The Golden Sparrow on Saturday 14/03/2015 by Golden Sparrow Publishing

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TGS LIFE

Truly, a tree lady P4

Hum Saath Saath Hain

Parents teach them more than exams do P 10 PICS ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

`1,816 crores spent on BRTS, And yet no respite for commuters DEHU

Collectively Pune Municipal Corporation, PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited have spent `1,816 crores on constructing dedicated corridors and flyovers along major routes, erecting bus shelters, and buying buses. Despite this not a single route is operational or has succeeded in years. Citizens residing in twin cities continue to cry foul over pathetic public transport system. And from the looks of it nothing is going to change in near future. See Spotlight on p8&9

6 AKURDI

CHINCHWAD BHOSARI

4 THERGAON HINJEWADI VILLAGE

KALEWADI FATA

WAKAD

DIGHI

NASHIK PHATA

LOHEGAON

DAPODI 50

PIMPLE GURAV

WAGHOLI

3 4 BANER

VISHRANT VIMAN WADI NAGAR YERWADA

AUNDH

SANGAMWADI PASHAN

AH47

WADGAON SHERI

MUNDHWA

SHIVAJI NAGAR

GHORPADI

BAVDHAN

CAMP

HADAPSAR

KOTHRUD

SWARGATE PARVATI

AMBEGAON BUDRUK

RAHUL RAUT

Vishnu Kamalapurkar, Pune-based activist, sought details of the project in 2012 from the Central Government only to be told that they had no records left

Ministry of Culture wrote to Kamalapurkar admitting that the issue came to light only after receiving his RTI finally been traced by the government with the help of police and claims that the fi lm will be released in “next two to four months”. He still hasn’t answered several questions raised by the government about the script and the star cast. It all started in December 2001, when Commemoration Bureau under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture commissioned a fi lm on Lokmanya Tilak. A sum of Rs 1.25 crores was paid to Dhumale immediately as an

advance, and second instalment was to be released after completion of certain formalities. The very next year second instalment was also disbursed. Cut to October 2012 – Kamalapurkar fi led an RTI with chief public information officer (CPIO) of Ministry of Culture seeking information about the fi lm on Tilak. The CPIO was clueless about the project and sought information from his colleagues in other department in the same ministry. But none of them knew about the existence of fi lm. In January 2013, the Culture Ministry forwarded his application to Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) as well hoping that they would have commissioned the fi lm. I&B in turn contacted National Films Development Corporation asking if Dhumale had registered a fi lm in the name of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak with them. The answer was negative. RP Bahuguna, under secretary and also CPIO of special cell in Ministry of Culture wrote to Kamalapurkar in July 2013 admitting that the issue of funds being sanctioned for such a fi lm by the government came to light only after receiving his RTI. Contd on p4

FILM FACTS • 50th Anniversary of Indian Republic: January 2000 • A film on freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak was commissioned by Govt of India in December 2001 • The project was commissioned to noted film-maker Vinay Dhumale. `2.5 crores were sanctioned by the GoI for the purpose. The amount was paid in two installments of `1.25 crores each to Dhumale • 14 years later there is no sight of the film

WANOWRIE

NANDED

Had it not been for a Pune-based activist everybody had forgotten about a film on Lokmanya Tilak commissioned in 2001 by Central Government at the cost of `2.5 crores. Three years after Vishnu Kamalapurkar raised questions about the film, the project is nowhere in sight

The fi lm was jinxed from the start. It was commissioned to celebrate 50th Anniversary of Indian Republic. While 2000 was the celebratory year, the project was assigned to fi lm-maker Vinay Dhumale only by the end of 2001. Money was doled out and it was expected to get over in a year’s time. Fourteen years later, there is no sign of the fi lm. Vishnu Kamalapurkar, Pune-based activist, sought details of the project in 2012 from the Central Government only to be told that they had no records left, the concerned ministry had been wound up, and that fi lm-maker could not be traced. Essentially, the government acceded that it had been duped of `2.5 crores, the sum that was transferred to the fi lm-maker. It has taken Kamalapurkar three years since he sought details about the fi lm under Right to Information Act to get the government to launch a fullfledged investigation. Dhumale has

ALANDI

RAVET

Sab golmal hai...

BY ASHOK BHAT @ashok_bhat

CHIKHALI

KIWALENIGDI

KONDHWA

UNDRI

KATRAJ

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

PUNE

“Well, I think the golden rule is that you must follow your passion and do something that’s close to your heart. And I think that that’s very important, well, to be successful and to be happy.” —Kumar Mangalam Birla

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

His walls say it all

People thought Dominic Corda was crazy to house art at his place. Well, now he has people completely crazy about visiting his home BY ANJALI SHETTY @shetty_anjali Many art lovers wait for exhibitions to have a glimpse of great works created by their favourite artists. But not any more. A stroll into St Patrick Town’s bunDominic Corda galow No 6, will take you to the amazing world of beautiful and rare art. The treasure is owned by Dominic Corda, whose love for art is unquestionable. Favourite among rare art collectors, Dominic has earned a name for his eye and precision. His home is open to all. You can walk in and take a look at all his collections and also get interesting anecdotes on the art.

The click trick P6

Slum-free dream shattered P4

A hobby prompted him to collect “I believe that all you need to organise all that he has today. “You an exhibition is place and name the artist and we will security. For me, it is very provide it. I am just an art important to assure the lover, who has always been client that art is not costly,” picking up crazy stuff. Corda says. So, what is And this collection is the the range of artwork that result of one such hobby of he holds? Right from mine,” says Corda. Durandhar to wildlife, People thought he was Bollywood, seascape and crazy to have started collandscape, he has it all. “I lecting art and initially, did have all the works of few not get the desired support grandmasters and also too. “People thought I was take-in stuff by young crazy, when they got to artist. I just want to - Dominic Corda know what I had begun promote art,” says Corda. Does he feel in today’s doing. But I just want peotime, the art is dying? “I don’t think art ple to enjoy art. I have rare collections has been affected. The work by great and it is difficult to find something like artists are still selling good. The only this under one roof,” adds Corda. He also has a huge collection of people who are affected are the young movie posters, which are a rare sight artists, as they were over-hyped earlier. today. His first exhibition was sponsored And now in the present situation, they by Anand Jog, who believed that he has are not considered a great buy,” he adds. the treasure same as what Ali Baba had. anjali.shetty@goldensparrow.com

“For me, it is very important to assure the client that art is not costly”

Spreading a vegan mantra On a mission to develop rural India Anuradha Sawhney, founder of Backtothebasics, helps people lead a healthy life TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeekly Anuradha Sawhney, former head of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), does not like to boast of her achievements. An ordinary animal lover, Sawhney turned vegan in 2000. She realised that if she is talking about animal abuse then she ought to go a step further. “When I left PETA in 2009, I always thought being a vegetarian was enough for me to stay healthy. I would continue eating samosa and pakodas. It was only in 2010 after a cholesterol check did I realise the importance of a whole grain diet,” said Sawhney, who reversed her diet and shared her story through her book — The Vegan Kitchen: Bollywood Style! After writing her book, she did not know how to take this forward, and soon realised that people were still unaware of the right nutrition through food. Th is was when she founded Backtothebasics.com and started preparing organic oil-free lunches and wholegrain snacks, in 2010. These foods help people lose weight, reduce sugar levels and improve blood pressure, all without sacrificing taste. “It was very staisfying when I delivered my fi rst dabba. Then came a time when I made 130

Delhi-based NGO, Goonj’s most popular initiative is ‘Cloth for Work’, where underprivileged people get clothes instead of money for their community services BY RAHUL VAISHNAVI

Anuradha Sawhney

dabbas a day,” smiles Sawhney, whose book The Vegan Kitchen: Bollywood Style!, brings together recipes from no less than 50 leading names from the world of Bollywood, fashion and music. She then moved to vegan ice cream and gluten-free items, in 2013. “Today, we are completely caught up with work and lead a really stressful life. Our diets and meals are becoming lavish with no consideration for health. Vegan, oil free and wholegrain food helps to reverse heart disease, diabetes, hyper tension, obesity and other ailments. I

aim to bring about this change through the services I offer.” With several awards, being one of India’s 50 most powerful women and vegan for more than 12 years, Sawhney focuses on helping people take back control of their lives via nutrition. She is not preachy when she describes her healthy recipes. . Instead, she presents a detailed explanation as to why a certain food product works for you. She recently introduced her range of diary-free bakery products which are a hit already. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

NEW DELHI: For 45-year-old Kashmiri filmmaker Ajaz Rashid, who was among hundreds displaced in the September 2014 torrential rains and floods in the Valley, the disaster was literally a life-changing experience that prompted him to leave his profession and become a full time social worker - all thanks to Delhi-based NGO Goonj. “I was moved by the devastation around me and wanted to help others but didn’t know how to go about it. That’s when I came in contact with Goonj (which literally means echo) and the experience changed my life forever,” Rashid told IANS on the sidelines of an event to celebrate the NGO’s 16th anniversary here. The former filmmaker joined Goonj fulltime and is at present working towards improving the health and education facilities in Kashmir. “My focus will be on these two issues for the next couple of years,” said Rashid. Across the country, there are examples galore of individuals who have ditched their careers and jobs just to help the underprivileged in society and the one factor that’s common to all is their association with Goonj - the NGO that came into existence in 1999 with the idea of converting discarded urban waste into a resource of rural development. The NGO, which began with just 67 pieces of clothes collected by founder members Anshu Gupta and his wife Meenakshi - today has 11 offices in 21 states and 300 employees across India. It annually transfers over 1,000 tonnes of used clothes, household goods and other essential items from cities to villages. Goonj has launched a number of

Different products made from discarded pieces of clothes including ‘My Pad’

initiatives over the years and one of the most popular is the ‘Cloth for Work’ wherein people living in rural areas are encouraged to undertake community service like digging wells and making roads and bridges, among others, in return for not money but clothes. “It’s sad that clothing is not a subject in the development sector like food and shelter. With this initiative, we want people to work in return for clothes,” Meenakshi Gupta told IANS. Only washed and clean clothes, woolens, blankets, footwear and the like are given to people without compromising their dignity. The model that has helped set up schools, water-tanks, roads, bridges et al in several villages all over India came as a blessing for 48-year-old Utara Pardar, a resident of Mandla village in Madhya Pradesh, who wanted to teach poor children in her village.

A teacher by profession, Pardar had managed to get a piece of land from the authorities in the village but had no money or resources to build a school. That’s when Goonj came to her rescue. “They sent a truck full of clothes and many locals came forward to construct the building,” Pardar told IANS, adding that the school has so far taught hundreds of local children since it was set up in 2008. A mother of two daughters and a son, Pardar is supported by her children and husband in the social work she does back home and claims to be an “inspiration for women” in her state. While Goonj encourages people to donate clothes that are clean and in one piece, Gupta admits that a lot of dresses or fabrics are soiled and torn. However, the NGO has found an innovative way to also deal with this. The torn clothes or shreds are used to make clutch bags, handbags, mobile pouches, pen stands and even sanitary napkins at their Sarita Vihar workshop in south Delhi that employs around 40 people. The products are sold either online or through the NGO’s offices. In fact, making affordable sanitary napkins under the ‘Not Just a Piece of Cloth’ campaign is one of the pet projects of Anshu Gupta, who observed that in villages and slums, women and girls have poor menstrual hygiene. “In these areas, women use dirty pieces of rags because of lack of clothes and awareness. Our mission is to reach out to maximum number of women and distribute hygienic pads made from clean cotton clothes,” said Gupta, who has featured among Asia’s top 10 social entrepreneurs, adding that over three million of such ‘My Pads’ have been made and distributed in the last few years. IANS

She faces ailment with a resolve to become an inspiration Kathak dancer Jyoti Mansukhani started Prerana Foundation, a society that promotes Indian dance forms and culture BY SNEHA KRISHNAN @sne_krishnan Jyoti Mansukhani, is a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patient, a systemic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue and affects internal organs. But, she has found peace in dance and has embraced it for her well-being. “Dance brings to life the essence or reality of events, engendering a change and growth in others and in the artiste,” says Mansukhani. Her illness affected her kidneys due to which she has been on a regular intake of steroids over the last 24 years. It has resulted in Mansukhani having osteoporosis, in hip replacements and a cataract surgery. But regardless of the fact that there is no treatment for

SLE, she is full of life. Her continuous endeavours made her establish Prerana Foundation, 21 years ago. It is a society established for propagation of Indian dance and culture. Her aim is to encourage fresh talent and tap the hidden talent within individuals. “Prerana means inspiration, my students inspired me and I am now back on my feet. Though I cannot make vigorous moves while dancing, I stress on ‘Abhinaya’ more than the ‘Nritya’ aspect of dance,” she adds. Mansukhani developed a liking for dance ever since she was eight. She has been trained in Mumbai under guru Uma Dogra and Sharadini Gole in Pune. Presently, training under Nitin Shirale, Mansukhani is also a member of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Pune. When asked what keeps her going

Jyoti’s senior students Pawan Nagpal and Radhika Kulkarni conducting folk classes for Poona Blind boys, Pune

at 47, she says, “During my childhood, I loved watching Rekha and Vaijantimala. They have been my inspiration. Even my mother, who is a Kathak danseuese, motivated me a lot. Classical form requires equal amount of patience, skill and grace. Also footwork is very important. But I avoid using it to some extent while performing.” The students of Prerana Foundation have greatly influenced themselves by

adapting to the techniques devised by Mansukhani that help them evolve as a much better human being. They have further brought together different dance forms like Western, Hip Hop, Salsa and Latin American dances and have promoted the same by conducting classes of their own under her guidance at Kondhwa and other places. Some of the senior students of the

foundation, under her guidance have choreograph dances for special kids for Poona Women’s Council and have also trained the boys for Poona School and Home for the Blind in western and folk dances. Her students also have many awards to their credit for specially choreographed innovative d a n c e performances. B e s i d e s , Mansukhani has also been organising a dance competition in Indian Classical and Traditional Folk since 2000. From 2010, the competition got bigger and better with the foundation organising it at the state-level. For the THE TEAM competition, Mansukhani was granted permission by Late Ramadevi Maharaj, wife of Late Guru PtLachchuMaharaj to introduce an award on her husband’s name in the Kathak category. snehakrishnan@hotmail.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

Citizens on a mission to save Pavana river P5

A platform that weaves successful tales P7

PUNE

“Elated that Maharashtra Govt signed an MoU with chocolate manufacturing brand MIIPL for `1,005crore plant in Khed, Pune.” @Dev_Fadnavis

You can thank the 94-yr-old for better local connectivity PICS BY ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

Panse’s proposal of a double line to improve PuneLonavla local service, gets a nod from Railway Ministry BY ARCHANA DAHIWAL @ArchanaDahiwal You can keep Krishnaji Vittal Panse away from railways but cannot stop the 94-year-old from thinking about it. The Nigdi-Pradhikaran resident has spent half of his life working in railways before retiring as sales and marketing inspector. And his suggestion to have an additional double line between Lonavla-Pune to streamline traffic has been approved by railway ministry. The ministry has sanctioned `18 crore under the 2015-16 budget for the third track. An amount of `800 crore has been cleared for development of Lonavla-Pune local project. Panse had forwarded the suggestion through Pimpri Chinchwad Citizens Forum (PCCF). “Laying of third track will increase the frequency of locals. Once it comes through, there will be a local every 30 minutes. Moreover, locals will not affect mail express operations,” observed Panse. Panse was part of the team that developed Akurdi and Kasarwadi railway stations in the 80s. “The railways always seek suggestions and solutions from citizens but not many groups from our city come forward. Solution and not demand-based suggestions should be forwarded to the ministry. We discussed the Pune local issue at home and my son, Anand, sent the pro-

FOR BETTER SERVICE • To re-construct the exiting railway bridge between Dapodi and Khadki and build a parallel bridge. The present bridge is 125-year-old • Modification of Chinchwad and Shivajinagar stations • To set an electrical Loco shed at Talegaon Dabhade as there is sufficient land available POOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT The retired railway employee finds city’s public transport as one of the biggest drawbacks of Pune. “Public transport system here has not kept pace with the expanding city. Lakhs of people living and working in hubs near Lonavla, Talegaon, Dehu Road and Pimpri-Chinchwad use locals to travel. Krishnaji Vittal Panse and PCCF members carried out an extensive two-year study of city local service and its future needs before sending the report to the railway ministry

posal to the ministry through PCCF,” he said. Describing the reasons for additional double line between Lonavla and Pune section, Panse said, “Pune Mumbai Railway was started 140 years ago by the British Government to connect between north and south India. The route is connected through the Western Ghat called as Bhore Ghat. Very few mail, express and goods were running

on these tracks. Engine locals were running between this two sections to carry passengers. But nearly 175 mail, express and four racks of EMU locals (48 trips) are running through these track.” With the population of PCMC rising from 8 lakh in 1982 to 20 lakhs these days, over 50,000 passengers, including students and office-goers, travel between Pune and Lonavla daily. Heavy rush is reported in

Police seize drugs worth `22 cr from a cop’s house Narcotics were also seized from police station where Police Naik Dharmaraj Kalokhe was posted

Satara Police searching the house of Police Naik Dharmaraj Kalokhe in Kanhere village.

BY GITESH SHELKE @gitesh_shelke Residents of an otherwise peaceful Kanhere village in Khandala Taluka of Shirur district were surprised and shocked to see a posse of cops on March 9. Acting on a tip-off about a constable’s involvement in drug trade, Satara police seized 112 kgs of mephedrone drugs worth Rs 22.40 crore from his house at the nondescript village. Before arresting Police Naik Dharmaraj Kalokhe, Satara police alerted Mumbai police and a raid was carried out at the Marine Drive police station where he was posted. Police found 12 kgs of the drug, also known as MD or Meow Meow, from a cupboard at the police station. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Satara, Deepak Humbre said that Kalokhe, posted with the special section (an intelligence gathering section) of the Marine drive police station, will be in their custody till March 16.

