The Golden Sparrow on Saturday 12/11/2016

PUNE, NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

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THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016

PUNE

CITY&MUMBAI

“Mumbai is in the range of subsidence, wherein the pollution emanating from this ridge line is not ventilated properly. Being a coastal city, pollution levels will remain at this level as westerly sea winds will help dilute trapped pollutants.”

— Biswajit Mukhopadhyay, ADG, India Meteorological Department

Social media competition pushes people to exercise more P 08

Only one doc for 150 patients visiting this ART clinic daily Even medical attention and medicines are sometimes unavailable at Thane Civil Hospital Clinic

BY SANTOSHEE MISHRA @TGSWeekly Shamitha Nair (name changed on request) is left with no choice but to daily visit the Thane Civil Hospital’s anti-retroviral therapy (ART) clinic for first line treatment for the past six months in vain. The centre has only one doctor to examine the 150 patients that come to the outpatient department (OPD). The civil hospital’s ART centre treats HIV and AIDS patients.

The treatment (commonly known as ART) helps HIV-positive people to live a longer and healthier life.

Patients hardly get medical attention and even medicines are sometimes unavailable at the clinic that many are forced to visit due to ongoing treatment, financial and travelling issues.

The hospital record shows that its ART OPD sees about 32,000 patients yearly, yet the Public Health Department has provided only one doctor to attends to these patients.

Speaking to TGS, Directorate of Health Services Head Dr Satish Pawar

Patients have to wait for about 7-8 hours at Thane Civil Hospital’s anti-retroviral therapy (ART) clinic to get a chance to meet the doctor

said, “The ART centre was started in 2005 with two doctors at the OPD to treat HIV-positive and AIDS patients.

There should be a minimum of two doctors at this centre. As the state government is running the centre, we are not directly responsible. Still, this grave issue has to be brought to the notice of the authorities. All the staterun hospitals are understaffed with doctors ending up managing the centre single-handedly. The Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society should also take more steps to treat the increasing number of patients.”

“I am the only doctor deputed here for the past one week. I am clueless on the reason for not appointing one more doctor as this clinic needs at least two doctors. As patients from Bhiwandi also visit this centre, I have to spend long hours attending to them,” said the doctor.

“As around 150 patients visit the OPD daily, it is impossible to give personal attention to each person. I try to give at least 2-3 minutes to each patient depending on their medical report card,” he said.

Another patient Saira Shaikh (name PTI

DANGER POINT

Policemen inspect a crack at Lalbaug flyover in Mumbai which has been shut down after such cracks were spotted on the six-year-old bridge

HC junks PIL on arrest of women

The Bombay High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation seeking scrapping of Section 56 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which prohibits arrest or detention of women in execution of decree for payment of money, on the ground that it is violative of Articles 14 and 15 of the country’s Constitution.

A division bench recently observed that the Supreme Court has laid down in a judgement that ordinarily the High Court should not entertain a writ petition by way of public interest litigation which questions the constitutional or validity of a statute or a statutory rule.

“Applying the aforesaid principle, we see no reason to entertain the petition instituted in public interest questioning the constitutional validity of section 56 of CPC,” said a bench of Chief Justice Dr Manjula Chellur and Justice M S Sonak.

The PIL, filed by Srikrishna Godbole, an 82-year-old practicing advocate of Solapur, had challenged section 56 of CPC saying it was ultravires the Constitution.

“We have considered the contention of petitioner’s Counsel Ms Sanjukta Dey

but we are unable to agree that section 56 of CPC which prohibits arrest or detention of women in the execution of the decree for the payment of money, violates the principle of equality enshrined in Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India,” said the judges.

“Taking into consideration the object of such provision, the classification between men and women is quite reasonable, and the classification has sufficient nexus with the object. Article 14 is of general application and must be read with other provisions which set out the ambit of fundamental rights,” said the bench.

The judges said sex is a sound classification and though there can be no discrimination in general on that ground, the Constitution itself provides for special provision in case of women and children.

“CPC Section 56 makes special provision for women, is clearly a provision relatable to Article 15(3) of the Constitution, and therefore, there is no reason to declare the same as unconstitutional,” the Judges said while dismissing the petition.

PTI

changed on request) said, “I am in my 50s and undergoing medication for five years at Thane Civil Hospital. I stay in a nearby village. There are times when there isn’t any doctor to even write prescription for my treatment. Medicines are also not regularly available. I cannot afford to visit government hospitals like JJ Hospital, so I come here.”

Aruna Desai (name changed on request) who works as a domestic help said, “The ART centre is open six days a week but it does not help as huge number of patients visit the clinic daily. Along with the treatment patient also needs psychological counselling but the centre has no such facility.

The doctors fail to give us that moral boost up, it is just treatment and again prescribing either new medicine or continuation of the same. And we have to wait for about 7-8 hours to get our chance. Sometimes, even nurses advise to continue with the same medicines.”

Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society Project Director Dr Kamlakar Phand said, “I know we are unable to handle the inflow of patients at ART Centre. It was not brought to my notice by anyone. I will personally visit the centre.”

Civil Surgeon BC Kempi Patil said, “We are doing our best to treat the patients. I cannot say more on this issue.” santoshee.mishra@goldensparrow.com

State to set up panel on rehabilitating ‘Victoria’ owners Maharashtra government has decided to set up a cabinet sub-committee headed by Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar to discuss ways of rehabilitating the owners of ‘Victoria’, the iconic horse-driven carriages which were discontinued after a Bombay High Court order last year.

According to a Government Resolution (GR), the panel will comprise Industries Minister Subhash Desai, School Education Minister Vinod Tawde, Tourism Minister Jaikumar Raval, Animal Husbandry minister Mahadev Jankar and Secretary (animal husbandry).

The sub-committee will study the proposal to rehabilitate the owners and riders of Victorias and submit a report in the matter. The proposal is to provide them hawkers license from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and also discuss related issues.

The HC had banned Victorias from plying on Mumbai roads a year after its order issued on June 8, 2015. It had banned the Victorias as they were “illegal” and violated the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The court had also instructed the state government to chalk out a rehabilitation scheme for families operating the business.

The HC had directed the authorities to ensure that use of horse-driven carriages in Mumbai be completely stopped from June this year.

PTI

Nestle India counters Ramdev’s charges, reaffirms ‘Indianness’ P 09

Pvt buses make hay, RTO cry poor staff Citizens opt for affordable private transport; Thane RTO recovers Rs 15 lakh fines from illegal private transporters

BY SANTOSHEE MISHRA @TGS WEEKLY Thane Regional Transport Office (RTO) is woefully understaffed, and as a result, it has failed to curb vehicles illegally plying on state government roads. The RTO has issued permits to 10,000 private buses without verifying documents and reasons provided by the owners.

RTO Thane cracked down on private buses in October, but the authorities have not suspended their licences. The RTO, in the drive, fined 899 private bus owners to the tune of Rs 5,56,150, in Thane, Kalyan, Navi Mumbai and Vasai. These private buses plying illegally on state government roads had not paid taxes to the RTO, Thane, which recovered Rs 9,86,062 in dues. The total revenue collected was about Rs 15 lakh.

“They bring letters from various companies and societies claiming that they would ferry the company employees and residents of particular societies on fixed time. Eventually it turns out to be a complete eyewash and they ferry locals in their private buses to and fro on the state governments roads. It is next to impossible for RTO officials to physically go and verify the claims made by these private bus owners while taking the fees. It falls in category of Contract Carriage Permit. The owners pay Rs 1,900 per seat plus taxes, which varies depending on the city,” said a senior clerk on condition of anonymity.

“It is an illegal practice followed by these private bus owners in Thane RTO jurisdiction. They ply from Thane Ghodbunder Road to Kopri in Thane (East), charge minimal fares, but the conditions inside the buses are appalling,” he said.

RTO Thane Public Relations Officer Jayant Ramesh Chavan said, “We are helpless in curbing the illegal private buses. We have five squads with 15 officers in three vehicles. We cannot run after them as we cover a huge area and are severely understaffed. The only thing we can do is cancel their permits but it is difficult. We collected substantial revenue in October but

we did not cancel their permits and licences.”

“We cannot detain the bus occupied by passengers. It is a breach of permit violation by them. The prosecution is a lengthy process which can only be decided by the Magistrate Court.Thus, bus drivers are only fined,” he said.

The Thane RTO authorities say that depending on the population and demand of locals, they have written and appealed to various corporations and state transport to increase the frequency of buses to places far from local railway stations but they are hampered by a lack of funds and staff.

“Failing to provide any travelling facilities to locals in Thane RTO jurisdiction, we have compromised with the present scenario of illegal private buses. As it is cheaper than corporation and state transport, to fetch them from a distance of 10-12 kilometres, the illegal bus drivers are only fined from time to time,” he said.

A driver of a private bus from Waghbill Naka on Ghodbunder Road to Kopri in Thane (East), on the condition of anonymity, said, “I am merely a driver on this bus. We charge Rs 15 to ferry a passenger to the station, whereas corporation buses charge almost Rs30, and private autorickshaws charge Rs 150. We hardly earn anything. The bus owners pay on a percentage basis depending on the monthly revenue. I have to pay RTO or traffic department fines from my own pocket.”

The driver, a resident of Thane, does not know much of RTO management.

“The owner pays hafta to RTO officials so they don’t detain our buses,” he said.

Waghbill Naka resident Sarita Panchal said, “The share autos are available but are very costly. Private buses are cheap and ply every ten minutes so even if they are illegal, it fits my budget.”

Data reveals that from April to October 2016, the Thane RTO earned revenue of Rs one crore and 65 lakh with just 15 officers and three vehicles.

Transport Commissioner Praveen Gedam did not respond despite repeated phone calls and text messages. santoshee.mishra@goldensparrow.com The RTO has issued permits to 10,000 private buses without verifying documents and reasons provided by the owners

Six-year-old Pune boy youngest in India to scale Everest Base Camp

Advait Bhartiya made history by climbing 17,593 ft peak TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeekly

Advait Aditya Bhartiya (right) and Veerpratap Raje Bhonsle with Samir Patham

Two young boys, Advait Aditya Bhartiya, 6 years, and Veerpratap Raje Bhonsle, 11 years, made history by being the youngest children from Maharashtra to reach The Everest Base Camp in Nepal with Pune-based adventure company Adventure Pulse.

Accompanied by their respective mothers, Payal Aditya Bhartia and Damayanti Raje Bhonsle, the team set off from Kathmandu, Nepal on October 26; journeyed up the Khumbu Valley to finally arrive at the Everest Base Camp located alongside the dreaded Khumbu Icefall, 17,593 ft above sea level.

“The two boys showed tremendous tenacity and incredible maturity, way beyond their years, thus allowing them to deal with the various hardships of the journey,” beamed expedition leader Samir Patham. “Their successful

completion of the trek not only makes them the youngest in Maharashtra but also makes Advait Bhartiya the youngest child in India to reach the Everest Base camp in the winter season”, he adds.

Their 12-day gruelling trek began from the small village of Lukla, located at the foot of the Everest Valley at 8,900 ft; slowly made their way along the Dudh Khosi River, through pine tree forests, climbing above the tree line and finally into the snow line, reaching their destination at an incredible height of 17,593ft above sea level.

For an adult, this is usually an incredible feat, with not just the kilometres and the mountain trails to deal with but also the thin air, reduction in atmospheric oxygen and subzero temperatures dropping to about 8 to –12 degrees C, at times. But for young adventurers of this age, this truly has been an amazing achievement. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

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PUNE, NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

TISTIC RD AN AR TO LO ODE SHA GANE

NOV PUNE,

2016 12-18,

rrow.com oldenspa .theg | www

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TGS LIFE

An artistic ode to Lord Ganesha

CITY

TECH

Stiff penalties proposed for failure to report TB patients P02

Benvenuto a Pune!

P06

One breach too many of the No women for rape victims’ counselling MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT

There is a burning need to treat rape victims with the utmost sensitivity and care, including the provision of female counsellors with whom they will be able to talk freely

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @djbhonde1

Preserving the sanctity of the model code of conduct before any election is a duty and responsibility that seems ignored by the Pune civic and district administration. That is why the city skyline and bus stops are dotted with hoardings featuring pictures and messages of politicos

See p04-05

There is a glaring lack of sensitivity regarding rape victims among the concerned authorities in Pune. Already traumatised by the violent assault on her person, a rape victim needs to be dealt with, with the utmost sensitivity and care. But the harsh, heartless reality in Pune is that there is a complete disregard of the victim’s state of mind and well-being, resulting in the victim being made to undergo further ordeal and humiliation.

Rape victims from the entire Pune district, including the city and rural police stations, are referred to Sassoon General Hospital for medical report procedures and counselling. On an average, there are 2-3 rape victims who come to the hospital for counselling.

The government-run Sassoon Hospital has the psychiatric and MSW departments for the counselling of rape victims. Neither the psychiatric or MSW department has female doctors-

cousellors, and there is not a single female Medical Social Worker (MSW) for the counselling of rape victims. In consequence, male MSWs are required to handle the counselling of rape victims. And the fact is that most or all of the rape victims find it difficult if not impossible to open up to male MSWs about the ordeal they have suffered.

TGS in the previous edition had published the story titled ‘Rape victims find it hard to talk to male counsellors’, highlighting the urgent need of a female counsellor at the hospital.

Delving deeper into the issue, TGS has found that most female rape victims are sent to the MSW department. An official from the psychiatrist department said that they have female doctors for the counselling of rape victims, but they are rarely referred here. “This department deals with patients suffering from all kinds of psychological disorders, and it is not meant exclusively for rape victims.

The counselling of rape victims is handled

by MSWs in the hospital,” he said.

Continued on p2

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THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016

PUNE

Live the Digital life!

“Heavy Mumbai-bound vehicles should be diverted via Mantarwadi bypass and PuneSatara highway while those heading to Nashik, Ahmednagar should be diverted via Theur and Wagholi. The move will reduce congestion in the city and Kharadi bypass.”

- Chetan Tupe, PMC Corporator

P06

Stiff penalties proposed for failure to report TB patients

New act to ensure foolproof monitoring of tuberculosis patients in the state

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @djbhonde1 The joint director (tuberculosis and leprosy) Pune, has submitted a new draft bill of a proposed act to the state health department.

The aim is to monitor tuberculosis (TB) patients availing of treatment at private health institutes other than the government institutes in the state. The bill, submitted to the state health secretary five days ago, will follow the rules regarding private practitioners registering new TB patients with the health department. Private practitioners failing to do so will face penalties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. Maharashtra will be the first state in the country to implement such an act if the proposed bill us passed by the state cabinet.

The new draft bill termed ‘Maharashtra state TB notification Act 2016’, has been submitted to the health secretary and it will be placed before the cabinet for approval soon. The approval may take 7-8 months if there are amendments to be made. Once the bill is approved, it will come into effect in the form of a law. The proposed act has several aspects: Private practitioners, including BHMS, BAMS, MBBS, MD, who come across with patients with confirmed TB symptoms in their private clinics or hospitals, must register and report the patient’s details to the government mechanism. They can provide

Private practitioners failing to report TB cases will face penalties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. Maharashtra will be the first state in the country to implement such an act if cabinet clears the bill

treatment but registration is compulsory, failing which first-time offenders will face a penalty of Rs 10,000, which will go up to Rs 15,000 for second time lapses. There are also a number of recommendations in the bill regarding effective treatment for TB patients in the private sector.

Elaborating on the need for drafting such a bill, state joint director (tuberculosis and leprosy) Dr Sanjiv Kamble said that its aim was to regulate and create awareness of strict treatment guidelines among private practitioners in the state.

