MAY OUR SOULS REST IN PIECES!

More than the sadist, fascist and terrorist motives behind the political assassination of B.Bhutto in Rawalpindi on 27th Dec.2007 at 6.00pm (ist) ,there have been eventualities in Pakistan during recent past, that 'ensured' political killing of of the most honored leader in Pakistan. The declaration of emergency for a short time,preparations for democratizing the under/over estimated nation in turmoil all the time in 2008, January, Musharaff's flat yes to US by giving up his Military uniform and come at 'par' with civilian dress, the unwarranted welcome to Nawab Shariff ,Pakistan people global cry for regulating democracy in the nation,frightened military set up confused both by people on one side and terrorist attacks from the other, Musharaf's last attempt to be in power etc. are some of them.for such a nation, silly problems like poverty, unemployment, high costs,scarcity of food etc. have been out of reference at any moment of time.

It's time to realize that both the future and safety of Indian secular democracy are more dependent on the democratic norms to work effectively, in Nepal, Bhutan, Srilanka and Pakistan .It also need to be reckoned that in India , we also do have a section within that abhors secular democracy and upholds strongest psyche to restore 'those great old times' when India used to enjoy 'golden' days for centuries together....(?)

So, such minds must be happy over Bhutto's killing who by and large set out for democratizing Pakistan by getting it rid of Military controlled (and US guided) democracy in her mother land ruined under the able and most unstable rule of Musharaff. It should worry us more in reality !
Both the killed and killers have been killed in the recent unfortunate event leaving NO proof and the one that NEVER will be sought or asked for .They might all join hands in the paradise now and look down towards the earth to 'enjoy' how the next moves will take place in a new Pakistan-in-the making.

Bhutto paid her life.She will be a legend like Indira Gandhi hereafter. And for us, she will be one more page full of history book to remember for next generation.. till all these surround nations realize to live peace rather than kill and get killed for mythical political ends. Our homage to the killed soul of a much fascinating lady who fell prey to the attacks from Political Islamic terrorist moves.
May her soul rest in peace and for the rest lot of pieces have yet to be assembled for the rest of life ..as long as it stays here.

So let us be prepared to pay homage to ourselves well in advance!

Hate kills: harmony works.We just know this much.

******************************************************************

-- Pradeep Deshpande.
(Socio-Economic-Political Writer)

feature in mulund-powai plus (toi) 24th nov 2007

It took only 15 minutes for an enthusiastic group of youngsters to explain the various uses of the RTI and how one could sucessfully file an application for necessary information. During the innovative street play devised by Dnyeyam, a youth group, Mulundkars watched as two young men, modelled on the popular duo Munnabhai and Circuit, discussed the RTI.

The play was first performed on November 17, outside Mulund east station and then outside Chintamani Gardens, and drew a lot of spectators.
“The only way to help end a problem is by developing awareness about it, and what better way than through the most traditional medium of street plays,” share the founders of the group.

“Using characters such as Munnabhai and his loyal friend Circuit, is a great idea as it immediately appeals to people,” says Bharti Mane, a spectator. The play brought to the forefront the reason for the RTI Act, the importance of using it and the correct way by which an application can be made to rightfully obtain information.

The actors relied on time-tested tactics to attract the attention of the busy citizens. They began by striking a steel plate with a spoon. “If we call ourselves a democratic country, then the RTI is one of the tools that confer power on the common man.
Until and unless people know their rights, they can’t fight oppression,” points out Umakant Nadkar, a member of the group. The RTI Act has been in the news for many years now, yet, most people are not aware about it. And even if they are, most of them do not want to get hassled with the paperwork involved.

“I had not heard about the RTI Act, but now have enough basic knowledge and will find out more about it. And yes, I will use it when the time comes,” says Mahesh Soni, a spectator. Pramod Konzarkar, a senior citizen, who watched the play, strongly feels that the youth should participate in more awareness building causes and spread information about educational reforms, pollution and so on. He believes that such grass-root efforts are not a “waste of time”, but in fact a timely investment, which definitely has a long term effect.

One of founders notes, “We need to have more such street plays on a consistent basis, only then will it have a deeper impact and develop sensitivity among people. We have to inspire them to take up issues on their own.”

campaign for questioning...

Citizen's campaign for accountability continues.
Starting on 2nd October, there have been four meetings,- 2 by Agni, one by Juhu Citizen's and one by Janhit Manch. There has been one succesful and visible protest demonstration by H-west ward Citizens trust. The movement now gathers momentum.
Also attaching the Hoarding at Marine Drive.
Next two events
1. Press conference by 'I love Mumbai' at Mumbai Patrkar Sangh at 4.30pm on Monday, 29 Oct. on Crawford Market

2. A meeting of friends and citizen has been organized on the subject of Crawford Market sale of FSI and pocketing of Rs.6000 cr of wealth of the city of Mumbai by few existing licensees with the connivance and support of some officials and possibly many corporators.
It is symbolic of the malaise that has been spreading like cancer. But thanks to a serious and studied initiative of people like Shailesh Gandhi there is a good chance that such scams can not only be exposed but can be stopped and the citizen teach politicians a practical lesson that they cant get away with such loot . This is possible if we follow the Satyagraha .
As a member of informed middle class citizen of Mumbai we appeal you to attend the meeting and have the concepts clarified and see what we all can do and go beyond casual criticism and take some practical step without requiring to get u onto the streets.
place : Hall of Makarand Society, Savarkar marg, Mahim
time 6.30 pm 1`st Nov thursday
pl come and bring ur likeminded friends and family members
Love shailesh.

All my emails are in Public Domain.

www.satyamevajayate.info

RTI WORKSHOP

Forum for Public Interest is organizing a free workshop on "Right toInformation Act" by Mr. Shailesh Gandhi on 25th Oct, 07 from1 pm to 6 pm at Nalanda- Lower Parel, S B Marg, Kamala Mills Compound.

Call: 20310400 for registration.

Love,
shailesh.

All my e-mails are in Public Domain.

www.satyamevajayate.info

crawford market bachao... bhrashtachar hatao

Please see if you can inform people about this and also come yourselves.
On 26th Bombay Catholic Sabha is organising a meeting, 7th march Mahiti Adhikar Manch,
Dr. Ajay Kothari-renowned ENT specialist of Khar,- is trying to organise the medical fraternity.
Let us all make our efforts. The cumulative effect may be tremendous:
Janhit Manch led by the redoubtable Shri Bhagwanji Rayani launches its first JAWABDYA on Vijayadashmi:
CRAWFORD MARKET BACHAO
BHRASHTACHAR HATAO
Rs . 1000 crores of public loss is at stake !
So, let's oppose this proposal for Mumbai's sake !
Crawford Market, the 138 year old heritage structure is virtually being donated.
Neither was a tender floated, nor were bids invited.
On 11-10-2007 , the BMC house passed this proposal by voice vote unanimously within a minute.
The developer would be spending Rs.105 crores and earning Rs.1050 CR.
That is 10 rupees profit for every one rupee spent !
The estimated return on investment is 1000% !
If this isn't corruption, what is?
This proposal is also in violation of the heritage norms.
The FSI of 4 will create a massive pressure on the crumbling infrastructure.
Public Meeting - Question your Corporator
Venue : Shri Vile Parle K.V.O. Seva Samaj, Amarsons Bhavan, 68, Misquitta Road, Opp.Railway Crossing, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai – 400 057
Day & Date : Sunday, 21st October, 2007
Time : 10 am to 11.30 am
Invitees : You all and the Corporators and MLAs.
Contact Person : Utsal Karani (93249-91030)

