Martyr's Nephew Extends Hand For Martyr

Kiranjeet Singh, nephew of Bhagat Singh, wrote a letter to district collector of Pune on December 6. In the letter, he reminded the administration that during the same time of Rajguru's birth centenary, the nation celebrated Bhagat Singh's birth centenary in 2007-08. To commemorate it, a national memorial at Martyr's Samadhi at Ferozpur and a memorial costing Rs 18.50 Crores at Khatkarkalan and a 18 ft high statue in the premises of Lok Sabha were...

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After Chavan, Who?

Ashok Shankarrao Chavan is unarguably in the midst of worst crisis of his tenure as the chief minister of Maharashtra. The political pundits have already written his government’s obituary. It is only an impending visit of US president Barack Obama that has helped his survive at least for a week. The Indian National Congress cannot change the Maharashtra CM just before the US president’s visit to Mumbai, where the latter is to visit Hotel Taj. What...

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Thackerey Feud Brings Firecrackers Before Diwali

The citizens of Maharashtra are witnessing a dazzling show of firecrackers full weeks ahead of Diwali. The show, which can beat a laser show in any case, is taking during Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation election where two branches of Thackerey family are letting no stone unturned in their verbal assault. Balasaheb Thackerey, original doyen of Marathi politics, hit out at his now famous nephew, whom he himself has mentored over last four decades,...

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Who Will Head Congress Now?

With the recent expose of Maharashtra State Congress chief Manikrao Thakre taking money from ministers and Chief Minister himself, the issue of appointing a new state congress president has taken curious turn. The issue was deliberated by Congress president Sonia Gandhi at a meeting with senior party leaders yesterday. Maharashtra Congress has already authorised her to nominate the new PCC chief. Manikrao Thakre, who is eyeing a re-election to the...

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Bad Voyage For ST Buses

The hike in fares of State Transport buses has come as a real shocker in Maharashtra. The ST buses, marked by their red colour, are considered as common man’s vehicle for inter-city transport. The ST corporation, which manages the passenger transport in state, has introduced new fares from this month. Obviously, the public which was already reeling under the weight of inflation, has to bear additional burden, detrimental to the economy of the state....

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A Division To Unite India

The decision by the Allahabad High Court to divide the disputed site at Ayodhya into three parts is rightly contested on the legal ground by experts. The legal pundits have pointed out the brazen attempt by the court to arrive at a consensus through dividing the land, trying in the process not to offend anybody even remotely associated with the issue. Since 1986, when then union government under Rajiv Gandhi allowed pooja to be performed in the...

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Communities Have To Come Out Of Shells

Recent arrest of Himayat Baig, a Muslim youth in connection with the German Bakery blast has again put the Muslim community in city under scanner. Muslims in Pune have hitherto been living peacefully without any type of scrutiny. The past record of the community also served as a substantial reason for it to mingle with others just as any other community lives. But all this changes two years ago, when Mansoor Peerbhoy, a software engineer was picked up by the Anti-Terrorist Squad in connection with bomb blast in July 2008.Since then, three young...

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Democracy- A Forgotten Procedure

Sometimes, I am tempted to say that not many people truly like the idea that India is a democratic country. India may have a constitution proclaiming the virtues of the democratic system, but the general tendency of the populace is directly opposing to the spirit of the democracy. Chief among them are the coteries within political parties who benefit most from such a system. Take for instance recent developments in the Maharashtra congress. A new head of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee is to be chosen by the partymen as Manikrao Thakare,...

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Less Sympathy For Chandrababu This Time Around

Not many days have passed since Chandrababu Naidu staged a brilliant political drama in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. He brought an entire entourage of his party, Telugu Desam, legislators and workers first in Nanded district. He was arrested and later shifted to Aurangabad where he continued his theatrics in true blood AP politics style. What Naidu did at that point of time, just days ahead to by-elections for 12 seats in Telangana area of Andhra Pradesh, was widely perceived as his bid to regain foothold in the border line area adjacent to...

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Ignorant Lot Make Insensitive Statements

Where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise. And where ignorant lot is given celebrity status, it is more so. Movie stars and Bollywood artists, who has become dear to media across the sub-continent were never famous for informed pronouncements. So it was hardly surprising when Salman Khan, least of all the uninformed and put-your-foot-in-mouth brigade went public with his completely misplace statements. Salman's statement is politically incorrect to the core, but what adds gravity of the situation is the fact is he spoke to a Pakistani channel....

