The Golden Sparrow on Saturday 20/08/2016

PUNE, AUGUST 20-26, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

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

II

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

PUNE

‘‘The administration aims to make the city free of open defecation by the end of December. The administration will soon commence the work of building 5,000 community toilets to achieve this target.’’

- Kunal Kumar, PMC commissioner

Light of selfless service P9

Thailand hopes political stability in near future P 11

Social worker turns out to be a jewel thief Self-proclaimed social worker from Latur confesses to being a jewel thief after being nabbed by Vishrambaug police

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1 A 27-year-old self-proclaimed ‘social worker’ has landed in police custody after cheating several jewellers.

The Vishrambaug police have nabbed Rajendrakumar Swaruprao Gurudhalkar, resident of Sanjay Park in Lohegaon, and recovered stolen gold ornaments worth Rs 3.80 lakh from him on Monday.

Gurudhalkar, an Arts and Physical Education graduate, would visit jewellers shops on Laxmi Road, posing as a rich and well-educated person. He would claim to have purchased over one crore rupees worth of ornaments for his fiance. After gaining the jewellers’ trust, he would purchase gold ornaments worth lakhs of rupees, and give the jewellers post

dated cheques. He was eventually caught by the Vishrambaug police in one such attempt, and his fraud came to light. The police said that he has cheated several well-known jewellers in Pune, but the victims are wary of filing complaints against him, as it would harm their reputation.

Prasad Vasant Nagarkar of ‘Shripad Shankar Nagarkar Jewellers’ on Laxmi Road has filed a complaint of cheating against Gurudhalkar at Vishrambaug police station. After he was nabbed, Gurudhalkar confessed to cheating Nagarkar Jewellers of 13 tolas of gold ornaments worth Rs 4.7 lakh.

As per the complaint filed by Nagarkar, Gurudhalkar went to the jewellers shop three days ago, with his second wife Poonam. “He told us that he was marrying Poonam and wanted to purchase gold ornaments worth Rs 1.15 crore,” said the complainant in the FIR. The shop staff showed Poonam some gold ornaments and the couple booked them. Gurudhalkar gave the complainant a cheque. Then the couple took 13 tolas of ornaments worth Rs 4.70 lakh, out of the booked ornaments, and paid only Rs 25,000 through debit card as per the limit of withdrawal.

60 dog bite cases reported in a day!

BY GUNWANTI PARASTE @gunwantiparaste While the citizens of Alandi celebrated India’s 70th Independence Day on August 15, the authorities have failed to free the neighbourhood from stray dog menace as the area saw 50-60 dog bite cases on August 18. Owing to the laid-back approach of the authorities, the menace continues unabated in Alandi.

The rise in the number of dog bite cases has turned out to be a headache for the civic body.

Many victims of dog bite were admitted in different hospitals on Thursday night. About 25 people visited Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporationrun Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH) in Pimpri owing to dog bite.

Most of the victims reported that strays attacked them in Alandi main market area. With Alandi municipal hospital facing shortage of dog bite vaccine, the staff referred them to YCMH and other hospitals.

A three-year-old girl admitted to YCMH was attacked while she was playing outside her house.

Roop Shitolkar (18) of Alandi suffered dog bite when she had gone to the market along with her mother to buy vegetables. Passers-by who tried to

The Nagarkar jewellers shop on Laxmi Road, which the culprit had targeted

Rajendrakumar Gurudhalkar

“He handed over a post dated cheque, promising to pay the remaining amount to the jewellers and left the shop. He again came to the shop the next day and had tea with them to gain the trust of the jewellers. But when the cheque bounced, they filed a complaint with us,” said Mahendra Patil, assistant police inspector and investigating officer from

social worker in his locality.

“He hails from Latur and has been living in Pune for years. He has registered ‘Green Smart India Mandal’ and planted 2-3,000 trees in Lohegaon. People know him as a social worker, and he would help them financially also. He is fluent in English, Marathi and Hindi, which impressed

PIC: TEJAS GAIKWAD

Alandi citizens blame authorities for failing to check stray animal menace

shoo away the animals were also attacked.