letter to gurudas kamat... jawabdya campaign

Am giving letter sent to Shri Gurudas Kamat below. Please write letters to various Corporators and political leaders, to save your 5000 rupees.
Next meeting by Janhit Manch at Vile Parle (e) on 21st; 10am to 11.30am.
Bombay Catholic Sabha meeting at Chembur on 26th evening.
Many other organizations are also gearing up. If you plan a meeting do share the information
shailesh gandhi
B2 Gokul Apartment, Near Asha Parekh Hospital,Poddar Road, Santacruz (W),Mumbai-400054 ,
Tel: 32903776, 9867327305 Email: shaileshgan@vsnl.com
16 October, 2007
To,
Shri Gurudas Kamat,
19, G.R.G.Road, Near Acharya Garden, Chembur, Mumbai 400071. Tel: 25212727
Sub.: Public loss of 1000 Crores on CRAWFORD MARKET ‘REDEVELOPMENT!
Dear Shri Kamat,
I write to you since i am perturbed by a decision of various political parties in the MCGM on 9/11. This is regarding the proposal for the ‘redevelopment’ of Crawford Market. It has been shown clearly by simple calculations that the present proposal deprives the Citizens of a huge loss of their money, without any logical reason being offered. We are sacrificing a very important part of our Heritage structures and skyline for which we are only caretakers for the future generation. However, even if we assume that some people do not value it, the financial implications of a Public loss of over 1000 crores are evident. I am giving the main implications of the proposal:
Area of Plot
22472
Sq.mts.
RTI info
Area with licencees
6206
Sq.mts.
RTI info
Proposed Building
65690
Sq.mts.
RTI info
MCGM gets
26495
Sq.mts.
RTI info
Developer and tenants get
39195
Sq.mts.
RTI info
Construction Cost
16000
Per Sq.mt.
Assumed
Sale Price of Property
350000
Per Sq. mt.
Assumed
Construction Cost to of building
105
Crores
Calculated
MCGM gets free of Construction
42.4
Crores.
Calculated
Developer and tenants get extra
32989
Sq.mts.
Calculated
Ie. Profit at Public cost by
1049.6
Crores.
Calculated
Note: 10.7 sq.ft.= 1 Sq.mtr.; Construction cost Rs. 16000 per sq. mtr. is equal to Rs. 1495 per sq.ft.
Sale price of Rs.350000 per sq.mtr. is equal to Rs. 32710 per sq.ft.
The data on the proposed construction and the sharing of area has been obtained by the undersigned under RTI. When this proposal is applied to the other 101 Municipal Markets the total loss to Public will be over 6000 crores. If MCGM gives the construction on contract, or decides on the developer by competitive bidding, it can earn over 6000 crores! Each Citizen including the poorest loses Rs.5000. Citizens had approached 95 Corporators individually during July, August 2007 to explain how this proposal was a huge loss to the Public. 86 Corporators across all parties, including over forty Corporators from your party had agreed that the proposal was in not Public interest. Congress MP Shri Milind Deora wote to Corporators of all parties to defeat this retrograde proposal. Yet, on 9/11 the Corporation has passed this proposal which will deprive each Citizen,-including the poorest suffering from hunger,- of Rs. 5000. Citizens have started a JAWABDYA abhiyan to ask Corporators the reasons for this treachery. Some of your Corporators at a meeting at Colaba stated that the proposal was bad and they had opposed it, but had to fall in line because of orders from their leader. On close questioning by Citizens, they said you were the leader. We request you to reconsider this and publicly assure us that your party would ask for the proposal to be scrapped. If there are any plausible reasons for allowing this proposal, please let the Public know. If we get no plausible reasons for stealing 5000 rupees of each of us, we will obviously conclude, it is because of GREED and CORRUPTION.
The only duty of elected representatives is to serve and safeguard the people. I am sure you will do your duty.
Yours truly,


shailesh gandhi

jaago

Yaha aapne suna hai
Yaha aapne padha hai
Bahut varshon se chalta aaya-
Yaha ek inquilab hai.

Thukrayie nahi ise-
Kahi thokar kha chuke.
Ab thokar nahi khani-
Isliye likh rahe.

Partantra me kaha tha-
Bharat chhodo, swadeshi apnaao.
Swatantra mein yehi kiya-
Bharat bhi chhoda, videshi bhi apnaaya.

Udhar mein jaakar swadeshi apnaaya!
Sanskritik mandal basaya,
Mandir-Masjid banvaya…
Par Bharat ke liye kacchu na kiya.

Udhar mein jakar unako dosh diya!
Mandir-Masjid-sanskritik mandal
Banavane ke liye-
Raaste par utar aaya!
Par Bharat ke liye kacchu na kiya.

Udhar mein jaakar-
Bharat ko doshi thaharaaya
Ki Bharatvaasio ki neenda
Swades ki taraf anguliyaa bhi uthayi-
Bhool hi gaye- chaar anguliya apni taraf hi uthi!

Khub piili pepsi-coke, khub piili bisleri-
Khub khaaya lays, khub khayi maagi.
Khub pahanaa nike, khub pahana levis-
Har din jaate hai mcd’s pizzahut
Har din hote hai barista.

Par- bhool gaye plaachimada- bhool gaye dahanu!
Bhool gaye nandigram- bhoolhi gaye singur!
Bhool gaye raigad- bhool bhi gaye pen!



Arrey jaago, jaago sonewaalo jaago-
Daur naya nahi hai, yaha daur purana hai.
Naye package mein daur purana-
Hamare saamne aaya hai.

Thukra do is package ko-
Apnaao naariyal nimbu paani.
Juhu beach ka gola, pune ka chivda.
Mathura ka petha, kolkata ka rossogulla.
Inhi ko apnaao bhai, inhi ko aapnaao.

Pukar rahi hai yaha mitti-
Ab vakt aaya hai.
Karz hampar hai mitti ka-
Ada karna hi farz hai.

Yaha Bharat ki jaroorat hai-
Yehi samaj ki maang hai.
Hum tum yahi par rahe-
Aur desh ke liye-
Kacchu to Karen.

Jaago…

-- Sachidananda.
(Eternal Happiness)

Tribal Insctincts Feature In TOI 13 Oct 2007

BOLLYWOOD & BHAGWAD GITA

Priyanko Sarkar meets youngbloods itching to change the world—but who aren’t quite sure how

There were three bodies on the tracks. A shapeless form in a burqa and two others. The burqa was still, the smaller bodies breathing raggedly. Abhijit Alka Anil, who happened to be at Bhandup station on that November morning in 2005, was among the hundreds watching in silence. The railways’ stained stretchers arrived but there weren’t enough porters. Abhijit stepped forward to help and hurried to the nearby hospital hoping the children at least would be saved. It wasn’t a heavy load—the baby was nine months old, the girl three years. One died on the way, the other in hospital. “The whole station was just watching but no one came forward,” he says.

Abhijit went home, related the story and learnt his first lesson. “I was yelled at for a whole week for getting mixed up in a police case,” he says. “Revolution begins at home. It’s only now, after three years of social service that my parents have begun to accept my decision.”

His decision was to choose social work as a career. “I was a hardcore capitalist till 2003. Then, my sociology professor introduced me to socialism and Che Guevera. Ever since, I have decided to be a social worker,” he says. His family reluctantly realised that this was no passing infatuation but something deeper. Abhijit enrolled for a Masters in social work at Nirmala Niketan, dropped his surname, and formed a group called Dnyeyam.

Dnyeyam, a name plucked from the Bhagwad Gita, was formed impulsively last year at a movie theatre in Mulund where Rang de Basanti was being screened. That’s where Abhijit met Umakant Nadkar, an old colleague. Suitably fired by the film’s rousing call to arms, the two boys discussed the movie, the rotten system, politics, and other things. Before leaving, they had decided to form a group. “The word Dnyeyam, from Chapter 13 of the Gita, means ‘object of knowledge’,” says Abhijit. “But
we have tweaked it and for us it means ‘know yourself’—all knowledge must begin within us.”

Over time, through a network of common friends, the group grew to 21 members. But once the RDB fever had evaporated, the number shrank to 12. Some members are from Pune and Aurangabad and correspond over the phone and on email. The group meets every Sunday for marathon five-hour-plus sessions, when they discuss ways in which to shake the youth out of their consumerist stupor—youth, who, according to them, are getting too American in their thinking and living.

Abhijit, now 23, is fond of quoting from Thomas Friedman’s best-selling book, The World is Flat. The NYT columnist, he says, came to Bangalore looking for Indians and found only Americans. “We aren’t against boozing or one-night stands. We just want the youth to realise that there is an India out there which needs help,” he says. The group is disgusted with the ways of their peers— “educated youth who spit on the road and litter. All they want is money, even their parents take a back seat”.

To go beyond jaw-jaw, the Dnyeyams decided to tell people about the new civil weapon, the Right to Information Act. But they soon found it wasn’t that simple. They were short on manpower and funds—even to register the group would cost them Rs 10,000. After much breast-beating, it was decided to start small. New members were admitted on a fee of Rs 150 — “about the cost of five cigarette packets” and each member was expected to skim at least Rs 50 from their pocket money and put it into the Dnyeyam piggy bank. On the strength of this touching but terribly limited fund, two RTI lectures were held at Bhandup and Thane. They also collected 1713 signatures on the Khairlanji dalit killing and forwarded the list to the President. The workshops had guest lecturers like RTI crusader Shailesh Gandhi and writers like Pradeep Deshpande and Sulabha Brahme, who taught the group an invaluable lesson: you need patience to tackle bureaucratic sloth and you need to know an issue inside-out before you decide to march on it.

The group has three agendas: women’s empowerment, reforms in education and rights awareness. “We also want to promote the spirit of nationalism,” says Namrata Salunkhe. In order not to sound like a bunch of bores, they have coined some catchy one-liners. “The attitude of our group is: Try me rather than why me,” says Nikhil Kasarpalkar, a genetics research student. Chimes in Umakant Nadkar: “Join us. We need no education, just dedication.” Shamika Chavhan, the youngest member, declares that the problem is that “80% of the youth don't care about anything apart from their jobs and the remaining 20% have no clue about how to help even if they want to”.

Perhaps they could dial Dnyeyam.