On March 9 when Satara police reached his house at Kanhere, they were greeted by his mother, who lives alone there. The house was searched and MD was found packed in travel bags, generally used by Indian Army personnel. “We have seized four travel bags containing 112 kg of mephedrone drugs. Each kg of drug was packed in a plastic bag,” Humbre said. As Kalokhe’s younger brother is also a constable with Satara police, it was unclear who had bought the drugs. “The raid and seizure at police station confi rmed Dharmaraj’s involvement,” he said. According to the police, Kalokhe used to perform rituals in memory of his father who passed away in October 2014. As he used to take regular leaves from his job for observing these rites, it is suspected that he traded drugs during these breaks. “As Kalokhe knew that State Transport (ST) buses are seldom

Dharamaraj used to take regular leaves from office to carry out drug trade

checked by the police at checkpoints, he used this mode of transport to transport the drugs to his home,” Humbre said. Kalokhe and his aides were searching for customers for the drugs. “Baby Patankar, a woman based in Mumbai, had handed over the consignment to Kalokhe and the duo was looking for clients,” Humbre said. Kanhere, a small village 10 km from Khandala Taluka and located on a hilly terrain, has over 500 houses with a population of 2,200. The sleepy village rarely has any law and order issues and a local constable visits the village once in 15 days. Majority of the villagers are farmers. With the youth migrating to cities for better jobs, women and elders look after the farms. Earlier this week, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had seized 405 kg of MD from a tourist bus on Mumbai–Pune Expressway. The DRI searches revealed that the drugs were manufactured in a factory owned by Ravindrda Konduskar, brother of Abhijeet Konduskar who owns the Konduskar Travels. Police suspect that both the cases might be linked with each other. gitesh.shelke@goldensparrow.com

morning and evening. Panse and PCCF members carried out an extensive two-year study of city local service and its future needs before sending the report to the ministry. “Chinchwad is central part of Pimpri-Chinchwad. Many IT (Rajiv Gandhi IT Park- Hinjewadi) and engineering Industries are situated nearby. People board trains at Pune station. The authorities should modify

Chinchwad station with ultra-modern facilities and halt mail and expresses trains to reduce crowding at Pune station,” he said. Panse said that the railways should construct more platforms. “Nearly 145 trains from south and north regions pass through this station daily. Authorities are facing a lot of problems and fi nd it difficult to manage these trains on just six platforms. We suggest that Shivajinagar station can be made terminus for locals running

between Pune and Lonavla. The station has two buildings of Railways Quarters constructed in 1954. The quarters are nearly vacant. These quarters can be demolished along with a nearby porter chawl and four platforms can be constructed. Hence, eight platforms for local, mail express will be made available,” Panse said. Panse thanked railway minister Suresh Prabhu for accepting the suggestion on behalf of PCCF. archana.dahiwal@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

PUNE

From real to reel life

“The NIV has informed the State that there has been no mutation of the H1N1 virus. But still citizens must take all necessary precautions” —Deepak Sawant, State Health Minister

India rising, but pregnant women go hungry

P10

P12

PCMC decides to wind up slum rehabilitation scheme BY ARCHANA DAHIWAL @ArchanaDahiwal

Yogesh Behl, unit president, Pimpri-Chinchwad NCP The new government and its policies resulted in the halt of SRA project. Centre and state have stopped funding the project and PCMC cannot bear the cost alone. The civic body used to get 75 per cent revenue from octroi and introduction of local body tax (LBT) has hit PCMC hard. The new government has added Pune, but left out Pimpri-Chinchwad under its smart city plan. We can complete the project if government provides financial assistance.

Quick view of PCMC SRA • Total project was of 18,368 houses • Widening up plan of 10,080 houses • Constructed flats - 8,288 in seven years • Total handover houses to beneficiaries - 5,040 • Yet to handover houses that have been constructed - 1,152 • Under construction houses - 1,472 • Major houses in winding up in sector 22 locality- 7,840

PCMC proposed to construct 1,760 tenements at Sector 22, Nigdi

According to 2011 population census, Pimpri-Chinchwad has a total of 71 slums with a population of over 1.47 lakh (officially declared slum population and no data of illegal slums). PCMC had already made a list of eligible slum dwellers staying in slums before 1995. The beneficiaries of the scheme who had got flats paid `10,000 as cost of the tenement, measuring around 270 sq ft. Under the project, six slums at Ajantha Nagar, Udyog Nagar, Vetal Nagar, Milind Nagar and Vitthal Nagar slums were selected for rehabilitation. PCMC proposed to construct 1,680 tenements at Ajantha Nagar and Udyog Nagar, 1,568 tenements at Vetal Nagar, 1,456

at Milind Nagar, 1,568 at Vitthal Nagar and 11,760 at Sector 22. The civic body proposed to complete slum rehabilitation projects by March 2010. Work orders were issued in December 2007. The total cost of tenement in parking plus seven type of building was `3.06 lakh, while that of a tenement in ground plus four type building was `2.74 lakh but the beneficiary had to pay 10 per cent of the total cost of the tenement. PCMC was taking only `10,000 from the beneficiaries, according to the proposal of civic body. The project was caught in a thick of controversy in 2011 when Shiv Sena corporator Seema Savale un-

WIKI commons

Sab golmal hai...

“There are many people who are spreading rumours and trying to malign my image. I will not deny them their right to do what they think is right”

Was the film on legendary freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak ever made?

said film on Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak which was produced by me is available and I had in fact given couple of copies of the same to the officials of the ministry way back in somewhere in 2005-2006 if my memory serves me right. I shall give you copies of the same within 3-4 weeks as I am travelling and I will have to search the same from my old records which lay scattered at many places,” Dhumale wrote to Ministry in September 2013. In January 2014, Nirmala Goyal, deputy secretary in Ministry of Culture wrote to Dhumale asking for script, screenplay, detailed story line, names and addresses of all those involved in making the film including the actors, and accounts to show how

der the Right to Information Act (2005) found that sector-22 SRA buildings violated the environment clearance norms as it was constructed in red zone area of Dehu Road Cantonment. She demanded investigation from central ministry and filed a writ petition in Bombay High Court. The proposal tabled by PCMC officials states that it is impossible to construct the remaining houses within the JNNURM deadline of March 31, 2015. PCMC will have to call for re-tendering as per market rate if it plans to built the units as Centre and state will not provide financial assistance. archana.dahiwal@goldensparrow.com

Reasons given by civic administration for winding up • Sector 22 comes in red zone of DCB so high court banned the permission • Writ petition filed against Link Road • No environment clearance for SRA • Delay in forming co-operative society from the beneficiaries who had handover the houses • Delay in approval of bank loan • Delay from execution of project from PCMC’s slum rehabilitation department • Delay in land sanctioning • The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has found serious irregularities in the SRA projects undertaken by PCMC. It included beneficiaries of SRA were arbitrarily chosen and the poorest of the poor were eliminated in the process and there were several controversies reported in land acquisitions

Truly, a tree lady

Mohini Sharma stalls PMC’s plan to chop 100 more trees for Ghorpadi–Mundhwa road widening project By Ashok Bhat @ashok_bhat

VINAY DHUMALE

Contd from p1 He explained that Commemoration Bureau was wound up in 2004 and that Special cell in the ministry had taken over the function in 2006. Papers pertaining to the commissioning of the project had been lost. However, he accepted that Rs 2.5 crores had been released. Around the same time Culture Ministry alerted Mumbai police asking them to trace Dhumale, who used to earlier reside in Mahim. Sometime in September 2013 cops managed to trace Dhumale, who had moved to another address in Mumbai. The film-maker wrote to the Ministry stating that he had completed the film several years ago. “I am happy to inform you that the

Manav Kamble, president, Nagri Hakka Surkhsha Kriti Samiti president It is the conspiracy of NCP to wind up SRA. The plots on which the SRA projects are stalled are under the influence of political leaders. With the BJPled government on the verge of introducing the land acquisition law, NCP is hurriedly trying to walk out from SRA projects. Ineffective PCMC is another reason for failure of SRA projects. The civic administration right from the beginning failed to maintain transparency, speed and clarity in the project. As a result, the dreams of thousands of slum dwellers lay shattered.

Rs 2.5 crores were utilised. Till date ministry hasn’t received answers. Six months later, in June 2014 Dhumale wrote to the ministry stating that he had handed over a “scratch copy” of the movie to Shreepad Naik, the then Minister of Tourism and Culture. He also stated that he would like to release the movie commercially on January 26, 2015 across several theatres in the country. The movie is yet to be released. “I have my doubts if the movie was ever made. The answers from the filmmaker have been evasive all along. I will take this matter to a logical end,” said Kamalapurkar. Meanwhile, Dhumale claimed that film titled ‘Swaraj, My Birth Right’ was done several years ago. “There are many people who are spreading rumours and trying to malign my image. I will not deny them their right to do what they think is right. The film will be released two to four months. In fact very soon I am going to announce the film to public at large,” he said. ashok.bhat21@gmail.com

A responsible citizen has stalled Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) plans to chop trees to widen the twoway Ghorpadi–Mundhwa Road for construction of a 12-metre carriageway on either side of the stretch. The estimated cost to widen the 3.5 km Ghorpadi–Mundhwa Road is Rs 36 crore. Around 70 trees were being felled on both sides for road widening and the contractor was given a green signal by Tree Authority of PMC. Later, the contractor found that another 100 more trees needed to be chopped for the project. An animal welfare activist and Mundhwa resident Mohini Sharma (54) raised an objection when the contractor tried to cut more trees. She lodged a complaint with PMC Garden Department. Her tireless efforts bore fruits when a court put a stay on the work. Alarmed by the contractor’s move to chop more trees without permission from authorities, Sharma sought relevant documents from him but could not get any satisfactory

Mohini Sharma explanation. The resolute woman approached RTI activist Vinod Jain and filed a complaint with PMC Garden Department. After inspecting the road with reference to acquired land and number of trees on the given stretch, the duo approached National Green Tribunal (NGT). The tribunal ordered a ‘Court Commission’ under senior counsel Girish Shinde to inspect the work and botanist Vinaya Ghate to count the number of trees. Sharma said, “The road width

was not uniform with 7.5 metre and 9 metre on either side. There are major obstacles like Passport Office building and trees outside it, wall of Botanical Garden of India and Mundhwa police chowky in the proposed project. There is also an ambiguity in tree count as there were more than 147 different trees on the proposed stretch as per the record of Ghate that was submitted to NGT.” Where’s the wood? According to Sharma, PMC has felled 70 trees that were more than 5070 years old. “Where is the wood of all these trees? Banyan trees of girth 8-10 metres used to line the stretch and the area was unofficially known as ‘Vad Ban’ (banyan forest).” She alleged that the logs of felled trees were transported in private trucks. “I was told by roadside vendors that those trucks were not of PMC. Before this issue I was unaware of any law about preservation of trees, about NGT, name of the authority to lodge a complaint of tree felling. I did not know that PMC collects deposit for permission to cut trees, and plantation and transplantation of trees is a must.” ashok.bhat21@gmail.com

Aniruddha Rajandekar

The dream of making PimpriChinchwad a slum-free city was shattered because the civic administration decided to wind up its slum rehabilitation projects. Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) had started the pilot ambitious SRA project of constructing 18,368 houses in various localities but was able to built only 8,288 houses in the past seven years. Now, the remaining 10,080 flats remain only on paper. The civic administration has now tabled a proposal for winding up the slum rehabilitation scheme. The proposal will have to be first approved by City Improvement Committee (CIC) and then sent to the General Body for final nod. To encash on slum votes, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-led PCMC was providing houses to poor for the past decade. NCP leader Ajit Pawar who had a stronghold on PCMC wanted to represent the twin town as the model city. To make the expanding Pimpri-Chinchwad slum-free, PCMC had launched an ambitious `592-crore scheme for slum dwellers. The Centre had sanctioned `359 crore for the slum rehabilitation scheme initiated under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The additional cost was to be borne by PCMC.

Aniruddha Rajandekar

Slum-free dream shattered

Quote-unquote

Ghorpadi – Mundhwa Road, where contractor chopped down 70 odd trees for road widening

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

As per the revised draft Road Transport and Safety Bill (RTSB) 2015, riding on cycle track or footpath in the city would attract a fine of `5,000 for first-time violator

Think twice before delaying pregnancy P11

Sharing mobile number? Think again! P14

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

Citizens on a mission to save Pavana river

PUNE

FRO adopts stickers for visa, passport

Trucks dump debris at riverbank at Pimple Gurav every day

Ravindra Ingavale

BY GITESH SHELKE @gitesh_shelke

Jalbiradari, Pune member and social activist Raju Savale takes photographs of trucks dumping debris in the Pavana river near Pimple Saudagar

BY ARCHANA DAHIWAL @ArchanaDahiwal In the dead of the night, several trucks make their way to the banks of Pavana River. They empty their load of debris and quietly exit. Citizens have now taken the responsibility of protecting the Pavana river from being turned Raju Savale into a dumping ground. Jalbiradari and Pimpri Chinchwad Citizens Forum (PCCF) have joined hands with Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to draw a plan under ‘Clean Pavana Mission’. The civic body has now provided dumpers and earthmovers to remove debris, besides assigning 50 staffers to monitor the cleaning work along with volunteers. Jalbiradari, Pune member and social activist Raju Savale had time and again alerted the authorities on illegal dumping in the river near

Pimple Saudagar. Speaking to TGS, the Sangvi resident said, “We have seen trucks loaded with debris taking the Spicer College route and arriving at the spot in the night every day. The dumping activity goes on from late night to early morning. Earlier, this illegal activity used to be once in a while but has now become a daily occurence for the past few months.” Pavana river, that flows for 25 km in PimpriChinchwad, provides water to over 20 lakh people residing in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Activists fear rampant dumping is not only affecting the quality of water but may lead to floods in the coming monsoon. The 3.5 km stretch of Pavana riverbank, near Laxmi Nagar, Pimple Gurav, is in a pathetic condition. These spots have become popular with the debris mafia while authorities are turning a blind eye. The riverbed’s height has increased to almost 35 ft on this 3.5 km long and 250 metre wide part. Illegal dumping has resulted in narrowing the width of the river at Pimple Gurav where a large portion of river land has been reclaimed.

Savale said, “During the monsoon, areas like Kasarwadi, Wakad, Dapodi, Navi Sangvi and Juni Sangvi may face flood-like situation if no immediate action is taken to remove debris and check dumping.” PCMC commissioner Rajiv Jadhav’s visit to the spot last month has not helped in stopping the illegal activity. According to Savale, PCMC says that irrigation authority has the power to take action against the illegal dumping but the latter is silent on the issue. “Mula and Mutha riverbeds look like nullahs, and the parts of Pavana river near Pimple Saudagar and Sangvi are also turning into drains,” he said. He said that the survey numbers along the river are private property but that does not give the owners freedom to reclaim the river. PCMC engineering department spokesperson Shirish Poredi said, “Actually, the riverbed comes under the jurisdiction of state irrigation department. We have written to them and asked them to initiate action immediately.” “PCMC has appointed two guards and alerted the police about the illegal dumping activity,” a civic official said.

Cop who ‘framed’ an eyewitness gets shunted Inspector Narayan Sarangkar put an eyewitness in a murder case behind bars BY GITESH SHELKE @gitesh_shelke Inspector Narayan Sarangkar of Paud police station who became an embarrassment for Pune police, has finally been shunted. Paud recently shot to limelight after he arrested a murder eyewitness on charges of dacoity and put him behind bars. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court (HC) alleging that he falsely arrested a complainant in murder case. A local goon, Pappu Hiraman Gawade (28), was allegedly murdered by gang members - KETAN TIRODKAR of Gajanan Marne in November 2014. Gawade was a ring member of Nilesh Ghaiwal gang, a rival gang of Marne. Gawade’s relative, Nilesh Jadhav, had lodged a complaint with the Paud police station. On his complaint the

accused in murder case were arrested. A fortnight later, Jadhav was arrested by Paud police station for planning a dacoity under section 399 of Indian Penal Code. The arrest led to a lot of critcism. Allegations were levelled against Inspector Sarangkar that he had framed Jadhav at the behest of Marne gang. The criticism led to superintendent of Pune rural police ordering a probe against the cop. Additional Superintendent of Police, Pune rural, Vijaykumar Magar, recently submitted a report to Superintendent of Police, Pune rural, Manojkumar Lohiya. Immediately after the report was tabled, Sarangkar was transferred. Strangely, a few affluent residents of Paud and Mulshi region protested in front of the office of Superintendent of Police, Pune rural, demanding cancellation of Sarangkar’s transfer orders. The embarrased Rural police is now trying hard to cover up the entire episode. Speaking to TGS, Lohiya said that Sarangkar was not posted at Paud station but was given additional charge that has since been withdrawn. The primary enquiry conducted by

“Jadhav was under police protection. Still, within two weeks, he was arrested”

the Additional Superintendent of Police raises suspicion on his work and Jadhav’s arrest. Ketan Tirodkar, who has fi led the PIL, said that Jadhav is a poor man and works as a driver. “As the murder took place in front of him, the police asked him to lodge a complaint. He was the eyewitness in the case. As the crime was an inter-gang fallout, Jadhav was under police protection. But within two weeks, Jadhav was arrested despite being in police protection. Sarangkar had arrested him,” Tirodkar said. The FIR and Panchnama reports prepared by Sarangkar and his team have many flaws and it shows that Jadhav was framed, Tirodkar said. In January 2015, the Pune rural police and Pune city police units booked Gajanan Marne in separate Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) 1999. Since then, Marne is cooling his heels in Yerawada Central Prison. Tirodkar said that Jadhav has been lodged in Yerawada Central Prison where Marne gang members are lodged. “They might pressurise him to withdraw the case,” he said, demanding a CBI enquiry into the case. gitesh.shelke@goldensparrow.com

nswers to the following 10 questions are embedded in the stories featured in this edition. Send us the correct answers at contest.tgs@gmail.com and be one of the two lucky winners to receive gift coupons.

TGS Quiz Contest

No. 39

Contest # 38

winners

Sushila Melwani Jyoti Kunte

1. Actor-designer Amrita Puri has acted in which movies? 2. Which was Manu Vijayan’s first album?

3. Which was director Sanjay Gupta’s first bike?

4. The seven-member team of cyclists covered how many Indian states in their expedition? 5. Artist Reeta Desai graduated from which college in Pune? 6. Writer Prita Yadav has represented Maharashtra in which sport?

7. Ronny’s Music Academy’s branch is in which

place? 8. Dominic Corda’s first art exhibition was sponsored by which firm? 9. Azhar Syed started website Photowafer with how many people? 10. Chizel Prints Manufacturing Pvt Ltd provides 3D models for which industry?