“I had parked my vehicle in the market area and was walking towards a shop at 7.30 pm when a dog suddenly attacked me and bit my legs and hands. Civic authorities are yet to take the stray dog bite issue seriously,” Namdev Umbarkat (48) said, adding that citizens have filed several complaints to the authorities in vain.

Dog bite cases were reported by people who visited Samadhi Mandir.

“The threat is so much so that walking on streets has become a nightmare even during daytime. We are helpless.

There is nothing we can do to check these animals,” Umbarkat said.

“We received about 25 dog bite victims on Thursday night.

Some patients were discharged after administering medication,” YCMH Chief Medical Officer Dr Suraj Mahadik.

Speaking to TGS, Alandi Municipal Council President Rohidas Tapkir said, “After we were alerted about the dog bite cases, we dispatched staff to catch and vaccinate stray dogs. The civic staff found many strays dead. Efforts are underway to catch strays and leave the animals in the forest area.” gunwanti.paraste@goldensparrow.com

Vishrambaug police station.

After the complaint was filed by the jewellers, the Vishrambaug police swung swiftly into action, and nabbed Gurudhalkar from his residence. He confessed to cheating the jeweller, and during sustained interrogation, confessed that he had committed many such crimes in the past, posing as a

the jewellers,” said API Patil.

Police said that Gurdhalkar had also been to Ranka Jewellers, P N Gadgil and Ashtekar Jewellers on Laxmi Road, and tried the same modus operandi, but didn’t succeed.

Then he went to Nagarkar Jewellers.

Prasad Nagarkar said that the presence of mind shown by them and the police resulted in Gurudhalkar’s arrest.

“He had purchased the ornaments from our shop and gave us a cheque the next day. As soon as the cheque bounced, I filed the complaint with the Vishrambaug police station, and they nabbed him. Police have recovered the gold ornaments from him,” said Prasad.

The police suspects that Gurudhalkar has cheated several other well-known jewellers from Laxmi Road but no one is coming forward to file complaints against him, fearing for their reputation. “We took Gurudhalkar to almost all the jewellers shops but no one is filing complaints,” said the police officer.

Gurudhalkar told the police that he had stolen cheques worth Rs two lakh of Pune District Central Co-operative Bank, from Paud gram panchayat. dnyaneshwar.bhonde@ goldensparrow.com

STREET LIFE

A tent made of coloured cloth serves as home and shelter for this family. The girls who study in a PMC school, use a battery-powered lamp to do their homework. They live in the Bibwewadi area, on Gangadham Road

Most PMPML bus stops are in broken down state New PMPML CMD briefed about the transport body’s current situation, which shows that 3,500 of its 5,000 bus stops are in a state of disrepair

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar Dhule District Collector A B Misal took charge asChairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) from Abhishek Krushna, on August 16. Soon after taking charge, Misal ordered officers of PMPML departmentsto brief him about PMPML’s current situation.

The briefingshowsthat PMPML has 5,000 bus stops in Pune and PimpriChinchwad, of which 3,500 bus stops have no sheds, sheds were broken, seats were missing, and beggars were taking shelter under some stops.

PMPML commuters have had to bear the brunt of the rains due to the lack of sheds at bus stops.

The only public transport for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad,more than 12 lakh people travel by PMPML buses daily,on its 1550 buses. PMPML hasrecently decidedto purchase 1550 new buses for its fleet.

Jugal Rathi of PMP Pravasi Manch, said, “PMPML bus stops do not havesheds, some sheds are broken and have not been replaced,which

has added to commuters’ woes this rainy season. Many bus stops do not have bus time tables,which is also an inconvenience. The new PMPML CMD will have to take immediate stepsto resolve these issues.”