ADMISSIONS OPEN

Anyone can join

The membership fee is Rs 150 and Rs 50 per month thereafter

To join email dnyeyam@gmail.com or visit www.dnyeyam.blogspot.com

public meet... JAWABDYA

On Saturday, 6 October, Agni alongwith 9 other organizations had called a JAWABDYA public meeting at SMPS school at night. Agni coordinator Mr. Laxmidas Thakker who is a very prominent social worker of Mulund, and treated with great respect by Citizens and politicians was the main moving spirit for the meeting. He told the audience that he had personally written and talked to the eighteen Corpororators of Mulund-Bhandup to invite them to come to the meeting to meet Citizens on the Crawford market issue. Though about six had indicated that they would come, only Shri Mhaske,- of BJP,- had come. The other Corporator present was Shri Mohsin Haider of SP, from Andheri. This shows that Corporators who come for our votes, are unable to even come face to face with Citizens.

Former Commissioner Shri Sukhthankar presided and Mr. Gerson Da’cunha was also present to guide the meeting. Shri Mhaske first declared that he accepted that the decision was bad. He said he had to follow the orders of his party leaders. He accepted that Corruption was the reason for this proposal being passed. As Citizens questioned closely, he promised to write to his party leaders to ask for any rational explanation.

He agreed that he was embarrassed by the close questions being asked by Citizens about his conduct.

Shri Mohsin Haider disarmed the audience by thanking them for not tearing his clothes for the treachery in which the Corporators were all involved. He admitted that his party had wrongly supported this proposal and said he was publicly apologizing for it. He said that as atonement.for its mistake the SP had asked for the proposal to be reopened. He stated that the proposal could be reconsidered by the Corporation after three months. If adequate Public pressure was brought, it could force a change in the decision. He also suggested that since under Section 520(b), the CM had the power to overrule any decision of the Corporation which leads to loss of Public money, Citizens should write to the CM asking him to invoke his powers. Shri Haider said it was necessary for Citizens to defend their money and interests, otherwise the Corporators would continue with their Corrupt actions.

Mr. Sukhthankar,-former Chief Secretary and Municipal Commissioner,- also exhorted the audience to become vigilant for their interests and ensure that the Corporators are individually held accountable. He expressed surprise and dismay at the blatant corruption which this episode had displayed.

Many more meetings are being planned by Bombay Catholic Sabha, PCGT, Agni,

H-west ward, Mahiti Adhikar Manch, Janhit Manch and many other organizations.

A true Citizen’s movement is beginning to stir. It will exercise for the Sovereignty of the Citizen and enforce the accountability of their elected representatives.

shailesh gandhi

7 October, 2007.

jawabdya...

It is significant coincidence that the first JAWABDYA meeting was held on 2nd October at Kaifi Azmi garden at JVPD. The meeting was organized by Juhu Citizen’s Group and started with a lovely rendition of Bhajans including ‘Vaishnavajan to tene Kahiye’. This perhaps heralds the Citizens actively moving the governance towards SWARAJ. Three Corporators –Adolf D’souza, Jyotsna Dighe( Cong) and Chhaya Bhanji (SS) had come to interact with about 50 Citizens. Anand Desai conducted the meeting very ably and told me that most of the work had been done by Vimal Thakore.

Citizens expressed their condemnation of the way in which the Crawford market scam was occuring by a complicity of all parties. They pointed out the impact of this decision was a loss of over 1000 crores and applied to all Municipal Markets this would mean over 6000 crores;- a loss of over 5000 for each Citizen. The fact that a heritage we have inherited and are caretakers for, is sought to frittered away was also made. Citizens demanded that the new RG, PG policy which seeks to give away our properties should not be passed. Anil Desai also raised the issue of the Ronsons garden which is also being given away. In short a strong demand was made to stop all practices by which OUR property was being given away to a chosen few.

Adolf agreed and the other two Corporators while agreeing with the Citizens said that these matters were decided by the party bosses. Citizens insisted that since the Corporators had individually canvassed for votes, they would be held personally accountable. Ultimately Ms. Jyotsna Dighe committed that she would take up the matter with her party leader and give an answer within a week to Citizens. Ms. Chhaya Bhanji also promised to take up the matter with her party leaders. She also said that a similar proposal was to come up for another 21 markets in the Corporation in the coming week, and she would safeguard our interests. All three corporators also promised to stop the Ronsons garden giveaway. Members of H-west ward said they have started a signature campaign and will be organizing a JAWABDYA meeting within a week. They were also thinking of a human chain.

On Saturday, 6th October, Agni is holding a JAWABDYA Public meeting at Sheth Motibhai Pacchad Rashtriya Shala, V.P. Road, Near Lion’s Club, Mulund (west), Mumbai 80. The main organizer is Agni Coordinator Shri Laxmidas Thakker (32911966). The meeting will be from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and amongst the speakers will be Shri Sukhthankar Gerson Da Cunha and many Corporators.

This is an interesting and promising beginning to the JAWABDYA ABHIYAN.

Bombay Catholic Sabha and PCGT are also likely to lead this campaign. A Citizen’s Campaign appears to be building which might result in:

Saving our 6000 crores.
Stopping the RG/PG proposal and all proposals to give away our properties.
Make a beginning for us to hold our elected representatives accountable INDIVIDUALLY.
Let us all put our shoulder to this. WE CAN SUCCEED.

shailesh gandhi

Mera Bharat Mahaan..
Nahi Hai,
Per Yeh Dosh Mera Hai.

for further details contact: shaileshgan@gmail.com

citizens sovereignty

Wanted to share this with as many friends as possible:

Contempt of Citizen’s Sovereignty

It is well recognized that the center of a democratic setup is the individual Citizen who is a sovereign in her own right. She gives up part of the sovereignty to the State in return for a Rule of Law. The Instrumentalities of the State exist to serve the Citizens who are the Masters. The Masters have the right to scrutinize and question their Public servants about the actions that are taken on their behalf. The existence and legitimacy of the Public servants is derived from the service they provide to the Citizens. Some special privileges and immunity may be given to the Public servants only to ensure that they can function to serve this objective. Otherwise the key principle of democracy is equality before the law. “Be they ever so high, the law is above them.”

Let us now look at three sets of Public servants as an example and test the principle of the respect and protection they need, to be able to discharge their duties for the Citizens. Take the elected representatives, the Police and the Judges to test this principle. The elected representatives have the highest legitimacy because they subject themselves to an approval by the Citizens every five years. It can be argued that they need to be able to command respect from the Citizens, without which respect for the laws they frame will not be forthcoming. They frame policies, which have political and financial impact on the present as well as future generations. They have to face people directly in every conceivable place and time, and if special privileges or protection against criticism is not given to them, they will not be able to discharge their functions. Let us now picture a policeman who has to enforce the law. He again faces Citizens,- even enraged or inflamed mobs,- and must function in the midst of all the dirt and grime to enforce the law. If Citizens do not respect him,- or believe he is corrupt and a criminal himself,- can he discharge his law enforcement function to the Public? On the other hand a judge sits in a cloistered and protected environment and dispenses justice to supposedly uphold the law. He is in a very safe and secure environment and discharges his functions at his own languorous pace comfortably sitting in a chair.

And yet, the judges have given unto themselves the supernatural power to try Citizens for contempt if they speak or write critically about their conduct. This has been brought out very starkly in the way they have used the Contempt provisions against journalists recently. Allegations have been made against former Supreme Court Chief Justice Shri Sabharwal by a set of eminent Citizens who have demanded an enquiry. It is commonsense that if any impropriety has been committed the responsibility will lie with those making the allegations. By no perverse logic can the journalists who reported these be held guilty. However, the Delhi Court by this decision has presented us with an opportunity to question and rectify a grievous anomaly in our democratic functioning. We can certainly understand the need for the Court to have the powers to try for Contempt if its orders are not implemented. But the privilege of being able to terrorize Citizens and media into not examining or questioning their actions or decisions is an anachronism. Criticism strengthens all democratic institutions and the power of the Citizens to question their Servants is Supreme. If allegations and charges of impropriety or corruption render Public Servants ineffective then we must consider extending the warm obfuscating cloak of ‘Contempt powers’ to all of them. Surely the need for them to have it is higher? We have made allegation against MPs and MLAs, carried out sting operations against them, and nobody including the Courts have argued that this is the cause of our misgovernance. Charges have been leveled against the DGP of Maharashtra, Chief Ministers and Prime Ministers and nobody contends that these are responsible for misgovernance. If anything a greater need for transparency and accountability has been felt and the Right To Information Act is one of the recent manifestations of this. It is worth remembering that the Courts,- which made lofty pronouncements of the Right To Information being a fundamental right of Citizens,- have been laggards at implementing them. The Delhi High Court first asked for Rs.500 as application fee, compared to 10 rupees in most States and the Central Government and the Bombay High Court illegally refused to subject itself to this law for a full year!