SAVE PAVANA MISSION Jalbiradari and PCCF’s efforts have awakened the district administration to provide dumpers and earthmovers for removing debris from the Pavana river. The plan was chalked out after Savale and other PCCF members met PCMC chief recently. The ‘Save Pavana Mission’ campaign now has 50 civic staffers and 50 volunteers from citizens groups. According to the plan, as the river covers 50 km considering both banks, every km will be handled by a PCMC staffer and a volunteer. The team will monitor removal of debris and cleaning the river bank. Savale said that the illegal dumping activity should be completely banned. ESR FINDS RIVER MOST POLLUTED The environment status report (ESR) of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) says the Pavana river is highly polluted compared to other rivers (Indrayani, Mula, Mutha) flowing through the industrial town. The report says the oxygen level in the river has gone down drastically. archana.dahiwal@goldensparrow.com

For the first time in the country, foreigners visiting the city will no longer have their details handwritten on visas and passports. Foreigners’ Registration Office (FRO) has done away with rubber stamping and replaced it with automatically generated glue slips containing details that are pasted on these documents. Around 45 foreigners visits Pune FRO every day. Earlier, officers used to feed all the information that foreign nationals fi lled in the C form (of registration), residential permits and other documents in computers. And acknowledging their stay in Pune was done manually by stamping on passports or visas. After stamping, the details of foreigners were written on passports or visas before issuing permits. Th is method used to cause spelling errors and sometimes the signature of officers used to fade and become illegible. The new system saves time as it automatically accepts the data fed by FRO officials in computers and prints on glue slips that are pasted on passports and visas. Speaking to TGS, Deputy Commissioner of Police (FRO) Sanjay Patil said that the new system has come handy. “The 16-digit passport number can be tallied easily due to the new system. It reduces the manmade errors that crop up while issuing permits to foreign nationals,” he said. The system has been developed by police constable Ravindra Ingavale and FRO has not relied on any software fi rm to develop or streamline the process of readymade printouts. Ingavale was awarded Rs2,000 for developing the system. gitesh.shelke@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

PUNE

The first computer was located in a research lab at UCLA and the second was at Stanford; each one was the size of a small house —www.history.com

Testing the President’s food not for taste, but for poison

Yoga helps to balance one’s life

P 13

P 15

The click trick

APP WORLD Get sharper and smarter with Eidetic

At 25, Azhar Syed has launched Photowafer, a budding platform for photographers and designers

Boost your memory with an all new Eidetic. The app uses a flash cardstyle approach to help its users memorise everything from notes, lists, phone numbers, quotes and other useful real-life applications. It offers a simple system wherein users can write down their own content in easy to use categories, allowing them to store and then memorise whatever is relevant to them. Users simply set the intensity of memory training, from one day cramfests to a more sedate weekly period, and Eidetic automatically notifies you when it’s a good time to practice. Available on: iOS

ANJALI SHETTY @shetty_anjali A software engineer by profession, Azgar Syed (25) is passionate about photography. A candid photographer, he often found it difficult to get his works noticed. There was no free platform for him to showcase his clicks and spread the word. This got him to launch Photowafer, a first of its kind Indian website which provides a platform for photographers and designers. Syed started conceptualising the idea in July 2014 and finally, launched the website in January this year. The idea is to have photographers display their work online. Also interested persons can contact them to buy their work or assign them. “I am an amateur photographer and found it difficult to promote my work at a serious level. Of course social media is there but getting the word out to professionals was difficult,” said Syed. On Photowafer, an artiste can upload pictures clicked by him/her and sell them He can also buy pictures posted by other photographers on the website. Photowafer also provides an opportunity to budding photographers to groom their talent and get recognised by the stalwarts of the industry. They also get a chance to work with them by creating a portfolio, which is absolutely free of cost. Syed added, “We create a space for users to upload their pictures and share with friends. It is a great fun. Also, it is a platform for the community of professionals who can work together.” Currently a 10-member team, Photowafer started out with just three

Appy Geek: For the tech lovers people. “Today, the youth is not only running after clichéd careers like medicine and engineering, but are also opting for unconventional courses among which photography ranks high. This is my little way of making things simple for them,” Syed said. India still does not have a free platform for budding photographers to display their talent. “Photobucket and Photoshelter are foreign brands and charge hefty amount for being a part of their venture. But, Photowafer is free and anyone can make a use of it. Eventually, we will start charging a very nominal rate. The idea is to promote passion and hobby among youth,” said Syed. On future plans, Syed shared that he will be tying up with media agencies and help budding artistes get work. “We are in the middle of tie-ups wherein media organisations can reach us for photographers and assignments. This will boost the morale of amateur photographers and also provide them with work.” anjali.shetty@goldensparrow.com

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“We create a space for users to upload their pictures and share with friends”

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Scan your wine with Drync Azgar Syed

Apple unveils smart watch, new lighter MacBook BY ARUN KUMAR

Washington, March 10 (IANS) Apple on Monday unveiled its much awaited Apple Watch that lets one make calls, read emails, control music and keep up with one’s workout regimen all from one’s wrist. Unveiling the watch at an event in San Francisco, CEO Tim Cook talked about the watch’s time capabilities, choices of finish and watch faces and a series of features called “glances”. The watch will notify a wearer with a “tap” when a new email arrives. Apple tapped supermodel Christy Turlington Burns to try out the Apple Watch with a video showing her running a half marathon wearing the watch. Fitness features include reminders to start moving when you have been sitting for too long.

A new workout app will offer weekly summaries and goal suggestions for the upcoming week. Cook described it as “having a coach on your wrist”. Cook also showed off a new MacBook, which he said “reinvents the notebook”. “We took everything we learned from creating the iPhone and iPad to make something amazing and bold,” he said. The new MacBook is thinner than the MacBook Air and weighs only two pounds (nearly one kg). Apple marketing executive, Phil Schiller, described it as the thinnest and lightest

laptop Apple has produced. It promises all-day battery life, with nine hours of wireless web use, or 10 hours of video playbook, Schiller said. It also has a redesigned keyboard and trackpad. It will be the first MacBook without a fan and first available in the gold colour that has been popular on iPhones and iPads. The event kicked off with the announcement that HBO’s streaming service will debut on Apple TV and devices exclusively next month. Cook also announced that Apple TV’s price will be lowered from $99 to $69 (about Rs 6,200 to Rs 4,326). Giving an update on Apple’s CarPlay offering, Cook said it has now been adopted by all major car brands. He also announced ResearchKit, which will make the iPhone a diagnostic tool for medical researchers through open-source software. IANS

NASA space apps challenge to spark innovation Washington: NASA and other space agencies are preparing for the fourth annual “International Space Apps Challenge” which will be held online at more than 135 locations worldwide April 10-12. During the three-day event, participants are asked to develop mobile applications, software, hardware, data visualisation and platform solutions that could contribute to space exploration missions and help improve life on Earth, the US space agency said in a statement. This year, 35 challenges represent NASA mission priorities in four areas: Earth studies, space exploration, human health research and robotics. Many of the challenges are in the Earth theme, supporting NASA’s missions to monitor Earth’s vital signs from land, air and space. “These challenges provide opportunities for US and global citizen scientists, engineers and students to interact and contribute to space exploration through code development, data analytics innovation, open source software and hardware,” said Deborah Diaz, chief technology officer at NASA headquarters in Washington, DC. This year’s challenge will include the first ever Data Bootcamp, with a focus on Women in Data. IANS

Now gift your child a Creativity Tablet! NEW DELHI: A Creativity Tablet, preloaded with several activities, apps and videos designed to nurture creativity in children, has been launched by children’ tablet maker Eddy in partnership with Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE). Eddy and CNE also announced the launch of Ben 10 tablets in India, designed to provide hours of learning and entertainment to children. Ben 10 is an animated action series that has become a global licensing phenomenon and has been one of the network’s biggest franchises since its launch in 2005. The tablets are powered by the Intel Atom Processor and are pre-loaded with award winning content from Cartoon Network and POGO. They also come pre-loaded with books and learning games. Both tablets

are targeted at children aged three and above. The two tablets run on Android 4.2.2 created

specifically keeping a child’s learning needs in mind. The Ben 10 tablet and Creativity Tablet are priced at Rs.9,999 and Rs.8,999, respectively, with limited period launch offers and discounts worth Rs.4,000. They will be exclusively available at Amazon.in and eddytablet.com “Our tablets provide excellent and fun content to bring out and nurture the superstar that lies in every c h i l d . Instead of spending thousands of rupees on

toys, video games and other merchandise, parents can gift their kids one of these tablets that not only provide unlimited learning and entertainment, but are also much safer compared to any other tablet,” Bharat Gulia, co-founder of Eddy, said in a statement. Siddharth Jain, managing director, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt Ltd, added: “Th rough Cartoon Network Enterprises, we have always aimed to extend the traditional notions of licensing and merchandising. “The Creativity and Ben 10 tablets will not only entertain kids with games and videos but will also provide an impetus to learning new skills and garner knowledge in a fun and familiar techbased environment.” IANS

This is an amazing app for wine lovers where you can track wines, find new wines, read reviews, see ratings, share with friends, and buy wine in no time. You can also add your own notes. You can discover new wines based on your friends’ recommendations or the app’s own discovery engine. Available on: Android, iOS

Upgrade to speaking with Dragon Dictation Are you bored of touch and type? Well, Dragon Dictation helps you get rid of this. The app allows user to dictate a text message or email, create Facebook status updates or a Tweet, and anything in between. You just need to speak and see your text content appear. You can save you time by sending texts and emails up to five times faster than typing. Available on: iOS

A perfect business app Keep a track of all your financial deals with a complete business app Invoice2go. It is designed to create invoices, estimates, credit memos and purchase orders straight from your device, as well as keeping track of money owed, taxes and totals. You can choose templates as per your need and option to include PayPal buttons for convenience. Invoice2go Plus allows users to track and manage invoices before sending them directly to customers and clients. Available on iOS

Make the maximum use of your phone space Opera Max is a free service from the Opera browser that reduces the size of images and videos (a 10 MB video can become 3 MB!) and helps you save more space. It can also speed up website load time, and saves you around a third to nearly half of your general data usage. The app auto detects expensive data. Also you can personalise settings when you are roaming. It allows you to block any app from using mobile data and lets you track apps that consume your data. Available on Android

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

“65 per cent of Indian enterprises do not have effective information systems and 62 per cent of them feel that access to modern technology is expensive.” —Koushik Shee, EffiaSoft

Signposts Edu portal Embibe acquires 100Marks Leading education portal to prepare for competitive entrance tests Embibe.com announced the take-over of 100Marks, a student guidance platform for JEE main, advanced and medical exams. The cash-plus-stock deal of an undisclosed value marks the joining of two leading players in the Indian education technology space with a combined footprint of around four million visitors last year. “The acquisition will help establish Embibe. com as a leader in the category, while also building the strongest guidance and score improvement platform targeted towards students preparing for the toughest exams in the country,” said Embibe.com’s founder-CEO Aditi Avasthi. “Both Embibe and 100Marks share a common vision of helping students score higher,” said 100Marks founder Pradeep Kumar.

NewsHunt acquires company Vauntz Local language mobile app, NewsHunt, has ‘acqui-hired’ analytics and mobile platform company Vauntz. This is the first acquisition by NewsHunt after its recent `250 crore in Series C funding led by New York-based Hedge Fund Falcon Edge Capital. Existing investors Matrix Partners India, Sequoia Capital India, and Omidyar Network also participated. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Post acquisition, the Vauntz team will work on building a platform for NewsHunt combining large scale systems and first time Internet users in India.

PUNE

“A solid foundation in science, technology, engineering and math creates the critical talent corporations and startups need to drive business and economic development.” —Renee James, president, Intel Corporation

A platform that weaves successful tales

Ruchi and Yashovardhan Jhawar’s e-commerce portal IndianArtizans brings together weavers from across the country to market their products BY RITU GOYAL HARISH @ritugh

e-commerce. Yash, a self-professed traveller and foodie, visited towns and villages meeting artisans. Each trip was a learning experience. “We wear clothes without understanding what goes into making them. Each product is a story. To the artisans, their art is an heirloom, one that they pass on from generation to generation,” he said. The company began retailing its specially curated pieces on a popular e-commerce portal (www.IndianRoots. com) in 2013, “A fabulous platform to start with,” admitted Yash. “The ecommerce story was growing and our curated stuff was being received really well,” said Ruchi, explaining how they rose to become one of the top brands on the site in just one year. Despite their popularity and demand from clients from across the world, the entrepreneurs felt that they needed to take the experience of buying an Indian handmade weave to another level. “We wanted to give our buyer the complete experience; we wanted them to experience the art, the heritage and the age-old stories associated with each art form,” said Yash.

In Paithan, a small town in Aurangabad district and home to the famous handwoven Paithani saree which has a history dating back to 200 BC, very few weaver families remain. It is disheartening to see that many youngsters have given up their ancestral craft for profitable careers. Ruchi and Yashovardhan Jhawar, management postgraduates in finance, have launched a company that is trying to change the lives of weavers by offering them good prices for their products and an online portal to market them. Marketing the traditional weaves of India is just one of the business endeavours of the couple who belong to business families from Indore and Ranchi. They moved to Pune in 2012 and set up InCraft Fashion Venture Pvt Ltd in August 2013, a company that sells handmade weaves from across the country, straight from the artisans to the end user. The duo decided to showcase India’s rich weaving heritage through

PRODUCT RANGE Proud of their specially curated pieces, the couple lists the range of weaves they offer on one platform. Kancheevarams and Upadas from the South, Maheshwari and Chanderi from Madhya Pradesh, Patola and Bandhej from Gujarat, specially designed block printing from Rajasthan, Ikats from Assam, famous Benarasi and Lucknowi weaves, the resplendent Paithani from Maharashtra and weaves from Orissa.

Ruchi (right) and Yashovardhan Jhawar, have a shop at Jaipur (left) and retails specially curated pieces online

“For us it is not just a sari, a weave. for handmade products) on one of their There is a history to it and we want buyers ranges. to know it when they drape the cloth,” The company has three women Yash said. The soon-to-be-launched directors, while Ruchi and Yash work e-commerce portal out of Pune. “Demarcatwww.Indian Artizans. ing responsibilities have com is the translation of worked for us,” said Rutheir vision and passion. chi. While Yash travels Their store at Jaipur helps and meets artisans, the clients to see and feel the women in the team hanproduct that they buy. dle back-end operations. While the couple intends The challenges to scale up this activity, in running a starttheir focus is on building up are aplenty. “We and establishing the are bootstrapping our portal. resources into the “We keep exploring business,” said Yash. To new regions and continue Ruchi, working together - YASHOVARDHAN JHAWAR to establish relationship as a couple is a blessing. with artisans,” said They admit to working Yash, adding that they have recently all the time, “We fold and label the received CraftsMark (an accreditation products and do our own intensive

“We explore new regions and establish relationship with artisans.”

quality checks,” Ruchi said. They are also aware of the challenge of finding the right people to work with. “HR is a curve that as a start-up we have to go through,” admitted Yash. Working with artisans is also tricky. “You have to win the trust of weavers. They have a lot of pride and need a personal touch,” said Ruchi. While the company endeavours to bring new designs to the ancient craft, they often face resistance from artisans. “They understand history; it is part of their technique and design and sometimes they do not see the need to change it,” Yash said. To improve the lives of artisans, the company is working on an ‘adopt an artisan’ model. Ruchi said, “If you want to grow, they must grow too.” ritugoyalharish@gmail.com

Architects are in awe of their 3D ‘smart models’

Akash Behl and Yash Rane are providing printing models that are a hit in this industry TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeekly They have tasted success in a short span of time. In six months since their startup Chizel Prints Manufacturing Pvt Ltd was launched and they bagged their first project, the company’s turnover has exceeded four times their initial investment. ‘Young and restless’ is a phrase that is often associated with those who aspire to achieve their dreams through veritable shortcuts and scale the heights of success rapidly. Akash Behl (25) and Yash Rane (24), both BTech in mechanical engineering from IIT Roorkee, belie the phrase, despite their age and apparent lack of experience. The duo marvelled at the vast possibilities of 3D technology during their third year at IIT Roorkee. With no clear vision as to what to do with this technology, they took up conventional jobs after completing mechanical engineering in 2013. “Akash took up a job in South Korea and I joined the automotive firm Behr in Pune. But soon we got fed up and decided to do something on our own and capitalise on 3D printing possibilities,” Rane said. The pair did market research from May 2014 and landed their first project in October 2014. They found that the 3D printing industry had many big players especially in the automobile and medical design segments. And they needed to

THE TEAM

find a niche. They picked architecture and began approaching architectural firms that needed 3D models for large projects. “No one was covering this segment and our first project was a 3D model of a segment of buildings in Nanded City,” Rane said. After getting the first big project, there was no looking back. “The architectural designs that we receive in 2D are AutoCAD drawings that have to be redesigned completely before their 3D model is created. This process needs expertise and an intellectual capability which we have,” Rane said. According to the duo, a product that takes two months to make by hand can be produced in two weeks through this technology. Several textures and looks can be achieved to meet the needs of the client. Buildings can be given stone facades, fences the exact shades of wood and lighting to illuminate the model can also be played around with. The company offers end-to-end solutions – from preprocessing (design), to manufacturing and post-processing (aesthetics, landscaping). The company also wants to venture into the entertainment industry for props and set designing, which is currently an underdeveloped sector. The pair’s stress on quality has attracted clients like IGate Global Solutions from Gujarat, British multinational Johnston Matthey’s Indian arm, Thermax and many more. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

The duo believes in working with a lean team and functions out of an office in Aundh with just four people, including them. “We work with partners for post processing work,” Rane said. They pursue each contact with doggedness and while Rane looks after operations and execution of projects, Behl oversees business development, sales and marketing. Both are involved in projects from start to finish.

GROWTH PLAN Investors have shown interest in the company but all plans have been held back for two months. “We need time to think about where we are going. We would like to grow in a slow and steady manner,” said Rane.

CHALLENGES

RAHUL RAUT

Akash Behl (L) and Yash Rane wish to take the technology to the masses. “3D technology is very customisable and everyone must be able to make whatever they visualise a reality, use it for personal branding,” Behl said

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“We were a bit dejected at the beginning of our work,” recalls Behl. Their age and lack of experience were becoming a hurdle in getting projects even though their ideas were appreciated. “We don’t have deep pockets and didn’t have money to buy big 3D machines. That was seen as a problem by many,” Rane said.

WHY PUNE “Pune has the perfect eco-system for start-ups,” said Rane, who also found comfort in the city that he had worked in for about eight months after graduation. The reason why the duo chose to have their first machine installation and office in Pune was also because of the low overhead costs. They are also considering installing their next machine in Pune.

We have more hooning and sliding action on our YouTube channel. Subscribe and comment.

Four cylinders, four doors, all-wheel drive. The CLA 45 AMG and Evo X misbehaving around the hills.

Wet conditions and the Jaguar V8 R Coupe addup to an impossibly fun afternoon spent mostly sideways.

We went to the top of the world in an insane rally Thar and a Suzuki V-Strom 1000. We came back too.

Look our for the alive logo in the magazine to watch the action unfold

Going back to when Toyota’s were cool, we drive a custom Supra with a big turbo and come away scared, and maybe a bit wistful.

w w w. a l iv e a r. c o m

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

PUNE

MARCH 14, 2015

PUNE

Authority Speak

`1,816 crores spent on BRTS,

Aundh-Ravet and Nashik Phata-Wakad routes will start functioning from first week of May. However, these routes will start functioning only after PMPML’s Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) is installed and examined. The civic body is waiting for ITMS to arrive. There were delays in developing these routes owing

And yet no respite for commuters • PMC has spent `1044 crores on BRTS

to some land acquisition issues. The BRTS corridor of Nigdi-Dapodi is ready but has been kept on a hold due to technical reasons of signals and merge-ins and merge-outs.”.

• PCMC has spent `772 crores on BRTS

• PMPML has procured 500 CNG and 150 diesel buses for BRTS • PMPML has floated a tender to buy additional 500 buses • In all, six BRTS routes are ready or on the verge of completion in twin cities • And yet commuters are far from happy. Here’s why?

he ambitious Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) was initiated in 2007 with much fanfare. It provided a ray of hope to citizens who had no option but to suffer endless journeys in public transport buses travelling at snail’s pace on crowded roads or worse still invest in buying their own vehicles. Eight years later, nothing has changed. Enough and more monies have been spent on the dream project. Routes that one thought were ready and all set to be launched have been lying unused for years. Iron barricades have gone missing, bus shelters damaged and roads badly damaged.

It will take a lot of time and money to restore that, something that planners are well aware of. And yet they have mustered the courage to plan more routes or should we say spend more money. TGS Team went around the twin cities and took a stock of the situation. PMC has focussed its energies on Katraj–Swargate–Hadapsar and Vishrantwadi–Wagholi routes so far along with the link route of newly constructed Sangamwadi–Deccan College Road. PCMC has developed four routes namely: Dapodi–Nigdi, Aundh–Ravet, Nasik Phata–Wakad and Kalewadi Phata– Dehu/Alandi.

Vijay Bhojane, Deputy Engineer, BRTS and Traffic Department of PCMC

The first pilot project of Katraj-Swargate-Hadapsar was not passenger friendly. There were several errors. The civic body has learnt from its mistakes and the same will be avoided in the upcoming projects. The corporation has plans to develop a corresponding road network of BRTS on different roads. So far, PMC has spent about `1,044 crores on development of these roads. The second route of Vishrantwadi-Wagholi is ready but civic body is waiting for ITMS to arrive. It will be thrown open once the system is installed on the route. Satara road section of the Katraj-Swargate-Hadapsar route will be taken up for re-development once flyover works are completed.”