About these issues, PMPML CMD Misal said, “I took charge as CMD just a few days ago. I have been briefed about the current situation by

headsof all PMPML departments like operation, traffic, engineering and maintenance accounts. The PMPML bus stops are in a bad condition, sheds of many bus stops are broken and have not been repaired. The monsoons are not over, so I have order prompt repairsof such bus stops. We are facing operational losses daily, so our main focus is to minimise them, and bring

more buses on the road.” l Total PMPML bus stops: 5000 l Bus stops which have sheds: 1500 l Bus stops that do not have sheds: 3500 l Stops in good condition: 500 Steel shed bus stops: 130 l Leaking bus stops/seats stolen: 1000 tushar.rupanavar@ goldensparrow.com

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

PUNE, AUGUST 20-26, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

Pune’s homeless have a saviour within reach Youth takes up the cause of the homeless, beggars and mentally ill people wandering the streets of Pune, and finds them shelter homes to live in

See p05

Juveniles use chili powder to escape Two juvenile home inmates escape after throwing red chili powder in guard’s eyes

Brightening others’ lives in their twilight years

Retirement can be a daunting prospect or a pleasurable one, depending on the individual’s outlook. But there are those who are determined to make their retirement phase a blessing for others, in whatever way they can

See p08-09

Panwalas, chaiwalas and farsanwala get calls from IT

PAYAL’S COMMERCE ACADEMY

Department spreads his cover to include small businesses

BY SANTOSHEE MISHRA @santosheemishra The Income Tax (IT) department known to give sleepless nights to the ‘high and mighty’ have expanded their web of scrutiny to cover even small retailers and wholesale dealers and have not even spared chaiwalas. No matter what business you are into, the IT department has taken up the initiative of ‘treating all at par’ by shooting notices demanding explanation of the income transaction even reflecting in their savings accounts.

Since the past ten days, these notices are sending shivers up the spines of several small shop owners, including chaiwalas, paanwalas and even small wholesale dealers, as they dread income tax authorities. They are running to the Zonal Income Tax (IT) offices in their

IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE PIONNERS IN COMMERCE EDUCATION FOR 16 YEARS 11th to M.Com, BBA, CPT, CS, MBA, CFA, CMAT, CET l CA - CPT, IPCC, FINAL l MBA - CAT, CMAT, SNAP, GMAT l l CS - FOUNDATION, EXECUTIVE, PROFESSIONAL l Pradeep Kumar Radheshayam Jaiswal

respective areas and seeking clarity about the information. The notion of a possible ‘IT raid’ has left them clueless.

TGS has accessed to a copy of the notice sent by IT which reads “in view of your ACK NO XXXX, we would like to give you an opportunity to produce, or cause to be produced, any

evidence which you feel is necessary in support of the said return of income”.

It also reads that in case no evidence sought to be produced specific questionnaire/show cause notice shall be sent giving you another opportunity in case adverse view is contemplated.

Continued on p2 ADVERTORIAL

T

he name Payal Khatwani synonymous with the commerce coaching in the Pune Camp area.

She started teaching at the age of 20, when she had just completed he graduation. Initially, it was tough going and she had very few student to stand with. But as word spread, students flocked and her classes.

Her USP is her dedication to teaching, her love for the subjects she teaches and the commitment towards her students.

A normal day for Payal consists of 12 hours of non-stop teaching, at times even without a break for lunch or tea she teaches all 7 days of the week, such is her devotion to the profession.

The driving force behind her passion is the look of joy and happiness that her students have their faces when they get their results and come to thank her. She recognizes each student by his/her name, even if they have attended her classes 10 years ago. This personal touch makes her a favourite with students.

Once a student joins her classes in XI, he/she remains her loyal student

See p3

Payal Khatwani

not only till graduation, but post graduation as well. And once they start working too, they keep in touch and come to meet her regularly. This loyalty stems from the fact that she also counsels students. Free of cost in selecting the right course of studies to follow, bases on her interaction and knowledge of his/her likes, strengths and capabilities.

