Mumbai Weekly

Run by the students of Udaan

MumbaiWeekly Volume 01 Issue 16

people

MONDAY, 28 MAY 2012

metro

sports

arts

Child labourers rescued Eleven child labourers were rescued by an NGO working for children and a team of police officers in Mumbai on 24 May, 2012. As per Indian laws, it is illegal to employ children below the age of 18 years for any kind of physical labour. The children in this case worked as a help at a local hotel, and were brought to Mumbai by an agent. According to the NGO, most of the children rescued are from Bihar and aged between 1014 years. The details of how the children arrived in Mumbai are yet to be ascertained, but preliminary investigation revealed that they were brought to Mumbai by an agent on the pretext that they will be helped to study. The children rescued come from an economically backward category, where bearing the expense of an individual child can be quite hard a job. At present the children are housed at a shelter in Mumbai.

A rescued child looks out of a police van window in Mumbai on 23 May 2012. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly (more on page 3)

India sees steepest hike in petrol prices

Motorists line up for fuel at a gas station in Mumbai on the eve of a petrol hike. Starting May 23, Petrol rates were hiked by Rs 6-8 all over the country, making it the steepest hike in petrol prices ever. Shailesh Andrade / Mumbai Weekly

Petrol rates were hiked

by Rs 6-8 per litre starting Wednesday, 23 May 2012 all over India. According to a newspaper report, this is the steepest hike in petrol price ever—the previous high being Rs 5 per litre.

As far as India's metropolitan cities go, petrol price in Delhi was

hiked by Rs 7.54 per litre to Rs 73.18 a litre, while Mumbai saw a rise from Rs 70.66 to Rs. 78.57. Bangalore saw a price rise from Rs 73.51 per litre to Rs 81.01 a litre.

The reason sighted behind the unexpected price rise is the depreciation of rupee value against the dollar.

The loss of rupee value has a direct impact on the oil imports.

A news report explains , 'If rupee depreciates by one against the US dollar, oil companies lose Rs 8,000 crore (annually)'.

Meanwhile, the rise in petrol rates have given rise to nation wide protests urging the govern-

ment to subsidize the petrol rates but to no avail. As the UPA led government tries to find a solution to the situation, it seems the common man will continue to pay the price of this unexpected rise.

Throughout India, the rise has had a cascading effect on several industries. For instance,

many reports suggests that the automobile industry had to slash their prices. There have also been instances of buyers cancelling the bookings in wake of the price rise. To add to the troubles of the common man, auto rickshaw and taxi unions are demanding an increase in their base price.

Pak media delegation visits Mumbai

Members of a Pakistani Press delegation exit the airport terminal in Mumbai on 21 May 2012. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly Well-known journalists from Pakistan arrived in Mumbai on 21 May 2012 for a week long visit. Headed by the president of Karachi Press Club President Tahir Hasan Khan, the delegation was welcomed by members of the Mumbai Press Club in traditional manner at the city's international airport. The delegation represents leading newspapers and channels like Dawn, The News, Jang Geo TV, ARY News and Express TV among

others. Interestingly, most of them are visiting India for the first time. The Journalists of Pakistan have been invited by the Mumbai Press Club as a reciprocal to Karachi Press Club and Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research jointly hosting Mumbai Media delegation in November last year. The visitors from Pakistan were scheduled to have interactions with leaders of various political parties and personalities from India.

2

MONDAY 28 MAY 2012

PEOPLE

Mumbai Weekly

Commuters wait to board the train at Mumbaiâ€&#x;s Dadar station during the peak hour. Around 7.24 million people travel by Mumbai local trains daily. However, various international Human Rights organizations have expressed concern over the deplorable condition in which people commute daily. Saarthak Aurora / Mumbai Weekly

Chirag Sutar / Mumbai Weekly

The Virar Fast life Mumbai's local trains are infamous for its rush hour crowd, but if anyone wants to see the peak of this dreaded journey, one has to catch a Virar Fast from Dadar at 7 pm. Although the rush leaves

many outsiders wondering about the deplorable condition in which commuters travel, regular commuters have devised a method of their own to go through the ordeal.

While some wait pa-

Men sing devotional songs through the journey. Chirag Sutar / Mumbai Weekly

A commuter jumps into a train before it halts at Mumbaiâ€&#x;s Dadar station. Many commuters do this in order to get seats and avoid getting stuck in the gangway. Chirag Sutar / Mumbai Weekly

Chirag Sutar / Mumbai Weekly

Faces of India

Participants dressed in traditional attire from the various states of India pose for the camera before a peace rally in Mumbai on 25 May 2012. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly

tiently stuck on the sides of the gangway as people rush in, others, who manage to get in, sing through the journey some of the soulful poetry written by Indian saints like Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar.

