The Golden Sparrow on Saturday 13/02/2016

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TGS LIFE

Journeying through memory lane

MUMBAI

CITY

Pilloo impersonating Silloo comes clean P2

Kitten dies after being flung from second floor balcony P5

Touche, on target with the SPORT OF FENCING

Fencing, or Olympic fencing to be precise, is not a sport India is known for. But fencing has been spreading its graceful, classical allure amidst the city’s sports fraternity, testimony to this being that the city is home to more than a thousand devoted fencers, among whom are a 100 national level stars See Spotlight, p08 & 09

We were not drunk or taking selfies: Murud survivors

BY SALONEE MISTRY @SaloneeMistry The Murud Janjira tragedy that claimed the lives of 14 students of the Abeda Inamdar College is still being talked about ten days later. What started off as a college picnic turned into nightmare when the 20 odd students of the group of 130 entered the sea, and were unable to save themselves as the deep waters of the ocean pulled them in. Fourteen of them lost their lives, but the pall the incident cast on their college-mates, and the citizens of Pune, will take long time to fade, if ever.

Some are still given to speculation, while others grieve. To clear the doubts and rumours, the survivors of the incident have launched a Facebook page, and under the label of ‘Murud

Cat bite cases on the rise in Pune

Pune lab to make innovative material for bullet-proof vests

Did you know that there have been almost 4,000 incidents of cat bites in the city in the last four years

Amol Palekar meets with an accident

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1 More and more people are being bitten by dogs, but what is not known that there are people being bitten by cats as well. As many as 3946 cat bite cases have been registered in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits in the last four years.

PMC health department data shows that cat bites have turned into a major problem, being second only to dog bites, in the category of animal bites in PMC limits. PMC official Vijay Owhal said that more than 90 per cent of these bites were by pet cats rather than stray ones.

Contd on p3

See p5

Rishi and Neetu Kapoor to demolish KrishnaRaj

BY YOGESH SADHWANI @yogeshsadhwani A good 35 years after they bought KrishnaRaj bungalow, actors Rishi and Neetu Kapoor have decided to bring down their bungalow on Pali Hill to make way for a 15-storey highrise. The new structure will have nine flats, of which two are super luxury triplex apartments. The couple have sought permission from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to construct the building and are yet to obtain all the sanctions.

As per the plans which are in possession of TGS, the building will have a basement, ground floor and 15 upper floors. While the basement will be used for facilities like pump room, air handling unit, water tanks, among

others, the ground floor will have an entrance lobby and two car lifts. First to sixth floors will be used only for parking 45 cars. The upper floors will house seven flats, which will include two triplex flats and five smaller ones.

The liveable floors will begin from the seventh floor, which would house two flats of 1,100 and 2,000 sq ft. The eighth floor will also have two flats of 1,100 and 930 sq ft each.

Contd on p 2

Tragedy’, have documented the entire incident. Dispelling talk of being under the influence of alcohol, or clicking selfies in the sea, they have put aside their trauma and sorrow, to put things as they really happened.

Nikhat Shaikh was one of the rescued swimmers, and she has yet to come to terms with the death of one of her closest friends. “We were taken by surprise. The sea floor suddenly became steep, we lost our foothold, and before we knew it, the water was over our heads.”

It was sheer panic as the students on the beach started asking the boat owners and locals for help. Few were forthcoming but some of the brave ones entered the sea and managed to rescue seven of the drowning students.

Contd on p4

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

PUNE

MUMBAI

Maharashtra has a lot of industries which are among the biggest polluters.

Whenever a unit’s emission would cross the permissible limit, a message would reach them. They will be given a time period to bring down level of harmful pollutants.

—P Anbalagan, Member Secretary, MPCB

Over two crore cases pending in country’s lower courts P 11

Rishi and Neetu Kapoor to demolish KRISHNARAJ To construct a 15-storey building that would house two triplex flats apart from five smaller ones Contd from p1

According to the plans submitted by Rishi and Neetu Kapoor’s architect Yomesh Rao of YMS Consultants Ltd, the first triplex apartment spread over 4,500 sq ft would be on the ninth, tenth and eleventh floors.

A portion of the three floors will also be used to build smaller flats of 1,100 and 900 sq ft, apart from accommodating the triplex flat. The second triplex apartment spread over 7,800 sq ft will be on 12th, 13th and 14th floors. All the liveable floors have open to sky decks. The Kapoors have planned for a lounge and a swimming pool on the terrace. The

building, when complete will rise up to 69.88 metres.

The couple bought the bungalow

way back in September 1980, after they got married in January the same year. They purchased the bungalow

from Chandru Raheja of K Raheja Corporation and one Rajendra Kumar Kapur, chief promoter of Pali Hill Co-operative Housing Society, for Rs 11 lakh back then. The bungalow with three outhouses has been home to the couple and their son Ranbir since 1980.

Sources revealed that the proposal put up by the Kapoors is being scrutinised by the MCGM. It has been cleared at the junior level but needs to be given a nod by senior MCGM officials.

KrishnaRaj is among the few bungalows left in the plush Pali Hill area in Bandra, Mumbai. In the

We need to believe that we belong among the tennis elite: Ankita P 16

The Kapoors acquire two floors in Trump Towers While on one hand Rishi Kapoor and his wife Neetu Kapoor are planning to bring down their bungalow at Pali Hill Mumbai, to make way for a highrise, in Pune the family has acquired flats in Trump Towers, Kalyani Nagar.

Rishi Kapoor was the first to buy a 4,415 sq ft house on the 12th floor of one of the two Trump Towers way back in October 2015. He paid Rs 11.12 crore for the property. A couple of months later, in December his son Ranbir bought a house of the same size on the 10th floor for Rs 11.12 crore. The duo paid stamp duty of Rs 67 lakh each for their houses. past few years, most of the 30 plus bungalows have been demolished to make way for highrises. In the 80s the locality was extremely popular with stars who bought super luxury

bungalows in the area. Sunil Dutt, Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar and Sanjeev Kumar were among the other celebrities residing in Pali Hill. yogesh.sadhwani@goldensparrow.com

Pilloo impersonating Silloo comes clean Pilloo Mehta

While Pilloo unconditionally apologised, HC issued a contempt notice against her former lawyer

BY SANTOSHEE MISHRA @santosheemishra Three weeks after 74-year-old Pilloo Mehta came clean about being an impostor, a division bench of Bombay High Court issued a contempt notice against her former lawyer. The division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice VL Achliya was told on Friday that Advocate GB Lal had allegedly threatened Pilloo to not come forth or appear in court after it was evident that she had impersonated Silloo Mistri, a 89-year-old, who owned 107 acres of prime property in Thane.

On Friday when the case came up for hearing before HC, Additional Public Prosecutor MM Deshmukh, representing the police, told the court that Advocate Lal had allegedly told Pilloo that he would withdraw the petition she had filed impersonating Silloo. He also allegedly told Pilloo that he would lose his ‘sanad’ (licence) to practice if she appeared in court.

Observing that “an advocate should not indulge in these activities” the division bench issued a contempt notice against Advocate Lal. Meanwhile, the police also submitted their report stating that Gilbert Mendonca, former MLA from Mira Bhayander and his aide Ashok Hire were behind Pilloo impersonating Silloo. The police told the court that Mendonca and Hire had not only threatened Pilloo and her brother Kersi Guard to file the petition in HC but also forged the ‘deed of conveyance’

of Silloo Mistri. “Pilloo was told by Ashok Hire that she needs to just sign a few documents in return for a huge sum. Gilbert Mendosa threatened Kersi Guard, who in turn forced his sister to sign the forged documents,” APP Deshmukh told the court. DCP VB Chandanshive from Thane told the court a case of fraud and forgery has been registered against Mendonca and his aides by Thane Nagar police station for forging documents pertaining to Silloo Mistri’s land parcel. The court asked the DCP to supervise the investigations and submit a detailed report within 15 days.

UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY Pilloo had admitted to being an impostor on January 21. On February 9 she tendered an unconditional apology in HC. She had filed a writ petition in HC claiming to be 90-year-old Silloo Mistri, who owned 107 acres of a land parcel currently worth Rs 875 crore in Thane. Impersonating Silloo, Pilloo in her petition claimed that her land had been encroached and that Thane police was not initiating action against the land mafia. However, when the petition filed in December 2015 came up for hearing for the first time on January 6, 2016, Silloo’s son Jehangir Mistri, who is a senior counsel in HC, stood up and said that his mother had not filed any such case. Over the next few hearing, the mystery unravelled, with Pilloo finally admitting on January 21 that she was an impostor.

On Tuesday, February 9, Pilloo appeared with her lawyer RA Shaikh before the division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice VL Achliya and filed an affidavit stating that she had represented herself as Silloo Mistri because of coercion from her brother Kersi Guard. “I am not conversant with the facts of the case and I have only attended this Honourable Court on instruction from my brother Kersi Guard who promised to give me financial help in future in the event of my financial problems... the aforesaid act is contrary to law and I have deceived the Honourable Court into believing that I am the original Silloo

Mistri... I have nothing to do with Silloo Mistri in whose name I have filed the petition,” Pilloo’s affidavit stated.

She tendered an ‘unqualified and unconditional apology’ and sought pardon from for her action. “This was the first incident wherein I have acted out of undue influence exerted by my brother who was under pressure from land mafia, particularly Gilbert Mendonca (former MLA from Mira Bhayander) who was involved in land grabbing cases in and around Mira Bhayander belt and it has been reported to me that Mira Bhayander police have recorded not less than 18 cases against him,” Pilloo added in her affidavit submitted to court.

In the previous court hearing on January 21, Pilloo had admitted to her guilt and her brother had stated that he was under threat from Mendonca.

The court had back then asked Thane police to verify the threat to Pilloo and Kersi’s lives.

WHO IS PILLOO MEHTA? TGS team went to her residence at Malegaonwala building in Mumbai Central, where she lives with her 83-year-old husband Parvez. Her husband revealed that they used to own a house in Khetwadi, South Mumbai.

They sold their house owing to a civil dispute and live with their son for a while. Parvez claimed that due to frequent quarrels in the house, the couple decided to move out of their son’s house. In 2014, they finally shifted to a one room kitchen flat in Malegaonwala building, which Parvez says has been given to them on rent by a Zoroastrian trust.

“I used to work with a private firm and after retirement started a careering

service. My wife Pilloo used to be a teacher with an English medium school in South Mumbai. Kersi is her only sibling, but I do not like him much. I don’t talk to him but Pilloo interacts with her brother often,” Parvez said.

He added that he was aware of his wife landing in trouble over some forged documents. “Pilloo told me that she is not directly involved and did so only because her brother asked her to sign on the papers. For over a year Kersi has been luring her with false promises of money if she signs on some papers.

Since we are a middle class family, I think my wife signed on the papers.

Parvez said that he was not aware of Pilloo impersonating Silloo Mistri.

“All she told me was that her brother was under pressure from some goons and asked her to sign the papers,” concluded Parvez, who claims to be part of a Parsi theatre group.

ABOUT THE CASE It all started with a criminal petition being filed in HC on December 17, 2015. The case came up before the division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice VL Achliya on January 6.

When the hearing began, Jehangir Mistri, who also practices in HC as a senior counsel, pointed out that his mother’s name had been used to file the petition against Thane cops.

Lawyers representing the fake Silloo were stunned and told the court that the lady was outside the courtroom.

One of the lawyers went out to look for her but returned without her.

Despite being summoned to court the fake Silloo did not turn up in court.

Meanwhile real Silloo’ son Jehangir maintained that his mother’s identity had been stolen.

In a couple of hearings court was

convinced that the person who had filed the petition was an impostor. They compared the documents of fake Silloo with the real ones and found that while the details matched, photographs were of two different people. Fake Silloo’s lawyers told the court that they had asked to file the petition by her brother Kersi Guard. On January 12, when the case came up for hearing, the impostor and her brother Kersi Guard finally came to court. The lady told the court with conviction that she was indeed Silloo Mistri and even gave her residential address and phone number.

Her brother Kersi Guard too gave his details. The division bench of HC did not pass any strictures and slated the matter for January 14 after instructing the lady and her brother to appear again. On January 14, while Kersi appeared, his sister did not turn up.

On January 14, HC issued a warning and asked the person who had filed the petition to be present on January 21 failing which they would initiate action.

On January 21, when the case came up for hearing, the lady who had filed the petition in the name of Silloo Mistri appeared with a new lawyer.

Advocate RA Shaikh, appearing on her behalf told the court that she was not Silloo Mistri but Pilloo Parvez Mehta. “Ms Pilloo Pervez Mehta states that she has been used and forced to file this petition by her real brother by name Kersi Guard,” HC division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice SC Gupte noted. Kersi Guard passed the buck on to a former Member of Legislative Assembly from Mira Bhayander, Gilbert Mendonca and one Ashok Hire. The brother-sister duo told the court that their lives were in danger and that they were coerced into filing the petition in the name of Silloo Mistri.

Once Pilloo revealed her identity the entire mystery unravelled.

According to Thane cops, the real Silloo Mistri owned 107 acres of land on Ghodbunder Road, Thane. The current value of the plot as per the Ready Reckoner rates is around Rs 875 crore. She sold the land parcel in

Silloo Mistri

June 1982 to Samartha Development Corporation.

Sometime in 2014, a few land grabbers claiming to have bought the land parcel from Silloo, tried getting the land records amended in their name. Initially, they were able to get some of the land records changed.

However, one of the government officials suspected something amiss and reported the case to Thane Nagar police station.

In November 2015, Thane Nagar police registered an FIR of fraud, forgery and cheating against Gilbert Mendonca (former Mira Bhayander MLA), AR Gaikwad, a record keeper in a government office and Manoj Sawant, an agent by profession.

Ganesh Kekane, the investigating officer attached to Thane Nagar police told TGS that Mendonca along with others allegedly prepared forged documents of the land owned

by Silloo and submitted them in Tehsildar’s office to amend the land ownership records. After the FIR was registered, Sawant was arrested, Gaikwad obtained anticipatory bail and Mendonca was granted interim relief from arrest by Bombay High Court. Police is still investigating the case.

“The petition in HC was filed with the intention of ousting those who had legally bought the land from the real Silloo. The impostor in her petition wanted police to file an FIR and throw out those who had bought the land parcel from the real Silloo.

The ploy however seems to have failed now that the impostor has come out in the open,” said a senior police official from Thane. santoshee.mishra@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

Pakistan behind rise of international Jihadi forces: NYT P12

PUNE

The Smart Cities Mission is not just about developing Aundh-Baner and Balewadi. It’s about the entire city. Beside the basic development plan submitted to the Centre to get selected in the mission, Pune will witness huge infrastructure development in the next five years.

— Kunal Kumar, Pune Municipal Commissioner

Cat bite cases on the rise in Pune Contd from p1 Cat bites have seen a 20 to 25 per cent increase per years. In 2012, there was 670 cases of cat bites, which rose to 857 in 2013. The number increased to 1087 in 2014, and 1332 bites in 2015. PMC health officials say that the lack of awareness about cat bites is the reason behind the increase. “Cat bite can cause rabies infection leading to death of an individual. Previously cat bite was not taken seriously and people just ignored it. But after coming to

know of the consequences, people are reporting cases and availing of treatment from PMC and government hospitals. That is the reason behind the rise in cases,” said Dr Amit Shaha, Medical health officer of PMC health department.

Population increase is another reason for increase in the number of cat bites, he said.

Health officials said that no licence is needed for a pet cats unlike dogs. So there is no statistics on the cat population with the health

department. There may be 8000 cats in the city. “Cats are domestic pets and do not live on the road. They

BY HEENA GROVER MENON @HeenaGM

or when they are manhandled. Citybased animal behaviourist Tanya Kane said, “Stray cats generally are scared to even approach humans and if someone tries to come close to them, they tend to run away. This is one of the reasons that you won’t be able to pet them.

On the other hand, when it comes to domesticated cats, there are times when you pet them and suddenly they get irritable. So, it’s very important to understand and respect their moods, as being animals, they can’t communicate the way humans can. And the first line of action for them is to try and scare you away by purring or clawing. ” Another very important thing to keep in mind especially when you have children at home is to make them aware about cats. For that matter, anyone who wants to have a pet at home should first educate children about certain behaviours of either cats or dogs and where to draw the line, to stop them from harming you. Though

dogs are more approachable, cats don’t like to be touched or caressed all the time as cats do not necessarily like things dogs enjoy. “After seeing initial hesitance, Pallavi Kharade if you still try to push them by trying to pick them, it’s possible that they will bite you. This doesn’t mean that they are being aggressive, but it’s their only way to tell you that they don’t want to be touched,” explains Tanya.

There are many cat lovers in the city, who either have them as their pets or just like to feed the stray cats, but there have been incidents when these cat lovers have been scratched or bitten by their pets. Explaining the reason behind why they got bitten on multiple occasions, city-based animal

REALITY BITES Year

Cat Bite Dog Bite Rabies Cases Cases Deaths

2012

670

12,731

21

2013

857

13,668

19

2014

1,087

12,741

22

2015

1,332

16,929

18

don’t bother anyone so there is no need for licence for a pet cat,” said an official.

Chandrabhaga Warkhade, 45, of Parner taluka in Ahmednagar district succumbed to rabies at the Naidu infectious Diseases Hospital on January 28. She was bitten by a wild cat four months ago, but had not availed of the necessary treatment. Though cat bite can be fatal, the number of rabies infections from cat bites is very low compared to dog bites. “Around ten

per cent deaths are registered due to rabies infection caused by cat bites,” said a senior officer from Naidu Hospital.

PMC health chief Dr Somnath Pardeshi said that cat bites should not be neglected. “All pet cats should be immunised by antirabies vaccines. In case of a cat bite, wash the area properly with water and antiseptic soap. Go to a doctor and take medical help without delay,” he said. dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

Ferociously independent, handle with care

Unlike dogs who love being pampered and petted, cats are highly independent animals and like being given their space.

It’s a very rare phenomenon where cats have bitten humans, especially stray cats who stay away from human beings as they are scared of them. According to animal behaviourists, the only reasons behind cats biting people is that they feel intimidated by humans

Priya Poduval

Shalaka Diwanji

communicator Shalaka Diwanji says, “There have been a few instances when I have lost my cats and when I finally found them and wanted to bring them home, I figured that they were quite disoriented and were unable to understand why were they being picked up or being taken away from where they were. And to prevent

me from harming them (as they feel threatened), they scratched and tried biting my hand a few times.”

Animal enthusiast Pallavi Kharade has many dogs and cats as pets in her house, “Once my cat had fallen into a drain and when I tried to rescue her, she got so scared that she bit my hand really hard. But after I got her out of the drain and held her close to caress her, she was absolutely normal. My hand was badly swollen but thankfully I had got her vaccinated so I just needed some first-aid.”

Priya Poduval runs an animal resort and has about 12 pets including cats. She has been scratched by the cats many a time while playing with them.

“These scratches are not always meant to harm you, they could just be a way to tell us that they may be tired, too excited or playful. And if you have got them properly vaccinated, there is nothing to be worried about.”

IMMEDIATE LINE OF TREATMENT According to Dr Anjali Dave, a citybased practicing veterinary physician, it is extremely important to keep in mind that all warm-blooded animals are carriers of rabies. So, if it’s an unvaccinated cat, the bite should be considered as a potential rabies carrier.