“The central government has issued guidelines and draft in 2012 in which it states that government and private practitioners across the country should be reporting 50 per cent TB patients each to the programme authorities, but the figure is only 35 per cent currently. Private practitioners have no responsibility or punishment if they fail to report TB patients to the program authorities,

which is the reason for the patients’ records being missing from government statistics,” said Dr Kamble. Private practitioners ignore guidelines of the ‘Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP)’ regarding the patients they treat.

“They prescribe antibiotic medicines to patients before starting TB medication. They also prescribe a daily regime (a systematic plan of medication designed to improve and maintain the health of a patient) which leads to relapses among patients,” said Dr Kamble, underlining the reasons for drafting the bill.

People showing symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever in the evening and loss of appetite should visit their nearest TB clinic or government health centre.

If a patient’s sputum shows the presence of TB bacilli, they can avail of treatment from government or private doctors. The government treatment is free of cost with proper guidelines of national TB programme,

be able to express all my feelings and concerns to a female counsellor freely,” said a rape victim.

Rape victims are sent to Sassoon by the rural and city police.

There is no medical or counselling facility at the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) run Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH). Manoj Deshmukh, superintendent of the hospital, said that they don’t provide medical facilities to rape victims and refer them to Sassoon Hospital. The situation is the same at Aundh Civil Hospital. So rape victims from all over the district are sent for

medication, counselling support to Sassoon Hospital only, which creates a huge burden. As per the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) 2012 and other relevant acts, a victim has to be provided the necessary counselling at government hospitals.

While Sassoon Hospital medical superintendent Ajay Taware said victims are counselled at both departments by female doctors, Sassoon General Hospital Dean Dr Ajay Chandanwale rubbishes the claim.

“Nurses have to counsel victims as we do not have counsellors at both psychiatry and MSW departments,” Dr Chandanwale said.

Director of Medical Education and Research (DMER) Dr Pravin Shingare said that if the dean forwards a proposal to fill up the vacant post of female counsellor,he would approve it immediately. dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

P08

AAAI ordered to pay Rs 300 cr dues

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2

while private treatment involved expenses.

PMCTB Officer Dr Narendra Thakur said that some patients prefer to be treated by private doctors to avoid social stigma.

“As per the government treatment protocol, our doctors visit patients’ homes to ensure that they are taking their medication.

But some patients don’t like doctors’ visits, so they opt for private doctors,” he said.

Another officer from Aundh on the condition of anonymity said that private doctors siphon money from patients.

“Private doctors siphon off money from TB patients without following the RNTCP guidelines of medication. Since private treatment is expensive, they refer the patients to government health institutes after patientsrun out of money. Such patients cannot be cured owing to the wrong treatment given by private doctors, leading to death. This creates the misconception among the public that government institutions are at fault,” officials said.

Highlighting the benefits of the bill, Dr Kamble said that once the bill is passed, it will enable prompt investigation, risk assessment and response to the causes of TB. “We will also form a committee and our TB officers will visit areas where private patients’ registration is below 50 percent in comparison to the government. We will check the records of doctors and pharmacy prescriptions. Doctors not reporting patients to us will face penalties,” said Kamble.

Patients can avail of treatment from private doctors, but once registered with the programme, they and the doctors will be monitored indirectly, resulting in improved treatment lasting till they are cured. dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

No women counsellors for victims Continued from p1 The victims are not treated specifically for rape but as general patients. “The victim is counselled like other general patients and not in any special way depending on the individual situation,” said the official.

There was a female counsellor for rape victims at the MSW department, but the post has now been vacant for three years. There are three male counsellors right now but no female counsellor. Female counsellors are only called for when there is an exceptionally challenging case. The truth is that there is an urgent need of a full-time female counsellor in the hospital. The fact is that rape victims are unable to talk freely with male counsellors about such a sensitive issue.

“I was sent for counseling to the MSW department. The male counsellors are doing their best, but the truth is that we are not able to reveal intimate details of our ordeal to them. On the other hand, I would

May criticised for her ‘shambolic’ visit

The Bombay High Court has ordered the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) to pay more than Rs 300 crore in stamp duty dues to the Registration and Stamps department, pending since 2008. The HC rejected the plea of AAAI to evade paying stamp duty to the IGRS on commercial advertising agreements, said the officials.

AAAI, with nine other (originations and individuals) had approached the Bombay High Court in the year 2008, when amendments were made to Article 5 of the Mumbai Stamp Duty Act 1958. The association opposed the amendment which enabled advertising firms to pay a consolidated stamp duty. Going against the decision of the government, the AAAI had applied in the Bombay High Court against the Maharashtra government and IGRS collector of stamp enforcement, Mumbai.

Established in 1945, Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) is the official national organisation of advertising agencies.

AAAI is recognised as the apex body and has a large number of small, medium and large-sized agencies as its members, who together account for almost 80 per cent of the advertising business in the country.

As per the amendment in the act, stamp duty is mandatory on all agreements, even if it’s not registered. An amount of 0.1 per cent to 0.2 per cent or maximum Rs five lakh of agreement amount, whichever is higher, has to be paid to the IGRS. “After the amendment, the AAAI was unhappy with the decision, and would have appealed to the IGRS office, but appealed to the Bombay High Court,” said Dr N Ramaswami, State Inspector General of Registration (IGR) and Controller of Stamps.

“The Bombay High Court has given the order on 27th of last month in favour of IGRS and closed the hearing. The court earlier had given a stay order to collect the stamp duty from the association but after the order they are supposed to pay more than Rs 300 crore pending since 2008,” he said.

“Earlier television advertisements were given concessions

by Doordarshan channel, as it was the only TV channel and its objective was different. Nowadays, there are a number of channels and the advertisements are totally commercial. Despite of earning millions these agencies hesitate to pay the small amount of stamp duty,” he said. vicky.pathare@goldensparrow.com TEJAS GAIKWAD

WATER WORLD

Slum kids cool off in the canal at Dhobi Ghat, near Omkareshwar Temple

Bringing back Netaji’s ashes to India is his life’s mission

Virtually illiterate, Balasaheb Deshmukh once owned a chain of restaurants in Japan by the dint of determination and hard work

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1

He is the personification of the common person.

He has only passed standard II, but the sky has been the limit when it came to what he wanted from life. From being a cowherd, he progressed to being the owner of five high-class restaurants in Japan, including in Tokyo, but he has given up all that to concentrate on his mission to bring back the ashes of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose from Japan.

Meet Balasaheb Shamrao Deshmukh, 72, who hails from Osmanabad district in Maharashtra. He wants to build Netaji’s memorial in April 2017, through the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Memorial Indo-Japan Association, which was registered last week at the Pune charity office.

Navanath Jagtap, assistant charity commissioner, who registered the organisation, said, “Seeing Deshmukh’s social angle, we registered his organisation in a day and provided

the required certificates, which normally takes a week.”

Deshmukh was forced to shut down his chain of restaurants in Japan due to ill health, and he is now devoted to bringing back the ashes of the veteran Balasaheb Deshmukh freedom fighter leader to India.

“The Japan government report says that Netaji died in a plane crash in Taiwan and his ashes are preserved in Renkoji Temple. But not a single Indian leader has tried to bring back the ashes, or even dared to tell Indians that Netaji’s ashes are in Japan,” said Deshmukh, while speaking to TGS. The story of Deshmukh’s life is truly inspiring.

Born in a farmer’s family in a village in Osmanabad district, he only studied up to standard II at a Zilla Parishad school and cannot read or write.

He met his first mentor Sambhaji Bhide Guruji, a Hindutva activist from western Maharashtra, from whom he learnt wrestling, a sport in which he excelled at the district level. He used to be a cowherd, but he harboured big dreams.

He heard Netaji’s story when he was 17, from Nanasaheb Kulkarni of his village. He was all fired up by Netaji’s life and work and decided to do

something. He also developed a liking for Japan, where industrial development was at its peak. But he had no money to travel to Japan. Randhawa, the brother of actor Dara Singh, a professional wrestler, organised a wrestling competition to raise money for him. With the help of a Mumbaibased Buddhist monk and Randhawa’s money, he left for Japan in 1970. He first cleaned utensils at a deli in Tokyo. Then he received a letter from Bhide guruji to return to India. On his return, he was offered a ticket for MLA elections from Sangli by party persons including Yashwantrao Chavan, Atal Behari Vajpayee, which he turned down as he was not interested in politics.

Deshmukh wanted to go back to Japan, which he did with the help provided by Marathi singer-

Artist’s impression of the Netaji memorial

composer Sudhir Phadke. He washed utensils in a restaurant for eight years.

“Despite being illiterate, I wanted to do something for society and India so I was aiming high,” said Deshmukh. One day he was buying bread when he was introduced to a German doctor.

He told her that he wanted to open a restaurant.

She referred him to a South Korean who offered Deshmukh Rs 50 lakh on the condition that he converted to Christianity. He refused.

Then he met a restaurant owner who offered him a restaurant manager’s post with 3000 dollars as payment, but he refused that too. But the owner gave him financial help and Deshmukh opened his first restaurant called ‘Ganga’ in Tokyo, in 1976, and simultaneously opened five branches of the restaurant in Hokkaido and Osaka.

“I suffered from a heart ailment and underwent angioplasty in Japan. The doctors told me to give up the work. So I closed all the restaurants three years ago and have devoted myself to Subhas Chandra Bose, who is adored by the Japanese and Indians,” said Deshmukh.

“I visited Renkoji temple in Tokyo and learnt that Netaji’s ashes were preserved there. Indian politicians knew of this but concealed the fact to project their party leaders. It shocked me and I am determined to bring back these ashes to India, so I have been working full time on that,” said

Deshmukh.

Deshmukh plans to build a Netaji memorial in Japan on a two-acre plot of land donated by his farmer friend Akkoch Nuri Masa, 81, from Nikko city in northern Japan. Worth Rs 25 crore, the architectural plan is in place and actual work will begin on April 9, 2017. The memorial will have a big statue of Subhash Chandra Bose, and another memorial in the memory of slain soldiers in Imphal. On the other side there will be a memorial for world peace and a guest house for Indian students, visitors and cultural activities.

“It will cost over Rs 25 crore. I have been raising funds with the help of donors, politicians and businessmen,” he said. “Even the common man should help in the memorial plan,” he said.

The Government of India can bring back the ashes of Netaji. “I helped the BJP to gain votes in the last election, appealing to people to vote for the party which will bring back the ashes. BJP came into power but is now turning a blind eye to my demand,” said Deshmukh.

“I was offered the then police commissioner’s daughter’s hand in marriage but I didn’t accept because I wanted to marry an Indian girl,” he says.

He married Chitra and they have three daughters Jamuna, Poonam, Swanti and a son, Shivaji. dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016

PUNE

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PMC Wasti Clinic initiative faces untimely demise

Civic administration’s ambitious medical care at your doorstep plan falls flat, with many of its 16 Wasti Clinics shutting down within a month

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2 The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) ambitious Wasti Clinic initiative to provide medical care at your doorstep seems to have failed in achieving its aim.

PMC had opened 16 Wasti Clinics at Sangamwadi, Ahmednagar Road and many other ward office areas, on the lines of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s Mohalla Clinics, most of which were closed within a month. The Wasti Clinics at Aundh Road, Sinhagad Road, Khairewadi, Kothrud and Parvati Darshan have been closed and the PMC health department is unaware about it.

As per the official records of the PMC health department, 15 Wasti Clinics are functioning properly, and only one at Parvati Darshan has been closed for renovation. Team TGS however found that most of these clinics are functioning only on paper. The Wasti Clinics at Ambedkar chowk Aundh Road, Sarasbaug Parvati Darshan, Jaibhavani Nagar Kothrud, Khairewadi Ghole Road and Patil Estate Wakdewadi, are not functional, but the PMC is busy locating and identifying more places and plans to start more Wasti Clinics in the coming days. PMC Commissioner Kunal Kumar earlier had taken the decision to start

Aundh Road Wasti Clinic was shut down within three weeks

50 Wasti Clinics at different locations within PMC limits in the month of August, as poor people rely on PMC-run hospitals and clinics for medical treatments, and the number of hospital are too few to cater to the growing population. It had taken two months for the PMC administration to set up the Wasti Clinics and they still lack administration. Despite of the glaring lack of medical facilities, the civic body seems unconcerned.

The Wasti Clinics were operating from vyayamshalas, samaj mandirs and vacant spaces in ward offices, for three days and three hours in a week.

Wasti Clinics are supposed to conduct blood and urine tests. Patients were also get free treatment and

medicines at the Wasti Clinics. A doctor, an attendant and a nurse is available at the clinic.

PMC health department Chief Dr S T Pardeshi said, “Some clinics may be shut down and I am unaware about it. PMC health department will conduct a drive to find the reason for the clinic closure or not functioning. We will see that the people don’t face any inconvenience due to it and these clinics will be started at the earliest.

“Some of the clinics are closed for renovation and will be functional soon. In the coming days, PMC will start more Wasti Clinics as we have received a good response from people.”

Anirudh Shelar, resident of Aundh Road said, “The clinics were functional only initially for a duration of three weeks, after which no authority has come to the clinic.”

PMC officials at the ward office said, “We have closed the Wasti Clinic as we were getting a weak response from the people, with few patients. One does not go to a doctor unless one is ill.”

Arun Shinde, another resident of the area, said, “The doctors and nurses are in a hurry to complete the work and go. They don’t even enquire about the problems the patients are facing. Treatments are exorbitantly expensive at private hospitals and when this clinic was started, we thought our problem was solved, but it didn’t last long and the clinic was closed within a month. When there has been an alarming rise in the number of dengue and chikungunya patients all over the city, how can PMC shut down the clinic within a month?” vicky.pathare@goldensparrow.com

VIRAJ AGROTECH

Talawde IT park devp under freeze Development of plots allotted to multinationals in the red zone in Talawde IT Park held up as nod from government is awaited

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2 On one hand, the government is welcoming MNCs to invest in our country under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. On the other hand, due to the long-pending decision of the government on the issue of red zone in Talawde IT Park, more than 17 plots allotted for development to multinational software companies by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) are awaiting development for years. The state of limbo have made the development of these plots impossible. MIDC is working hard to get the norms amended by the government on these red zones, officials say.

The Talawde software park has not seen any new development since 2012 due to the red zone. Only one plot from this area has been allotted. Primary lease agreement of only six plots has been done. As many as 26 plots are waiting for permission to start construction,

affecting the development of plots belonging to five MNC IT firms.

“Talawde has a total area of around 75 hectares and it was decided to be set up as an IT Park in 1989. Plots were allotted to 38 companies for setting up units. Currently only 13 plots in this IT park are developed,” said a senior officer on the condition of anonymity.

“The MIDC cannot seize back the unused plots from the companies and companies cannot develop the plots due to the pending issue of red zone.

Capgemini, JK Infotech, Fujitsu, Steria, Synthel etc are functioning from Talawde IT park,” he said.