3

MONDAY 28 MAY 2012

metro

Mumbai Weekly

Child labourers rescued from factory in Mumbai

Children rescued from a factory in Mumbai on 23 May 2012 shy away from media persons. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly

Chemical plant goes down in ashes

A fireman stands outside a burning chemical plant in New Mumbai on 24 May 2012. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly A major fire broke out at Quality Chemicals plant at the MIDC industrial zone of New Mumbai on Thursday, 24 May, 2012. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as workers were quick to vacate

the place as fire began to spread.

Around seven fire engines from nearby municipal zones were called to the spot for taking control of the situation. According to news reports, it took

approximately four long hours to bring the fire under control. The chemical company is reported to have had huge stock of raw materials (mostly inflammable in nature) to make dyes and paints.

According to a news report, out of 3,08,000 square kilometres of the geographical area of Maharashtra, the reasonable fire cover is available to only about 10% of the land.

On streets against demolition

A woman stands at a protest rally by supporters of the Republican Party of India against demolition of their hutments on 25 May 2012 in Mumbai. Saarthak Aurora / Mumbai Weekly

4

MONDAY 28 MAY 2012

EDITORIAL

Mumbai Weekly

POINT OF VIEW: Habitually careless…

Above: A wounded man lies in a local train in Mumbai on 21 May 2012. Sathya Keerthi / Mumbai Weekly Right: A man suffering from leprosy begs for alms in Mumbai on 25 May 2012. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly wound on his amputed leg, they chose to vacate the entire compartment. It is perhaps safe to say that Indians are used to seeing such sights, and increasingly, basic human qualities like Chirag Sutar helping one another is beThe sight in the picture coming an alien concept. No above would be common for doubt, that is why it took a most Indians. It may not European woman called move them anymore, and Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu most likely, it doesn't even better known as Mother Tequalify to get their attention. resa to come to the rescue of Historically, the only many of the pained disreaction such a sight has re- traught men and women, and ceived is feigned ignorance. after decades of inspiring us, When the photographer shot as a society, we have fallen this picture it was a mad rush back on the same old ways. hour, but as soon as people It need not be said, that there saw blood stains on floor and is an urgent need to address a man lying on a seat with a human right issues in this

country, and it's also understood, and sadly, accepted that political parties lack the will to create a full proof system against such instances.

Ironically, what makes it more difficult for the common man are the laws and red tape which entangles a common man who dares to take and initiative. Just last month, I heard of an instance when a helpful rickshaw driver helped an accident victim by taking him to a hospital. Sadly, the victim succumbed to his injuries as he was asked to be taken from one hospital to another as it was an 'accident case'.

Ironically, the auto driver

who took charge of the situation and tried to help the victim was detained for a day for questioning! It was only after doctor‟s testimony that he was released. Agreed, India is a large country, and that we have a population of 1.3 billion, and it can be difficult to manage people and issues. But what is administration system for? And Why is the common man paying taxes for? And after 15 general elections why are we talking of the same issues over and over again? The answer is simple, we are habitually careless.

The above views are the personal views expressed by the author.

OPINION The drinking fuss

People party on a weekend at a downtown pub in Mumbai on 26 May 2012. Shailesh Andrade / Mumbai Weekly.

the act, any person who consumes alcohol without a valid permit is punishable under section 66 (1) (b) and can face imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine of Rs.10,000.While I do question the relevance of a law made in Shailesh Andrade 1949 in today‟s day and The Mumbai police this time, I also question week woke up a sleep- why the police is ening monster of a law. forcing a law which was People partying at the put in cold storage for Oakwood Hotel that so many years, now. was recently raided by Deputy Commissioner the police were charged of Police Pratap under drinking without Dighavakar stated that a permit. Permit? What this law was always in is a permit? Under the place, it has just been provisions of the Bom- intensified as a part of bay Prohibition Act the campaign against 1949, it is a must for drunk driving. Getting a any individual consum- permit is not difficult, ing or carrying alcohol and can be easily obto have a permit, issued tained. So what will be by the government that different from now? In allows him to do so. It my opinion, Mumbai is will be compulsory to a city that never sleeps, now carry a permit where people work and which states the holder deliver more than what needs to consume is expected from them, „foreign or country liq- where the city under uor on grounds of delivers the basic infrahealth.‟ On acquiring a structure required, permit, a person is alwhere healthcare, good lowed to possess and roads, clean water and transport 12 units of education are still found liquor (foreign and wanting. In a city like country), beer or wine, this, all we enjoy is where one unit is equiv- freedom, the freedom of alent to 750ml. Under expression, of choice, to

do what is acceptable in the framework of the law and I believe it is this law which has to change and move with time. Night club and restaurant owners have already noticed a drop in business and believe that this is the fear of customers being arrested in a police raid. To conclude, police action like this could cause the general public to believe that these raids are nothing but publicity stunts or maybe even a ploy to make restaurant owners pay unofficially to run their businesses.

