The Golden Sparrow on Saturday 13/06/2015

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PUNE, JUNE 13, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

This is why India doesn’t perform well at Olympics They don’t get offers to promote products or for cameos in f ilm and television but that does not take away their achievements. Little known sportspersons f ight all odds to make ends meet, while trying hard to keep their passion alive

BY PRIYANKKA DESHPANDE AND ASHISH PHADNIS @phadnis_ashish @journopriyankka At a time when cricketers are being showered with awards and accolades, it’s a paradox and tragic that players from other sport disciplines are almost completely ignored. Most sports stars who have put India’s name in the spotlight by winning medals and trophies in global arenas, are living from handto-mouth, having to face the ignominy of being in dire financial straits.

The assurances of jobs on a sports quota coming to nought, they are forced to take up whatever jobs that come their way, to keep the home fi res burning. The reason for such talented individuals eking out a miserable existence is owing to the apathy on the part of the politicos and powers-that-be.

Such victims of negligence and injustice are to be found in abundance here in Pune. Whether it is boxer Chanda Udanshive, swimmer Sourabh Patil, athlete Salman Shaikh or visually impaired cricketer Amol Karche, they all have been subjected to an almost complete non-recognition of their achievements, and a disregard of their circum-

PICS BY ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR AND RAHUL RAUT

stances. Leave alone the celebrations and fanfare, these sportspersons have not been given tokens of appreciation as reward for their performances in their respective disciplines. Besides the meagre honorary amounts of money they receive for the participation in sports events, it is a constant struggle for them to get what are their just dues.

Though the sports or athletics associations are aware of and sympathetic to the plight of these sportspersons, the officials say that providing them with better infrastructure or facilities is the state government’s responsibility.

All that we can do is ensure that they have the necessary means to train for their competitions and to be prepared to take on their rivals and better them in the quest to bring home laurels for the country, the officials say.

Meanwhile, all that Chanda, Sourabh, Salman and Amol can do is maintain their focus and train the best they can, to be fighting fit when they take to their respective fields of play. ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com priyankka.deshpande@goldensparrow.com

See Spotlight, p6-7

Moms replace Maggi with desi grub They are rediscovering home-grown versions of instant food to replace firangi ones See Spotlight, p8-9

Pamphlets make HIV patient’s condition public

Sister and her husband distributed pamphlets in his housing society stating that the victim had contracted HIV because of his relationship with sex workers See p3

mUMBAI

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

PUNE

“The coastal road project is not just about road building.

We will have in place an integrated project complete with beautification along the coastal stretch.”

- Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister

Citizen meets not in corporators’ agenda P4

Is this the next ‘terror hub’?

Several dozen licences, insurance policies, PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, among other vital documents have been issued on Sayed Manzil’s South Mumbai address in the name of unknown people who do not live there

BY YOGESH SADHWANI @yogeshsadhwani An owner of a building in South Mumbai has approached Bombay High Court, alleging that several government agencies have turned a blind eye to the fact that multiple fake identities have been issued on his address. Over the past couple of years, Sayed Ahmed has collected over two dozen fake driving licences, Aadhaar cards, vehicle registration documents, bank accounts, PAN cards, among others, all addressed to people who do not live in his building.

He fears that the documents will be used by terror organisations for their operatives.

Ahmed, 62, is a resident of Sayed Manzil on Old Bangalipura Street near Pydhonie. The ground plus one storey building is home to six brothers from Sayed’s family. In 2012, Ahmed was in for a rude shock when he found two driving licences in the name of absolute strangers in his mail box. Initially assuming that they were mistakenly addressed to his house, he kept them away. But a few days later, two people turned up at his house asking for their licences. Ahmed, who is a businessman and a social activist, found something fishy and took them to the local police station.

The duo identified as Bablu Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui and Mohammed Akhtar Vishas, told the cops that they hailed from West Bengal and were learning to drive from a local driving school. In their statements to the police, the duo said that they did not possess any documents to get licences done and had been told by the instructors at the driving school that they need not worry.

They also revealed that the driving school told them to collect the licences from Sayed Manzil.

Address used by fraudsters After going through the statements of the two, Ahmed realised the gravity of the situation – his address was being used to dole out licences in the name of people who hailed from far flung areas and did not have any identity or residence proofs.

For the next few months, Ahmed kept receiving several such licences. He also received Aadhaar cards, documents pertaining to insurance policies, vehicle registrations, mobile phone and Internet connections. This is when he decided to seek information under Right to

Internet connections, motor cycles, etc can also be misused in terrorist activities or any other criminal activities. Such modus operandi paves easy way for terrorists or criminals to carry out their activities in our country,” the petition states.

“Petitioner (Ahmed) himself through several RTI has exposed the entire racket. Despite this, unfortunately, the police machinery has not carried out proper investigations to nab the racketeers, who may be involved in similar activities on other addresses across the city. RTO officers have not initiated criminal action either,” the petition further states.

What shocked Ahmed the most was that some of the documents were addressed to people residing on second and third floor of Sayed Manzil. The building has only two storeys and yet the documents were left behind by postal department without verifying if the people actually lived there.

Sayed Ahmed, the owner of this building in South Mumbai, approached High Court after police and RTO failed to probe the fake important documents like licences, insurance policies, PAN cards and Aadhaar cards issued on his home address

Information (RTI) Act from the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The response he got stunned him further.

In all, nine such licences of absolute strangers had been issued till 2013. Six vehicles also had been registered, none of which belonged to him or his family members. All the information pointed at the involvement of a local driving school – Lucky Moon Motor Training School.

FIR registered All this while, each time he received a bogus document, Ahmed would approach the cops but to no avail. Now armed with information received under RTI, he went to the cops. In October 2013, Dongri police finally registered an FIR of cheating and fraud against the two - Bablu Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui and Mohammed Akhtar Vishas – who had turned up at his doorstep in 2012.

The cops, however, did not make out a case against owners of the driving school or officers from RTO, who Ahmed believed were hand in glove.

RTO’s inaction Hoping that cops would do their bit during the course of investigation, Ahmed focussed his attention on

getting the fraudulent licences cancelled. To his surprise, RTO officials issued show cause notices to the persons in whose names the licences had been made and sent them to Sayed Manzil.

This defeated the entire exercise as no attempt was made by RTO to trace the fraudsters. Months later, the licences still have not been cancelled.

Finally moves HC With neither the police, nor the RTO taking any concrete steps, Ahmed filed a criminal petition in Bombay High Court. In his petition, he has stated that since the licences are still valid, the fraudsters have been able to procure additional identity proofs. “On the basis of such licences, the said persons are procuring insurances, mobile phone connections, motor cycle insurance and registrations, PAN cards, smart cards, bank account, Aadhaar cards, insurance policies, Internet connections, etc,” states the criminal petition filed by Ahmed in HC. Ahmed has also pointed out letters he has written to state government fearing that the fraudulent documents will be used for terror activities. “He (Ahmed) has expressed his fear that the licences, documents, bank accounts,

Fraud continues after FIR FIR registered by Dongri police in October 2013 has not deterred the scamsters. Even after cops started ‘investigating’ Ahmed continued to receive documents in the name of people who do not reside in Sayed Manzil. He has attached the documents that he received after the FIR in the petition.

This includes a letter issued by the Income Tax Department on 20/12/2013 addressed to Akhtar Akram Biswash.

Ahmed received an insurance policy issued by Royal Sundaram General Insurance on 01/09/2014 in name of one Noor Mohammed Haji Bhai Radhanpura. In the same year he got documents pertaining to a mobile connection issued in the name of one Mohammed Sabir A Mulla. In November 2014, he was delivered a driving licence in the name of Mohammed Hashim Shaikh. All the documents are addressed to Sayed Manzil.

The case came up for hearing in High Court last Tuesday. Ahmed’s counsel requested that in order to get to the bottom of the racket the case should be transferred from Dongri police.

The court sought an explanation from police, who in turn stated that they will be filing a chargesheet soon. Ahmed’s counsel, however, argued that since the investigation was far from proper, a chargesheet will not solve the purpose.

The court will hear the case on Monday. yogesh.sadhwani@goldensparrow.com

Madrasas to teach 4 subjects other than religious ones Mumbai: Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for Madrasas to teach students four subjects other than religious ones or continue to operate without additional grants.

“We want the minority to come up in all spheres of lives. Thus, it is important that when they give religious teachings to students, they also give knowledge of other subjects at the same time,” Minority Affairs minister Eknath Khadse told reporters.

“Thus we have decided to make it mandatory for Madrasas to teach English, Maths, Science and Social Science subjects as well,” he said.

The minister said that out of a total 1,890 registered Madrasas in the state, 550 have agreed to teach the four subjects to students.

“We have also offered to give the salaries of BEd and DEd teachers that Madrasas will hire to teach students,” he said.

According to him, Madrasas currently get Rs 2 lakh as financial aid from the state government, and that they will continue to get the basic aid

even if they do not teach the 4 subjects. the multi sector “Under development programme of the Centre that will start from this year, Madrasas were to get Rs 3 lakh for their modernisation and Rs 50,000 for book purchase in addition to the Rs 2 lakh the government already gives. If Madrasas do not teach the 4 subjects, they will not get this money,” Khadse said.

Meanwhile, he also said that the department for higher and technical education has brought an ordinance of compulsorily having atleast 51 per cent minority community students in educational institutions reserved for the minority community.

“We have seen that educational institutions take all benefits of being a minority institution but not have even a single student of the minority community.

“Minorities will not progress unless they are brought to the mainstream. Thus, we have decided to cancel the licences of institutions that do not comply with rules,” he added.

PTI

RTI activist demands audit of Mumbai Metro Mumbai: RTI activist Anil Galgali on Friday demanded an audit of Mumbai Metro to bring before public the real picture about expenses incurred in its construction and operation.

He made the demand during his presentation before Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) that held its first meeting to decide the tariff structure of Mumbai Metro whose first phase was commissioned in June last year.

Galgali, along with other activists, has been demanding that the fares be kept at level fixed by State Government (between Rs 9 and Rs 13 depending on distance).

However, the joint venture company operating the metro, of which

Reliance Infrastructure is a part, has opposed the Government-fixed rates and demanded an upward revision.

“In the FFC meeting, I suggested a reading of a report on the other metros of the world. According to M/s Louis Berger Committee report, cost of construction never exceeded beyond Rs 150 to 200 crore per km (in other metro projects).

But here in Mumbai this cost of construction has gone up to Rs 400 per km which gives enough scope of doubt.

“If an audit is conducted, I am sure it would expose the unnecessary expenses incurred and bring the real picture in front of the public,” Galgali said.

PTI

Drunk teen violently mutilates stray cat

The cat suffered paralysis apart from injuries to spine and legs. A day later, she died.

Bandra resident Joel Jerome booked by the police

Earlier incident

TGS News Service @TGSWeekly Another horrifying case of animal cruelty has come to light in Mumbai. A resident of Bandra repeatedly thrashed a kitten, maiming it. A day after the incident, the kitten died at an animal hospital. The incident occurred on Monday, around 11.30 pm, on Carter Road. The accused, identified as Joel Jerome, was booked by Bandra police and later released on bail.

According to an eyewitness, Joel and a few of his friends were drinking

Joel Jerome, the accused

on Carter Road. “They had arrived in two cars. Six-seven of them got out and opened alcohol bottles. In some time, they started smoking weed as well.

Later, one of the teenagers picked up a kitten and started banging it on the ground. He did so five or six times.

One of his friends tried stopping him but the teenager just wouldn’t listen and pushed the friend aside,” said Yasin Noor Shaikh, a resident of a neighbouring slum.

On seeing what was happening locals intervened. “We confronted him.

It was only after we threatened him of dire consequences that he stopped assaulting the kitten,” said Sunil Pande, a local real estate agent, who is Abhishek Soparkar, also an animal co-founder YODA lover. The kitten was alive but had suffered severe injuries. Locals

immediately alerted Abhishek Soparkar, co-founder of the NGO Youth Organisation in Defence of Animals (YODA), and sought help from him. In the confusion that ensued over saving the kitten, the teenagers fled from the spot in their cars.

“I rushed to the spot and found that the kitten was injured badly. Her hind legs were paralysed and she had injuries to her spine, thighs, as well. It was in need of urgent medical attention and we rushed it to Bombay SPCA Hospital at Parel,” said Soparkar. Next, Soparkar

Last month another case of animal cruelty was reported by animal lovers in Bandra.

A driver ran over his car over a dog outside Beach View Society near Chimbai police chowkey on April 11. The entire incident was captured on CCTv cameras of the housing society from where the killer emerged. The footage clearly showed how the killer identified as Sahil Menghani, a media professional, ran his Hyundai Verna car over a dog sleeping near the gate.

Sahil halted for a brief moment and then drove away. The dog collapsed seconds after being run over and died. Surprisingly, cops posted at the adjoining Chimbai police Sahil Menghani chowkey witnessed the entire episode but did not care to nab the killer, note down his vehicle number, nor did they file an FIR. It was only a day later that 23-year-old Arbaz Bashir Shaikh, a resident of the same building, got to know about the incident, checked the CCTv footages and then contacted Salim Charania, an animal activist, who heads Peace for Animals Welfare Association. The two animal lovers got together and lodged an FIR against Sahil, who was arrested on April 21 and released on bail the next day. approached Bandra Police Station and lodged an FIR. Initially, the complaint was filed against an unknown teenager, but over the next few hours, with the help of locals, cops were able to identify and nab Joel Jerome.

Shaikh explained that locals knew one of the teenagers who was with Jerome. They led the cops to the teenager’s house, who, in turn, gave away Jerome. By the wee hours of Tuesday, Jerome was in police custody.

“Cops did a great job by not just registering an FIR without wasting any time but also proactively looking for the accused,” said Soparkar. Jerome was released on bail the next day.

Meanwhile, the kitten has been named Survivor by Soparkar and his team. “It is stable now. Doctors have told us that the kitten will make it despite the injuries,” concluded Soparkar. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

“Instead of repairing old buses, PMPML will repair new buses and try to keep around 90 per cent of the fleet on road by withdrawing old buses which are about to be scrapped.”

- Abhishek Krishna, CMD, PMPML

High inflation makes Ukraine’s troubled situation worse P14

Pamphlets make HIV patient’s condition public

Sister and her husband distributed pamphlets in his housing society stating that the victim had contracted the infection because of his relationship with sex workers

BY RAJIL MENON @RajilMenon the complaint, police registered a non cognisable offence under sections 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), 506 (criminal intimidation), 34 (common intent) of the Indian Penal Code against the sister and brother-inlaw. This only translates to mere warning to the accused.

There are several orders by courts which have extensively dealt with keeping the identity of HIV patients discreet. Also, the Centre is all set to clear the The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014. The Bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha in February 2014. The Bill lists the various grounds on which discrimination against HIV positive persons and those living with them is prohibited. However, it is yet to come into force.

With the cops dismissing it as a minor complaint, the family got even more worried. “We got scared that if the cops come to our society and starts questioning the neighbours, even those who had not seen the pamphlets, would come to know.

Going to cops was a mistake,” said the son.

The incident pushed the victim into depression. He was referred to a counsellor by one of the caring neighbours. “He was crying inconsolably and deeply upset that his own sister had done this to him. He was scared that now several people in the society would get to know about his illness. I counselled him and calmed him down,” said Santosh Abhiman Janrao, a counsellor. He added that the victim was worried about the future of his children. “He felt that other members of the society will not only start hating him but ostracise his children as well,” added Janrao. He also connected the victim to Legal Rights Society, an NGO. “We have made our stand very clear - the accused must give a written apology or face prosecution,” said Anoop Awasthi, president of Legal Rights Society.

While the NGO and counsellor are doing their bit to help, the victim continues to be scared. rajil.menon@goldensparrow.com

The Chief Minister said that his idea of a developed Maharashtra will not be fulfilled without a developed Pune

Patient paraded with ‘HIV seropositive’ sticker In August 2013, Gujarat High Court pulled up a public hospital and the state government for revealing the identity of a HIV positive patient. The case was that of a 25-yearold pregnant woman who had gone to Jamnagar’s Guru Gobindsingh Government Hospital in June 2009. A nurse put a sticker saying ‘HIV seropositive’ on her forehead and paraded her in the hospital. Harshad Pabari, a Jamnagar resident, fi led the PIL stating that the disclosure of identity would deter HIV patients from coming forward and seeking treatment. HC division bench ordered that ‘identity of patients who come for treatment of HIV/AIDS should not be disclosed, so that other patients will also come forward for taking treatment’.

