Maharashtra Govt. To Buy Bullet Proof Jackets

After facing flak from various quarters, the Maharashtra Government has finally decided to buy new bullet proof jackets. It will procure around 2,000 bullet-proof jackets as part of efforts to modernise the police force in the backdrop of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Home Minister R R Patil has directed the authorities to initiate the process for buying the jackets from an agency certified by the Centre. The agency supplies these jackets to the...

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BJP Shares Congress Drink

When it comes to money, there are hardly any difference between Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party. The fact was demonstrated today by the statement given by Gopinath Munde, deputy leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. Talking to PTI, Munde saidBJP was not opposed to the Maharashtra government's move to make wine from rotten grains. Munde was in Aurangabad for the felicitation ceremony on his appointment as deputy opposition leader in the Lok...

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Puneites To Pray To Stop 'Flight' of Public Money

Puneites are gearing up to stop flights by relatives of the ministers. After the decision to allow even relatives of the ministers to allow free travel in aeroplanes, an organisation in the city is planning an agitation against the decision. According to Jansamvedana Jagruti Abhiyan, the activists of the organisation along with public pray at the Shaniwar Wada. The people will pray that the planes taking the relatives should remain grounded. Manoj...

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Can Doordarshan Regain Its Glory?

Think of it. 66 studio centers spread all over the country, out of these 23 centres are either already digitalised or being digitalized,  39 studio centers, 91 percent area covered all over India. Still Doordarshan is often called poordarshan because of its style of functionning. It seems it likes to work as just another government organ. Ambika Soni, the minister for information and broadcasting informed the Lok Sabha yesterday through a written...

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Storm In the Session! Really?

Before the advent of each session of legislature, it is a kind of ritual now to carry the stories on possible issues testing government. Accordingly, this time the media is saying that Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance government is said to be pushed to corner over some issues. These are `leakage' of the Pradhan Committee report on 26/11 terror attacks and farmer suicides. The question is : will it really?The winter session of Maharashtra...

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The Magnificance of Shaniwarwada

Although Shaniwarwada bears no sign of royal history, there was a time when the place was non-official capital of India. Peshwas built the palace here. The place is a spectator of many incidents in the history of Maharashtra. The love story of Bajirao I and Mastani unfolded itself here. It was here that Narayan Peshwa was killed by his uncle Raghunath Peshwa on Dec.  13, 1772. For the fact, not Peshwa Raghunath killed himself Narayanrao....

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Two Regional Tracks Led To Railway Exmination Decision

The announcement by Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee that the railway recruitment examination in Marathi will be conducted soon comes as a boon for the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. It is nothing less than a victory for the party which was consistently harping on the issue. However, the decision could not have come had Mamata herself was not an avid advocate of regional politics. Banerjee, who was in Mumbai yesterday to flag off new train services,...

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Govt. Wakes Up To Fake Currency

The government seems to have risen to the threat of parallel economy by means of fake currency notes. The central Government has decided to introduce 1 billion pieces of polymer banknotes in Rs. 10/- denomination on trial basis. According to information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha today, Reserve Bank of India has initiated the process of purchase of polymer...

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MNS Attracts Strong Reactions

While political analysts and media is engaged in bashing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena over the incident yesterday in assembly house, there is equally strong reactions from the public in favour of the party. Marathi blogs are replete with the praise for the MLAs who staked their position in the incident. Surprisingly, Ramesh Wanjale, MLA from Khadakwasla constituency was also involved in the manhandling of Abu Azmi. Surprisingly, because he was not...

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Oath Taking Replaces Incertainty

After 15 days of lingering incertainty, there is a government finally an the state. The 38 members strong council of ministers tookl oath of the secrecy today. The Congress has 18 ministers and NCP 20. NCP ministers are expected to take oath on at once  and Congress ministers would be sworn in two phases.Pune, including district has got only three ministers in the new cabinet while city will be represented by only one representative. Ramesh...

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A Government At Last

Ok. What is the ‘big deal’ Full 15 days after the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party returned to power in Maharashtra, the new government is finally to be instated. After a fortnight-long tough bargaining over portfolio-sharing between two parties, Congress and NCP finalised a deal based on the 1999 formula to form a new government. Chief Minister-elect Ashok Chavan had indicated on Tuesday that the next government would be in place within two days. NCP leader Praful Patel told reporters in Mumbai that portfolio-sharing will be done on the...

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H1N1 Worsens in Maharashtra

PIB Press ReleaseMaharashtra continues to be the hub of Swine Flu activity as the 12 cases are reported in the state today.  The total number of deaths due to H1N1 Flu have touched 204 and Pune is almost on the verge of touching 100 deaths due to the pandemic. Worse, there have been 48 confirmed cases of dengue among 138 suspected cases in the city, still the Pune Municipal Corporation claims the situation is ‘under control’. They feel it’s...