According to Payal, every student is special and she tries her best to

accommodate each one. She has had dyslexic students in her class and she puts in extra effort to teach such students, never making them feel awkward as embarrassed, every student has a right to receive the best education that their families can afford - but Payal sees to it that even those who cannot afford to pay, don’t miss out on an opportunity. She coaches students for free if she feels that the parents cannot genuinely pay.

“All work and no play, makes jack a dull boy “ - keeping this saying in mind Payal tries to arrange a picnic and a social gathering once a year.

The students birthdays are also celebrated with much gusto.

Truly, ask any past or present student of Payal’s and they will be all praises for her. She will not end the class until each and every student has understood everything clearly.

Such dedication and passion is a rare commodity in today’s commercially and financially motivated world.

To quote Payal “Money cannot buy happiness - my happiness is the results the student get”.

XI & XII (HSC) ACCOUNT, MATHS, ECONOMICS, OC & Mgt., SP, FRENCH, GERMAN

F. Y. BCOM

S. Y. BCOM

ACCOUNT, MATHS, ECONOMICS & OTHER OPTIONAL SUBJECTS

T. Y. BCOM

ACCOUNTS, ECONOMICS, COSTING, CO. LAW, TAXATION

ACCOUNTS, ECONOMICS, COSTING, CO. LAW, STATISTICS

M. COM

BBA ALL SUBJECTS

ACCOUNTS, ECONOMICS, COSTING (SPECIAL)

205-207 PARMAR TRADE CENTER, ‘A’ WING 2ND FLOOR, SADHU VASWANI CHOWK, PUNE-01.

CALL: +91 98223 53323, 98234 26139

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

PUNE

MUMBAI

“ACB seems to have become a pawn working under the directions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who is going out of his way to ensure that corrupt practises of his ministers remain under the wraps and image of corruption-free government can be shown off.”

—Sachin Sawant, Congress Spokesperson

Gaming behemoth

Smoking banned in Darjeeling

P8

P12

IS terror strikes in Paris were ‘optimised Mumbai-style attacks’

BY YOSHITA SINGH

UNITED NATIONS: Islamic State (IS) terrorists had “studied” the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and similar “active shooter scenarios” to maximise confusion and casualties before hitting multiple locations in Paris in November, UN member-states have said. The 18th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted to the UN Security Council’s 1267 ISIS, Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee said the modus operandi that IS operatives demonstrated while conducting multiple, nearly simultaneous attacks, such as in Paris and Brussels, presents particular problems in terms of security response.

“Member-States explained that that was a deliberate tactic in order to make it more difficult to mount coordinated and targeted responses to the most dangerous continuing threats,” the report said.

They said the November 13, 2015 terror attacks targeting a sports stadium, restaurants and a concert hall in Paris were fashioned on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack as well as on the Nairobi mall assault. “The attacks in Paris in November 2015 were described by member-states as ‘optimised Mumbaistyle attacks’ demonstrating that the terrorists had studied previous ‘active shooter scenarios’, such as the attacks in Mumbai, India, and at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, and learned lessons about how to maximise confusion and casualties,” it said.

CBI should reveal names of ‘high and mighty’: PIL on Adarsh The Bombay High Court directed CBI to fi le its reply to a public interest litigation which seeks to know names of two persons referred to in the agency’s remand applications in the Adarsh Society case.

Activist Pravin Wategaonkar has fi led the PIL, claiming that CBI’s charge sheet in the case is silent about two “high and mighty” persons. He has demanded further probe on this.

These persons dealt with the fi les related to the Adarsh Society — located in the upscale Colaba area here and originally meant for the widows of the Kargil war heroes — and were allotted four flats in the building, it said.

Arguing in person before a division bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka, Wategaonkar said CBI in its remand applications had said that two “high and mighty” persons were allotted four flats (in return for favours for the society). But these people were not named in the supplementary charge sheet, and the agency should be asked to reveal their names, he said.

The court asked Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh to fi le a reply in four weeks in a sealed cover.