A myth is being propagated that the judiciary is much better than the other instrumentalities of the State, by this weapon of contempt. This is untrue and most probably the same diseases which afflict the rest of our governance exist in the Courts. All voices are terrorized into silence by muzzling. Nobody knows the truth; and the peril is that the decline could be more than elsewhere because of this cloak of Contempt with which the judiciary protects itself. The recent cases of the Zee and the Midday journalists should awaken us into demanding that the Courts exercise some wisdom and maturity in using this law. Let us stop mouthing the cliché, “ We have faith in the Judiciary,” and give the clear statement that we shall question, since it is our fundamental right.

The Court has no authority to make Laxman Rekhas for its Masters-the Citizens of India. It is we who will draw the Citizen’s Rekhas which the Public servants shall not cross. When a Prime Minister of India tried to muzzle our Freedom of expression and press, we defeated her at the elections. For unwarranted or motivated allegations, the Citizens including the Prime Minister and judges have the protection of the laws on defamation. There is absolutely no justification for the judges to give themselves the power of the Lord to be above all criticism. I hope the Supreme Court will in the present cases, exercise its discretionary powers with wisdom, but it is necessary for us to remove the clauses relating to Criminal contempt of Court, and retain only the Civil Contempt provisions so that they may be used by the Courts to stop contempt of their orders.

shailesh gandhi: shaileshgan@gmail.com

RTI Activist

letter to the municipal commissioner

Sending letter sent to Municipal Commissioner. I am also sending below the list of organisations which are together in opposing this
Corruption by our Jaichands. If any other organisations wish to join, please let me know.

shailesh gandhi
B2 Gokul Apartment, Near Asha Parekh Hospital,Poddar Road, Santacruz (W),Mumbai-400054. Email: shaileshgan@vsnl.com

Ganesh Chaturthi, September, 15, 2007

To,

Dr. Jairaj Phatak,

Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai,

MCGM, Mumbai 400001.

Sub.: Proposed redevelopment of Jyotiba Phule market.

Dear Sir,

You are aware that Citizens have been explaining how the proposed ‘Redevelopment Proposal’ for the Jyotiba Phule Market is against Public Interest. We had explained that in its present form, it would mean Public giving away a profit of over 1000 crores in this proposal alone. Our estimate is that over 6000 crores will be lost to the Public if this same proposal is applied to all the Municipal Markets, which means stealing about 5000 rupees from every Mumbaikar. We spoke 93 Corporators, out of which 85 Corporators across all parties agreed with our contentions and financial calculations. Yet, the House has passed this proposal without giving any reasons and with our elected representatives doing a treacherous turnaround which would do Jaichand proud. We are launching a ‘JAWABDYA ABHIYAN’ to get their explanations and make them learn accountability.

The undersigned had also met you to explain the astronomical financial loss to Public. You had readily agreed that there was no justification for doing this without adequate transparency, and a proper process of tendering. We believe that the Municipal Commissioner has the power to stop the implementation of a proposal in Public interest, and this power has been excercised earlier. We are sure you will agree that this is a fit case for excercising the power you have been given, to meet your obligations to the Public Service you have chosen. Your position represents the checks and balances we have provided in a democracy, and when our elected representatives act completely unreasonably driven only by CORRUPTION, it is your duty to protect our interests.

As proposed, a monstrosity of 65690 sq.mts is to come up which will have a very adverse impact on the traffic and infrastructure of the already crowded area. The Grade 1 Heritage prectinct will be lost forever –snatched from our future generations by the greed of a few. I am also giving an alternate proposal which could lead to a new market being built, giving 10% more space to the existing licencees and either a profit of about 611 crores or an area of 17446 sq.mts. to allow MCGM to house PAPs. This would have the advantage of allowing MCGM to carry out some of its important road widening and other projects which are held up, since it cannot offer the alternate space. All this can achieved by building with an FSI of just 1.5 and constructing a new building of 25435 sq. mts. as the attached sheet shows. It would be very easy to preserve the Heritage prectinct as well. We are sure you will do your duty to the Citizens whom you have served so well.

I hope we could meet so that I could explain this proposal to you personally.

We could fix a time and date which is mutually convenient.

Best regards,

Yours truly,







shailesh gandhi



Mera Bharat Mahaan…

Nahi Hai,

Per Yeh Dosh Mera Hai.





Alternate Proposal to preserve the Sanctity of Jyotiba Phule’s name in the Market




Area of Plot
22471.75
Sq.mts.

Area with licencees
6205.98
Sq.mits.

Heritage Building
5515
Sq.mts.

Proposed Building FSI 1.5
25435
Sq.mts.

Area to give to licencees (10% extra)
6827
Sq.mts.

MCGM gets
18609
Sq.mts.

Assumptions



Construction Cost
16000
Per Sq.mtr.

Sale Price of Property
350000
Per Sq. mtr.

Construction Cost to of building
41
crores

MCGM sells to recover cost of Construction
1163
Sq.mtr.

And Makes Profit
611
Crores

Or, houses PAPs in extra area
17446
Sq.mts.




Note:

10.7 sq.ft.= 1 Sq.mtr.

Construction cost Rs. 16000 per sq. mtr. is equal to Rs. 1495 per sq.ft.

Sale price of Rs.350000 per sq.mtr. is equal to Rs. 32710 per sq.ft.



The present proposal is an affront of the CORRUPT to the fair name of

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.

A proposal which restores Public Interest will be a tribute to this name.





May Lord Ganesh give wisdom to everyone to follow

The virtuous path of Public Service;

To Be inspired by the ideals of Jyotiba Phule,

And not desecrate his name and memory with their CORRUPTION.







shailesh gandhi

Ganesh Chaturthi, 2007







Supporting Organisations

For Saving Our Interests against our CORRUPT Jaichands

1.BCAS Foundation

2. Federation of H-West Ward, Citizen’s trust.

3. Bandra Reclamation Area Voluntary Organisation.

4. Gen. A.K.Vaidya Nagar Rahivasi Sangh

5. Bandra Bandstand Residence Association

6. Nagar

7. Clean- air

8. Clean Sweep

9. S North Ward Citizen’s Federation.

10. Gazdar Scheme Residence Trust

11. Oval Cooperage Resident’s Association.

12. Khar Resident’s Association

13. Mahiti Adhikar Manch

14. Juhu Scheme Resident’s Association

15. Whistleblower’s India

16. Agni

17.JVPD tenants and Resident’s Association.

18. Bombay Catholic Sabha

19. F/North Ward Citizen’s Forum.

20. I Love Mumbai

jawabdya abhiyaan

September 12, 2007
Yes, the proposal to implement the Crawford Market was passed yesterday in the House in BMC. S.K.Nangia, Bhaskar Prabhu, Francis and I were there to witness this treachery by our Corporators.
But we will now do the following:
1. Try the means outlined below to stop this proposal.
2. Launch a JAWABDYA CAMPAIGN.
The Citizens movement for accountability will come out stronger at the end of this.


JAWABDYA ABHIYAN


Background: It is common knowledge that the Crawford Market redevelopment plan passed in the BMC house on 11 September will result in a Public loss of over 1000 crores. This was also explained to, and understood by about 85 BMC Corporators including the House leaders of the Shiv Sena, BJP, Congress, Samajwadi Party and MNS. Citizens have spoken to them, and various important Corporators like Shubha Raul, Ravindra Waikar, Sunil Prabhu, Yogesh Sagar, Rajhans Singh, Shailaja Girkar, Vijaya Dhulla, Upendra Doshi and Asma Sheikh had agreed that the proposal was not in Public interest and they would oppose it.

Yet this passed with the tacit support of all these parties.

The reason for this dishonesty is clearly seen by the Citizens as brazen CORRUPTION.

Without any sting operation, the evidence is there for all to see.

Only the NCP and Adolf D’souza walked out of the house to protest.



We will approach the Commissioner to stop this proposal. We have been advised that he can do it, and we expect that the Commissioner will be more true to Public Interest than our elected representatives. If that fails, there are some prominent Citizens willing to take the matter to Court.

However, let us also take this opportunity to bring demand greater accountability from our elected representatives. Let us launch a

“ Jawabdya Abhiyan”. Ask them to give us answers to our questions, and explain this reality of the evidence of CORRUPTION to Citizens. We will try and do it by separate meetings with our Corporators at various places. Let us question them intensely for the next three months, so that they realize there is a political cost for their CORRUPTION. They took our votes as individuals, and must answer our questions as individuals.

These are the suggested questions. Also, please innovate to keep this issue in the minds of Citizens. Let us not forget the Jaichands.



We elected you as a Corporator to serve and safeguard our interests. We feel you have let us down, and want answers to our following questions.

1. Do you agree that you are personally responsible to your constituents? Yes / No.

2. Did you act against Public interest because of orders from your party leaders? Yes / No.

3. Citizens see that the passing of this proposal was an act against Public

Interest which is a loss to every Mumbaikar of Rs.1000. We feel the only

reason for this action is CORRUPTION. Do you agree?

Yes / No

4. If you do not agree please give us the reasons for so many Corporators not safeguarding our interest?











Name of Corporator: Party:

Meeting/ Telephone:

Place of meeting or telephone number on which you spoke.