The bench also observed that ‘fear of stigma and discrimination, more particularly in a country like India where almost 30 per cent of the population is illiterate, is a driving force behind the spread of HIV/AIDS’. The court went to order, ‘The social and economic repercussions of being identified as infected can be devastating and can include violence, rejection by family and community members, loss of housing and loss of employment, to name only a few’. The hospital on its own accord transferred a doctor and nurse responsible for the fiasco.

Man sacked for having HIV In another case, a casual labourer for a public sector corporation was terminated after it was found during medical tests that he was HIV positive. The labourer challenged his removal as well as the rules framed by his employer which required that all employees undergo mandatory testing for HIV and those testing positive would not be recruited, arguing that they violated Articles 14 (right to equality), 16 (right to non-discrimination in state employment) and 21 (right to life). In a landmark judgment, the Bombay High Court held that no person could be deprived of his or her livelihood except by procedure established by law and that the procedure must be just, fair and reasonable. It held that a person should be allowed to work as long as he is fit to perform his job functions, is otherwise qualified and does not pose a substantial risk to fellow workers. Further, the Court held that a public sector employer cannot deny a person employment solely because he is HIV positive.

Pune rural cops feel unsafe in their own compound is a bright reality

Streetlights have not been functioning for the past four months in the residential colony where the cops stay ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

Walking down this ill-lit street has become a nightmare for policemen and their families

The members of these policemen’s families have been forced to avail of tight security owing to the absence of street lights on the roads for the last three months. The street lights have not been functioning on the road leading to the Police Colony of Chavan Nagar in Pashan, behind the Pune rural police headquarters.

With the thick cover of trees the premises are enveloped in darkness without the street lights.

We wish to build this city: CM

PAST CASES

A 55-year-old resident of Guruwar Peth, Pune hasn’t slept in days. He is petrified to even step out of his home. His family is equally disturbed.

Pamphlets stating that he is HIV positive have been circulated in his housing society. The culprits, according to the victim, are none other than the man’s sister and brother-in-law. His cries for help from the authorities hasn’t yielded much as cops at Khadak police station have merely registered a non cognisable complaint.

The incident came to light on June 7, when residents of the housing society in Guruwar Peth found pamphlets. ‘Because of his illicit relations with sex workers, a reputed person living in your society has contracted AIDS,’ stated the pamphlets planted on every two-wheeler and car parked in the compound of the society with over 100 flats. The 55-year-old’s name was also mentioned in the pamphlet.

The victim’s 23-year-old son who works at a call centre spotted some of the pamphlets and immediately hid them. “I was returning from work and while parking my vehicle in the society saw them. I took away as many as I could find. All of us have been extremely disturbed since,” said the son. He added that for days they did not sleep fearing that somebody would knock on their door and ask them to vacate the house.

The victim, who used to be a welder by profession, lives with his son, 18-year-old daughter and wife in the housing society. He contracted HIV in 2004. Ever since he has been under treatment at a government hospital.

On the same day, the victim and his family approached Khadak police station to file a complaint. They alleged that victim’s own sister, a teacher, and brother-in-law, who works with Army’s Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Khadki, had printed and distributed the pamphlets in an attempt to malign the 55-year-old. He told the cops that his sister and her husband have had a problem with his family for several years. A few days before the pamphlets were distributed, the victim and his sister had a spat over a family issue. Based on

BY GITESH SHELKE @gitesh_shelke

PUNE

Constables and officers, who live behind the headquarters, said that it is very difficult for children and elderly people. “Those who travel by public transport have to walk to the quarters in the dark. There are snakes and other insects around that are hard to avoid in the dark,” said a constable.

Another constable said that girls and women are wary of walking in the dark due to the possibility of molestation. “Our children who attend classes return home after dark, sometimes late

in the night. Therefore the lack of street lighting has become a cause of concern for us.”

When TGS team visited the spot in the night, we found two women constables on the road with their cell phones lighting the way.

A woman was voicing her ire over the non-functioning street lamps, while walking home with her children.

The constables said that those who stay on the campus have started using their motorcycles now. “Earlier, we used to walk

The cops are following up on the issue with the senior officers and others responsible for the maintenance of the street lamps down to our homes after 9.30 pm,” said a constable.

The cops are following up on the issue with the senior officers and others responsible for the maintenance of the street lamps.

“We have been following it up with the authorities for the last three months but nothing has been done so far,” he added.

When contacted, Rajkumar Shinde additional superintendent of police, Pune rural, said that after taking over charge of additional superintendent, some constables had informed him about the issue.

“I don’t know what has happened in the past, but it will be rectified soon,” he said.

A senior officer said that the tubelights blacked out after they were installed about four months ago. It happened due to severe fluctuations in the power supply.

“We need to replace cables also,” he said. gitesh.shelke@goldensparrow.com

BY GARGI VERMA @writomaniac “The state doesn’t lack funds. What it needs in proper policy development. If Builders’ Association can unanimously decide on something productive, I am ready to start implementation immediately.” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said while speaking at a function organised

by Marathi Bandhkam Vyavasayik Association (MBVA) on Thursday.

“Our interest doesn’t lie in building an organisation or an individual. We wish to build this city. Pune needs an effective public transport. IT companies of Hinjewadi need better connectivity to Shivaji Nagar area and the proposal of mixed (underground and elevated corridors) Metro is awaiting the Centre’s go-ahead,” he said.

After the developers from the city raised their concerns, the Chief Minister assured that most of themincluding high premium, dwindling economy, lack of infrastructure and development plan, slow land acquisition and absence of steady redevelopment plan for the city - will be addressed by the government.

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Girish Bapat urged the Chief Minister to ensure that municipal corporation uses the premium money for the city’s infrastructure development, which lacks on multiple levels. Adding to this, the Chief Minister cited that seeing the inactivity of the corporation, a special committee

has been deputed to review development.

Speaking on automation of government processes, Fadnavis said, “Whenever there’s human intervention, discretion creeps in and could lead to corruption.” Minister Bapat seconded the Chief Minister and said that people don’t need to loiter at ministry offices as their work can now be done with a click.

Citing the dismal state of rural development, Bapat said, “I have fought for rural development for 20 years and would continue to follow the cause that is very important for Pune city’s growth”. Supporting this, Fadnavis said, “Had Prime Minister’s Rural Development been implemented 15 years ago, Pune would have been at an unmatched zenith of development.”

MBVA founder SR Kulkarni said that he was impressed by the grand welcome given to him at the Gujarat Airport and the state’s development when Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister. Fadnavis said that Kulkarni can expect the same in Maharashtra as Modi is now the Prime Minister. “My idea of a developed Maharashtra will not be fulfi lled without a developed Pune,” the CM said.

As per the recommendations of the project report prepared for Pune Metro

by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the city should have the fi rst phase corridor (Swargate to Nigdi) underground on the route going through congested areas while the second (Vanaz to Ramwadi) could be an elevated one. gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

PUNE

“We have developed mobile surveillance teams to free up areas like Tulsibaug, Mahatma Phule Mandai and Swargate. They will ensure these areas aren’t encroached again.”

— Madhav Jagtap, head, anti encroachment department

Afghanistan’s Sikhs feel alienated, pressured to leave

‘Write prescriptions in capital letters’

P10

P12

Citizen meets not in corporators’ agenda

Only one of the 152 elected representatives in Pune has been conducting such meets. As per law, every corporator must hold two meetings a year

BY PRIYANKKA DESHPANDE @journopriyankka

ward offices comprising 76 panels represented by 152 corporators.

Vinit had asked for details from civic officials regarding the number of area meetings carried out by corporators in their respective wards.

Except for one, replies from all wards offices across the city was same — no such meeting has been conducted since March 2012.

“While the ward offices of Aundh, Warje-Karve Nagar, Dhole Patil Road, Bhawani Peth and Kasba-Vishrambaugwada were candid enough to admit that no area meeting has taken place in their wards, the representatives of Tilak Road, Dhankavdi and WanowrieKondhwa ward offices informed me about panel meetings but avoided giving any details about area meetings,” Vinit said.

An RTI query has revealed something that will surprise only a few.

Only one ward representative has conducted an area or citizen meetings, mandatory as per the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation and Municipal Council (Amendment) Act, 2009, after getting elected in March 2012.

City’s Vinit Malpure, 25, pursuing his masters degree in computer engineering from JSPM’s Rajarshi Shahu College of Engineering (Tathawade), sought the information under RTI and was informed that except Dr Siddharth Dhende from Yerawada ward no one has taken initiative in holding the area meeting in their wards.

Pune city is divided into 15

Area meetings should be called by the Assistant Municipal Commissioner on the suggestion of corporator, who is the chairperson of the meeting. The necessary quorum for the meeting is voters of at least two polling booths in the ward and civic issues facing the area should be discussed.

I have a bad experience about holding area meetings in my area. Earlier, I used to organise such meetings in my ward but only a few civic officials and citizens turned up. It is expected that officials from various civic departments should attend these meetings and listen to issues faced by citizens. But whenever I called civic officials for such a meeting they cited ‘out on an official visit’ for their absence. Hence, citizens in my ward also started neglecting the meets as they knew that their problems cannot be resolved in the absence of civic representatives.

Aba Bagul (INC), Panel 67/A (Sahakar Nagar)

I think area meeting is an administrative function and should be implemented by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). I have good rapport with my voters and solve their civic problems at a personal level, therefore I think that there is no need of area meetings. However, I am always ready to conduct such meetings with the help of civic officials. I was unaware about area meetings as civic officials did not bother to inform me or hold a meet corporators in this regard. A corporator’s role is to address civic issues and not hold such meetings.

Rupali Patil (MNS), Panel 50/A (Sadashiv Peth)

It is complete negligence on the part of civic administration. Area meetings would have been conducted by corporators all over the city if PMC had bothered to tell us about this mandatory responsibility. It is an ideal platform to connect with citizens. As we do not know about the meetings, we are also unaware about the stringent provisions of the law where even membership of corporators can be cancelled. I will soon conduct a workshop of all 26 BJP corporators in the city and inform them about this important and beneficial obligation.

I have personally met almost 90 per cent of my voters who come to seek solutions regarding civic issues, right from installing street lights to seeking admissions of children in municipal schools. Party volunteers make the rounds of my ward every morning and meet citizens. They alert me on any civic issue that needs immediate attention and I try to resolve it. So, in a way, I have established direct contact with my voters and personally think that such meetings are unnecessary as I meet citizens personally.

Ashok Harnawal (Shiv Sena), Panel 57/B (Parvati)

PMC demolishes political party’s ‘illegal office’ The Republican Janshakti Party’s (RJP) office on Senapati Bapat Road was razed as part of the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) demolition drive on June 8. Accompanied by a team of cops, PMC encroachment removal team cleared the party office and two other structures, they claimed were illegal.

Reacting to the PMC’s action of which there was no prior intimation, Pune City Vice Chairman of the RJP, Sushant Bhosale, said, “This is an illegal drive. How can they demolish this structure without any prior notice?”

The PMC demolition squad was accompanied by a large police contingent, to ensure that the RJP party members did not disrupt the demolition of the party office. Bhosale also instructed his party workers not to hinder the civic workers, who used earthmovers to bring down the office structure. A party worker however said that the demolition was carried out in haphazard manner and that some trees were also uprooted.

Party member Sunil Baba Pawar said that the PMC squad had placed four waste bins on the space cleared after the office was razed. “If we remove the waste bins, we could face action, and if we don’t we can’t run our food stalls,” said Pawar, who runs a juice and snack stall.

Rahul raut

Civic body’s action taken without prior notice, claims Republican Janshakti Party TGS NEWS NETWORK @TGSWeekly

Ganesh Bidkar (BJP) - Panel 39/ B (Somwar Peth- Rasta Peth)

SETTING AN EXAMPLE

I hold mohalla committee meetings in my ward every three months and thought it was the only official corporator-citizen interaction. I am unaware about area meetings but have been holding mohalla committee meetings, as per the party high command’s direction, since 2012.

Around 450 people attended the mohalla meet organised in April 2015.

We discussed budgetary provisions for my ward in the presence of civic officials. Around 80 per cent of proposals are passed in these meetings itself and I follow up each case.

PMC perspective Pune Municipal Corporation Encroachment Department Deputy Municipal Commissioner Madhav Jagtap said, “We have undertaken a drive to demolish all illegal structures in Pune city, in a phased manner.

We have encountered protests and opposition to the action, but we are determined to continue the drive.

Now that 158 police department posts have been sanctioned, these will be filled by the beginning of August. So we will have a police station to exclusively investigate matters regarding PMC issues, and file chargesheets in court. This will help us conduct such demolition drives faster and more effectively.”

Dr Siddhartha Dhende (RPI), Panel 4/B (Yerawada)

HC dismisses petition seeking IT returns of Ajit Pawar The Bombay High Court held that a third party is not entitled to seek information contained in the income tax returns filed by former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar as it does not involve any public interest.

The order was passed by Justice R M Sawant who dismissed a petition filed by RTI activist Shailesh Gandhi.

Gandhi had approached the Central Public Information Officer of the Income Tax department in 2009 but the information was refused to him.

In his appeal before the first appellate authority, Gandhi cited section 8(1) of RTI Act, which says that any information which cannot be denied to Parliament or a state legislature shall not be denied to any person. Pawar, being an elected representative, cannot get any exemption and disclosure of his income would be in larger public interest, Gandhi argued.

But the first appellate authority rejected his plea, so he moved the HC.

by “corrupt elements” and sought Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s intervention to save the legacy of the freedom fighter, whom Mahatma Gandhi called his Guru.

Sunil Gokhale, great grandson of the pioneering nationalist, alleged that those who now at the helm of the institution were engaged in making money by selling off its assets spread across the country for personal gains.

“Instead of working for the ideals for which the Society was set up by my great grand father, the citybased secretary Milind Deshmukh, along with another senior member, has been selling the institutional properties to make personal gains.

The secretary of the society’s committee, Milind Deshmukh, denied Sunil’s allegations. “All decisions being taken by the committee are in keeping with provisions of law and rules of Charity Commissioner.”

The Servants of India Society was

the city

Pawar produced documents to prove that RJP are legal occupant of the property.

“We had sent the PMC commissioner and ward officer a notice last month, stating that we were legal occupants of the premises. We will file a complaint with the forest department regarding the trees that were destroyed,” said party worker Vijay Mamdapurkar.

He said that additional commissioner Rajendra Jagtap has assured that he would look into the matter.

Shetiba Shinde, who owns a construction firm and is a government contractor, said, “We have a map and other documents to prove our rightful ownership and will follow a course of action as soon as our party chief gives us the go-ahead.” tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

I have been conducting area meetings suo moto since 2012. I am not doing anything exceptional but exercising my responsibility towards citizens who have chosen me. Through these meetings I have resolved many issues, including extra FSI, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) houses in my ward, SRA scheme and garbage management. These meetings help me in understanding the problems of people and solutions are found in the presence of civic officials who are present.

Baburao Chandere (NCP), Panel 9/B (Baner-Balewadi)

Around

The remains of the RJP office and food stall after the PMC demolition squad’s action

THE ACT Maharashtra Municipal Corporation and Municipal Council (Amendment) Act, 2009, states that it is mandatory for corporators to conduct area meetings at least twice a year. The meeting should be called by the Assistant Municipal Commissioner (earlier called ward officer) on the suggestion of corporator, who is the chairperson of the meeting. The necessary quorum for the meeting is voters of at least two polling booths in the ward and civic issues facing the area should be discussed.

The ward offices are called assistant municipal commissioner’s offices and ward officers are called assistant municipal commissioners.

The violation of the Act is punishable under which the membership of the corporator can be cancelled. However, none of the corporators are paying heed to the legal aspect. priyanka.deshpande@goldensparrow.com

founded in 1905 by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, considered as a the leader of the “moderate” faction of the preindependence Congress from whom Gandhi drew inspiration.

Seaplane service to begin from June 15 In what will bring down the journey time between Pune and Nashik to 50 minutes, the private-run seaplane service connecting the two destinations will begin from June 15.