“The immediate steps to be taken are to first wash the wound properly with carbolic soap and take the required number of anti-rabies injections. But if it’s a protected and vaccinated cat, you need not worry. Treat it like a wound and take the first-aid. Mostly cat bites are extremely deep and can cause a lot of pain, so you may need to undergo a course of antibiotics in the form of antiinflammatory painkillers.” The most important thing is always to be aware about these animals and understand when they are liking or not liking to be approached to avoid any attacks. heena.grover@goldensparrow.com

Three held for running No more public toilets in PCB jurisdiction Microsoft scam Pune Cantonment Board dumps plan to construct more public toilets in Camp area

Cheated citizens in the US and charged $60-300

BY YOGESH WAGH @YogeshWagh1857 Three persons of city-based call centre firm RR Comms have been booked for falsely claiming to be representing Microsoft and convincing people in the US that their computers have a virus that needs urgent attention. The firm cheated many US nationals by claiming to be representing the software giant. The cyber cell of Pune crime branch arrested the three accused and booked them under Sections 416 (cheating by personating), 417 (punishment for cheating), 418 (cheating with knowledge Aditya Rathi that wrongful loss may ensue to person whose interest offender is bound to protect), 419 (punishment for cheating by personating), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 66 (computer related offences), 66 C (punishment for identity theft), 66 D (punishment for cheating by personation by using computer resource) of Information Technology Act 2000 at Hinjawadi police station.

Acting on a tip-off, the cyber cell of Pune crime branch and Anti-Organised Crime Cell (North region) formed a team and raided the office located on the third floor of Kolte Patil Plaza Stargaze in Bavdhan early February 6 morning.

The arrested suspects include Aditya Ravindra Rathi (25) of Chandni Chowk in Bavdhan, Harish Narayandas Khushlani

(36) and Ritesh Khushal Navani (29) of Pimpri. The accused were produced in the court on February 12 and their police custody has been extended till February 21.

Complainant and Assistant Police Inspector of Cyber Cell Sanjay Dheng said that the accused had leased the office in April 2015 and carried out recruitment in June. They started the firm with 10 employees in September. The firm routed its calls to the US customers by using VoIP software which used to show that the callers were from Arizona. According to the police, the company’s director Aditya hailed from Sangli. He completed his school education from Alfonzo Government High School (Sangli) and BSc from Chintamanrao College of Commerce (Sangli). He joined Vodafone (UK) after working with a BPO firm for four years.

According to Cyber Crime Cell Senior Inspector and Investigating Officer Sunil Pawar, the accused had started the back office ‘Microsoft Technical support’ in Bavdhan. They used magicJack Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone numbers to call Americans impersonating as the call is made from the US. The fraudsters used call scam techniques. They use a spoofed Caller ID that looks legitimate; they used urgency and threats to keep the caller on the line and force them to act quickly; they leave behind different numbers for ‘call backs’ and use these numbers for a limited time.

In the name of cleaning the computer using TeamViewer software, the accused used to steal financial and bank account details from the victim’s computers.

“The accused told their victims that their computers would crash unless a virus was dealt with. They claimed to be Microsoft technicians and would remotely take over the computer and then charge for curing the problem by installing free antivirus software. Victims would fall for the lies and paid in dollars for their systems to be ‘cleaned’. Many have succumbed to it, parting with significant sums of money, their computers have been compromised and their personal details have been put at risk,” Pawar said.

The accused ran an illegal business process outsourcing (BPO) unit ‘Microsoft’.

“We are looking at the possibility of involvement of more people in this scam,” he said. yogesh.wagh@goldensparrow.com

BY SUSHANT RANJAN @sushantranjan

The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has decided against building more public toilets in the Camp area, claiming that there are enough public toilets in the area under their jurisdiction. But Camp residents have demanded public toilets in every ward.

There are 56 public toilets in the eight wards under PCB jurisdiction, most of which are in commercial areas.

PCB sources say that there are public toilets at two km distances in their jurisdiction. But the lack of hygiene and safety measures for women are issues that have not been addressed.

PCB CEO Sanjeev Kumar said that the board has decided in January to not

to built any public toilet. He said, “The reason is to encourage residents living in PCB areas to build toilets in their homes. Alongside the central scheme, we will also help citizens with funds for constructing toilets.”

But residents claim that the PCB is not maintaining the public toilets despite having adequate staff for the purpose.

Senior officials said that at New

Modikhana and Bhimpura Lane there is just one public toilet. “We need more public toilets in our jurisdiction. Residents of Modikhana and Bhimpura area have one or two public toilets, which is not enough.

Even in commercial places like Fashion Street and MG Road, we have only one public toilet. People come here from all over Pune and more public toilets are necessary,” said an official.

PCB President Brigadier A K Tyagi said, “Public toilets are difficult to maintain, and most of them are not used very much. The whole concept of having public toilets is increasingly retrograde.”

Vendor Sandeep Deore is unhappy about the state of public toilets in Camp area. He said, “It is total negligence,

and workers are irresponsible. Toilets are downright filthy. Out of three, only one toilet is clean on MG Road. PCB needs to build more public toilets in both commercial and slum areas.”

Swargate resident Santosh Thakur said, “More public toilets are needed in Camp area and they have to be kept clean.”

Yerawada resident Venu Gopal said, “The PCB area is huge and the population keeps increasing. Only 56 public toilets are not enough. What’s the use of slogans like Swachh Bharat if you don’t build more toilets?”

Vendor Bala Sahani said, “Most toilets are filthy and smelly. The board should first keep them clean, then build more toilets.”

Kondhwa resident Sameer Inamdar said, “There are only three public toilets in MG Road area. Only one is clean which has been recently reconstructed.” sushant.ranjan@goldensparrow.com

Probe against Inamdar Hospital for turning down BPL patient

BY PRIYANKKA DESHPANDE @journopriyankka The Inamdar Multispeciality Hospital at Fatimanagar, Wanowrie has been accused of denying medical treatment to Shevanta Shahaji Chavan, 36, of Kumalvadi, Osmanabad, and also driving her away from the hospital premises. Inamdar Hospital is registered as a public trust under the Charity Commission of Maharashtra.

The district administration has ordered a probe into this matter and to issue notice against the hospital.

On the night of January 28, Shevanta, who had high fever and vertigo, was taken to Inamdar Hospital by her brother. The hospital authorities allegedly told them to take her to Sassoon Hospital for free treatment.

Shevanta’s brother narrated this incident to representatives of the Action Committee Against Unfair Medical Practice (ACAUMP), Maharashtra, and the committee forwarded the complaint to the district authority.

According to Bombay Public Trust Act rules, charitable hospitals are duty

Rules for charitable hospitals Charitable hospitals must admit patients immediately in emergencies and provide to the patient ‘Essential Medical Facilities’ for all life saving emergency treatment and procedure till stabilisation. Further transportation to the public hospital would be arranged by such Charitable Hospital, if necessary.

The Charitable Hospital, shall not ask for any deposit in case of admission of emergency patients. bound to treat needy patients for free or at concessional rates.

“My sister is a farm worker in Kumalwadi village and holds the yellow ration card issued to people below the poverty line. On the night of January 28, when Shevanta took ill, I took her to Inamdar Hospital,” said Chavan’s brother Bhau Magar, who lives in Ramtekdi slum. He knew that Inamdar Hospital was registered as a public trust, but he was told by the hospital

management that it was not charitable one.

“They asked for money to admit Shevanta. When I said I had none, they drove me and my sister out of the hospital, and told us to go to Sassoon General Hospital if we wanted to treat her free of cost,” Magar said. Magar then contacted the NGO ACAUMP, and its members went to the hospital.

“Shevanta Chavan had all the necessary documents, including income certificate and ration card to prove that she was entitled for free medical service from charitable hospitals. Inamdar Hospital is registered as a public trust and was near Magar’s house, so I suggested the hospital for Chavan’s treatment,” said Moreshwar Deshpande, Pune volunteer of ACAUMP. He said that there was no signboard showing Inamdar Hospital as a charitable trust on the night of January 28.

“When Inamdar Hospital refused her treatment, we took Shevanta to a private hospital in Hadapsar.

ACAUMP volunteers collectively contributed to pay the medical bill of Rs 16,000,” said Deshpande.

Taking serious note of the episode, Resident District Collector, Rajendra Muthe has instructed his staff to visit the hospital and issue a notice against the hospital.

Meanwhile the Charity Commission claimed that it has not received any complaints against any hospital for the last few months. “Last year we took action against Sancheti Hospital, Poona Hospital, KEM Hospital and Aditya Birla Hospital by directing them to return moneys to BLP patients,” said Shivkumar Dige, Joint Charity Commissioner of Pune region.

Despite several attempts, hospital authorities could not be contacted. priyankka.deshpande@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

PUNE

In past 64 years, budget of the university has grown 40 times. The budget has extended priority to academic programmes, while taking into account the requirements of all stakeholders.

— WN Gade, Vice-Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University

‘Horses can read human emotions’

India not immune to ISIS threat, says UAE

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Has the civic chief set his goals too high?

Commissioner Kunal Kumar proposes to raise Rs 1,550 crore revenue from LBT in the 2016-17 budget

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner Kunal Kumar has proposed Rs 1550 crore in revenue from Local Body Tax (LBT) in the budget for 2016-17. In last year’s budget, the Commissioner had proposed Rs 1495.58 crore from LBT, of which the civic body was able to collect only Rs 1089 crore till December 31, 2015, making for a deficit of Rs 397.58 crore.

The state government had partially abolished LBT from August 1, 2015, and now it is only applicable to traders whose annual income exceeds Rs 50 crore, of which there are 180 traders in PMC limits. The state government has not mentioned the economic crisis resulting from the abolishment

of octroi. The Rs 1550 crore revenue from LBT seems overly optimistic, and is likely to adversely affect PMC development work in the coming year.

LBT came into force on April 1, 2013 in lieu of octroi. The Devendra Fadnavis led BJP government partially abolished LBT from August 1, 2015 in accordance with its promise during the assembly election. The state government had promised financial assistance to local bodies regarding the revenue deficit, but the PMC has received just Rs 117 crore till December 2015. PMC’s development works are largely dependent on LBT, which is its biggest source of revenue.

Deputy Mayor Ulhas alias Aba Bagul said, “Scrapping LBT was the biggest mistake by the Devendra Fadnavis government, as it has not only weakened the local bodies financially, but will adversely affect PMC’s development work. The fact is that 43 per cent of PMC revenue goes towards salaries and maintenance.

PMC spends 37 per cent on the interest on loans and development work. LBT,

The PMC office that deals with matters of Local Body Tax (LBT)

the major source of revenue for the municipal body has been scrapped but the state government has not provided an alternative. The PMC is relying on the state government to make up the revenue deficit. The state government grant is well below the LBT revenue.

PMC must have its own source of revenue. If this situation continues, the PMC will be in dire straits financially and it will have to avail of loans to

pay its employees’ salaries. It is hard to figure out how the Commissioner has proposed revenue of Rs 1550 crore from LBT for 2016-17. That is why not a single bridge or flyover has been proposed in the budget. It is clear that development works are put on the backburner owing to PMC’s dwindling revenue. Earlier there were 70,000 registered traders for LBT, but the Rs 50 crore turnover criterion has reduced

PMC does not care about your health PMC budget ignores NITI Aayog five per cent norm in allocation for healthcare

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar The World Health Organisation (WHO) and National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog had issued strict guidelines to state and local governing bodies to set aside five per cent of their budget amounts for healthcare of.

Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner Kunal Kumar has ignored this, as in the recently tabled budget for 2016-17, he has allotted just four per cent of the total budget amount to healthcare. In 2015, the allocation for healthcare was 4.5 per cent. This financial year the PMC has not only violated the five per cent norm, but has also reduced the allocation for healthcare in the budget. The PMC does not really care about the health of its citizens. While on one hand the commissioner has made commendable efforts to get Pune included in the smart city scheme, when it comes to the citizens’ health, the commissioner has erred by reducing the allowance for health.

Kumar presented a Rs 5199 crore budget to the standing committee on January 25, which includes a Rs 207.33 crore allocation for healthcare, which

Kunal Kumar and Dattatraya Dhankawade

amounts to just four per cent of the budget, thus ignoring the WHO and NITI Aayog norm of five per cent.

PMC provides medical facilities to citizens through its 39 dispensaries, 15 labour rooms, one general hospital and a contagious diseases hospital. The ratio works out to just two beds for a 1000 people in PMC hospitals. There is no provision for an increase in beds in the near future owing to the reduced provision for healthcare.

There is one dialysis centre for ten PMC panels. Currently there are more than 2000 citizens with kidney ailments undergoing dialysis at PMC run hospitals, and paying Rs 400 per dialysis session. About budget allocations for healthcare, corporator and MBBS doctor Siddharth Dhende said, “Pune’s population has crossed the 33 lakh mark, according to the 2011 census. In proportion to this population figure, the allocated Rs 207 crore is really low. The five per cent norm for healthcare made

by NITI Aayog, is binding on the PMC. Healthcare is a vital issue in a fast-changing world. Middle class citizens and poor slum dwellers depend on PMC-run hospitals for medical treatments as they cannot afford the exorbitant private hospital charges.

The Commissioner has already tabled his budget and now he cannot make any changes in it. So we will request standing committee chairman Ashwini Kadam to increase the budget for healthcare to fulfil the five per cent norm.”

PMC acting medical chief Dr S T Pardeshi said, “We had demanded Rs 250 crore for health department during a review meeting before the budget making process. But the Commissioner has given us only Rs 207 crore in the budget, which for a 33-lakh population is very low. And the funeral procession unit’s expenditure too has been added to it, which we had asked to be excluded from the healthcare budget as we were already facing funds crisis, but the Commissioner has ignored it. Now the health department will not have funds to purchase medicines. Therefore we will ask the commissioner for additional funds to purchase necessary medicines. We need Rs 50 crore each for urban poor health scheme and medical assistance plan, but they are giving us only Rs 14 crore each for these two schemes which are greatly beneficial for citizens. How has the Commissioner bypassed the five per cent norm allocation

for healthcare? But we are hoping for additional funds for health from the standing committee.”

Kumar said, “It is true that five per cent of the total budget has to be allocated for healthcare. But this year, due to partial abolishment of Local Body Tax by the state government, the municipal corporation does not have reliable revenue sources. The state government has not yet declared an alternative for LBT so PMC has no option but to wait for state government grants. So we not only had to reduce the budget for healthcare, but also had to reduce funding for every department. We have given four per cent of the total budget to healthcare and it will definitely fulfil needs of this department. We have proposed heath related schemes like a thousand rupees in cash to be given to leprosy patients, Brainstem auditory Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) Test which is useful to diagnose disabilities in new born babies will be installed in PMC run hospitals, to improve psychological health of slum we have introduced Urban Community Mental Health, and a 20-bed hospital at Mitramandal chowk in budget. We will try our best to get funds from the central and state government health related schemes.

Once the state government declares an alternative to LBT, our economic situation will be set right.” tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

We were not drunk or taking selfies: Murud survivors Contd from p1

But it was too late to save the others. “A boy names Iftekar saved a girl but he himself drowned. He is the real hero of our class. When the students were drowning the other students begged the boat owners and other locals for help but the majority of them refused to help. At last a boat owner agreed to help us. With the help of boat owner, localites we along with staff rescued 7 students safely. But we ran late in saving the others. The bodies of the students were evacuated from the sea. We

requested some localites to pump out the water from the body of our female friends, but they were reluctant. Then we ourselves staff and localites did this.

The locals started to help late, but till then had lost our classmates,” states the facebook post.They reached Murud Janjira beach at around 2 pm, had lunch, and after a briefing from their teachers about safety, they went for a swim.

Swapnali was the first one who started floundering in the sea, and three of the students rushed to help her. It was high tide and it caught even those who were

trying to help unawares.

Meanwhile, parents of the deceased feel that the faculty and management should have ensured their children’s safety. They are also questioning the role of the teachers and support staff who were along with the picnic group.

P A Inamdar’s claims of sending ambulances and other help have also been refuted by the parents, who said that they had to manage on their own.“Nobody warned us about high tides and neither were there any warning boards or lifeguards. Had we received help, we would

the number drastically to just 180. But even they do not pay LBT on time, which has compounded the PMC’s economic crisis. Instead of grants as compensation, the state government must chalk out a concrete revenue model for municipal corporations.”

PMC’s leader of opposition Arvind Shinde said, “PMC revenue has decreased after the abolition of LBT. We do not know how the Commissioner has estimated a revenue of Rs 1550 crore from LBT in 201617. Despite LBT being applicable to all traders of the city, the administration was unable to achieve last year’s target.

How will they achieve this year’s higher target? The Commissioner is fooling people with false revenue figures. The state government has kept the PMC in limbo by abolishing LBT and not providing an alternative. By abolishing its chief revenue source, the state government is attacking the PMC autonomy, which is contrary to the 74th amendment of the Constitution.”

Commissioner Kunal Kumar said, “The Rs 1550 crore target is

challenging but we are confident about achieving it. We have considered previous statistics to arrive at this estimate for 2016-17. We are trying to bring more traders into the LBT purview, to augment the current number of 180 traders. Monthly LBT collection statistics are conveyed to the state government, which compensates us accordingly. We are ensuring that development works do not suffer due to the funds crunch. The government is likely to come up with a solution in the coming days. Goods and Services Tax (GST) could be a solution but the government has to decide. We are finding new revenue sources without imposing any economic burden on the common man.”

About bridge and flyovers, Kumar said, “Bridges and flyovers are not the absolute solution for traffic congestion and that is why we have not proposed any new bridge or flyover. Our target is to complete pending works of bridges and flyovers by the end of this year.” tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

No salaries for Sassoon guards

Sassoon Hospital has not paid the security guards their salaries since November

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1 The state-run Sassoon General Hospital has not paid its 130-member security staff for the last three months. Naturally these unpaid guards are at their wits end as they face extreme hardship and starvation. They have threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike if they do not get paid at the end of February.

The hospital administration claims that funds have not been sanctioned by the state government for the guards’ salaries.

The guards who earn Rs 9500 per month, work in three shifts on the 21acre premises of the hospital and B J Medical College, and are posted at the in and out gates, casualty ward, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) wards of all departments, forensic department etc. The guards screen the thousands of visitors to the hospital every day. .

Most of the younger security guards are from the rural regions of Maharashtra. “I live in the Swargate area where I have accommodation on

B J Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital Dean Dr Ajay Chandanwale said that the salary were not paid as funds were not approved by the health ministry.

“We are following up and the issue will be sorted out within a week and payments will be made.” cot basis, for which I pay Rs 1500 as monthly rent. I owe my landlord three months’ rent and he has threatened to evict me,” said one of the guards.

Another guard lives in Daund and travels up and down by local train. “I don’t have money for my train ticket and often go without food as I have no money,” he said.

The guards have been provided by Pune district Security Guard Board, a semi-government security agency, in October 2011. This was after Yogesh Raut, the main suspect in the Nayana Pujari rape-murder case, escaped from a hospital bathroom. Then Pune police had asked the hospital authorities to beef up the security to avert such incidents.

have been able save our friends,” said Nikhil Khandagale. The post put up by the group reiterates that they were neither drunk, nor taking selfies, as was reported by a section pf media. “We were not drunk. Nobody warned us about high tides. We were not taking sefies in water. Teachers were not irresponsible.