Katraj–Swargate– 1 Hadapsar route

2 Vishrantwadi –

Wagholi route

he work on the Vishrantwadi– Wagholi route along with its link Sangamwadi–Deccan College Chowk started in 2012. The 16- km route was to cost `38 crores. A massive bus terminal was planned at Vishrantwadi and the route was to be entirely barricaded. All that was planned has been executed - the route meets the standard norms of BRTS, bus stops have been constructed, footover bridges are in place at some spots, all bus stops have level boarding facility, safety measures like CCTV cameras are in place. The route was to be thrown open in March 2014. The only glitch is Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) to control the bus traffic. For want of the ITMS, the route has been lying unused. After much ado, `10 crores

has been sanctioned to install the ITMS and tenders have been floated. In the last one year, ever since the route has been ready, enough has been spent only on maintenance. The dedicated corridor continues to be a white elephant that occupies a sizeable portion of the road. On some stretches locals make good use of it by parking their vehicles along the empty road. In some areas, slum dwellers use the barricaded corridor to put out their grains and pulses to dry. Several bus shelters are being used to store wares by local scrap dealers. Glass window panes at shelters have been broken and iron grills stolen. On some stretches, where traffic jams are common, motorists have demolished the wall barricades and started using the dedicated corridor.

2 Private vehicles move freely in the BRTS tracks

his was a first ever BRTS route. Launched in 2006, the 18 km route was built using `108 crores of public exchequer’s money. In its hay days, air conditioned buses used to ply on the route. With massive construction the activity along the route and several other technical glitches, service on Swargate-Satara Road stretch along the dedicated corridor has failed. On Katraj-Swargate section, locals opposed the operations due to several

fatal accidents. They pelted stones at the buses and the air-conditioned buses had to be pulled off the roads. Moreover, residents found it difficult to get to the other side of the road for want of proper crossings along the route. These days the BRTS route along the stretch is only for namesake. Barricades have been removed on several stretches. Bus shelters are long gone. In places where the dedicated lane still exists, it’s free for all. Private

Vivek Kharvadkar, Additional City Engineer (Road Department), PMC

The deserted BRTS route on the Alandi Road while motorists are forced to use remaining lanes of the road. The stretch is sporadically used by stray motorists

cars, heavy vehicles, and even two wheelers at times can be spotted using the lanes meant for public transport buses. Traffic cops can be seen standing helplessly looking at the mayhem, while their bosses sitting in police headquarters once in a while issue threats that action would be initiated against those who drive or ride in dedicated lanes. The cops want PMC to deploy traffic wardens to prohibit motorists from using the route.

3 Aundh-Ravet BRTS route

DEHU

CHIKHALI

KIWALE

ALANDI

NIGDI AKURDI

CHINCHWAD

RAVET

BHOSARI

KSB CHOWK DIGHI

THERGAON HINJEWADI

BRTS has proven to be one of the finest public transport systems across the world. It has worked wonderfully well in Ahmedabad. But in Pune, it has become a bane for citizens. Rather than turning things around for passengers, the BRTS is nothing more than a nuisance for everyone. It has been in existence here since 2006 and nothing actually has changed on ground. If anything, it only causes inconvenience to citizens at large. Political leaders are merely using BRTS to gain political mileage. A whole lot of public money has gone in to building it. Instead of benefiting politicians, the BRTS should have been citizen centric. Things have gone so bad as far as BRTS is concerned that people want the entire scheme scrapped. I believe that the BRTS can be implemented properly even here and can be a huge success. Only if everybody involved stops looking at it as a money churner. People do need a good transport system and it is for planners to give them one.

Jugal Rathi, Member, Sajag Nagrik Chetna Manch

KALEWADI FATA

HINJEWADI VILLAGE

ork on the widening the 13-km long section of PuneMumbai road from Nigdi to Dapodi started six years ago to make way for BRTS. Four lane road was widened to eight lanes so that central lanes could allow unhindered flow of buses. In all,

19 BRTS bus shelters were planned on the route. PCMC spent `286 crores on the project which was to start in 2013. The route has been ready for a while now. However, services have not commenced due to glitches. One

NASHIK PHATA DAPODI

WAKAD

PIMPLE GURAV

VIMAN VISHRANTWADI NAGAR

b 4 BANER

LOHEGAON

BOPKHEL 50

YERWADA

AUNDH SANGAMWADI

WADGAON SHERI

PASHAN

AH47

BAVDHAN

CAMP

HADAPSAR

KOTHRUD SWARGATE WARJE

PARVATI

NANDED

DHAYARI

WANOWRIE

AMBEGAON BUDRUK

KONDHWA UNDRI

KATRAJ

Over and above the ones under construction, there are several other BRTS routes that have been proposed in twin cities: a: Warje-Kharadi: 22 km b: Kothrud-Vishrantwadi: 17 km c: Dhayari-Hadapsar: 17 km d: Kalewadi-Katraj:17 km e: Telco Road: 12 km f: Bopkhel to Alandi: 9 km g: Bhakti-Shakti to Kiwale: 11.80 km h: KSB chowk to Hinjewadi:13.30 km

of major problems along the route is that of merge-ins and merge-outs of other vehicle. A study conducted by the civic body shows that about 100 private vehicles join the stretch in a minute during peak hours. And around 120 vehicles merge-out of the

traffic from the stretch. The BRTS route has not addressed this issue which planners believe will result in congestion. BRTS can commence only after these merge-ins and mergeouts are regulated on the stretch to avoid accidents.

his eight km long BRTS route starts from Nashik Phata flyover and ends at Wakad (Katraj – Dehu road bypass). The civic body has spent `205 crores for this route. The work on the project commenced in January 2013 and was completed in January 2014. The route is still not operational though. The route was to provide better public transport system to the residents of Pimpale Gurav and areas near Hinjewadi. However, the services are yet to start on the route owing to ‘technical problems’. For now the dedicated corridor has been sealed by the PCMC. Bus shelters along the route are extremely popular with beggars and urchins, who can be seen having a gala time there.

Work on Kalewadi-Dehu BRTS route cannot start till the Empire Estate flyover is complete

3 1. Electronic gates have disappeared from the bus shelters 2. Traffic jams on narrow carriageways adjacent to unused BRTS tracks are a common sight 3. Authorities seem to be in no hurry to complete the project

KHARADI

GHORPADI

Wakad route

ommissioned on September 9, 2008, the route was to get over by March 9, 2010. As is obvious, the BRTS stretch is five years late already. If planners are to be believed, it will be thrown open to public by May this year. The delay, according to planners, was due to land acquisition tussle with defence. This is the longest BRTS route in Pimpri-Chinchwad covering 14.50 km. The six-lane road has two dedicated lanes in the centre for public transport buses. The civic body has already spent `238 crore on the route. The route was supposed to make life easier for those working in Hinjewadi. Several slum pockets and buildings were demolished to make way for the BRTS on the stretch. Government-run Aundh Chest Hospital is located on the route. It has become difficult for the ambulances and patients to cross the route.

WAGHOLI

MUNDHWA

SHIVAJI NAGAR

5 Nashik Phata-

Kalewadi-Dehu 6 route

This bus shelter has become a popular dumping ground for the local residents

Proposed routes

4 Nigdi-Dapodi route

Unguarded bus stops provide a safe haven for bootleggers

Citizen Speak

his 10.28 km long stretch is still under construction. Sanctioned in 2008, it was to be ready in two years. However, PCMC has now extended the deadline and claims it will be completed only by December 2016. The delay is mainly due to construction of flyover at Empire Estate in Chinchwad (off Mumbai – Pune highway), which is yet to be completed. As per the original plan the buses were to ply on the flyover in dedicated lanes. However, since

the flyover is delayed, entire project is in a tizzy. The civic body has put a blame on the contractor for not completing the flyover within the deadline. At the same time, the residents of Empire Estate Society, from where the flyover passes, have vehementally opposed the BRTS as it will increase chaos near the society. The civic body has spent about `45 crores on the project and the work of the BRTS will resume only after flyover is complete.

Buses travel on carriageways meant for private vehicles as BRTS tracks lie unused

For now the infrastructure is complete. The BRTS corridor is closed for private vehicles. With two lanes closed to traffic, and public transport buses sharing the remaining carriageway with private vehicles, jams are common.

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

PUNE

“There is not a huge difference between theatre, film and television. It is nonsense to believe that in theatre your performance has to be enlarged. Good acting is good acting whether on stage or in cinema.” —Naseeruddin Shah

Agarwal Club and Swatantra theatre join hands to make a comedy film with in-house actors

The cast and crew of ‘Chalo Fillum Banate Hai...’

TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeekly

comedy, with lots of drama and twists. The most interesting part of this film is that all the actors working in this film A community or club will normally will only be members of this elite club, organise an event or programme to who are currently going through an mark its foundation. But Agarwal intense workshop of 20 days for acting Club decided to break the routine. and movie making under the banner of Thinking out of the box, the club Swatantra Films Production. Abhijeet decided to take a different route to Choudhary, Yuwaraj Shah, Dhanashree celebrate its foundation. The Club is Heblikar, and Sachin Sonawane are busy making a film to professionals from the talk about their values industry, who will be and spread a peaceful directing, co-directing, and harmonious scripting and doing the message. Swatantra cinematography of the Theatre’s Abhijeet film. Choudhary will be The idea of making directing the film titled the film was that of ‘Chalo Fillum Banate Rajiv Agarwal and Hira Hai’. This movie is an Agarwal, which will be initiative of incoming released on September president Rajiv Agarwal 15, which marks the and Hira Agarwal of foundation day of the Agarwal Club. club. Agarwal Club, a The film will talk - Dhanshree Heblikar Pune-based community about core values and club, decided to step ethics of the Agarwal into its golden era with a unique Club, whose members have shown a concept of making a feature film. The tremendous excitement and interest movie is being made in collaboration to participate as actors in the film and with Pune’s Swatantra Theatre group, willingness to go through the rigorous whose famous work include a recently acting workshop leaving behind their directed film ‘Godse to Gandhi’ and hesitation. The average age of the ‘Common Sadness (an international members acting in the film is likely film). to be 50 years and approximately, 200 The movie titled ‘Chalo Fillum members are working in this film. Banatey Hain…’ is an out and out tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

“The actors are going through a workshop for acting and movie making”

Parents teach them more than exams do A large number of families in Pune seem to be opting out of routine schooling for their kids and homeschooling them By Sneha Krishnan @sne_krishnan

At home, children move about a lot, get to travel at any time of the year and mix with people of all With homeschooling picking up pace kinds in natural interactions and in the city, many parents prefer to situations. Any relationship challenges educate their children at home rather or uncomfortable situations can be than following the routine of sending immediately shared with a parent who them to schools for their academic can patiently talk through the little or growth. But what makes parents opt big emotional traumas. out of schools — is chaotic education “Each child learns differently. If system frightening them? Or are they my child can’t learn at the same pace keeping their kids away from unhealthy he won’t be able to cope up and will and uncontrollable competition? lag behind. But at the same time he is For homeschooler Urmila Samson learning something else. He is learning who is a mother of three, the answer is to polish his shoes, pack his bags, and very simple. “Parents teach with love, socialise,” she says. deeper understanding, balance and Sanjyot’s 10-year-old son Ram care. They know each child intimately says, “I get to learn more at home. For and can go according to their pace, instance if I am learning about fish building on strengths and weaknesses. scales at home, I can go on the internet They know which of their children need and read about it and see pictures and more of sports and outdoorsy activities, videos of fish and I like this type of creative and artistic pursuits, intellectual learning, it’s more fun. If anyone asks Saraswati Chavali takes an afternoon session of mathematics with her son Anand stimulation and social engagement. Peer me why I don’t go to school I tell them pressure is out of the question in home that my mother and father are better time with them, learnt how each of An amateur footballer with the Pune schooling, and children can pursue their teachers for me.” them think and understand.” FC, Niom says that he gets to play interests without being influenced by Saraswati Chavali, resident of Her children Sahya, Rayn and his favourite sport and train everyday class mates.” Bavdhan, has been homeschooling her Niom have been unschooled by her. which would not be possible if he went Before the compulsory school 11-year-old son Anand for a few years. “My daughter used to be very to school. “I feel that attendance laws came to existence, “I have started teaching curious about schools when she was all my friends think most childhood education was him a little Maths slowabout 11 years old, and so I did enroll the same way because imparted by the family or community. ly and he seems to have her in one, but for some reason she they are taught the Today, homeschooling is an alternative learnt English very well wasn’t okay with it,” says Samson. same thing, but I feel and is a legal option for parents in too through his friends, Her 15-year-old son, Niom is different while I’m with many countries. video games and the telhappy with what he has achieved so them, I don’t think like Samson says, “I never felt that evision. At home we try far. “Well, I don’t feel I am missing out them,” he says proudly. my kids needed to go to school to to not measure learning on anything, in fact I feel my friends Sanjyot Rahate, gain knowledge. I wasn’t working, and set standards for are missing out on a life apart from a homeschooler from so teaching my kids at home was a him through curricstudies and exams,” he says happily. Vishrantwadi says that convenient option. I got to spend more ulums and exams, we the school curriculum let him choose what he is very rigid. “I have two wants to do and we are boys, Kabir (11) and there to answer all his Ram (10). I sent them questions,” she says. - Niom Samson to school when they Sawaswati adds that were little kids. But exams only create fear in they couldn’t continue the child’s mind and it for more than six months. I learnt the doesn’t let them understand the subject way their basic curiosity works as they clearly. “This I feel is an unhealthy always wanted to learn a lot. Everyone method of learning. The child is only looking to finish with exams sometimes has answers, but is unable and if the students ask the teacher to write it, but that doesn’t mean that anything out of curiosity, they are the child is unware of the answers.” told that it is not part of the syllabus Her son Anand says it’s nice to or their chapters so don’t pay attention have my mother and father teaching to it. A child is a learner and he will me at home. “I have many friends ask questions. If you don’t encourage who don’t go to school and we all like children to ask questions how will they studying at home.” learn anything?” The homeschoolers’ group is It has also been proven to be widening each year with more and psychologically damaging for a child more parents exploring options outside to spend long hours sitting in one place the school. Situations were different engaging mostly in mind work, being pre Internet days, but now children forced to write for no good purpose. have plenty of options outside of a In adulthood, how many of us need routine curriculum that ought to get Sanjyot Hardikar with her husband and two sons both of whom are being to write nonstop for hours, or give mundane sooner or later. homeschooled by her stressful exams? snehakrishnan@hotmail.com rahul raut

From real to reel life

For 10th month, MFs report net inflows P 14

“I never felt that my kids needed to go to school to gain knowledge”

Pune’s symbolic Dhepe Wada portrays Maratha glory

Dhepe Wada is a step back into a past era, to the glorious days of the Maratha Empire

Nitin Dhepe and his wife Rucha Dhepe welcome guests at the Dhepe Wada. The wada offers its guests a comfortable atmosphere within its luxurious walls and vast spaces

By Barnalee Handique @barnalee Built amidst sylvan surroundings, the Dhepe Wada near Mahindra College at Paud is reminiscent of the past. The architecture is based on ‘Maratha Vastu

Shaili’ and the architecture of the wadas dates back to 1641, during the rule of Shivaji Maharaj. It is built on a module system which has ‘5 khans’ or wooden columns on the side, with ‘perlins’ and ‘gathas’. The rooms which are about 12 to 15 in number opened to a courtyard

where the families used to gather in the evenings or any other occasions. The Dhepe Wada has been built along these lines by Nitin Dhepe. The main concept behind this wada is to revive the past glory of the Marathas, the culture and its traditions. Dhepe

said, “I’ve been in the real estate sector for the past 22 years and I have made many new constructions, in old wadas sites. Every wada is replete with history as many freedom-fighters and Sardars lived in them. Generations after generations have their past buried in it. I feel guilty each time I demolish a wada and build a flat in its place. I wanted to build something for the new generation that will give them a glimpse of our rich history and culture.” It is also an invitation for the people whose wadas he demolished to relive their past. Since 2003, Dhepe has been scouring for a proper site to build a wada based on the Maratha Vastu Shaili. He did a recce of the Purandare Wada at Saswad, Phadnavis Wada at Mehauli, Kale Wada at Baramati and the Vishrambaug and the Shaniwar Wada in the city. His findings from all of them were very interesting which show that these wadas are over 350 years old. Dhepe said, “When Shivaji Maharaj came into power, he reconstructed the wadas that had been destroyed by the Mughals. The Maratha Vastu Shaili architecture of the wadas was

influenced by Rajasthani, Gujarati, Southern Indian and Mughal styles.” The Dhepe wada is an amalgamation of all these influences. The Mahadwar or the main door with a ‘Dindi’ has a ‘Nagarakhana’ above it. This is the place they used to play the ‘nagaras’ to intimate the owners about the arrival of guests in the wada and security guards were stationed on the other side of the door. Inside the wada, all the rooms face the courtyard and are connected by the ‘Sopas’, the passage which surrounds the courtyard. Adjacent to the ‘Sopas’ is the ‘Osri’ that has a flight of stairs leading up to the upper floor. On the side is the ‘Mudpakhana’ or the kitchen. Traditional cuisines are made in the ‘chullah’ and later served at the ‘Majghar’ where the whole family sits together to dine. The ‘deewankhana’ is the space where the guests at the wada are

received. With beautiful low sitting on all sides with the mortar and the pestle and the ‘Tulsi Gruha’, this greeting area gives the wada a luxurious feel. The garden has trees like jackfruits, mangoes, jamun, banyan, traditional spices and flowers. Dhepe has converted the upper floor to a children’s library where Marathi and English books are displayed. Children can play various traditional games like marbles, kham kham boli, lezim or even build forts with mud. Guests can experience life in this wada and will be charged Rs. 2,000 per person for food and staying per day. To add to the fun element, the guests can wear different traditional costumes and ornaments available there. This one of a kind wada is open to all. To promote the place, Dhepe has tied up with Maharashtra Tourism Development. barnalee.handique@goldensparrow.com

Environment Area

H ealth Fine Particulate Matter

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

Respirable Particulate Matter

0-50 Good/average 50-100 Poor/unthealthy

Pune Pollution Levels

Shivajinagar (very unhealthy)

121 87

202 128

87 23

Alandi (unhealthy)

76 52

160 88

67 10

Poornam Ecovision Foundation underlines the necessity of recycling and treating waste. They employ skilled workers from the underprivileged sections of the city to work in their mission of promoting sustainable living

Thinking of conceiving late leads to a bunch of trips to the gynecologist and added stress to your lives

Making an earnest effort towards environmental sustainability in the city, Rajesh Manerikar (36) and his team of Akshaya Manerikar and Prashant Duraphe launched Poornam Ecovision Foundation in 2013. The foundation organises programmes to generate awareness on waste management, product manufacturing and trading in waste management, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and environmental management. “Our aim is to bring in a positive impact in the field of environmental conservation for sustainable development through effective and innovative ideas in waste management, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, natural resource management and environmental management,” Manerikar said. The team take up the role as facilitators of problems and work with society. They also look forward to cooperation and participation from citizens in their endeavour to provide holistic solutions to environmental problems. The foundation also takes up programmes that give livelihoods for the underprivileged. On the setting up of the foundation, Manerikar said, “We thought the need for an organisation or a centre, which is a legal entity, where skilled people like designers and CSR can come together and volunteer. Over a period of time, the body became a social enterprise to produce quality products.” The team visited 15 residential complexes in the city and collected around 1,000 kg of cloth and 1,000 kg of e-waste in the first year in 2013. The figure touched 3,000 kg of cloth and 7,000 kg of e-waste the next year, and the numbers are shooting up each year. Of the collected items, about 20 per cent of clothes that are in good and reusable condition are donated. The rest is segregated and the good fabric goes to organisations for handlooms and handicraft purposes and making

“Most cases of woman infertility are due to stress and hectic lives”

Shocking results • In a recent study done by Metropolis Healthcare, the following are the outcomes. • Out of the 2,195 samples processed at Golwilkar Metropolis, Pune, over 1,141 samples ranked low in the fertility index. • Over 35% of the women in the age group 26-30 who underwent the AMH ranked low on fertility index. • Over 57% of women in the age group 31-35 who underwent the test reported low levels of AMH.