Santosh Kumar Deshmukh, deputy collector and regional officer MIDC II, said the development in these areas is stopped due to the red zone and MIDC is in talk with the higher authorities and government to relax the norms of the red zone radius. The development in this area will soon get the permission from the government. vicky.pathare@goldensparrow.com

MINDSCAPE 2016

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Mr RN Nalbalwar Sr VP-ER Aditya Birla Corporation was the chief guest for the Inaugural function of the event Dr Asha Pachpande Founder secretary and Director of ASM was the Chair person on the occasion In all 26 teams from major Industries such as Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto(MSL) Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd(MVML & NASIK M&M) Siemens Ltd, Forbes Marshall, Endurance Technology participated in the competition his address to the audience Mr. Nalbalwar while emphasizing the essential need for Industry Institute Interactions appreciated ASM Group’s unique Initiative of the Mindscape Case Study Competitions The Competition between the various Industry teams was extremely intense and interesting to say the least. Dr Santosh Dastane,Mr Shyam Ozarkar & Mr Dinesh Bagade (GM&DGM MVML Chakan) Mr Atul Badkas ( DGM L&D Endurance Tech). Prof Asheesh Dixit and Prof Roopa Praveen fro ASM Group were the Juries for the competition In the evening function for Mindscape 2016 competition awards was presided by Mr Unnikrishnan MD & CEO Thermax Ltd as the Chief Guest who while handing over the awards narrated the paradigm shift which has taken place at the global scenario for Management studies also said the events like ASM’s Mindscape competitions are very important to bridge the ever increasing gaps in Academic studies and Industry requirements

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The Teams from M&M Nasik and MVML Chakan and Tata motors ltd won the coveted Mindscape 2016Main/Special Jury & Live Case Study segments and Endurance Tech,Trikaya Coatings were the close Runners up. The Team from MSL was awarded the Mindscape 2016 .Surprise Trophy The Event MINDSCAPE 2016 was compeered by the faculty & students of ASM group and the concluding remarks were offered by Prof Roopa Praveen whereas Prof J.A.Kulkarni explained the essence of Mindscape competitions and enabled the smooth conduct of event MINDSCAPE-2016 and expressed optimism in further popularity and utility of the event as a ‘Hub’ for Improving Institute Industry Interactions.M/S Golden Sparrow Publishers were the Media Partners for MINDSCAPE 2016 and was represented by Mr. Ankit Kankar (senior officer strategic affairs )

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016

PUNE

One breach too m MODEL CODE OF Preserving the sanctity of the model code of conduct before any election is a duty and responsibility that has been ignored by the Pune civic and district administration

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar The Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared the biennial election schedule of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) for six local authorities’ constituents due to the retirement of sitting members on October 26. The term of office of six sitting members of the legislative council elected from six local authorities constituencies is due to expire on December 2016. Notification of the MLC election was issued by the ECI on October 26, candidates can fi le nomination papers till November 2, voting was on November 11 and counting will be on November 22. So ECI has imposed the model code of conduct from October 26 to November 24 in Pune district as well. The State Election Commission’s (SEC) model code of conduct for municipal council elections also is in force in entire Pune district. But political parties and leaders of various political parties are violating the norms set by the elections commission in the form of model code of conduct.

Despite model codes of conduct of ECI and SEC being in force in the entire Pune district till November 24, 2016, political leaders are openly distributing gifts packets on which leaders’ as well as their parties’ symbols are printed. Flex, banners and advertisements of political leaders and political parties have not been removed. Most shocking of all is that election observers, and flying squads appointed by election commission to curb malpractices during elections, are neglecting this violation of the model code of conduct norms like distributions of gift packets, flex, banners of political parties and its leaders.

The district collector is the chief election officer and returning officer appointed by election commission for the MLC election.

Flex, banners, names and photos posted hoardings are to be completely removed or covered by paper or paint when the model code of conduct is in force. Distributing gift items or money by political parties and its leaders is nothing but the violation of the model code of conduct. There are so many such norms made by the election commission in the model code of conduct that have been violated in Pune city.

The Golden Sparrow highlights how politicians and political parties are violating the model code of conduct. tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

The politicos disappear after the elections, but they have appeared now that the elections are thre Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party workers in Kasba Peth area have been distributing gift packets on which photos of guardian minister Girish Bapat and party leader in Pune Municipal Corporation Ganesh Bidkar are printed. Sitting corporator Bidkar has been distributing gift bags containing pulses, sugar, perfume, diyas and soap to residents of Kasba Peth area, with his eye on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) election scheduled for February 2017. This is a violation of the model code of conduct by corporators, of which the election administration seems to be completely unaware. The bags carry the logos of their party, and pictures of party leaders.

Distributing gifts to people while the model code of conduct is in force is a violation of the code and action can be taken by the election commission observers against the culprits.

The BJP and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporators have been distributing gift bags to voters in

Mangalwar Peth, Kasba Peth and Somwar Peth. The bags also have photos of guardian minister Bapat. The BJP and MNS workers wear their party caps and mufflers while distributing the bags, telling citizens that these bags have been sent by their party leaders as Diwali gifts.

During Diwali, the prices of chana and besan shoot up as they are used extensively to make sweets.

Kasba Peth resident Omkar Dixit said, “In the Diwali period, BJP and MNS party workers had distributed bags containing items related to Diwali, and appealing to citizens to favour their political party in the upcoming civic body polls. The PMC elections are at hand, so independent candidates contesting the elections too are distributing such bags in our area. This is nothing but bribing the voters.”

Mangalwar Peth resident Narayan Pawar said, “The BJP is distributing these gift bags, with an eye on the PMC elections. The bags have guardian minister Girish Bapat’s photo on it. Bapat is in a responsible

constitutional position while his supporters distribute bags. It is sad and harmful for our democracy that party workers are openly appealing to citizens to favour their political party in the upcoming PMC elections. It is a violation of the model code of conduct imposed by the ECI for the MLC elections. These political people disappear for four years after the PMC elections, and suddenly they have appeared now that the elections are three months away. They only woo voters at this time, and after the elections, they loot taxpayers’ money. If residents refuse to take these bags, these party workers request them repeatedly and finally leave the bags in front of the doors of citizens’ houses. This is ridiculous but it has happened in our Peth in the Diwali period.

These political party workers are completely unaware about the model code of conduct being in force. Some residents even called corporator Ganesh Bidkar and said that his party workers were distributing gifts bags to residents. Bidkar said that he had told them

to give distribu weaker these ba bungalo to help p resident nivadnu body po planned upcomin BJP supporte “Diwali not poss such hig to these conduct these ba

Names of politicos on benches and bus stops must be removed, or covered by paint The PMC installs iron benches worth lakhs of rupees by using corporators’ ward level funds, every year. Most corporators take the credit for installing these benches and inscribe their names on the benches installed by means of their ward development fund. When the model code of conduct is in force, the names of political persons on benches have to be covered with paint so that they are not visible. But most of the benches installed in PMC limits by corporators have the names clearly visible which is in violation of the model code of conduct.

The names of politicos are even visible on metal bus stops, especially those installed by union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar, with funds he gets as Member of Parliament for constituency development. Navi Peth area resident Ashok Agawane said, “Benches installed in our area by our area corporator Manisha Ghate still have her name visible on them though the model code of conduct for MLC elections is in force. PMC workers, two years ago, in 2014 assembly elections, covered up the names but after the elections

our honourable corporator inscribed her na has installed though her ward development As the model code of conduct came in apex ECI, names of political persons on b be removed, or the names must be covere after the model code of conduct came int administration or PMC administration names of political persons.

The common man remaining silent on such issues only encourages political party workers It is compulsory to remove hoardings, flex of political parties and its leaders put up in various areas of city as ECI has declared a model code of conduct in the elections. The ECI declared elections for six legislative council seats on October 26 soon after the model code of conduct came into force in entire Pune district. So the district administration and PMC administration collectively have to remove all hoardings put up at public places by political parties and their workers. But there are hoardings and flex galore put up by political parties that have not been removed. Hoardings by ruling BJP along with Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena, MNS and RPI

The signboards should have been taken off from this newspaper reading katta in the Parvati Paytha area

with Diwali greetings are still to be seen at Gokhale Nagar, Wadarwadi, Dattawadi, Dandekar Pul, Parvati Payatha, Katraj, Narhe, Ambegaon, Khadakwasla village, Malwadi, Karvenagar, Vitthalwadi, Patil Estate Slum, Vimannagar, Tingare Nagar and Vishrantwadi.

BJP party workers put up a huge hoarding at Dattawadi after Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to scrap currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 congratulating the PM Modi.

Local resident Yogesh Satpute said, “The hoarding put up by BJP party workers on Dattawadi nallah bridge is illegal. They did not take permission from PMC’s sky

and sign department. Soon after PM Modi’s speech, scrapping currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000, BJP party workers put up this hoarding on the iron net wall of Dattawadi nallah. The model code of conduct for MLC elections is in force which BJP party workers are aware of, but the election commission vigilantes are not taking any action. PMC’s sky and sign department knew that on November 9, BJP party workers illegally put up this hoarding congratulating PM Modi but they have not taken action. This is how political party workers disfigure the city while the common man remains silent on such issues, which only encourages political party workers.”

Perfect place for a daytime siesta, but this bench in Kothrud area still bears the name of the corporator who installed it

PMC has set up 15 flying squads in its 15 ward offices soon after the model code of conduct came into force on October 26, to remove flex, banners and hoardings put up by political parties in the city. Our department from October 27 till date has removed more than 50,000 flex, banners, hoardings put up by political parties in PMC limits. While putting up such big hoardings, these political parties have taken proper permissions from the sky and hoarding department, but as the model code of conduct came into force, we removed such hoardings. Our squads are still searching for such flex and banners in the city and removing them. Our department fully implements instructions we get regarding the model code of conduct. Blotting out the names of political persons from benches and bus stops is not our responsibility, but the district administration appoints personnel for this. If some flex, banners remain in the city in the coming days, our department will remove them.

Soon after the SEC declared election schedule for ten muni district, the model code of conduct immediately came into force ECI declared the election schedule for Pune local authority ML so the model code of conduct was applied in the entire district and municipal corporation administrations to implement the m stringently. The administration has taken back permit weapon District collector has imposed prohibitory orders in entire Pune 37 (1) (3) of Mumbai police act 1951 till November 24 for local bod smoother running. Under this section 37 (1) (3), carrying arms, cu bludgeons, guns, knives, sticks/lathis, carrying corrosive substanc of more than five people at one place, putting up banners/flex and giving speeches without permission, burning political person law and order situation in the state are strictly prohibited in th removed most of the flex, banners, hoardings and also has cove and paint. Despite this if anything remains, we will surely take act registered any case of breach of the model code of conduct in t also appointed special squads to look after and curb money use

- Vijay Dahibhate

-Rajendra Muthe

AUTHORITY BYTES

Head, PMC sky and sign department

Resident District Collector

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016

PUNE

many of the CONDUCT

ee months away

This is how these political parties try to push their party agenda among youths/students

these Diwali gifts to needy people. They were uting these bags to people from economically section. But the party workers have distributed ags door-to-door to every home, whether it be a ow, flat or one room kitchen home. If they want poor people, why are their workers appealing to ts, ‘Laksha asu dya Ganesh bhau war palikechya ukit.’ (Keep Bidkar in mind in the coming civic olls). It clearly shows that BJP and MNS have d to distribute these gifts with an eye on the ng civic body polls.”

P house leader of PMC, Ganesh Bidkar, whose ers are distributing gift bags to voters, said, i has a great importance in Hindu culture. It is sible for poor people to celebrate Diwali during gh inflation. Therefore we distribute Diwali items e people. I am not aware that the model code of t is in force now, otherwise we would not distribute ags to people.”

ame on the benches that she t fund.” nto force under orders of the benches and bus stops must ed by paint. But a fortnight to force, neither the district has removed/covered the

The corporator’s supporters hang around the katta and disturb the people who come to read newspapers Corporators and MLAs especially set up and maintain newspapers reading kattas in localities across the city through their ward/constituency development funds.

The newspaper reading kattas in Pune are a unique system that exists since the pre-Independence era. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s daily ‘Kesari’ was widely read by the masses on such kattas during British rule, and that’s how these kattas came into existence. Even illiterate persons gathered at the kattas to learn what Tilak had written in the daily Kesari during British rule. This legacy of newspaper reading kattas still continues in Pune. Most corporators and MLAs have set up newspaper reading kattas to garner publicity. They inscribe their names that through courtesy title of their political party at the kattas. By inscribing their own names and their political parties at newspaper kattas, they hope to get

publicity and sympathy from voters.

Navi Peth area resident Sushil Thorat said, “The corporator of our ward, Dhananjay Jadhav has set up a newspaper katta in our area, where they keep newspapers for people to read. But often his own supporters hang around the katta and indulge in useless discussions and disturb the people who come to read newspapers.

Corporator Jadhav has given his own name to this katta and the symbol of his party is displayed here. During the last assembly polls in 2014, the administration had removed this board, but after the elections, Jadhav again put up his name along with party leaders’ photos and symbol.”

This is another breach of the model code of conduct. Either the election commission or the individual should remove their names in respect of the model code of conduct and free and fair elections in the country.

Political parties have a students’ wing, youth wing, women’s wing, and caste based wings. They have opened various branches of such wings at colleges, universities, and localities in the city.

Most political parties like Shiv Sena, BJP, NC and Congress have their youth wings in the city and have opened branches at various colleges and university campuses.

This is how these political parties try to push their party agenda among youths/students and influence them.

The students’ wing branch of NCP, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) and Shiv Sena are active in Marathwada Mitra Mandal (MMC) College. They set up their student wing branches at this college and put up a board outside the campus on Agarkar Road with photos of their respective parties as well as names of working committee members of this branch (shakha) written on these boards.

Such branches have to be covered by paper when the model code of conduct is in force. But the administration has completely neglected taking action against such branches’ banners which they put up at public places for publicity of their party.

MMC College student Adwait Khare said, “Swabhimani, Shiv Sena and NCP are active in our college. This college was founded by the late CM Vilasrao Deshmukh of Congress but his own party did not have a base in our college. These boards of branches of their party were set up by supporters of these parties. Last year these boards were removed by the PMC administration but these boards were reinstalled at the same locations.”

The signboard with direction to a sitting BJP corporator’s residence, has not blocked out his name

This board ought to have been pasted with paper to cover up the party name, etc

The party leader’s picture and other details are clearly visible on this signboard

The signboard extending Diwali/Dussera greetings on this bus stop in Sane Gurujinagar has a number of the party leaders’ pictures

icipal councils in Pune e from October 17. Later LC seat on October 26, t. We ordered all tehsil model code of conduct ns from entire district. e district under section dies and MLC elections’ udgels, swords, spears, ce/explosives, collecting stones, gathering of political parties/persons, political rally ns’ effigies and any act which disturbs the he district. The administration till date has ered or darkened flex, banners with paper tion on it in the coming days. We have not the district. The district administration has e during election days.

I personally gave the orders to the concerned departments of PMC to remove all flex, banners, hoardings of political parties and leaders in the city after the model code of conduct came into force. It is shocking that there are lapses regarding removing the flex, banners and hoardings, so I immediately ordered the administration to remove all flex, banners and hoardings which breach the set model code of conduct. I will tell them to cover banners of political parties branches with paper or cloth, or just paste cello tape over such banners on which political parties symbols and names of leaders are written.

-Satish Kulkarni

Election officer of PMC

The sitting NCP corporator’s name shows up prominently on this board

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016

TECH/START-UP

PUNE

‘India to suffer if it joins Japan on SCS’

Ubuntu is one of the more popular distributions of Linux. The word Ubuntu comes from an African word meaning “I am because of you”.

—http://www.thefactsite.com/

Live the Digital life!

Map of Jio 4G VoLTE footprint

BY ANAND PARTHASARATHY Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of the Reliance Group is said to have coined the catchphrase — ‘‘Roti, kapda, makaan aur Internet” (Food, clothing, shelter and Internet)—to highlight his vision for empowering India’s aam janatha with telecom technology. His son Anil, launched Reliance Communications and delivered on his father’s vision of making the cost of a phone call cheaper than sending a post card.

Other large operators like Airtel also played their part to ensure that mobile tariffs in India, remained the cheapest in the world.

But the challenge remained to empower a billion-plus people with very low spending capacity, through personal communication and Internet.

Flash Forward to September 2016 and one finds the other Ambani brother, Mukesh, formally launching the brand Reliance Jio, with a daring premise: Voice calls free, no roaming charges, only pay

for data consumed. This is likely to be as disruptive as the original Dhirubhai vision and for sound technical reasons: When 3G or 3rd generation mobile technology, became 4G, it tilted the balance in favour of data over voice. The latest avatar of 4G technology is 4G VoLTE or Voice over Long Term Evolution. It uses data speeds of LTE (another name for 4th generation mobile communication), to carry voice traffic on its back. A canny operator will charge for data usage and throw in voice for free— precisely what Reliance Jio plans to do.