Name and phone number of Citizens:

for further details contact shailesh gandhi on: shaileshgan@gmail.com

the 6000 cr update

The Citizen's effort to save 6000 crores has now been able to reach 90 people who can stop this. This list has 82 Corporators, 2 MPs, and 2 MLAs
apart from three senior party leaders and the Municipal Commissioner. Various Citizens have reached them by personal meetings and by Telephone.
Suresh Nangia, Silloo Marker, Laxmidas Thakker , Aftab Siddique, Gerson da'cunha, Vidya Vaidya, Daphne Warapen, Sandeep Jalan, G.R.Vora, Maria D'souza,
John Miranda are amongst the Citizens who have been able to contact and talk to them. The champion is Rajesh Drak who alone with a sweet voice has been able to contact over 30 -all on the telephone! I have persuaded him to share his talk, and am reproducing it below, for all of us to learn how effective he has been. I know others
are also trying. A little effort please; if we can reach about 180 Corporators by end August, we might be able to save our 6000 crores.
Modus Operandi of eliciting responses
Guess the mother tongue from the name & speak in the language of receiver, viz.Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, English, etc.
Specimen talk given below (1 for caller, 2 for receiver) :
1) Hello, Juhu sey Rajesh Darak bol raha hoon. Kya ek minute apse phone pe baat kar sakta hoon?
2) Kya hai?
1) Crawford Market development ke barey main
2) Boliye
1) Kuch dino pehle BMC mein yeh proposal aane wala tha, jisme builder ko Rs.105 crore ka kharch hone wala tha aur Rs.1050 crore ka napha hone wala tha. Matlab 1 rupaiye ka kharch aur 10 rupaiye ka nafaa. Kya aapko nahi lagta ki isme public ka bahoot nuksan hota tha?
2) Haan par woh proposal to aaya hi nahi.
1) Agar bhavishya mein dubara ees roop mein yeh proposal laya gaya to aap uska virodh karenge na?
2)....................
1) Dhanyavaad saheb / madam
2) .......................
Rajesh Darak
The list so far:


Id Name of Person Party Position Citizen's name Meeting at Telephone Date & time Proposal bad Proposal good Reasons
1 Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena MP shailesh gandhi Saamna off.
10 July, 6.00pm Agrees


2 Jairaj Phatak
Municipal Comm. shailesh office at MCGM
12 July, 2.00pm Agrees


3 Adolf D'souza Independent Corporator 50 Citizens Nimkar library
21July, 6.30pm Agrees


4 Ravindra Waikar Shiv Sena Corporator vidya, pk das, srg off. At MCGM
19 July, 4.30pm Agrees


5 Ravindra Pawar NCP Senior leader shailesh
20520766 19 July, 11.00am Agrees


6 Vidya Chavan NCP Corporator shailesh telephone 9967356011 20 July, 10.00am Agrees


7 Asif Zakaria Congress Corporator 50 Citizens Nimkar Library
21 July, 6.30pm Agrees


8 Milind Deora Congress MP shailesh Khetan Bhavan
23 July, 4.00pm Agrees


9 Shailaja Girkar BJP Corporator S.K. Nangia personal
26 July, 11.30am Agrees


10 Yogesh Sagar BJP Corporator S.K.Nangia; Sandeep; Rajesh personal
26 July, 1.30pm Agrees


12 Vijaibhai Girkar BJP VP, State S.K.Nangia
9820180595 27 July, 10.20am Agrees


13 Jaya Singh Tiwana Congress Corporator S.K.Nangia
66992230 27Jul, 12.40pm Agrees


14 Aslam Shaikh Congress Corporator S.K.Nangia; Rajesh
9820397011 27 Jul, 12.50pm Agrees


15 Shubhada Gudekar Shiv Sena Corporator S.K.Nangia
9820397011 27 Jul, 4.50pm
Yes will meet
16 Ashish Shelar BJP Corporator shailesh gandhi; Daphne Bandra residence
28 Jul, 10.30am Agrees


17 Upendra Doshi Congress Corporator G.R.Vora
Telephone 28 Jul, 12.35pm Agrees


18 Anahita Mehta Congress Corporator shailesh gandhi
9820524441 29 Jul, 9.50am Agrees


19 Ashok Sawant Shiv Sena Corporator Aftab Siddique

2 Aug 7.45pm
No comment

20 Jayant Siroya Congress Corporator Aftab Siddique

28 Jul, 7pm Agrees


21 Terattil Alice Johnson Congress Corporator Aftab Siddique; Sandeep

28 july, 7.30pm Agrees


22 Tushar Aphaley MNS VP Bandra (W) Aftab Siddique

23 July,8pm Agrees


23 Mangesh Sangle MNS Corporator Aftab Siddique

23 Ju, 8.30pm Agrees


24 Baba Siddique Congress MLA Maria D'souza
Telephone 30 Jul, 9.30pm Agrees


25 Raghunath Thevai Congress Corporator Silloo Marker

30 July, 7.30pm Agrees
15 party workers present
26 Sheetal Mhatre Congress Corporator Sandeep Jalan
9867322422 30 July, 5pm Agrees


27 Amin Patel Congress Corporator Sandeep Jalan
9820105761 1 Aug, 2.30pm Agrees


28 Dyanmurti Sharma BJP Corporator Sandeep; Rajesh
9867714946 30 Jul, 5.30pm Agrees


29 Vinod Shekhar Congress Corporator Sandeep Jalan, Gerson
9821177222 1 Aug, 8.15pm Agrees


30 Bhalchandra Mhatre Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9821879246 6 Aug, 7.30pm Agrees


31 Sujata Patekar Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9820702712 6 Aug, 7.35pm Agrees


32 Vinod Ghedia BJP Corporator Rajesh Darak
9820325579 6 Aug, 7.45pm Agrees


33 Namdeo Khursange NCP Corporator Rajesh Darak
9867169753 6 Aug, 7.50pm Agrees


34 Vinay Patil Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9820821420 6 Aug, 7.55pm
No comment Party decides
35 Simantini Narkar Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9869011135 6 Aug, 8.05pm
No comment Party decides
36 Pravin Shah BJP Corporator Rajesh Darak
9322704829 6 Aug, 8.10pm Agrees


37 Bharat Kini BJP Corporator Rajesh Darak;Nangia
9833370332 6 Aug, 8.20pm
No comment

38 Kshtija Pujari BJP Corporator Rajesh Darak
9892882195 6 Aug, 8.35pm Agrees


39 Ajanta Yadav Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9867034967 6, Aug, 8.40pm Agrees


40 Geeta Yadav Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9892850871 6 Aug, 8.50pm Agrees


41 Baldevsingh Manku Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9869215151 6 Aug, 9.00pm
No comment Party decides
42 Dr. Ram Barot BJP Corporator Rajesh Darak
9869080789 6 Aug, 9.05pm Agrees


43 Anita Ghag MNS Corporator Vidya Vaidya, Tushar Aphale
9892289321
Agrees


44 Bhomsingh Rathod Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9869044884 7 Aug, 9.40pm Agrees


45 Sadashiv Patil Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9821416005 7 Aug,10.10pm
No comment Party decides
47 Dikshita Shah Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9324435499 7 Aug, 10.25pm
No time