Baobab nearing extinction? There are only four trees of the species left in Pune; Conservationists are trying hard to save the tree which can hold over one lakh litres of water in its trunk rahul raut

Pune’s green cover has great historical value considering the fact that many of them planted by the British and the Portugese are still standing tall. Adansonia , also known as the Baobab many believe is on the verge of extinction. Not long ago there were only five of them left. Now the number has come down to four after one of them

uprooted in June 2014, inside Savitribai Phule Pune University Experts say that the tree uprooted due to shallow soil near it. It was the biggest of all the Adansonia trees in Pune and was about 250 years old. From the remaining ones, there is one on Tilak Road which was planted before 1940; one is outside Desai Bungalow, near Pune railway station; and two are on Ghole Road. “Baobabs are trees recognisable by their distinctive swollen stems. The

Adansonia Tree is of African origin and was brought to India by the Portuguese,” says senior Botanist PK Ghaneakar. “The leaves of this tree look like palms of a hand and it takes 12 people holding hands to encircle it,” he adds. The biggest colony of this tree is at the Vasai Fort in Mumbai. These trees look like this for a reason; they store up to 30,000 gallons or over one lakh litres of water in their trunks. The species is mainly planted in arid zones and is deciduous, shedding their leaves during the dry season. The fruits of these trees are very famous and are used to make sherbet in the African continent. Since 2008, interest has been increasing for developing Baobab seeds or dried fruit powder for consumer products. As of 2010, the potential international market was estimated at $1 billion per year. In Zimbabwe, the fruit is used in traditional food preparations. In Africa, the Baobab’s bark is used for cloth and rope, leaves for condiments and medicines, while the fruit, called ‘monkey bread’, is edible. “In Pune, several nature lovers are working towards the conservation of these trees,” says Conservationist Vijaya Ghate who works with Nisarg Sevak in Pune. “Our organisation has tied up with the Pune Municipal Corporation and launched the Smriti Udyan. We have planted about six trees near the Kothrud garbage dumping depot. These trees are about eight years old now. The forest department also has saplings of the Baobab tree in Narayan Gaon, but they have not been planted anywhere yet. Since these trees grow to become very huge and need a lot of space, several organisations are looking for proper spaces to plant these trees,” said Ghate. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

rahul raut

BY SNEHA KRISHNAN @sne_krishnan

TGS NEWS SERVICE While not all women may suffer @TGSWeekly from fertility problems with growing According to an international study age, recent trend and analysis have that came out in 2012, out of 60 a different story to tell. Thankfully 80 million couples suffering from science is progressing at a pace and it infertility globally every year, 15 - 20 is possible to determine how fertile million are from India alone. This is a woman is and the longevity of her indeed shocking. fertility. This will A host of factors empower women to affect female fertiliprioritise their personal ty including a number and professional lives. of medical issues like Today women poly cystic ovarian synmarry late and plan drome (PCOS), pelvic their pregnancy after inflammatory disease, three or four years of STDs, and endometriomarriage. Most women sis. However, recent reopt for contraception to search and studies point avoid pregnancy. It is us towards a growing important that women trend. Life style choices, understand their ovarian hectic schedules, stress, reserve before they take - Dr A Golwilkar poor eating habits are this decision. “This only having a toll on womhelps them take a better en’s reproductive health. decision and avoid Today, more and more Indian women unnecessary stress when they plan to in metro cities are delaying their pregconceive. Having said that, the Anti nancy owing to their career and comMullerian Hormone (AMH) Test is petitive jobs. a multi-purpose test and increased “Most cases of women infertility level may also suggest conditions that we come across are due to stress, like PCOS. This helps in evaluating consumption of oral contraceptives fertility potential and ovarian response and trying to conceive post 30 years to an IVF cycle. It needs to be of age,” says Dr Awanti Golwilkar interpreted along with USG findings Mehendale, Chief of Laboratory at which gives you an idea of the follicles Golwilkar Metropolis Health Services being developed in the ovaries,” says India Pvt. Ltd. Dr Golwilkar Mehendale.

TGS NEWS SErvice @TGSWeekly

Ozone 0-100 Good/Moderate Above 100 Unhealthy

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The Baobab tree stands tall on Ghole Road, outside Ward office

PUNE

Products made out of recycled material are displayed at Prashant Duraphe’s house at Model Colony, Inset: Rajesh Manerikar

products. The remains are used as wipers and mops for household and automobile industries. “Apart from fabric, we also collect e-waste. As an organisation we channelise e-waste as there is no one to do it in the city and there is no collection point. Everyone wants to dispose of their old TVs or old stereo sets but don’t know where to discard. We collect e-waste with the help of

a government authorised person and channelise it. Since all e-waste is not garbage, channelising it is crucial and it can be reused,” Manerikar said. With Pune generating 1,700 tonnes of waste every day and the municipality discarding it in dumping grounds, we asked Manerikar on how recycling and treatment plants will help ease the garbage crisis. “What Pune needs is management,

concept and a solution to garbage problem, besides awareness about recycling and segregation. People are asking and looking for solutions but they don’t have any or are unaware of any. The city has a lot of space which can be used efficiently but the municipality’s efforts are not enough. If we calculate our waste with approximate figures, out of this 1,700 tonnes, 50 per cent of it is wet waste. The wet waste can be converted to compost. As for the dry waste, we have plastic, glass, metal and construction site waste too. All of these, around 30-35 per cent of dry waste, can be recycled. The rest of garbage needs to be dumped. I don’t think all of this 1,700 tonnes of waste needs to be dumped. About 90 per cent of it can be treated,” he said. The foundation plans to solve the problem of waste during festivals. “We worked on thermocol recycling at a small scale during the Ganeshotsav last year. With the help of a scientist, we want to expand the facility in the coming years during festivals,” Manerikar said. Poornam Ecovision promotes a holistic and sustainable approach to recycling waste through a few methods like waste management recycling, organic agriculture, conservation of environment and environment management. They are trying to promote this among the people in the city and provide methods to do this. snehakrishnan@hotmail.com

Earnest appeal The team urges citizens to arrange such collection drives and promote sustainable development and recycling in housing societies. Volunteers can mail at poornam. ecovision@gmail.com .

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

PUNE

“We are outraged at the news of summons being served to former prime minister Manmohan Singh... He is known for his integrity and probity not only in the country but across the world. We are here to offer our unstinting support to Manmohan ji.” —Sonia Gandhi, Congress President

Apathy, the cardinal sin P 15

India rising, but pregnant women go hungry Study says pregnant women are gravely underweight. With decades of robust economic growth, it is one of the world’s most perplexing public health questions BY GARDINER HARRIS NEW DELHI: Her first child survived eight months before succumbing to pneumonia; her second was stillborn; her third, delivered in a rickshaw, gasped for an hour before dying. When she got pregnant for a fourth time, Juhi, a woman from a South Delhi slum who uses only one name, was spotted by a local health worker and taken to a mobile clinic. A doctor diagnosed severe anemia, gave her iron pills and begged her to eat more. Juhi listened, and gave birth to a boy, Muhammad Sultan, who has survived his first birthday - a huge milestone in a country with about onesixth of the world’s population but one-third of all newborn deaths. “My in-laws were telling me they would get my husband married to someone else, because I couldn’t have a healthy baby,” Juhi, 26, said in an interview. “That’s why we left our village. But now my mother-in-law is happy with me.” The poor health of children in India, even after decades of robust economic growth, is one of the world’s most perplexing public health questions. A child raised in India is far more likely to be malnourished than one from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe or Somalia, the world’s poorest countries. Poor sanitation

Mothers and newborn babies share a bed at the Civil Hospital in Gurgaon. The poor health of children in India, which has about one-sixth of the world’s population but one-third of all newborn deaths, is one of the world’s most perplexing public health questions. (Kuni Takahashi/The New York Times)

and a growing tide of drug-resistant infections also affect nutrition. But an important factor is the relatively poor health of young Indian women. More than 90 per cent of adolescent Indian girls are anaemic, a crucial measure of poor nutrition. And while researchers have long known that Indian mothers tend to be less healthy

than their African counterparts, a new study published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrates that the disparity is far worse than previously believed. By analysing census data, Diane Coffey of Princeton University found that 42 per cent of Indian mothers

are underweight. The figure for subSaharan Africa is 16.5 per cent. Indeed, Coffey calculated that the average woman in India weighs less at the end of her pregnancy than the average woman in sub-Saharan Africa did at the beginning, an astonishing finding. “In India, people are richer, better

Broken glasses a poignant reminder of Bengali man who fought for Britain

Jogendra Nath Sen ( Jon Sen) was the only Indian, non-white man to fight for a West Yorkshire regiment in World War One By Sahana Ghosh Kolkata: A pair of broken and blood-stained glasses tucked away inside a museum in West Bengal serves as a poignant reminder to the horrors of war and helped frame the incredible story of Jogendra Nath Sen, the only non-white who fought in the 15th West Yorkshire Regiment and the first known Bengali to be killed in World War I. Discovered by London-based Indiaborn Santanu Das, an expert on India’s involvement in the war, the shattered pair of glasses and other memorabilia form the narrative of a documentary by Shahid Hussain, just featured in the Inside Out segment on BBC One (Yorkshire). Sen, who hailed from Chandernagore (the former French Colony in Bengal now christened Chandannagar), arrived in England in 1910 to study at Leeds University in West Yorkshire. When the war broke out, Sen was employed as an assistant engineer at Leeds Corporation Electric Lighting Station. In September 1914, he was among the first to sign up for the 15th West Yorkshire Regiment, also known as the Leeds Pals Battalion.

Images of Jogendra Nath Sen’s belongings kept at the French Institute in Chandannagar of West Bengal. IANS photo. Photo courtesy Santanu Das.

“It was in 2005 I discovered the broken and blood-stained glasses of Jogendra Sen in the French Institute in Chandernagore,” Das told IANS in an email interaction from London. “In the Chandernagore display cabinet, the caption said that Jogendra Sen was part of the West Yorkshire Regiment, a citizen of Chandernagore and the first Bengali to be killed in the 1914-1918 war, on May 22, 1916,” Das, a reader in English literature at London’s King’s College, said.

Private Sen was killed in action near the Somme in France, aged 28. His name is etched on the university’s war memorial, said Das. Apart from the spectacles, the display cabinet proved to be a unique window to the past for Das, who grew up in Kolkata. “There were other memorabilia related to Sen - a photograph of a European lady, a razor, a booklet, a dogtag and a piece of string. The booklet, we now know, was ‘Poems about Friendship’ signed by an enigmatic young lady ‘Cis’

(Cicely),” Das said, adding the objects inspired his book ‘1914-1918: Indians on the Western Front’. With inputs and aid from local researchers and academics at the university, Das was able to painstakingly piece together moments from Sen’s short life. “He was the only Indian, nonwhite, in that battalion,” said Das, who, however, couldn’t locate any descendant of Sen. Around 70,000 Indian soldiers lost their lives in the war. Some 150,000 Indian soldiers were deployed in Europe from September 1914. Sen’s story was unique because he went to war as part of a British and not an Indian battalion. Despite being one of the most well-educated men in the battalion, his attempts to join up as officer were prevented. He was known as ‘Jon Sen’ or ‘John Sen’ by his army pals and was immensely respected by them, Das informed. Sen is buried in the Colincamps cemetery in northern France. The documentary ‘From Bombay to the Western Front:Indians in the First World War’ will be launched in Britain and will be available online. (Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at sahana.g@ians.in)

educated and have fewer children than those in sub-Saharan Africa, so it’s really surprising that Indian children are shorter and smaller than those in sub-Saharan Africa,” Coffey said in an interview. “But when you step back and look at the state of Indian mothers, it’s not such a surprise after all.” Research has shown that genetics

play no role in the size differences, leaving environmental factors as the only explanation, Coffey said. The reasons for Indian mothers’ relatively poor health are many, including a culture that discriminates against them. Sex differences in education, employment outside the home, and infant mortality are all greater in India than in Africa. “In India, young newly married women are at the bottom of household hierarchies,” Coffey said. “So at the same time that Indian women become pregnant, they are often expected to keep quiet, work hard and eat little.” Mothers also suffer from the same sewage-borne infections that so often kill their babies, made endemic by the primitive sanitation in much of the country, Coffey said. “It is likely that infectious disease is responsible for a signification portion of India’s pre-pregnancy underweight problem,” she said. Dr Shella Duggal, Juhi’s doctor at the mobile clinic, said that almost every pregnant woman she treats in her visits to Delhi’s slums is severely anaemic. Parasites, spread by poor sanitation and dirty water, are a crucial reason, she said. “So the first thing we do is deworm them and give them iron supplements,” Duggal said. “And then I tell them to eat.” It is a prescription many of her patients find difficult to carry out, she said. “These mothers are the last persons in their families to have food,” Duggal said. “First, she feeds the husband and then the kids, and only then will she eat the leftovers.” Juhi said she was trying to eat better. “I would like to have one more child,” she said, with a mixture of sadness and hope. © 2015 New York Times News Service

Brothers kill parents over land dispute The siblings were enraged over a piece of land given to son-in-law for the services extended to the elderly couple Patna: Two brothers at a village in Bihar’s Banka district killed their parents and brother-in-law allegedly for registering the family land in their sister’s name instead of them, police said on Sunday. Singho Tanti, 80, his wife Urmila Devi, 75, and their son-inlaw Arvind Tanti, 35, were killed with a sharp axe in Laxmaniyatari village. The accused - Vinod Tanti and Subodh Tanti - are absconding. “The accused attacked the victims with a sharp axe, three of them were killed on the spot and two others, including their sister and her daughter, were seriously injured. Both have been admitted to a local hospital for treatment,” police said. An FIR has been lodged in this connection on the basis of the statement of the injured Rina Devi, the accused’s sister. According to the police officials, the accused’s parents last year borrowed

`1 lakh from their daughter and sonin-law for treatment. After a few months, their daughter and son-in-law demanded the money back. But when they failed to return the money, the accused’s parents registered the family land in their favour in lieu of the outstanding loan. This angered their two sons who took revenge by killing them, police said. Some villagers informed the police that there was a dispute over land among the two accused, their parents and their daughter and son-in-law, after the family land was registered in their name ignoring traditional rights of the sons to the land. According to the police, Tanti’s sons, Vinod and Subodh, never took care of the elderly couple. The place of occurrence was a remote place near the border of Banka and Jhajha, where only few people reside. IANS

According to police, Tanti’s sons never took care of the elderly couple

Winged poppy thieves eat into farmers’ yields By Anil Sharma Vol-1* lssue No.: 39 Published by: Golden Sparrow Publishing Pvt. Ltd. CIN:U22200PN2014PTC151382 and printed by PRI – Media Services Private Limited CIN: U22222MH2012PTC232006 at Plot No. EL-201, TTC Industrial Area, MIDC, Mahape, Navi Mumbai. Golden Sparrow Publishing Pvt. Ltd. 1641, Madhav Heritage, Tilak Road, Pune-411 030, Tel: 020-2432 4332/33. Editor: Yogesh Sadhwani (Responsible for the selection of news under the PRB Act, 1867)

Poppy farmers in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh district are facing a unique problem. Come March, parrots descend on their fields in large numbers to slurp on the milk oozing out of cuts made in the pods to ripen the yield. “Once they have their fill they sit on trees and sleep there for hours. Some of them can be seen circling or staggering before falling from the trees due to overdose of opium,” says Kishore Kumar

Dhaker, a poppy farmer in Sukwara village of Chittorgarh. Several parrots are also found dead on the ground, some killed in their somnolent state by predatory birds. There are other birds in the area, but parrots seem particularly to be attracted to the intoxicating produce. No one seems to know why. Farmers are annoyed with the ‘winged thieves’ as the avian addiction eats into their profit. Moreover, the narcotics department officials look with suspicion at their explanation of a shortfall. According to the terms of

their licence, low output can result in the permit being denied in future.Poppy farming is a highly controlled activities since its product, morphine, commands very high prices in the illegal narcotics trade. Farmers say five to seven per cent of their yield is eaten up by the parrots, despite precautions to frighten them away. “It is difficult to control these parrots. We have to spend hours in our fields to shoo them away,” says Bhairulal Jat, another poppy farmer from the same village.

Some farmers use nets to cover their fields, some try to scare them away by beating on tin cans while a few carry catapults with them. “We are not able to sleep fully in the night,” says Jat. Dhaker, whose family has been in opium farming for over four decades, says the birds are addicted to opium because he has been seeing this happening for several years, in March and April, when the poppy seeds are cut to make their milk turn brown for harvesting. IANS

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

“Change of administration does not in any way relieve the next administration from internation obligations undertaken by its predecessor in a possible agreement about Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme” —Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister

Big wonder in small package P 16

Tibetan villagers living in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan have marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year by vowing to give up the wearing of animal furs and by burning those already in their possession, Radio Free Asia (RFA) said. The decision by residents of Drangsung village in Yunnan’s Dechen county is aimed at complying with the wishes of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama that Tibetans abandon the use of animal skins for clothes, a local source told RFA’s Tibetan service.

‘Many Asian men descendants of 11 dynastic leaders’ Path-breaking research has revealed that millions of modern Asian men are descended from 11 powerful dynastic leaders, including Mongolian warlord Genghis Khan, who lived up to 4,000 years ago. The findings came to the fore after geneticists from the University of Leicester examined Y chromosomes in more than 5,000 Asian men from 127 populations. Most Y chromosome types are very rare but the team discovered 11 types that were relatively common across the sample. Two common male lineages have been discovered before, and have been ascribed to one well-known historical figure, Genghis Khan, and another less-known one, Giocangga. The study was published in the European Journal of Human Genetics.