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The Question of National Character

When I read that France is embarking on a debate of nationalism, I was surprised. We the Indians are always accustomed to living with differences and the voices of rebels against the nationalism are always dominant in the country, even as the reverence for nationalist activists have never receded. Having said so, we have never defined the national character of an Indian. Living with 3000 ethnicities and 21 scheduled languages, we never can. That is why the announcement by Eric Besson appears ambitious. The country which gave the world three basic...

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Power Game in Maharashtra

Even ten days after the election results are out, there is no government in the state. The power sharing talks between Congress and NCP are still continuing and each side is testing the patience of other. Congress and NCP have got the mandate of the people of Maharashtra but they are yet to win over the confidence of their allies. The bargaining between both the parties over major portfolios and numbers of ministers from each party is creating a hurdle in the ministry formation. Chief minister-elect Ashok Chavan has said that both the parties...

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Where have the birds gone?

The Flight in the Air, originally uploaded by deshpande.devidas.In the winter, the birds flock to India and Pune, with its cool climate attracts lot of them. But in recent time the number of birds coming to city is fast dwindling. They were seen in hundreds at the riverside but both Mula and Mutha rivers of Pune have turned into little more than a nallah. So these creatures have no place to go now. This time, even winter has not showed its presence...

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Uddhav’s Brave Front: Too Late, Too Lame

That Uddhav Thackarey, executive president of Shiv Sena spoke over his party’s defeat after full four days after election results were out in itself speaks volume about his preparedness to tackle the situation head on. He might have taken this much time to come out of the shock he received at the hands of his cousin Raj Thackarey. Maharashtra Nanirman Sena has truly emerged as the party to watch during this election with its 13 elected members. Shiv Sena has received the worst drubbing in the sense that it has been relegated to fourth position...

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Congrats, CM Ashok Chavan

It was the replay of the developments for Ashok Chavan. First of all, I would like to congratulate him for the success to his party as well as his becoming chief minister again. Chavan was chosen on Saturday night to head the Congress Legislature Party in Maharashtra. He will be the chief minister for the second time, nine months after taking over the affairs of the state. Chavan, who was selected as the CLP leader by Congress president Sonia...

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End of an epoch in Maharashtra politics?

With Diwali over, every politician, journalist and gossip mongers were behind the results of the assembly elections. While all major surveys and exit polls had gone in favour of the ruling Congress and Nationalist Congress Party alliance, they are still seen with a suspect given the impeccable track record of such surveys in the past. Opinion and exit polls are considered fickle next only to the forecasts by meteorology department in India....

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Diwali issues in Marathi culture

As the Diwali approaches, so are the Diwali issue of Marathi magazines. Diwali issues are the hallmark of the festival for the Marathi people and Maharashtra. Many houses in the state get a hint of the festival's arrival by thick issues of magazines stacked on the news stands. Its cultural standing is matched only by the Durga Puja issues brought out by Bengali newspapers and magazines. Many writers in Marathi owe their career to the existence of...

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Load Shedding Still Haunts Maharashtra

I have just arrived in Nanded. The temperature is already touching 30 degrees celsius at about 10 AM. This is strange for normally in October, it is already one month into the winter season. But there is no sign of a cold weather welcoming this old boy from the town who has in more ways than one unable to severe ties with the town, however he might try. I do not know what exactly is going on here but it is very quiet what with assembly elections being over only four days ago. Meanwhile, the electricity production in the state is set to be hit...

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It is the Diwali time, the biggest festival in India. It is matched only to Christmas in the European countries in the proportion of celebration as well as trade. In view of the movement of the people, almost all mode of transport fail to provide adequate service. The private bus operators literally make hay during this time. There seem to be no body to control the scandalous malpractices of the trade. The private tour operators have increased...

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Police Personnel to build Megacity

The police personnel from the city have come together to form a housing society and build a housing colony for them. This Megacity of police will come up near Lohgaona and will provide shelter to police personnel from all over the state. The project has been started with the initiative of Pune police. Satypal Singh, police commissioner of Pune has provided the guidance to the project while Anant Rokade, deputy commissioner has taken the lead. All serving and retired police department employees can be a part of the venture. In the project, flats...

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In Italy, newspaper Comes as a Protest

it is impossible in India In this age of cyber media and online journalism, it is heartening to see that even today old form of print media are being used for protest. In Italy, a new newspaper has been launched against what is termed as the oppression of expression by Sylvio Berlusconi government. Il Fatto, meaning the fact was launched in the last week by some leftist journalists. Relation between Berlusconi and the media soured from the day he came to power for first time. The media mogul of Italy, who controls almost all TV channels attracted...

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Raj Charges Up the Scene-2

Spreading the Foothold Shiv Sena started to spread its wing in the late 1980s. At that time, Raj was heading the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena (BVS), student wing of the party. He was also looking after Marmik, the weekly mouthpiece of party, chiefly drawing cover cartoons for the same. His grooming was done clearly by Balasaheb himself which was evident by the fashion in which he talked, spoke. His body language and mannerisms were just a replica...