City-based private operator MEHAIR said it will launch its regional air connectivity between the two places on Monday.

The services will be operated with a Cessna 208A amphibian aircraft, which is capable of both runway and water operations in the course of the same flight. The company has fixed a fare of Rs 5,999 for the service, which will be applicable till June 30. From July 1, the fares will increase to Rs 6,999.

Passengers can book for the service online on its website www.mehair.in.

Gokhale’s kin alleges misuse of Servants of India Society

Great grandson of Gopal Krishna Gokhale alleged that Servants of India Society founded by his illustrious predecessor has been taken over

Pune Newspaper Vendors Association recently organised a tree plantation drive on Baner Road. Present on the occasion were president Vijay Parge, vice president Dattatray Pise, CEO Ananta Bhikule, and association members

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

“The adminstration is expecting no objection certificates from the defence establishments within next 4-5 days to construct a temporary road to link the pontoon bridge to Khadki Cantonment.”

—Saurabh Rao, Collector

Too much TV, bad for bones P11

Sacked Disney staff train replacements P14

Now, a cycling team from Pune With a German rider as its coach, Wolfpack, the city’s newly formed cycling team is all set to make its mark

Wolfpack riders make for a colourful portrait in their snazzy outfits and snazzier wheels as they gather together for another gruelling session

By Ashish Phadnis @phadnis_ashish Cycling is a sport activity that is catching on in India in a really big way. Now Pune has joined the cycling league by forming its first amateur team called Pune Wolfpack. The team was launched a couple of months back by a

few like-minded riders, and they have appointed German cyclist Michael Lehnig as coach and lead rider. The team’s riders have won podium places at a number of races for amateurs in Pune, Bangalore and Ahmedabad. A couple of the Pune team’s riders have participated in the Maharashtra state level road racing competition.

Racing community “Right now we have a few committed riders and we are putting in our best in every tournament. However, we don’t want to restrict ourselves. We want our numbers to grow; we want to encourage young riders to join us, so that we can have a second string of

Land for rehabilitating Chas Kaman farmers sold

Several agents and farmers are under the Economic Offences Wing radar for the fraud

The scenic landscape against the backdrop of the Chas Kaman dam

BY GITESH SHELKE @gitesh_shelke The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Pune rural police have arrested two agents and have also booked several farmers who sold government land meant for the rehabilitation of farmers and land owners. Ever since land parcels of several farmers were taken by the government for the Chas Kaman dam project, they have been awaiting for a rehabilitation package.

The Pune rural police have registered an offence in this regard with the Chakan police station in April.

Investigations have revealed that there were about seven agents involved in the cheating case along with over 25 farmers. The culprits are suspected have duped people to the tune of Rs 82.63 lakh so far.

The investigation officer, Assistant Police Inspector N R Jagtap said that the case was transferred to the EOW on Tuesday, after it had emerged that it involved large sums of money. Jagtap said that the police have arrested two agents identified as Nandkumar

Popatlal Bothra and Sadashiv Devram Shelar, both residents of Khed, in this regard. One of the victims, Vijay Shah has lodged a complaint in this regard with the police.

Jagtap said that there are many project-affected persons, especially farmers. “Many farmers from Bibi, Kalmodi, Goregaon and other villages had lost their lands when the project was sanctioned and after it was completed,” he said.

The government had promised either land or money as compensation to the farmers or to the affected persons. “In the rehabilitation process, the farmers were supposed to get land from the government,” he added.

Jagtap said that seven primary suspects in the case, all land agents, allegedly told their clients that they can purchase land at very nominal rates in the picturesque valley. The suspects said that they would arrange

land meant for rehabilitation purposes, where plotting could be done for bungalows or second homes,” he said.

Many farmers have submitted applications to the District Collector and to the State Government, demanding land under the rehabilitation process. “The land is yet to be allotted to the farmers, while some farmers have got their pieces of land,” he said.

The agents, along with about 25 farmers, made forged documents stating that the land belonged to them and sold it to clients. The plots range from 10 gunthas (10,000 square feet) to an acre. They allegedly prepared fake documents of the lands and sold it at very cheap rates to their clients. “The complainant too got the documents of the land and realised that he was duped by the agents and lodged a complaint,” he said.

Jagtap said that during the course of investigations, it was revealed that the farmers too had signed these documents. “We have made them suspects in the case but it is not yet clear if they had signed knowingly or unknowingly,” he said.

“However, these farmers have collected all the documents of rehabilitations and are following up with the government, but they attempted to sell the land pieces before they were allotted to them,” Jagtap said.

The farmers have received minor amounts as advance from the agents. “Against this advance amount, the farmers have signed the sale deed and agreements,” Jagtap said.In all, there are seven land agents and over 25 farmers, who have been named as suspects in the case. Shelar has been remanded to police custody till June 15, while Bothra has been remanded to police custody till June 12, Jagtap said. gitesh.shelke@goldensparrow.com

The govt had promised either land or money to the affected

riders. We want the racing community in Pune to become large,” said Lehnig.

Michael Lehnig hails from Munich, Germany. He started his sporting career with football, then turned to running, followed by the triathlon and settled for cycling.

He participated in several races in Germany and Europe. He is married

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to a Pune girl, and in 2014, he shifted base to Pune. He currently works as a sports coach for the Pune Wolfpack cycling team. “There are several riders in Pune who have the potential to perform. But they don’t have the proper channel yet, and secondly they have a mental block. Most of them fear that the level is too high for them. So we are working on two levels. Apart from having a racing team, we are also building our management team.

Promoting the team through social media, getting sponsors, getting a support team is their job. And to encourage riders, we have allowed them to come and train with us. We are also organising a few races to test their skills,” he added.

Difficulties About the challenges they face, Lehnig said, “The most difficult part is to encourage riders. Cycling in India is very limited compared to European countries. The riders lack knowledge. They must realise that cycling is a demanding physical sport. You have to invest time in it. You just can’t start cycling and become awesome in a few months.

It takes at least 6-8 years to develop one’s full potential. Unfortunately, cyclists in India start quite late and it reflects in their performance.

“Secondly, the competition in India is very limited. To keep improving, you need to participate in high level of competition. Even the cycling calendar in India is not managed professionally. The private races, apart from the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), are held in pockets. It should be properly channelised. In other countries, the riders can train for any particular

Wolfpack team • Nakul Singh • Mahesh Iyer • Apurv Verma • Rishabh Hattarki • Aunsh Bandivadekar • Dhruv Shah • Makrand Mane • Rajat Roy • Mihir Deo • Nisarg Patil event for over six months. But, that’s not the case in India.”

Elaborating on his point, Lehnig suggested that a cycling league will be a great move to popularise the sport.

“We should have a cycling league and a proper calendar. The races should get broadcast on television and that will attract sponsors to invest their money in teams.”

Main objectives “Our main objective is to put the city on the racing community circuit. We are now a fixed group and don’t want racing in Pune to stop. So the plan is to stabilise the team and get financial support for that.

Right now we are meeting expenses from our own pockets, and it’s not possible for everyone to do that. So if we get a sponsor, our wish is to find young talent in the city and nurture them,” said Lehnig.

“On an individual level, our riders will participate in a state level tournament and aim for podium finishes. In the next three years, our ambition is to compete at the national level,” he added. ashish .phadnis@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

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JUNE 13, 2015

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pics by Aniruddha Rajandekar and rahul raut

What the experts say

This is why India doesn’t perform well at Olympics

Madan Wani, General Secretary, Pune City Amateur Boxing Association “Unlike cricketers, Olympians are generally ignored by the media and the common man. This obsession with cricket is the key reason why Olympians and sportspersons of other disciplines have to face financial struggles and hardships. Cricketers hog all the media coverage and medal-winning Olympic athletes and others are left fighting for their survival. We could discover boxing talent in poor or rough neighbourhoods but to attain proficiency they need support.

The state government has a lot schemes for sportspersons, but the benefits never reach them. Athletes and other sportspersons have to depend on the benevolence of others to make ends meet.”

Ikram Khan, Secretary of Maharashtra Hockey Association and former captain of Indian hockey team “The appointed representatives of sports committees are unaware of the struggles of sportspersons. Such appointments are done in a hurry and the people holding the posts are insensitive towards the players. Former city MP Suresh Kalmadi, who was Indian Olympic Association chief for a brief period, could not even provide a better hockey ground in Pune, though it is the national game. The politicians show a lack of will to promote and encourage sportspersons of other disciplines, an attitude that has put paid to the career of many. They live in a miserable conditions because Olympians are overshadowed by cricketers.”

They don’t get offers to promote products or for cameos in film and television but that does not take away their achievements. Little known sportspersons fight all odds to make ends meet, while trying hard to keep their passion alive

Niranjan Godbole, secretary, Pune District Chess Circle Chess is considered as the cheapest sport, but that’s not the case. The main cost in chess is the coaching fees. To excel in this sport, every player is required to get high quality training and these coaches charge a lot. So for that we have already started giving quality coaching at a very reasonable cost. We even wanted to provide free coaching camps for our players, but didn’t get much response from players. Secondly, we provide players money to participate in state level tournaments, while Maharashtra Chess Association bears the cost of player, who is playing in national tournament. If any player, who is in serious financial crunch, approaches, we can surely help.

Amol Karche, Indian blind cricket team player Sultan Shaikh, athlete

S

ultan Shaikh dreams of changing his and his family’s fortunes through sports. A resident of Ghorpade Peth, 17-year-old Sultan is in the science stream at Ness Wadia Junior College, but he also works as office assistant in a private firm, and is the sole bread-winner of his family. He trains with Harshal Nikam at Baburao

Sanas ground, Sarasbaug.

“With studies and my job, I have a very hectic schedule, but I have no option. I can’t skip work or college. So I have to make the most of my training in the mornings,” says Sultan.

Sultan started his sports career with the triple jump and won a few medals at the district level. Then he was drawn

to javelin throw and qualified for the inter-school divisional tournament.

He is now also working on his sprint technique to participate in 100m run.

“People think that athletes don’t have expenses as big as sportspersons from other disciplines. That’s not true. For a 100m race, I need a pair of quality spikes, and they cost a lot. I am

saving up to get myself a pair of good spikes, and hope that I win a few more medals,” he says. Coach Nikam believes that with adequate support, Sultan will make his mark.

“He has some spark and with proper training and exposure, he will surely perform better. Unfortunately, he does not have enough time for training, what

with his college and office. Still he is making good progress.”

With little or no help coming his way, the 17-year-old has decided to turn things around himslef. He wants to join the police force. “I can easily pass the physical test, as I am in good shape.

The job security will help me focus on my sports,” he says.

A

mol is the third-born child of farm labourers in Baramati.

He was born with visual impairment. However, he has not let his disability stop him from taking to the cricket pitch at the young age of 8.

Amol is a key member and only one from Maharashtra in the Indian blind cricket team, which won the World Cup last year. Away from the cricket field though, Amol’s life is a story of struggle and hardships, in stark contrast to his heroics in the blind cricket series he has participated in.

“Apart from a Union Government’s prize of Rs 5 lakh, I have not received even a single message or phone call of appreciation from the Maharashtra government after coming home with

a trophy,” said 21-year-old Amol. He has never had a mercenary outlook, or thoughts of benefiting from his sporting talent in terms of money. He was not even paid the honorary amount for playing in the series.

“I do not have job. My parents still work as labourers on other people’s farms, and the meagre amount they earn is barely enough to feed the four family members. It is surprising and even sad that when the Indian cricket team live a life of glamour and riches, members of the Indian blind cricket team face constant struggles to make ends meet, even after bringing home the World Cup,” said Amol. He meanwhile shares a small flat with other five blind friends, in Lohegaon.

Amol who is a pace bowler of the Indian blind cricket team, practices in a lane near his house. “Nobody has given us a ground where we can practice. Sometimes, I practice on Fergusson College ground, but I do not have a place where I can practice regularly,” said Amol.

Amol missed out on the chance of playing in an India-England series because he could not find a sponsor.

“I needed sponsorship of Rs 70,000, but there was no one who was willing to furnish the cash, and I missed the opportunity to play in an important series,” said Amol. What’s more telling, is that his team-mates were sponsored by their respective states for the series.

Chanda Udanshive, boxer

Sourabh Patil, swimmer

N

ineteen-year-old Sourabh Patil of Kolhapur dream of representing India came true this year, as he was part of the Indian contingent that participated in the Asian Beach Games in Phuket, Thailand. Now he wants to represent India in the modern pentathlon but he does not have the means to pay for his training and other needs. Pentathlon includes 10 sports events like horse riding, swimming, running, fencing, among others.

His coach Shekhar Khasnis says, “Sourabh is very talented. I noticed him during the Biathlon State Championship last year and invited him to train with me in Pune. His family was not able to bear the expenses, so I assured them that I would look after him. Initially, he had no place to stay, so he had to stay in our yoga hall, next to the swimming pool. Later he shifted to his relative’s place. But he is still struggling with his daily routine.”

Sourabh’s father works in a private firm, while mother is a housewife.

His swimming career started when his mother enrolled him in a nearby swimming pool. He excelled at the sport and has won several medals at the district and state levels in the last 12 years.

“People have misconception about swimming or water polo. They feel it’s a very low budget sport. But that’s not true. I spend at least Rs 3,000 per month on training. Then there is the diet and nutrition and it’s not easy to manage. I didn’t wanted to trouble my father, so I started coaching at Swargate. I can pay my college fees and meet other expenses,” said Sourabh, who plans on buying a second hand cycle if he saves up enough. For now he does most of the commute on foot.

“I need Rs 2-3 lakh to train for the pentathlon world championship. The fees for fencing, horse riding and their kits are very high. So I can’t pursue my dream without a sponsor,” he said.

“If he gets a chance to participate in the modern pentathlon, he will surely be part of the Indian probables,” adds Khasnis.

N

ineteen-year-old Chanda has no count of how much money her father has spent on her diet and branded boxing gear.

Whatever it is, it is far more than her 48-year-old dad Deepak can afford, on his security guard’s salary, after tending to their family of five.

Chanda took to boxing when she was in standard VIII. “My father encouraged me to take up boxing, though it is generally considered to be a male dominated sport. As I stared taking training, my interest and passion grew. I have won

five gold medals in nationals and one in an international championship in Serbia, in 2013,” said Chanda, who has appeared for her class XII board exam this year.

Chanda’s father took voluntary retirement from the CISF where he was a hawaldar, in 2012, but always encouraged his daughter’s passion for boxing, despite the lack of money. “I get Rs 10,000 as pension and a meagre salary as a security guard. Chanda’s special diet and her costly equipment take a big chunk out of my earnings,” said Deepak, who is the sole bread-

winner of the family.

The Udanshives live in two rooms, in Shivdarshan Colony, a slum pocket near Sahkarnagar.

Last year Chanda injured the ligaments in her left leg while practicing for the world championship.

She said, “I had to undergo surgery and my father had to bear the hospital expenses to the tune of Rs 2 lakh. A couple of politicians helped us out with some of the expenses.”

Chanda is recovering from her injury and looking forward to the next boxing competition.

Pralhad Sawant, secretary, Maharashtra Amateur Athletic Association Frankly speaking, association is helpless for these players, as even the associations are financially weak. Except cricket and few other associations like tennis, badminton, most of the district association don’t have enough money to support these poor players. At the most, if we find any extraordinary talented player, who is struggling financially, we can recommend his name to few corporate groups. We have several plans to start a scholarship for talented players, but it’s still on paper, due to financial constraints.

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

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JUNE 13, 2015

Moms replace Maggi with desi grub

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Anagha Kale, housewife Anagha, a science graduate, with a diploma in pharmacy, has had to rethink the menu for her children Shambhavi (14) and 9-year-old Shamvit. She has replaced the Maggi dishes that her children liked, with proper homne-cooked meals. In fact, Anagha has decided against all readymade and packaged foods in wake of the statewide ban on Maggi. Her husband Anil is a doctor, who runs Mankikar Hospital, on the Pune-Nashik highway, Bhosari.

Anagha said, “The lesson I have learnt from the Maggi controversy, is that it’s time to revert to our original homecooked Indian food. Of course, preparing food takes much longer than dishing out instant food to my children, but it is a far healthier option. For children snacks are a routing many times a day. Maggi noodles and other products were the perfect solution and my kids were very fond of them.