The multi-storeyed Adarsh Society allegedly violates several civic and environmental norms, and politicians and bureaucrats had obtained flats in it. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan had to resign when the scam came to light.

PTI

Railway police employ lady thief

The mother of four is HIV positive and took to crime to make ends meet. She sought opportunity to lead decent living TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGS WEEKLY At least 130 people were killed in the Paris attacks and hundreds wounded, while the Mumbai attacks, carried out by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba killed more than 160 people. According to various memberstates, given that during attacks such as that on the Bataclan theatre in Paris the perpetrators’ apparent aim was to cause fatalities as swiftly as possible, it is essential for security forces to take action quickly, the report said.

“Such a scenario is not, however, part of the standard response of some law enforcement agencies to hostage situations. Traditionally, security forces

seek to buy time to negotiate with perpetrators to secure the release of hostages.

“Consequently, member-states pointed out that those in command and those providing policy approval should be briefed in advance on the limited options available to ensure that response teams are able to engage the terrorists quickly to halt the killing as soon as possible,” it said. The report also said several leaders of the Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), including some of Indian- origin, are not listed under the UN as designated terrorists.

Member-states assess the number

of Al-Qaida operatives in Afghanistan with ties to AQIS could be as high as 300.

“The group consists mainly of militants from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Maldives,” it said.

According to member-states, supporters of Al-Qaida in Afghanistan joined AQIS, headed by Indian-origin Maulana Asim Umar, who is not listed.

Osama Mehmood, the group’s spokesperson, Umar Khattab, responsible for the region in the east of Waziristan in Pakistan and Umair Afzal Rana, head of media and propaganda are also not subject to asset and travel bans.

PTI

Panwalas, chaiwalas and farsanwala get calls from IT Continued from p1 “The notice is under Section 143(2) of the Income Tax Act,1961. The IT dept has sent it to all after thorough inspection with Permanent Account Number (PAN) linked with them through the banks. Pradeep Kumar Radheshayam Jaiswal is a wholesale dealer of farsan (wafers) based in Dharavi. He received the notice on July 27, and fears that authorities will shut down his shop. He thinks that IT officials are going to raid his shop and house,” said Mohammad Noorbhai Shaikh, a Chartered Accountant (CA) who is handling Jaiswal’s case.

After scrutinising the bank details of Jaiswal, Shaikh found that he had made a transaction of about Rs 2 lakhs in another state Gujarat.

“I had borrowed money from my relative based in Gujarat. My saving accounts bank transaction shows debit of Rs 2 lakh. Thus, I am served with the IT notice,” said 39-year-old wholesale dealer Jaiswal.

Sanjay Sawant (47) who runs a roadside paan shop, adjacent to a residential society in Thane, also received a notice.

“My income tax slab is below the standard norm of Rs 2.50 lakhs. I have never fi led any returns as I run a dayto-day business and know nothing about IT returns. After receiving the notice, I closed my shop for ten days before my owner told me to be not scared of any IT raids. He guided

me to a CA, who is preparing my IT returns with ‘nil’ income,” Sawant said, adding that he got his PAN card made through a local corporator at a campaign that provided the facility for citizens for free.

“I once deposited Rs 57,000 in my saving account for my son’s tuition fees as the coaching class wanted payment through cheque only. Later, I never operated that account for one year. The CA’s office told me to update even ‘Nil’ income with IT,” Sawant said.

Tea stall worker Inder Sharma also received the IT notice after he made several transactions above Rs1 lakh through his savings bank account in the past one year.

“Many who hail from my village in Rajasthan do not have savings account so they use my account to send money to their families. I have a current account also to pay to dealers but I always operate the savings account.

I have submitted reply to the notice to the IT department on August 9,” Sharma said.

A senior IT officer who did not wish to be named said, “The department has sent notices to all across Mumbai, who are linked with their PAN through bank and has asked for basic details.

