches the open ground, he is suddenly deserted because the noble Lord Rama has already made his appearance. The effigy of Ravana, filled to bursting with firecrackers, is set alight, and explodes into a thousand bits amid loud cheers from the crowd and
shouts of Jai Shri Ram. This ritual is an important part of the Rama Navami celebrations. Though Rama Navami is a major festival for Vaishnavites, it is widely celebrated by worshippers of Lord Shiva as well. It is considered auspicious to undertake a fast on the day in the name of Lord Rama. Many devotees fast for nine days, from Ugadi to Rama Navami. The objective of the fast is to seek perfection as a human being. One significant element of the celebration is the Ramayana parayana (recitation of Ramayana) and a discourse on the Ramayana. Professional storytellers enliven the festival by weaving in contemporary anecdots to attract massive crowds. A special prayer is arranged for the midday, when Lord Rama is supposed to have been born. Throughout the day, couplets of Ramayana and Ramacharit Manas are narrated in the temples. Lord Rama was the first of the four sons of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. When it was time for Lord Rama to be made crown prince, his s t e p m o t h e r, K a i k e y i , g o t Dasharatha to exile him to the forest for 14 years. His wife Sitadevi and his brother Laxman also accompanied him. In the forest, Sitadevi was kidnapped by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Lord Rama, together with Hanuman and the monkey brigade, built a bridge to Lanka, killed Ravana, and brought Sitadevi back. It is believed that listening to the story of Lord Rama cleanses the soul and chanting his name eases the pains of life and leads one to liberation (Moksha). Rama Navami appears to be just a festival commemorating the reign of a king who was later deified. But even behind present day traditions, there are clues which unmistakably point to the origin of Rama Navami as lying beyond the Ramayana story. Since Lord Rama is also one of the most sung about deities in Indian classical music and literature, weeklong musical programmes are organized during Rama Navami. On Rama Navami, the celebrations begin with a prayer to the Sun early in the morning. Lord Rama's dynasty is said to have descended from the Sun which is called the Sun dynasty (Raghukula or Raghuvamsa). Raghu means Sun and Lord Rama is also known as Raghunatha or Raghupati. The names begin with the prefix Raghu is suggestive of the link with Sun worship. The hour chosen for the observance of the Lord Rama's birth is when the Sun is at its maximum brilliance. In some Hindu sects, prayers on Rama Navami day start with an invocation to the Sun and not Lord Rama. The syllable Ra is used to describe the Sun and its radiance in many languages including Sanskrit. (The author is a social activist and Director, Indo-Gulf Consulting. He can be contacted on telegulf@gmail.com).
April 2 - 8, 2010
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No entry to KDMC Ambulances to Mumbai Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation ambulances are not permitted to enter into the municipal limits of Mumbai. Also no dead body in KDMC ambulances are allowed to enter into Mumbai municipal limits. This creates great difficulties to transfer patients from KDMC area to Mumbai and utter confusion and chaos to the relatives of the deceased. It is believed that due to less medical facilities in KDMC's Rukminibai and Shastri Nagar hospitals, several patients are being referred to Sion Hospital or K.E.M.
Hospital in Mumbai. KDMC has two ambulances carrying dead bodies and four ambulances for carrying patients which are older than eight years. According to RTO and Mumbai police, any vehicle older than eight years are not allowed to Mumbai municipal limits. Police officials are stopping KDMC ambulances at Mulund check naka and sending them back. Instead of addressing this problem, KDMC health department has stopped sending KDMC ambulances to Mumbai.
Ragaai and Vyaghreshwari Devi Fair
The Ragaai and Vyaghreshwari Devi fair held in Dombivli for two days on April 6 and 7. The fair continued throughout two days with the same enthusiasm and pomp. Devotees in large numbers from all parts of Dombivli, Kalyan, Diva and far away places like Titwala, Karjat, Kasara, Navi Mumbai, Vasai and Virar were arrived to seek the blessing of the goddess Vyaghreshwari Devi. The grand fair was arranged at Mothagaon, Thakurli at the premises of Devichapada in Dombivli West. The fair is being organised every year by the Ganondevi Mandir Sanstan of
Mothagaon, Thakurli, since last six years. The Santhan has invented a novel way to raise funds for this annual fair. The money is neither coming from any donation, sponsorship nor from the Santhan, but from the money accumulated in the collection box of the temple. Years back the area where the temple situated now was a dense forest and t was believed that a Vyaghra in Sanskrit or Vaagh in Marathi (tiger) made its way to the temple premises. That is why this goddess is called as Vyagraeshwari Devi and popularly known as the goodess of sons of the soil.