Zakia and Mohammad Ali are living in a constant fear after Zakia’s father and brothers vowed to kill the couple By ROD NORDLAND

love, and every mountain pass in my country is precious to me.” BAMIAN, Afghanistan: After nearly Since eloping March 21, the a year on the run, a pair of starcouple has faced many obstacles. crossed young lovers are back in the There were months of flight, followed Afghan village where both their love by Mohammad Ali’s capture by the affair and their problems began. The police in Kabul, who he said beat him young couple, Zakia and Mohammad daily. Zakia Ali took refuge in a shelter Ali, had faced criminal charges and run by Women for Afghan Women, a death threats after eloping and fleeing charity. The group’s lawyers managed their village in the high mountains of to win Mohammad Ali’s freedom, and central Afghanistan last the two were reunited year. Now, they have had and their marriage their legal issues resolved recognised as valid. and their marriage legally Even as they recognised. became a cause célèbre But while his family - particularly among has welcomed them back, young Afghans, many hers is another matter. of whom mounted When Mohammad Ali, Facebook and Twitter 22, works in the fields of campaigns hailing them his family’s farm, he wears as a modern Romeo - Mohammad Ali his shirt untucked, and and Juliet who had the a black pistol attached to courage to choose their his belt pokes out beneath own mates in defiance it. A guard dog is tied up in front of of Afghan social norms - the couple their mud house, one of several small dropped from public view. buildings in a walled courtyard in their They returned briefly to their village on the outskirts of the town of village, but before long one of Zakia Bamian. Ali’s brothers, armed with a gun and Zakia Ali, 19, never goes out at a knife, pursued Mohammad Ali all, for fear that she might encounter through the potato fields. He managed someone from her own large family. to escape, but Mohammad and a Her father and brothers publicly pregnant Zakia fled to the protection vowed to kill her and Mohammad of distant mountain villages in Ali when they eloped. “I know there Yakawlang District. is still a risk to us, but we had no choice,” Mohammad Ali said recently. The couple’s hardship Now that they were back among the “They live in a constant state of rugged mountain ranges that surround fear,” said Aziza Ahmadi, acting head the Bamian valley he was glad. “Your of women’s affairs in Bamian province. homeland is a place you will always She was among those officials

“I know there is still a risk to us, but we had no choice”

Mohammad Ali, with Zakia, holding their daughter, Ruqia, who was born at the end of December

who tried to negotiate an amicable settlement with Zakia Ali’s family, but they remained vehemently opposed to the union because they were Tajiks and Sunni Muslims whereas Mohammad Ali was a Hazara and a Shiite Muslim. “It’s better for them to leave the country.” They tried that, too. Officials at the US Embassy as well as at several European embassies in Kabul told them they could consider their asylum request only if they first fled as refugees to a neighboring country. In October, they crossed into Tajikistan on visas, along with Mohammad Ali’s father, Anwar, intending to apply for status as refugees, in the hopes of then asking for asylum

Testing the President’s food not for taste, but for poison

Fighting Parkinson’s with dance P2 ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

THE SAD STATE OF PUNE’S ‘ZERO STONE’

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Given its significance, this valuable part of the city’s heritage ought to be restored, fenced and beautified ABHAY VAIDYA @vaidya_abhay

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Pune’s water situation improves

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City dams need additional 10 TMC water to tide over crisis BY ASHOK BHAT @ashok_bhat

`2,200 cr project for water augmentation

The Zero Stone monument in Nagpur and other parts of the world

Rainfall in July has brought some reThe PMC’s Water Supply lief to the citizens of Pune and the civic Department has proposed a administration. However, to be able to `2,200 crore project to replace ensure regular water supply without the network of old, leaking and cuts in the coming weeks and months, and drainage Modiwater tweets the dams supplying water to Pune willPMdamaged BY GITESH SHELKE lines. A Draft Project Report (DPR) need to build up an additional 10 TMCin Japanese @gitesh_shelke is scheduled to be placed before (thousand million cubic feet of water) the City Improvement Committee storage. Primenext minister Narendra With 28-years-old Asif Shaikh as its week, BJP’s groupModi leaderon While the Khadakwasla dam hasThursday putGanesh out a series of told tweets in head, the Shri Shivram Tarun Mandal in PMC, Bidkar TGS. reached its storage capacity of 1.98Japanese and said that be as his friends Trust on MG Road is truly an inspiring project would financed TMC, the situation in the Panshet,from The Japan had him to talk to icon of communal harmony, as it through theasked Jawaharlal Nehru Varasgaon and Temghar dams wouldthe people of Urban JapanRenewal directly, Mission. he had prepares for Ganeshotsav with a range be crucial not just for Pune city butdoneNational so. Modi is scheduled to visit Jaof charitable activities every year. The project will drastically curtail also for smaller towns downstream likepan from 30 to September 3. Describing their youth group as “a waterAugust wastage. Daund and Indapur, which depend onIn a tweet in Japanese, he said he was truly cosmopolitan mandal”, Shaikh these dams for their water supply. Tovery “excited” about the visit that will and the mandal’s secretary Sheldon fulfi l this demand, a total of 20 TMCstrengthen the relationship between Fernandes spoke of water will be required, of which storagethe ministration tookIna another review oftweet the rain-what Ganeshotsav two countries. of 10 TMC has been achieved. fall andtowater storage status at thecelebrations mean addressed his Japanese counterThis was underlined by the officialspartKhadakwasla, Panshet, Shinzo Abe, Modi said Varasgaon he deeply andto them every year. of the Irrigation Department duringrespected Temghar dams which supply water to Abe’s leadership. First and a meeting convened at the civic headforemost, the trust involves everyone National Herald case: from the locality in Court defers hearing the festivities. The mandal collects vargani ( v o l u n t a r y A court on Thursday fixed December contribution) from 9 as the next date of hearing in a case the neighbourhood against Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and but does not spend her son and party vice president Rahul it entirely on decorations and the Gandhi and others over acquisition of immersion procession. “Instead, we the National Herald newspaper. provide meals to the poor for 10 days Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati and also undertake other charitable Manocha deferred the hearing after it activities,” Shaikh said. was apprised that the Delhi High Court This includes the distribution has put on hold a trial court’s summons of blankets, jackets and other such clothing to the poor, especially

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The great village of brave soldiers Two days from today, July 28, 2014, will mark the centenary of the First World War, also known as the Great War, that ushered in a new epoch in world politics. The history of that war is intertwined with a small, remote village in Satara district. TGS Special Report p13 This medallion was presented by the Queen of England after the First World War to the next of kin of all British and Empire service personnel who were killed in the war. Sepoy Khashaba Powar’s medallion has been placed by his family at their place of worship

Signposts India to have 4 new central universities NEW DELHI:: The government has decided to set up four new central universities in the country, parliament was told early this week. “The ministry of human resource development (HRD) has decided to set up four new central universities, viz. one Central Tribal University each in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, one central university in Andhra Pradesh and Mahatma Gandhi Central University in Bihar,” HRD Minister Smriti Irani said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. At present, there are 40 central universities under the purview of the ministry.

Army chief pays tributes to Kargil War martyrs SRINAGAR: Indian Army chief after the wreath laying ceremony at the General Bikram Singh on Friday paid Kargil War Memorial in Drass town of tributes to the martyrs of 1999 Kargil Kargil district. War in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh The chief of the Indian Army said region on the occasion of 15th Vijay ceasefire violations by Pakistan have Diwas. been taking place regularly on the He said the army is alert and Line of Control (LoC) in the state, but has been deployed effectively on the assured that the army has been effectively borders to defend the integrity and the responding to those violations. sovereignty of the country. “They violate the ceasefire every “Let me assure you, the army is week and every month, but the army has deployed on the borders to defend the been taking effective steps to respond to PUNE, AUGUST 30, 2014 www.goldensparrow.com integrity and the sovereignty of the those,” he said. country,” General Singh told reporters Contd on p 10 I've always been a movie guy, movies have been my thing. I love movies, all kinds of movies. — Christopher Nolan

WASHINGTON:: An Indian-American CEO of two publicly-traded companies has been convicted for paying kickbacks in return for purchases of his companies’ stocks, a media report said. Shailesh Shah, 48, of California pleaded guilty before a US district judge to two counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud Monday, The Boston Globe reported. Shah will be sentenced in October and could face up to 20 years in prison for each count and a $250,000 fine. Shah was the president and CEO of SOHM and Costas, both based out of California. He was accused of paying kickbacks to an investment fund representative in exchange for buying stock in the two companies. The fund representative was, in fact, an undercover FBI agent working on an investigation into fraud in the market for penny stocks, the report said. Penny stocks are less heavily regulated than stocks that trade on major exchanges such as the Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange.

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Indian-American convicted in stock scheme

Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh paying homage to martyrs at the Infantry War Memorial during his farewell visit to the Infantry School, Mhow in Indore recently

What is going wrong with road safety in India?

Telangana school bus accident resulting in the death of 19 students is part of a larger tragedy that acquisition of the paper’s publisher. demands immediate attention BY PRIYANKA NEW DELHI: India not only has the dubious distinction of having one of the worst road accident records in the world, but these are taking more and more young lives, particularly of school children. Road accidents have left nearly 70 children dead and many injured since the start of 2013, a NGO has said. More than 60 students were also injured in 11 accidents spread over seven states since January 2013 till July this year. In all instances, the victims were travelling in school buses which were either hit by other vehicles or trains or rolled down mountain slopes. According to NGO Save Life Foundation, which works for road safety, the accidents took place in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Telangana. In one of the worst disasters, 19 stu-

On Wednesday, when this newspaper took a review of Pune’s Zero Stone on the footpath outside the General Post Office (GPO), the sight was pathetic to say the least. With white paint spilled over it, there was a sweeper’s broom lying next to it and rubbish all around. A tea vendor was stationed with his cart next to the stone. In 2006, when this journalist fi rst reported on this small, yet valuable piece of Pune’s heritage, there was a watermelon seller sitting on the stone, using it as a convenient stool. The Zero Stone is a very special milestone as it signifies the geographic location of a city and the point from where distances are established between towns and cities. As such, it ought to be restored, fenced and beautified so that the children of this city, other citizens and tourists can go back to the time when Pune was taking shape under the British, bit by bit. There are just 80 of such special milestones that were installed in the

students- to prepare for the winter. The mandal also runs a small library for the neighbourhood residents and children, says Shaikh, explaining that a lot of money can be saved if spent prudently on just decorations, sound systems and other such expenses. As a part of its activities, the mandal has rented out some space to a tea vendor and the rent is used for the Ganeshotsav celebrations. Ni ne te enyears-old Sheldon, a BBA student, helping others and doing something constructive for society brings lot of joy to everyone involved in the celebrations. Associated with this youth group since childhood, he says his fellow members hail from different castes, creed and religion. The Ashok Chakra Mitra Mandal close to Shivaji Market, Camp, is celebrating its golden jubilee this year and has a number of Muslims as its members, said Faiyaz Khan, one of the activists. Headed by Raghuvir Vanal, this

Kalam spoke about the challenges that India and the world were facing and emphasised the role of leadership to tackle these issues and develop possible solutions to ensure socio-economic

on Thursday. The “missile man”, as Kalam is also known due to his background in aerospace engineering and his role in India’s

He said the key requirement for achieving a distinctive profi le for the nation was by creating sustainable enterprise-driven models at the rural level. Kalam urged the students to emulate a development model to bring

urban amenities to rural areas. “Providing Urban amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) is one such system which I suggest will help in providing opportunities through cooperative working of resource and social entrepreneur in the rural areas,” he said. “PURA is the creation of physical, electronic, knowledge connectivities leading to electronic connectivity of rural regions. With this combined and planned intervention of infrastructure, digital technology, information and enterprise, we can select a cluster of about 20 to 50 villages, which share core

Speaking to this newspaper, BJP’s leader in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Ganesh Bidkar said that one of the top priorities for

the BJP’s newly elected city MP Anil Shirole, was to closely follow-up on the mass transportation project. Shirole focused on updating himself on the project and seeking clarifications on the project as proposed by the Congress-NCP government.

Pune FC enter Durand Cup final P 16

Nat’l movement to promote marriages of choice gets going ‘Chayan’ promises to offer shelter, legal support and counselling to couples in case of outburst from families BY YASH DAIV @yash009

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Prominent social workers from different parts of the country who promote intercaste and inter-religious marriages have decided to establish a national movement called Chayan (Choice). This was decided at a meeting in the city on November 4-5 during a conference on ‘Right to Choice of Partner in Inter-caste and Interreligious Marriages’. Activists from the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), SM Joshi Socialist Foundation, Rashtriya Seva Dal and Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal along with the voluntary organisation, Dhanak from Delhi, were present at this meet.

the Special Marriage Act, 1954, which is complicated, different in every state and plagued with controversies. “A platform like Chayan can help modify such a law,” he said. Iqbal suggested that under the national platform one can create a secure place for couples who have mixed marriages. “We can offer them shelter, legal procedures and counselling in case there is an outburst from the families,” he said. Chayan would ensure the smooth functioning of the legal structure pertaining to marriage. Deepak Girme, president, MANS said society’s mindset have deep religious roots. Having worked with the late anti-superstition crusader Narendra Dabolkar for 25 years, he said any religious text should be questioned.

Pune’s hottest start-up, 2014 to get top prize today

Asif Shaikh (left) and Sheldon Fernandes (right) of Shri Shivram Tarun Mandal Trust preparing the decorations for Ganeshotsav

mandal runs a social organisation called Anzuman Faizane Raza and the members celebrate other prominent festivals and occasions such as Eid, Independence Day and Republic Day with equal fervor.

“We collect money and support poor patients in the hospitals. Our members also support orphans in different orphanages in the city,” Khan said. This members of this group include

Muslims and Christians and they are steadfast about the spirit of unity in diversity and respect for all religions that defines the nation, said Khan.

shelke.gitesh@goldensparrow.com

With support from Delhi, city BJP 12 Indian firms among keen to push Pune Metro project Forbes Asia’s Fabulous 50 In view of the forthcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, central road transport minister Nitin Gadkari has begun giving personal attention to the proposed Pune Metro project. In a bid to counter the ruling CongressNCP government in the forthcoming polls, the BJP is chalking out its strategy to gain maximum advantage by announcing critical steps on the

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WASHINGTON: A dozen Indian firms figure in this year’s Forbes Asia’s “Mr Gadkari informed the Pune Fabulous 50 list of the region’s best big BJP leaders that he is taking charge of publicly traded companies with HDFC the Pune Metro project at the centre,” Bank making the list more times than Bidkar said. In this regard, the Union any other company. minister called a meeting in Delhi of China boasts the most companies about five experts from various fields on the list, as it has for the last three related to the project. years. But the number fell to 16, down “We are planning to meet the from 20 last year and 23 the year Central minister with regards to this before, according to the list published project soon,” Bidkar said, adding that in the web edition of Forbes Asia. an announcement on the forthcoming China’s tech companies made a state assembly polls is expected in PUNE, OCTOBER 11, 2014 www.goldensparrow.com strong showing, with Tencent the most a week or two and the BJP is keen valuable, having a market cap of $155.6 to push the Pune Metro project to a billion, nearly twice that of runner-up decisive stage before the Model Code India’s Tata Consultancy Services. of Conduct comes into force,” he said. Lenovo is the biggest in terms of annual revenue of $38.7 billion, Continued on p 10

The Software Exporters Association of Pune’s (SEAP) annual mega event, PuneConnect 2014, that seeks to promote a culture of innovation, just edging out India’s Tata Motors. creativity and enterprise in the city is India trails China with 12 companies setsame to unfold on the Fab 50 list, the numbertoday as at Hotel Westin, PUNE, AUGUST 2, 2014Koregaon www.goldensparrow.com Park, at 9.30 am. last year. At this event 2014’s hottest start-up HDFC Bank, the country’s fromsector Pune will be selected from four second-largest private bank, finalists for theyear, top prize. appears on the list for the eighth The entire the most times of any company on the galaxy of bodies Yousince have pridebegan inpromoting how in India is list Forbes compilingStart-ups this you take care of your supporting this event and includes the roster in 2005. family. Association of Software and Other notable National companies from —Julia Roberts Service Companies (NASSCOM), India include HCL Technologies, Indus (Tie, Pune), which makes the listTh fore the fifthEntrepreneurs time, SoftwareIndustries, Technologies Parks of and Sun Pharmaceutical (STPI), Mahratta Chamber Of which appears on theIndia list for the third consecutive time. Commerce Industries & Agriculture (MCCIA), PuneTech, iSpirit, IIM Mahindra & Mahindra also rejoins Ahmedabad’s the list after a two-year absence. Centre for Innovation Incubation IANS and Entrepreneurship, SME Joinup, Hinjewadi Industries Association (HIA), IACC, and Pune Open Coffee Club. The four finalists for the top prize are: Scandid- a shopping technology start-up that enables shoppers to compare prices by scanning the product barcodes with one’s mobile phones; Framebench- a cloud based online collaboration, communication and feedback platform; Ecozen Solutions, started in September 2009 to promote awareness against poor energy management practices and elevate the Indian industry to the standards and expectations of a developed nation, and The Green Raddiwala which focuses on providing door-to-door services in collecting raddi or recyclable waste such as plastic, newspapers and the like. Founded by Sushil Chaudhari and Madhur Khandelwal in 2012, Scandid also helps consumers find latest online and offline deals. The company previously won the regional round of the Seedstars World- a global start-up competition.

FRAMEBENCH

THE GREEN RADDIWALA

feedback platform. Framebench is a central workplace where one can store and share one’s creative assets. The company can help remote teams and

clients to review, mark changes required on the assets and even host discussions on them in real time, which automatically gets documented for viewing later. This visual communication workflow allows for crisp & quick feedback. Ecozen Solutions run by Devendra

(Left to right) MANS state secretary Milind Deshmukh, president Deepak Girme and Dhanak secretary Asif Iqbal at SM Joshi Hall in Navi Peth on November 4

Gupta, Prateek Singhal and Vivek Pande was started in 2009 to promote awareness against poor energy management practices and elevate the Indian industry to the standards and expectations of a developed nation. It is with this view that this designed a pioneering and innovative micro Cold Storage- a solar powered cold storage system, which was primarily designed for the rural segment to serve their needs ideally. This innovative product can be suitably adapted for local conditions Great across thethings world. can happen when have the The you fourth finalist, The Green courage to yourself. Raddiwala hasbebeen established by Michael Sam Nikhil Pagare—and Saurav Pasalkar to provide door-to-door services in collecting raddi or recyclable waste such as plastic, newspapers and the like. Green Raddiwala purchases the recyclable waste from households at market rates and sells it directly to recycling industries. This drastically reduces environmental pollution. ishani.bose@goldensparrow.com (See related reports on p3)

After several brainstorming sessions

“People blindly follow the vedic rituals. A person should be able to justify all his or her activities rather than following a tradition. If we are able to instil this attitude in the masses we will be able to eradicate class politics and in turn the problems of mixed marriages,” he said. Subhash Bhave, secretary, SM Joshi Socialist Foundation emphasised on the need for mass awareness. “People have a tendency to hide their marriages until the legal documents are ready. This attitude must be changed,” he said. It was suggested during the deliberations that there should be a group of five to ten people in every district who will promote and provide assistance if required, for inter-caste and inter-religious marriages. yashdaiv@gmail.com

City takes lead over Delhi, Mumbai in the journey of product start-ups TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeeKLY Pune has emerged as the nation’s second-fastest product start-up hub in the country. A close second to Bangalore, Pune has taken a lead over mega-metros like Delhi and Mumbai. This has been stated in the latest report by iSPIRIT, (Indian Software Product Industry Roundtable), a company mainly focussed towards the product industry. “Pune is significantly ahead of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad,” the report said while

noting the product start-ups activity in Bangalore at 33% of India, Pune (21 %), Delhi and Mumbai (about 1112% each) and Hyderabad at 9%. “Pune is definitely No. 2, which is excellent,” said Amit Paranjape, co-founder of Pune-Tech, an online tech portal for the tech and startup community in Pune. Addressing a recent press conference Paranjape spoke about Pune’s viable ecosystem, which has been developing tremendously to enable entrepreneurs to launch an enterprise.