We were not forced to come to the picnic. The beach did not have any warning boards, it didn’t have any lifeguards.

It also do not have any boundaries of danger area,” states the post. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

Retired government officials made to run for their dues Retired Zilla Parishad employees decry extended delays in payment of post-retirement dues

BY PRIYANKKA DESHPANDE @journopriyankka What’s in a name? Well, nothing or not much, if one thinks of how the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) department of Bhor has treated one of its employees.

Shobha Pardeshi worked as Project Development Officer for 28 years in the Bhor district DWCD, before retiring

from service at the age of 58, in 2010.

Since then Pardeshi’s experience at the hands of the WCW has been something of an ordeal. To collect her travel allowance dues of Rs 39,000, Pardeshi has had to travel 82 km every fortnight to the Zilla Parishad (ZP) offices. Now, at the age of 64, the timeconsuming, physically exhausting travel has become a foreboding prospect.

Pardeshi was hoping for resolution of her case by the Lokayukta, but to her dismay, the hearing scheduled for February 12 has been postponed to March 1. And she will have to go to Mumbai for the hearing.

“After I retired in 2010, I asked to be paid my dues from the Group

Insurance Scheme, Provident Fund, service incentive leave and travel allowance. But the ZP authorities in did not pay much heed to my request and made some excuse or another,” said Pardeshi. She mailed a letter to the Lokayukta in 2013, and eventually received the Group Insurance Scheme and Provident Fund dues in 2014, and her service incentive leave dues in 2015.

“I am yet to get receive my travel allowance of Rs 39,000. On every trip to their office, the ZP authorities have told me that they had not received grant from the state government to pay my travel allowance. The money is rightfully mine after 28 years of service

with the ZP,” Pardeshi said.

Pardeshi’s is not a solitary case.

Khed resident Ananda Naikare, a retired Village Development Officer at Ambegaon, has not been paid his gratuity fund and other dues amounting to Rs ten lakh.

“I have been forced to make the rounds of the office ZP for my postretirement dues for three and a half years. My family and I are now in dire straits financially as we were counting on the ten lakh rupees in dues that the ZP owes me,” said Naikare. Now 63, he wanted to hand his son some money as capital to start his own business. But as things have turned out, his son has been forced to take up a job in a factory.

“I have submitted all the required documents related to my postretirement dues, but all they do make one excuse or another. At times they have been outright rude to me. I even wrote to the Lokayukta in this regard, expecting some consideration,” said Naikare. The ZP authority did not inform him of the Lokayukta hearing postponement.

Dehu Road resident Nivedita Salunke had a five-year wait, before her pension order was finally passed on February 2. She had availed of voluntary retirement due to ill health. It was her husband Dnyaneshwar who has had to make the rounds of the ZP office for her pension. “We are well off but my

wife served as teacher in ZP school for 15 years, and the pension if her rightful due,” said Dnyaneshwar. Another irritant has been the ZP authorities’ demand for some new document every time.

The ZP authorities however, have refuted all these charges made by the retired employees, and instead blamed them for not submitting the necessary documents. “If they do not provide all the necessary documents, how can we process things further? Without fulfilling their obligations, these people keep harassing us instead,” said Sanjay Kendre, Desk Officer of General Branch of ZP. priyankka.deshpande@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

Climate change likely to extend for next 10,000 years: study

The squad will not only evict hawkers doing business illegally, but also remove encroachment on roads and tackle stray animals like dogs and cattle on the busy streets in the Camp area. We shall create a legal framework for the squad.

— Sanjeev Kumar, CEO, Pune Cantonment Board

BY SUSHANT RANJAN @sushantranjan

In another ‘Make in India’ initiative, scientists at the National C h e m i c a l Laboratory (NCL), Pune are developing innovative material for bullet-proof vests to be used by the armed forces.

Dr Vivek Ranade N C L Chemical Engineering & Process Development Division Deputy Director and Chairman Dr Vivek Ranade said that they were working on the material for the bullet-proof vest. “We were working with the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO).

Now this important and prestigious project is being co-ordinated by Niti Aayog. There are other organisations involved in this project like DRDO and other labs. We are not making the vests but are making the key nano-silica particles,” he said.

The material will have the property of converting itself into a thick, solid material when hit by a high speed bullet, which will protect the person wearing it.

RAHUL RAUT

Pune lab to make innovative material for bullet-proof vests

“The technology is based on the use of a slurry of silica nano particles which exhibit significant shear thickening characteristics. This makes it an ideal material for the vest, as it is neither too stiff and nor too soft,” Ranade said.

The DRDO, a nodal agency for the development of defence equipment systems in India, has worked with renowned scientific laboratories in the country for specific requirements such as metals and fuels. Claiming that this was the first such initiative in the country, one of the senior scientists said, “If one goes by the research debates in foreign scientific and defence journals, such techniques are either being developed or are in use in the US, European countries and Japan. But the import of such material is too costly. We analysed

this aspect before starting research.”

The bullet-proof vests currently used by security forces weigh 3.8 kg and are made bullet-resistant with the use of kevlar, eight layers of which are packed inside the jacket. Thirty-two layers are needed to stop all types of bullets.

The major portion of such jackets is comprised of Kevlar manufactured by Du Pont. The eight kevlar layers form compartments filled with polymeric liquid. In comparison, the new vests will only weigh two kg.

NCL scientists Dr Surendra Ponrathnam and Dr NN Chavan, and their team are working on this project, which is also supported by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). sushant.ranjan@goldensparrow.com

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Make in India and hate in India cannot go together: Tharoor

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Amol Palekar meets with an accident

Woman attacked by leopard in Junnar

BY PRIYANKKA DESHPANDE @journopriyankka

Behind the wheel of a BMW, actor got into a tiff with a cab driver after the minor accident near Law College Road

A 31-year old woman was attacked by a leopard in Mangalur village in Junnar Taluka around 5 pm on February 11.

The animal attacked the victim Kavita Kumbhar when she was working in the farm along with her husband Pradeep Kumbhar. The leopard was living in their farm. Pradeep, who was toiling in the farm around 70 feet from Kavita, rushed to her rescue and drove the leopard away. After initial treatment in the primary health centre in Mangalur village, Pradeep brought her wife to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital where she was discharged after treatment.

“Her condition is stable now,” Pradeep said. The villagers regularly spot leopards near village. Forest authorities hold villagers responsible for leopard attacks in Junnar Taluka. “We have spread awareness among villagers.

Leopard is afraid of humans and we have been telling villagers to keep wooden stick or knife with them. We have a leopard rescue centre in Mangalur and have installed cages also but have failed to catch any animal yet,” said Deputy Conservator of Forest in Junnar VA Dhokate, adding that Junnar Taluka is home to around twenty leopards. priyankka.deshpande@goldensparrow.com

BY YOGESH WAGH @YogeshWagh1857 Amol Palekar, the well-known Hindi film star and film-maker, met with a minor accident on Thursday night at 9 pm, near Law College Road. Palekar, going towards Nal stop, was driving a BMW which brushed against a Swift Dzire at the signal. Sandhya Gokhale and singer V N Krishna were the copassengers in the actor’s car.

An argument ensued between the drivers of both cars after the incident.

Neither Palekar nor the Maruti car driver Manohar Shankar Niturkar would admit to being at fault. The verbal altercation caught the attention of passersby, and this soon led to a traffic jam which took more than an hour to be diffused. The police arrived and the dispute shifted to the Prabhat Police chowky, under Deccan Police Station.

Niturkar was also going towards Nal stop and was at the traffic signal at Barista coffee shop. “As the light turned green, the vehicle alongside suddenly turned right and brushed against my driver side door,” he said. Palekar refused to make

any comment regarding the incident, but it had left some scratches at the rear of his car.

Senior Police inspector P A Chougule said that it was a minor accident, no one was injured, and that they had registered complaints of both parties, under the Motor Vehicle Act, for insurance procedure formalities.

Traffic activist Siddharth Bhagat said, “I was an eye witness to the incident.

There were no traffic police personnel around, and this led to the traffic jam owing to the curious bystanders.”

Palekar, 71, registered his statement at the station which took quite some time. The veteran is known for hit films like ‘Gol Maal’, ‘Chitchor’ and ‘Chhoti Si Baat’. yogesh.wagh@goldensparrow.com

Kitten dies after being flung from second floor balcony The kitten’s owners claim they were bathing the animal when she slipped

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Screen shots of the kitten falling and later being lifted by a Samaritan residing in the Viman Nagar society

13, 2016

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A month after the incident of a dog being dragged to death on Pune roads, another instance of cruelty to an animal has come to light.

On January 15, a kitten was thrown down from the second floor balcony of building number 10 of Konark Housing Society in Viman Nagar. The injured kitten was picked up by a passing pedestrian. Many people happened to see the incident, and an eye-witness called up animal rights activist Anson Joseph. “I was shocked to hear about a little kitten being thrown off a second floor balcony,” Anson said.

Despite there being video evidence of the incident, the police have refused to lodge a complaint, though the

application has been filed twice in a fortnight.

“We went to the police station to lodge a complaint on January 18 but the officers refused, stating that they needed to talk to the residents.” It should have been easy to identify the culprits since there is only one balcony facing the road where the kitten was thrown. The police kept saying that they couldn’t find the tenants,” Anson said. The tenants are a group of students of a nearby college. “The police asked us to come back after a few days,” Anson said.

On February 7, Anson went to the police station again, armed with CCTV camera footage of the incident.

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building,” Anson said. The footage clearly shows the kitten being flung down on the road but the police refused to take any action. “When I went to enquire about the status of the complaint, the police said that the case had been solved, without registering the FIR,” Anson said. “The police said that one of the boys was trying to bathe the kitten, when it clawed at him and the boy lost his grip, and the kitten fell from the second floor,” he said. But the police had no evidence to support their claim. “I asked them if the guy was bathing the kitten in the balcony.

If the kitten had indeed clawed him, show me the injury,” Anson told the police. The police had no answer.

“No one wants to waste time doing the rounds of the police station, when the police are not willing to lodge an FIR,” Anson said. He filed the second complaint on February 11, that reads, “This is the second attempt to register the FIR. Request you to take action and register FIR.” “The incident is being blown up out of proportion. The kitten slipped from the boy’s hand and fell,” said Sanjay Kurundkar, senior police inspector of the Viman Tal police station. “There’s no proof that the kitten was deliberately thrown.” When TGS Team tried to speak to them, the tenants of the apartment refused to open the door. gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

US Versys the world

From a plump kid to a svelte ad-woman

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

PUNE

“Education is the only thing that can empower women. Hence, we will be starting a one-hour session in parts of the state with high concentration of Muslim women” — Razia Patel, Head of Minority Cell, Indian Institute of Education

“I propose that everyone, men and women, be allowed to visit the Shani Shingnapur temple and that no one be allowed beyond a decided boundary” — Sri Sri Ravishankar, Spiritual Guru

They are on a mission to civilise Young Puneites do their bit to serve society and encourage citizens to take part in neighbourhood improvement initiatives

BY SALONEE MISTRY @SaloneeMistry Working at Amdocs as a software professional, 31-year-old Devendra Jani is the former curator of Global S h a p e r s CommunityPune Hub. Having gained a world of experience after taking part in programmes related to community issues, he and 14 Devendra Jani others that are now a part of the hub not only addresses various issues faced by the society but also persuade others to be a part of it. A part of the World Economic Forum (WEF), this community is present in 350 cities in India, including Pune. Currently working on three projects, the Pune hub is taking up the gruelling task of not only shouldering the responsibility of solving the issues that the city faces but also of convincing people to get involved in their community campaigns. Citizens who take an active role in community issues develop skills and knowledge that they need to participate effectively. “We make them

believe that they can make a difference and appeal for their participation,” Devendra said.

ONGOING PROJECTS Uneven roads, no footpaths, motorist driving on footpaths, dumping of plastic waste and flouting of civic rules are some of the major issues the society faces. One of the projects that the hub is involved in is that of ‘Right to Walk’.

Under this initiative, the group not only wants to target the problems that locals face when it comes to walking on footpaths but also of pedestrians who use roads. The campaign encourages pedestrians to actually get out on the streets, walk about and find issues in their localities that they could help solve. “The authorities in the city are responsive and open to hearing problems that locals face. We enable citizens to see the ways in which their participation is helpful and important. Citizens should speak and bring up issues that they are facing so that they can be resolved at the earliest,” Devendra said.

The local chapter’s second programme is ‘Sustainable Saturday’ wherein the shapers urge shops and malls of the city to switch to paper bags instead of plastic and work towards a better tomorrow. The shapers talk to

The Global Shapers of Pune Hub holding banners during the Pedestrian Walk, requesting citizens to follow traffic rules

the owners of shops and malls about the issues that the community faces because of excessive use of plastics and convince them to switch to paper bags. Their third campaign ‘Bal Guru Programme’ aims to educate young school going children with the right values that they believe the society needs. “It is important to indoctrinate lessons of gender equality and environmental consciousness in them from a young age. They are the shapers of tomorrow and it is important that

they have the right values,” Devendra said. The group also holds a pedestrian walk on October 2 every year to push citizens not only to notice the issues that their neighbourhood is facing but also to walk towards a fitter lifestyle.

All the programmes are conducted for a maximum of three months, excluding the pedestrian walk, to ensure that the zeal and enthusiasm to work on the issue does not die down. The topics are decided based on a voting system between the shapers of the hub.

Life as dwarf is a tall sad story

Many short people end up as clowns in parties, circus and beggars

BY SANTOSHEE MISHRA @santosheemishra Children bedtime stories always show dwarfs with magical powers and leading a fairy kind of life. In real life, these people have only sad tales to tell. Like other cities, many dwarfs in Mumbai are living in pitiable condition.

They are the socially and economically deprived section of society. Many are unable to walk more than 100 steps at a time and their height cause a handicap in day-to-day activities and normal life function. Dwarfs are made subject of ridicule in society and face consequential discrimination in all walks of life. Many are forced to beg on streets to make both ends meet.

Fahim Irfan Shaikh (19) of Govandi in the eastern suburb of Mumbai is three feet and six inches tall. “I always wanted to played cricket since childhood but could not hold the bat because of its height. The other boys in my neighbourhood never took me in the team and used to laugh at me. My parents and six sisters are of average height but I am the only child in the family gifted by the Almighty with this height,” Fahim said.

Whenever he approached school authorities or privately managed schools, he was told that the children, instead of studying, make fun and laugh at him. Finally, he had to drop out of the municipal corporation school in Govandi. They thought dwarfness is a physical disorder. “Is it my fault that I am short in height? My classmates used to touch me to confi rm whether I am real,” he said.

Even though every generation has walked one step ahead in accepting different people, the gap regarding one group has largely been the same: dwarf.

(From left) Fahim Shaikh, Irfan Shaikh, Zahir Shaikh and Salim Shaikh

There are too many misconceptions about what life is like when you’re small. There are a few things to keep in mind the next time you meet a dwarf. Generally, people are dwarf illiterate and it includes many educated individuals who assume everybody of dwarf size as the same dwarf. Dwarfism is just a genetic mutation called skeletal dysplasia. While technically this is a hereditary condition, it’s also very recessive.

Fahim states that even on roads and in public transport, people treat him differently and make him a subject of fun and humiliation because of his height. Now, Fahim’s son is also facing the same discrimination.

The height of 35-year-old Irfan is 4.2 feet and his 10-year-old son is 2.7 feet. “My son is afraid to venture out of home because everyone teases him and he has even stopped going to school.

My parents have normal height but I was born dwarf. I have faced all kinds of humiliation in life,” said Irfan, who works as spot boy and junior artist.

“My height became a hindrance for taking up any decent job. I started a vada pav stall but the height of handcart was minimum 3.5 feet so I could not serve customers properly.

I also tried odd jobs as a daily wager but could not lift a standard box as my hands are small,” he said, adding that the authorities should provide them with physically disabled certificate.

Many activists have prayed that dwarfs should be included in the Schedule of the Disabled Persons by the Central Government as well as the State Government for giving reservation in appointments.

“We are about 60 dwarfs living in Mumbai and many beg for a living.

Imagine our state of life that we cannot even withdraw a railway ticket from window due to our height. We have to request others to get a ticket for us,” Irfan said, adding that he had to bribe an official to get a physical disability certificate to avail the facility of physically handicap compartment in trains.

Short height seemed to have favoured four-feet-tall Zahir Shaikh.

The junior artist has acted in many Bollywood fi lms including ‘Angar’, ‘Balwan’, ‘No Smoking’, ‘Janeman’ and Hollywood blockbuster ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’.

“I am a popular name in fi lm industry but I was forced to take up acting because of my short height. My wife is short as I but my two children have normal height,” Zahir said.

Many people of short height end up in circus or take up the role of clowns in birthday parties.

“I have set up a photography studio in Govandi. I even write scripts. I am better off but faced humiliation when a small time producer approached me to make a movie with dwarfs,” said 4.4 ft tall Salim Shaikh (39).

Salim’s producer and director friend made a movie ‘Aakhari Gabbar’ with artists who are 1.5 ft to 4.6 ft tall. However, the fi lm could not see the light of day despite completion and all artists, including internationally acclaimed Zahir Shaikh, did not get any monetary benefit.

Now, they are planning to form an association and approach the health minister to provide them with jobs.

“Our children if of short height should be provided education and treated well in society. We don’t want them to lead a life like us,” Fahim said. santoshee.mishra@goldensparrow.com

BEING A SHAPER To be a part of the global shapers community, one should have been previously involved in working for the community. The World Economic Forum classifies the youth between the ages 20 and 33 years and every participant of the community must fall under this age group. What the Pune hub does is if there is anyone who they think fits the bill but does not fit in the age bracket or is just below the cut but has scope for improving, they get them

in place.”

Eminent astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar described the event as “a remarkable discovery saying this is the time to recall the contribution of the pioneers”, who started the quest for discovering gravitational waves.

One of the IUCAA founder members Sanjeev Dhurandhar had discussed the topic of starting research in this field at nascent stage and

later it was taken up and intensified, Narlikar who started IUCAA in 1988, said drawing a loud cheer from the assemblage.

Noted scientist CV Vishweswairya described the discovery as a “historic moment”, which is “overwhelming”.

The IUCAA is part of the ‘IndiGO-LSC’ group, which carries out research on gravitational waves with participation of different scientists

from all over the country.

Former director of IUCAA, Ajit Kembhavi, said the Indian scientific community contributed greatly in developing methods for analysing the data received from the two detectors in America.

He also added that the IUCAA is seeking to set up a high performance computer for its further analysis.

PTI

THE COMMUNITY One of the multi-stakeholder communities at the World Economic Forum, the Global Shapers are a group of young global leaders with thoughtprovoking ideas. While there are a few basic guidelines laid down by the forum that the local hubs must follow, they operate autonomously and have the option of forming some of their own guidelines. The main criterion of the community is to encourage, increase the confidence and motivate these young leaders willing to contribute to society. The Community’s international reach allows the shapers to get opportunities to interact at global levels and learn from other shapers world over. While it is important for each person to contribute, it is equally important to recognise, appreciate, and utilise the strengths of young shapers. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

This man gifted his fiance a cycle on their engagement

BY SHEKHAR PAIGUDE @TGSWeekly

Software engineer Abhijeet Kupate surprised all at his engagement ceremony. Along with the ring, his fiancé Shreya also received a cycle.