Fun and mischief killed youth in Bhiwandi A normal fun and mischief resulted so dear to a youth which resulted into his death. A 20-year old youth Vijaykumar Panchanan Mehta was sitting with his friend Shankar Suman Ramdam Paswan on Wednesday at Maru compound in Bhiwandi. Whilte chatting at one instance Vijaykumar Panchanan Mehta made a comic remark to his friend Shankar Suman Ramdam Paswan who tried
to catch him. Vijaykumar tried to escape from there and climbed the terrace quickly. His friend Shankar Ramdam Paswan was after him and Vijaykumar tried to escape which resulted his fall from the terrace to the floor. In the fall Vijaykumar Panchanan Mehta was fatally injured and he was declared dead before admitting to hospital. Police registered a case against Shankar Ramdam Paswan.
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6
Flash WHITELINE
April 2 - 8, 2010
SPECIAL REPORT
Has Privatization of education led to loss of welfare? K.S. Iyer, Lecturer in Economics, Dombivli Model College narrates in this article the issues of Higher Education in India. This paper was presented in the National Seminar conducted by Model College, Dombivli, recently There is a growing disconcert among some educationists and students that the privatization of education sector will deprive millions of young children of their educational rights. They will not be able to afford the high fees charged by private schools and colleges. This was not the vision of the founding fathers of our nation. I would like to argue against this line of thinking. Food, clothing, shelter, health and education are counted among the basic needs of human beings. Out of the above fundamental needs, food is critical for survival of human beings. No food means death or a malnourished existence. Yet the founding fathers of our nation did not put the burden of providing food to the common man on the government. They were aware of the limitations of Government intervention in the matter of production of food. They left this vital aspect of human existence to the vast multitude of farmers of India and the millions of farmers of India responded to the needs of a growing nation by producing agricultural output to the required levels. Of course they were helped
by the HYVP (Green Revolution) and the PDS (Fair Price Shops). Both HYVP and PDS were Government initiatives out of which the PDS has failed miserably. The production and distribution of food is now in the hands of the private sector and the job is being done admirably by the private sector. Proof of this lies in the lack of starvation deaths in India even though malnourishment is still a serious problem in our country. It is my contention that food which is more important than education is available to nearly every Indian essentially through private initiative with minimum Government support (subsidies to farmers and operating the PDS). If this miracle can happen in food, it can happen in education also provided the Government leaves this sector to private initiative. Education means awareness and application. Education is a human interactive process. It is not dependant on fancy structures, modern equipment and big playgrounds. Unfortunately formal education has come to mean this only. A school or a college means a big building with fancy equipments
and a playground. The Government of India decided to fund the teacher's salary in this set up. Thus a school or a college in India is set up with
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private funding of the physical infrastructure and Government funding of the human resources (teaching and non-teaching). This framework was expected to provide for low cost education to the Indian population. In the beginning the system functioned well due to the good people in the system. Teachers and Government officers were people of high values. Later on the system could not cope with the needs of a rapidly rising population and a dynamic world. Teaching in Government schools and colleges became a big fraud on the students. Teachers with the required qualifications but without the required qualities entered this noble profession on a large scale. They could function and remain in the profession because there is no accountability in this profession. Everybody in India is accountable except the teacher, judges and Government employees. A syllabus which is outdated may be blamed on the Government. But teaching without interest, being absent on duty and not being interested in extra curricular activities is a complete failure of the teacher. This is the norm in Government schools and colleges. This definitely was not the welfare vision of the founding fathers of our nation. No doubt Government funding made education affordable but it also led to the complete deterioration of the quality of education. Graduates in India are tested by the industry before being employed because industry does not have faith in the university exams. Foreign universities do not admit Indian students without making them appear for an entrance exam. These are telling statements about our education system. The lack of quality in education is now seen in professional fields like Engineering, Management,