Others who shared this thought were Gaurav Mehra, past president SEAP and managing director, Saba Softwares; Maneesh Bhandari, director, Pune Division, Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM Ahmedabad; Ashutosh Parasnis, president of SEAP and managing director of Qlogic; Ramaswamy Narayanan, vice president, SEAP; Vishwas Mahajan, president of TIEPune chapter and Navin Kabra, cofounder of Pune Tech. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

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Carrying the torch in the battle against cancer P2

Six out of eight subways in the city are in a sad state of neglect and are closed to the public. Some are used as convenient urinating spots or as gambling dens. They are dirty, poorly lit and unsafe. Why can’t city subways be restored and made user-friendly for pedestrians? Also related is the complete avoidance of foot over-bridges by pedestrians. Why waste public exchequer and construct them if they are so very unpopular with the public? See Spotlight on p8-9

competencies and empower those using local enterprise. This would enable our country to grow by shared efforts and overcome the challenges faced by the society,” he said. Charting out a link between creative leadership and economic development, the former president emphasised the importance of the role that change in leadership would play for ensuring success. He also accentuated on the role of integrity among leaders for sustained success and development of the society. (IANS)

Ever wondered where thoroughbreds go after retirement? Or why jockeys are weighed before and after a race? Barnalee Handique has the answers

Pune brands go pan India

BY ISHANI BOSE @ishani_bose

dents were killed and some 20 injuredSchool expels toddler when their school bus was rammedover mom’s FB post by a speeding train at an unmanned rail-road crossing in Telangana Thursschool bus collided with a truck at day. The dead included the school busA four-year-old toddler was expelled Malkapur in Maharashtra on January driver. from his school in the US after his 10 this year. According to the foundaAlthough the number of schoolmother vent her frustration against tion, all the accidents involving school children is a minuscule part of the total the school in a Facebook post. buses in 2013 led to deaths. number of Indians dying daily on the post read: it that evI Habat’s live cinema and “Why Six students lost istheir lives on roads, activists say most accidents are ery single daylove theremusic, is something new passionately the Solapur-Dhule highway while avoidable. I dislike about Will’s school? Are my and my efforts in both on an excursion in these Maharashtra on Piyush Tewari, founder and presistandards really too high or are people crafts are unfolding. December 7, 2013. dent of Save Life Foundation, said —Priyanka working in Chopra the education field really In an accident in Tamil Nadu’s holding an adult “accountable for safetyjust that ignorant.” The next morning, Pudukottai district in June 2013, a of children while on the move” andshe received a call asking her to meet mini van collided with a bus, killing having child safety laws would act as the principal when she dropped off seven school children. deterrents. her son at Sonshine Christian AcadAnother seven children died when Two accidents this year injured 12emy, a private religious school, in Flortheir bus fell into a gorge in Jammu and school students. The first took placeida. To her shock, the school decided Kashmir’s Anantnag district in April May 12 in Greater Noida in Uttarto expel her son. 2013. In July last year, 11 students were Pradesh, injuring two students. Ten killed and 20 injured when their bus hit students were injured in adjoining Noia truck in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh da April 29 when their school bus was district. hit by a state-run bus. Contd on p 10 Three children died when their

Horse,s

TGS LIFE

City subways are

Emerge as creative leaders: Kalam to IIM students indigenous missile development, is one of the visiting faculty members in IIM-

country as special markings for a survey by the British. India’s Zero Stone stands proudly in Nagpur, denoting the centre of the country. The oldest and most famous of such milestones is located in Rome, the Milliarium Aureum (“Golden Milestone”) of the Roman Empire. The maxim “all roads lead to Rome” is believed to have originated from this monument. A number of prominent cities in the world have their own “zero stones” and are proud of it, including Washington DC, Tokyo, Berlin, Buenos Aires... The citizens of Pune and publicspirited organisations such as the MCCIA’s Janwani, INTACH, Pune International Centre and the National Society for Clean Cities, to name a few, need to lobby with the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Heritage Cell to do what is needed. The Golden Sparrow on Saturday pledges its fullest support to such an effort. Get in touch with us at: editor_tgs@goldensparrow.com www.goldensparrow.com or Tweet us: @TGSWeekly

Generosity & communal harmony define these mandals

WIKI COMMONS

It is rare for a president’s doctor to flick back the curtain and reveal details

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ISTANBUL - In a modern twist on a self-preservation tactic used by cautious kings and pharaohs, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey is having his food tested before he eats not by a human taster, though, but in the lab. Erdogan’s physician, Dr Cevdet Erdol, revealed recently that at least one of the 1,000 rooms in the president’s extravagant $600 million palace in Ankara, the capital, will hold a special food analysis laboratory to test the president’s meals for radioactive materials, poison or certain types of bacteria that could be used in an assassination attempt. “We know that throughout the world, assassinations no longer take place through arms, but are secretly conducted by contaminating food with poisonous substances,” Erdol said in an interview published in the Turkish newspaper

Hurriyet. He explained that five on-site experts were on duty for 14 hours a day, analysing the president’s meals for suspicious substances and ensuring that all his nutritional needs are met. Since leaving the prime minister’s office and becoming the country’s first directly elected president in August, Erdogan has faced criticism for his extravagance, with opponents denouncing him as an ever more authoritarian leader mimicking the habits of a sultan. The presidential palace he occupies is one of the world’s largest executive residences. The criticism turned into ridicule in January when Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president, was greeted at the palace stairwell by 16 warriors in Ottoman-style suits of armor, with swords, spears and shields, in a scene that was called an “Ottoman circus” on social media. Erdol’s disclosure about the

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Tara Todras-Whitehill for The New York Times

The presidential palace in Ankara. Experts check President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s meals in a lab in the building

in the West. Refugee officials had told them they qualified on at least five grounds, any one of which would normally qualify someone for asylum, including a serious threat to their lives based on discrimination because of gender, race, religion, ethnicity and choice of spouse. Shortly after they started the process to register with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Tajikistan, Zakia and Mohammad Ali were stopped on a busy street in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, during daytime by two men who identified themselves as police officers. The officers robbed them of their life savings, about $5,000, including jewellery that Zakia wore

THANK GOD IT’S S AT U R D AY

Critics see this as an extension of the ego of a man who has been in power for more than a decade while analysts say such strict precautions are understandable in an unstable region methodology of checking Erdogan’s meals - he noted that some food samples were even sent to labs in another city to be checked - was seen by critics as another example of Erdogan’s excesses, an extension of the ego of a man who has been in power for more than a decade. Nearly every world leader, of course, takes precautions in the matter of food safety, and the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, was known to have a food taster. But it is rare for a president’s doctor to flick back the curtain and reveal details. A representative in the president’s office said Erdol would not be giving any more interviews on the subject. Some analysts say such strict precautions are understandable given the myriad threats in an unstable region. “There could be information that we don’t know,” Kadri Gursel, a prominent newspaper columnist, said in a telephone interview. “These measures could be based on solid threats.” He added, though: “In any event, such rigorous security measures are not normal for a democratic country. It just further reflects the current environment in Turkey, which is heavily polarized and has great potential for conflict and public unrest.” The measures do not seem wholly unfounded based on Turkey’s history: The country’s eighth president, Turgut Ozal, died in 1993 of what some claim was a heart attack. Many others though, including Ozal’s family, believe that he was poisoned. So far, the daily analysis of Erdogan’s food has not come up with anything alarming. “We have not had any serious incidents in the analysis we have conducted over the president’s food so far,” Erdol told Hurriyet. “But some fruits and vegetables contain pesticide residue, so we will pay particular attention when purchasing food.” © 2015 New York Times News Service

and cellphones, and then summarily deported them from Tajikistan, according to interviews with the couple and Anwar, as well as an independent witness who accompanied them on the trip and was also robbed by the police in Dushanbe, and whose name is being withheld for his safety so he can continue working in the country. They were not permitted to return to their hotel to collect their belongings. Babar Baloch, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said the agency could not discuss the couple’s specific case but that the agency was aware that “in some instances, asylum seekers may face harassment, arbitrary detention and deportation” in Tajikistan. Tajikistan, which borders Afghanistan to the north, is a former Soviet republic with a record of human rights violations and a reputation as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Women’s advocates suggested that the couple try to seek asylum in India or Pakistan. Pakistan also has a recent history of mistreating Afghan refugees, even those registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and India has few people who speak Dari, the only language the couple speak. With Zakia’s pregnancy nearing term, they decided to return to Bamian instead. “We’re done with running away,” Mohammad Ali said, sitting at home in February with Zakia and their new baby, a daughter named Ruqia, who was born at the end of December. “This is our proof that we belonged together,” he added, nodding toward Ruqia. “Nobody can take this away from us now.” © 2015 New York Times News Service

Andrew Quilty for The New York Times

‘Tibetans vow to give up wearing animal furs’

Modern Romeo & Juliet face grave risks

ILLUSTRATION BY GAURI BARVE KALE

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PUNE

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DEEPIKA PADUKONE

Talented, hard-working and a big league movie star, They are independent and opinionated and Deepika Padukone can also these 20-year-olds are going it solo when everyone around them is getting hitched. take a tough stand when Ishani Bose tells us more push comes to shove.

Anjali Shetty gauges public opinion See P10-11

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“In vibrant democracies like India, with multiple veto centres, it is ‘unreasonable’ to expect ‘big bang reforms’, India is ‘a recovering economy, not a surging economy’ .” —Arvind Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser

“The purpose is to show that for the first time, a company has developed the technology to land softly on the moon. Landing softly on the moon is the hard part.” —Naveen Jain, Indian-American billionaire

Signpost Godrej Boyce sets up facility in Khalapur Manufacturing firm Godrej Boyce, based out of Vikhroli (Mumbai), has acquired around 342 acres in Khalapur. The company recently got environmental clearances for construction of 12 sheds, a training centre, food court, guest house, auditorium, an administrative building and an emergency response centre within the campus. Godrej plans to invest Rs 1,647 crores in their new facility. The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has given them clearances to construct over 44 acres of their total land acquisition.

IndoSpace leases Indus park to Kubota IndoSpace Chakan I, a 1.7 million square foot modern industrial and logistics park situated at Chakan, Pune, has leased 1,08,110 sq ft light manufacturing facility to Kubota Corporation (Kubota), a Japanese tractor and heavy equipment manufacturer. The facility will be used to assemble tractors and agricultural equipment. Kubota managing director Satoshi Suzuki and IndoSpace managing partner Brian Oravec said that the deal will benefit both parties. IndoSpace is the largest developer of industrial and logistics real estate in India. Kubota Corporation is a tractor and heavy equipment manufacturer headquartered in Osaka, Japan.

Ford India recognises workers union More than a decade after production started at Ford India’s plant near Chennai, workers have finally got a union recognised by the management, said union officials. “Nearly fifteen years after production started at our plant, we finally got a union recognised by the management,” K Selvaraj, president of Chennai Ford Employees Union, told IANS on Thursday. Selvaraj said the plant has around 3,050 permanent workers and around 1,800 trainees.

Sharing mobile number? Think again! Several mobile, especially smartphone users, are receiving marketing messages on WhatsApp. The app does not share or sell user data. How, then marketers are obtaining your mobile number?

purchase, the user needs to provide his contact number, names, addresses and e-mails, which can be sold to marketers and data brokers.

BY YOGESH SAPKALE In the digital age, it becomes nearly impossible to find anyone not using a mobile (sometimes two or more) and readily sharing their number over Internet or apps. Think about WhatsApp, whose number of users is mind-boggling. WhatsApp has over 700 million users, who send out more than 30 billion messages every day. Compare this with Twitter’s user base of 284 million and Instagram’s 300 million. That is the reason there is a sudden surge in marketing messages on WhatsApp. Interestingly, more and more users of WhatsApp are receiving either an image and contact card from unknown numbers or from numbers that are not in their contact list. So, how they are obtaining your personal number and sending you the message? According to eScan, an anti-virus and content security solution provider, although the bulk marketing service from WhatsApp promises to send out mass text or image messages to hundreds of thousands of users who use the app, it may not be selling user data. eScan, quoting Jan Koum, who co-founded WhatsApp with Brian Acton, said, the messaging service collects very little data of its users. “This free app does not ask for user’s e-mail address and does not even require a real sign up. The other things WhatsApp will not collect are: home address, GPS location, your likes and search history,” Koum had said. Moreover, he also added that none of the user data has ever been collected and stored by WhatsApp, and that

they really have no plans to collect and store user’s data. WhatsApp has even added encryption for messages sent amongst its millions of users in order to prevent messages from being hacked or monitored, eScan said. The question therefore is if WhatsApp itself is not collecting and selling its users data, then from where are these companies getting the mobile numbers of millions of users? According to eScan, it is users, who are to be blamed for openly sharing their mobile number across platforms without even considering its consequences. “We overshare our mobile number. Most of us accept ‘Terms of Use’ while installing any app on the mobile handset. We openly share our mobile number on social media and dating sites,” eScan said. Here are the possible scenarios

High returns in less time is trouble, SEBI said in its campaign, while asking investors to check the investment scheme details carefully before investing

As it clamps down on fraudsters duping gullible investors of their hard-earned money, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is stepping up efforts to make the public aware about the grievance redressal mechanism available to them and safeguards against high-return claims. The market regulator is looking to expand its investor education and awareness programmes through various platforms, including radio and TV advertisements, wherein its focus areas would include Investor Grievance Redressal Mechanism and Collective Investment Schemes. Besides, SEBI plans to launch mass media campaigns on topics such as promotion of mutual funds as an available investment option for small investors, a senior official said. During the current fiscal ending this month, SEBI has already undertaken an all-out mass media campaign to make the public aware about troubles of investing on hearsay and in pursuit of high returns in less time. SEBI has been pursuing a massive Investor Education and Awareness Campaign since

December 2012 through media on relevant topics of investor awareness. As part of the campaign, advertisements are released through popular media such as TV, radio and print (newspapers) and are carried at pan-India basis in Hindi, English and 11 major regional languages. So far, the campaign on topics like ‘Grievance Redress Mechanism’ and ‘Collective I n v e s t m e nt Scheme’ have covered more than 90,000 TVC spots, more than 40,000 radio spots and over 600 print editions. Using various media, including TV, radio and print, the SEBI has been specially targeting the collective investment schemes (CIS) wherein investors are promised doubling of their investments within a few months, or guaranteed fi xed returns for their entire life after investing some thousands or lakhs of rupees. For the maximum impact, SEBI had roped in professional agencies for these campaigns and have made them in as many as 13 languages — Bengali, Assamese, Oriya, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu, besides Hindi and English. These campaigns were used all

SEBI has roped in professional agencies for maximum impact

WE OVERSHARE OUR MOBILE NUMBER Anytime we fill a form, not many of us really hesitate to give out our mobile number-whether it’s a lucky draw, a signup form, contest entry, a warranty registration, or for social networking profile. Many of us also mention our phone number in the email signature. In such situations, there is always a chance that our mobile number can end up in someone else’s hands.

eScan blames users for openly sharing mobile number across platforms

SEBI campaigns for awareness on risky investments MONEYLIFE DIGITAL TEAM

where we do not even think while sharing our mobile number...

over the country with special focus on states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, where a large number of investors are affected by such schemes. “Invest thousands. Earn lakhs in no time. How is this even possible?” SEBI said in one of its CIS campaigns. “High returns in less time are trouble,” the regulator said, while asking the investors to check the investment scheme details carefully before investing. In another campaign, SEBI sought to bust one of the most commonly used tactics by those selling such fraudulent scheme, where they cite the example of someone very close having doubled the money in no time. SEBI has also been cautioning investors through its investor education meetings across the country. A large number of such fraudulent activities, many of which are in nature of Ponzi schemes wherein money is collected from a large number of investors and new investors’ money is used to give returns to some previous clients till the operator runs away, have come to light in recent years. While more than 500 such schemes have already faced SEBI’s ire for defrauding investors, thousands others of significant sizes and scales are estimated to be functional in different parts of the country. @moneylife.in

MOST OF US ACCEPT ‘TERMS OF USE’ WHILE INSTALLING ANY APP Without even reading or understanding the ‘Terms of Use’, many users accept them. Few Apps such as flashlight app or almost all gaming

EPFO’s average return over past three years comes to 8.67 per cent MONEYLIFE DIGITAL TEAM The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) gave an average return of 8.67 per cent over past three years till FY2014-15 Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, while replying to a question in the Parliament, said the rate of interest during FY2015 and FY2014 have been declared at 8.75 per cent and 8.50 per cent during FY2012-13. In the current financial year up to December 2014, EPFO invested a total of `3.59 lakh crore in various schemes, he added. EPFO invested `3.25 lakh crore in 2013-14, `3.77 lakh crore in 2012-13 and `2.37 lakh crore in 2011-12, the Minister said. “The government prescribes investment pattern for investments of EPFO corpus. Presently, EPFO is following pattern of investment, 2013 notified by Ministry of Labour and Employment on 21 November 2013,” Dattatreya said. He said the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in a meeting held in February this year relaxed investment guidelines with an objective to increase the earnings of the fund without compromising with safety and security of the fund. EPFO invested the funds in its corpus in central and state government securities, special deposit schemes and public sector financial institutions, including private and sector bonds. In reply to a separate question, the Minister said EPFO has been mandated to settle claims within 30 days from the date of its receipt. “At present, the Organisation is able to settle nearly two-third of all claims within 10 days of their receipt,” Dattatreya said. He said the provision of electronic challan-cumreturn, induction of National Electronic Fund Transfer, re-engineering the process of transfer of claims include some of the steps taken by EPFO for speedy disposal of claims. @moneylife.in

apps do not require access to users’ call logs or even contacts. We do not realize, however, that there is a lot of information that we provide when we say ‘Yes, I accept’. SHARING MOBILE NUMBER ON DATING SITES Users sign up on dating and romance sites and easily provide their mobile numbers. At times, many of us get emotionally carried away and share other details as well on such sites. SOCIAL MEDIA SITES Social networking sites display phone numbers and e-mail addresses of users. This is another way in which companies get our mobile number. Sometime back, Facebook admitted that six million of its members’ phone numbers and email addresses were accidentally leaked for a period of about a year. However, Facebook blamed the leaks on a technical glitch. PRODUCT WARRANTY CARDS When a user register online for a new product that she wishes to

SO, HOW YOU CAN KEEP YOUR MOBILE NUMBER FROM OVERSHARING OR MINIMISE THE LEAKAGE? eScan suggests a user should be careful and think twice before sharing her mobile number. • Never be in a hurry to disclose your phone number. Ask yourself if it is really required for you to give your number. Maybe youremail address is enough. • Be careful when you register for contests. Read the fine print closely that will specify whether the contest operators will sell your data to other companies. • Be cautious when registering at websites. Ask yourself if the website registration really requires your phone number. • When downloading or installing apps onto your smartphone, read the privacy policy and access right information before you install the app. As mentioned earlier, some apps such as flashlight app does not require access to your call logs or even contacts. In addition, the user can use privacy guard feature that is available in some of the smartphones. But remember, since this feature requires root access, several of the top mobile brands will not provide this facility. In case you try to install a privacy guard, it will not be installed due to lack of root access or it will violate your warrantee. There are some smartphones that provide privacy guard feature. For example, Micromax Yureka that has inbuilt privacy guard but then this handset is not easily available and can be bought through online auction only. Better option, if permitted by your wallet, is to buy an Apple mobile that provide privacy controls for users. Meanwhile, just pause for a second and think again whether you really, really need to provide your mobile number to anyone. @moneylife.in

For 10th month, MFs report net inflows

Strong equity mutual fund sales of `12,300 crore lead to a net inflow of `5,840 crore in February 2015

MONEYLIFE DIGITAL TEAM Equity mutual funds reported a net inflow of `5,840 crore in February 2015. Sales for the month amounted to `12,300 crore and redemptions amounted to `6,470 crore for the month. For the past 10 months, from May 2014 to February 2015, equity mutual funds reported a net inflow in each month. Equity mutual funds brought in as much as `62,800 crore over this period. The last time equity funds had such a long run of net inflows was in the nine month period from November 2007 to July 2008. In this period, equity funds reported a total net inflow of `40,177 crore. As many as eight new fund offers (NFOs) were launched in February, bringing in as much as `702 crore. As we have highlighted in the past, mutual funds rush in to launch NFOs when the market begins to rally. Taxsaving schemes garner a lot of interest

in the last three months of the financial year. Th is year equity linked saving schemes (ELSSs) brought in `1,903 crore in fi rst two months (January and February 2015). Th is was 166 per cent than the `715 crores brought by such schemes over the same period last year. The enhanced Section 80C limit to `1.50 lakh could be a probable reason for a sharp rise in investments. Along with the rise in investments, the number of equity fund folios too has risen. The total number of equity fund folios (including ELSSs) stands at 31.81 million as on 28 February 2015. Th is is up by 1.51 million folios or 5 per cent compared to February last year. Along with the direction of the market and the new inflows, the assets managed by equity mutual funds closed at a record high of `3.46 lakh crore, gaining 1.41 per cent in February 2015. The CNX Nifty gained 1.06 per cent over the same period. @moneylife.in

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

“The government will reimburse swine flu treatment cost for critically ill patients from economically weaker sections” — Deepak Sawant, Health Minister

PUNE

“The state-appointment committee is deciding the second phase of the Pune Metro, connecting Vanaz to Ramwadi and will consider underground, elevated options and connect metro stations with monorail” — Girish Bapat, Guardian Minister

Apathy, the cardinal sin most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all - the apathy of human beings.” - Helen Keller

“India is my country and all Indians are my brothers and sisters. I love my country and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage. I shall always strive to be worthy of it. I shall give respect to my parents, teachers and elders and treat everyone with courtesy. To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion. In their well being and prosperity alone lies my happiness. Jai Hind.” - National Pledge

the most. When we bring our children up, we want them to be intelligent, self sufficient yet obedient to us and respectful of our culture and family tradition. Do we see the contradictions in these expectations? How do we inculcate social accountability in our children if we are forever teaching them that our families are perfect and tradition is sacrosanct? Look around. We see little respect for others in our society. We cannot tell the difference between co-operation and interference.