Abhijeet gives utmost importance to environment. He spent half of the money saved for engagement ring to gift a cycle to his life partner. He bought a simple engagement ring but is happy to buy a bicycle for his spouse.

The young couple is doing their bit for a greener tomorrow. Shreya daily cycles 12km to workplace. “Before engagement Abhijeet told me about his #biketowork campaign. I was inspired by his initiative towards environment and started cycling to workplace,” she said.

Abhijeet who hails from Kolhapur has been living in Pune since 2006. He is a senior software engineer with Great Software in Baner. When asked about his love for cycling and environment, he said, “My grandfather who was a headmaster at a school in Kolhapur used to cycle to school every day. He was active in environmental activities like plantation and irrigation. He is my inspiration.”

He grabbed the opportunity to cycle long distance when his friends planned the Manali-Leh cycle trek.

As a basic level of fitness is required for moderate to long distance cycling, Abhijeet started cycling to workplace. And the trek to Leh sealed his commitment to environment conservation.

Indian scientists in gravitational wave reality Former Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar congratulated the team of Indian scientists who contributed to the research on gravitational waves calling it a “great day”.

Reacting to the announcement at a gathering of scientists of InterUniversity Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), he said, “I wish the Indian detector was already

on board as an intern. Th is is their way of supporting and encouraging the youngsters. Devendra said, “Their achievements, leadership potential and commitment to make a difference is the main criteria on which they are judged. Th is happens over three rounds and the curator or the person heading the local hub has the last word. Every individual has unique talents, skills, cultural heritage, experiences, beliefs, and values. Hence, each person tends to learn different things from the experience of getting involved in community issues.”

Abhijeet Kupte and wife Shreya regularly go cycling

“The crystal clear weather of the Himalayas cleaned the dust of urban life from my mind. The roads were free of traffic and congestion. The trip resolved my commitment to do my bit to protect environment,” said Abhijeet, who soon took up environmental related activities.

“Professional responsibilities and meeting deadlines is challenging and stressful at workplace. You get little time for any physical activity. Cycling acts as a catalyst for environment and personal health,” he said.

Abhijeet has also gifted bicycles to his friends. His Kolhapur-based friend Kirtiraj Desai who is pursuing his doctorate, said, “He convinced me take up cycling. I have now requested my colleagues to bicycle to office.”

Abhijeet’s office colleague Pawan Athaley said, “Abhijeet is the force behind the change in workplace. Now the CEO (chief executive officer) and other directors often come to office on bicycle.”

Abhijeet is an active member of Karjmukt Shetkari group that raises Rs 500 every month for droughtaffected people in Marathwada region of Maharashtra. He works with Save Pune Traffic Movement launched by an NGO on traffic solutions in Pune city. Abhijeet believes in sustainable lifestyle. His Facebook page covers his cycling activities.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi that ‘you must be the change you wish to see in the world’, Abhijeet has set an example for others to follow. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

TECH/START-UP In 1932, Professor August Dvorak created the Dvorak keyboard, which was made to be superior to the standard QWERTY keyboard —http://www.thefactsite.com/

For the love of stationery When they aren’t busy at their workplace, these two friends love to make some of the prettiest stationery

BY SALONEEMISTRY @SaloneeMistry Two interior designers have taken their love and obsession for stationery to a new level. Pune’s Twisha Maniar, 28, and Mumbai’s Dipti Sharma, 26, met each other for the first time at their workplace in the state’s financial capital in 2012. And their interest for writing materials cemented and their friendship grew too.

While relaxing at the comfort of Twisha’s Pune flat in 2015, the duo decided that it would be great if they could find stationery to match different moods. And being perfectionists, they decided to make their own stationery.

And a friendship that developed four years ago was sealed with the launch of their venture ‘Love at First Sight’ in 2015. They rate the call to work together as the single quickest decision of their lives.

The duo found that unlike Singapore and other countries where stationery is available for

The small table calenders created by Deepti (L) and Twisha (below)

every mood, options in India were very few. “Our inspiration was the numerous stationery shops we found in Singapore during one of our trips there. It’s all very pretty and leaves you wanting more,” said Twisha.

Both of them design every

single thing that goes on their books and notepads, trying to make every product as personal as possible. Their inspiration lies heavily on everything that they see around them, especially when they travel. “Inspiration never comes from one single thing.

Our designs are a combination of small things that we pick up from various artists around us,” she said.

When they started off, they used their own small investment from what they had saved and made the first lot of notepads, books and calendars. While it was a little difficult trying to convince the family on why every stationery has to be pretty, they found support from their elders and relatives.

Initially they had absolutely no idea about manufacturing, different kinds of paper and other details that went into the process

of making the stationery, but they slowly got a hang of that too.

Going along with the theme ‘love yourself ’, the stationery varies from floral and flowing designs to random sketches that they get inspired to pen. Their use of colour and design is peppy, vibrant and makes one feel good. The duo took online tutorials to learn designing and believe that their profession helped them learn the basics faster and get the colouring right. They try to make their work as relatable as possible to whoever is buying their stationery. Motivational quotes like ‘Get Shit Done’ and ‘Do it’ sprawled across the notepad gets the point across simple and straight.

The best part for both of them is that they get to work as a team.

Being best friends they understand each other well and can always balance their work schedule. Their customised calendars are their highest sellers as of now. While getting individual personalised items is also a great option, they suggest at least an order 10-15 items at one go to lower the cost.

Both of them believe that their stationery brings about a feel-good factor.

Talking about the price tag.

The to-do list notepad is priced at Rs 200, calendars start from Rs 300, spiral bound notepads at Rs 180 and diaries for Rs 200.

They also personalise magnets, mugs and coasters. They dream of having their own little shop in the city soon.

Get in touch: 9890364022 salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

Gravity-defying shoes to simulate Moonwalk!

The footwear contain strategically inserted magnets at the base to create a force field A US-based start-up has designed gravity defying, ‘out-of-the-world’ footwear equipped with superpowerful magnets that simulate the feeling of walking on the Moon.

The shoes named ‘20:16 MoonWalker’ contain strategically inserted magnets at the base to create a force field, leaving wearers light on their feet.

The shoes rely on N45 neodymium magnets, which are among the most powerful permanent magnets known.

There are different levels of magnets, like N40, 42 and 45, and their strength level depends on their composition, which is primarily a mix of neodymium, iron and boron, said Patrick Jreijiri, a mechanical engineer and designer for the shoes.

“N45 is stronger than the rest and still on the cheap side,” Jreijiri told ‘Live Science’.

There are around 12 to 13 magnets on one layer that repel a mirror image of 12 to 13 magnets on another layer in each shoe. The repellent force comes from the orientation of the magnets, which are arranged so that their north poles align with each other.

The magnets range from 2.5 to 5

centimetres (cm) in diameter. The 5cm magnets are strong enough to move 12 kilogrammes (kg) of material, and the 2.5cm magnets are capable of moving objects up to 24kg, Jreijiri said.

The magnets and resulting repulsion cover the entire area of the foot, so when a person is walking, they are pushing against the combined strength of the magnets, Jreijiri said.

The space between the magnets creates a sort of cushion and adjusts to how a person walks, according to the company Moonshine Crea.

The gap also means that an individual’s weight would not be a factor in the sensation they will feel while wearing the MoonWalker shoes, Jreijiri said, as long as the wearer is less than 183kg, at which point the magnets would collapse.

PTI

Google to offer ‘Flood Alerts’ on maps, Now Cards in India Technology giant Google will make public emergency alerts for floods available in India as part its efforts to make critical information more accessible around natural disasters.

“Users in India can now fi nd ‘flood alerts’ along with ‘river level’ information for more than 170 areas in which the Central Water Commission (CWC) has active observation stations,” Google said in a statement.

These alerts are available on web search, Google Now Cards on the Google app, maps as well as Google Public Alerts homepage, it added.

These can be accessed on desktop and mobile devices.

The alerts will be created and

shared using data provided by the CWC, Google said.

“Timely information is the fi rst step in disaster preparedness and has the potential to save thousands of lives lost to natural disasters each year,” Google Product Manager Payal Patel said.

By making critical information more widely available to people, Flood Alerts will enable citizens across the country to make quicker and more informed decisions, she added.

In 2015, Google introduced ‘cyclone alerts’ to show information about cyclones in India. It offers information with details about the hazard, including a map and

expected timeline, as well as tips on how to stay safe.

Among all the natural disasters that occur in India, floods are the most common. Chronic floods during the monsoon season on an average affect more than 30 million Indians annually.

According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), on an average 7.21 million hectares (roughly 72,000 sq km) go under floodwater annually.

Th is water typically ravages 3.78 million hectares of agricultural land, damaging crops worth Rs.1,118 crore annually. Heavy rains and floods also account for nearly 1,700 lives lost annually, the statement said.

PTI

FEBRUARY 13, 2016

PUNE

Complete projects before time: Modi P 13

Disappointed but will not give up: Zuckerberg Facebook’s Free Basics plan came in from major criticism from experts who alleged that it curbed one’s freedom to access the Internet

BY LALIT K JHA Voicing disappointment over India’s decision on net neutrality, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has said he will not give up on breaking down connectivity barriers in India which he described as an important goal for his company.

“While we’re disappointed with the decision, I want to personally communicate that we are committed to keep working to break down barriers to connectivity in India and around the world. Internet.org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the Internet,” he said.

“Internet.org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the Internet,” Zuckerberg said in a post on the Facebook, his first reaction to the ruling of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on net neutrality.

Backing net neutrality, telecom watchdog TRAI barred operators from charging different rates for Internet access based on content, dealing a blow to Facebook’s controversial Free Basics and other such plans.

Facebook’s Free Basics plan came in from major criticism from experts who alleged that it curbed one’s freedom to access the Internet of their choice.

“Today India’s telecom regulator decided to restrict programmes that provide free access to data. This restricts one of Internet.org’s initiatives, Free Basics, as well as programmes by other organisations that provide free access to data,” Zuckerberg, also the chairman and chief executive of the social networking giant, said.

He claimed that Facebook’s work with Internet.org around the world has already improved many people’s lives.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg

“Connecting India is an important goal we won’t give up on, because more than a billion people in India don’t have access to the internet,” Zuckerberg said.

“We know that connecting them can help lift people out of poverty, create millions of jobs and spread education opportunities. We care about these people, and that’s why we’re so committed to connecting them,” he said. More than 19 million people in 38 countries have been connected through Facebook’s different programmes.

“Our mission is to make the world more open and connected. That mission continues, and so does our commitment to India,” he said.

“That’s why we launched Internet.org with so many different initiatives - including extending networks through solar-powered planes, satellites and lasers, providing free data access through Free Basics, reducing data use through apps, and empowering local entrepreneurs through Express Wi-Fi,” Zuckerberg said.

PTI

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

Touche, on target with the SPORT OF FENCING Fencing, or Olympic fencing to be precise, is not a sport India is known for.

But fencing has been spreading its graceful, classical allure amidst the city’s sports fraternity, testimony to this being that the city is home to more than a thousand devoted fencers, among whom are a 100 national level stars

I

ndia, and Maharashtra being the bastion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, have a long and illustrious history of war, valour and a sword was a weapon that our kings and warriors were immensely adept and proficient in the use of.

Fencing, despite its origins being Italian and French, is still another style and discipline of sword play. Fencing arrived in Pune in 2004, when Sharad Anna and Ravi Pawar set up a fencing association. Anna and Pawar had enthusiasm and ideas aplenty, but they had not much in the form of support and finance so it all remained rather

S

Fencing is in their genes

GAME OF CONCENTRATION Fencing is slowly picking up in the city. However, there is a lack of awareness about the game. The sport requires the greatest amount of concentration.

I dream of representing India at the Olympics soon.

– Omkar Borkar

AVINASH & ABHISHEK DUDHANE

This game is magical and unique. I have been playing fencing for nine years now. Being a taekwondo player, the moment I saw this game, it did not take long for me to absorb the tricks.

– Kunal Gandhi

A

low key and under the radar. Until the sports head of Mahavir Pratishthan School, national level taekwondo player Avinash Dudhane, entered the fencing arena. Dudhane happened to see a fencing bout at a taekwondo tournament in Nashik. So thoroughly and instantly fascinated was Dudhane with that first glimpse of fencing, that he vowed to take it up and master it if he could. Not just that, he was determined to spread the joys of fencing to other athletes, and thus Dudhane took up the reins as Secretary of the Fencing Association of Pune in 2007.

There has been no looking back, and the energetic and enterprising Dudhane and his like-minded fencing aficionados, took up to coaching

youngsters of the city, who responded with an equal enthusiasm. From just one, Dudhane and company have set up a handful of fencing training centres in the city. On weekends, you will see more than a hundred young fencers being put through their steps by their coaches at Mahavir Pratishthan School.

Growing from strength to strength, fencing, thanks to the Fencing Association of Pune, has taken firm root in the city, and the rewarding fallout is that Pune’s fencers are beginning to make a serious mark on the fencing scene in India.

WHAT IS FENCING? Fencing, or Olympic fencing is a late

19th century competitive sport, an Italian modification of classical fencing that was further refined by the French.

An Olympic sport, fencing is an art of attack and defense and was included for the first time at the 1896 Games in Athens. Both the Italians and Germans claim that their country gave birth to this game in the 14th or 15th century.

It is combat between two fencers, the field of battle being a six x 40 foot ‘piste’. There are three categories of fencing, defined by the three weapons used in the sport, called épée, foil and sabre. Made of tempered steel, the swords are about 89 cm in length, the foil and sabre weighing approximately 500g, while the épée is a heavier 770g.

Points are scored by thrusts of the blunted sword tip into the opponent’s body.

In a bout, a fencer is attired in a jacket, knickers, gloves, mask and there is also a chest protector for women. A key component is the body wire to determine the points, which is connected to the sword and the apparatus via pulley.

It is a team sport as well, with 12 players making up a fencing team which is divided into three groups according to the event.

The scoring machine or apparatus records the points, with green and red lights that light up when the fencers strike each other. ekta.katti@goldensparrow.com

THE CATEGORIES Foil: Light thrusts only with the tip of the blade result in points. Touches should be targeted only at the torso, including the back and shoulders of the opponents. Fencers wear a metallic vest known as lame which covers the target area. Any hits other than the predefined target will halt the match. Épée: Fencers can score points with light thrusts only with the tip of the blade with the entire body being the target area. Off target hits do not halt the match.

Sabre: The target portion is up till the waist, except the hands. The tip and sides of the blade should thrust into the target area which is covered by a metallic vest. Off target hits do not halt the match.

my family always encouraged me to devote myself to sports.”

A student of Mahavir Pratishthan School, Sachin was a district level cricket player, until he happened to see some school mates practicing fencing. “That was all it took. I was in standard IX when I took up fencing and my love for fencing has never wavered,” he said. All his friends play cricket but Sachin and his sword are inseparable. “I practice

“It demands mental stability and accuracy.

It’s like playing physical chess”

whenever I can. I think that fencing has changed me as a person,” he said.

He find foil most challenging.

“It demands mental stability and accuracy. It’s like playing physical chess. I like challenges which I why I love this game,” he said.

Over the six years he has been fencing, he has improved on the studies front too. “I scored more than 80 per cent in the 10th grade,” said Sachin, a third year Commerce student. The mental fitness and concentration have helped.

In 2015, Sachin represented Pune for the first time at the State National Championship in Nashik, where he won a bronze medal in the foil event. He bagged gold at the Ashwamedh Inter-University event. He has featured in six national tournaments and represented India thrice. He had to pull out of the Indian side last year due to his exams.

“Fencing has given me so much and now I want to do something for my city and country. I dream of representing India at the Olympics, and bring home a gold medal,” Sachin said.

shok Dudhare of Nashik and President of Fencing Association of India, has been at the forefront of the fencing revolution in India. But even he is taken aback by the rousing response to the sport from all across the country.

“Would you believe that there are more than 17,000 fencing enthusiasts in Maharashtra alone? Then there are the 100 who have distinguished themselves in the sport and have represented India at international fencing tournaments. After the initial surprise Ashok Dudhare and amazement, now it is my mission to promote the sport of fencing. It is also a matter o0f pride that Indian fencers are making their presence felt in a big way in the South Asian zone,” said Dudhare.

His son Ajinkya, 25, is a poster boy for upcoming fencers of India. Ajinkya has shown an outstanding flair en route to winning four silver and four bronze medals at international fencing events.

Ajinkya is all praise for the sporting talent in India and the meteoric rise of fencing in India is an indication of how enthusiastically youngsters are

gravitating to the fencing arena. Now it is up to the government to take fencing to the next level, by investing in the setting up of fencing arenas and ensuring that the fencers have proper facilities. “India is a land with immense sporting talent. But only the government has the resources to give the sport of fencing a significant boost, the first step being the setting up of fencing schools across India,” he said.

The Olympics are the epitome of sporting competitions and that is where there are 48 medals for the taking in the fencing disciplines. The day Ajinkya Dudhare could not be far off when Indian fencers are in the spotlight on the Olympic stage, if the athletes are provided the necessary in incentives and motivation.

The Olympics are a dream ambition for Ajinkya and he is putting in a determined effort to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

And a fencing medal would be the icing on the cake. Ajinkya is pursuing PhD in fencing from Nashik University. Ajinkya took up fencing when he was just eight years old. “Fencing is a sport that I have had an instant affinity for. My mission is to see just how high I can ascend in the international fencing orbit,” he said.

Avinash Dudhane, the 46-year-old fencing coach and Secretary of Pune Fencing Association (PFA) and Joint Secretary of Maharashtra Fencing Association, is a man whose mission to excel in and promote fencing has all worked out rather well, even exceeding expectations, some might say. In the nine years or so since he has been at the helm, the association has succeeded in firmly planting the seeds of the nascent sport in Pune.

You could say that Dudhane and PFA have Pune on the fencing map of India. “Fencing means the world to me. It was love at first sight,” he says.

Having been involved with sports all through his life, and being a national level taekwondo player, Dudhane had just the right credentials to catch the eye of the Maharashtra Fencing Association, which entrusted him with the popularisation of the sport in the city. “My introduction to fencing happened at the National Games, Nashik in 2006. I was completely

Ain’t no mountain high enough

T

Ever since I was introduced to the sport, I have been completely thrilled with fencing

achin Bharadwaj, 21, is a national level fencer. “Fencing has changed my life,” he says simply. Holding the fencing sword in his hand for the first time, Sachin knew that this was going to be something special and enduring.

He was never a scholar anyhow and needed something like fencing to absorb him. “Knowing my flair,

PUNE

‘We need the government to promote fencing in a big way’

Dreaming of an Olympic gold

SACHIN BHARADWAJ

FEBRUARY 13, 2016

The difficulty level of this game is high. This game has taught me a lot in life. It has increased my stamina and concentration which helps me in my studies. I cannot imagine my life without fencing.