After initial teething troubles mainly with regard to Jio voice calls landing on other networks, the service which is in its free trial period till December 31 2016, has settled down and I find I can connect from Pune with my Jio number to most other operators except BSNL Pune numbers (I connected easily to a BSNL Bangalore number). I except this too will get sorted out if enough subscribers scream at BSNL. Meanwhile a phone fueled by

Low light, No bar

BY V. SUDHAKSHINA Asus has recently launched the Zenfone 3 Laser, a follow up to the Zenfone 2 that offers a few upgrades in specification. The cameras are now 13 MP rear and 8 MP front against 13MP and 5 MP earlier. The display is now full HD rather than 720 p HD; RAM is upped from 3 GB to 4 GB and the storage from 16 GB to 32 GB. These are incremental, if unexciting changes.

Zenfone 3 Laser comes with an aluminium alloy chasis, which makes it lightly lighter at 150 grams.. Asus phones usually have a control key on the back panel.

The Zenfone Laser 3 follows the same tradition, but houses a cuter button, along with a fingerprint sensor. Small little enhancements in the Zen UI 3.0 make for pleasant navigation between apps and folders.

The real improvement in the dual

Reliance Jio is more than a mobile service; it’s a whole digital ecosystem with a canny focus on the aam janata

Jio has a host of user friendly services to offer . Together, they make a Jio connection more than just a mobile telecom service, into a combo that can drive an entire digital lifestyle. No jokes! I am able to say this, having just visited the Jio Experience Centre that Reliance has set up in its HQ in Navi Mumbai and tried out every one of the cool tools I am sharing below: For starters, Jio will only work with a handset that is 4G VoLTE enabled. You can check at the Jio.com site for list of compatible phones or buy one of the Reliance LYF phones. Because VoLTE sends voice as a digital packet it is able to ensure crystal clear quality. Jio also throws in active noise cancelling -- clever electronics that cancels out the surrounding noise. This technology is normally found in high end headphones.

If you download an additional app from “MyJio”, you can exploit Rich Communication Services. This allows you to convert any call you are making into a video call –on the fly! You can toggle from audio to video at will. Of course, the called party also needs to install the RCS app. The app also allows you to attach a map with your current location. Imagine, I am calling a friend to say “ I am on the 2nd floor of the mall, opposite the coffee shop”, and he or she will get a live map on the screen as we speak, to follow till we meet!

Jio seems also be banking on the Indian craze for Cinema and TV serials -- It has created apps where you can access hundreds of movies and serials in Marathi, Hindi, English, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati and Punjabi – in full HD. Right now, this is free. In 2017, this will involve a subscription, though I see Reliance being quite aggressive here too.

More than the things that already come with Jio today, there are some useful services in the pipeline. I saw work in progress where the SIM fuels a tiny device that plugs into the Onboard Diagnostic Port ( ODB) of a car and turns it into a smart car – you can disable the car, if it is stolen, feed

Latest upgrade to the Asus Zenfone range has beefed up the camera and display

P 08

JioFi, your pocket WiFi hotspot

BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS

BY VISHNU ANAND

This speaker floats on water!

The waterproof UE Roll 2 has its own rubber raft and can liven up a pool party

You need a 4G VoLTE phone to be able to enjoy the Jio service, right?

Yes and no. Reliance has unveiled a way of enjoying Jio data services on a non- 4G phone. You can use a Jio data SIM with the JioFi, a small palm-sized devices that comes with its own battery. It creates a Jio hotspot and you can now enjoy Video calls, HD Voice calls, SMS and even Video conferencing facility on your 2G or 3G phone. The latest version of JioFi which costs Rs 1999, will create a hotspot, much like a home router – that can serve up to 31 devices within its range.

entertainment to the back seat occupants, navigate turn by turn… The same Jio SIM was shown turning any TV into a smart Internet TV. It sets up a home automation system and control entry through your front door….. Clearly the people behind Jio are working towards the future when it will live up to its name and enable users to ‘jio’, a fulsome digital life.

IndiaTechOnline

Bluetooth and speakers are two things made for each other. The wireless technology, usually good at up to 10 metres, untethers the speaker from messy wires and lets you stream your favourite music to it from a variety of external devices—phone, music player, whatever. But outdoor parties can often be a bit wet too, especially if there is a swimming pool in the mix. Ultimate Ears UE Roll 2, is the first wireless speaker we have tried out, that can float in the middle of a pool or bathtub. The accessory is a tiny rubber raft on which you can tether the speaker and send it sailing out into a swimming pool. it will belt away its music loud-n-clear from all sides thanks to two efficient tweeters and a woofer.

Yet the discus shaped, UE Roll2 with its waterproof jacket easily fits in one hand, has a bungee type elastic cord to secure it to a your belt or bike if required and still weighs just 300 grams.What it lacks if anything is the functionality of a speaker phone: you can’t take your incoming calls on the UR Roll2. But at parties in a pool, who would want to? The speaker costs Rs 8495.

Lamp doubles as speaker

Zebronics has added coloured LEDs to turn an Bluetooth speaker into the centrepiece of your room

India leads in mobile economy growth

GSMA study finds nation is one of the fastest growing mobile economies

SIM, 4G LTE Zenfone 3 Laser is the ability to click superior images, thanks to the ultra fast focus speeds and inbuilt image stabilization technology that smoothens images on-the-go.

Low light images are especially good and multiple enhancement options

available Yes, the price of Rs. 19,999, is also an advance on the Zenfone 2 (!) but buyers who value the superior camera and click options won’t complain.

IndiaTechOnline

Benvenuto a Pune!

Italy-based global leader in power transmission and control, Bonfiglioli, is to set up its newest Indian facility in Pune, across 4500 square metres of space in Chakan.

The unit will contain 11 assembly centres and 2,000 warehouse locations, all consistent with the Bonfiglioli standards of quality and safety worldwide. The total capacity is expected to be 150,000 units per year to serve customers in food, packaging, cement, steel, pharmaceutical, textile, material handling, sugar, power generation, paper and water treatment sectors. The plant is scheduled to be up by March 2017.

Bonfiglioli already operates two plants in Tamil Nadu: at the SIDCO Industrial Area, Thirumudivakkam, covering an area of 18,000 sq.m. and the Mannur plant located close to Sriperumbudur covering an area of 10,000 sq.m. These plants are highly integrated facilities that manufacture gearboxes and gearmotors for mobile machinery, wind turbines and industrial processes. The facilities also houses an R&D Centre, which develops products tailor-made for the Indian market.

Simultaneous with the Pune-based

A new study by the GSM Association, the global body representing most of the world’s mobile operators, finds that India leads the world in the growth of cellular markets, with almost a billion mobile subscribers by 2020.

The report entitled ‘The Mobile Economy: India 2016’, suggests that at the end of June 2016, 616 million unique users had subscribed to mobile services in India, making it the second-largest mobile market globally.

India also overtook the United States in 2016 to become the world’s second-largest smart phone market with an installed base of 275 million devices.

There is also a perceptible technology shift to mobile broadband services; the number of 3G/4G mobile broadband connections is forecast to reach more than 670 million by 2020, almost half of all connections. As of mid-2016, around 430 million people had access to mobile internet services, a figure that will increase to almost 670 million by 2020, or about half the population. The survey found that lack of awareness and locally relevant content are the biggest barriers to internet usage.

IndiaTechOnline

‘Welcome to Pune’! Italian gear-motor leader Bonfiglioli to set up 4500 sqm facility in Chakan

Sonia Bonfiglioli, Chairman of the Bonfiglioli Group, laying the corner stone of a girls home at Govindavadi Village, Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu.

expansion, Bonfiglioli is also creating a new facility of 14,000 sq.m adjacent to

the current plant at Thirumudivakkam, to house modern assembly lines, an R&D

Centre and test labs.

The company has budgeted Rs 85 Crores (11.3 million euro) for the Pune and Chennai expansions.

Says Sonia Bonfiglioli, Chairman of Bonfiglioli Group: “Bonfiglioli is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, but we are not looking at the past. We are looking toward the future and how Bonfiglioli can become a model for industrial development, and how we can better serve our customers in high growth countries like India. The expansions in India will enable Bonfiglioli to increase the production capacity to drastically reduce lead times to customers in India and nearby countries.”

The company has a strong tradition in corporate social responsibility and Sonia recently helped opened a second home for abandoned and disadvantaged children in Chennai. The new home in Govindavadi Village (Kancheepuram District) is meant for young girls.

Bonfiglioli has manufacturing facilities in India, Slovakia, Germany, Vietnam, China, USA and Brazil.

IndiaTechOnline

Zebronics have added to their speaker range with a new Bluetooth model, hidden in a decorative lamp.

The Lamp Speaker incorporates a 3 watt RMS loudspeaker which can play for 3 hours on a full charge.

It pairs with your mobile phone, doubles as a speaker phone and includeds a microphone. You can connect an MP3 player through the 3.5 mm audio port or insert a micro SD card with your music. Once you have linked your mobile, that can act as the controller to route music to the speaker — either live or recorded. It includes an FM radio tuner.

So far this is about the same functionality as any Bluetooth speaker. The extra bonus is its lighting function with the dynamically changing coloured LED lamps, transforming a functional audio accessory into the centre piece of the room — and the cynosure of all eyes. There is a carry handle — but at 240 grams it is a feather weight.

That alone is worth the asking price of Rs 850 — and yes the music sounds great too!

IndiaTechOnline

IT is like that...

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016

Scrapping notes to hurt economy in near run, say global brokers P 09

Slammed by high court, UP govt declares dengue an epidemic LUCKNOW: With Allahabad High Court breathing down its neck for “nonaction” on dengue prevention, Uttar Pradesh government has declared the outbreak of the disease as an epidemic requiring daily filing of report on the vector-borne viral infection.

“Dengue has been declared epidemic by the state government. The decision in this regard has been taken by the state cabinet,” Principal Secretary (Health) Arun Kumar Sinha told PTI. A notification in this regard has been issued after which private hospitals will have to provide information regarding dengue to government authorities on a day-to-day basis.

The high court had asked the state government as to what strategies it had adopted for prevention and control of vector-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

A division bench comprising Justice V K Shukla and Justice M C Tripathi passed the order, while directing the state’s Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) to furnish details of the number of patients afflicted with these diseases who may be admitted in government or private hospitals across the state.

Over 800 people have been affected in Lucknow district alone, while data from other places were not immediately available. Chief Medical Officer Dr SNS Yadav said that with the change in weather moving towards the colder side, there will be a gradual decline in dengue cases, as the virus causing Aedes Agypti mosquito cannot survive cold weather conditions.

PTI

“Should women in the country not get equal rights? SP, BSP and Congress will not speak on (triple talaq) but we do not have any fear. I want to say from this platform that in the coming polls, besides development and eradication of goondas, respect of women should be made a poll issue.”

- Amit Shah, President, BJP

Centre agrees to arm babus with graft shield

Minister says decision necessary to ensure bureaucracy continues to work without fear or favour

NEW DELHI: All central government employees may get a ‘shield’ from prosecution as the Centre has okayed changes in anti-corruption law and decided to make it mandatory for investigating agencies like CBI to take it’s prior approval before conducting any enquiry against them. Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the government has readied a draft anti-corruption amendment bill to protect honest officers.

“We have decided to introduce the anti-corruption amendment bill in the upcoming Session of the Parliament.

A provision for providing safeguard to all categories of government employees is being offered there. The changes are to ensure that honest employees are not harassed,” said Singh, Minister of State for Personnel.

The Winter Session begins from Wednesday.

Talking to reporters, he said such a decision was necessary to ensure that the bureaucracy, which is essential tool of good governance, continues to work without any fear or favour.

The decision assumes significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently said that the government’s job

Wildlife population could drop by 75% Global wildlife populations could decline by two-thirds by 2020, a new report said as it placed India fifth in terms of capacity to produce renewable resources and absorb spillover wastes like carbon dioxide.

The report said food production to meet demands of growing human population was the “primary” factor responsible for the destruction of habitats and over-exploitation of wildlife.

It said despite the low personal carbon footprint of Indians, it is a “challenge” when aggregated by population size and predicted that the equation will be further affected as wealth grows.

“Global wildlife populations could decline by an average of 67 per cent between 1970-2020 as a result of human activities. Global populations of birds, mammals, amphibians, fish and reptiles have already declined by 58 per cent between 1970 and 2012, the most recent year with available data.

“This places the world on a trajectory of a potential two-thirds decline within a span of the halfcentury ending in 2020,” WWF’s Living Planet Report 2016 said while highlighting the magnitude of human impact on the planet and the changes needed in the way society is fed and fuelled.

The report said just as human demand on nature varies among countries, nature’s biocapacity — ecosystem’s capacity to produce resources such as food, fibre and renewable raw materials and absorb spillover wastes like carbon dioxide — is unevenly distributed.

PUNE

“Brazil, China, US, Russia and India account for nearly half of the planet’s total biocapacity. These few countries function as global biocapacity hubs as they are among the primary exporters of resources to the other countries.

“This results in great pressure on ecosystems in these countries, undoubtedly contributing to habitat loss. This is an example where pressure is driven by consumption activities in other, distant countries,” it said. The 2016 report noted that food production is primarily responsible for the destruction of habitats and over- exploitation of wildlife.

“At present, agriculture occupies about one-third of the Earth’s total land area and accounts for almost 70 per cent of water use. India ranks fifth in terms of biocapacity...India’s carbon footprint currently makes up 53 per cent of the country’s overall ecological footprint,” the report said. The top threats to species are linked to human activities, including habitat loss, degradation and overexploitation of wildlife, the report said.

PTI

Vol-III* lssue No.: 22 Editor: Tushar Burman (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: 020-41220010.

Anti-corruption amendment bill assumes significance as Prime Minister had recently said that the government’s job is to ensure safety of honest staff. Courtesy:lifebeforedeath

is to ensure safety of honest employees.

The move is also based on the recommendation of a Parliamentary Committee, which had suggested the shield for public servants by making it mandatory conditions for probe agencies like CBI and police to take “previous approval” of competent authority before conducting any enquiry or investigation against a public servant — including from peon to Secretary.

However, such an approval will not be necessary for cases involving “arrest of a person on the spot on the charge of accepting or attempting to accept any undue advantage for himself or for any other person”, the panel had said.

The Committee, that examined changes in the Prevention of Corruption

Act, 1988, gave its report in August this year.

The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 19, 2013 during the UPA rule. However, it was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee, which had submitted its report to the Upper House on February 6, 2014, but the bill could not be passed then.

On April 29 last year, the Union Cabinet gave its approval to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act by pursuing the amendment bill after moving official amendments.

It was on December 7 last year sent to the Select Committee for examination and report.

PTI

Adverse effects of air pollution, described as the world’s biggest environmental risk

by WHO, may linger on in Delhi for generations to come, experts warn.

New studies in this area, indicating that its impact may be ‘transgenerational’, have unsettled pollution experts and doctors here.

TK Joshi, Director, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, told PTI that a study by the US-based National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has uncovered this fact.

“New research that has shaken all of us says that if a fetus is exposed to air pollution, she has change in her genes, and these changes are such that they don’t remain confined to her only.

“The impact is transgenerational.

That means her children, her grand children will be affected. And you cannot undo a change in gene. If we don’t control this then we are creating lot of diseases to which we do not have any cure, like asthma, cancer, stroke,” Joshi said.

While the phenomenon holds true for people cutting across the world, it will be more so for residents of cities like Delhi, known for notoriously high levels of pollution. It also turn on its head the conventional wisdom that pollution affects only certain vulnerable categories such as children, the elderly, people with respiratory diseases and expecting mothers.