But my generation grew up without Maggi and instant foods, so there is no reason why my kids can’t do the same.”

Anagha has a whole range of snacks tried as alternatives to instant foods. She now serves her kids snacks like rava or moong dal shira, dudh-, dadpe-, or mix vegetable pohe, bhajani thali peeth, puri-bhaji, ladoos etc.

Angha said, “Instant foods are immensely popular since they are very tasty and really easy to cook. I had to make an effort to make my home-cooked snacks appealing to my kids. So I made a spicy shevai dish garnished with colourful vegetables, and to my relief,. My kids really enjoyed it.” Gulpapadi made from flour, ghee and jiggery is a snack her kids liked more than Maggi.

Samvit and Shambhavi said, “We really love Maggi.

After watching the news, we know we will never eat it again, but we will never forget it, and will always miss it.

We enjoy the snacks our mummy makes for us. We realise that we must stick to our traditions in matters of food for reasons of health.”

Shambhavi scored 93 per cent in the recent SSC examination, while Samvit is in standard IV in St Ursula School.

They are rediscovering home-grown versions of instant food to replace firangi ones

Pics By Aniruddha Rajandekarand rahul raut

by Archana Dahiwal @ArchanaDahiwal The recent announcement about Maggi products made

by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Girish Bapat in Pune last week, has sent a wave of shock and apprehension across all stratas of society, and the citizens of Pune are now apprehensive of the popular instant food maker’s range of products. With the rapidly changing lifestyles over the last couple of decades, Maggi’s and other ready-to-cook and instant food brands have become almost indispensable in the urban kitchens, as such easy-to-cook foods are great time-savers besides being easy on the palate, and also because they are greatly relished by children in general.

The Maggi samples collected from Pune, Kolhapur and Aurangabad and tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), were found to contain lead above the permissible limit. The furore over Nestle’s Maggi products across India gained momentum over the past couple of weeks, putting a dent in the faith regular consumers had placed in the products over more than two decades of their availability in India.

Vasudha Bora, housewife

Dr Prerana Bedi-Kalekar, Ayurvedic practitioner

Prerana is a resident of Cupper Colony, sector 28. As a physician, she has always advocated the importance of nutritious, home-cooked food, a preaching she practices scrupulously, with her eight-yearold daughter Urja.

Prerana said, “I pay close attention to the food I serve my daughter. As a responsible parent, it’s my duty to inculcate and nurture healthy food habits in my child, because as they say, health is wealth. Since good health is essential for success, the food one eats is an important aspect of day-to-day life.”

Prerana’ daughter Urja happened to taste Maggi noodles at a birthday party and she liked it so much, that she wanted to have it as part of her daily menu. Prerana gave her daughter the noodles occasionally and very sparingly, but then she put her foot down and stopped it completely.

Prerana said, “According to Ayurveda, healthy food is essential to ensure a healthy mind, body and soul. One must take into account factors such as biological properties, origin, environment, seasons, preparation methods and freshness in matters of nutrition. But with the fastchanging lifestyles, we have forsaken

Ashwini Tannu, clinical psychologist

Thirty-one-year-old Ashwini Tannu of 121 Erandvane, off Karve Road, has firmly declined to serve any instant or packaged food to her fouryear-old daughter Manva, studying in Symbiosis School.

Ashwini, who is a consultant and her husband Mayoor works in the advertising department of a reputed media house, said, “The ban on Maggi has not made much of a difference to me as I have never relied on instant food, except for the occasional soup. Of course, now I have stopped buying readymade soups also. Home-cooked Indian food has great nutritional value. My daughter loves the variety, especially sweets, so I make gud-dani, ragi or nachani biscuits or ladoos, coconut wadi, groundnut ladoos etc. These are very easy to make and very healthy. For spicy snacks, I make shevai or rava upma and the ever popular chivda.”

traditional concepts, and this is now taking a toll on our health. The younger generation is weaned on instant soups, ready-to-cook food, packaged fruit juices etc, without consideration of their nutritional values or adverse effects, due to the additives and preservatives they contain.”

She advocates Indian and local foods like rava basan ladoos, oats, multigrain bread, peanuts, jaggery, haliv, til, dry fruits like dates etc, as snacks that are both tasty and healthy.

Prerana said, “We should concentrate on bringing up our children the right way, and with the best influences (sanskar) even regarding food. Instant food may be a time-saver but it is not a healthy long-term solution. In contrast, home-cooked food is pure (satvik), hygenic, and nutritionally balanced, and it is worth the time and effort you invest in preparing and serving it to our children.”

Prerana has been practicing Ayurveda for nine years. Her father Suresh Bedi is allopathic doctor. Her husband Prasad works as business development manager at Sahyadri Hospital.

DietiCian speaks Vasudha is commerce graduate and her hobby is reading. She lives in a joint family with 14 members. Her husband Mahesh is a mechanical engineer. She has been very devoted to building healthy food habits in her daughters Shreya, 11, and Riya, 6 and a half. She stopped serving them instant or packaged food since two years, insisting on healthy homecooked Indian food.

Vasudha said, “My elder daughter used to be very fond of Maggi, but I explained the adverse effects instant foods can have. She understood it and also realized the importance of a healthy, nutritious diet. My younger daughter has never tasted Maggi.”

Shreya is standard VI and Riya is standard I at St Ursula School.

Vasudha prepares a range of tasty and healthy home-made snacks for her daughters. She said, “Children like variety and are bored of the same dishes. So, I make sweet dishes, like a variety of kheer, made from wheat, rice, rava or dry fruits. I also make snacks like rajgira wadi, chikki and shevai. My spicy snacks include soups, matar-pohe, muoong dal dosa and sabudana khichadi.”

Nutan Jadhav, working mother

Nanded resident Nutan, whose husband Chetan runs a business in Thane, said, “Even during my college hostel days, I kept away from packaged or instant foods, except when I had no other option. I have always preferred home-made food.”

Nutan is a working mother.

Besides tending to her household duties and catering to the needs of a growing daughter, she is also employed as deputy registrar at Surdatta Management Institute. She has a three-year-old daughter named Aarohi. Owing to his business, her husband has to ravel to and fro between Nanded and Thane.

Nutan said, “For breakfast, I give my daughter paratha or thali peeth with lots of vegetables, bhajani of grains or cereals. The bhajani can be used for almost a year. I can make thali peeth in just ten minutes. I also make bhajani cutlets with nachani.”

Nutan said, “I have read about Ayurveda and health supplements to increase my knowledge about Indian food. It is the perfect and healthy option for me and my family.”

Tejas is a clinical nutritionist, specialising in pediatric nutrition. She is a certified diabetics educator, diabetes unit, KEM Hospital, Pune.

She said, “The nutrient value of food is greatly reduced by the processing methods. The vitamins, minerals and fibres are almost all lost.

Most instant foods are processed. Instant foods contain preservatives like salt, and monosodium glutamate (MSG,) as flavouring. These can cause major health problems like blood pressure and obesity. One should minimise or completely Tejas Limaye stop their consumption by children or family members.”

Tejas said, “Parents plays a very important role in the food habits of children. Even the media must play a responsible role in the context of food and nutrition. Children can easily be influenced by what they see on television, which is probably the reason for the vast popularity of instant food.”

Healthy and immediate food options Whole fruits (avoid juice), all sort of nuts and seeds, salads, milk (not with added flavour and sugar but you can add dry fruit powder) Healthy, ready-to-eat snacks, you can use for a week Ladoos of aliv, nuts, chikki, coconut wadya, khakra, puffs Healthy breakfast Kheer: you can make a variety of kheer like nachani or ragi, daliya etc. A bowl of kheer is like a meal, parathas, poli-bhaji, phirdi For non-vegetarians, boiled eggs are a good option What to avoid Strictly avoid reusing of oil after deep frying, as it generates trans-fats which are harmful. Vada-pav, bhaji at roadside stalls are made from reused oil.

Healthy recipes Nachani or ragi ambil (time required, 10 minutes) Ingredients • Nachni flour – two tablespoons • Salt • Water – 100 ml • Buttermilk – one bowl • Black pepper • Coriander

Method Add two tablespoons of water to nachni flour. Stir well and add the remaining water. Mix well. Heat for two minutes. Allow the mixture to cool.. Add buttermilk, salt, a pinch of salt and black pepper powder, coriander.

Keep in refrigerator.

Nutritional value 60 calories, proteins 5 grammes, carbohydrates 8 grammes, fats 1.5 grammes. Nachani is a rich source of calcium.

Date walnut roll (time required, 8 minutes) Ingredients • Dates - half bowl • Walnut - seven to eight • Skimmed milk powder - 3 tablespoons • Pandharpuri dal - 3 tablespoons

Method First grind the dal, walnut then add dates, milk powder and grind • again into mixture. Prepare roll of mixture and put into refrigerator. Cut the roll into seven or eight pieces.

Nutritional value Carbohydrates 25 grammes, proteins 10 grammes, fat 6 grammes. Dates are rich in iron and walnut contains omega three vitamin.

Sprout bhel (time to cook, 10 to 15 minutes) Ingredients Method • Sprouts - one bowl You either steam the • Tomato - one small size sprout or use it as it • Onion - one small size is. Chop the onion, • Lemon- one tablespoon tomato, cucumber.

• Cucumber- one Add to the sprouts.

• Mint/pudina- (as per taste) Later add all • Salt ingredients and mix • Curd well. Garnish with • Chat masala mint or coriander • Chilli powder leaves.

Calories: 120 grammes, 8 grammes proteins, carbohydrates 15 grammes, fats 2 grammes

Ganeshram Chowdhary, owner of Grahak Peth, Nigdi “Consumers have stopped purchasing Maggi; in fact they come to return the packets. We collecting Maggi and its related products like aata, oats, soups, multigrans etc. We are accepting these without bills also. It will take some time to switch from foreign to desi products. At present the market for instant foods has slowed down.”

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

PUNE

North Korean defector comes out of the closet P13

“Despite several comments on the issue by senior BJP leaders, our hope is still alive.

We expect that this government will fulfill its commitment to construct a Ram temple at Ayodhya.”

— Surendra Jain, spokesperson and national secretary, Vishwa Hindu Parishad

Afghanistan’s Sikhs feel alienated, pressured to leave

Intolerance and discrimination are forcing Sikhs to flee Afghanistan

KABUL: Afghanistan’s oncethriving Sikh community is dwindling fast as many choose to leave the country of their birth to escape what they say is growing intolerance and discrimination.

Once boasting as many as 100,000 members in the 1990s, Afghanistan’s Sikh population, according to community leaders, has fallen to an estimated 2,500.

The reason for the exodus: endemic societal discrimination in the majority Muslim country and an inability to reclaim Sikh homes, businesses and houses of worship that were illegally seized years ago.

“I’m worried that if things don’t change and we are no longer able to stay, then the only people left will be those who cannot afford to leave,” said 23-year-old pharmacist Charn Singh.

An Afghan Sikh, centre, carries on his head a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious text of Sikhism, during a service at a Gurdwara in Kabul, Afghanistan

His family traces its roots back more than 400 years to Gardez, the capital of Paktya province bordering Pakistan, where his ancestors were wealthy traders and landowners and his grandfather was an oral historian and keeper of Sikh legends.

These days, the family has little

of its former wealth, having lost much of its land to what Afghan Hindu lawmaker Anarklai Kaur Honaryar called a series of illegal land grabs.

Hindus in Afghanistan have faced similar persecution.

Sikhism and Hinduism are

distinct religions, but many Afghans view both communities as nonMuslim foreigners.

“In all provinces they (Sikh and Hindus) owned lands, but unfortunately their lands were taken over by powerful individuals during the fighting,” said Honaryar, who is also a human rights activist.

The persecution of Afghan Sikhs has remained a constant through decades of upheaval in this war-torn country.

After the Russians ended their occupation in February 1989 and Afghanistan collapsed into civil war, various mujahedeen splinter groups fought each other for territory and power.

A United Nations report in 2005 said that most of Kabul’s eight Sikh and four Hindu temples had been destroyed in the fighting.

In the chaos of the civil war, Afghans’ tolerance toward ethnic and religious minorities hardened.

That intolerance became official policy when the Islamic extremist Taliban took over in 1996.

AP

Kashmir woman to coach Indian team

by Anil Bhat

camp of the senior team of India for ICF championship in SAI, Bhopal from July 18 to August 18,” Mir said.

Selected for the third time as a coach to train the players, she believes Indian team can make a big lead in the championship. “I am confident that India will make a big lead,” she said.

Mir was the first Kashmiri woman to become a national Kayaking and Canoeing coach. She was also inducted into the International Panel of Elite Referees the first Indian woman to get the honour. She was also honoured with the state award for outstanding

JAMMU: Bilquis Mir, the first Kashmiri Muslim woman to become coach of Indian canoe team, will once again be at the helm of affairs of the national side in the International Canoe Federation (ICF) championship to be held in Italy in August this year.

“I am happy to be chosen as coach of Indian team for the International Canoe Federation (ICF) championship to be held in Milan, Italy from August 19 to 23,” 29-year-old Mir told PTI. “I will also take part in coaching

sportsperson in 2010.

She also holds the feat of being the first Indian to be selected as the International Technical Official for canoeing at All Africa Games 2011.

It was in 2007, the sports planners appointed her as the coach for the national team, which was a rare honour for a woman of J&K. “I was the first woman from Jammu and Kashmir to become the national coach of canoeing team from 2007 to 2010,” she said.

“I feel happy to represent India as a coach. It is honour for me,” Mir

Cambodia decries Angkor Wat replica Patna-based Mahavir Mandir Trust’s plans to construct a replica of the largest Hindu temple in the world sparks ire BANGKOK: Cambodia has lodged a protest to India over a private trust’s plans to build an Angkor Wat replica in Bihar, saying it “seriously violates” the 12th century Hindu temple and a world heritage property which holds exceptional and universal value.

The protest comes after Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation received a report about Patna-based Mahavir Mandir Trust’s plans to construct a replica of the largest Hindu temple in the world.

The preparation for the Trust’s “dream” project, some 120 kms from Patna, to build the largest Hindu temple for Lord Rama has already been made with a design very similar to the Angkor Wat. The ‘Viraat Ramayan Mandir’ will be 2,800 feet in length and 1,400 feet in width and its sanctum sanctoram shall be 405 feet in height, according to details available on the Trust’s website.

The site is spread over a sprawling area of 161 acres and the hall will have a seating capacity for 20,000 devotees at a time.

Cambodia “considers that this copy of Angkor Wat Temple for commercial

benefit seriously violates the World heritage which is of a universal and exceptional value of humanity”, the Ministry said in its protest note to the Indian External Affairs Ministry.

“Moreover, the Angkor Wat Temple is the emblem that has been used in the Cambodian national flag for many centuries,” added the statement, issued yesterday.

The country requested India to “seriously” and “urgently” consider the planned construction of the replica “in order to nurture the traditional historical relations between the two countries and peoples” and sought assurances that the planned construction will not be carried out.

Located in northwest Cambodia’s Siem Reap province, Angkor Wat Temple, inscribed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1992, is the country’s most popular tourist destination.

According to latest government figures, the 12th century site attracted 842,719 foreign tourists in the first four months of this year, earning USD 24.1 million from ticket sales.

PTI

said, adding “I started my career in 1997. It was not easy to reach here. I braved huge opposition but remained consistent and today I am here.”

The canoe champion credits her family, especially her mother, for supporting her in her sporting success.

“It was my family that stood behind me firmly. What I am today it is because of them. They supported me at every point. It was difficult for me but motivation and support of my family is foundation stone of my success,” she said.

PTI

Senior living in India – Homes for the golden years

India had approximately 100 million senior citizens aged 60 and above in 2012. This number is expected to double by 2030. By 2050, it is likely to reach approximately 320 million, constituting 20 per cent of the country’s total population.

India’s population has undergone a change in character or Manish Kumar ‘ demographic transition’. From higher mortality and fertility rates in the beginning of the decade, the country has now entered a stage where there is a fall in birth rate.

More senior citizens than ever before Though India is still younger than the US and Japan, the process of ageing has begun in the country. India’s elders will increase both in absolute numbers and relative strength, indicating a gradual swing to a greyer population.