– Parshva Jadhav

(From left to right) City fencers Omkar Bharadwaj, Priyanka Lodha, Triguni Bendre, Kunal Gandhi, Parshva Jadhav, Sanjog Nahar, Abhishek Dudhane, Ankit Oswal and Omkar Borkar

BY EKTA KATTI @Ektaak

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

PUNE

The rising star PRIYANKA LODHA

A

t just 12 years of age, Priyanka Lodha is still broadening her horizons, but she sure knows what she wants. A student of St Helena’s School, Priyanka was an avid basketball player and enthusiast. Until fencing appeared on her horizon three years ago, thanks to Avinash Dudhane.

“My dream is to master the sport of fencing. India is a cricket crazy country and kids my age are also fond of football. In comparison, fencing is a sport not too many people know about or are interested in. We only get to see it during the Olympics. Ever since I was introduced to the sport, I have been completely thrilled with fencing. It is so artistic and graceful. I want to master all the aspects of fencing and I hope I can reach a level where I am able to represent India at the Olympics,” she said.

Priyanka is really keen on acquiring all the knowledge she can about fencing, and thanks to her mentor Avinash Dudhane, she has been able to make progress

with both the theory and the practical acquisition of skills. Priyanka participates in both épée and foil categories and played her first competitive fencing match when she was just eight years of age. She even won a bronze at the Zilla Parishad Fencing Tournament in 2012.

Priyanka featured in a national fencing tournament last year and won a bronze

medal in the under-14 foil event.

Her most memorable moment has been beating a top level Manipuri player.

With the sport catching on in India and more avenues opening up for young fencers, Priyanka is at the forefront of the fencing phenomenon in India and the city, and you are sure to hear more of her exploits in the fencing arena in times to come.

TRIGUNI BENDRE

riguni Bendre, 15, is a quick learner and when she develops a liking for something, she is likely to go all out in acquiring the knowhow and the skills.

So it has been with fencing, a sport she was introduced to at her alma mater, Mahavir Pratishthan School. It did not take her long to become completely absorbed with fencing, and in learning all the nuances of the intricate sport. The fencing class is a highlight of her calendar and though she has been involved with fencing for five years, there is something new to learn and some aspect of the sport to be thrilled with, each time she wields a sword.

“Fencing is a most challenging sport.

A fencer has to have the ability to think on their feet, not to mention that in match one has to have lightning fast reflexes to attack and defend all in the blink of an eye. That is what makes fencing most interesting,” said Priyanka.

Triguni idolises the Japanese fencer Yuki Ota. “A couple of years ago, Yuki was out with an injury. But when he recovered and returned to the fencing arena, he showed great determination and

“Fencing has enabled me to acquire the virtue of patience and the perseverance to overcome challenges”

perseverance, which enabled him to regain his top ranking,” said Triguni.

Triguni has a big yen for adventure and she has to her credit a really towering feat.

She was part of a group of mountaineers who undertook a trek to the Mount Everest

base camp, at an altitude of 18,000 feet in 2015. She thinks that the discipline and mental fortitude she has acquired from fencing that went a long way in being able to undertake the arduous and physically daunting task of reaching the base camp.

“Fencing has enabled me to acquire the virtue of patience and the perseverance to overcome challenges. I love adventure sport and I love trekking, which is such a fun and ideal way to keep fit,” she said.

She has had a taste of the competitive side of the sport, when she took part in the 22nd Sub Junior National Fencing Tournament in 2015 at Gwalior.

Her parents are supportive of her sporting activities and Triguni has been able to strike a fine balance between studies and fencing. “If I have to, I can cram in some studies even when I am at a tournament. I can always count on my parents for all the support and motivation I need, even through the most difficult of times,” said Triguni.

She thinks that there is only one direction that fencing is going in, which is up. The day is not far when Indian fencers are making their presence felt at the Asian Games and even the Olympics.

enthralled by the fencers’ moves and grace. I knew right then that I was going to try to master the art of fencing, and also popularise the sport here in India,” he said.

Dudhane had been organising school and college level fencing tournaments sInce 2007, and being the sports teacher at Mahavir Pratishthan School, he was also coaching the school’s students in fencing.

“It was necessary to even get the parents involved in persuading their children to take up fencing, which was an unknown sport here. Now it is so rewarding to instill a similar enthusiasm amongst youngsters.

Fencing is a fascinating sport and now youngsters here are really interested,” he said.

“There are more than 1000 fencers in the city, which is quite an achievement,” he said. And he also believes that some will make it to the elite level, and represent India at the Olympics. The equipment is expensive but players make do with what is available.

China-made outfits cost Rs

40,000-50,000. It is no surprise then that his son Abhishek, 18, is just as fascinated with fencing and is a national level fencer himself. “My dad has taught me everything I know about fencing. He’s my inspiration,” he said.

Abhishek featured in his first national level fencing tournament in 2009, in the under-14 foil event. A student of the Stella Maris School, Abhishek has featured in six national tournaments. “I want to take up fencing professionally and I have my

father’s blessings,” Abhishek said.

Abhishek admires Japanese fencer Yuki Ota, a star of the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, and individual gold medallist at the 2015 World Fencing Championships. “He is calm and calculated but he can also be fiercely aggressive,” said Abhishek. Seeing his son excel in a sport that he himself loves gives Dudhane an even greater joy. “I was inspired to learn and promote the sport of fencing, and now my son is helping me in my mission. I cannot ask for more,” said Dudhane.

It was necessary to even get the parents involved in persuading their children to take up fencing, which was an unknown sport here — Avinash Dudhane

It has a bright future

C

ANKIT OSWAL

ricket, tennis, basketball and now fencing. Ankit Oswal has the sporting gene in his veins and he took to fencing like a duck to water. “I love fencing overall, and the more I learn, the more I appreciate every little aspect of the sport,” he says.

He was a gawky teen when he happened to be at a fencing demonstration in school. It was obsession at first sight and Ankit knew right then that this was the sport for him. “Fencing is a fast and fluid sport and there is a kind of regal grace to all the maneuvers and moves. There is almost no time to think and one’s mind has to be ever so alert, and one has to react and respond to the opponent’s parries and thrust in the blink of an eye. It’s action all the way,” he said.

The 23-year-old has represented the state in four national tournaments besides other competitions. Ankit plays the épée version of the game.

“The epee is the heaviest of the three weapons used in fencing but there is no end to what an expert fencer can do even with the heavy foil,” he said.

“In a fencing encounter, not only is my brain at its peak performance, but even my physical reflexes are almost supernaturally quick. It’s almost as if one is in a rather exalted state where the body and mind are in complete harmony and there is sense of oneness with the elements,” he said. “Fencing is sport that demands a high level of physical fitness but it also involves mental functioning of the highest order,” he said.

Ankit’s hero is Yuki Ota, whose reflexes and technique he admires no end. “There’s so much to learn by just watching Yuki,” he says.

Ankit still remembers his first national fencing tournament. He

“There is so much to look forward to as fencing is a sport that is now coming of age here in India”

was 18, a standard XI student and travelled to Chandigarh to represent Maharashtra. “It was an unforgettable experience to be part of the event alongside some wonderful fencers,” he said.

Ankit has featured in two

national tournaments in 2013 and one in 2014.

“There is so much to look forward to as fencing is a sport that is now coming of age here in India.

Things can only get better from now on,” Ankit says.

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

PUNE

ENVIRONMENT

“Considering most bikers are out driving for work, it makes sense for employers to encourage use of protective gears. Firms can formulate strict adherence policies and link them to annual bonuses or annual appraisals.”

— Piyush Tewari, Founder, Save Life Foundation

H EALTH

“We have given directives to state health officials to ensure that at least one swine flu vaccination centre should be functional at taluka level so that pregnant women, health workers facing higher risk of getting infected can get the shot for free.”

— Kanchan Jagtap, Joint Director, State Health Department

Climate change likely to extend ‘Horses can read human emotions’ for next 10,000 years: study

Research shows that many species view negative events with their left eye

The damaging climate consequences of carbon emissions will grow and persist for millennia without a dramatic new global energy strategy, a new study has warned.

Rising global temperatures, ice field and glacial melting and rising sea levels are among the climatic changes that could ultimately lead to the submergence of coastal areas that are home to 1.3 billion people today, researchers said.

“What our analysis shows is that this era of global warming will be as big as the end of the Ice Age. And what we are seeing is a massive departure from the environmental stability civilisation has enjoyed during the last 10,000 years of its development,” said Jeremy Shakun from Boston College in US. For the study, an international team of researchers generated new scenarios for temperature rise, glacial melting, sea-level rise and coastal flooding based on state-of-the-art climate and ice sheet models. They used a projected global output of 1,280 billion tonnes of carbon across the next few centuries, far below estimated reserves of at least 9,500 billion tonnes.

The projected consequences at this level of carbon emissions include an increase in the global average temperature which will exceed the recognised ‘guardrail’ of two degrees Celsius, and melting of glaciers and the massive ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica which will combine for a rise in sea levels of 25 metres.

The study also found that coastal submersion could displace as many as 1.3 billion people worldwide, a number that now accounts for approximately 19 per cent of the world’s population.

A blue whale raises its tail above the water surface off the coast of Long Beach, California, during unseasonably warm weather

As many as 25 ‘megacities’ around the world could see rising oceans force at least 50 per cent of their populations from their homes and businesses. The perspective comes from looking back at the last Ice Age, which ended approximately 10,000 years ago.

Researchers developed a clearer portrait of that era of glacial melting and how the climate responded to and recovered from than era of significant climatic changes.

They reconstructed a record of natural carbon emission, temperature rise, glacial melting and sea-level rise stretching back 20,000 years.That paleo-climatological portrait shows, for example, that the sea-level rise of 130 metres required roughly 10,000 years to retreat as a stabilised climate emerged in which human civilisation has f lourished.

“This gives us the opportunity to provide the long view on global temperature and sea level rise, from the end of the Ice Age to today and then onward another 10,000 years into the future,” said Shakun.

PTI

Low emission nations prone to climate change effects MELBOURNE: Countries that emit the least amounts of greenhouse gases are ironically the most vulnerable to climate change effects such as increased frequency of natural disasters, changing habitats and human health impacts, a new study has found.

Those countries emitting the highest amount of greenhouse gases are least vulnerable, researchers said.

The study found that 20 of the 36 highest emitting countries - including US, Canada, Australia, China, and much of Western Europe - were least vulnerable. Eleven of the 17 countries with low to moderate emissions were most vulnerable to climate change.

Most were found in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The study by University of Queensland in Australia and the

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) shows a dramatic global mismatch between nations producing the most greenhouse gases and the ones most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

The most vulnerable countries are African and Small Island States.

These countries are exposed to serious environmental change such as oceanic inundation or desertification.

Fish diet for moms may boost infant IQ

Eating fi sh every week during pregnancy may improve the off spring’s IQ and decrease their risk of developing some of the early signs of autism, a new study has claimed.

Researchers studied about 2,000 mothers and their children, starting from the mothers’ fi rst trimester of pregnancy, and continuing until the children turned 5.

Results showed that children whose mothers ate an average of three to four servings during their pregnancy showed no signs that mercury in fi sh negatively affected

their developmental health.

These children had IQ scores that were 2.8 per cent higher than those whose mothers ate less fi sh, the study found.

“What makes the fi ndings particularly surprising is that certain fi sh, such as tuna or tilefi sh - which pregnant women have been discouraged from eating because of their higher levels of mercury were linked to some of the biggest developmental benefits,” said Jordi Julvez from the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology

in Spain. For the study, researchers took blood from the babies’ umbilical cords after they were born, and measured the levels of both mercury and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in their blood, ‘Live Science’ reported.

When the children were 14 months old, and again when they were 5, the researchers tested the children to assess their cognitive development and to look for signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

“A consistent reduction in autism-spectrum traits was also observed in the children whose

mothers ate increasing levels of fi sh,” researchers said. High levels of DHA may outweigh any negative effects of mercury.

“Fish such as tuna that may have mercury also hold higher levels of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that plays a critical role in brain growth and development,” said Julvez.

“Maybe this effect is masking the negative effects that come from mercury. Or, maybe this is more beneficial than the toxic effect of the mercury itself,” Julvez said.

PTI

Robert Redford in movie ‘The Horse Whisperer’

LONDON: Horses can read human facial expressions and distinguish between happy and angry faces, scientists have found for the fi rst time.

Psychologists studied how 28 horses reacted to seeing photographs of positive versus negative human facial expressions.

When viewing angry faces, horses looked more with their left eye, a behaviour associated with perceiving negative stimuli. Their heart rate also increased more quickly and they showed more stressrelated behaviours.

The study concludes that this response indicates that the horses had a functionally r e l e v a n t understanding of the angry faces they were seeing.

The effect of facial expressions on heart rate has not been seen before in interactions between animals and humans.

“What’s really interesting about this research is that it shows that horses have the ability to read emotions across the species barrier,” said Amy Smith, a doctoral student at the University of Sussex who co-led the research.

“We have known for a long time that horses are a socially sophisticated species but this is the fi rst time we have seen that they can distinguish between positive and negative human facial expressions,” said Smith.

“The reaction to the angry facial expressions was particularly clear -

there was a quicker increase in their heart rate, and the horses moved their heads to look at the angry faces with their left eye,” she said.

Research shows that many species view negative events with their left eye due to the right brain hemisphere’s specialisation for processing threatening stimuli (information from the left eye is processed in the right hemisphere).

“It’s interesting to note that the horses had a strong reaction to the negative expressions but less so to the positive,” Smith said.

“Th is may be because it is particularly important for animals to recognise threats in their environment.

In this context, recognising angry faces may act as a warning system, allowing horses to anticipate negative human behaviour such as rough handling,” she said. A tendency for viewing negative human facial expressions with the left eye specifically has also been documented in dogs.

“There are several possible explanations for our findings. Horses may have adapted an ancestral ability for reading emotional cues in other horses to respond appropriately to human facial expressions during their coevolution,” Professor Karen McComb, a co-lead author of the research, said.

The study was published in the journal Biology Letters.

PTI

Psychologists studied how 28 horses reacted to seeing photographs of positive versus negative human facial expressions

Now send messages Zika to infect four million by year end to North Star LONDON: Messages from around the world will be beamed into space at the speed of light as part of a cultural project to create a celestial time capsule, scientists say.

In autumn this year, dispatches from the public will be converted into radio waves and broadcast towards the North Star, Polaris, reaching their destination in 434 years.

The interstellar message in a bottle will comprise of people’s responses to a single question: how will our present environmental interactions shape the future?

A Simple Response to an Elemental Message is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh, and the UK Astronomical Technology Centre (UKATC) along with other partners.

Within 21 hours of transmission, the signal will have travelled deeper into space than humankind’s fi rst message to the stars aboard Voyager

1 which was launched in 1977.

Project Coordinator Paul Quast said Polaris was chosen as the destination because of its cultural significance as a reference point for navigators and star gazers.

Researchers will be able to use the responses to gauge if there are significant geographical differences in how people think about the environment and the future of the planet.

“We are at a pivotal point in this planet’s history. Our present ecological decisions will have a massive impact on the future for all Earth’s inhabitants,” said Quast, a postgraduate student at Edinburgh College of Art. “Th is project will create a culturally-inspired message in a bottle capturing global perspectives that will travel into space for eons,” said Quast. The public can leave their contributions to be broadcast into the cosmos on the offi cial website of the project.

PTI

Prevention is cheaper than any other measure as presently a cure for the viral disease does not exist

BY DR KS PARTHASARATHY For the past few days, one health issue grabbed attention worldwide.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued very useful information on Zika, a disease primarily spread by Zika virus through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Specialists from different countries feverishly exchange notes on the vicious, lowly bug that fl its past national boundaries without a passport or a visa The CDC has promptly issued a travel alert (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people travelling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Th is alert follows reports in

On February 1, 2016, WHO designated the Zika virus and its suspected complications in newborns as a public health emergency of international concern

Brazil of microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. However, we need additional studies to further characterise this relationship. The fi rst hint came from nearly 20 fold increase in microcephaly of children born to women who contacted the virus through mosquito bites. On February 1, 2016, WHO designated

the Zika virus and its suspected complications in newborns as a public health emergency of international concern. The Washington Post reported that WHO took such action only three times before and it helps to mobilise more funding and manpower to fight the mosquito-born pathogen spreading “explosively” through the Americas.

According to WHO, the virus will reach most of the hemisphere and infect

up to four million people by year’s end.

On February 2, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, issued guidelines on the disease.

The Government proposed enhanced surveillance through community based surveillance, appropriate cautionary measures at international airports/ports, and activation of rapid response teams at Central and State surveillance units.

National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi would be the nodal agency for investigation of outbreak in any part of the country. The guidelines stated that NCDC, Delhi and National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, have the capacity to provide laboratory diagnosis of Zika virus disease in acute febrile stage. These institutions would be the apex laboratories to support the outbreak investigation and for confi rmation of laboratory diagnosis.

Ten additional laboratories would be strengthened by ICMR to expand the scope of laboratory diagnosis.

The mosquito that causes the spread of Zika is the same as that for Dengue, Chikungunya and yellow fever. Protection against mosquito bite is the best form of prevention.

PTI Feature

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

‘Numero uno status is within reach for Indian cricketing eves’ P 15

PUNE

“Illegal infiltration started in Assam after the Congress resorted to vote bank politics. The infiltrators from Bangladesh have spread across the state. If a BJP-BPF government comes to power in Assam, we are going to ensure that there is no infiltration in Assam.”

— Amit Shah, BJP President

Over two crore cases pending in country’s lower courts

Indians in GCC countries are happy

They feel secure in their host countries and are able to enjoy comfortable lifestyles, says survey

Dept says biggest problem facing policy makers is ‘lack of any benchmark’ to determine when a case should be considered delayed

Builders cannot demand hidden charges which are not part of their contract with buyers and are liable to pay compensation for delaying delivery of property, a Delhi court has said, observing that they are “not holy cows” who cannot be questioned by their customers.

Holding that builders cannot levy any additional charges without any justification, the court said they were adopting tactics to achieve their illegal purposes and arm-twist the buyers to extort more money by raising the cost price or levying additional charges which do not form part of the original contract.

Additional District Judge Kamini Lau made the observations while directing real-estate major TDI Infrastructure Ltd to withdraw its demands for overdue and other charges and hand over for the last five to ten years. The number of cases pending between 2 and 5 years stands at 59,83,862 or 29.83 per cent of the total cases.

In a written reply, Law Minister

a plot’s possession booked by two brothers in the fi rm’s project in Sonepat within two months.

“Unless these hidden/extra charges form an essential part of the contract within the knowledge of customer, the builder cannot charge the same without offering any justification...

“A builder cannot take shelter by wrongly terming the internal dispute as a force majeure, as the defendant (fi rm) is attempting to do, and plaintiffs (brothers) are well within their rights to demand delivery of actual physical possession within the stipulated time or else the builder would be liable to compensate purchasers for financial and physical sufferings caused to them,” the court said and restrained the fi rm from cancelling the allotment of the plot.