Joshi rued that indoor air pollution was an area that has seen the “least amount” of work. Its potential impact on health is a riddle that needs to solved.

“That is what is sorely needed, to find its short and long term impact, serious or mild effects. Itching of eyes, sneezing are mild effects, but if you say cancer it’s very serious. So the riddle is yet to be solved,” Joshi said. Echoing these views, Prof Mukesh Khare of IIT Delhi said the latest findings make indoor air pollution more significant, as people, especially expecting mothers, spend more time inside.

“Urban indoor air quality is an area that is not well- researched. The Central Pollution Control Board had put a draft of indoor air quality monitoring guidelines on its website in 2014 but there has no forward movement since.

We need to have prescribed standards like for outdoor air,” he said.

Air pollution is killing nearly eight lakh people annually in the South East Asian Region with India alone accounting for over 75 per cent of the casualties caused by cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. Delhi is the 11th most polluted city in the world (based on data collected between 200813), according to the latest rankings released by the UN agency.

PTI PTI

Karnataka HC stalls Uber’s surge charge The Karnataka High Court partially upheld the constitutional validity of the state’s transportation rules for cab aggregators and stalled Uber’s surge pricing, holding that fares charged cannot exceed those prescribed by the state government.

“The court partially upholds the constitutional validity of On-demand Transportation Technology Rules (OTTR) of 2016 and hopes that Uber would comply with the undertaking given before the high court that it would not hike the fares prescribed by the state government,” Justice Raghavendra S Chauhan said. The court held some sections of the rules as unconstitutional.

Justice Chauhan allowed Uber a month’s time to comply with and get a licence to ensure smooth operations.

Uber had challenged OTTR in the court after the transport department impounded vehicles for not securing licences under the new norms.

PTI

Air pollution may last for generations

PROUD STEP

Jawans from Rajasthan perform marchpast during their convocation parade after completion of their 40 weeks training at the Sashastra Seema Bal Training Centre in Chandukhedi, near Bhopal

All India Judicial Service need of the hour Reform meant to improve the subordinate judiciary is long pending, and will help reduce case backlogs

BY SUBHASHIS MITTRA Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to create an All India Judicial Service on the lines of Indian Administrative Service to expand the lower judiciary is welcome. The prime minister advocated the possibility of including “Dalits and the exploited sections” in a new, improved judiciary. Terming government as the “biggest litigant”, Modi said there is a need to lessen the load on the judiciary which spends its maximum time in tackling cases where the government is a party.

Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of the Delhi High Court, the Prime Minister said the load on the judiciary can be reduced if cases are filed after taking a considered view. He said if a teacher approaches court over a service matter and wins, then the judgement should be used as a yardstick to extend the benefit to thousands of others to reduce litigation at a later stage.

Though there are no concrete figures, government is party to at least 46 per cent of the court cases ranging from service matters to indirect taxes.

While the Centre has so far failed to finalise the litigation policy, several states have gone ahead with their respective policies based on the 2010 draft of the Law Ministry. The draft litigation policy, which is being finetuned keeping in view the latest trends, makes it

clear that the mindset that matters should be left to the courts for an final decision, should to be discarded.

While addressing the audience, the prime minister and the chief justice of India also addressed each other.

This time the messages from the two pillars of democracy were positive. Chief Justice of India TS Thakur asked his flock to accept that public perceptions of judicial rectitude have fallen, and that the judiciary must rise to the challenge. And the prime minister, while calling yet again for an All India Judicial Service — the vexed question has been in the air since 1960, and has been revived repeatedly — suggested debate on the matter.

There is absolutely no doubt that India’s legal infrastructure is stunted. The reform meant to improve the subordinate judiciary is long pending, and will help reduce the backlog of cases. A rigorous recruitment process, akin to the All India Civil Services Examination, will draw in good people and also ensure a gradual supply of talent for elevation to the high court and the Supreme Court. India has just 13 judicial posts

per million people, though the Law Commission had recommended 50 judges per million of the population, based on the ratio prevalent in the US in 1981.

Vacancies are massive, and the scarcity is worsened in some states due to judicial absenteeism. This also explains why India ranks a lowly 172 when it comes to enforcement of contracts in the World Bank’s ranking on ease of doing business.

Newly appointed judges will need additional court rooms. Building those courtrooms would spur much needed investment.

There is a need for comprehensive judicial reform to cover the whole gamut of requirements: more judges, streamlined procedure to hear cases continuously, sort cases by the legal principle at stake, and identify settled judicial opinion, so that junior courts do not waste time and money delivering judgments that are guaranteed to be overturned by a higher court.

PTI Feature

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016

PUNE

“It’s the fault of terrorists and we are talking about war, not charity. In war you always have innocents hurt or killed. What do you do? You do your best. Terrorists are still in Aleppo and use civilians as human shields.”

- Bashar al-Assad, President, Syria

Ila Patil claims victory in PuneGoa cycling race P 10

Trump’s success a triumph of style over substance

TORONTO: Style, not substance, may have accounted for Donald Trump’s Republican nomination and subsequent success before being elected as the 45th US President, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia compared Trump’s speech style and Twitter usage to that of the other top nine Republican contenders.

The 70-year old real-estate mogul and reality star consistently ranked highest in ratings of grandiosity, “I”statements, informal language, vocal pitch variation, and use of Twitter.

Trump beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the knife-edge November 8 polls, defying the odds to become the US President-elect after starting off as a political outsider.

“Trump’s outrageous statements

over the course of the campaign led many political pundits to underestimate his chances of success,” said Delroy L Paulhus, professor at UBC. “Contrary to what might be expected, grandiosity, simplistic language and rampant Twitter activity were statistical predictors of success in the Republican primaries,” said Paulhus.

“Although Trump’s bombastic communication style was shocking - even detestable to many viewers - our research suggests that this style helped him win the Republican nomination,” he said.

Speech segments from Trump, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Rick Perry, Lindsey Graham and Mike Huckabee were transcribed and analysed using a computerised text analysis software.

PTI

Uphold human rights: Amnesty LONDON: Amnesty International urged US president-elect Donald Trump to commit to upholding human rights, criticising his “poisonous rhetoric” following the Republican candidate’s election victory.

Trump has “raised serious concerns about the strength of commitment we can expect to see from the United States towards human rights in the future,” said Salil Shetty, secretary general of the Londonbased group.

“He must now put this behind

him and both reaffirm and abide by the United States’ obligations on human rights, at home and abroad,” Shetty said.

Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA, criticised “disturbing and, at times, poisonous rhetoric” from Trump in the campaign.

“This rhetoric cannot and must not become government policy. The xenophobic, sexist and other hateful remarks made

by Trump have no place in government...”

AFP

Hope to engage with Trump on terror, Kashmir and Pak: HAF NEW YORK: An advocacy organisation for “Hindu-Americans” has said it hopes to engage with the administration of President-Elect Donald Trump on pressing issues such as Kashmir, terror fomented by radical Islam and America’s ties with “nations that sponsor terrorism”.

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) congratulated the Republican and said it looks forward to working with his administration to address “issues that are of deep concern to

many in the Hindu-American community”.

“In carrying out our nation’s foreign policy, of utmost concern to HAF continues to be: gross human rights violations borne by Hindus and other religious minorities around the world, especially in countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, where radical Islam is fomenting terror and violence, Pakistan’s proxy war in Kashmir and violence against Hindu minorities in Kashmir, as well as bilateral ties of the United

States with nations that sponsor terrorism,” the group said in a statement issued here.

Encouraged by Trump’s call to “bind the wounds of division”, HAF expressed hope this commitment would extend to issues like monitoring and combating hate crimes, comprehensive immigration reform with specific attention to religious worker visas, equitable H-1B policy, and accommodation for Hindu refugees fleeing persecution.

PTI

PEACEMAKERS

Portraits of famous personalities such as Mother Theresa, from right to left, Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, Mahatma Gandhi and the Dalai Lama are painted on concrete parts of the Berlin wall in Teltow near Berlin, Germany. The painted sections of the wall are for sale. On November 9, 27 years ago, the wall fell in Berlin. AP/PTI

Chinese official to head Interpol BEIJING: A top Chinese security official was elected to head the Interpol, in a move that could come as a likely boost to China’s anti-graft crackdown at home.

Vice Minister for Public Security Meng Hongwei was elected President of the International Criminal Police Organisation, making him the first Chinese to take the prestigious post.

Meng took over from his predecessor Mireille Ballestrazzi of France at the closing ceremony of Interpol’s 85th General Assembly in Bali, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The Interpol President heads its Executive Committee and is elected by the General Assembly for a period of four years.

In his speech, Meng promised to work together with all member-states of Interpol to build the international group into a stronger platform for global police cooperation. He said he will promote more effective global police cooperation, better support the capacity-building efforts of police in all member countries, improve the coordination among regional and global police forces with a view to building a safer world.

PTI

His broken promises anger village BALMEDIE (UK): In a Scottish village on the shores of the North Sea, US president-elect Donald Trump is nothing but a nuisance neighbour for many local residents.

The golf resort he owns in Balmedie has congratulated the tycoon on his stunning election win, but members of the community said he broke promises on creating jobs and rode roughshod over concerns about construction.

Locals also complain about the six-foot wall the billionaire developer had built around Trump International Golf Links,

May criticised for her ‘shambolic’ visit LONDON: Describing as “shambolic” British Prime Minister Theresa May’s just-concluded visit to India, former Liberal Democrats leader Paddy Ashdown criticised her hardline stance on immigration as “damaging” to UK’s economy.

Ashdown spoke as he accompanied the party’s Richmond Park and North Kingston by-election candidate Sarah Olney to a curry restaurant.

The pair spoke with the owner and head chef of the Roz Ana restaurant in Kingston about its problems recruiting chefs from abroad and the impact of Brexit on rising food prices.

“May’s dogmatic approach on immigration is damaging Britain’s economy and letting down businesses, including by undermining trade talks during her shambolic trip to India this week,” Ashdown said.

He said May’s reluctance to liberalise the visa policy was “totally at odds” with the stand ‘Leave’ camp had taken during the referedum campaign to break out of

Social media competition ‘India to suffer if it joins Japan on SCS’ pushes people to exercise more India may suffer “great losses” in bilateral trade if it joins Japan during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to ask China to abide by an international tribunal’s ruling quashing Beijing’s claims over disputed South China Sea (SCS), Chinese media warned recently.

“India should beware of the possibility that by becoming embroiled in the disputes, it might end up being a pawn of the US and suffer great losses, especially in terms of business and trade, from China,” an oped article in staterun Global Times said.

Citing media reports that India is seeking support from Tokyo during Modi’s visit to Japan this week to issue a joint statement asking China to abide by July ruling of the tribunal on the SCS, it said, “India and China should put more efforts into resolving problems like the imbalance of their trade ties”.

“India won’t benefit much by balancing China through Japan. It will

Prime Minister Narendra Modi before his departure for Thailand and Japan visit

only lead to more mistrust between New Delhi and Beijing,” it said.

“India’s proposal to make new waves in the SCS first came to Singapore last month, but Singapore, a master of the rebalancing strategy, snubbed it. The rejection shows India lacks legitimacy and leadership in making new waves in the SCS,” the article said.

PTI

Competing on social media may increase people’s fitness dramatically, according to a new study which also found that support from friends could make one less likely to go to the gym.

For the study, researchers recruited about 800 students for an 11-week exercise programme. The fitness initiative included weekly exercise classes, fitness mentoring and nutrition advice, all managed through a website built by the researchers.

After programme completion, the students who attended the most exercise classes for activities like running, spinning, yoga and weight lifting, among others, won prizes.

“We found that social media can increase people’s fitness dramatically,” said Damon Centola, associate professor from University of Pennsylvania in the US. Participants did not know that the researchers had split them into four groups to test how different kinds of

social networks affected their exercise levels. The four groups were - individual competition, team support, team competition and a control group.

In the individual group, participants could see exercise leaderboards listing anonymous programme members and earned prizes based on their own success attending classes.

For each team group, participants were assigned to a unit. In the team support group, they could chat online and encourage team members to exercise, with rewards going to the most successful teams with the most class attendance.

In addition, those in the team competition group could see a leaderboard of other teams and their team standing.

Participants in the control group could use the website and go to any class, but were not given any social connections on the website; prizes in this group were based on individual success

drawing an analogy with the barrier he is planning for the Mexican border.

“This local area here was promised 1,400 jobs, a fivestar hotel, two golf courses, an equestrian centre and God knows what else and we’ve got nothing,” said Michael Foote, whose property overlooks the course.

His advice for the American people? “Good luck.”

“Mr Trump’s recent remarks have shown that he is no longer fit to be a business ambassador for Scotland,” a government spokesman said in December.

taking classes. Competition motivated participants to exercise the most, with attendance rates 90 per cent higher in the competitive groups than in the control group.

Both team and individual competition equally drove the students to work out, with participants in the former taking a mean of 38.5 classes a week and those in the latter taking 35.7. Members of the control group went to the gym far less often, on average 20.3 times a week.

The biggest surprise came in the number of workouts a week by members of the team support group - just 16.8, on average - half the exercise rate of the competitive groups.

“Social support can make people more dependent on receiving messages, which can change the focus of the programme,” said Jingwen Zhang, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis in the US. PTI

Theresa May

the European Union.

“Leading Brexiteers like Priti Patel said a vote to ‘Leave’ would save British curry houses struggling with a shortage of skilled chefs; now as senior ministers at the heart of this government these ‘Brexiteers’ are failing the very businesses they promised to help. “The Liberal Democrats will hold this Conservative Brexit government to account for the cynical attempts made to mislead voters during the referendum campaign.”

PTI

Study finds motivated participants in team groups to exercise the most, with higher attendance rates

MONEY MATT ER S “Segments where there is a Hide & Seek or Unibic cookies our presence is zero. If we can get something in that segment under one of our successful brands, it will give us good results.”

— Varun Berry, Managing Director, Britannia

Signpost ‘Broad, ambitious’ FTA with India: EU The European Union remains committed to a “broad and ambitious” free trade agreement (FTA) with India, but hopes that the “stalemate” on the issue would be resolved soon, a senior EU trade official said.

Addressing the Trade and Investment Partnership Summit (TIPS) 2016 organised by the Europe-India Chamber of Commerce (EICC) in Brussels, Jolana Mungengova member of the Cabinet of EU Trade Commissioner - expressed hope that the “stalemate” would be overcome soon. “The EU and India are long-lasting partners and the EU remains committed to a broad and ambitious FTA with India,” Mungengova said.

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016

“We have been in India for 104 years, 99.9 per cent of my company is Indian starting with me... I am proud of this heritage that we have in this country and proud of what the company has done in this country.”

— Suresh Narayanan, Chairman, Nestle India

Scrapping notes to hurt economy in near run, say global brokers PTI

MUMBAI: Government’s step to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes will hurt economy in the short run specifically discretionary consumption, gold and property demand, but the measure in the long term will help formalise the economy, according to global financial services majors.

Taking the nation by surprise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday night had announced demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes with effect from midnight, making these notes invalid in a major assault on black money, fake currency and corruption.

In his first televised address to the nation, Modi said people holding notes of Rs 500 and Rs

1000 can deposit the same in their bank and post office accounts from November 10 till December 30.

“In the near-term, this move may hurt economic activity, specifically discretionary consumption, gold and property demand,” UBS said in a note adding in the long term it would result in efficiency and access to lower cost of capital.

Japanese brokerage Nomura said while citizens will be inconvenienced in the short term and the move could hurt consumption demand, this is a big medium-term positive in the government’s effort to crack down on black money and corruption.

The move will help boost the government’s tax revenue collections as some of the black money is brought under legitimate channels, Nomura said.