Medicine, Law etc. Moreover the demand for schools and colleges has completely overtaken the available capacity and creating new educational units is the need of the hour. In such a scenario many private schools and colleges have entered the field to fill the emerging void. In the absence of Government support to them and for the sake of long term survival making minimum profits is essential for private schools and colleges. No doubt some of them are collecting huge fees and donations and not utilizing the funds collected for the benefit of the students. Such schools and colleges will die a natural death in the long run but the majority of schools and colleges will continue to exist if they ensure proper usage of funds. Competition will ensure this. Government licensing system allows only a few private schools and colleges to be set up when the need of the hour is complete liberalization of the education system. The MRTP law passed in 1969 was expected to encourage competition and restrict monopolies in Industries but the reverse happened in reality. Thus Government regulation at the entry level encourages existing schools, colleges and universities to continue their dominance in the field of education without contributing much to society. The entry of the private sector at this juncture in the field of education will make education available to all at affordable prices. This will contribute to the welfare of the society. Quality will improve in the long run and we need not worry about it too much. The entry to foreign colleges and universities has made this entire argument redundant now. The author may be reached through cell 9969053555 and email ksiyer62@gmail.com
Flash WHITELINE
DOMBIVLI’S PRIDE
7
April 2 - 8, 2010
DOMBIVLI'S PRIDE
Dr Ulhas Vishwanath Kolhatkar
Dr. Ulhas Viswantha Kolhatkar needs no introduction in Dombivli or rather in India's medical field. He is the well known child specialist, writer, speaker, leader and organizer with a philanthropist heart doing yeomen services to mankind. He is the great son of a humble postman of Dombivli. Now he is the great son of many elders in Dombivli and surrounding areas and really a gem of Dombivli. Whiteline Flash is happy to write about him in our Dombivli's Pride column Our staff reporter Shivangi Bangera spoke to him and wrote this interview. We publish it as it is without any editing. Since, last 25 years, Dr Ulhas
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Kolhatkar M.D., D.C.H., F.C.P.S is working as a child specialist in Dombivli's Siddhi Hospital for children with his wife Dr.Varsha Kolhatkar. He has also won the Dombivli Ratna Puraskar. Effective leadership, Great academic achiever along with Sanskrit scholarship, he has authored and edited books on Health, Psychology, Alternate Medicine, Yoga, Zen Philosophy, Education, Time Management etc. Also, appeared on AIR/Television, Mumbai Doordarshan, telecasted Special Documentary on life & works-Amritacha Velu. All we can say is Dr Ulhas Kolhatkar is a versatile personality who has contributed to various fields and many social organizations in Dombivli. We spoke Dr Kolhatkar regarding Dombivli pollution and issues related to health and environment. What kind of problems did you face while establishing yourself as a child specialist in Dombivli? Being a resident of Dombivli since 40 years, there was no problem as such apart from the financial problems. I have practiced in the Wadia and K.E.M hospital. I had also worked in the camps conducted in the tribal areas of Gadchiroli. Which are the most prominent disorders that you have to deal with? Majorly, the prominent health
Dr. Ulhas Viswantha Kolhatkar is the well known child specialist, writer, speaker, leader and organizer with a philanthropist heart doing yeomen services to mankind. He is the great son of a humble postman of Dombivli. Now he is the great son of many elders in Dombivli and surrounding areas and really a gem of Dombivli. Whiteline Flash is happy to write about him in our Dombivli's Pride column problems are related to Infections; Nutritional problems and Genetic
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Disorders are also very common. The children in the tribal area face the problems related to Infections, Nutrition and Deficiency disorders. Malnutrition and deficiency disorders are common among the tribal kids. As a child specialist, which are the psychological problems found in children? Some of the psychological problems are Genetic while some are related to stress. The genetic disorders include children born with Autism. Hyperactivity, Stress and Juvenile Deliguency is also a kind of psychological disorder found among the school going kids. How many percent of children are affected due to pollution? There are four types of pollution. 1) Water pollution 2) Air pollution 3) Sound pollution 4) Light pollution Approximately 70 percent of the children are affected due to waterborne diseases like Typhoid and Jaundice .Today, the question of portability of water has also aroused. There should be proper storage of water and it should be chlorinated. Air pollution causes respiratory, gastro- intestinal and skin diseases like eczema. Vehicular pollution is also a part of air pollution which is responsible for these disorders among children. The dust arising
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from the construction sites is very harmful and causes respiratory problems. Sound pollution around the school is very dangerous. It jumps to 90 10 100 decibels. The Horns of rickshaws, cars and buses causes enormous sound pollution. There are No silent zones in the city. People are sure to face acute hearing problems in the years to come. It causes less of sleep which results in confusion and irritability. Light Pollution is the result of air pollution and you cannot watch the stars in the night which was clearly visible otherwise. Because of excessive light, the moth population has vanished. The frog lives on the moths and because of decrease in the moth population, the frogs have decreased and the whole cycle of nature is disturbed. How does air pollution affect people in the residential areas? Because of more population living in a small area and less ventilation available in the residencies, the people suffer respiratory problems. Some of these symptoms are chronic whereas others are acute. The acute symptoms are allergic cough, cold, irritation of eyes and rashes on skin. The chronic diseases comprise of the respiratory malignancies and other chronic diseases.
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