The marked increase in percentage of India’s senior population expected in the foreseeable future will involve a change in an important sociological aspect - the ‘old age dependency’ ratio.

Currently, the ratio is approximately 8-9 per cent; however, according to an estimate of United Nations, it will be closer to 20 per cent in India by 2050.

Rapid advances in medical science, proliferation and improvement in the quality of medical facilities and care and increasing access to medical insurance have much to do with it. Another factor driving India’s burgeoning elder population is growing awareness about matters such as proper diet, exercise and personal care.

Rahul raut

From higher mortality and fertility rates in the beginning of the decade, the country has now entered a stage where there is a fall in birth rate this sector is predominantly led by private developers at present.

Broadly, three financial models to acquire or reside in senior living projects are available in India. These are: The outright purchase model The pure rent model, and The up front deposit with periodic rent model All three models have their advantages and drawbacks for both the residents and developers.

Growing awareness about proper diet, exercise and personal care is driving India’s burgeoning elder population

As per the findings by National Family Health Survey in 200506 (NFHS-3), every three Indian household out of five – or about 63 per cent - are nuclear families.

In the past, generic old-age homes – and all the real and perceived drawbacks they represented - were more or less the only answer. Today, the country is witnessing the gradual evolution of a concept that is already well-entrenched in the developed countries – senior living homes, sometimes called retirement resorts.

Currently there are approximately 30–35 senior living projects in the country. Unfortunately, this represents a major shortfall – they accommodate only 0.0001 per cent of the target segment (India’s senior citizens) as compared to 10 per cent in the US and approximately 4 per cent in Australia.

India currently contributes less than 1 per cent of the Global Senior Living industry, highlighting the huge demand and supply gap of the sector.

Stilted geographic distribution Most of the country’s senior living projects have cropped up in the Western and Southern regions. This is because these regions have: A greater prevalence of nuclear families Higher literacy levels A more pronounced yen among young professionals to migrate to other countries Higher purchasing power, resulting in reduced dependency of seniors on family members.

It is only after witnessing the high acceptance rate of senior living projects in West and South India that developers began training their sights on the northern and eastern regions of India, predominantly targeting tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

Unlike in other parts of the world, senior living is still a new concept in India, and therefore not part of social infrastructure sector. This means that

on an outright sale model in India are: Ashiana Utsav, Lavasa (Pune); Serene Covai Properties, Coimbatore, Pondicherry, Chennai, Mysore and Hyderabad; Golden Nest, Pune

Pure rent model Under the pure rent model, residents pay a monthly rent along with a nominal deposit over their period of stay. This model is suitable for developer and operators from the point of retraining control on the usage of the properties; however, with no up Outright sale model front deposit or sale revenues, it is The outright sale model involves the difficult to manage profitability in this transfer of title of the property in name model. of the end user. It works like a typical Advantages: This model ensures residential real estate purchase, where that the customers (senior citizens) the developer sells his residential stock subscribing to the project are most while construction is still in progress. likely to actually occupy their unit. It Advantages: The developer is also allows the developer or operator obviously able to make higher and to determine the scale of day-to-day quicker returns using this model, and operations required in the project. it appeals most to customers as well.

Customers benefit from this model This is because actually owning the since their entry cost into the project property means that it can thereafter is much lower, thereby reducing their be used for mortgage or collateral financial burden. purpose, which makes Disadvantages: it easier for buyers The pure rent model to raise bank loans exposes the developer / or other forms of operator to higher level financing from the of financial risk because property. of low and deferred Disadva ntages: returns. Further, there When a developer is an increased tendency sells a senior living among the end users to property, it becomes switch projects. For the difficult for him to customer, the drawbacks differentiate between of this model include lack an end user and a of participation in capital speculative buyer. appreciation associated Also, it can lead to a with the project.

- SUSHMA SWARAJ lack of control of the Some of the senior developer or senior living projects operating housing operator, which may have a on a pure rent model in India are: bearing on the quality and ease of dayRakindo Senior Living, to-day operations of the project. Some Coimbatore; Dignity Lifestyle, Neral of the senior living projects operating The upfront deposit and lease

“India will Senior bear 100% living is capital cost still a new towards concept settingin India up ofunlike the invarsity.” the West

model is a fusion of above two models under which a percentage of capital value of the project is charged up front, while the rest of the amount is paid in the form of monthly rentals over the period of stay.

Advantages: This model allows flexibility of payments for entry cost into the project. The customer can pay an up front fee followed by regular lease rentals. End users tend to prefer this model because it reduces their initial upfront costs. The developer benefits because he can retain his ownership and control in the project.

Disadvantages: For developer, the payback period and returns in this model are generally lower vis-à-vis the outright sale model. For customers, the drawback of this model is that they need to pay a substantial upfront deposit (though the amount is lower than in the case of the outright sale model) while they have very little or no participation in the capital appreciation associated with the project.

Some of the senior living projects operating on a lease / deposit model in India are: Brindavan Hill View, Coimbatore – Deposit Model; Dignity Lifestyle, Neral – Lease and Deposit Model; Impact Senior Living, Amritsar – Deposit and Sale Model What the future holds Indian families are getting smaller and increasingly tending towards the nuclear configuration.

Simultaneously, more and more of India’s younger generation are travelling across the globe.

Given the paucity of seniorfriendly social security programmes in the country, upwardly mobile Indians are increasingly seeing senior living as an attractive option for their elders.

Manish Kumar is managing director (strategic consulting) of JLL India

ENVIRONMENT “The National Health Portal aims to make this a single point access for authenticated health information for citizens and researchers. It will verify and disseminate health and health care delivery services related information for all citizens of India.”

— Rakesh Kumar, joint secretary, health ministry

H EALTH

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

Excessive use of screen-based media may impact the bone health of teenagers, warns report

Railways to promote use of alternate fuel NEW DELHI: Concerned over environment, Railways will promote in a big way the use of alternative fuels like bio-diesel for its fleet of diesel locomotives. “We are the single largest bulk consumer of diesel in the country and will be using bio-diesel up to 5 per cent of the total fuel consumption in diesel locomotives,” Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said on the World Environment Day. PTI

Their tobacco and alcohol intake was also assessed, and they completed

WASHINGTON: A wireless handheld device which will enable any health care worker to conduct a breast cancer examination within five minutes and access the results on a smartphone or tablet would be launched next month in the US and India, a top US official has said.

The device is the outcome of US Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration investment of USD 1 million in a

proof-of concept centre to bring lifesciences research to the market, US Commerce Secretary, Penny Pritzeker told the students of Columbia University yesterday.

“Scientists at Drexel University, working with the centre, developed a hand-held, wireless breast cancer scanner, called the iBreast Exam.

Th is device will enable any doctor or health care worker to conduct an exam within five minutes, and then access the results on a smartphone or tablet,” Pritzeker said in her address to the

Green retirement communities set to take off in coming years Baby boomers seek healthier, greener alternatives as they reach retirement age

BY CONSTANCE GUSTKE A die-hard community gardener and composter, David Conrad, 77, wanted to age in a retirement community that complemented his love of all things green. So seven years ago, he and his wife, Sally, moved to earth-friendly Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vermont.

Now, Conrad spends his days managing the Wake Robin recycling campaign, along with working in the community garden and walking the community’s wooded trails. Other residents make maple syrup or tend beehives that produce honey, which is bottled and sold.

“I wanted to live in a place that’s healthy,” says Conrad, who is a retired college professor. “So sustainability is very important. We like to think that we’re leading the way.”

Green do-gooders like Conrad are indeed forging a new path for retirees.

Though eco-conscious retirement communities are still rare in the United States (exact figures are scant), they are expected to grow in number as baby boomers age and seek healthier, greener alternatives.

“Moving forward, in the next 20 years, these green communities will become the standard,” said Andrew Carle, director of the senior housing administration program at George

a food frequency questionnaire detailing their soft drink and calcium intake - factors known to affect bone health, ‘Medical News Today’ reported.

Information on the average weekly physical activity of all participants over the previous year was gathered.

Using X-ray absorptiometry, the researchers analysed the teenagers’ bone mineral density in the whole skeleton, as well as in the hip and top of the thigh bone (femoral neck).

Body mass index (BMI) was assessed, as were the teenagers’ vitamin D levels.

The team found that weekend screen time was linked to lower bone mineral density at all body sites - but only in boys.

Weekend screen time was only

marginally linked to lower bone mineral density in the femoral neck of girls.

Compared with boys who had less than 2 hours daily screen time at weekends, boys who spent 2-4 hours or more than 6 hours in front of a screen each day at weekends had much lower bone mineral density in the femoral neck, the study found.

The researchers said differences in body fat distribution and hormones between teenage boys and girls may explain why girls’ bone density appears to be less affected by screen time. Researchers cautioned that the study is purely observational and is unable to establish a cause-and-effect link between screen time and bone health. The study is published in the journal BMJ Open.

PTI

Wireless breast cancer detection in India

BY LALIT K JHA

Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Lots of green communities are in the development stage, said Jamie Hopkins, associate professor of taxation at the American College of Financial Services. But for now, there’s more need than supply, especially as baby boomers age. Some places even have five-year waiting lists, he said.

These lush facilities offer lots of unseen benefits.

Carbon footprints are reduced with energyand water-saving initiatives, including geothermal heating and low-flow toilets.

These communities can also reap subsidies and incentives that might provide more motivation to make the upgrades, experts say. The biggest challenge, though, is wading through the gray policy areas of green standards.

So Hopkins recommends making sure there’s enough evidence to back up actual claims. “Eco-friendly doesn’t mean a lot,” he said. “And some places just use buzz words.” For example, some eco-friendly communities may have golf courses, which use lots of water.

Two types of official green standards can serve as guideposts, though.

The first, said Hopkins, is Energy Star ratings on appliances, which is a government label that designates energy efficiency. Second is a community’s LEED certification, Hopkins said. It’s a

widely recognized program put together by the U.S. Green Building Council to create more energy-efficient, healthier buildings. There are four levels: certified, silver, gold and platinum, the highest rating. The higher the level, the greener the building. Most green retirement communities are silver certified, said Hopkins.

However, any LEED certification is worth having. Getting this label requires lots of adjustments, and energy efficiency is only one of them. Others include choosing droughtresistant plants, using recycled materials and installing large windows that let in more natural light.

More than 150 countries, including China, also have LEED-certified buildings. “We’re seeing countries like Holland and Germany doing a better job with certification,” Hopkins added. “So more people are moving overseas.”

For now, green retirement communities are largely upscale and in the Northeast and Northwest.

Take Atria Woodbriar Place, a gold LEED-certified senior campus in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. Appliances are Energy Star rated and solar panels generate some of the community’s electricity.

Recycled materials were also used in its construction.

In the Northwest, Timber Ridge, at the foot of Cougar Mountain in Issaquah, Washington, has silver LEED certification. Besides being energyefficient, Timber Ridge has landscaping with lots of plants that need little water.

Wake Robin, where Conrad lives, predates LEED certification - as do many retirement communities. But Wake Robin has added geothermal wells and other energy-efficient upgrades over the years.

For Conrad, who hikes, swims and snowshoes, being green is a necessity. “I want to leave the world a little better,” he said. © 2015 New York Times News Service

Carbon footprints are reduced by saving energy and water

JACOB HANNAH/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Mary Hoffman, left, and David Conrad tend a garden at Wake Robin, an eco-conscious retirement community in Shelburne, Vt, June 4, 2015. Many older adults are seeking residences that offer eco-friendly amenities, but the challenge is ferreting out which facilities are legitimate

PUNE

“ The people and communities who are most closely associated with the natural landscape should have the greatest say in governance of their environment. ” — Hamid Ansari, Vice President

Too much TV, bad for bones WASHINGTON: The amount of time teenage boys spend in front of a TV or computer may affect their bone health, according to a new study.

Anne Winther, of UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Tromso, set out to investigate how use of screenbased media may impact the bone health of teenagers.

The topic has been investigated by few studies but they have produced confl icting results, researchers said.

In 2010-11, the team surveyed 961 teenagers from Norway aged 1517 years who were part of the Tromso Fit Futures Study. In 2012-13, 688 of these teenagers were surveyed again.

In both surveys, teenagers were asked how much time they spent using their computers or watching TV and movies at the weekends and outside of school hours during the week.

JUNE 13, 2015

‘Future of Urban Innovation Summit’ in New York.

“We expect this product to be available for commercial use in the United States and India starting next month – a tangible result of strong collaboration between an urban hub, academic innovators, and public funding,” she said.

In her speech, the Commerce Secretary credited the immigrants in US for “refreshing and renewing” the nation’s tradition of innovation and urged people to keep this process running.

“Many immigrants flock to our cities in hopes of finding a partner at a local research institution; gaining financing to move their inventions from the lab to market; or testing their innovations in a dense population centre. Immigrants refresh and renew our nation’s tradition of innovation,” she said.

“We must ensure more talented students, skilled workers, and inventors from abroad can come to the United States and remain here,” Pritzeker said.

PTI

Over 95 per cent of world’s population has health problems WASHINGTON: More than 95 per cent of the world’s population has health problems, with over a third experiencing more than five ailments, according to a new study that included data from 188 countries.

Just one in 20 people worldwide (4.3 per cent) had no health problems in 2013, while a third of the world’s population (2.3 billion individuals) have more than five ailments, according to a major new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2013, published in The Lancet.

The study found that between 1990 and 2013 the leading causes of health loss have hardly changed.

Low back pain, depression, irondeficiency anaemia, neck pain, and age-related hearing loss resulted in the largest overall health loss worldwide in both 1990 and 2013.

In 2013, musculoskeletal disorders (ie, mainly low back pain, neck pain, and arthritis) and mental and substance abuse disorders (predominantly depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol use disorders) accounted for almost half of all health loss worldwide.

The research found that, worldwide, the proportion of lost years of healthy life due to illness rose from around a fi fth (21 per cent) in 1990 to almost a third (31 per cent) in 2013.

Researchers found that rates of disability are declining much more slowly than death rates. For example, while increases in rates of diabetes have been substantial, rising by around 43 per cent over the past 23 years, death rates from diabetes increased by only 9 per cent. The research also found that worldwide, the number of individuals with several illnesses rapidly increased both with age and in absolute terms between 1990 and 2013.

PTI

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

PUNE

“Our target is to reach out to 40,000 villages across Bihar in the next six to seven weeks for a feedback on the state’s development and involve them by seeking their ideas for its development in the next 10 years.”

— Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar

India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier PTI

‘Write prescriptions in capital letters’

Pimpri reels under on-off power supply P 15

Health ministry will soon issue Gazette notification asking doctors to prescribe medicines in capital letters to make them ‘legible’ NEW DELHI: Jokes about illegible scribbles of doctors that made patients scratch their heads may soon become a thing of past.

The Union Health Ministry will soon come out with a gazette notification asking doctors to prescribe medicines in capital letters to make them “legible”.

The doctors will also be asked to mention the generic names of drugs they prescribe to help people buy them cheap.

“The Health Ministry will come out with gazette notification under the MCI regulations. Under this, the prescription should be legible and preferably written in capital letters along with the names of the generic drug prescribed,” a senior Union Health Ministry official

told PTI. Sources said that the notification is likely to be issued by the Ministry within a week’s time.

The official, however, said there would be no penalties or punishment for the doctors not following the notification.

“Like all other MCI regulations, this too will govern the doctors,” he said.

Health Minister J P Nadda had shared the concern voiced by some MPs in Parliament last year that illegible prescriptions may have serious implications for patients and could lead even to death in some cases.

“The central government has approved to amend Indian Medical Council Regulations,

To ease pressure, Rlys to stagger tatkal booking

Man held under amended TN Act 14

No penalties for doctors not following notification

NEW DELHI: To ease pressure, Railways has decided to stagger booking of tatkal tickets by allowing reservations in AC class from 10 am to 11 am and non-AC class from 11 am.

The new tatkal booking schedule will come into effect in the next couple of days, a senior Railways official said.

The Railways is also toying with the idea of giving refund on cancellation of confirmed tatkal tickets, the percentage of which would be calculated based on a time frame.

The public transporter has decided to rechristen premium trains as ‘Suvidha’ trains with an overhaul in the fare structure, and cancellations and bookings facilities, Railway Board Member (Traffic) Ajay Shukla said.