49 Sunil Prabhu Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9821093488 7 Aug, 10.35pm Agrees


50 Sumangal Koltharkar Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9223270734 7 Aug, 10.40pm Agrees


51 R.R.Patil Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9867112171 7 Aug 10.45pm Agrees


52 Dilip Shinde Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9819322322 7 Aug, 10.50pm Agrees


53 Sayyad Bargena SP Corporator Rajesh Darak
9870477866 7 Aug, 11.00pm Agrees


54 Kamlesh Yadav Congress Corporator S.K. Nangia
9820331378 5 Aug Agrees


55 Shiv Kumar Jha Independent Corporator S.K.Nangia
9323042901 5 Aug Agrees


56 Rajul Vyas Congress Corporator S.K.Nangia
9869928901 7 Aug Agrees


57 Sandhya Doshi NCP Corporator S.K.Nangia

7 Aug Agrees


58 P.U. Mehta Congress MLA S.K.Nangia
9820181020 27 Jul, 12.30pm Agrees


59 Shirish Chowgule MNS Corporator Vidya Vaidya, Tushar Aphale
9820371991
Agrees


60 Mangesh Sangale MNS Corporator Vidya Vaidya, Tushar Aphale
9820349166
Agrees


61 Parmeshwar Kadam MNS Corporator Vidya, Tushar
9222124443
Agrees


62 Shaila Lande MNS Corporator Vidya, Tushar
9833201646
Agrees


63 Rajendra Lad MNS Corporator Vidya, Tushar
981632347
Agrees


64 Suhbha Raul Mayor
shailesh gandhi

8 Aug, 5.25pm Agrees


65 Pramod Mandrekar Congress Corporator shailesh
9821166447 8 Aug, 5.35pm Agrees


66 Raj Hans Singh Congress Corporator shailesh

11 Jul, Agrees


67 Raghunath Jhaveri Congress Corporator G.R.Vora


Agrees


68 Upendra Doshi Congress Corporator G.R. Vora

28 Jul, 12.35pm Agrees


69 Kavita Rodricks Congress Corporator John Miranda Corporator's home
11 Aug, 10.00am Agrees


70 Vilas Chawry Independent Corporator Daphne Warapen



No comment

71 Maske BJP Corporator Laxmidas Thakker
932440776 14 Aug 8.30am Agrees


72 Kotak Manoj BJP Corporator Laxmidas Thakker
25690532 14 Aug, 8.40am Agrees


73 Hamid Shah BJP Corporator Laxmidas Thakker
25610104 14 Aug, 10.15am Agrees


74 Avtarkaur Sobti Congress Corporator Laxmidas Thakker
923290016 14 Aug, 8.50am Agrees


75 Rajul Patel Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9323801469 8 Aug 9.20pm Agrees


77 Devendra Amberkar Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9322290027 9 Aug, 9.15pm Agrees


78 Jyostna Dighe Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
98213213222 9 Aug, 9.20pm Agrees


79 Bharti Ghongade Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9892732191 15 Aug,11.45am Agrees


80 Barudgar Aziz Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9867157777 18Aug,6.40pm Agrees


81 Jayanti Siroya Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9869201931 18 Aug,6.45pm Agrees


82 Shailesh Parab Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9322515448 15 Aug,11.50am Agrees


83 Sheikh Sabirabi Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
200574751 15Aug,11.55am Agrees


84 Ramesh Latke Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9869008179 18Aug,7.05pm Agrees


85 Clive Dias Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9821336231 18Aug,7.10pm Agrees


86 Roshan Dudwadkar Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9870000281 18Aug,7.15pm Agrees


87 Kamlesh Rai Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9820006067 18Aug,7.20pm Agrees


88 Nitin Salagara Congress Corporator Rajesh Darak
9867656612 18Aug,7.25pm Agrees


89 Manohar Panchal Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak
9869184184 18Aug,7.30pm Agrees


90 Shashikant Patkar Shiv Sena Corporator Rajesh Darak

4 further details contact: shailesh gandhi on: shaileshgan@gmail.com

RTI WORKSHOP...

Indian Merchants' Chamber



Intensive half-day Workshop organized by

Indian Merchants' Chamber, Mumbai on



Right to Information



Conducted by





Mr Shailesh Gandhi

(RTI activist)





Saturday, 13th October, 2007 from 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm

in the Kilachand Conference Room (2nd Flr), IMC



Programme



12.30 pm
Registration and Tea



1.00 pm to 2.00 pm
Historical, political and legal perspective of Right to Information and its importance



2.00 pm to 4.00 pm
Provisions of RTI Act, 2005



4.00 pm to 4.15 pm
Tea Break



4.15 pm to 5.15 pm
Case Studies



5.15 pm to 6.30 pm
Practical workshop exercise







There is no participation fee. Citizens interested in participating should register with Mr S N Gaitonde / Mr Shailesh Joshi on Tel. No. 2204 6633 extn. 133 / 114 or by email: asst@imcnet.org;gs8@imcnet.org



This event is organized by the Anti-Corruption Cell of IMC, whose Chairman is Mr. J F Ribeiro and Co-Chairman is Mr. Satish Sahney.

RTI SEMINAR ON 15TH AUGUST 2007 IN THANE

save 6000 cr...

shailesh gandhi
B2 Gokul Apartment, Near Asha Parekh Hospital,Poddar Road, Santacruz (W), Mumbai-400054.
Tel: 32903776 Email: shaileshgan@vsnl.com

Public could lose 1000 Crores on CRAWFORD MARKET ‘REDEVELOPMENT!

And a Total of over 6000 crores over all the MUNICIPAL MARKETS

People can stop this loot if they take the issue to heart. Every Mumbaikar including the poorest loses about 5000 rupees in this. Citizens who would like to join this effort and understand how they can contribute in saving our money are invited to a meeting to understand and discuss this:
Date: Saturday, 21st July, 2007
Time: 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Venue: Khar Nimkar Library, C.D. Marg, Between S.V. Road and Madhu Park, Khar (W).
About 10 minutes walk from Khar Station. 2 mins from S.V. Road's Khar Stn. bus stop.

You can save 5000 rupees belonging to you and all the Mumbaikars with a little time.

If the poorest Citizen who has some land on which there are tenants, and wants to develop it, what does he do? He approaches some builders and figures out who will offer the highest sum to him. This simple principle is not occurring to the MCGM. When I was in primary school, we used to be given arithmetic sums, which said there are 50 mangoes which must be divided amongst 3 people in a proportion such that A gets 40%, B gets 30% and C gets 20%. How many mangoes will each get? In the later years in school, the idea that there could be a cost associated was introduced and all of us would also calculate the cost of such a division. However-unbelievable, as it might appear- the MCGM proposes to act as if their officers never studied beyond the primary school and is about to gift over 1000 crores of the Citizens property in Crawford market- and a few thousand crores across all Municipal Markets!

I read about the development and privatization of the Crawford Market in the papers, and decided to investigate this transaction. The information given under Right To Information from the Market department of MCGM in the beginning of 2006 made horrifying reading. I obtained copies of the proposal using RTI. Trying to read the bureaucratic language and the reams of complex nonsense spewed forth is enough to confuse any Citizen.

The primary reason for this grand policy and proposal is that the MCGM claims it is very concerned about its duty to provide Markets to Citizens. It laments that since it does not have resources- in fact it designs every policy to ensure impoverishment of the Public,- it seeks to give all the benefits to the tenants and developers. Under this policy, the tenants negotiate with the developers, and MCGM gives extra FSI- which will ultimately lead to greater demands on the infrastructure. In return, MCGM takes some constructed space- calculated as a percentage.

Using Right To Information I have obtained a complex web of bureaucratese which refers to a number of interlinked resolutions which will actually fulfil the objective of impoverishing the City. I am giving below, the financial implications of the proposal. All the figures have been taken from the proposal obtained from the Market Department of MCGM. I have made only two assumptions:

1. The cost of construction would be Rs. 16000 per sq. mtr. (which would be about Rs 1495 per sq. ft.)

2. The price per sq. mtr. of the commercial premises would be Rs. 350000 per sq. mtr. (which would be about Rs. 32710 per sq. ft.)

When I calculate the financial implications of this, it means the Public,- the owner of the land,- gets free construction cost of just about Rs. 42 crores and allows the tenants and developer to gain over Rs. 1000 crores!

What can be done? :
1. There are enough private developers of Markets, and the MCGM should desist from developing Markets. In this case, I do not believe anybody has analysed the impact on the traffic and amenities when 6205 sq.mtrs. becomes 65689 sq. mtrs! We are creating a nightmare, apart from changing the Heritage skyline. If this view is accepted a smaller structure could be built where a better market could come up.

2. If there are strong reasons for this development, which I am not able to comprehend and the infrastructure solutions exist, MCGM could give a contract for about Rs. 105 crores and stand to gain over 1000 crores. Alternately, tenders could be floated to completely handle everything in which case too, MCGM would get over 900 crores.

This same model is presently proposed to be adopted over all the 100 Municipal markets and will mean that some people would gain over 6000 crores at Public expense...

Last October the Corporation faced with these facts, stopped the proposal. Once the elections were over, the proposal has again been mooted. It was proposed to be passed last Thursday on 12 th July by the Corporation. Some of us approached the leaders of various political parties in the Corporation and outside. The result was that the proposal has been stalled presently. I met the Municipal Commissioner who also agreed that this work should be done by the process of inviting tenders so that the Public gets its rightful share. However, the proposal could again be revived and passed if we are not vigilant.

We have a plan which could be executed if some Citizens participated. The idea is that we will explain all the calculations and the way the scheme is likely to hurt our interests at a meeting. We are hoping Citizens will,- subsequently in the next ten days,- meet Corporators, legislators, MPs and other political leaders in the City, and discuss the proposal and how it is against Public interests. These meetings would be fixed indepently or in small groups. They will make notes of the reactions and comments from the political leaders they meet. We will collate the reactions of the political leaders and put them in Public domain. If we can succeed in this, we might find a way to enforce accountability from our political representatives. I expect the total effort will not take more than about 10 to 20 hours of your time. Rs.6000 crores is worth that effort.

Do spread the word an invite friends to join.

Article In Mulund-Powai Plus

To Read The Article On RTI Seminar BY Shailesh Gandhi In Mulund-Powai Plus click below:

http://www.mulundpowaiplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=MUP4ART0713200734150

13th july 2007

post in your comments at the blogsite itself.

thanking you,

Dnyeyam-Know Yourself.

Your Right To question ???

hi all, we as Dnyeyam- Know Yourself

under our objective Know Your Rights are having Right To Information Awareness Seminars in colleges, corporates, offices.

if your college/corporate/office is interested in holding a rti seminar please contact us on our e-mail id dnyeyam@gmail.com

remember:

"you have the right to question, make use of it."

Gender Justice, Why & How?