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The Shocking Announcement …In More Sense Than One

On the eve of the Ganesh festival in Maharashtra, the police, Chief Minister and media all have come with this 'shocking' announcement…that two terrorists are roaming in the street and cause havoc. Now in a state where a history-sheeter with two criminal cases against his name and known links with banned outfit Students Islamic of India can roam freely for two years, it is not a news that two terrorists have arrived in Mumbai in a bid to carry out their violent plans.Joint Police Commissioner Himanshu Roy told reporters that intelligence reports...

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Inducing Them For Sycophancy

As he is a scion of the Gandhi family which has inherited a vast political legacy in the country, Rahul Gandhi was all in his right when he appealed the 1200-odd students gathered in front of him to join politics. Probably he was putting forth his own model as the one who has stepped in the widely perceived murkier field, when he could have easily chased brighter avenues. Add to this two most cruel sacrifices coming from his nearest ones. However,...

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Sorry Plight of Marathi Schools

Two separate agitations in two different cities in Maharashtra have brought to fore the sorry state of Marathi schools in the state. In an year when the state is celebrating 50 years of its formation, the government apathy is killing the language schools in favour of the English schools. The action of the government is in stark contrast to the numerous promises it has offered to public, both before and after the elections last year. Thousands...

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Politics of Settlement

Settlement has become the catchword of the Maharashtra politics nowadays. The thing was part of the political manners for a long period, probably dating back to pre-independence era. However, the personalities involved in the process always tried to avoid the utterances which might give any clue to this thing. On this backdrop, it was surprising when Sharad Pawar, a veteran of settlementalsim went public with his displeasure over how 'some opposition members are blackmailing builders, threatening them with raising questions in legislature and...

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Festivals Are Among Our Few Healthy Signs

The mood in Pune is festive. With Krishna Ashtami tomorrow and arrival of Ganesh less than two weeks away, the rush of Ganesh Mandal workers has begun. However, as usual voices of protest against the 'pollution through jubilation' has begun already. Citizens of Pune have tradition of raising their voices against the unnecessary noise pollution in tha name of the celebrating Ganeshotsav, which is arguably the biggest festival in the city. This tradition...

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Another Blow To Sharad Pawar

Till Tuesday afternoon, Nationalist Congress Party supremo and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar enjoyed a week-long adventures of aggressive statements. He first ruffled some feathers in opposition parties' camps in Maharashtra. His associates and garters managed to wrest some brownie points in Pune by forcing mayor to announce that the Dadoji Konddeo statue will be removed from Lal Mahal. However, the Supreme Court came down heavily on...

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The Same Old Story And Meaningless Too

It is funny and at the same time distressing to point how the stories are repeated. About a year ago, I was among the reporters who reported on controversy raised by the Maratha organizations. The issue was not much different from the one which has plagued Maharashtra for over a century-the Brahmin-Maratha tussle. Last week, the city of Pune witnessed much heartburn over the issue of a minuscule statue. “Dadoji Konddeo has no place near Shivaji,” argued the Maratha organisations. Some see in it anti-Brahminism. Some – like me – try to find strains...

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Pune Needs The Ownership Answer

The citizens of the Pune are asking a question now : Who is the owner of the Pune Municipal Corporation? The corporators elected by the voters whose credentials are always under the shadow of suspicion? The public who is supposed to be king in a democratic system? This is the questions few enlightened souls in the city are asking to the functionaries who taken upon them to unquestioningly assume all authority and skip the responsibilities involved therein.The issue came to fore when a handful of activists filed Right to Information application...

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Wrestling Olympian Honoured In A Way

The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. M.S. Gill unveiling the plaque to Re-christen the Wrestling Stadium as K.D. Jadhav Stadium in the memory of Late Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, Independent India’s first Individual Olympic medalist who won wrestling bronze Medal at 1952 Olympic Games held at Helsinki, in New Delhi on July 06, 2010. The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Pratik Prakashbapu Patil is also seen. The...

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No Use Condemning, Let's Celebrate The Hike

The Indian people in general are fond of condemning any new move. They do not generally see how the change is going to improve their lives. The whining is accompanied with every new moderation introduced by the government or society. In this context, one is not surprised to find TV channels going overboard with common people's reaction over the petrol price hike. Why these people are supposed to be common is that there mindset generally do not...