Announcing the changes in timing of tatkal bookings for AC and non-AC classes, he said the measures were taken to ensure “fast service while booking online and reducing passenger rush at the counters”.

Talking to reporters, Sharma said the IRCTC website had recently registered three crore hits in a day, slowing the server in the process.

Besides, he said plans are afoot to refund a percentage of fare on cancellation of confirmed tatkal tickets, which is hitherto unavailable.

“We are considering to refund certain percentage. We will have a time frame and if a passenger cancels (a tatkal ticket) within the time frame, he will be refunded accordingly,” he said.

Refunds will also be available on cancellations of tickets of premium trains and such refunds would go “up to 50 per cent”, he said. At present, no such facility is available, making such services unpopular among a segment of the customers.

PTI

CHENNAI: CB-CID sleuths, for the first time, have slapped the amended Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 on a cyber crime offender, who was arrested in connection with posting obscene images of girl children in social networking site Facebook.

“This is the first case in which a cyber crime offender, arrested for offences under the IT Act and POCSO Act, is being detained under Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982. The Act was amended in 2014 to include Cyber Law offenders under its purview,” a

2002, providing therein that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names in legible and capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs,” Nadda had said.

K K Aggarwal of Indian Medical Association (IMA) said writing in capital letters will help decrease prescription errors and will be a cheaper alternative to electronic health records.

“Prescription errors will decrease.

It will become uniform. One drug has 10 odd brands. The patients will be now able to know whether the drug is generic or not,” Aggarwal told PTI. “In US alone, 100,000 prescription errors occur every year.

India does not have any data on this. This is a cheaper alternative to electronic health records. It will take some time for doctors to get used to it,” he said.

PTI

CB-CID release said.

Yadava Manikanta was arrested by a special team on complaints from NGO representatives that obscene pages with images of girl children were created in Facebook.

A special team was formed and he was traced to Tirupati.

He was arrested and brought to Chennai for questioning and remanded to judicial custody on May 10, it said.

On recommendation of CB-CID, the Commissioner of Police ordered

KOCHI: India has undocked its first indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at a simple ceremony at Cochin Shipyard Limited here. The ship, built at CSL, will undergo a series of fitment and trial processes before it is ready for propulsion and inducted into the Navy, CSL officials said. India’s largest aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant’s induction into the Navy will be done after a series of static and dynamic trials, they said. The successful completion of the 40,000-tonne

Manikanta’s detention under Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982.

The detention order was served to Manikanta yesterday at Puzhal Central Prison, the release said.

Last year Electricity Minister Natham Viswanathan introduced two bills in the Assembly to amend the act and bring offenders in cyber crime and sexual offences against women under the Goondas Act. The law seeks to empower the state to arrest offenders involved in cyber crime and sexual offences

aircraft carrier puts India in the elite group of four nations the US, Russia, the UK and France in the world capable of designing and constructing aircraft carriers. The basic design of the indigenous aircraft carrier was done by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design, which was developed into detailed design by the design team of CSL. The ship has a length of over 260 metres and breadth of 60 metres. It has two take-off runways and a landing strip with three arrester

against women for the first offence itself bringing in stringent laws to check such crimes.

The Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Forest-offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Sand-Offenders, Slum-Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982 (Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982) provides for preventive detention of certain types of offenders, whose activities have potential to affect public order.

PTI

WAITING FOR THE ‘Y’ DAY Workers erect a structure as part of preparations for the upcoming Yoga Day celebrations at Raisina Hill in New Delhi on Thursday.

India will lead 191 nations to mark the ‘International Yoga Day’(IYD) on June 21. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made it clear that participation in the events was not “compulsory”.

The day will be observed in over 251 cities in 191 countries across the world and the Indian missions and diplomatic posts have made arrangements for the celebrations and other related events, she said, adding a grand event will be held on Rajpath in which over 35,000 people are expected to take part.

wires, capable of operating STOBAR aircraft including the indigenous LCA, as well as a range of helicopters with hangar facilities. Major outfitting work of the ship will be done now. Later basin trials and extensive sea trials will be undertaken prior to delivery to the Navy, the CSL officials said.

CSL Chairman and Managing Director Commodore Kartik Subramaniam and other shipyard officials were present at the undocking function.

9 arrested for claiming Ladli temple MATHUR A: Nine persons were arrested for claiming the ownership of thousands of crores of property including renowned Ladli temple Barsana, police said today.

The alleged mastermind, Dinesh Kumar Das is being interrogated by the police attached to Barsana police station.

District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar had ordered a probe on the claim of accused Dinesh Kumar Das. “I have submitted my report to District Magistrate. The District Judge has also been apprised how the main accused Dinesh, through his actions has maligned the prestige of the judiciary,” SDM Chhatta, Ram Araj Yadav who had enquired the claim of two groups, said.

On the basis of enquiry report he may be sued further.

Das along with his eight associates were arrested on the basis of an FIR f iled by advocate Gokulesh Katara of Barsana.

“The prestige of judiciary has been maligned by fabricating court documents, bogus seal of the court and changing the order of the court of Judicial Magistrate Chhatta.

“The worst part of it is that he has sought help from President of India and Chief Minister for getting the possession of Ladli temple, thousands of bighas of land, hillocks etc., on the basis of bogus documents”, FIR f iled by Katara stated.

Das has represented his claim in such a way that sense of insecurity has developed amongst pilgrims and devotees.

Administration had deployed the police around the temple to prevent any untoward incident.

PTI

Rare plasma exchange cures teenager Vol-1* lssue No.: 52 Editor: Yogesh Sadhwani (Responsible for the selection of news under the PRB Act, 1867) Printed and Published by: Shrikant Honnavarkar on behalf of Golden Sparrow Publishing Pvt. Ltd. CIN:U22200PN2014PTC151382 and printed at PRI – Media Services Private Limited CIN: U22222MH2012PTC232006 at Plot No. EL-201, TTC Industrial Area, MIDC, Mahape, Navi Mumbai.

Golden Sparrow Publishing Pvt. Ltd. 1641, Madhav Heritage, Tilak Road, Pune-411 030, Tel: 020-2432 4332/33.

NEW DELHI: Doctors at a city hospital have successfully performed a rare plasma exchange on a 14-yearold boy who had consumed mosquito repellent.

The 60-hour procedure involving the separation and removal of the plasma from the blood in order to clean it, was done by doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital where he was admitted on November 1 last year after consuming the toxic liquid over a tiff with his parents.

“When we received the child in our casualty, he was in a critical shape.

His hemoglobin was at dangerously low levels of 3.6 (normal 13+). The liver was affected with jaundice and kidneys were at high risk of failure.

“The methemoglobin levels were rising which meant that oxygen supply to vital organs was getting reduced. There was very high risk of irreversible damage to his organs,” said DrAnil Sachdev, Director of Pediatric Emergency at Critical Care and Pulmonolgy department of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Latest protocols were tried to resuscitate him and to increase his urine

output so that his kidneys could be salvaged. Further tests revealed that he was suffering from G6PD deficiency and treatment protocol needed to be changed.

“At this stage, we decided to perform urgent plasma exchange, a procedure involving the separation and removal of the plasma from the blood in order to remove disease substance circulating in the plasma.

“The red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are returned to the patient along with a prescribed replacement fluid,” explained Dr Sachdev.

“Even though evidence for plasma

exchange in literature is limited to case reports, we decided to give this therapy to our patient in view of G6PD deficiency. In our knowledge, no case was reported till date to have these complications after transfluthrin ingestion,” he said. Transfluthrin is a synthetic pyrethroid derivative used as an insecticide. Kerosene is the solvent used in the preparation of liquid mosquito repellent vaporiser.

After a 60-hour plasma exchange, the condition of the boy started improving. Six days later, he was discharged.

PTI

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

PUNE

“Unfortunately, the Palestinians don’t negotiate. They ran away from negotiations.

They ran away from (former Israeli premier Ehud) Barak; they ran away from (Ariel) Sharon; they ran away from (Ehud) Olmert; they ran away from me.”

— Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister

Pune is easy for outsiders to blend in P 15

Militants use fear as weapon to thwart both students and teachers at schools, varsities

BY ISMA’IL KUSHKUSH

MANDERA, Kenya: In a small classroom at Mandera Academy, a private school, posters with numbers, Swahili and English letters, and geometric shapes hung on the walls as dozens of students crammed together on small wooden desks.

Bilan Abdi, 9, stood up and spoke about her teacher, Violet Muranga, who was shot dead last year as she was dragged out of a bus with other victims while travelling to visit her family.

“We learned a lot from her,” Bilan said softly. “Songs like ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.’”

Kenya has suffered mightily at the hands of al-Shabab, a Somali Islamist extremist group whose deadly attacks have left a painful void in this region’s schools.

Many of the 28 people killed on the bus, including Muranga, were teachers in the area heading home for Christmas break. Their deaths came around the same time as an attack at a mine in this northern corner of the country, where dozens of workers were separated by religion, forced to lie face down and shot dead.

Farther south, nearly 150 people, most of them students, were killed this year in April when militants stormed a university in the town of Garissa. It was the nation’s worst terrorist attack since the 1998 bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi.

The shock, fear and continued sense of insecurity have caused dozens of schools to close. More than 1,000 teachers from other parts of Kenya have refused to return to teach in areas where

Will Swanson/The New York Times

Extremists target Kenya education system

teacher in four years,” said Ismail who can afford it are sending their Barrow, the Mandera County acting children hundreds of kilometres away to director of education, who has been in the capital to continue their education. the temporary position for over a year.

Not everyone has that luxury.

“But the student has to sit for a “If I had the money, I would send physics KCSE,” he said, referring to Mohsin to Nairobi,” Abdirashid Ahmed, the Kenya Certificate of Secondary 47, a taxi driver, said of his 15-year-old Education examination. The exam is son, who studies at a public school here. taken at the end of a student’s secondary The county government is trying to education and determines access to a find solutions, though they are hardly university. Teachers say they are sensitive ideal ones. to the needs of their students, but many “We will use some untrained now fear for their lives. teachers until there “We choose life,” is a solution from the said Johnes Osoro of the central government,” North Eastern Down said Barrow, the county’s Kenya Teachers Associaacting education director. tion. “Many teachers are Some of the teachers traumatised.” recognise the difficulties Nyagaha Nicholas, local communities now 44, is the head teacher face in their absence. at Mandera Academy, “We are sorry for which lost five teachers in them,” Osoro said. “These the bus attack. He helped are extreme circumstances identify the bodies. that require extreme “I don’t want to measures.”

- ISMAIL BARROW remember,” he said. “The The national heads were shattered.” government says it is “We are afraid, but looking for answers. we are supposed to be here,” he added.

“What are we telling the people in “The place is not secure at all.” those areas? Are we telling them that Public schools in Mandera have your children should not learn?” the been hit the hardest. Schoolteachers education secretary, Kaimenyi, told are supposed to stay five years in a post reporters. “That is why it is important to before transferring, a requirement many work together to ensure that children in now reject. For private schools, it is a all parts of the country are able to learn.” slightly different story. While security is Suada Farhan, a 16-year-old student a great concern, the higher pay teachers at Mandera Academy, was taught by often receive at them has made them three of the teachers who were killed in more likely to stay put. the bus attack. “I cried,” she said.

“Other teachers want to leave, but I Now, she said, the insecurity caused am not likely to go,” Nicholas said, with by al-Shabab attacks in the area is a deep breath. “I’ve been here long. You threatening something else as well. can die anywhere.”

“They are destroying our future,” she With the current challenges facing said. education in the county, some parents © 2015 New York Times News Service

“Will use untrained teachers till there is a solution from Centre.”

Bilal Abdi, 9, a student of Violet Muranga, a teacher killed in a bus ambush by the Muslim extremist group al-Shabab, at the Mandera Academy where Muranga taught in Mandera, Kenya, April 8, 2015. The Somali Islamist group’s deadly attacks, including the one involving the teachers, have left a painful void in schools and caused dozens to close

they fear terrorist attacks, according to the Kenyan National Union of Teachers, igniting an education crisis in those regions.

“Yes, I am concerned,” the Cabinet secretary for education, Jacob Kaimenyi, recently told reporters in Nairobi, the capital. “Why are the children in those areas not learning? It is because of conflict. It is because of insecurity.”

Many of the qualified teachers, especially for secondary schools, come from other parts of Kenya, or “down country” as it is known here. They teach math, Swahili, English and science.

“We have advised teachers not to go

back,” said Wilson Sossion, secretarygeneral of the Kenyan National Union of Teachers. “They are subject to attacks.”

At the Mandera Secondary School for Boys, almost half of the 32 non-local teachers refused to come back.

Ibrahim Hassan, the head teacher, explained that the school was able to fill the gap by bringing back “some of the bright boys from last year” to teach.

But he added, “We are worried.”

Keeping school doors open can be hard enough, but there is a bigger challenge as well: preparing students for the national exam that determines a student’s eligibility for a university education.

“I want the teachers to come back,” said Mohamed Kala, 20, a nervous, final-year student at the school.

Many worry that the number of teachers who refuse to return to Kenya’s northeastern region will only increase.

Here in Mandera County alone, there is a shortage of 600 teachers, in a region that already historically suffered from neglect and poor educational facilities.

Only 10 to 15 per cent of secondary students in this area score high enough on the national exam to qualify for a spot at a public university, according to local officials.

“You might not have a physics

by RAPHAEL MINDER BARBATE, Spain: The fishing boats, swaying in the narrow strait that connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, maneuvered one recent morning around an intricate architecture of nets they had laid as a trap. Then the fishermen lifted just one section from the water, heavy with their prize.

Dozens of bluefin tuna rose to the choppy surface, thrashing wildly until, exhausted and asphyxiated, the fish gave up the fight, and the fishermen hoisted them onboard by the tail.

This trap-fishing method, known as almadraba in Spanish, is considered the oldest form of industrial fishing in the world, dating 3,000 years to the Phoenicians.

Even if the tuna’s final struggle and killing with a knife can appear violent, the almadraba has been praised as a sustainable way of fishing. While the boats and nets have been modernized, the method itself has remained largely the same over millenniums.

But change is slowly underway.

In response to fishing quotas and the demands of consumers in Japan, the world’s largest tuna market, the companies that run the almadraba are shifting to “ranch” fishing to help fatten the tuna, rather than lifting and killing their catch.

The shift to ranching is “putting at risk a very traditional fishing method, because trying to fatten fish is really different to the original goal,” said Carlos Montero, fisheries manager for Spain and Portugal at the Marine Stewardship Council, a nongovernment organization.

Already, one of the four almadraba companies operating along Spain’s southern coast has all but stopped the levantá, or hoisting of the trap, the most dramatic and spectacular part of the almadraba.

The company still uses a labyrinth of nets to trap the fish, but it channels the tuna to an adjacent open-water pool, where they are ranched for four months before being killed, frozen and shipped to Japan.

Other almadraba companies are following suit. “Farmed tuna has more fat than wild tuna - and the Japanese like

Atlantic bluefin tuna are lifted by a crane during the recent opening of tuna-fishing season off the coast of Barbate, Cadiz province, Spain, May 26, 2015. In response to fishing quotas and consumer demand, companies that run the almadraba are shifting to farm fishing to help fatten the tuna, rather than lifting and killing their catch

that,” said Tetsuya Inagaki, a manager at Maruha Nichiro, one of Japan’s largest fish distributors.

So valued is the bluefin that by the 1990s stocks were depleted by overfishing, including by tuna boats that drag purse seines, or large walls of netting that can sweep up an entire school.

In 2006, tuna-fishing nations responded by agreeing to strict fishing quotas under a 15-year recovery plan. That has helped stocks recover somewhat, but the extraordinarily high value of the bluefin means illegal and unreported fishing continues.

But the almadraba fishermen say their method has been unfairly punished for the past fishing excesses of others, not least because in their method, only adult tuna - weighing on average around 200 kilogrammes each - are trapped and lifted in their large mesh nets.

“No other fishing gear in the history of mankind has proven itself to be as sound, efficient, selective and yet so sustainable and environmental-friendly,” said a study on the almadraba published in April by the Committee on Fisheries

of the European Parliament.

Rafael Márquez, the second officer of the Cabo Plata almadraba, said he was the fourth generation in his family to be part of an almadraba crew. “We’ve co-existed for 3,000 years with this species - and certainly as long as we can remember in my family,” Márquez said.