There's hardly any qualitative distinction between a child and a grown up woman when it comes to defining of an ideal child or woman .They are ideal and praiseworthy when they listen, obey and follow the man or men whom they belong to both socially and individually. Women all over have more or less accepted their secondary social status either under compulsions or obligations or both .They are expected to compromise and that just means 'Get back or else …!' They are supposed to be the peace keeping force at least at family level if not at the global level. There's hardly any society or even a democracy in the modern world that speaks out against this historically in built societal role of women.
In case they dare resist or protest, there's an ultimate weapon flashed against them; The Religion. Indeed it's a weapon used by one and all in male-chaunistic world to
define the women's role. The man's worldly religion (that survives on myths, mystification, morals and marriages about women all over) has ever been busy in transforming woman's natural capacities into 'natural restrictions' For them, its God sent, eternal and hence unchangeable. We would never know if the Almighty ever thought about gender justice or at least general justice while playing Chief Justice of the Universe! In a sense, God and Religion in the civilized societies have proved to be the worst grounds of pessimism to keep the women from enjoying social, economic and gender justice. The political systems designed and developed by the men have also been proved to be systems functioning against human rights of the enslaved men and more so in case of women's human rights. The men's God, Religion and politics have no room for Eva.
May be it's our problem and we have to solve it in our own interest. We have democratic societies, culture, religions and a fine blend of them, laws, rules and regulations that have some views and counterviews about women around. They also keep talking a lot about their roles, rights, duties, of course again in terms of their status as mother, wife and daughter. No Great Escape for the poor lot called women folk. The women all over the World longed for nothing more than equal social status within their societies and nations but still appear to be languishing without securing anything much tangible to their credit. Is it because there's something called male superiority to women that holds the men folk back just because they keep doing certain jobs that seek more physical strength which the women folk lacks ? When it comes to natural build up of the body proper, nature has endowed the female with awesome capabilities to bear and rear her off springs. We call the earth 'the mother 'precisely for her in built capabilities to hold every thing she creates and procreates including her 'Masters' who boast themselves to be stronger than the 'Mistresses' for no absolute reason. But then, even the reasoning has been gagged and women have been non plussed for centuries.
The presumption is still effective and influential even though science and technology have made us realize that physical power or strength has nothing to do with productive efficiencies. A Car, a type writer, a computer or plane won't question your sexual status but knowledge, training, skills and alertness while working or operating them .The S& T has cleared lot of myths and doubts about women's capacities and capabilities but the
fundamentalists and communalists have maintained strongest apprehensions against the near half of the humankind through out.

The globalization process also rose to encourage discussions on empowerment of women that came up during the fourth International Women's Conference held in Beijing in 1995. Earlier, UN Decade for Women(1975-85) spoke out for gender justice in the context of ever growing fundamentalism and communalism that played heavy weight against women empowerment that came up for world wide debate during Beijing conference. The women representatives from various nations in all continents spoke and shared their plea, experiences, observations, comments and well defined plans to create a place of their own in the men's world. There was something quite common and mutual in their plight irrespective of their nationality; communal forces and their outfits had succeeded in strengthening their hold on key spheres of the state or nation and society challenged and shared by their own mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. They also held at ransom the Constitutions and judiciaries followed by Communalization of culture, Media, Religion, Ethics. Morals and life styles that dared locate some space and vent for their sexual counterparts all over. The issue in main for the fundamentalists was so much simple; " How dare women divorcees, widows, deserted, and single women and minors stay without male protection?" It means the fundamentalists and communal politicians in each well established civilized society have had something in common to share ;Dear Women, never take our love for granted ; it comes with a tag.. You deserve NO liberty.
Yes! Communal Politics has played a succeeding role in determining the role and rights and limits of women of course without their consent!
Though the G-process opened flood gates for welcoming empowerment of women in key spheres in developing competent nations ,mainly to serve the imperial interests and it allowed certain space for women to speak out their case , the over all process also restricted areas of operation and they in main consisted of beauty contests, fashion shows , ideal moms and hubbies,sexuality etc. that carried and spread the inherent message of secondary and subjugated citizenship for women in the man's trans national marketing process and promoted pro male mental set up.
For now, woman is effectively projected by all the MNCs as viable and easily available means of consummation and consumption .For them (MNCs) the new woman is one all set ready for a go to make her man happy .Our eyes are sour to the sight of half clad beauties sitting or spreading over newest models of cars and bikes .First you will see the luring beauty that's looking at you and roll your eye balls over the vehicle which you hardly can afford to own .But nothing wrong in fantasizing in owning both the beauty and the beast for a moment and You have carried the message; both are created for you and you alone! The Media has played a role in the process. They carry those lustrous ads and the modern happy-go-like nucleus families fantasize with the characters for a while. So is case with No .of other products which project women in their conventional roles; they are free to choose any one of them! Is this new woman is really free (of chains) or just free of charge?
But this is again is not without hidden roles of communal politics and culture. The beauties are from Europe or US since western culture and religion have been projected to
be 'liberal 'in attitude towards women. They love half clad women moving around like tail wielding cows .But show a beauty from Islamic world and they are sure to get another 9/11 within no time. Come India and see the Ideal women popularly known as Bhaaratiya Naari doing her surf washing, carrying cup of coffee or tea for the just returned seemingly tired hubby or a kid jumping straight into the kitchen for a Maggie soup or noodle plate and the ideal mom clad in designer saari serves him what HE wants with a smile.
For Indian male and female, culture and religion move hand in hand and they perform their age old duties as if they are human rights .Even the Indian Constitution has not dared question the practice but allows to continue unhindered. This has proved to be a fine case as to why IC has not made inroads in the family norms designed and nourished since Manusmriti times. As a matter of fact, both IC and Manusmriti have come up with some compromise; IC to take care of political and economic Rights and duties of the Indian citizens and Manusmriti will survive peacefully within the four walls of Hindu families' as it is religion and culture for them with which they identify themselves .Manusmriti just outlines codified duties for man and woman and asserts those duties as eternal. If you flip through some pages, you will come across a fact that it's the Right of man to see to the effective ands result oriented adherence to the duties designed and devised exclusively for woman !The Indian society still prefers to identify it's existence in tune with Manusmriti rather than Indian Constitution .
Yes! It's a matter of choice for free Indians but still so much chained to the social system that never spoke in favor of liberty, equality and fraternity and socio-economic-gender justice.
Let's have a look at the Indian women folk. A recent statistics observes that 85 per cent women in India are religious in practice. They are Hindu in general sense. What about those women with other followings? They are not Hindus in the first place; belong to 'other' religions and faiths and mostly the women belonging to tribal or 'uncivilized' lot that constitute 8 per cent of Indian demography .They (the tribal) have cultures but not religion of their own. Can we say these 15 per cent women lot is secular and enjoys every right conferred on them by the Indian Constitution? Or rather they go by primitive standards of gender justice? This 15% lot must be in parliament or Assemblies by such standards but you still find them in their jungles, Churches and mosques.

Muslim women, they have a different story altogether .When Islam in origin speaks out for equal status and respect for women, the Islamites all over have designed a distinct language of their own and each Muslim woman in India knows well what it stores for her! She is under complete control of introvert Muslim men, clergies, leaders and their fatwa.

If you think Buddhist women enjoy equal status, just meet some of them; they can't call their husbands by personal names, their hubbies or male folk doesn't help them in household work; the women go out to fetch water while the Buddhist males assemble nearby doing nothing. While Jains(trading community) who believe in non-violence etc. have women with single social job; raise rates of dowry for their highly placed sons and nieces and celebrate when a son is born in the family! Equal rights for women? It's western and foreign to us!

The Indian Constitution has conferred equal socio-fundamental rights to each Indian citizen regardless of gender, religion, caste, creed and place of domicile within political and geographical boundaries of India since 26.1.1950. The Indian socio political scenario suggests something else for Indian women. They are destined to learn and practice the religious duties enshrined in Manusmriti that was 'kind enough' to confer lowest status to Indian women in the stratified versions of Manusmriti. So it's here lies the reason why
we have 85 per cent of women practising religious duties for; life time ambitions that include in main, a good husband, healthy kids, stable income and some security .

We now have a Government that says, 'Literate woman means literate family' .And on the face of it we have some around to say 'Literate woman means religious woman '.The learned city dwelling woman has proved to manage both of these features and that must speak out for her in built capabilities to compromise anything that comes her way. That's her version of empowerment; she opts to acquire more and more form man's world step by step without hurting his ego, buying his nod salted with some convenient murmurs worth ignoring.
does cater needs of the vulnerable women in various areas of operation ;they need education, training in self employment, better wages and earnings , some encouragement for saving their own earnings, need a legal and ethical support to protect them from atrocities unleashed on them by their husbands and in-laws , local leaders and Police administration.
They also seek defense against forced marriages and unrestricted flesh trade and prostitution which again have religious sanctions. Rapes have now become a rule to stay rather than exception. Rapes, sexual abuse and sexploitation of women were unknown during pre-historic times .But they have now become cruel most means of control over female body surrounded and justified by fundamentalists, fascists, communal politicians, MNCs ,cynic policy makers, male chaunistic political parties and communalized societies at the root level. The feminist version of 'Our Body Ourselves" has hardly any taker even when the humankind has stepped in 21st century.