An outdated law regulating how much an adult can drink in a week is a violation of our freedom to choose and enjoy responsibly. I strongly feel that trying to enforce laws like this are a waste of time and will not yield any positive results. I hope the government will step in and not only adapt this law but look into many other laws which are now outdated and require change.

The above views are the personal views expressed by the author.

5

economy

MONDAY 28 MAY 2012

Mumbai Weekly

Maharashtra announces 25 percent reservation for girls The Maharashtra government has chosen to offer more opportunity especially to the girl students from economically weaker section (EWS). The approved proposal gives 25 percent reservation for girls under the Right to Education Act (RTE).

girls, then, under the approved system, 20 seats will be given to girl applicants. For the remaining five seats, there will be a lottery among the applications received from boys.'

The recent Supreme Court's orders have already passed a law What does this new stating that institutions law entail for the girl will have to reserve student from Maha25% of entry-level rashtra? Explaining seats for EWS the highlight of the students under the proposal, a news reRTE Act. According port mentioned, 'If to the RTE act, every there are 25 seats state government is available under the expected to reimburse RTE Act and an equal Rs 10,000 per child number (20) of appli- per annum to the cants among boys and school.

A girl gets ready to leave for school in Mumbai. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly

New survey claims Gen Y high on tech A new survey undertaken by India's largest software exporter Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) suggests that India's 'Generation Y' is getting more adept with the technology and thus changing the communication paradigm. Usage of websites like Facebook, instant messaging and chat to connect with their peers have gained unprecedented popularity in the last few years.

The survey was conducted on 12,300 high school students (aged 12-18 years), and 85 percent respondents

said they use Facebook, while 79 percent said they own a mobile phone. Mumbai tops the list of school students who use mobile phones, and as highest users of Facebook.

Of the school children who were interviewed, more than 40 percent said they use their mobile phones to access the internet (compared to just 12 percent in 2009), about 14 percent said they use tablet PCs, highlighting an emerging trend. Also, more students (58.98 percent) said they use mobile

phones than laptops (58.08 percent) to access Internet. The survey also suggests that preference of Tablets is also rapidly increasing with 21.9 percent saying they accessed Internet and 10 percent said they owned such a device.

While the survey gives an interesting insight into the habits of the young generation, and also perhaps throws a note of caution as gadget based communication is largely replacing personal communication.

School going children use their cell phones in Mumbai. Chirag Sutar / Mumbai Weekly

Multiple operators slash 3G rates Price wars in the telecom sector have been heating up in the last few days. Bharti Airtel surprised the market when it slashed its rates of it 3G services by almost 70 percent and this move was soon replicated by Aditya Birla group company Idea cellular. In a statement, the company said the 3G tariff was reduced to widen the new age offering and make it accessible to all. Under the new

plan, Idea's customers will pay three paise for 10 KB of data, a staggering reduction of 70 percent from the earlier rates of 10 paise. In the same statement, Idea cellular declared that it offers 3G services in 3207 towns and it has around 2.7 million users with an average usage of 330MB per month. Catering to different segments, Idea will make this new pricing in sachet packs, regular packs

and unlimited packs.

The Indian arm of British telcom Vodafone Plc, too pruned monthly rentals on its 3G promo packs by a peak 33% in a bid to drive market penetration and shore up revenues.

The number of customers using 3G services across the country remains around a modest 20 million, below 2% of the GSM subscriber base according to TRAI, India's telecom regulating authority.

A man walks past an Idea Cellular advertisement in Mumbai on 24 May 2012. Saarthak Aurora / Mumbai Weekly

Microsoft previews Windows 8 in Mumbai Well-known US-based tech giant Microsoft will be preparing to launch Microsoft Windows 8 later this year, but the IT giant is leaving no stone unturned to warm up the users and also product developers.

The recently held Microsoft India Technology Summit - Go BIG event on 23 May, 2012 in Mumbai was the right platform for all the geeks to know the future course of world's biggest IT company.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer apologized for his absence in a video stream from US before going on to say, “Weâ€&#x;ve always considered India to be this pasture of software developers. The talent base is rich, fresh and unbelievable.â€? On his behalf, the discussion was addressed by Jean-Philippe Courtois, President Microsoft International.