The almadraba fishermen work on a seasonal contract - and then find other work for the rest of the year or, more likely, claim unemployment compensation.

The southern Spanish region of Andalusia has a jobless rate of 34 per cent. “The only real change is that it used to be pretty easy to find another job around the port during the offseason, but it’s now almost impossible,” said Fernando Mendoza, who retired last year after 40 years of almadraba fishing.

The almadraba season starts in February and runs six months, mostly spent on assembling and then dismantling its complex structure of nets and anchors.

The nets form chambers through which the tuna swim until they are trapped in the chamber that is hoisted up.

The fishermen even drop white

Fishermen say their method has been unfairly punished for the past fishing excesses of others

canvas sheets into the water to mimic the underbelly of an orca, the tuna’s predator, and help drive the fish to the last chamber. “Setting up an almadraba is like an architectural project, using all sorts of material, from steel to rubber,” Márquez said.

The fishing itself only takes place around May, when the tuna swim through the Strait of Gibraltar into the warmer waters of the Mediterranean to spawn after building up blubber during their winter in the colder Atlantic.

Pedro Muñoz, a partner at Petaca Chico, the almadraba company that now ranches four-fifths of its tuna, said fishing quotas had pushed companies to switch to ranching to remain profitable. For 2015, Spain’s almadrabas were allowed to catch some 1,000 kg of tuna, about half of what they hoisted a decade ago.

“If they weren’t such quotas, we would just be relying on our old fishing ways,” Muñoz said. “My dream is to reverse the trend and go back only to wild tuna, but dreaming is for free, while running a business requires money.”

In fact, some executives argue that quotas have become unnecessary as tuna have returned en masse to the Mediterranean. Last November, the international commission that monitors tuna fishing agreed to raise the catch by 20 per cent - with strong backing from European fishermen.

The European Commissioner for fisheries, Karmenu Vella, said in May that “bluefin tuna, an emblematic stock nearing collapse, is back to life.”

Still, Montero of the Marine Stewardship Council, which runs a sustainable fishing certification program, argued that it would be “very wrong” to declare victory in efforts to protect the bluefin tuna. “We’re on the right path but not there yet,” he said. He also noted that, before tough controls came into force, almadraba companies had underreported their catch, like others in the fishing industry. For now, however, tuna ranching is on the rise, according to fishing experts, however attached almadraba fishermen are to their ancient hoisting and killing methods.

“Traditions are important, but pricing drives the market,” said Alfonso Vidal, a Spanish fishing inspector. “A migratory fish doesn’t build up fat in the same way if stuck in a pool, but I’d also be lying if I said that I could easily taste the difference between wild and ranched tuna.” © 2015 New York Times News Service

North Korean defector comes out of the closet

by CHOE SANG-HUN

SEOUL, South Korea: When the North Korean defector Jang Yeong Jin arrived in South Korea in 1997, officials debriefed him for five months but still hesitated to release him. They had one crucial question unanswered: Why did Jang decide to risk crossing the heavily armed border between the two Koreas?

“I was too embarrassed to confess that I came here because I felt no sexual attraction to my wife,” Jang said. “I couldn’t explain what it was that bothered me so much, made my life so miserable in North Korea, because I didn’t know until after I arrived here that I was a gay, or even what homosexuality was.”

Jang, 55, is the only known openly gay defector from North Korea living in the South. His sexual orientation was briefly exposed in 2004, when he lost all his savings to a swindler and contacted gay rights activists for help. He had since avoided publicity in South Korea, where homosexuality largely remains taboo.

Then in late April, Jang published an autobiographical novel, ‘A Mark of Red Honor’. In the book and during a recent interview, he described his experiences as a gay man growing up in the totalitarian North, where the government maintains that homosexuality does not exist because

people there live with a “sound mentality and good morals.”

His struggle continued even in the capitalist South, where he said he felt like a “double alien”: a North Korean refugee who was also gay.

“In North Korea, no ordinary people conceptually understand what homosexuality is,” said Joo Sungha, who attended the elite Kim Ilsung University in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, in the 1990s and now works as a reporter for the mass-circulation South Korean daily Dong-A Ilbo. “In my university, only half the students may have heard of the word. Even then, it was always treated as some strange, vague mental illness afflicting subhumans, only found in the depraved West.”

Jang said he never heard of homosexuality while growing up in Chongjin on the eastern coast of North Korea, even when he developed a crush on another boy named Seon Cheol.

In the winter of 1996, Jang swam across an icy river into China. After looking in vain for 13 months for a passage to South Korea, he slipped back into the North and crawled cross the border into the South in 1997.

“There are many homosexuals in North Korea who live a miserable life without even knowing why,” he said.

“What a tragedy it is to live a life without knowing who you are.” © 2015 New York Times News Service

Jean Chung/The New York Times

Trap-fishing method is the oldest form of industrial fishing in the world

Laura Leon/The New York Times

3,000-year-old fishing method is waning

Jang Yeong-jin, 55, the only known openly gay defector from North Korea living in South Korea, in Seoul, May 9, 2015. In the autobiographical novel ‘A Mark of Red Honor’, and a recent interview, Yeong-jin has described his experiences as a gay man growing up in the totalitarian country

JUNE 13, 2015

PUNE

MONEY MATT ER S

“Many stalled projects, which are waiting for availability of credit at cost-effective rates, would find it viable to restart operations if the RBI continues with its rate easing cycle.”

— Chandrajit Banerjee, CII director general

“I’ve been saying that veil of secrecy with regard to assets and monies kept by Indian entities outside India is going to be lifted.

This should give a sufficient indicator to many.”

— Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister

India leads growth chart of World Bank

Signpost

BY LALIT K JHA

WASHINGTON: India may officially surpass China in its growth rate as it is now leading major emerging economies in growth chart, according to latest World Bank figures.

“With an expected growth of 7.5 per cent this year, India is, for the first time, leading the World Bank’s growth chart of major economies,” said Kaushik Basu, World Bank Chief Economist and Senior Vice President after the release of the latest Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report yesterday.

China is projected to grow at 7.1 per cent. Developing countries are now projected to grow by 4.4 per cent this year, with a likely rise to 5.2 per cent in 2016, and 5.4 per cent in 2017, the report said.

In China, the carefully managed slowdown continues, with growth likely to moderate to a still robust 7.1 per cent this year. In India, which is an oil importer, reforms have buoyed confidence and falling oil prices have

reduced vulnerabilities, paving the way for the economy to grow by a robust 7.5 per cent rate in 2015, the report said.

Basu said slowly but surely the ground beneath the global economy is shifting. “China has avoided the potholes skillfully for now and is easing to a growth rate of 7.1 per cent; Brazil, with its corruption scandal making news, has been less lucky, dipping into negative growth,” he said.

The main shadow over this moving landscape is of the eventual US liftoff,

he noted.

Growth in South Asia is expected to continue fi rming to 7.1 per cent this year, led by a cyclical recovery in India and supported by a gradual strengthening of demand in highincome countries.

The decline in global oil prices has been a major benefit for the region, driving improvements in fiscal and current accounts, enabling subsidy reforms in some countries, and the easing of monetary policy, the report said. In India, new reforms are improving business and investor confidence and attracting new capital inflows, and should help raise growth to 7.5 per cent this year.

According to the report, developing nations face a series of tough challenges in 2015, including the looming prospect of higher borrowing costs as they adapt to a new era of low prices for oil and other key commodities, resulting in a fourth consecutive year of disappointing economic growth.

PTI

US becomes biggest oil producer in 2014

Cabinet clears ordinance in cheque bounce cases NEW DELHI: An ordinance to help lakhs of persons battling cheque bounce cases far away from their place was on Wednesday cleared by the Union Cabinet, which will be the 14th ordinance of the Modi government in a little over a year.

The ordinance, which will amend the Negotiable Instruments Act, will enable fi ling of cheque bounce cases in the place where the cheque was presented for clearance or payment and not the place of issue.

There are an estimated 18 lakh people facing cheque bounce cases across the country. The ordinance was necessitated as a bill to help the litigants in the cheque bounce case was passed by Lok Sabha but it could not go through the other House.

PTI

LONDON: The United States has overtaken Saudi Arabia as the world’s biggest oil producer in 2014 while India has recorded the highest growth in energy consumption among major economies.

The US produced 15.9 per cent more oil in 2014 at 11.6 million barrels of oil per day to topple Saudi Arabia’s 11.5 million bpd production, according to BP Plc’s Statistical Review of World Energy released on Wednesday.

Russia with 10.8 million bpd oil production was placed third.

The US surpassed Russia as the world’s largest producer of oil and gas,

producing 1,250.4 million tons of oil and oil equivalent natural gas in 2014.

Th is compared with Russia’s 1,062 million tons of oil equivalent.

BP said the US shale revolution helped it overtake “Saudi Arabia as the world’s biggest oil producer and surpass Russia as the world’s largest producer of oil and gas.”

On the consumption side, BP Statistical Review said world primary energy consumption slowed markedly, with growth of just 0.9 per cent in 2014, a lower rate than at any time since the late 1990s (other than in the immediate aftermath of last decade’s

financial crisis).

Chinese growth in consumption slowed to its lowest level since 1998 as its economy rebalances away from energy intensive sectors, though China remained the world’s largest growth market for energy.

India, however, posted a 7.1 per cent rise in energy consumption, the fastest among major economies and second only to Algeria’s 8.4 per cent expansion. It consumed 637.8 million tons of oil and oil equivalent natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, hydro electricity and renewable energy.

PTI

Sacked Disney staff train replacements

Workers had to train replacements to do the jobs they lost BRIAN BLANCO/THE NEW YORK TIMES

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

The Team Disney building near Walt Disney World, where about 250 Disney employees were told in late October that they would be laid off

BY JULIA PRESTON ORLANDO, Florida: The employees who kept the data systems humming in the vast Walt Disney fantasy fief did not suspect trouble when they were suddenly summoned to meetings with their boss.

While families rode the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and searched for Nemo on clamobiles in the theme parks, these workers monitored computers in industrial buildings nearby, making sure millions of Walt Disney World ticket sales, store purchases and hotel reservations went through without a hitch. Some were performing so well that they thought they had been called in for bonuses.

Instead, about 250 Disney employees were told in late October that they would be laid off. Many of their jobs were transferred to immigrants on temporary visas for highly skilled technical workers, who were brought in by an outsourcing fi rm based in India. Over the next three months, some Disney employees were required to train their replacements to do the jobs they had lost.

“I just couldn’t believe they could fly people in to sit at our desks and take over our jobs exactly,” said one former worker, an American in his 40s who remains unemployed since his last day at Disney on Jan. 30. “It was so humiliating to train somebody else to

take over your job. I still can’t grasp it.”

Disney executives said that the layoffs were part of a reorganization, and that the company opened more positions than it eliminated.

But the layoffs at Disney and at other companies, including the Southern California Edison power utility, are raising new questions about how businesses and outsourcing companies are using the temporary visas, known as H-1B, to place immigrants in technology jobs in the United States.

Too often, critics say, the visas are being used to bring in immigrants to do the work of Americans for less money, with laid-off American workers having to train their replacements.

But for years, most top recipients of the visas have been outsourcing or consulting fi rms based in India, or their US subsidiaries, which import workers for large contracts to take over entire in-house technology units - and to cut costs. The immigrants are employees of the outsourcing companies.

In 2013, those fi rms - including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and HCL America, the company hired

by Disney - were six of the top 10 companies granted H-1Bs, with each one receiving more than 1,000 visas.

H-1B immigrants work for less than American tech workers, because of weaknesses in wage regulations. © 2015 New York Times News Service

Ukraine has added rapidly rising prices to its long list of problems during its civil war with Russian-backed rebels

BY DANNY HAKIM

KIEV, Ukraine: Olesia Verchenko looked over a selection of blackened avocados at a supermarket here recently.

Their price has roughly doubled over the last year, notwithstanding the stickers on them advertising a 25 per cent discount.

“I don’t think anybody takes avocado any more, so they are basically rotting on the shelves,” said Verchenko, an economist.

While the rest of Europe tries desperately to shrug off low inflation, Ukraine has added rapidly rising prices to its long list of problems during its civil war with Russian-backed rebels.

Official inflation figures showed that prices rose 61 per cent in April compared with a year earlier. But many prices have doubled and tripled.

Verchenko, a 37-year-old mother of two boys and a professor at the Kiev School of Economics, specialises in arcane subjects like options pricing, but she took some time to explain less esoteric market dynamics. Like the price of candy.

She once bought chocolates from Roshen, the company owned by the Ukrainian president, Petro Poroshenko, for about 80 Ukrainian hryvnia a kilogram, or $3.89. Now they are 203.

“You can see inflation in those candies,” she said during a visit to a grocery store near her office.

BRENDAN HOFFMAN/THE NEW YORK TIMES

High inflation makes Ukraine’s troubled situation worse

A supermarket in Kiev, Ukraine, May 5, 2015. As the rest of Europe tries desperately to shrug off low inflation, Ukraine has added rapidly rising prices — officially up 61 per cent, and perhaps more — to its long list of problems during its civil war with Russian-backed rebels

The price of everything seems to have gone up sharply, including tea, apples and fresh fish.

At a glass display case, she pointed to slices of cake. The prices were quoted for every hundred grams, instead of per kilogram as they once were.

“Before it was always per kilo, but now you have too many numbers,” she said. “It looks better like that. You don’t want to scare your customers away.”

When she recently went shopping for a mattress, she noticed that prices were missing entirely.

For many bigger ticket items, she said, “They don’t really put price tags out anymore.”

“You choose what you want, you ask how much it is, and then you see whether you can afford it or not.”

High inflation is just one of the many problems befalling Ukraine at the moment.

Thousands have died in the war, many more have been displaced, and Ukraine has been cut off from parts of the industrial east.

Potential investors in Ukraine have been scared off. Output is expected to

shrink 7.5 per cent this year.

A lifeline came this year, when Ukraine negotiated a $25 billion loan package, including $17.5 billion from the International Monetary Fund. As part of that deal, the government is embroiled in contentious negotiations with Ukraine’s creditors in hopes of bringing an additional $15.3 billion of relief by restructuring the country’s debts.

Austerity measures and tax reforms have also been enacted in tandem with negotiations with the West; there have been cuts in energy subsidies, pension

haircuts and tax increases aimed at the Vitaly Nakonechnyi, 31, said the wealthy and businesses. weakness of the hryvnia “influences Two factors have worsened the price of everything I buy” and led inflation. The value of Ukraine’s him to look for a job with higher pay. currency has plummeted since the He found one as a barista at a coffee war began, driving up the cost of shop that looks like an old train car, imported goods. And energy prices in a central Kiev park dominated by have soared as the government has cut a Soviet era statue of Ukrainian poet its historically high subsidies.

Taras Shevchenko.

That has made life more difficult Victor Halavin, a 60-year-old bus for average Ukrainians and for driver, said, “In my flat, electricity, businesses, which face high borrowing water, everything is up,” adding, costs.

“Bread used to be 4 hryvnia. Now it’s “I’m not dreaming of credit,” said 7.”

Yaroslav Rushchyshyn, who founded He stood next to his yellow a garment manufacturer in Lviv, in bus with a cigarette pressed tightly Ukraine’s west, and is on the board between thumb and index finger and of a coalition of entrepreneurs in the reflected on the last year. “It’s too region. “It’s too expensive.” much revolution in our life,” he said.

Natalie Jaresko, Ukraine’s Economic hardship is nothing new Chicago-born fi nance here. The transition minister, said, “I after the fall of the think we’ll be able to Soviet Union to a The bring infl ation down market economy has over the course of been a rocky one, transition the rest of the year.” sapped by corruption But she was blunt and antiquated after the about the stresses regulations.

The fall of the infl ation poses. contrast with “For a business, it’s Soviet Union n e i g h b o u r i n g a challenge to have to which to a market Poland, borrow at 30 or 35 per took a much more cent,” she said in an economy has aggressive approach interview. “Our goal is to to transforming its have real growth again been a rocky economy, has been by 2016. That means the particularly stark. one banking sector has to be Poland’s per capita lending to real business, output is about 3 1/2 and for it to be rending times that of Ukraine. to real business, inf lation has to Verchenko keeps the inflation come down.” problem in perspective.