PTI

Currency move gets thumbs up from people

WASHINGTON: Hailing the Indian government’s decision of demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes, US experts have said the success of this radical anti-corruption step would depend on its implementation.

“This is a surprising and radical policy to get at the core of one of India’s problem corruption,” Puneet Manchanda, professor of marketing at the Ross School of Business, said.

“The positives are that it signals clear intent and action to minimise corruption. The negatives are that it targets low and midlevel corruption, it is less likely that large-level

HC rejects PIL against demonetisation

corruption is heavy on cash,” he said.

Markets such as real estate are likely to be slowed due to the lack of liquidity. Thus, it is hard to predict the short term effect, but it can only help in the medium term, he said.

Vikramaditya Khanna, professor at University of Michigan Law School, said, “How effective this measure will be in addressing corruption and unaccounted money will depend in part on whether the most likely methods of evading it are being policed effectively. Time will only tell but it is a bold move to address a problem plaguing India for many years.”

The Madras High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation seeking scrapping of the central government’s notification demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes, on the ground that it cannot interfere in the policies of the government related to monetary system. The court’s Madurai bench agreed with the contention of the Assistant Solicitor General that it was part of the government’s policy to eradicate black money in the country, strengthen the economy and also protect the nation from terrorism. Petitioner M Seeni Ahamed, state General Secretary of the Indian National league, had challenged the notification.

Nestle India counters Ramdev’s charges, reaffirms ‘Indianness’

developing countries in his book, published by Sage.

It takes a close look at one of the key stories in emerging markets: the untapped potential of the world’s 3.4 billion rural consumers - 90 per cent of whom live in Asia and Africa. It book provides a profile of the rural developing world and examines the forces that are increasing rural prosperity, including billions of dollars in remittances from migrant workers. It also includes several examples of innovations and best practices that are allowing companies to tap into this opportunity.

“My purpose in this book also is to showcase the strategies that forward-thinking companies, NGOs, and social organisations are using to reach rural consumers. Those companies have what I call rural DNA: they have developed inclusive strategies that cover both rural and urban residents.

PTI

Regardless of what bike you ride, your knees and thighs are typically going to come into contact with the fuel tank/airbox cover, which is usually made of painted metal or plastic. The problem is that metal and plastic don’t stick very well to textile, nylon or any material that you’d typically wear as pants on a motorcycle ride. Anchoring to your bike with your knees and thighs is critical for safety and confidence.

Most sport riders are familiar with grippy stickers that you can put in place on the sides of your tank to alleviate this.

Techspec is one such brand, which makes a unique ‘snakeskin’ pattern rubber material that can be applied to your tank with adhesive.

Unlike some other brands of grip pads that look like organic globs or some sort of acupressure surface, the Techspec item is a fairly basic,

AUGUST 6, 2016 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

TGS LIFE JULY 9, 2016 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

Road-tripping in Thailand

by a Gujarati. He has a huge fan following!

Having been (and motorcycled across) the country twice, I almost tend to take it personally when people refer to the country and its sex trade, as if the nation is one giant red light district. It isn’t, and you should definitely avoid visiting it with someone who holds that belief.

This author travelled the length of the country with his spouse, feeling perfectly secure despite being a nervous traveller. It truly is a place where you can hit the road without any specific plan and come off the bike feeling like you’ve explored and seen something new.

@tburman

S

till buzzing from what must have been thousands of curves across just over a hundred kilometres of road, it occurred to us that perhaps we should take a break and refuel our bodies, since the Honda CB500X we were riding showed no signs of using any significant quantity of gasoline. We were at Pai canyon, a small lookout point for tourists along the highway with four food and one coffee stall.

My spouse enjoys the occasional coffee, so she requested one. The beans were promptly ground in front of us, mixed with condensed milk, ice and water, and served in a convenient plastic container. All this while, I bit down on a prepackaged Tuna sandwich knowing full well that the nearest fresh tuna was at least 1200km away.

Both the sandwich and coffee were fresh and delicious. If this was roughing it on a road trip, it’s exactly my style.

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TGS LIFE

Mustang, but the saving grace was that those were around the lauded Buddh International Circuit, India’s only F1 track. As you’d expect, the Mustang is pretty fast in a straight line. This time round, it isn’t too bad around the corners either, having an independent rear suspension instead of an ancient liveaxle type found in most generations of the car. This is clearly a grand-tourer sort of car.

The suspension feels quite plush, there’s perceptible body roll when you’re hustling around the corners and things are generally smooth at speed. I suppose we should be pleased as consumers that we’ve come to a point where we can actually buy much harder-core performance cars in this price bracket.

The V8 sounds nice inside the cabin, but isn’t particularly evocative insideChiang or out. It’s butjump-off muted burble Maia isdeep your point that comes to the ear; no snap crackle and adventures pop drama of European tyre-burners. The India edition only comes with the 6-speed

Perfect roads as far as the eye can see

for motorcycle

Our Honda CB500X proved an able, fun and comfortable ride for our trip

TANKED-UP TGS LIFE

JUNE 25, 2016 PUNE

JUNE 11, 2016

THRILL OF DRIVING

By Tushar Burman @tburman

W

The TUV300 urban SUV gets more punch with a 100hp motor

that Himachal Pradesh is likely to make more of a dent in your bank balance. Food, boarding and infrastructure are organised and consistent, typical of a nation that takes tourism seriously, and with pride. You never pass a street stall without a sing-song “Sawatdi-khaaaa” (Thai for namaste, quite literally), friendly smiles and a disarming lack of guile. Thailand also has strong cultural connects to India, having a Hindu and Buddhist history. It occasionally surprises the uninformed when encountering names and iconography from the Ramayan and other Hindu mythology. There is, in fact, a Thai version of the Ramayan on TV, with Ram played

are present and are best used in sport mode or one of the sharper driving modes. There are four of those, including a “Track” mode that turns off the traction control, unleashing all 515Nm upon the rear wheels. Some of our colleagues were caught unawares as their cars did unintended 180-degree turns.

The Mustang isn’t for the hardcore trackjunkie, despite what the driving modes may say. The tendency is to safely understeer as opposed to snap-oversteer. Of course, you can get it to do the latter but it’s a deliberate effort. The upside is that it’s very easy to get used to and just, well, drive. Suspension is pliant and comfortable, ground clearance is generous, which should make it good to use in our road and traffic conditions. The interior is a bit bland — all black and grey surfaces, but with a surfeit of buttons. The steering wheel has no less than four separate clusters of buttons for various controls. Everything is generally where you expect it, save for the bonnet release, which is inexplicably

west of Chiang Mai which is considered one of the best riding roads in Asia. Among the first stopovers on this route is a popular, but still tiny town called Pai, which we visited. If Chiang Mai were Pune, think of Pai as Wai, except 140km away.

Nestled in a valley replete with waterfalls and lush greenery, Pai is a small town with a growing tourist population, pioneered by backpackers. It’s close enough to the border with Myanmar to have cultural influences of the hill tribes in terms of food and clothing, but significant enough to have all the infrastructural

MOTORS IN THAILAND Riding or driving in the country is bound to feel familiar to an Indian tourist. For one thing, they drive on the left side of the road — a colonial vestige similar to ours. They accept International Driving Permits issued in India.

Being part of the ASEAN region with a large contract manufacturing industry also means Shima a recently-released Polish brand of that vehicles tend to be similaris to what you’ll see on Indian roads. Toyota Innovas and Corollas,far less known than the typical motorcycle apparel, Suzuki Swifts, Nissans and familiar European gear you’ll see on your mates on a Sunday ride. luxury cars in urban areas. What you’re likely to they aren’t be unprepared for However, is the automotive culture of scrimping on their debut. customisation that If seems the is country. theto pervade catalog anything to go by, the lineup is It’s ridiculous! On my first day in Bangkok, I was thorough and top-notch betraying no cost-cutting. passed by a courier delivery truck with massive tested the D-Tour WP (waterproof) gloves oversize rims and We’ve tyres. Even cabs — whether licensed or Uber —and are seldom without an impressed. To begin with, have seen come away obligatory level of customisation. the price isis right: Rs 4800 for a pair of this kind Automotive enthusiasm even more is a good the dealThai indeed. evident in the two-wheelers ride. There are several things to Unlike in India, where culturally, we’re about Key is the fused liner, which like about the gloves. “bigger is better”, the Thai have a different take Shima calls NextFit/NextDry. What this means on their commuter vehicles.

Step-thrus and

SHIMA D-TOUR WP GLOVES

THOROUGHBRED here are many legends surrounding the birth of the Ford Mustang, one of America’s most well-known performance cars. I will avoid the word “iconic” because it’s so overused in this context that I challenge you to find a launch or drive report without it. One such legend has its name inspired by the legendary P51 Mustang fighter aircraft used by the USAF, which makes sense seeing its “aviation inspired” interior on this 2015 model we drove. Other stories tell of how the entire allocation of the original run of the Ford Mustang sold out in just a few months. It has been an immensely popular vehicle since its birth in 1964-65, and this is its 52nd year in continuous production, despite the challenges of the ‘70s oil crisis, various downturns and such. Other muscle cars have come, gone and been resurrected, but the Mustang has been a constant.

The model Ford has launched in India is the Mustang GT and it wears all-new bodywork compared to the outgoing model. The previous generation started the “retro-futuristic” craze back in 2005 and has served the company well, spawning innumerable special editions and variations on performance and body style. This new model bears the same basic shape, but has a much more stylish, swoopy visage. The front is more aggressive with a wider grille and three slashes in each headlamp, while the rear looks more old-school with the same three-segment design following through.

The classic long bonnet and short boot with a fastback roofline remains, covering a 2+2 cabin and a surprisingly roomy boot! It’s all very well executed, betraying no irony or cheesy nostalgia. This truly does look like many decades of progress have been made to get to this handsome shape.

The Mustang is only available in the V8 engine option for India, which makes

MOTO GEAR

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hen we last drove the TUV300 shortly after its launch, it was a pleasant surprise in its package, refinement and general ability around the city. At the time, we didn’t really take it on an extended highway jaunt and probably just as well; you see, in it’s previous guise, the TUV300 came with a modest 75hp output motor, which was fine in urban environs, but didn’t really have punch anywhere in the rev range.

That has now changed with Mahindra calling this iteration the mHawk100 motor -- essentially the same thing but now putting out considerably more power and torque, up to 100hp and 240Nm. If you’ve read our previous assessment of the TUV300, not much has changed, save for our experience with other, more recent SUVs in and around the same segment. The TUV300 crossover/hatchback which was globally unveiled in is surprising in its nice interior accoutrements. A great AC, Out back are the jump seats that make this he SUV,urban technically, a very decent infotainment system with Bluetooth and iPod a 7-seater. It’s doable, but not comfortable for long journeys.

Then April, Datsun’s Redi-GO finally makes its way to Indian roads. connectivity that works flawlessly, a nice two-tone Dash that again, have you seen how many passengers tourist cabs can pack The Redi-GO runs on a three-cylinder i-SAT engine mated looks contemporary and a quiet cabin that belies the intrinsic into a Scorpio these days? The jump seats fold 799 up andccrear seats nature of a three-cylinder Diesel engine. It should sound and feel fold down to liberate a lot of extra cargo room, you need it.manual transmission. It produces 53 hp, 72Nm of to ashould five-speed rough, but it doesn’t. Nothing in the SUV does.

Call us picky but this author is not a fan of the TUV’s torque and delivers a fuel efficiency of 25.17 kmpl. The top speed Of particular interest to us in this new 100hp guise of the aesthetic. I’d prefer the front of the NuvoSport with a squat stance is 140 Kmph and the ground clearance is 185mm. The vehicle on TUV, was the suspension. You see, the Mahindra NuvoSport, instead of sharp corners and the face of Bane, Batman’s formidable which we also recently tested, uses the same engine, but has a foe. That said, with a top-end model, you do get at a nice display thefinish, press launch looked solid, with most details standing up problem with considerable body roll. Not so much with the TUV, decent looking alloys and wheels that fill their wells properly. to scrutiny. While it may be built to a cost, it looks good in the flesh which is controlled and feels more secure at highway speeds. It There are even some nice extras like a start-stop system (well, not andextends doesn’t also feels a bit firmer, but that’s a trade-off we’re willing to make: really nice in our traffic), an eco mode that rangebetray while it’s budget category. some more jerks to the spine in exchange of careening off a cliff sacrificing power, and static cornering lamps, Safety which are aisboon courtesy “Datsun PRO-SAFE7” which includes on a sharp bend. Engine performance is also on par with the when turning the wide vehicle in darkness. In fact, we’re confused braking NuvoSport, but after using the TUV’s manual transmission, we about why these features don’t make it toshortest the NuvoSport, whichdistance, high strength body shell to absorb impacts, ended up missing the AMT of the NuvoSport, which somehow gets cruise control as consolation. But thegood TUV doesn’t.

Strange. visibility and wider view of the road, high bolster support while managed to keep things feeling sprightly.

Still, it’s evident from the quality of thecornering, interior that the TUV absorbing steering and a driver airbag. energy With the benefit of hindsight and experience, we can also is meant to be a bit more upmarket. But it costs between 10 and Five personalized kit options are available: Urban, Style, Kool, say that the current TUV300 feels a bit heavy to steer compared 16,000 rupees LESS than the NuvoSport. Confused?

So are we. to peers like the Vitara Brezza and NuvoSport, but retains the On our extended time with the TUV300, urban and Easy Kit - Premium. Colour options available Easywe’ve Kit done - Sporty surprisingly, far better than the NuvoSport practical turning radius we enjoyed previously. It’s squared-off commuting, Mumbai-Pune highway runs, multi-passenger are: White, Silver, Interior Grey,is,Ruby and Lime. The Datsun Redi-GO design (tank-like, according to Mahindra) has the benefit of outings and cargo runs, and we were unable to run the comes with warranty of 2 years/unlimited km andandthe car allowing excellent visibility while squeezing into tight tank dry, so anecdotally, the mHawk100 engine ais also with follow-me-home lamps, parking sensor other bellscan and be spaces, which the TUV can do despite its width. The quite efficient. Highway runs were usually whistles one expects in a India modern App’. vehicle. Mahindra is churning Verdict booked via cruising mobile app called ‘Datsun breadth manifests in internal space as well, with the between 100 and 120, which is where the vehicle out vehicles rapidly based on what are fast turning out to be + Refinement, front passenger having plenty of shoulder space. feels most comfortable. We’re sure the 240Nm is proven platforms. Perhaps at some point they will also consolidate performance, The rear seat is wide enough for three passengers capable of more sprightly performance, but the vehicles to be less confusing. As a parting googly: you can still buy price as well, though we did hear the odd complaint TUV300 weights 2.2 tonnes, so there’s only so the old, less powerful engine with the TUV300, but the new one - Heavy steering much it can do. The rest of it is up-to-date. Dual costs just Rs 8,000 more, so why would you? about jerks being transmitted up into the spine from rear passengers. airbags and ABS are present, as are keyless entry tushar@goldensparrow.com TGS rating ;;;`2

Datsun Redi-GO launched, starting at Rs 2.38 lac

VW launches Ameo compact sedan Sub-4m three-box starts at Rs 5.14 lac

the palm area and a reinforced, soft pad on the knuckle. There’s a rubber screen wiper on each thumb, which worked very well on our rainy rides.

Waterproofing is good, with light showers being repelled entirely. The D Tour WP do seem to run a bit large, so you might need to order one size smaller than your typical glove. Recommended.

Shima D-Tour WP gloves PRICE: Rs 4800 BUY AT: Kombustion Imports & Exports Pvt Ltd (+91 87938 84215)

is that there’s no inner lining flapping about behind the exterior shell. Those can be infuriating to put on and take off.

Shima’s solution is to fuse the waterproof liner with the exterior shell. This makes for a slightly stiff feel, but far more comfortable in the long run.