D V Sadananda Gowda had informed Lok Sabha in December last that the subordinate courts settled 1,9019,658 cases in 2014. He had said that the 24 high courts disposed of 17,34,542

Centre’s ‘Smart City project’ leaves ignored states fuming

NATION

CITY

Get your voice heard on NetaG P6

No damaged goods please P3

GRANDCHILDREN SUE THE COMPLETE MAN

PAGES: 16+16 (TGS LIFE) | PRICE: `5

PUNE, MARCH 21, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

PAGES: 16+16 (TGS LIFE) | PRICE: `5

PUNE, MARCH 14, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

Dr Vijaypat Singhania’s grandchildren from his estranged son Madhupati have moved Bombay High Court seeking their share in ancestral property. They have filed a suit against their grandfather, father, mother and Raymond Limited. Detailed story on p7 TGS LIFE

When hunger strikes past midnight

NATION

CITY

Bakery worker’s daughter gets her wings P 12

Why are traffic cops taking selfies these days?

P3

AUTO,

HAIL A

CAB

or long distances (depending on their mood), overcharge or ask for obnoxious fares, often refuse to ply by meter – the list is endless.

TGS Team members decided to give the ‘victimised’ autorickshaw drivers a chance.

Five members of the team tried hiring rickshaws for distances ranging between 1.5 and 20 kms. All the members came

Intentions of Dr Singhania were ‘malafide and illegal’ with a motive to grab the share of Madhupati and Anuradha as well as grandchildren and to achieve the same he directed that his son and daughter-inlaw move to another country ‘instead of Collectively Pune Municipal continuing to stay in India with the family.

DEHU

6

Corporation, PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited have spent `1,816 crores on constructing dedicated corridors and flyovers along major routes, erecting bus shelters, and buying buses.

Despite this not a single route is operational or has succeeded in years. Citizens residing in twin cities continue to cry foul over pathetic public transport system. And from the looks of it nothing is going to change in near future.

See Spotlight on p8&9

said director of the school, who

Supriya Bhoite from Chaturshrungi police station.

Contd on p4

CHINCHWAD BHOSARI

4 THERGAON HINJEWADI VILLAGE

KALEWADI FATA

WAKAD

DIGHI

NASHIK PHATA

5

LOHEGAON

DAPODI 50

PIMPLE GURAV

WAGHOLI

3 4 BANER

VISHRANT VIMAN WADI NAGAR YERWADA

AUNDH

2

SANGAMWADI PASHAN

AH47

WADGAON SHERI

MUNDHWA

SHIVAJI NAGAR

GHORPADI

9

BAVDHAN

CAMP

HADAPSAR

KOTHRUD

SWARGATE PARVATI

WANOWRIE

1

NANDED AMBEGAON BUDRUK

KONDHWA

UNDRI

KATRAJ

4

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

fi led the FIR and kept in touch with “We are feeling the investigating officer and public prosecutor The director is let down by the PUNE, MARCH 14, 2015throughout. | www.thegoldensparrow.com yet to get a copy of the order. prosecution The case dates back to February 2013 when some of the students and the system. studying in class five walked up to their class teacher and alleged that It is upsetting their creative writing sir had touched because we do them inappropriately. The class teacher in turn informed the principal and not how to face management.

School authorities spoke to several other and the parents and found that 22 girls in allstudents had levelled similar allegations. Director of the students who school approached Chaturshrungi came forward police station and lodged an FIR under the Protection of Children from to give their Sexual Offences Act (POCSOA).

The investigation was carried out by statements.”

DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL

ALANDI

AKURDI

RAVET

Sab golmal hai...

The creative writing teacher from a reputed school in Baner was booked and arrested in February 2013. A special court acquitted him on the grounds that police bungled up in collecting evidence

RITU GOYAL HARISH

CHIKHALI

KIWALENIGDI

~ Suit filed by the siblings

Precious man hours are lost every day at Hinjewadi just because planners forgot to make more entry and exit points. Over a decade after Hinjewadi was planned to house country’s best IT firms and talent, planners have finally woken up to the plight of citizens.

They have now planned five alternative roads. But the authorities are in no hurry to complete them. See spotlight on p8 & 9

The case created ripples across the city. A teacher was accused of sexually abusing 22 students all from fi fth standard of a reputed school in Baner.

In February 2013, Chaturshrungi police registered a case of sexual abuse against the creative writing teacher and arrested him immediately. Two years after the cops went all out to claim that they had a watertight case, the teacher has been acquitted by a Special Court. The court ruled that the prosecution made out a weak case. The management of the school and parents of students are not only disappointed but also irked with the outcome.

“We are feeling let down by the prosecution and the system. It is upsetting because we do not how to face the parents and students who came forward to give their statements.

We believe we were on the right,”

Parents teach them more than exams do P 10

`1,816 1,816 crores spent on BRTS,

~ Suit filed by the siblings

What a mess!

Teacher booked for sexually abusing 22 students acquitted

Truly, a tree lady P4

And yet no respite for commuters

DR VIJAYPAT SINGHANIA

Madhupati Singhania (57) and his wife Anuradha (54) with their children Ananya (29), Rasaalika (26), Tarini (20) and Raivathari (18)

Rickshaw unions across the city want us to believe that private cab service providers or radio cab operators, as they are popularly known as, are villains.

Around 12,000 radio cabs have made their lives miserable for 50,000-odd autorickshaw drivers in twin cities of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The auto drivers want us to believe that corporate houses with deep pockets behind the cab services are eating into their share. Essentially poor rickshaw drivers are getting poorer because of stiff competition from private cab operators.

All that the auto drivers are saying is true. But what they are not telling us or willing to concede is that their enemy lies within. Their enemy number one is not private cabs but members of their own ilk – many of whom are rude, refuse to ply short

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

CITY

TGS LIFE

Hum Saath Saath Hain

PICS ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

DITCH THE

GAUTAM SINGHANIA

While Gautam Singhania ‘in a span of 14 years as CMD of Raymond Limited has built a personal net worth of `1.4 billion, Madhupati belonging to the same family was struggling to settle down in a new country, educate his children and make a new life.’ Gautam and his family led a luxurious life ‘with fancy cars, private jets, yachts and expensive holidays.’

RAHUL RAUT

Call it good economics or bad politics, the selection of 20 smart cities by the Centre had all the ingredients to evoke protests from those who missed the bus. This is exactly what has happened. “The central government is doing politics over the smart city project,” screamed West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar too slammed the central government for not including any Bihar city in the list, claiming that the Centre has “ignored” the state and upset regional balance.

UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav too accused the Centre of “cheating” the people of the state. The list of first 20 cities to be developed as ‘smart cities’ with Bhubaneswar topping the list followed by Pune, Jaipur, Surat, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Vishakapatnam, Sholapur, Davangere, Indore, New Delhi, Coimbatore, Kakinada, Belagavi,

Udaipur, Guwahati, Chennai, Ludhiana and Bhopal.

Perhaps having an inkling of reactions from left out states, Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu had explained on the day of the announcement that neither the political executive nor the bureaucracy had anything to do with the selection.

“Several inputs went into the selection process but the most weighty were from the citizens themselves with individual municipal bodies backing them up with firm proposals about urban planning, sound financial backing for civic infrastructure,” Naidu explained.

The evaluation was done by a team of experts drawn from outside to pick 20 of the total 97 proposals on offer, he said adding, “In short, it was a fair selection.”

Nobody can dispute the fact that our cities need to be smartened up but how and who will do it is the real question. Even the 20 cities chosen for the Mission will need to raise

TGS LIFE

Run for... yourself

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

BY SUBHASHIS MITTRA

This was followed by 53.7 per cent for the comfort offered by friendships developed in their host countries, and another 53.7 per cent said they felt right at home because they were able to enjoy comfortable lifestyles.

More than 40 per cent of NRIs respondents also felt ‘peace of mind’.

With an average age of 29, the NRI respondents said they had collectively achieved several goals, including personal savings (63.5%), a better lifestyle (46.8%), buying a home (40.6%) and paying for education (37.2%).

Almost an equal number of respondents said working in the GCC had enabled them to establish their own business and pay off personal debts.

Starting a family and being able to travel to new places were listed as other accomplishments, the survey found.

PTI

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PUNE, MARCH 28, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

Twenty cities chosen for Smart City Mission will need to raise huge amounts of money to deliver on the proposals they successfully made for the selection

MUMBAI: Most Indians working in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations feel secure in their host countries and are able to enjoy comfortable lifestyles, according to a survey.

“Professionals from India residing in the GCC nations feel secure, happy and fulfilled in their host countries,” said the survey, ‘My Yellow Brick Road’, conducted by the Western Union Company, a financial services firm.

The survey, covering GCC memberstates Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, was conducted in multiple languages through various physical and online channels over a six-month period.

Of the 147 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who took part in the survey, 60 per cent ranked safety as the principal reason for their sense of belonging and integration.

THANK GOD IT’S S AT U R D AY

Accused of playing politics, Centre says neither political executive nor bureaucracy had anything to do with the selection

huge amounts of money to deliver on the proposals they successfully made for the selection.

The central contribution of Rs 500 crore annually for the next five years is chicken-feed when the requirement is for tens of thousands of crores. Expanding and improving the civic infrastructure such as the sewage and waste disposal systems, water and electricity generation and distribution, roads, local transport, etc., requires humungous amounts of money. The Modi government’s vision of creating 100 smart cities will require an investment of over USD 150 billion over the next few years with private sector being a significant contributor, says a report by Deloitte, adding that nearly USD 120 billion will come from the private sector. The government has already initiated two programmes with an initial outlay of USD 7.513 billion for its “Smart Cities Mission” and the “Atal Mission for Rejuvenation of Urban Transformation (AMRUT)” to upgrade 500 existing cities. PN Sudarshan, senior director, Deloitte India, said, “Even as funding for these smart cities is an area of concern, the major challenges remain with respect to the development of smart cities project management, government decision making and policy and regulatory framework.”

According to the study, in 2016, service providers and over-the-top content providers will invest heavily in city-wide WiFi networks which will be the backbone for smart city services. Sudarshan said, “As smart solutions are heavily dependent on ICT, service providers will play a significant role in smart cities.

In 2016, service providers will participate in (and lead in many cases) consortiums for responding to RFPs for smart/ digital solutions for various city and state governments.”

Reliance Jio is likely to roll out WiFi services across over 50 cities in 2016.

PTI

The survey, conducted in multiple languages over six months, covered GCC memberstates Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

advance, and second instalment was to be released after completion of certain formalities. The very next year second instalment was also disbursed.

Cut to October 2012 – Kamalapurkar fi led an RTI with chief public information officer (CPIO) of Ministry of Culture seeking information about the fi lm on Tilak.

The CPIO was clueless about the project and sought information from his colleagues in other department in the same ministry. But none of

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

Builder liable to compensate buyer for delay: Court

cases in 2014. The pendency in the high courts was estimated at 41.53 lakh at the end of December 2014.

The Supreme Court disposed of 44,090 cases last year till December one, while the pendency there has been estimated at 58,906 till the beginning of December 2015.

Regarding the pending cases, the Department of Justice says that one of the biggest problems facing policy makers in this field is the “lack of any benchmark” to determine when a case should be considered delayed.

“For example, if a case is not disposed of within a year of it being instituted, will it be considered to be delayed? The lack of a clear criterion to determine what constitutes delay poses a hurdle to determine the policy changes needed to address the issue,” the note reads.

Usual attempts to reduce pendency include increasing the number of judges or creating additional benches, and while there is no disagreement that the number of judges does need to be increased, this cannot be the only measure to reduce the pendency, it says. “A linear formula applied across the different states without taking into consideration the actual reasons behind the delay as well the socio-economic factors of the different states is not going to be too effective in reducing pendency,” the government feels.

PTI

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

NEW DELHI: Over two crore cases are pending in the country’s lower judiciary, out of which more than 10 per cent have remained unsettled for over 10 years, latest Law Ministry data says.

As per available data on the National Judicial Data Grid website as on December 31, 2015, Sadananda Gowda there are a total of 2,00,60,998 cases pending across the district courts in the different states.

Out of these, 83,00,462 or 41.38 per cent cases are pending for less than two years. At the same time, 21,72,411 or 10.83 per cent cases are pending for over 10 years, a note prepared by the Department of Justice for a high-level meeting on Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms says.

The meeting will be held next week.

While referring to the data available on NJDG website, the note clarifies that it does not cover all courts across the country, therefore, the Department of Justice periodically collects the data on pendency of cases from the 24 high courts and the Supreme Court.

The data states that 36,30,282 or 18.1 per cent of the cases are pending

PUNE, MARCH 21, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

PUNE, MARCH 28, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

Hum

of the fi lm. Vishnu Kamalapurkar, Pune-based activist, sought details of the project in 2012 from the Central Government only to be told that they had no records left, the concerned ministry had been wound up, and that fi lm-maker could not be traced.

Essentially, the government acceded that it had been duped of `2.5 crores, the sum that was transferred to the fi lm-maker.

It has taken Kamalapurkar three years since he sought details about the fi lm under Right to Information Act to get the government to launch a fullfledged investigation. Dhumale has

receiving his RTI finally been traced by the government with the help of police and claims that the fi lm will be released in “next two to four months”. He still hasn’t answered several questions raised by the government about the script and the star cast.

It all started in December 2001, when Commemoration Bureau under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture commissioned a fi lm on Lokmanya Tilak. A sum of Rs 1.25 crores was paid to Dhumale immediately as an

Saath Saath

When

HUNGER STRIKES past midnight

A family that prays together stays together. Pune’s joint families on why they agree to disagree

TGS takes a night trail around the city to look for places that will silence a grumbling tummy in the dark of night

The Kamdars

Run for…

yourself

Puneites are running to fight depression, lethargy, even physical disadvantage. Marathoners are taking over the street and making the city fitter than it has ever been

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THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

PUNE

“The US has committed to doing all we can to assist the government of India in pursuing every possible lead to bring to justice those responsible for that attack (26/11) to the fullest extent permitted by US law.

— John Kirby, Spokesman, US State Department

‘I owe my love for kabaddi to Ratnagiri’ P 15

India not immune to ISIS threat, says UAE

Let Assange walk free, says UN panel

Both Sweden and the UK have rejected the ruling - which is non-binding

Arab country has deported about a dozen Indians with suspected links to the terror group

BY SHREERUPA MITRA-JHA ABU DHABI: Warning that India is not immune to the threat from Islamic State (ISIS), the UAE, which has deported about a dozen Indians with suspected links to the terror group, said that its anti-terror cooperation with India is going to get “more institutionalised”.

“There are no grey areas. We need to tackle this (ISIS) threat and nobody is immune. If you think you are immune (and) you are going to be negligent, you are going to be hit.

“Everybody.... whether India or the UAE,” Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said here.

Ahead of the UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s three day State Visit to India starting Wednesday, Gargash told NDTV in an interview that strengthening bilateral cooperation against terrorism would be an important component of the royal visit.

Bilateral cooperation on terror was “working very well” and in the coming 12 months “it will be more institutionalised and work even better,” he said in the backdrop of the Gulf nation having deported to India a dozen Indians with suspected links to ISIS in recent months.

Such cooperation was an important part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussions with the UAE leadership during his visit here in August, Gargash said.

Underlining the threat posed by

Obama administration proposes USD 860 mn in aid for Pak

UAE MoS for Foreign Affairs has underlined the need for India to deal with terrorism

ISIS, the minister said, “no country was immune, no city is immune... We need greater cooperation and zero tolerance for any sort of extremism, terrorism in order to confront this threat.”

Asserting that there should be no distinction between one terror group and another, the minister said that there are no good terrorists and bad terrorists.

The battle against terrorism was a “generational fight and the UAE is a worthy partner in this fight.”

Answering a question about the joint statement issued after Modi’s visit here in which India and the UAE condemned efforts by some states to use religion to support and justify terrorism, which was seen as a veiled reference to Pakistan, Gargash his country doesn’t see “grey

areas” in relation to terrorism.

“In our rejection of terrorism, whether that is done by a nongovernment group or whether it is sponsored by governments, we put all that in the same pile. Terrorism is terrorism,” he said.

He emphasised that UAE was not playing Pakistan against India or the vice versa. India was a big power both globally and regionally and relationship with it was not related to third parties.

Describing Indo-UAE ties as “fantastic”, the minister said that Modi’s visit could see a “window of strategic shift” in the relationship. Modi was a very practical person and everybody was impressed with his ‘can-do’ attitude.

“This is what we want to build on.”

WASHINGTON: The Obama administration has proposed USD 860 million in aid for Pakistan, including USD 265 million for military hardware, which it said would help the country fight terrorists, secure nuclear weapons and improve ties with India. While there was no mention of Pakistan in President Barack Obama’s budgetary proposals, Secretary of State John Kerry in his proposals said the budget includes USD 859.8 million towards sustaining ties with Pakistan and making progress to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat violent extremist groups”. “The requested funding will support the country’s counter-insurgency missions, and bolster stability, energy access, economic growth, and social reform,” Kerry said in a letter accompanying his proposals.

He underlined the commitment of the UAE, whose current investments in India are about USD 10 billion, to step up the investments. Gargash said “we need to work together to cut some of the red tape, make things smoother.”

PTI

LONDON: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange should be freed, a UN panel ruled as it called on the UK and Sweden to compensate the whistleblower for his “arbitrary detention” of over five years.

“The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention considers that the various forms of deprivation of liberty to which Julian Assange has been subjected constitute a form of arbitrary detention,” said Seong-Phil Hong, who currently heads the expert panel of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

“The Working Group maintains that the arbitrary detention of Mr Assange should be brought to an end, that his physical integrity and freedom of movement be respected, and that he should be entitled to an enforceable right to compensation,” Hong added.

However, both Sweden and the UK rejected the ruling - which is non-binding - saying it “changes nothing”.

The 44-year-old Australian, who founded the WikiLeaks in 2006 that released 500,000 secret US military files on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and 250,000 diplomatic

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

cables enraging Washington, has been holed up in the Ecuadorean embassy in central London to avoid extradition to Sweden to face a rape investigation.

Assange was granted political asylum by Ecuador, which has housed him since 2012 at its embassy where he lives in a small room and has likened his confinement to living in a space station.

In 2014, the computer hacker had complained to the UN against the UK and Sweden that he was being “arbitrarily detained” in the Ecuadorean embassy as he could not leave its premises without being arrested. Two women have accused him of sexual assault - a charge he has denied. Last year, Swedish prosecutors dropped two cases of sexual assault against him and has not been formally charged by them. Assange fears he will be extradited to the US from Sweden where he faces espionage charges on account of leaking secret American documents which among other issues also reveal the US and UK’s grim conduct in Iraq of war crimes, torture and summary executions.

Assange had been subjected to different forms of deprivation of liberty, the group thinks.

PTI

Pakistan behind rise of international Jihadi forces: NYT US daily accuse Pakistan of intervening in a number of foreign conflicts

NEW YORK: Pakistan’s powerful intelligence service has long acted as the “manager” of international Jihadi forces and it may have been involved in the rise of the ISIS, a leading US daily said, in a stinging commentary on Pakistan’s “intervention” in a number of foreign confl icts.

Underlining that experts have found “a lot of evidence” that Pakistan facilitated the Taliban offensive, an op-ed in the New York Times said, “Th is behaviour is not just an issue for Afghanistan.

Pakistan is intervening in a number of foreign confl icts.”