Another problem, she said, is that “I remember how it was in the “when you have this kind of inflation, early ’90s,” she said. “I was still a you have less confidence in your student in high school when we had currency,” adding, “People will start 10,000 per cent a year. Th at was pulling their money out of the banks. hyperinfl ation! What we have now?

The deposit withdrawals weaken an It’s not that bad.” already weakened banking system.” © 2015 New York Times News Service

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

“No projects must remain incomplete because of a financial crisis.

PMC must ensure that all infrastructure works are completed within two years after they are started.”

— Ajay Tayade, corporator

PUNE

“Since the last few months PMC has failed to clear garbage in various parts of the city. The problem is going to worsen during the monsoons, as accumulated garbage will rot.”

— Vijay Kale, MLA, Shivaji Nagar

Pimpri resident Nilesh Jadhav recounts the ordeals of living without electricity for long spells regularly

The rain showers brought some relief for Puneites from the sweltering heat last week, but the residents of Pimpri have had no respite from the constant power cuts. For nearly a week we have had to face the intense heat and humidity that become almost unbearable due to the random and frequent power outages.

Me and my family spent a sleepless night when the electricity in our area was switched for almost the entire night. The summer season seems to be almost over, so there should be no reason for the power cuts, but on the contrary, they are increasing. It becomes difficult to stay indoors when there is no power supply and without fans the heat and humidity are intolerable.

Most of my office work is done online. But with a sudden power cut, I lost all my data and battery back-up.

Nilesh Jadhav

We were continuously trying to contact MSEDCL officials, but nobody was answering the phone. I can understand the difficulties, but if there is a power cut for such a long time, the officials should inform us in advanceThere have been constant power cuts in our area, especially when it is raining.

On Tuesday afternoon, we had no power supply for more than two hours.

During the last monsoon, my television set was damaged due to

CITIZEN JOURNALIST

voltage fluctuation. I did not switch it off when the power went off, but when the power was restored, the television was damaged due to the overload.

I have learnt my lesson and I make sure to switch off all electronic equipment unless it is damaged due to the voltage fluctuation. When there is lightning, there is a possibility of increasing the load which can damage electronic gadgets, but nowadays there are power cuts even when it’s not raining. With the electricity board’s consistent failure to restore power during rains, this s a regular problem during the monsoons.

After the constant power cuts in the last few days now, I am beginning to think that there will be even bigger problems once the rains start.

One thing is for sure - we the public are irresponsible and have become too used to expecting everything to be hunky dory. The power situation is really bad in Pune.

There are power cuts any time of the day or night, lasting for hours together. We get no updates on the power situation. And nobody ever questions the authorities. It’s high time that a need basic as electricity is provided without any break.

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

Pimpri reels under on-off power supply “Power cuts will be rampant during monsoon.”

- NILESH JADHAV

Pune is easy for outsiders to blend in A potpourri of cultures From education to nightlife, Pune is a city that has become a melting pot of cultures

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

After adjusting to its culture, language and lifestyle, Pune has become my f irst home

Born and brought up in Vietnam, I came to Pune to pursue higher education. After completing my graduation, I decided to move here for two reasons: the city has a host of educational institutes and it is safe.

The city has been home to me for two years and I have made so many friends. They have made my stay in the city more meaningful and beautiful. It is their warmhearted and friendly nature that really touches me.

Pune has the charm of an old city with a laidback attitude.

The city is coming up as a centre of employment in India. And not just in the IT sector, Pune has jobs in other sectors.

The city has become the melting pot of different cultures. It is quite amazing to see people of different cultures and traditions living here in peace. Thousands of expats move to Pune for their work and studies every year. Th is has added to the culture of the city. The climate here

Kim Hue

FROM FOREIGN

is another attraction.

Being a foodie, I have visited almost all the joints of the city. The varieties of cuisines on offer are mind boggling. Additionally Puneites enjoy parties and music events every weekend. The night life in Pune is on par with other metros of the country.

I have been to Hard Rock Café, Euriska, High Spirits and Stone Water Grill. Every week, there are many international and national artists that come to play concerts. All these different elements put together make the city complete.

Now that I have spent around four years in this city, I can proudly say that Pune is my fi rst home. The society that I live in has lots of local people and they make it a friendly neighbourhood.

After moving here from Kerala, initially I found it somewhat difficult to adjust to the change. In a new city, I have gradually learnt to embrace and, more importantly, respect a different culture, language and lifestyle. I was able to adjust and found a way to fit in.

Now I can claim to have the best of friends here. My neighbours are very kind and people in general are extremely respectful of others.

Whether it be women, senior citizens or those from other states, everyone is treated with due respect. That’s also a reason why women feel secure here.

The people are extremely helpful and are quick to give directions in detail to strangers, be it children or senior citizens.

The outskirts of the city offer many scenic spots. I like early morning treks to Vetal Tekdi or Sinhagad followed by breakfast at Vaishali.

Older people from the city seem to be an active lot and on my treks to Sinhagad, I come across so many people in their 60s doing the same.

The food in the city is also great. Be it misal-pav, vada-pav, sambar, pohe, samosa,

NON-NATIVE

PAROLE

LETTERS TO THE

EDITOR

or tambda/pandhra rassa, I have also come to know the best places to eat , so I when I want misal-pav, I head to Katakirrrrrr, and for vada-pav to Garden’s, thali at Shambhavi, and mastani ice-cream at Sujata. And it’s the same with people who know where to get the best food, People do not mind driving across the city to get a taste of their favourite vada-pav or whatever.

It is also a highlight of Pune that Puneites take so much pride in their culture and celebrate each festival with remarkable enthusiasm and energy.

RAHUL RAUT

SHORES

Bala Krishnan

PMC must give priority to save our green cover climb up as the city continues to expand in all directions.

—Barkha Deshpande

Protecting animals from cruelty

The article on over 17,000 trees being chopped in the last decade was an eye-opener for me. I was not aware of these facts. The PMC, instead of preventing such removal of green cover, is participating in such acts.

Pune was known to be a green and clean city, but if they continue to chop down trees, I think there will be no green belt in the city. Trees are a very important part of nature, and they

should be preserved. When everyone today is talking about environmental degradation, PMC is encouraging the cutting of trees. There is nothing being done to stop this. Nobody in Pune is scared to cut trees. A separate court should be formed to punish the offenders. The authorities should immediately address the issue to curb tree-cutting; or else the number of trees being felled illegally will only

The article on Animal Law Enforcement Rescue Team and their dedication to save animals from cruelty was a good read. It’s always good to have people who become a voice for these speechless animals. There are a few laws against mistreatment of animals, but I believe that a law is only as good as its enforcement, and that’s why animals rely on us to protect them, by reporting animal abuse. They are taking charge of more than five cases a week, and spend about eight hours in the police station to file a case; that is surely is no easy task.

Hats off to the work carried out by ALERT group.

—Manisha Kelkar

Development of city takes backseat The article on MPs not utilising their

funds even after a year is shocking.

It’s because of politicians like these that our city still lags behind when it comes to development and infrastructure. In fact, something as basic as public transport is also not in place. Funds have to be religiously used for public betterment and other necessary developments. Underutilisation should be immediately highlighted and discouraged. The MPs carry more responsibility as they hold power and also are expected to set an example for others!

MPs are too satisfied by saying that they have recommended certain projects in their constituency, and recommendation is the most they can do, thus they are easily warding off from their responsibilities. This clearly shows that most of them have not been in their constituencies for a long time, and don’t even care to check the progress on their projects by the district authorities.

-Pratik Gupta

Join the club The story on different clubs in Pune was interesting. I wasn’t aware that there are clubs and meet-up groups for games, wines and movies in the city. Being a wine enthusiast, the Grapevine Club seems to interest me the most. I want to learn how to pair wine with food and also all the etiquettes. I am also keen on joining Marathi Film Club. I am glad to see that there is an audience for regional cinema too.

—Medha Sharma

Write to Us Letters to the Editor may be emailed to editor_tgs@goldensparrow.com, editor_tgs@gmail.com or mailed to The Editor, Golden Sparrow Publishing Pvt Ltd, 1641 Madhav Heritage, Tilak Road, Pune-411030.

SPORTS

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

PUNE

“Look at Indian cricket at the moment. They are dominating all forms of the game now. That is because of IPL and it is fantastic.”

— West Indian batsman Chris Gayle

Signposts Hemant Kanitkar passes away Former Maharashtra wicket-keeper Hemant Kanitkar passed away in Pune at his residence on Wednesday. The Amravati-born wicketkeeper-batsman was 72, and is survived by his wife and two sons.

Kanitkar was part of the Indian Test team which played a home series against Clive Lloyd’s West Indies in 1974-75.

Coach assures supporters of a revamped Bharat FC next season Finishing last in the I-League has been painful, but the team’s morale is high as they aim to make amends next season

Madan wins snooker championship Six Red Snooker number 1 player Varun Madan of Delhi proved once again that he is the best in the game, by winning the first ever Akshay Gohad Six Red Snooker Championship hosted jointly by the PYC Gymkhana and Deccan Gymkhana.

In the final, 24-year-old Madan outplayed Ketan Chawla of Bhopal 5-1 (51-05, 44-00, 38-02, 69-00, 14-33, 42-22).

Aditi Mahajan bags triple crown Aditi Mahajan and Prathamesh Halankar were the toast of the meet, winning a triple and double crown respectively in Marathe Jewellers Cup-Solaris Club District Badminton Tournament. Aditi ended up bagging the U-19 Singles and U-17 and U-15 doubles titles respectively.

However, in the U-15 section, she fell short in the singles final, losing to Swarali Chitnis.

BHARAT FC • • • • •

BY ASHISH PHADNIS @phadnis_ashish Pune’s I-league team Bharat FC, which made a debut this season, performed below par and finished last. The coach Stuart Watkiss, speaks about team’s performances and feels they can come over the dreadful first season pretty soon.

EXCERPTS The team despite having a good potential, performed below par in their debut season. What went wrong exactly?

Everything happened really fast here at Bharat FC. Players who joined us from the Super League arrived at the end of December. The same set of players formed the bulk of our regular playing contingent. We did not really have a pre-season. The entire team trained together for a little over three weeks. We were also hit hard by long-term injuries to players like Adil Khan, Lester Fernandez, Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Tomba Singh. We started off well, got some good results under our belt, but we unfortunately could not maintain consistency, and that is what really hurt us in the end.

Bharat FC players at a practice session. (R) Stuart Watkiss

The team performed moderately on home ground, but failed to secure a single win in away matches. What is your analysis?

We did well on most of our away trips.

We should have been 2-0 up against Bengaluru FC at half-time in the club’s fi rst ever away game, but we did not take our chances and ultimately had to pay for that. On almost every away trip we were very competitive; we were in the game but the lack of goals really hurt us. Barring a couple of outings, I thought the team did very well in away games. The lads showed character

PMDTA is motivating players

TGS NEWS NETWORK @TGSWeekly Apart from hard work and training, a player needs whole-hearted support and encouragement to improve further. Keeping that in mind, Pune Metropolitan District Tennis Association (PMDTA) has started motivating players with annual awards and felicitations, since last year.

The decision was hugely welcomed

“I have some vision in my mind which I have discussed with the team. It is pretty exciting for me to start as full-time Test captain and hopefully it is a positive start.”

—Indian skipper Virat Kohali

by players, parents and coaches who feel their hard work has been acknowledged by the association.

Talking about it, PMDTA secretary, Sundar Iyer says, “Th is is the second year that the tennis achievers from Pune district were felicitated.

We are probably the only district association to start this activity and every year we will make it bigger.”

It’s not just for show, as the association is launching several

scholarships for junior tennis players this year. Moreover, the association has also started a junior league, which will inculcate a team spirit in the players.

“We believe Pune is the capital of Indian tennis and we need to have an organised and well planned calendar, which will show a way to other districts and cities not just in the state but in the country. We have planned events for Pune players throughout the year and based on the rankings, top eight players in each group will be felicitated. These top players will represent the district in state tournaments,” added Iyer, on the sidelines of the felicitation function.

National champion Siddanth Banthia and Road to Wimbledon runner-up Shivani Ingle were amongst 70 players who were awarded. Banthia and Ingle received the Arun Wakankar Memorial trophy, for best player. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

City players steal the show Third edition of Maharashtra Chess League draws star-studded field TGS NEWS NETWORK @TGSWeekly The third edition of the Maharashtra Chess League featured a host of high profile Grandmasters and big names from the Indian chess circuit, but in the initial rounds, it was the Pune players who performed impressively.

In the first round, Pune’s WGM Eesha Karavade, who represents Thane Combatants, held World number 2 GM Koneru Humpy to a draw. Interestingly, Humpy was in a better position and Eesha had less time on her clock. Still the Pune player managed to get a half point against her highly rated opponent.

“I did have an interesting tactic to blunt out her advantage and the shortage of time helped me eke out the draw,” said Eesha later.

The second round turned out to be an easy one for Eesha, as she defeated Aniruddha Deshpande of Pune Attackers.

But, in the third round, she once again proved a key player for her team by settling for a draw against GM Vidit Gujrathi of Jalgaon Battlers.

Meanwhile, Pune’s upcoming player Aakanksha Hagawane representing Ahmednagar Checkers, defeated WGM Kiran Mohonty of Jalgaon Battlers. Even Candidate Master Abhimanyu Puranik showcased his talent by defeating WIM Shalmali Gagare (Mumbai Movers) in the first round, and later on defeated WIM Parnali Dhariya (Pune Attackers).

GM Abhijeet Kunte, who spearheaded the city’s

WGM Eesha Karavade of Thane Combatants

challenge, went down to Vidit Gujrathi in the first round. The game which drew the maximum crowd, saw the youngster securing full points.

“Abhijit had an isolated pawn and I intensified pressure on it. There were inaccuracies from both of us, but I thoroughly enjoyed playing this game,” beamed Vidit immediately after the game.

Former World junior champion WGM Soumya Swaminathan (Thane Combatants) failed to impress. She was held by IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni (Mumbai Movers) in the first round. Later she went down to IM Swapnil Dhopade (Pune Attackers) in the second, but pulled out a win against WIM Kiran Mohonty. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

and did not stop fighting.

However, at the end of the day, it’s the wins that count and even though we were close, we were held back by our inability to convert our chances.

Talking about forwards, the team scored just 13 goals this season. Kris Bright, was a lone striker to watch out for. Do you feel he was overburdened?

Kris Bright was given a specific job and I think he did it well. The team as a whole did not really contribute with

Position 11 (4 wins; 6 draws; 10 loss; 18 points) Top scorer: Kris William Bright (6 goals from 17 matches) Largest win: 2-0 against Salgaoncar FC Largest defeat: 1-5 against Salgaoncar FC Bookings: Dharmaraj Ravanan (5 yellow; 1 red card)

the goals. All our defenders, midfielders and strikers had chances during the season. In the I-League, teams that pull their weight collectively succeed.

You need all your players to take their chances, push themselves that extra bit to convert a 50-50 chance.

Our team did that in spurts and that was perhaps the reason for the lack of goals.

Also, I believe that though we created a number of chances as the tournament progressed, the lack of accuracy up front was a stumbling block.

Even the defence was not up to the mark. The team conceded 28 goals, including 10 goals in the last three matches?

Though we conceded 28 goals, our defence actually did really well. At the half-way mark in the season, I think we were tied with Mohun Bagan AC for the best defensive record. All the defenders really worked hard in training. We were organised at the back. Even when we did not have the ball, our defensive shape remained intact. In the last three games, a few things did go wrong but

I would not really agree with your assessment that the defence was not up to the mark. All our victories have been clean sheets and that is a great compliment for the defence. We were hard to beat, difficult to break down and you cannot have these characteristics if your defence is lightweight.

Talking about future plans, what changes do you have in your mind?

Can the team supporters expect a totally different Bharat FC in next season? What will be your target for the next season?

Everyone at Bharat Football Club is hurting. The pain of finishing last has been quite severe and we are already working on a few improvements. We are looking at a number of players and I can assure our supporters that they will see a revamped Bharat FC squad next season. There are a lot of things happening behind-the-scenes at this football club. We have invested a lot of time, energy and money in doing things the right way. I am sure the supporters will be encouraged by what the team brings to the pitch next season. ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com