Case for empowerment

Background

The issue of women empowerment came into live debate in India during 90s when the then Congress Govt. was apparently busy in sorting out the aftermaths of Dunkel Draft that solicited unilateral globalization process that went duly in favour of US imperialism. Conversion of GATT into WTO. The GOI probably for the first time since independence, sought consensus on the India's role and share in globalization process that initially boasted to bring together all the nations on the earth for all round material development and progress and war less world. Nicknamed 'Global Village ', the process had an hidden agenda to gain and regain due support from the less fortunate nations recognized by the UN and its auxiliary units to ensure imperial interests in the New World Order .It soon turned out to be a clash of sharing world markets and MNC sharks from the West world had to retreat two step backward when some Asian nations set their tigers free to face those sharks.

We need understand what made the powerful nations to switch over from unilateral globalization debate sprinkled with awesome sanctions on nations that questioned political motives behind the so called New World Order to enter into amicable 'dialogues' with less fortunate nations including India . It was a resolute measure to rule the world under the guise of Whiteman's Burden II .The first one opened it's jaws and paws during 18th century during industrial revolution era followed by building up of industrial societies during British colonialism. The Burden II has been unleashed by the US imperialism and is here to stay with 'reachable and rechargeable' compromises with frightened but alert nations .India was instrumental in devising GATT during 1948 and India is still instrumental in mitigating the tensions created during last two decades or so while switching over from GATT to WTO regime .India did pay a price for the episode by agreeing to take up structural adjustments back home( privatization, liberalization and globalization popularly known as KHAUJA – Khasagikaran, Udarikaran and Jagatikikaran).

Will and Ariel Durant defined the new world order in their unique way,'
" The fear of capitalism compelled socialism to widen freedom and the fear of socialism has compelled capitalism to increase equality."

Since India is a unique nation that has combined salient features of both capitalism and socialism during post independence era for planned economic development, we have no way but to view and review the process in the context of what the Durant preferred to observe as it fits well to Indian situation and psyche.

The Indian Govt. ventured into the 'New World Order ' by honoring the 'dialogues' with horny G-8 and launched heavy preparations to convince the Indian voting class simultaneously about its strategic moves and measures to direct the g-process to India's advantage in the long run. One of the measures adopted was Empowerment of the deprived sections including women by allowing some space in high level decisions making process and dignified self employment
It came in package for development, construction of free express high ways inter- connecting all zones, project funding, roping in NGOs, dis-investment measures ,33% Reservation for women in Parliament, State Assemblies , local Bodies and Panchyats, small saving schemes for self employed women and group insurance of the rural artisans ,bank-funding for housing and higher education , measures to raise purchasing power of the employed sections ,promotion of marketing co-operatives, Reservations and filling of posts for OBCs, support new avenues for generating employment and self-sustaining jobs etc.


It also came up with another line of measures; closure of non-performing production units both in Govt. and private sector, VRS, reduction of grants, grant-in-aid and other financial assistance by lessening burden of on plan expenditure for rural industrialization etc.
It as well came with modest smile to welcome the fresh white men burdened with their briefcases full of proposals, offers, collaborations, investment and market plans, take over designs ,electronic house hold appliances and gadgets , donations , project aids, Soft loans, ATM cards, soft drinks , designer clothes, burgers , home delivery system, health care aids , Viagra and pills , call centers and you can make your own additions in the list . All these measures have some share in the making of New Urban India!

Case for women empowerment

Let's ponder for a while over what exactly we mean by Empowerment of women.
Is it something the women in India and elsewhere wish to acquire in the Man's World with or without struggles? How the Government keeps soliciting for women empowerment and tries to keep from it at the same time? What is holding the political parties back over the issue of 33% Reservations in legislatives? Is it the case for earmarking 30% of the seats for OBC and other categories within 33% still under debate? Do we have any plans on hand or mind to curtail drop out rates of girls at primary and secondary level? Can we say women in corporate and service sector efficiently working at par with their male counter parts can be an ideal case for empowered women? Do we have any logical answers for increasing atrocities on new women in the same old way ? Can we dare say a woman farm worker demanding a mere Rs.10 or 20 rise in her wages deserves gang rape by the land lords or their Crop Protection force in broad day light in public? Or at least have we any answers for those women outfits with extreme right wings parties and fundamentalist groups instigating their male foot soldiers to gang rape and destroy the Muslim women and girls during communal riots? What is our stand towards nuns and sisters attacked and paraded naked by the fascist groups within free India now planning for women empowerment?



The circumstances and ground realities compel one to categorize the empowering women in India in the following way;

1. Empowerment of women under Constitutional provisions that are known only to
the students of Political Science in Colleges and the toiling women have no
Knowledge of their citizenship and rights (The rural India)
2. Empowerment of women step by step with religious approval and consents from
Husbands both liberal in attitude and henpecked ones. (The great Indian middle
Class mainly located in cities and towns.)
3. Empowerment of women in affirmative sense in all areas with a view to identify
Their political space and involve them in decision and policy making process in
7.
Progress from village to national level.(The Indian Dance of Democracy)
4. Empowerment of women by honest implementation of the fundamental rights
Provided under Indian Constitution, refurbished through the Mandal
Commission's recommendations and incorporated in UPA's Common Minimum
Program. (Yet undecided consensus among political parties ranging from
Extreme right to extreme left wing parties and paths.
5. Empowerment of women through NGOs and women groups by extending
Funds and facilities by the Govt. (Role of true representatives of the people in
A secular democracy with due commitment and ideological clarity.) .

As it may, the fifth category is to stay to pursue the case for the first four categories. Indeed, the ngos have been supporting the cause of women empowerment in a big but scattered way. The development process is project based, time bound and isolated .It therefore calls for unifying the efforts or at least share and keep the interactions alive.
The Indian secular democracy aims at sustainable socio-economic and gender justice and empowered woman is to respond positively by extending helping hand to those yet in waiting for empowerment with or without any help from men around them.

The women in the past made the earth live worthy for human kind. The present women feel powerless and much disturbed as human beings. The future belongs to women empowered.
After all, what the men want from women?
Peace on Earth. Peaceful society. Peaceful mind .Women can create it if only the men don't disturb it and accept a society based on peaceful co-existence of men and women……… Rest will follow!

--Pradeep Deshpande (Socio-Economic-Political Writer)

common sense & social common sense

The difference bet. common sense and social common sense is hostorical one; that shows how serious we are about ourselves. Read on...

for common sense:
Q/1; Gaiya kyaa detii hai?
A. Gaiya duth detii hai.

for social common sense:
Q/2. Kyaa Gaiya suchmuch dudh detii hai?
A. Nahii, Hum un-kaa dudh chhin lete hain;Gaiya ka dudh un-ke bachhadeke liye hota hai hamaare bachon'ne liye nahi.
Q/3. Kyaa gaiya hamare ghat aakar kahatii hai kin mere paas bhut dudhhai. Aap thoda le sakhate?
A.Nahi.Hum use Kheen-chke laate hai and dudh nikaal lete hai.

Expl:
We are under gross influence of pre-formulated language, we are taught from childhood onwards and we keep them using without straining our brains and that results in accumulated common sense.The same C/S is percolated in Q/A format for centuries without any change until a new Q. is raised as to the truth worthiness of the Q/A set or doctrinated in our thought process as seen in this dialogue.Since we are social beings besides human beings, we are expected to have a quest and taste for new questions/problems/issues which are in main , social one in form and content.If we take cognizance of them , it helps us lead towards real questions at a social level.This is where we learn to upgrade ourselves from common sense to social common sense .In other words, it brings us down to our real senses and we prepare ourselves to look into and towards the truth surrounded by myths by means of languages/uses as a weapon against our own consciousness.

--Pradeep Deshpande.(Socio-Eco-Politio Writer)
(24-04-2007)

why respect a woman???

we should respect woman because we are part of her body...
she's independent and we are dependants..naturally...
She existed even before myth God created the myth..Adam first and eve later...
She is naturally empowered and we are not...
our moral duty is just to accept her empowered stature and feel secure...
and not the other way round...
If you think she is what you 'made' of her to create male empire around her...
chain her to your religion, God, culture , thoughts and deeds , justifications...
painted her body the way you like to look like... and
the so called modern and free woman depicted in art and ads...
as a complete woman and she obliges with a forced smile...
with even tear filled eyes, it just means she is bearing all the male weight...
on her body and mind... and that proves all her natural empowerment...
Change your attitude towards a woman and
she will change the world for you
and for herself...
She is the earth and we are the world...
the earth is round and the world is flat...
we made it but...
we couldn't change the shape of the earth...
Find a woman within...
it's all she needs from you...
Never say I love you...
say I love to love you...

-- Pradeep Deshpande.(Socio-Eco-Political Writer)
(18-04-2007)