Microsoft had also arranged for a preview of the product at the event,

and tech reviewers and critics are of the opinion that Windows 8 comes with some significant improvements as compared to its predecessor. Among the new features, an efficient picture password, and a more easy interface to reshuffle apps are said to have caught attention. As reviewed in some news reports, the image quality and rendering is much more clean, and syncing of data is made much more

convenient without the need to exchange data.

The most promising feature, is the Windows Store which allows developers to submit their innovations and ideas. The software is available in various languages, which makes it accessible to developers and users from all across the world. The price of the soon to launch Windows 8 version for the Indian market has not yet been revealed.

Jean-Philippe Courtois, President Microsoft International speaks at the Microsoft India Technology Summit - Go BIG event in Mumbai on 23 May 2012. Sathya Keerthi / Mumbai Weekly

6

MONDAY 28 MAY 2012

Arts and entertainment

Mumbai Weekly

A woman twirls illuminated lights while performing Poi, an art form that involves swinging weights in patterns during a workshop in Mumbai on 27 May 2012. Poi is a Maori tradition that originated in New Zealand and is slowly gaining popularity all over the world. Shankar Narayan / Mumbai Weekly

Dharavi Rocks: From rag pickers to rhyme makers

Left and Above Left: Dharavi Rocks, a band composing of rag pickers perform in a concert in Mumbai on 26 May 2012.

Above: Children belonging to the Dharavi Rocks band dance while the rock band Something Relevant plays music. Dharavi Rocks is a band composed of street children and rag pickers who make music from trash cans and waste plastic drums.

Krishanu Nagar / Mumbai Weekly.

Getting decked-up

Left: Indian film actress Vedita Pratap Singh poses during a fashion shoot in Mumbai on 24 May 2012. Above: Actress Vedita Pratap Singh gets ready for the fashion shoot.

Saarthak Aurora / Mumbai Weekly Indian model and film recently posed for a photo Actress Vedita Pratap Singh shoot for a fashion accessoof Bhindi Bazaar Inc. fame ries brand. She spoke to the

media about her upcoming film and her admiration for actor Ranbir Kapoor.

7

MONDAY 28 MAY 2012

Sports

Mumbai Weekly

West Zone National Hockey Championship held in Mumbai

Above: Action from the West Zone leg of the IHF-Senior National Qualifier tournament played at Mumbai. Gitartha Goswami / Mumbai Weekly. The senior National Hockey Championship recently concluded at MHA stadium in Mumbai on May 28 2012. Mumbai made some stellar moves and defeated Vidarbha in a 5-1 victory. According to the official statement, Mumbai has now qualified for the AllIndia Senior National Championship to be played later this year.

Women’s football revived in Mumbai The Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) revived its Women's Football League (WFL), which is currently being

played at the Bombay Gymkhana grounds.

The league was revived after a period of three years as a venue was not available according

to the organizers.

Mumbai Weekly photographer Twisha attended the matches capturing the action.

8

MONDAY 28 MAY 2012

Sports

Mumbai Weekly

Unseeded player wins Ramesh Desai Memorial Tennis Tournament

Above: Action from the finals of the Ramesh Desai Memorial Tennis tournament held at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai 26 May 2012. Unseeded Udyan Bhaskar beat IB Akshay 6-4, 6-4 and Pranjala Yadlapali beat Akshara Iska 6-3, 6-3 to win the boys and girls u/16 respectively. Player names, clockwise from top: Akshara Iska, Vikas Singh and IB Akshay. Shailesh Andrade / Mumbai Weekly

The IPL Craze India is bound and divided by their new religion: IPL. It seems blasphemous if you don‟t follow the matches and support your city.

Every Indian is bound by a certain duty to gather in front of the television and show solidarity.

The IPL craze in India has become very huge in the five years of it‟s running. So much so, there was said to be a death of a Manipuri boy in a college hostel in Bengaluru in recent times due to coverage of this mega sporting event.

But, there are some good points to this craze as well. IPL has provided a platform for the local cricketers to showcase their talent and earn quite a good amount of money. It‟s a platform that they can use as a chance to make their way through to the Indian cricket team. And moreover, with people so busy with their hectic schedules, it gives them a chance to watch a quick game of cricket, rather than spend one to five days for one match.

People watch an IPL match on television on a street in Mumbai .

Saarthak Aurora / Mumbai Weekly Published by: Udaan School of Photography. Editor: Chirag Sutar Photo editor: Saarthak Aurora Chief Photographer: Sathya Keerthi Email: editor.mumbaiweekly@gmail.com