“Its intelligence service has long acted as the manager of international mujahedeen forces, many of them Sunni extremists, and there is even speculation that it may have been involved in the rise of the Islamic State.” It said that though Pakistan denies harbouring the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and points out that it, too, is a victim of terrorism, “many analysts have detailed how the military has nurtured Islamist militant groups as an instrument to suppress nationalist movements,

Hindu Marriage Bill approved

BY SAJJAD HUSSAIN

Refugees and migrants arrive on a dinghy from the Turkish coast to the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos

in particular among the Pashtun minority, at home and abroad.”

“Pakistan regards Afghanistan as its backyard. Determined not to let its archrival, India, gain influence there, and to ensure that Afghanistan remains in the Sunni Islamist camp, Pakistan has used the Taliban selectively, promoting those who further its agenda and cracking down on those who

don’t. The same goes for Al Qaeda and other foreign fi ghters,” wrote Carlotta Gall, the North Africa correspondent for N YT. It said there are reports that Pakistan had a role in the rise of the Islamic State. “....it might come as a surprise that the region’s triumvirate of violent jihad is living openly in Pakistan,” Gall said as she listed

out top terrorist leaders living openly in Pakistan.

“First, there’s Sirajuddin Haqqani, the leader of the Haqqani network, and second in command of the Taliban. He moves freely around Pakistan, and has even visited the Pakistani intelligence headquarters in Rawalpindi,” she said.

PTI

ISLAMABAD: After decades of delay and inaction, the Hindu minority community in Pakistan will soon have a marriage law as a parliamentary panel has unanimously approved the Hindu Marriage Bill.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice has passed the final draft of Hindu Marriage Bill 2015, where five Hindu lawmakers were specially invited.

Though the delaying tactics continued almost to the last, the committee adopted the bill unanimously after making two amendments to fi x the minimum age of the marrying male and female at 18 and making the law applicable to the whole country, Dawn news reported.

The bill will now be tabled in the National Assembly where it has fair chances of being passed as the ruling Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) party is supporting it.

Committee Chairman Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk expressed regret over the longdrawn tactical delay in framing family law for the Hindu community.

“It was unbecoming of us Muslims in general and the political leaders in particular.

We were required to facilitate the legislation, not obstruct it. If we 99 per cent of the population are afraid of one per cent, we need to look deep inside what we claim to be and what we are,” he said.

Virk and ruling PML-N lawmaker Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani had been pushing for

approving the bill but members of other parliamentary parties persisted with raising objections. Shagufta Jumani of Pakistan People’s Party and Ali Mohammad Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf raised many queries about minimum age of a Hindu girl to be married and the status of marriage if any of the partners converted to Islam.

“Under the banner of Pakistan Hindu Council, I arrange mass marriage of around 100 girls every year and we clearly deny marriage of even an orphan who is under 18.

People do not insist on marrying anyone below 18 years,” Vankwani said.

He wanted to drop a clause in the bill that said the marriage will be nullified if any of the partners converted to Islam. It was inserted by the Council of Islamic Ideology when the bill was sent for ‘Sharia vetting’ some six months ago. “Why a Hindu and a Muslim or Christian cannot live together as happily married couple?,” Vankwani said.

His suggestion to drop the clause met stern resistance from Jumani and Khan after which Committee Chairman stopped the discussion to avoid “total collapse” of the meeting. “If Hindu boys and girls elsewhere can marry into other religions why this cannot be a reality here?,” Vankwani said, adding that openmindedness is required in the society.

After the 18th Amendment, issues relating to religious minorities and their family matters became provincial subjects.

PTI

‘Lanka must defeat demons of past’ Vol-II* lssue No.: 35 Editor: Yogesh Sadhwani (Responsible for the selection of news under the PRB Act, 1867) Printed and Published by: Shrikant Honnavarkar on behalf of Golden Sparrow Publishing Pvt. Ltd. CIN:U22200PN2014PTC151382 and printed at PRI – Media Services Private Limited CIN: U22222MH2012PTC232006 at Plot No. EL-201, TTC Industrial Area, MIDC, Mahape, Navi Mumbai.

Golden Sparrow Publishing Pvt. Ltd. 1641, Madhav Heritage, Tilak Road, Pune-411 030, Tel: 020-41220010.

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka must “confront and defeat the demons of the past” and seize the great opportunity to accelerate the return of the Tamil lands to their rightful owners and provide justice, security and prosperity to its people, the UN human rights chief said.

“Sri Lanka must confront and defeat the demons of its past. It must create institutions that work, and ensure accountability,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein told media at the end of his fourday visit during which he also travelled to war-torn Northern Province.

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein

In Northern Province, Hussein met Tamil leaders and promised them to raise with Sri Lankan leadership the issue of over 4,000 civilians reported

missing during the civil war.

According to UN figures, up to 100,000 people were killed in the civil war. Hundreds of people are still missing. Hussein, on his first visit to Sri Lanka after succeeding Navi Pillay as UN rights chief to review measures taken by the government to investigate alleged war abuses during the war, said, “Sri Lanka needs a through, frank and honest discussion of the findings of the UN report.”

In the hard-hitting report submitted by him at the UNHRC last September, Hussein had criticised Sri Lanka’s

failure to deliver justice to the victims of the 26-year conflict. He has prescribed an international “hybrid court” with foreign judges, prosecutors and investigators.

Asked about the progress so far on this, the UN rights chief said the Lankan government has set in motion a consultative process and he was confident that justice would be delivered to the victims of the conflict.

He commended President Maithripala Sirisena’s government for showing the will to make great changes.

PTI

MONEY MATT ER S “We are in the process of selecting CEO of NIIF. The CEO will be drawn from the market... We have received 70 applications.”

— Shaktikanta Das, Economic Affairs Secy

Signposts

Prime Minister was speaking at the inauguration of Indian Oil Corp’s Rs 34,555-crore refinery

BY KK SHANKAR

Rs 140 cr for sports, infrastructure The Power Ministry has pledged to spend around Rs 140 crore through public sector undertakings under its administration to prepare 100 sports persons for the Olympics in the next 10 years. The government wants to create good athletes, hockey players, gymnasts, swimmers, etc.

I-T dept to speed up overseas requests With the current financial year coming to a close soon, CBDT has asked the Income Tax (I-T) department of India to speed up select black money and tax evasion probe cases which require cooperation from foreign agencies. The CBDT has asked the taxman to send across to it all such cases.

FEBRUARY 13, 2016

PUNE

“I am happy that we have been able to bring the fiscal deficit down.

I am happy results of sincere commitments of the government are slowly becoming visible.”

— Mukul Sangma, Meghalaya Chief Minister

Complete projects before time: Modi Sharply criticising project delays of the past that led to huge cost overruns, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a new work culture of conceiving and completing projects before time is needed to boost economic growth.

Rejecting opposition Congress’ charge that projects he has been inaugurating in recent months were all started during their time, he said as Prime Minister he would have been happy if the projects were completed 15 years back and led to creation of jobs.

Dedicating to the nation Indian Oil Corp’s Rs 34,555-crore refinery, Modi said the government is targeting reduction in oil import dependence by 10 per cent by 2022 by creating policy environment that supports raising domestic output as well as by mixing bio-fuels like ethanol in auto fuels.

“It is very natural that I am happy to inaugurate projects. But as Prime Minister of a country, I don’t feel happy at all. I would have been happy if these works would have been completed 15 years back, when lakhs of people here would have got jobs,” he said. He added that projects in the country face obstructions in the form of court proceedings, tender process and sometimes agitations, making them very costly.

“For the development of the country, we all - citizens, bureaucracy,

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Paradip Refinery in Odisha on Sunday. Governor of Odisha SC Jamir (left) and MoS for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan are also seen. Modi said projects in the country face obstructions in the form of court proceedings, tender process and sometimes agitations, making them very costly

industry and policy makers, have to give birth to such a culture where projects start on time, progress within the scheduled time, and finish within the pre-decided time so that country gets the benefit, the benefit comes before scheduled time,” he said.

The government, he added, was “trying to bring in this change so that there is no serious loss to the exchequer because of delay.”

Initiatives have to be futuristic and completed before the designated time period.

“Delays shouldn’t occur,” he said, adding that in the past, ideas originated 50 years back, would take 10 years to put them on paper and conceived, a similar number of years to lay foundation stone and many more years before it is completed. .

Modi said the Paradip refinery, whose foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000, will create

lakhs of jobs as it will manufacture raw material for several industries, including plastics. The government is promoting skill development, providing finances to youth under the MUDRA scheme and giving incentives under ‘Start Up India, Stand Up India’ initiative.

“We do not want youths to become job seekers. We want youths to become job creators,” he said, adding that under the MUDRA scheme.

Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd (MUDRA) is a new institution set up by the government to provide funding to the non-corporate, non-farm sector income generating activities of micro and small enterprises whose credit needs are below Rs 10 lakh.

With the country dependent on imports to meet 79 per cent of its oil needs, Modi said oil imports have to be reduced.

PTI

Make in India and hate in India cannot go together: Tharoor

BY LALIT K JHA Taking a jibe at the Modi government, former minister and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said policies like ‘Make in India’ and hatred cannot go together as he asserted that “outrageous” statements against minorities by ruling party members only undermine the country’s soft power. To attract foreign direct investment, which is key to the construction and modernisation of the infrastructure sector and manufacturing, the Congress MP stressed on the need to maintain the pluralistic character of the country.

Before India tries to leverage its soft power to increase its standing in the world, Tharoor said first there is need to fix the problem at the domestic front.

“For us to be credible as a nation that enjoys and wields soft power, we have to fix our domestic problems first. The truth is that we have to do enough to keep our people, healthy, well and secure not just from jihadi terrorism. Progress is being made

but not enough to reach everyone,” Tharoor said in his keynote address to the Harvard University’s annual Indian convention 2016.

“If on one hand, we go around saying Make in India, Startup India and Digital India and want to attract foreign investors, we can’t do so if we are condoning hatred in India at the same time,” Tharoor said in reference to the f lagship schemes launched by the Narendra Modi-led government.

“It is not good when people in the ruling party make outrageous statements against minorities. These are not good because they undermine the soft power of India,” Tharoor told the students in the packed Harvard Business School auditorium. In order to maintain India’s soft power, the larger idea of India needs to be sustained. “An India that celebrates the common space of every identity, it would be a secure to be a Muslim, secure to be a kayastha... whatever you define yourself. Because all of those identities are made secure under the Indian identity,” he said.

PTI

Indian students at Harvard Business School throng Shashi Tharoor in large numbers for a selfie after he delivered a key note address at the Annual India Conference

‘Help make India India enjoying robust growth: IMF open defecation free’

30-50 countries are in a transition phase of not too rich, not too poor, and not too closed to foreign capital

Noting that close to 50 per cent of rural population does not have access to toilet, the Centre asked banks and microfinance institutions to enhance their credit disbursal for sanitation to achieve the goal of Swachh Bharat Mission of making India free from open defecation by 2019.

Addressing a conference on ‘Innovative Financing for Clean India’ here, Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister Birender Singh said the Finance Ministry has included water and sanitation as new fields for priority sector lending by

commercial banks but this “monumental policy change must translate from intent to action”.

He said there is incentive of Rs 12,000 for construction of a toilet for BPL families but to achieve universal coverage, there is need for easy financing by banks and other financial institutions.

The conference also laid emphasis on the need for creating strong synergy between self-help groups and Swachh Bharat Mission. Since October 2, 2014, more than 14.7 million toilets have been constructed in rural areas.

PTI

BY LALIT K JHA

Observing that countries like India and Mexico are enjoying a robust growth, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said a new economic reality has slowly emerged as nations have developed and grown richer.

“A new economic reality has slowly emerged as countries have developed and grown richer. And now that some of these countries experience difficulties after many years of strong growth, we are affected by it, too,” Lagarde said

in her address at University of Maryland. “This is not something to fear, but it does require us to be aware and think a bit differently, a bit more multilaterally,” she said.

Sharing her views on the growing importance of emerging market economies, she said it is a group of about 30-50 countries that are in a transition phase of not too rich, not too poor, and not too closed to foreign capital, with regulatory and financial systems that have yet to fully mature.

“These countries are incredibly diverse culturally, geographically,

and even economically. Right now, for example, Brazil and Russia are in recession, while India and Mexico are enjoying robust growth. So it would be a mistake to think of these countries as a homogenous bloc,” Lagarde said.

“At the same time, all these countries are eager to catch up with their richer peers. As I explained, however, the current difficult economic context makes catching up much harder which brings me to the key challenges,” she said.

China, she said, has embarked on an ambitious rebalancing of its

economy from industry to services, from exports to domestic markets, and from investment to consumption.

It is also moving towards a more market-oriented financial system.

“These reforms are a necessary process that, in the long run, will lead to more sustainable growth and benefit both China and the world. In the short run, however, it will lead to slower growth, and this slowdown creates spillover effects through trade and lower demand for commodities, and amplified by financial markets,” she added.

PTI

Need for greater MSME thrust for Make in India success India has to shine for all and economic growth has to become more inclusive

BY KR SUDHAMAN The recent Bihar assembly elections have taught us one important lesson, that is one cannot ignore the aspirations of rural India, where majority of the country’s population live. India has to shine for all and economic growth has to become more inclusive. Politicians can no longer ignore this reality. This of course has several challenges.

Past experiences show that the answer lay in modernisation of Indian agriculture and step up development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, which not only have the capacity to absorb surplus farm labour but as well as growing educated youth in rural areas. This also prevents migration of youth to cities in search of greener pasture. Small and Medium enterprises are concentrated in 8-10 sectors in India for which technology is available. Also they are labour intensive and hence create much needed jobs. Ten to 12 million people enter job market in the

country every year. SMEs require less capital and every rupee spent creates four times more jobs than large capital intensive companies. The 8-10 sectors in which MSME is concentrated included textiles, construction and leather. Another area where one finds large number of MSMEs is ancillary industries.

Public sector companies and some large private industries in backward areas had helped in setting up of ancillary industries. But for SMEs growth in various clusters required infrastructure. In case of ancillary industries, the basic infrastructure is created by the large companies as in industrial townships like Bokaro, Bhillai, Sindri, Ranipet, Trichi.

But there are SME clusters that have come up on their own as in Ludhiana, Moradabad, Tirupur and so on. These clusters have come up where there is already good road and rail network or close to ports as in Gujarat and other coastal states. If Make in

Public sector companies and some large private industries in backward areas had helped in setting up of ancillary industries

India campaign has to be successful, we need to give greater thrust to MSME, which accounted for 40 per cent of India’s manufacturing and 45 per cent of the exports. So how do we go about? The golden quadrilateral and two diagonals connecting Kashmir to Kanya Kumari and Silchar to Somnath also offered great potential to set up

industrial clusters that could provide job opportunity to local people around those areas. The Delhi-Mumbai and Ludhiana-Kolkata rail freight corridors.

Four more that are proposed connecting four metropolises in the country would also help in setting up SME clusters.

Along with Make in India and skill India campaign, it is worth exploring

what has come to be known as diamond corridor, that is setting up industrial clusters dotting the highways and the high speed rail freight corridors in the length and breadth of the country. The industrial clusters should be chosen in a manner that utilises local talents.

Skill development programmes should be tailor made to suit the requirement of the local area. Funding may be a problem for SMEs, the bigger problem for SME is availability of skilled manpower. In fact SMEs have been constantly training raw hands, who in turn get absorbed in large companies.

This results in SME entrepreneurs always being engaged in training and thereby getting very little time for management and production. So SMEs performance invariably is less than its potential.

In cluster development there is yet another problem, that is poaching by fellow SMEs before they are absorbed

by larger companies. At the moment, Skill India programme should address the skilling problem of large industries.

The SMEs do not have a voice and their recruitment is invariably localised and they therefore do not get the attention of the government that it deserves. Along with industrial clusters, government should set up institutes for skill development for those dominant SME industries in those respective areas to ensure that there is a continuous flow of skilled manpower to them.

As SMEs are less capital intensive and has much less gestation period, industrialisation of rural and backward regions could be rapid. Large industries take years to set up whereas small and medium industries could be set up in 6-8 months in areas where basic infrastructure already existed.

PTI

MSME accounted for 40 per cent of mfg and 45 per cent of India’s exports

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

PUNE

Basu and Manaswini Mohanty. Nrityarpan, a Kathak dance programme will be presented

by Guru Maneesha Taai Sathe’s senior disciple Gauri Swakul and her co artists. Along with traditional choreographies various modern choreographies will be showcased.

When: February 13 & 14, 6pm to 8 pm Where: Chaturshringi Temple premises, SB Road

AN EVENING WITH NUCLEYA

Miami brings you the most forward-thinking artists and India’s most prominent bass music producers, Nucleya aka Udyan Sagar. Nucleya started his musical journey towards the end of 90s when he co-founded Bandish Projekt. Since then, he has released 14 singles, studio albums and numerous collaborations.

When: February 14, 9 pm onwards Where: Miami, JW Marriott, SB Road

GET LUSCIOUS LIPS THIS SEASON

Our voices need to be heard

Water hyacinth at Dapodi a menace for residents

VISHAL KALE

The lips are central to our beauty and women in particular love to emphasise the beauty of their lips. Lip augmentation is a popular cosmetic treatment introduced by Aesthetics Medispa that helps give you a perfect look in front of your Valentine. People can avail aesthetic lips with best in class lip treatments available at specialist clinics such as Aesthetics Medispa.

When: Ongoing, 10 am onwards Where: Aesthetics Medispa, Model C olony

MODERN MANGALSUTRAS FOR THE MODERN WOMAN

LIVE PERFORMANCE BY R COLLECTIVE

Enjoy an unparalleled beering experience with a performance by the popular commercial rock band Nu Edge presents R Collective. The co-founder of the band and drummer Raphael Aaron met Robie

Heaven to Paneer tikka, Tandoori tawa gobi to Thecha Aloo, Butter Chicken to Keema matar, Paneer lababdar, Aloo Methi, Yellow dal Tadka, Jeera pulao, Roti,Naan, Laccha paratha Amritsari kulcha, Mixed Veg Raita,Mint chutney ,garlic chutney,Mango chutney, Papad. Gulab Jamoon, Malai Kulfi Double tree by Hilton has them all to offer.

When: February 14 to 20 Where: Level 12, Double Tree By Hilton, Pune-Chinchwad

A SPIRIT OF MUSIC

Wood (singer and song writer), Ronnie (Bass guitarist) and Rishi (Lead guitarist) purely out of their shared love of music. Together they formed the most versatile band playing genres such as blues, rock and roll, pop, rock and alternative rock.

When: February, 13, 9 pm onwards Where: Ground Floor, Kapila Matrix, Koregaon Park

SOAK IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE

Get set to make your day special with your loved ones as The kitchen promises to rustle up mouth watering food. An extensive range of Indian food ranging from scrumptious starter, main course food and delicious deserts from Highway Chicken Tikka to Seekh Kebab, Malai Drums of

The latest performance by Mystic, India’s first poetry-music band promises to evoke the spirit of the sea with guitarist Majid Aziz, flautist Deepak Bhanuse and poet-vocalist Randhir Khare. Along with the guitar and the flute, some traditional instruments will be used for the program too.

When: February 13, 7 pm Where: Gyaan Adab, Kalyani Nagar

Love is in the air and just in time Modasutra exclusively showcases modern mangalsutras for the modern woman. And for Valentine’s Day, beautiful designs with heart and heartbeats will be on offer besides the fastselling, popular infinity and triple chevron designs.