Citizen journalist

Anita Narayan Iyer, social activist

Definition of apathy Lack of feeling or emotion: impassiveness Lack of interest or concern : indifference “I have a very strong feeling that the opposite of love is not hate - it’s apathy. It’s not giving a damn.” - Leo Buscaglia “Science may have found a cure for

I wonder often about us, our self righteous patriotism, our definitions of success, spirituality and democracy. I wonder also about our contribution to the progress of our country – as a whole or in parts. We are born and we shall die, that much is certain. But it is what we do between those two events that matters

What does this apathy result in? What are the typical answers we get? • Dirty streets – not my fault • Lack of infrastructure – ask the government • Lack of safety – arrest the offenders • Fear or a sense of hopelessness – what can I do? • Education becoming a farce – set up better schools. (What about the ones that exist?)

• Exclusion and discrimination – we weren’t taught better • Violence – those ‘other’ guys are to blame! • Unemployment – ask the government • Corruption – try and survive without it What is the personal responsibility?

Yoga helps to balance one’s life

Jwala Van Beveren, interior designer

From the time I have known about the Indian culture and its traditions, I have been attracted to it. I was intrigued by Yoga culture. It had become a huge trend in the west. I started reading about different aspects of Yoga. I learnt that yoga helps one to balance life and bring peace of mind. Modern man’s greatest challenge is to silence the mind. Yoga truly stirs up one’s inner strength which is beyond the limitations of external circumstances. Yoga’s appeal is the fact that it can be traced back roughly 5,000 years. It’s a tradition that has stood the test of time. Traditionally, Yoga (Sanskrit for “divine union”) has one single aim: stilling the thoughts of the mind in order to experience one’s true self, and ultimately,

to achieve liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). After getting enlightened about the true form of Yoga, I knew I had to come to India. After searching on the web for different institutes, I decided to enroll in the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial institute in Pune. That was twenty years ago! The University road was narrow and the traffic was less. The city was spic and span with hardly any garbage dumps around. After learning about the different levels of yoga, I returned back to Holland. I started teaching yoga there. But the memories of the small town always made me nostalgic. I longed to come back to the city. That was many years back! Pune is my second home. I love the warm hearted people and their friendly nature. As an established interior decorator of the city, I have interacted with many people and have made new friends. The city teaches me something new every day. The city has become a gourmet’s paradise. Today in every nook and corner of the city cuisines of different countries are available. So having the food of my liking is not an issue here. I also love the traditional delicacies sold by roadside vendors. But, I still have to develop a taste for spicy food. With time, the city has changed, but the Puneites still remain the same - loving and caring.

Since my childhood, I have been travelling a lot as my father was in the Air Force. In 1978, we landed in Pune as my father was posted here. We had heard a lot about the city. We also knew that it had the best educational institutes in the country. My parents were assured that we will at least get the best education here. Pune brought new hopes and a new beginning. The first few weeks, I toured the whole city to get a feel of it. Pune has a charm of its own. The old gulmohar and banyan trees dotting the cityscape added to the beauty I was enamoured by the culture, traditions and people. The roads were not chaotic and choc-abloc with traffic. It was so different from Chandigarh. The old wadas and peths areas interested me, especially the architecture. I used to sketch the

Together and young for 70 years (in TGS February 28 issue) is an inspiring story of Sadashiv (94) and Shanta (93) who have lived for 70 years in love and leading a active beautiful life, working towards social causes. Truly very inspiring. It is apparent that the important ingredient is ‘love’ that has given them such a beautiful, fulfilling, and healthy life. Congratulations! After reading the above story, I came across a similarly awe-inspiring story

different designs of the wadas on my writing pad. Puneites are warm hearted and welcoming. During my sojourns in the city, I met new friends who invited me to their place for a meal. Being a foodie, I was always looking for new cuisines. Maharashtrian fare is very close to my heart. I am fond of wada pav, misal pav, thalipeeth and the Maharashtrian thali. The food is rich and the traditional spices balance the various dishes. Usually on weekends, I love visiting the old joints in the city to enjoy some delicacies. The owners know me by now and they make my favourite dishes whenever I drop in. The city is a melting pot of cultures. Here people from different states live peacefully and participate in the different festivals. They become one with the city. My most favourite festivals are the Ganpati, Janmashtami and the Rang Panchami. The dhol-tasha groups never ceases to amaze me. Till today, I can’t fathom how the drummer can hold the drum and play it for such a long time. It describes the religious fervour of the people. Down the years, the city has changed. The old wadas has been replaced by new constructions which has marred the beauty of the city. The old trees have been felled and today only their stumps remain. The roads have become narrow and the traffic snarls and congested roads are the woes of modern age. I seek solace from this madness, by reminiscing about good old Pune that I once knew.

non-native

parole

shores

Editor

be ignored. There are skeletons in every closet. We shall remain silent… for we have been taught that silence is golden. This silence is the death-knoll of humanity. Speak. Your. Truth.

Pune has a charm of its own

Gurinder Pal, Businessman

from foreign

Letters to the

Rights have corresponding duties. Do we teach this to our children? There are things we do not speak about. There are holy cows that must be respected and elephants in the room that must

Love gives one a beautiful, fulfilling and healthy life about Dr Ephraim P Eglemean (103), an American rheumatologist who heads the Research Centre at the University of California. To the question “What’s the best way to stay cheerfully productive and healthy?” he jokes, “Choose your parents wisely, indicating it is in genes or DNA. Genes affect 30 per cent of other factors. The correct life style and psychological strategies to face the challenges result in a long, fruitful life and help you enter the ‘Blue Zone’..of Super Seniors. Strangely, at one time death scared me but today longevity raises my curiosity. —Urmilla Ramrakhiani

Question of the hour

The lynching of an alleged rapist in Nagaland is a sign that the rest of the country may soon emulate the example of the Naga people, if the government and judiciary keep dithering over the dubious rape laws and not punishing the perpetrators of rapes in keeping with the magnitude of their crimes. Most of the rapists are at large because the

social stigma attached to rapes makes the victims refrain from reporting and those who are arrested, enjoy their cosy and comfortable stay in prisons on the taxpayers’ hard-earned money. Instead of despatching the remaining four killer-rapists to the gallows in the Nirbhaya rape case nearly three years ago, the government, judiciary and media are cashing in on the opportunity as a ‘healthy’ debate as to what’s moral and what’s not’! Why can’t all rapists be confined to the four walls of the prisons till they die? Why do we still look at rapes with a tinge of titillating anticipation? As a part of a ‘civilised’ (?) society, we need to introspect and ask ourselves why rapes still give us a perversely voyeuristic thrill? Mind you, this pervert kinkiness of the general public in rape cases indirectly emboldens the criminals and would-be rapists. Why can’t we all demonise rapes in chorus, is the question of the hour that we all must ask ourselves. —Sumit Paul

Ban is not the solution The ban by the Government. of India on the screening in the country and abroad of the documentary film titled India’s Daughter, produced by 57-yearold British national Leslee Udwin, who is a self-confessed victim of rape, is no solution against rapes, several of which are daily reported in India, in spite of stringent laws. In fact, let everybody know the devilish minds and thoughts of the rapists. Even though lodged in jail as a convict for life, Mukesh Singh, one of the six rapists (whom Udwin interviewed in the Tihar jail) in the heinous Nirbhaya crime case on December 16, 2012 in a bus in Delhi, does not feel any remorse for the dastardly and barbaric rape. On the contrary, he justified his action, saying that “when being raped, she (the victim) should not fight back, she should just be silent and allow the rape. “ His remarks are a blot on humanity and we should hang our heads as this a matter of national shame. The only solution now left at our

disposal is,the death sentence to all rapists. —Vijay Dattatray Patil

Swine flu epidemic

The highly contagious Swine Flu, H1N1 is raising its ugly head and is spreading fast in the most parts of India and has reached an alarming high proportion and it is now a serious wake-up call to the Union health ministry. Till now, the total deaths on this account has reached 812 and more than 13,000 people have contracted H1N1 virus. The main symptoms are fever 100F or greater, cough, nasal secretions, fatigue and headache. Vaccination is the best way to prevent or reduce the chances of becoming infected with the influenza virus. Two anti-viral agents, Zanamivir,Revenza ) and Oseltamivir (Tamflu) have been reported to help prevent to reduce the effects of Swine Flu, if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Those who have affected due to swine flu, should stay at home and avoid

contact with other people. Although the government has said that there is no need to panic, the swine flu toll is hitting hard. PS: Even though the mercury is rising, the H1N1 influenza A virus seems to be thriving). - Mihir Sane

Write to Us Letters to the Editor may be emailed to editor_tgs@goldensparrow.com, editor_tgs@gmail.com or mailed to The Editor, Golden Sparrow Publishing Pvt Ltd, 1641 Madhav Heritage, Tilak Road, Pune-411030. The Best Letter of the Week will receive a special gift from Venus Traders, Pune’s finest stationery departmental.

SPORTS

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015

PUNE

“We’re playing against New Zealand in summer. And that team, I’m afraid, with things the way they are at the moment are going to give us an absolute hiding.” — Former England Test batsman Mark Butcher

“We are the best team in the tournament here. We know we are very close, just three games away from taking that World Cup homeside.” — South African skipper AB de Villiers

New face of Indian shooting

Signposts Chordiya to receive Kridabhushan award

Wipro win MJ Cup tennis league

BY ASHISH PHADNIS @phadnis.ashish

same category. It was a confidence boosting performance,” she said. “Then I got a chance to represent PUNE: Chandigarh-based rifle shooter India, in the 1st ISSF Junior Cup held Anjum Moudgil has been a part of the in Germany in May. I secured the 14th Indian shooting team for the last five position with a score of 411.2. It was years. But this 20-year-old has been followed by 24th Meeting of Shooting graduated to the senior level recently Hopes in Plzen, Czech Republic in (December 2014) and has proved her June. Th is exposure at the international mettle by qualifying for level played a key role the World Cup to be held for me in the nationals in Germany and USA in too. I won 10 medals May. in the junior segment. The youngster, who So overall this was a was in the city for a social good experience,” added cause initiated by sports Anjum, who had already NGO Lakshya, spoke to started winning medals The Golden Sparrow on this year too. Saturday, on her recent The shooter won a performance and future silver medal in the 34th plans. edition of National The last year Games, held in Kerala turned out to be very recently and her overall fruitful for Anjum performance earned her as she won her a ticket to ISSF World - Anjum Moudgil maiden individual Cup to be held in Korea international medal, in April, followed by followed by several USA and Germany in national medals. May. “Last year I was in good “I believe, this is a biggest nick and continued doing well opportunity for me, as I am the new throughout the year. It started face of Indian senior squad. Th is is a well with my maiden international very crucial period, as next year we are individual medal when I won a having Rio Olympics. So my immediate bronze in the Asian Air Gun goal is to do my best and earn a quota for Shooting Championship held Olympics,” she said. in Kuwait. I scored 611.9 in the 10m air rifle event and NEW CHALLENGES then also won a team Talking about the challenges in bronze in the graduating to a bigger league, Anjum said, “In shooting, experience is the key. So it’s a very different scenario when you move to the senior level. In juniors, sometimes you get another chance to prove yourself, but here it’s hard to beat seasoned shooters. They hardly make any mistakes or allow their opponent to comeback. They are very accurate and professional. So now my task is to be like them.” “First I need to better my training

“My immediate goal is to do my best and earn a quota for Rio Olympics.”

RAHUL RAUT

Vishal Chordiya, founder president of Pune-based sports NGO Lakshya, will receive Symbiosis Kridabhushan award at Senapati Bapat road on Saturday. State sports minister Vinod Tawade will felicitate Chordiya. Padma Vibhushan DR KH Sancheti will be the chief guest for this programme. Chordiya has been sponsoring various sports events for the last 25 years. In 2009, he along with few others started Lakshya. The NGO supports several top class players in various disciplines like shooting, tennis and chess to pursue their dreams.

Youngster Anjum Moudgil, who recently graduated to senior level, is all set for the big league

Wipro scored a 28-11 win over BMC Software to win the title at the first edition of the “MJ Cup Inter IT Tennis League” organised by Winning Edge Academy and Pune Metropolitan District Tennis Association at Deccan Gymkhana courts recently. Joy Banerjee played a stellar role for the Wipro team. The winning team received a trophy and cash prize of Rs 40,000 while the runner-up team received Rs 25,000.

Cognizant, Capgemini enter quarterfinals Cognizant, Regreen, Capgemini, Yes Team, Symantec, Softharad Automation, Honeywell and Barclays entered the quarterfinals of the ReGreen Corporate T20 Cricket Tournament, at the Flame Campus grounds recently. In the league round, Cognizant defeated PTC Software by 65 runs, while Zensar Technologies registered a two-wicket win over Persistent Systems in another encounter.

Know about Anjum Anjum Moudgil is a Chandigarh based rifle shooter. She started competitive shooting in 2009 and competes in three events - 10m Air Rifle, 50m 3 Position and 50m Prone. Anjum has been a part of the Indian shooting team since 2010. She has won seven international medals from 10 tournaments so far. Several times national champion, she has won over 50 medals in her five-year career. She is supported by sports NGO Lakshya.

and tournament schedule. In my hometown, Chandigarh, we don’t have enough shooting facilities. So, I am forced to move to Delhi and train there. Secondly, I need to buy more shooting equipment. I just don’t want to adjust with the weapon. If you are planning to beat the best, you need to be equipped with the best,” said Anjum. The shooter also emphasised on the mental preparation. So far, she was training with junior national coach Deepali Sayyed and now will switch over to Stanislav Lapidus from Kazakhstan, who is the Indian senior team coach. “Actually, I would like to train with Deepali mam for some more time. I am not familiar with the senior coach and with such important tournaments ahead, I just don’t want to make any drastic changes,” said Anjum, a BA second year psychiatric student. “I won’t be participating in the fi rst World Cup to be held in Changwon, Korea from April 8-16, because of my exams. I will join the squad, for the World Cup in Fort Benning, US from May 11-19, followed by the Munich World Cup from May 26 to June 2,” she said. ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com

Big wonder in a small package 12-year-old goalkeeper Jeevan Shinde has earned a place in the senior hockey team ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

Jeevan during a practice session before the match in Balewadi

TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeekly PUNE: The Krida Prabodhini team came as a surprise package, when they entered the final of the Mayor’s Trophy hockey tournament at Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex. The team studded with young players, won hearts with their energetic game. But, it was their tiny goalkeeper Jeevan Shinde, who stole the limelight. The 12-year-old could have been easily misjudged as the water boy for any onlooker. But, in reality, he has proved himself as the backbone of the senior team. And not only in the local tournaments, but he has represented Krida Prabodhini

in two school nationals too. Jeevan, who hails from a small village Mangalvedha is Solpaur district, had never seen a hockey game in his life. He was just eight, when he got selected for the Krida Prabodhini, Pune and was clueless about what sport he wants to choose as a career. Coincidently, when he landed in Balewadi, Indian hockey players were undergoing a national camp at the venue. Jeevan soon got fascinated about the sport and especially was impressed with the Indian keeper Sreejesh Ravindran. He decided to follow the keeper’s footsteps and in the last five years, he has earned a good reputation as a reliable keeper. “He has improved a lot in the last

five years. We have full confidence in him and would not hesitate in putting him under the bar in any crucial match. He has worked a lot to come to this level. He closely watches every hockey match, and tries to learn from it,” said Krida Prabodhini skipper Gaurav Naiek. Talking about his journey, Jeevan said, “In my home town, nobody plays hockey. Even I have no sports background in my family. So when I got selected for Krida Prabodhini, it was very difficult for me to choose my career path. Fortunately, I saw Sreejesh during their practice sessions. I was impressed with his cool gears and his agility and decided to be one like him.” Krida Prabodhini hockey coach Ajit Lakra supported wholeheartedly this young chap and allowed him to pursue his dreams. Jeevan eventually improved his game and become a regular member of the junior squad. He got an opportunity to represent the team in the School Nationals held in New Delhi in 2011 and followed by Ranchi in 2012. But, his skills were tested in the School State tournament held in Nanded in 2012, when the quarterfinal match against Mumbai went into the tiebreaker. Tiny Jeevan put his best efforts to save three penalty strokes and earned a semifinal berth for the team. “There is still a long way to go. I have so much to improve on, but I wanted to be the youngest keeper for the Indian team,” Jeevan said.

Lukewarm response for MPL TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeekly

PUNE: The 4th Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) which is back on the menu after a gap of three years, is a fourteam affair this season. The tournament which once received a huge response and roaring crowd is

currently being played at the MCA International stadium in Gahunje. Despite, inclusion of Maharashtra Ranji trophy players, the tournament has received a lukewarm response so far. In the opener, Chirag Khurana’s all-round performance steered Cadence Raigad Royals to an emphatic 89-run

win over Guardian Warriors. In another match, Kedar Jadhav’s half-century was enough for Dahad Sailors to bulldoze past MCA XI by nine wickets. Meanwhile, Cadence Raigad Royals infl icted third-straight loss on the Maharashtra Cricket Association XI (MCA) as they beat them by six wickets in the league match recently.

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