Fasteners are good, with a velcro cinch at the wrist and a larger velcro pad to secure the cuff, which is extra roomy to accommodate your sleeve, should you choose to wear the gloves over them. The velcro Hondapads themselves are CB500X not the typical sort, with the + Refinement, base (hooked) part being Fueling, practicality a - much Bland flatter, smoother material that catches less on TGS rating dri-fit material. Protection ;;;;2 is adequate for this sort of glove, with some leather in

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MIDDLE CHILD Hardcore performance is great for track days. Audi has a more everyday option @tburman

Minimal badging on the sides and at either end

W has finally put a price tag on its sub-4m sedan — the Ameo, and it’s very competitive. Evidently, the company has taken steps to address its reputation in making cars that are costlier to own than the competition.

In this case, the Ameo ends up being cheaper than their own Polo hatchback, Currently, the Ameo is availabel only with a petrol engine — the same 1.2l MPI three-cylinder motor we’ve seen before in the Skoda Fabia and VW Polo.

A diesel is promised soon. Volkswagen is touting several segment-firsts: rain-sensing wipers, static cornering lamps, cruise control and a centre armrest up front, but the kicker for us is that two airbags and ABS are standard on all variants, which is a big step forward at this price point.

Visually, the Ameo looks very similar to its Polo and Vento cousins, with a slightly stubby-looking front and

back. The rear boot is expectedly short, but allows a bit more cargo volume than the Polo hatchback. It’s not the Large plenty prettiest integration of a boot thatboot we’vestores seen, but VW and is easy to access have been understated in their styling of the rear. In a front three-quarter view, the boot does not draw attention to itself, which is probably a good thing.

Watch for a detailed review of the made-in-India Ameo next week. Prices:

A

udi’s S line of cars don’t get the recognition they deserve. Sitting in between the standard models and the totally performance-oriented RS cars, they sit as the middle child, often overlooked. We have, on occasion, driven the RS5, RS7, even the R8 and come away impressed by the raw power they pack into seemingly standard body styles. But let’s face it: a wolf in sheep’s clothing isn’t likely to make you a nice wool coat. It’d rather eat the coat with you in it. Not so much the car on this page: the S5, which is what Audi calls a “sportback”, basically a sedan with a hatchback rear and more rakish roofline. In terms of size, it sits somewhere between an A4 and an A6 but ends up feeling surprisingly compact.

Even in terms of performance potential, you could consider the S5 the middle child. There are sportscars in the lineup that make less power.

Why then did Audi feel the need to paint the media car in this lurid yellow, we have no idea. It’s a unique shade for sure, akin to pure printer’s ink

R is equipped with Brembo monobloc callipers, Showa big piston forks, Öhlins rear suspension and Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa Tyres.

The Thruxton R is priced at Rs 10.90 lac ex-showroom, Delhi. That’s a lot of bike for the money, and should appeal to a wide swath of motorcyclists with it’s “modern classic” vibe. This rounds out the new Bonneville platform with the Speed Twin, Bonneville T120 and Thruxton R coming in at attractive prices and all immediately available. Triumph continues to push aggressively forward in terms of models and marketing.

There are more than a few lessons for some other manufacturers to learn.

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MERCEDES-BENZ GLC LAUNCHED AT RS 50.7 LAC JUNE 18, 2016 PUNE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

expanse of nice, flat luggage area and very easy to access thanks to the hatch opening. It’s a bit like THRILL the Skoda Octavias of old -- looking like sedansOF DRIVING with hatches hiding huge boots.

On the go, the S5 is a refined experience. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is quick and smooth, and shifts gears with digital efficiency.

Press the throttle with aggression and the gearbox quickly shifts down, releasing a nice V6 roar from the quad pipes out back. It’s a chatty car in that it likes to make nice growly noises when provoked, but never overpowers. The sound is enough for feedback and kicks, but does not cause discomfort.

High-rev gearshifts release a nice crackle from the exhaust. Paddle shifters are present for those times when you think you know better than the car’s electronics. Driving modes can be chosen Dash is usual Audi fare. Dark two-tone upholstery between comfort, dynamic, efficiency or tailored and carbon trim look sporty to your individual tastes. Ride quality is where the generally luxurious experience breaks, with than anything else and it drew attention wherever the large wheels and relatively low profile tyres it went. Though, we suspect, it would pass under transmitting road imperfections to the passenger. the radar in a more sedate paint job. Few, if any Setting the car in ‘Comfort’ mode didn’t do much external features stand out. You have a typical in this regard.

Audi front grille, headlamps and design language On our favourite, winding hill road, the S5 tweaked slightly to accommodate the curvaceous shone with its Quattro permanent all-wheel rear hatch. The red ‘S’ badges are also discreet on drive system. There’s always more grip than you the front and the back. need, and it works well with the performance of Step inside and the treatment is typical Audi. the motor. The specifications will surprise you if “Butat mom! my friends have SUVs with lower and the GL-class). Mercedes provides two If you’ve been in a recent A-type sedan, everything you drive the car before looking theAllbrochure: coefficients!”. IsV6! this a common refrain in engine options: the diesel GLC 220 d outputs is familiar. There’s the MMI screen, central console 329hp and 440Nm from thedrag supercharged your household? Tired of doing the school run 170hp and 400Nm of torque while the petrol and ergonomics as expected, but with a small, We’ve driven much angrier-feeling carsright angles? Mercedes GLC 300 outputs 245hp and 370Nm of torque. in an SUV that has only beendelivers listening tothis you and your burgeoning Officially, Mercedes has launched the fiddly jog dial. The steering wheel also with less power. Thhas e S5 ilk and is readyDespite to address this sticky problem.

GLC ‘Edition 1’, which is their traditional was doesn’t have explicitly labelled phone capability with little drama.

Verdict One is no longer stuck with the BMW X6 as of saying ‘first batch’. As they’ve done before, controls, which is something that being 4.7 metresthelong, the that S5 slices feelsthrough the air rather the Edition 1 cars come into the country as only SUV + Refinement, bashes itfootprint into submission.

CBUs (fully imported). This is Mercedes’ sixth will confuse those coming from compact with than a small performance, The Mercedes-Benz other car brands. Upholstery is in width-wise. Visibility is good andGLC class of vehicles luxury SUV in the country, making their lineup was launched on 2 June, conveniently slotting the most comprehensive among the luxury car unique black and dark brown and there the flat-bottomed feels into thesteering sliver of space left between the GLEpurveyors.

It’s just “nice” class and GLS-class (previously, the ML-class Expectedly, equipment levels are high. is much leather on display. There nice to till around good surfaces. are some lacquered carbon fibre The ORVMs could have done a TGS rating trim pieces along the door and other better job showing the sides and rear ;;;`2 surfaces as well, though we’re not sure if of the vehicle, but that could be down it’s the real thing. The seats are comfortable to personal preference. and supportive one-piece units for the front, lending The Audi S5 has plenty ofIn performance a surprise move, Mahindra launched vehicle from 0-80% charge in 1 hour and an all-electric feeling version of its Verito sedan, 45 minutes, is reserved only for the top (D6) a sporty look without being uncompromisingly potential, but keeps everything the eVerito, on 2 June. Mahindra variant. Fast charging needs to be done hardcore like the near-race seats you’d find in a comfortable and luxurious. It isdubbed an odd, middle claims that the sedan can go 110km on a at one of Mahindra’s designated charging sports car. child and we imagine it will have takers than fullless charge.

The manufacturer is claiming stations, while a standard full charge takes costsbecause as low as Rs 1.15/km.

8 hours and 45 minutes using a 15-amp Rear legroom is good for a person of my size more overt sportscars or luxuryrunning sedans e eVerito also phones home home plug. Other features include (5’9”) but then, few grown men are actually my of the niche it occupies. That’sThan opportunity with a variety of information regenerative braking and a Claims a size, so we’d suggest a seating capacity of four for for the buyer who wants something diff erent.

(Telematics).

Fleet sales seem feature called REVIVE, which range of to becomes a likely target, especially is basically an 8km power maximum comfort. At least one passenger we rode Certainly no other car we’ve seen in this considering the aging Verito/ reserve for emergencies. You 110km on a with commented on how his i20 felt more spacious shade. At just north of Rs 69 lac ex-showroom, Logan platform. The eVerito don’t get airbags in any variant. full charge in the back. Again, apart from the “sport” theatre, the price will give you pause. You can buy more in key is available immediately Performance is about New Delhi, adequate for city use, which is there is little else to talk about. Open the hatch spacious luxury cars for less, or cities: more overt sports Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, where Mahindra is pitching the and it’s another world. Literally! Audi claims 480 cars for as much. Stuck in the middle again. Pune, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and eVerito. Top speed is claimed at 86kmph tushar@goldensparrow.com litres of cargo space, and we believe them. It’s a vast Nagpur. and the 110km range is dependent on load.

THRILL OF DRIVING

Marks the sixth luxury SUV that Mercedes sells in India

AMEO=POLO PLUS

By Tushar Burman

bottomed steering wheel which feels nice to manipulate.

If we were to nitpick, we’d say that the touchack in 2009, when Volkswagen introduced screen infotainment system is a bit smaller than the Polo in India, it was a breath of fresh on the hatch, but it serves the purpose perfectly air. At the time, the go-to car for the well and doesn’t end-up looking aftermarket like segment was the Maruti-Suzuki Swift, and some recent cars we’ve driven. You get steeringwhile the Fabia did exist to represent a European mounted controls, cruise control and a cooled contender, it was deemed too odd and expensive glove box for beverages on hot days. A centre for what it offered. Volkswagen was reeling from armrest is available for the driver which is a slim problems with the Skoda brand’s service and unit much like in the Vento. You don’t get rear cost complaints and didn’t want to repeat the AC vents behind it, however. same mistakes with VW. Fast-forward to 2016 Rear seat accommodations are quite and anecdotally, VW cars are still considered comfortable, and the extra knee room over the expensive to run (they’re not; this author owns a Polo hatch is apparent. Headroom at the rear is petrol Polo). VW has taken specific note of this at a premium, much like the Polo hatch, so those sentiment with the Ameo compact sedan, and with long torsos (or generous behinds) may hit has launched it for a very competitive price, even their heads on the roof. slightly undercutting the Polo hatchback!

If you’ve read so far and are wondering where How they’ve achieved this was not the masala begins, well, it doesn’t. The Ameo immediately apparent to us on our long-ish test is striking in its anonymity. Even viewed from drive. The car is fundamentally the same inside the front 3/4 angle, one can barely discern the and out, save for the added boot. We drove the boot sticking slightly out of the rear. It’s a tiny Eighteen-inch alloys areHighline standard.

Mercedes sunroof, lighting switchable petrol variant (the diesel motor will ambient extension of the body, to bewith sure, since the idea during Diwali) and fit, finish and quality and is to fit a sedan within fourbehind metres tothe qualify will provide an optionalcome off-road engineering colours levels, cargo bars rear to be on par with the hatch. Plastics for lower taxes. We’ve always liked the practical package that raises the appeared ride height by 20mm seat that liberate another 30 litres of luggage are just as pleasing to the touch, with no hollow, depth of the Polo boot, and this remains useful in and offers three additional ride modes: - find.space what an up EASYplasticky-feeling spots we off could The two-and the Ameo. Mercedes Only now, the calls volume goes from dashdrive and beige interior remain,PACK and make tailgate.

294 litres inDO the hatch to 330 in the sedan.

It’s a road, incline and slippery.tone Five modes are WE HAVE YOUR the cabin feel airy. Bonus points for the flatminor bump, but it’s there. @tburman

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standard in the GLC: Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. Hill descent control is standard as well. We also see the use of Verdict Mercedes’ new 9G-TRONIC nine-speed + Safety,auto price transmission.

- Marginal enginethe Slotting in below their range-topper, rating GLC understandably gets plentyTGS of comfort ;;;22 and convenience features. There’s a panoramic

ATTENTION YET? Safety is typical Mercedes fare: ABS, ESP, Crosswind-assist, PRE-SAFE, Attention Assist, Active Parking Assist, 7 airbags, LED headlamps and adaptive tail lamps.

All this could be yours at Rs 50.7 lac for the diesel GLC 220 d, and Rs 50.9 lac for the GLC 300 petrol, ex-showroom, Pune.

It’s finally here: the Polo with a boot

The exterior of the boot itself is reasonably well integrated, and not as much of a tack-on like you’d find on the Swift Dzire. Not as good as the Ford Figo Aspire, but not bad. The tail lamps are simple and don’t draw attention to themselves.

Styling seems to be borrowed from the Skoda design language, with a crease running across the otherwise slab-like boot lid. Everything seems to be designed to be anonymous. VW have had to adjust the front and rear overhangs accordingly, and the car ends up looking a bit stubbier than the hatch.

The Ameo at present is only available in a petrol variant, utilising the venerable 1.2l MPI three-cylinder motor that does duty in the hatch.

It generates 75PS and 110Nm of torque, which felt inadequate six years ago, and continues to be. It’s a flexible engine, to be sure, with useful low-end grunt that allows you to have a load of passengers and navigate inclines with grace rather than amateurish slipping of the clutch. However, there’s no getting around the rough sound of the three-cylinder and this author continues to field the same questions he’s had to with his own car: “is this a diesel?”. Once at highway speeds, it’s okay, but overtakes take effort. You do get cruise control, however, so that sort of balances things out a bit. The stiff suspension makes the car fun

Engine and interior mimic the Polo hatch

to drive, but is hard on all passengers. We really wish VW would do something about this.

Perhaps the most important thing about the VW Ameo is the fact that it comes in at such a competitive price, and that it does so with two airbags and ABS as standard across variants.

There are some segment-firsts such as rainsensing wipers, cruise control and auto up/down power windows with anti-pinch all-round, but that’s about it. The Ameo is a competent car at a competitive price about in the middle of the pack. You can get more features for more money with a Hyundai, but you get the secure, Teutonic feel of a well-built car with the VW. The petrol engine is a mixed bag, and we suspect many will wait for the diesel this Diwali. tushar@goldensparrow.com Watch a video overview here:

Mahindra launches all-electric eVerito

Triumph Bonneville Thruxton R launched for Rs 10.90 lac

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while remaining lightweight.

Features are basic but thoughtful.

There’s a water-resistant pocket within the shell at chest level for your phone, and a felt pocket above the waist for your glasses.

Unfortunately, this pocket is unusable when the rain liner is in place. Zippers are of high quality as is the neck fastener, which uses velcro and has a soft pad where your neck meets the textile.

The jacket comes with CEapproved armour in the shoulders, elbows, and along the back. Fit appears to be European, which will work well for slimmer riders.

There are button fasteners on the sleeves to get a more snug fit, and velcro on the cuffs and waist. The RST mesh jacket will be available in this black/red combo, or the inverse: red/black.

RST mesh jacket Price: Rs 9500 Buy at: Bay City Speed Shop (baycityspeedshop@gmail.com)

TGS LIFE

JULY 30, 2016

By Tushar Burman

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RST MESH JACKET

RST is a British manufacturer of motorcycle apparel that has recently become available in India. The distributor pegs them as a mid-tier brand, but we were impressed with the thought behind this jacket and its features.

This is a basic textile/mesh jacket with a supplied, removable rain liner. Some background: it’s very hard to stay entirely dry in motorcycle gear unless you use an impermeable rain jacket over your kit or invest in much more expensive stuff. Rain liners are nice to have, but rarely foolproof.

Thankfully, this RST jacket comes with a liner that zips into the shell using a long U-shaped zipper. Sleeves are held in place with small elasticated loops holding onto buttons on the liner.

It’s a snug fit and doesn’t move around much. This design allows the jacket to be quite resistant to rain in light to medium rain,

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wo months after the release of the Bonneville T120, Triumph has rolled out Thruxton R in the Indian market.