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Chavan In US, Signs Pact For Monorail Safety

Ashok Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra today started his US tour with signing a pact with US-based Minata Transportation Institute (MTI) to introduce security of global standards in public transport in Mumbai, specially in view of the upcoming metro and mono rail projects. A delegation led by Chavan, signed the memorandum of co-operation with Minata Transportation Institute (MTI) in Los Angeles, an official release said. According to claims...

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Games Politicians Play

Anyone who had even a tiny doubt about the talk of corruption, hawala and black money involved in Indian Premier League 3 might have been forced to rethink his analyzing ability of the current situation. One of the most powerful politicians of the country finding himself cornered on the murkier wickets of scandal speaks volumes about the manner in which the biggest entertainment of the country was run for last three years.Union agriculture minister...

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Maharashtra Day Was An Emotional Occasion

Water and soil from various parts of Pune district was collected at Shaniwar Wada sent to Mumbai for main function of Maharashtra’s 50th anniversary celebration. Even as various parties and organisations vied to hog headlines celebrating the 50th anniversary of foundation of Maharashtra, the affair became more and more emotional. In Mumbai, Governor K Sankaranarayanan and Chief Minister Ashok Chavan...

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Marathi Is Flavour Of Season Ahead Of May 1

With Maharashtra completing 50 years this May 1, the political activity is in full swing. The Congress-NCP government and almost every political party in the state is organising plethora of programmes to celebrate the foundation day of Maharashtra. The flavour of the season is of course being Marathi. After Maharashtra Navnirman Sena achieved spectacular success in assembly elections, everybody is trying to appear Marathi. The main official function...

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Truth Is Lost In Demand For JPC

The phone tapping episode was the worst turn that Indian polity could arrive at. This turn ensured that the Indian Premier League scandal will never be probed deeply. Now, the focus will be on the political controversies and financial scam inherent in IPL will be conveniently sent to oblivion. The opposition parties are waiting to corner the government over allegations of telephone tapping of key political leaders. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)...

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Taxing The Religion

The Maharashtra government retracted its controversial decision to charge some money for the express darshan of the deity at Pandharpur. The reason for this retraction was the heavy opposition from various quarters, especially from the warkaris. Vitthal, the reigning deity of the Pandharpur not the kind of god prevalent in India. He is supposed to be the most favourite, not venerated, god of common people of Maharashtra, Karnataka and large part...

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Announcements Galore, Now For Some Action!

Maharashtra government has acquired the habit of taking course to law books whenever the situation seems to go out of control. Giving a classic example of this, the state government has recommended to central government for more punishment for crimes against women. Home Minister R. R. Patil said in Legislative Council, "We would send a proposal to the Centre to increase punishment to perpetrators of crime against women and strengthen the...

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Doctors Expected To Be More Safe Now

The Maharashtra government has taken a commendable decision allowing stringent punishment for attacks of medical professionals.Attacks on doctors and hospitals will attract stringent punishment including a maximum of three years imprisonment and fine of Rs 50,000, in Maharashtra with the state Assembly today passing a bill in this regard, according to PTI story.Bhaskar Jadhav, Minister of State for Law said the legislation proposes to recover compensation for damage or loss caused to the property of the medicare service institution twice the amount...

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Can Ahimsa Prevail Over Naxals?

The police of non-violence rabidly followed by the government of India will bring no result in the fight against Maoist or Naxals extremists. As I write this, a gunbattle is on between Naxals and Central Reserve Police Force. Not stopping at one of the worst attacks by Naxals on a camp in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, they have again opened salvo today defying stepped-up security. The Naxals fired four rounds at the CRPF camp in Palampalli village which was promptly retaliated by the security personnel, DGP Chhattisgarh Viswa Ranjan told...

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Will Ministers Listen To This?

Honking without any valid reasons and running blaring loud speaker at every possible opportunity are two of the favourite pastime for the politicians in India. The problem is more severe in Maharashtra. In this background, the news came as a fresh air. In a bid to curb the menace of pollution, Environment Department of Maharashtra has recommended the ministers to cut down honking and avoid use of fire crackers in official programmes. Environment...

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Maharashtra Bent On Making Liquor

It seems that Maharashtra government is hell bent on making wine or liquor. After its ambitious and controversial scheme to make liquor from the foodgrains was mire into controversy, it is now considering proposals to make wine from wild berries (Karvand), found mainly in coastal Konkan region. "We will positively consider any proposals to make wine from wild-berries and if possible... capital in the 1:9 ratio would be made available for the...

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