When: February 13 & 14, 12 noon onwards Where: Stall 16, Howzat Pune, Phoenix Market City, Nagar Road

HOUSL!FE AT ISHANYA LAUNCHES ‘OLD IS SOLD’ INITIATIVE

Over the years we’ve spent a great deal of time to refurbish our home furniture and refresh the look of our homes. To make life easier, Housl!fe at ISHANYA presents an unique initiative “Old is Sold”. An interesting take on cleanliness drive, Housl!fe will provide an opportunity to customers to revamp their dwellings by exchanging their old furniture at the best possible rates and a plethora of new products to choose from Housl!fe’s striking new collection ranging from Centre table, chairs, Dining tables, Sofas, beds to wardrobes.

When: Till March 31, 11 am to 9 pm Where: Ishanya, Opp Golf Course, Yerwada

TEMPLE DANCE AT CHATURSHRINGI

Witness scintillating dance performances as Chaturshringi comes alive this weekend.

Advaita, a journey into oneness is an Odissi dance performance which will be staged by Archana

VISHAL KALE

WEEK THAT WAS CHARRED BODY OF CME STAFFER FOUND

EDITOR

THE

LETTERS TO THE

PIC

Love will keep us together

The story about the couples who belong to different cultures but have made a real go of their marriages shows that it is possible to live happily ever after, no matter how great the gulf of differences between two people is. A mutual respect is essential to make any relationship work. If they themselves are united, then they have the strength to face society unitedly and overcome the odds, whatever they may be.

—Atharva Tithe

The snoozing RTO

OF

KID ON WHEELS: The son of a vehicle repairman enjoying a tricycle ride on the footpath under the flyover on Saswad Road at Hadapsar Gadital

E WE K

The charred body of a College of Military Engineering (CME) staffer was found near Dukkarkhind on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway on Sunday (February 7) afternoon. The police have identified the body that of Bajirao Balu Pawar (27), a resident of Kaspate vasti Wakad based on the drivin license found on the body. According to the police, the body was so severely charred that only the skin on the left side of chest was visible. The police is yet to find the motive behind the crime and the body has been sent to Sassoon General Hospital for postmortem.

The duo who took away vehicles from the RTO premises with forged documents just shows how lax the functioning of the organisation really is. No one should be able to hoodwink the road transport authorities with such nonchalance. Either that, or there must have been some RTO staff involved in the affair.

The RTO is always in the news over the issue of the agents, who, given the right amounts of cash, are able to give their clients whatever they want.

— Sandip Khaterd

PMC has left fringe villages in the lurch

I

live in Dapodi, close to the Mutha river, which instead of a blessing has now become a curse, as the river water surface is now completely clogged with water hyacinth. This has resulted in a proliferation of mosquitoes not to mention the stink from the stagnant water.

All of the people who live anywhere near the river face this problem and the removal of the water hyacinth PCMC has undertaken seems to go on forever without making much of a difference. The mosquito menace has reached Akash Paigude epic proportions and we have to take all kind of measures to avert the flying bugs. In the evening and at nights, swarms of mosquitoes are flying about and the only way to keep them out is by closing all the doors and windows, as mosquito repellants and coils are ineffective.

The water hyacinth starts to grow at the start of winter. It’s a problem compounded by the dumping of garbage, polluting the water further.

The water hyacinth problem is a regular one that occurs every year and still the concerned authorities have not devised a way to avert this menace.

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7 HOUSES DESTROYED IN FIRE, NO ONE INJURED

Seven houses were destroyed in a fire that broke out at around 10:30 am on Monday at Indiranagar Vasar, Gultekdi. The Fire Brigade dispatched two tenders, three water tankers and it was brought under control in half an hour. Investigations reveal that the cause of the fire was a short circuit in Raju Gajre’s house. The gutted houses belong to Ejaz Sheikh, Shahida Sheikh, Mukta Sangpal, Abhishek Yadav, Sangeeta Kadam, Raju Gajre and Surya Akhande. The fire may have been deliberately set off to avail of the benefits of the Slum Rehabilitation Programme said a fire official.

PILLOO UNCONDITIONALLY APOLOGISES TO HC FOR IMPERSONATING SILLOO

Three weeks after 74-year-old Pilloo Mehta came clean about being an impostor, she tendered an unconditional apology in Bombay High Court on Tuesday. She had filed a writ petition in HC claiming to 90-year-old Silloo Mistri, who owned 107 acres of a land parcel currently worth Rs 875 crore in Thane. A division bench of Bombay High Court also pulled up the Thane cops for not initiating action in the entire case. The court pulled up inspector Govind Gambhire from Kasarwadawli police station for not initiating action in time. Pilloo tendered an ‘unqualified and unconditional apology’ and sought pardon from the court for her action.

The Pune Municipal Corporation readily brought fringe villages under its jurisdiction, but it seems to have shirked its responsibility in ensuring that the residents of these villages were provided the basic necessities. The village residents now are beginning to feel that they were better off previously, which should be a matter of shame for the PMC. Water supply, roads and garbage disposal are the most fundamental issues that must be attended to, to ensure a civilised and decent quality of life. When will the concerned PMC authorities own up to their responsibility and provide the residents of the fringe villages the facilities that they have been deprived of.

— Nitin Aloke

Pilloo Mehta

All at sea on the sex front

In India, rape seems to have become such an every day affair that I am afraid that we have now become jaded, and reading about another new incident does not make us feel as outraged as we should. It is no less than bestial when infants and babies are raped regularly, even in a supposedly civilised place like Pune. Any sane person would say that something is seriously amiss here, and that as a race, Indians have gone grievously wrong on the sex front. On one had we have Victorian values and an absurd censorship where any nudity or kissing scenes are deleted from movies, and on the other hand there is the spectre of pornography, where any one, including kids, can watch the sleaziest of videos. As a nation we have not grown beyond the adolescent stage, where sex is dirty, something to be joked and sniggered about. When will we grow up?

— Sarathi Nair

The will to survive

The story about the cancer patients is truly inspiring. It is a great lesson in fortitude and a never-say-die spirit to know that there are people of flesh and blood who shrug off the terminal, death sentence like aura that the disease generates, and instead do all they can to go on with their lives without cowering in fear and depression. Until we find a cure, this inner strength is our best, most valid weapon in the battle against cancer.

— Radhika Dendere

SPORTS

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

‘Numero uno status is within reach for Indian cricketing eves’ Indian women’s cricket team coach Purnima Rau sees her dream appear to be within reach

BY EKTA KATTI @Ektaak Times are changing for women’s cricket in India. The Indian women’s cricket team defeat of the Australian women for the fi rst time ever, indicates a resurgence, and the possibility of the Indian team’s rising to the uppermost echelons of women’s cricket in the world. The numero uno status has been a long-standing wish and dream for former player and current Indian women’s cricket team coach Purnima Rau. TGS caught up with Rau,

street-side match,” said Rau. Rau thinks that Pune’s Devika Vaidiya, 18, is a star in the making.

“She is exciting to watch and I think she has what it takes to represent India,” said Rau. The women in blue shared the practice field with the men in blue at Melbourne. Suresh Raina came over and bowled a couple of overs to the women, while R Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh exchanged notes with the women. And the men’s skipper was all praise after their historic T20 win.

THEN AND NOW Rau was captain when India toured New Zealand in 1995 when the team and also won the series. “I have had my share of the spotlight as a player and I feel that now I am in the right place at the right time as a coach,” she said.

The Indian women’s cricket team is currently third in the ICC Women’s T20 rankings. “An early win in the Sri

Puneri Paltan hold table-toppers Patna Pirates

Puneri Paltan are in seventh place with a tally of ten points

Puneri Paltan started their campaign on their home turf on a positive note, holding current leaders Patna Pirates to a thrilling 30-30 draw, in the third Pro Kabaddi League at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi, on Thursday. The Pune outfit earned three points from the encounter and with ten points from four matches they are in seventh spot. Patna

Pirates lead the table with 28 points from six matches.

Patna’s Pradeep Narwal drew fi rst blood as he scored an all-out in the 10th minute, for a handy 12-4 lead. The hosts hit back in the 17th minute and narrowed the deficit to 13-16.

Rival leaders Manpreet Singh of Patna Pirates and Manjit Chhillar of Pune led their teams in contrasting styles. Manpreet’s strategy to run down the clock with empty raids paid full dividends.

The absence of defender

Maiden triumph down under, to battle against next door islanders

The victorious Indian women’s cricket team after wining the T20 bilateral series against Australia 2-1 for the first time

Lanka series will boost our ranking.

The Sri Lanka tour has come at the right time, just before the World Cup,” she said.

An Indian Premier League for women will give the team more exposure. “The BCCI has done a good job of promoting cricket. An IPL for women will certainly be a big boost for women’s cricket and give a new generation of talented players a perfect platform,” she said.

Rau does not care to distinguish between men’s and women’s cricket or any comparisons. The women’s team is not living under the shadow of the men’s cricket team. “Let’s not compare but it is cricket that is the ultimate winner,” she said.

Rau played 33 ODIs for India, and claimed 50 wickets, between 1995 and 2000. She played five Test matches, with a career-best haul of five for 24 with her off spinners. ekta.katti@goldensparrow.com

I have had my share of the spotlight as a player and I feel that now I am in the right place at the right time as a coach. The BCCI has done a good job of promoting cricket.

An IPL for women will certainly be a big boost for women’s cricket - Purnima Rau

TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeekly

ROUND THE WICKET

Soon after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took a landmark decision to issue centralised contracts to Indian women cricketers, the team has provided justification for the decision, by winning the bilateral T20 series against the current World T20 Champions, the mighty Australian women, in their own backyard. Th is victory is all the sweeter, as it is the fi rst time the Indian eves have outplayed the Aussies.

The next encounter for the Indian women’s cricket team will be against the Sri Lanka women’s cricket team, in a bilateral series scheduled from February 15 to 26, 2016 at Ranchi, which will include three One Day Internationals as well as three T20 matches.

With the World Cup around the corner, the encounter against the Lankan women will be a perfect warm-up for the Indian women. The series will provide scope for the team to try out some permutations and combinations with already selected Indian squad for the World Cup. With the landmark victory in Australia, the Indian side must be brimming with confidence, but the Sri Lankan side are no pushovers, and have always performed well against India. All in all, the India-Sri Lanka women’s series promises to provide some scintillating, aggressive and positive cricket.

Cricket is a team sport, but individual contributions are also crucial, both with the bat and the ball. From this perspective, it will be relevant to spotlight the standout individual performances by the Indian women cricketers during the recent tour of Australia. Mithali Raj, decorated with the Arjuna award and the Padma Shri, played a true captain’s role, leading from the front to emerge as one of the highest run-getters in the series. Th is Hyderabad girl also captains the Indian Railways team on the domestic circuit.

while she is still basking in the glow of the memorable Australian tour.

India won the T20 series 2-1, but lost the One Day Internationals 1-2. The Indian eves made history by chasing down a total of 141, and winning the T20 bilateral series in Australia for the fi rst time.

“Th is is the fi rst time we have won the bilateral series in Australia. It was a historic tour. The girls played beyond themselves and showed their class. The atmosphere in the dressing room was amazing,” said Rau. REACHING A MILESTONE Former India skipper Rau knows just what it means to score a victory over the mighty Australians in the T20 series, down under.

“I have played against Australia several times but never in Australia. In my playing days, I used to hear horrid tales about the deadly Australian bowlers. While I never played against them in their home land, now being the coach of a team to win the T20 series against Australia is a huge thrill for me,” she said.

The Australian tour was a perfect tune-up for the Indian girls, with the T20 World Cup just round the corner. There were some memorable individual performances on the tour. In the third and final ODI, Indian skipper Maithili Raj scored a scintillating match-winning 89. And Mumbai’s Smriti Mandana was a revelation with her batting prowess.

“Smriti has an attacking, aggressive streak and the youngster has proved her worth.

She is a mirror image of Maithili and a cricketer to watch out for,” said Rau. Mandana hit a century in the second ODI, and a half century in the third. Anuja Patil, 23, of Kolhapur was another find. “she’s quick, smart and savvy, the kind of player you want on your side in a

PUNE

Sandeep Narwal and raider Rohit Kumar for Patna and raider Deepak Hooda and defender Surjeet for the hosts did rob the tie of some excitement.

Manjit, with two crucial tackles on specialist Rajesh Mondal and substitute Gurvinder Singh, was responsible for doing damage before the break. As things looked to even out, Pradeep came up with a super raid to earn him three points. And debutant raider Surinder earned three points to make for a score of 20-16 at the break.

The Patna Pirates were ahead till the final minutes. Pradeep continued his good work, but specialist Rajesh Mondal was ineffective.

Substitute Sunil Jaipal, who crossed over from Bengal Warriors, also failed to make any impact.

The Pune defence came up with some good tackles. Manjit, after changing places in defence, finally got his tormentor Pradeep twice, with some help from Jasmer and Ravi Kumar.

Ajay Thakur who was harmless in the fi rst session went in for the penultimate raid in the dying minutes. He was tagged by D Suresh Kumar and the umpire gave both of them out for going off the court. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

India men’s cricket team skipper MS Dhoni shares a light moment with the India eves in Australia

Jhulan Goswami, is another Arjuna award and Padma Shri winner. The medium pacer from Bengal claimed the woman of the T20 series honours in Australia. Smriti Mandhana, 19, is the second youngest Indian woman to score a One Day hundred in Australia. The Sangli girl represents Maharashtra on the domestic circuit. Mithali Raj was the youngest Indian woman to score a one day ton at the age of 16.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the all-rounder from Punjab, has the kind of temperament that stands her and the Indian team in good stead in every kind of situation. She represents the Indian Railways on the domestic circuit, and is a fiery hard-hitting batswoman, like her idol Virendra Sehwag.

Veda Krishnamurthy and Rajeshwari Gaikwad of Karnataka and Shikha Pandey of Goa are the other players to keep an eye out for. Coach Purnima Rao is the right woman for the job, having led the Indian side in her playing days, and she has enjoyed a fruitful coaching career since 2007.

— Soniya Dabir made her mark as an all-rounder with the Indian women’s cricket team from 2010 to 2014. She is currently the girls’ cricket coach at PYC Gymkhana

‘I owe my love for kabaddi to Ratnagiri’

Puneri Paltan coach Ashok Shinde foresees kabaddi becoming as popular as cricket in the country

BY EKTA KATTI @Ektaak Ashok Shinde, 50, the Puneri Paltan coach, has played kabaddi all his life, ever since he was a kid in his home town of Ratnagiri.

“I belong to Ratnagiri, which is the place where I grew up playing kabaddi. I owe my love for kabaddi to Ratnagiri,” he said.

It was an idyllic life and as a child, Ashok and his friends played kabaddi most every day. “Kabaddi was the one game we knew. We would find some big tree in our village, and playing there in the shade of the tree, hours would pass by,” he said.

His brothers also have been instrumental in Ashok ’s love for kabaddi. Two of his brothers inspired him to play kabaddi professionally.

Besides

his brothers, Pune’s Arjuna Awardee Shantaram Jadhav has also been a great inspiration. “I made it a point to watch Shantaram whenever I could and there was always something new to learn from him,” he said.

As a professional kabaddi player, Ashok played stellar roles as he represented the state and India. The crowning achievement cam when Ashok was conferred with the Arjuna Award for excellence in kabaddi.

He still represents Air India in kabaddi.

Shinde was appointed the coach of Puneri Paltan in 2015. Unafraid to experiment, in the second season of Pro Kabaddi, he revamped the team completely, bringing in nine new and experienced players.

Though the team has had a lukewarm start, Shinde is sure about the direction for the team. “There are a couple of matches left which can change the outlook. This year we will surely win the title,” he said.

He feels that kabaddi is now reaching new heights. “All the matches are shown on TV. There is constant promotion by celebrities which brings in more fans for this game. At this rate, kabaddi will reach a status where it will be nearly as popular as cricket in the country,” Shinde said. ekta.katti@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2016

PUNE

SPORTS

We need to believe that we belong among the tennis elite: Ankita Ankita Raina is on a high after a landmark win at the Fed Cup and a golden double at the South Asian Games

BY EKTA KATTI @Ektaak

Ankita Raina

India ascended to fi fth position in the Fed Cup Asia-Oceania Zone, in the wake of exhilarating performances in the Group I matches at Hua Hin, Thailand last week.

Pune’s Ankita Raina, ranked 307, Prarthana Thombare, ranked 471, Delhi’s Prerna Bhambri, ranked 399 and the world’s top doubles player, Sania Mirza managed to rescue India from relegation.

After losing to hosts Thailand 0-3 and Japan 1-2, the Indians triumphed over Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan with identical margin of 3-0.

In the loss to Japan 1-2, Ankita, 23, stole the limelight as she beat 56 ranked Nao Hibino of Japan 6-3, 6-1. It happened to be her career’s biggest win, and Ankita went on to win a golden double at the 12th South Asian Games 2016 at Guwahati on Wednesday.

In the singles, Ankita beat Prerna Bhambri 6-1, 6-0, and teamed up with Divij Sharan in the doubles to defeat Sanam Singh and Prarthana Thombare 6-2, 7-6 (6-3).

In a free-wheeling interview, Ankita Raina spoke to TGS about her Fed Cup performance, golden double and more...

Q: Describe your experiences at the Fed Cup and the South Asian Games.

Ankita Raina: The start of the year has been a dream run for me and overcoming Japan’s Nao Hibino was the best moment. Th is was my fi rst win over a top 100 player. I am working on skills too. The golden double at the South Asian Games seemed like the icing on the cake.

Q: What was it like to play alongside Sania Mirza in the Fed Cup? AR: I was on the attack from word go against Hibino, and Sania’s tips on how to play against her proved invaluable. I have had the opportunity to play alongside Sania in the Fed Cup and the Asian Games, and it’s really a special experience to have the world’s top doubles player on your side. I got to learn a lot from her and Sania is a constant inspiration with all that she has achieved. I just wanted to give my best in all the matches of Fed Cup and was just trying to focus on the tactics, which Sania (Mirza) helped me with before the match. Everything is possible.

Q: Sania’s doubles crown at the recent Australian Open with Martina Hingis must have boosted the Fed Cup team morale.

AR: Definitely! Sania’s status as top women’s doubles player and her string

of Grand Slam wins with Hingis are a source of motivation for all of us, and her guidance is priceless.

Q: India was on the verge of relegation before bouncing back to reach fi fth spot in the Zone Group I Asia-Oceania playoff s. How did that feel?

AR: The team has come to grips with the reality of performing under pressure. That was evident in our performance We were aiming to qualify for the world group playoffs but averting relegation was a positive.

Fifth position in the Fed Cup is not bad, considering the strong field with strong rivals like Japan and Thailand.

Th is win gives us one more chance next year to qualify for the world group playoffs.

Q: There are several top ranked players in the city, but they never make it to the Grand Slams. Why? AR: Indian men are edging their way into the Grand Slams. There is plenty of talent in the city. And they are towards their goal. But we need to start believing that it’s possible and that we do belong in that elite league.

Q: What are your goals for 2016?

AR: I’m working on the speed of my strokes. My chief weapon is my forehand and I’m also quite consistent with my backhand. I will be participating in the ITF Women’s $25k tournament in Delhi next week and hope to keep up my winning streak. ekta.katti@golden sparrow.com