The 1200cc Thrurxton R runs on a high power, 8-valve, parallel twin engine generating just over 95hp and 112Nm of torque. This is a higher output version of the mill that powers the T120.

The Thruxton R carries feature like ABS, ride-by-wire, traction control, torque assist clutch, LED DRL, LED rear light, an engine immobilizer and a USB charging socket. The bike also has riding modes to choose from: road, rain and sport.

The equipment list continues; the Thruxton

B g dea

Riding your motorcycle in the monsoon is a necessity for many, but it also brings out the adventurers. You’ve almost certainly got that Facebook friend who takes his bike to impossibly wet and dirty locations just because she can. If you’d like to follow suit but prefer to stay a bit drier, we have some kit you might want to consider

MOTORCYCLING THROUGH THAILAND niceties of the rest of Thailand. Think perfect 4G If you’re a motorcycling enthusiast, or have connectivity, AirBNB and the most incredible become one in the recent past, you’ve probably gourmet burger I’ve ever eaten on the street. The known or heard of someone who’s ridden a bike Pai river itself is popular for white water rafting around our ASEAN neighbour. In fact, there at various skill levels, and you can even take a is now a land route from North-East India slow boat to Laos, which takes two days and through Myanmar into Thailand. Heck, you costs just 1750 baht, or about 3500 rupees. In can go all the way to Singapore before you hit fact, our overnight stay and jaunt in the night the inevitable shore. There are many reasons to market ended up costing less than Rs 2000 for this, not least of which is the incredible road the two ofconverter us. Try getting that deal in Panchgani automatic. It’s a traditional torque you won’t be banging and down network. You’re very unlikely toso see a badly anyupnight of thetheyear. gearbox like a dual-clutch unit, but it’s okay. In potholed section of tar. In termsterms of distances, And that, in essence, is a microcosm of the of speed, it’s somewhere in the middle the country is about 1600km longofand 1000km experience you’re likely to have on any a economy automatictype and aofperformancedual-clutch. It can be sluggish, we across, so there’s plenty to explore.tuned Of particular road trip in but Thailand — it’s cheap to the point think it matches the character of the engine. note car” is the Mae Hong a long circuit sure, we’ve driven slower. Paddle shifters What else do you call a vehicle that the term “pony was coined for?Son loop --For

@tburman

MONSOON

So close yet so far. Perfect reasons to take off for a motorcycle trip

By Tushar Burman

By Tushar Burman

black rubber piece. We think it goes rather well on our “modern classic” Ducati Scrambler. Grip is excellent, whether seated or standing, and it doesn’t rip up your pants or cause discomfort. Also useful is the fact that the adhesive allows you to remove and reposition the pads a number of times before losing efficacy. It also comes off without leaving residue.

Grippy tank pads are one of the cheapest mods you can do to you bike to allow you to ride safer and more confidently. It certainly helps in the rains to make sure you stay on the bike. The Techspec pads are available for most popular bikes, or you can buy them in self-adhesive panels and cut them to suit your vehicle.

Techspec ‘snakeskin’ tank pads PRICE: Rs 4000 - Rs 7500 depending on application BUY AT: Bay City Speed Shop (baycityspeedshop@gmail.com)

Legroom is decent at the back. Headroom is a bit tight for taller passengers.

The eVerito will be available in three variants with marginal differences between them. Unusually, fast-charging ability, which Mahindra claims can charge the

Prices start at Rs 9.5 lac ex-showroom, Delhi, for the D2 variant after state and FAME subsidies. The D4 and D6 variants cost Rs 9.75 and 10 lac respectively.

VISHAL KALE

One of the largest sources of rural household income streams is via remittances from migrant workers who send billions of dollars back home staying far away from their homes, says a new book.

The global flow of millions of migrants who leave emerging countries to work in more established economies - and the remittances they send back home have become one of the biggest drivers of economic change in the developing rural world, says Vijay Mahajan in his book “Rise of Rural Consumers in Developing Vijay Mahajan Countries”.

“Regardless of how far they go, they send billions of dollars back home,” he says quoting World Bank data, adding that remittances are lifting rural consumers.

“International remittances rose to an estimated USD 601 billion in 2015, with roughly three-quarters of that total flowing back to developing countries, according to World Bank data. The World Bank’s revised data for 2014 showed global remittances at USD 592.9 billion, with the Rural Top 10 countries receiving USD 254.8 billion - 43 per cent of the total, with a significant amount going to rural areas,” he says.

Mahajan, John P Harbin Centennial Chair in Business at the McCombs School of Business, University of Texas, highlights the expanding consumer power of rural markets in

TECHSPEC TANK PADS

TGS LIFE

VISHAL KALE

Migrant workers send billions of dollars back home: Book

CARS, BIKES, TRIPS, GEAR HONEST, FUN REVIEWS

VISHAL KALE

He was responding to a query on how the company views allegations by Patanjali through various advertisements that just like the way “East India Company enslaved and looted us, multinational companies are still doing the same by selling soap, shampoo, toothpaste, cream, powder and similar daily items at exorbitant price”.

Narayanan further said: “So, while the statements are read also by my board both India and globally in Switzerland, we do not change our views simply

because of the rhetoric.”

Choosing not to get into a slanging match, he said: “Irrespective of what people might say, they have their points of view, I respect their point of view. Nestle’s purpose and value will be unwavering and its commitment to this country would also be unwavering.”

Citing the example of the Maggi crisis, Narayanan said not even once that during the entire crisis, the company had a single incident of unrest.

“No distributor left us or supplier left us and no shareholder betrayed us and that tells you that they are happy dealing with us as a company..,” Narayanan said further, “if all these remain with me and I do not change my behaviour, then why should I be worried what people might say or think about my antecedents.”

PTI

Eminent personalities and citizens from various walks of life seemed to agree on the possibility that highdenomination currency discontinuation will lead to curb in black money, saying, it was a short-term pain for long-term benefit of the country.

“It’s a bold innovative move and honest taxpayers have nothing to worry about. Though there may be initial discomfort and inconvenience which should be borne in the larger interest of the society and the nation,” former Attorney General of India, Soli Sorabjee, told PTI. Raj Kapil, a CISF personnel, said, the move has created problems for him, but, he is willing to live through it, as it is in the larger interest of the public.

Banks across the country opened up to long, serpentine queues

‘Move is bold but implementation is key’

Unfazed by yoga guru Ramdev-led Patanjali’s anti-MNC campaign, Nestle India said its commitment to India will be “unwavering” with a history of over 104 years of presence in the country and described itself as “99.9 per cent” Indian.

“We have been in India for 104 years, 99.9 per cent of my company is Indian starting with me... I am proud of this heritage that we have in this country and proud of what the company has done in this country,” Nestle India Chairman and Managing Director Suresh Narayanan told PTI. Stating that the company’s consumers, suppliers, vendors, partners and shareholders are all Indians, he said: “My contribution to taxes and salaries are all to Indians and therefore I am at a loss to understand as what else must I be doing to be called as Indian.”

PUNE

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SPORTS

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2016

PUNE

“If I could win the Premier League, the next day I would stop playing football... almost. Hopefully I can win it, and I will win it.”

— Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester United Player

Signposts Vinil Patil wins junior open tennis Vinil Patil defeated Shivraj More 6-3, 6-0 to win the boys’ under-14 title at the 15th Baker’s Basket Junior Open Tennis Tournament held recently at Ladies Club, Camp. In other categories, Anamay Upadhyay defeated Yuvraj Bhati 6-0, 6-1 in the under-10 final, while Anmol Nagpure registered a 6-3, 6-1 win over Sharyash Kuamar in the boys’ under-12 final. Shlok Gandhi received the best upcoming player of the tournament while Pranav Ramnani was given best behaviour award. Among the girls, Rashi Mishra received this award in the under-12 category.

Upendra Mulye wins veterans table tennis tournament Upendra Mulye defeated Sameer Bhate of Mumbai Suburb 11-4, 117, 11-9 to win the men’s singles 40 plus category title in the 3rd Maharashtra State Veterans Table Tennis Tournament held at PYC Hindu Gymkhana. Another Pune paddler Ajay Kothavale won the 50 plus title, beating K Rai of Mumbai 11-5, 8-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-9. In the men’s 70 plus segment, Pune’s Subodh Deshpande went down to Mumbai’s Xerxes Khandadia.

Corporate mini football tournament from Nov 26 The ABIL 2nd Corporate Mini Football Championship will be held at Castel Royale, Bopodi from November 26. The matches will be played over four weekends. The final will be played on December 11. The cash prize for the tournament is Rs 50,000, wherein the winners will take away Rs 25,000 and the runners-up will get Rs 15,000.

The player of the tournament will get Rs 5,000. The matches will be played on league cum knockout basis, so each team will play a minimum of four league matches through the tournament.

I learnt how much pain my body can take: Ila Patil

City’s endrance cyclist rides to glory in the grueling RAAM qualifier race, after battling injury, cramps and excruciating pain

BY ASHISH PHADNIS @phadnis_ashish

‘Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, an hour, a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.’ This is a well-known quote of legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong.

It has become a motto for city rider Ila Patil, who despite pain and injury, terrible cramps, cold and fever and saddle sores, managed to create a record, as she became the first and only woman from India to qualify for the world’s toughest endurance cycling event, Race Across America (RAAM). In the Deccan Cliff hanger race, which is considered a qualifying event (solo) for RAAM, Ila finished in 32 hours and 15 minutes, well ahead of the cut-off timing of 34 hours.

Deccan Cliff hanger is an annual 643 km Ultra Cycling Race from Pune to Goa, which includes several ghat sections and participants are expected to finish within 32 hours in the men’s and 34 hours in the women’s categories.

Ila, who is an engineer, is currently working as communications manager with an NGO. Her tryst with running and cycling started after moving to Pune in 2008. Since then she has participated in various endurance runs, half and full marathons and ultra races. She is also associated with the core team of Audax India Randonneurs, the Indian body which organises brevets across the country.

Ila has been associated with Deccan Cliff hanger

Ila Patil

since its first edition where she rode as a team. Later crewed for 2nd finisher and in third year officiated for the race. After handling the logistics part, Ila decided to give it shot and started preparing for the solo event. However, things started going wrong two weeks before the race. During practice rides, Ila fell and suffered a knee injury.

“It was quite a nasty injury. The pain was horrible and I wasn’t able to move my leg and went into complete rest mode. There was nothing I could do at that time and mentally it took a toll. I wasn’t sure that I would be even able to participate in the

GCPL back with a bang TGS NEWS SERVICES @TGSWeekly The Garden City Premier League (GCPL) cricket tournament is back with a bang. The stage is all set for the GCPL 2016 6th edition which began with a grand ceremony on Friday.

There is an overwhelming response to the sixth edition of GCPL already with over 350 participants spread across all the categories – senior citizens, senior men, ladies, sub-junior boys, junior boys and junior girls. Th is

year there would be 42 teams and a total of 60 matches will be played over two weekends. he opening ceremony started with the warm welcome of the team owners along with their team captains. In all 24 internal sponsors from Aditya garden city are supporting this event.

Online scoring technology will be used for accuracy scoring statistics for all the matches. There are spectator stands being constructed on either side of the playing area. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

FCPC wins Maha Derby TGS NEWS SERVICES @TGSWeekly Eugeneson Lyngdoh came off the bench to score a late goal and win the match for FC Pune City against Mumbai City FC in the Hero Indian Super League at Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai, on Thursday.

The Maharashtra derby appeared to be heading for a goalless draw till late in the game when Eugeneson capitalised on a goalkeeping lapse in the 89th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 victory and three important points. The win was sweet revenge for Pune, who lost to their Maharashtra

“We saw the Indian U-17 World Cup team play against Brazil and some of the Indian players were on the same page as the Brazilian players, if not better than them.”

— Bhaichung Bhutia, Former India Football Captain

rivals in their opening clash at home, and now takes the Orange Army to the top four for the fi rst time. Habas’s team now have 12 points, the same as Kerala Blasters after nine matches, but Pune will be ahead on better goal difference.

Mumbai City FC will be disappointed for not winning at least a point. They were the better side and in the end got nothing. Mumbai City continues to be placed second with 15 points from 10 matches.

The match was the fi rst for both sides after the return of players from Bengaluru FC, who made it to the AFC Cup final recently. Mumbai had

FCPC’s Eugeneson Lyngdoh celebrates after scoring the winner against Mumbai City

four players and only India captain Sunil Chhetri made it to the starting eleven. Eugeneson was left on the bench by coach Antonio Habas.

Pune City maintained a very disciplined defence and gave little chance to Mumbai to open their account. Mumbai though had opportunities in the fi rst session to score the opening goal but could not get past Pune goalkeeper Edel Bete.

The best chance of the half fell for Defederico in the 35th minute when marquee player Diego Forlan spotted his run and passed the ball to him but the Argentinean striker’s curling effort was parried away for a corner by the goalkeeper.

In the second half, Mumbai City had more chances, both from Forlan, but on both occasions Bete proved to be a hard nut to crack. First Forlan’s free-kick bounced awkwardly in front of Bete but he still managed to pull it away. Towards the later stages, Cafu made a run down the middle and released Forlan whose shot was kept out by the outstretched feet of Bete.

It was only in the closing stages that Pune had their fi rst shot on goal when Jonatan Lucca drew out a regular save from Mumbai goalkeeper Albino Gomes.

Pune secured an unlikely win when Eugeneson scored the only goal in the 89th minute. Narayan Das crossed into the box and Albino came off the line, only to drop the ball after clashing with his own player. Lyngdoh was lurking around and slammed the ball into the back of the net. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

event, forget about finishing it,” said Ila. If that wasn’t enough, she caught flu and took another week to recover. While other participants were sweating hard, Ila was forced to rest and was seriously considering about the participation.

“Yet, I decided to give it a try and quit whenever I felt weak. However, getting into the starting line was the biggest struggle for me. But once I got there, it gave me a confidence. I knew it was going to be tough, but I was not going to stop. After reaching Katraj, I started feeling more confident.

My earlier target was to finish within 28 hours, but considering my weak body, I decided not to push hard and focus on completing the event,” she said.

Ila was going steadily and yet was ahead for other women riders. She started experiencing severe cramps at Pasarni ghat and after Mahabaleshwar the situation got worse. She was forced to take a short break every hour and get a quick massage to keep her going. The gradual climb near Ramnagar and cycling in the scorching heat of Goa were the other challenging parts, but she conquered them all.

“Qualifying for RAAM was an achievement, yet for me it was my learning experience that matters the most. Riding with physical wounds and constant pain wasn’t easy and I learnt a lot about the amount of pain I can take. I had invested 4-5 months in heavy training, and I didn’t want to waste that hard work. That thought kept me going through this phase,” she said.

Talking about RAAM, she said, “Right now it would be totally immature to think about participating in it. It will take at least 2-3 years to prepare for RAAM. But I would definitely get a feel of the race, by participating as a crew member.

Till then will focus on increasing my endurance and speed. I will be participating in couple of ultra events and also 100km ultra runs in near future.” ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com

Kolhapur’s Akshay Chougale wins race In the men’s race, Akshay Chougale finished first in the solo 18-49 age category in 26 hours and 46 minutes. At the finish line he was followed by Anand Patil, who won the first place in the 50 plus age group and was third overall among the solos. Preet Singh of Mumbai came in second in the 18-49 age group followed by Dattatray Chakor of Nasik.

In the women’s category, Zaara Syed rode strong to finish the distance within Inspire India timing of 35 hours and 31 minutes.

The race was flagged off from The Cliff, Forest Trails, Bhugaon. Only 12 of the total 32 people who stood at the solo start line finished in the RAAM Qualification timings. Eleven others finished within Inspire India time and one outside that time limit. Seven did not finish the distance.

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