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Notice to Facebook Over Tobacco Content

The Facebook is facing its first major challenge in India. The social networking site is just served a notice for failure in removing content related to tobacco products. The failure of the social networking website “Facebook” to remove pages and groups relating to various tobacco products, brands and articles is now likely to land the company in legal trouble. A social activist and crusader for public health causes, Hemant Goswami from Chandigarh has issued a legal notice to Facebook to remove all pages and groups relating to promotion of any...

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Raj Charges Up The Scene

He enters the place where a grand stage is erected. As he put his foot on the ground towards the direction of the stage, whole atmosphere comes alive with the sound of crackers and bursting of fires in the sky. To top this lighting, a cumulative voice soars new height with each passing moment hailing the young leader. As he comes to the microphone, there is a pin drop silence. Next one hours, the crowd of at least over 50 thousands hears to the leader. He minces no words in deriding his opponents and steals the show by hitting a cord with each...

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A Bad Advice

It is too late too odd Do Indian leaders have to follow every act by their American counterparts? Why I am asking this? Because latest missive from Salman Khurshid, minister of company affairs smacks of nothing less than following the US steps. It is in a way bizarre way to propagate the austerity drive, pursued by the Congress party, even when its fruitlessness has been pointed out by media. Khurshid has directed that CEOs of big corporates should not take the salaries which might appear as shameless. His obvious reference might be Anil Ambani,...

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Party time for rebels-2

State in a In-fighting state Apart from Pune, the scene at the state level is also dismal. The biggest news of rivalry this time is that in the Amravati constituency. Sunil Deshmukh, a Congress minister in the state cabinet has accused President Pratibha Patil of misusing her position to get a ticket for her son Raosaheb Shekhawat. The party has denied a ticket to Deshmukh in favour of Shekhawat. Deshmukh has solace in the fact that various non-partisan...

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Party time for rebels-1

Rebels Having a Feast on Official Candidates Maharashtra, let alone Pune, is facing highest number of rebel candidates in the assembly elections. The state is especially known for its fighting spirit. But never in the history of electoral democracy was such a frenzy of candidates soliciting the votes from the electorates. What's worse, it is not limited to one party. I have already written about the rebellion of Anna Joshi from Kothrud constituency....

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Anna Leaves BJP! What is the difference?

 Will  desertion by Anna Joshi be a jolt to Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of Maharashtra Assembly polls? The answer is no, it is relatively a minor set back. It is nothing extra-ordinary what with large scale desertions and defection in all political parties in the state. Even though Anna Joshi is a a senior leader of the party and former MP of BJP. Yesterday, he announced that he is quitting the party and joining  NCP. He will be...

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Austerity! At what cost?

At the time when recession is officially lingering at receding line, the ministers and leaders of Congress party are having austerity drive. From the public elected 'heir-apparent' of country Rahul Gandhi to the non-committal Shashi Tharoor, everybody is coping with the cost cutting in his own ways. Media is untiringly picking up each and every piece of information disseminated from New Delhi. However, considering the wild card given by media to...

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The Talks for The Seats

Poltical parties in Maharashtra are entangled in the parleys for seat sharing. Can this be a reason for the deadlo...

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Nanasaheb Peshwa and Parvati

Today, September 17th marks the death anniversary according to Hindu calendar of Nanasaheb Peshwe, the third Peshwa in Maratha empire. Word Peshwe simply means the prime minister or head of minister council. Balaji Vishwanath was the first Peshwa was first Peshwa appointed by Shahu Maharaj, the grandson of Chhatrpati Shivaji and son of Chhatrapati Sambhaji. Balaji was succeeded by Bajirao I. Bajirao's son was Nanasaheb Peshwa. Most of the magnificence...

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Voices of Dissent in Congress

Are They Serious Enough? The voices of dissent have started to rise from the Congress party in Maharashtra. One of the first leader to raise the tone is Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar, who is enraged over non-inclusion in the candidates selection committee. Nilangekar is the former chief minister of Maharashtra and comes from Nilanga in the Latur district. PTI quotes him as saying : I met Congress president Sonia Gandhi recently and apprised her of the situation. I pointed out that neither myself nor former MPCC president N M Kamble were appointed...

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Confusion Party of Maharashtra

Even as the assembly elections fever is yet to catch up with public, political parties are finding it difficult to manage the unbearable tension. On the one hand, no party is sure as to whom it should align to. Secondly, the political atmosphere is so divided and obscure that no one has any idea of clicking it big this time. This is the most confusion times in Maharashtra.Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, ruling for almost ten years in the state, are still entangled in the seat sharing war. Congress wants NCP to blink first and it has justification...

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Aurangabad to Go dry on

measure aimed to avert Dengue menaceThe current rage in Maharashtra is H1N1 flu which is still called swine flu even though the World Health Organisation has recommended not to do so. With the casualties on account of this disease touching 100, it is hardly surprising that the media and people alike are obsessed with it. But then there are other diseases also which are claiming lives of citizens. These killer diseases are here each year but this...

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