Small businesses have nothing to worry about as the department wants to know the source of income through bank transactions. It is a simple process as citizens get benefits through their fi nancial dealing, so they are liable to declare their income. We are just enforcing the directive given by the Central Government, and small and medium-sized business persons have to fulfi l the procedure.” santoshee.mishra@goldensparrow.com

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Ghatkopar have given a job to a woman caught stealing wash basin from a long-distance train. RPF had arrested the 45-year-old woman hailing from Midnapur in West Bengal after she was caught red-handed stealing a wash basin from Karambhumi Express stationed at Platform number 5 in Ghatkopar on June 12.

The accused, an HIV victim, was produced in the Magistrate Court and served her 15-day jail term in Byculla women’s prison. Ghatkopar RPF Police Sub-Inspector Brijesh Singh said, “The RPF officials had arrested her red-handed for stealing. During interrogation, we found that she was forced into flesh trade as her first husband was a drunkard and she had to support their two children.

On knowing that she was infected with HIV, she left the illegal trade and took to petty crime. She was working as CSW for ten years in Sonapur at Bhandup.”

According to the police, the victim later married a man named Rajkumar Gupta and she has two children from him. She shifted to Ghatkopar with her husband and four-children (two from her first marriage) and supported

the family by indulging in petty crime pickpocketing and stealing at railway stations.

“After completing her jail term, the victim approached us for a job to lead a decent life and support her four children. We have given her the job of a sweeper at Ghatkopar Railway Station. It has been more than a month that the victim is doing her duty with the support of her husband Gupta. She is paid Rs 1,500 every month and the job is not permanent,” Singh said. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

Unused land: Maha to raise Rs 2L cr The debt-ridden Maharashtra government has decided to raise around Rs 2 lakh crore by selling unused land located at prime locations in the city and other parts of the state.

A committee headed by DK Jain, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) has been set up to take the decision of selling government land located at Aarey colony here and in other parts across Maharashtra.

A Government Resolution (GR) of the Finance department issued on August 16 by Jain said that the state was in need of Rs 80,000 crore to complete irrigation projects. The construction of the proposed Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Highway will need at least Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 40,000 crore. As per the GR, Maharashtra will also need another Rs 40,000 crore for the up-gradation of existing state highways into national highways.

It further said the Maharashtra Electricity Distribution Company

Limited will need over Rs 30,000 crore to reduce electricity leakage and the work will help to reduce power leakage from existing 14.5 per cent to 8 per cent.

“If we concentrate on monetisation of land, there will be no need to increase taxes. It will also give relief to common people as well as industries,” he added. The committee, which includes Principal Secretary (Revenue and Forest), Principal Secretary (UD1), Principal Secretary of PWD and Water Resource, Secretary of Revenue, Forest, Industries, Energy and Labour departments, will make a list of unused land of various government departments and will calculate valuation of such lands.

“It is expected that the committee will submit its report within next three months and later the decision to raise the fund will be taken,” an official from the Finance department said.

PTI

Labourer held for sending pornographic videos to a woman

BY SANTOSHEE MISHRA @santosheemishra Falling prey to share contact and accepting the Facebook (FB) request found a 38-year-old married woman from Govandi with pornographic videos in her WhatsApp account. The Govandi police on August 18 arrested a 26-year-old youth identified as Imran Rashid Shaikh for posting pornographic video to the victim. The victim and complainant Snehal Parab

(name changed to hide identity) had lodged an FIR with Govandi Police on May 16.

Govandi Police Station Senior Inspector Uttam Kolekar said, “The victim used to receive mobile messages from an unknown number as Imran had managed to access her Facebook profi le picture and contact after she has unwittingly accepted her friend request. The victim works in a multinational company and not regular on social networking sites.”

The police said that the victim was shocked to see her obscene pictures sent by the accused on WhatsApp. “Between May14 and May 15, the accused had sent the victim many pornographic videos. He also morphed her old FB profi le picture and passes lewd and vulgar comments to her. Imran posts all the objectionable videos stating that he would post these videos on her FB account if she does not start wearing the revealing (objectionable) clothes,”

an investigation officer said.

The victim told the accused that she would register an FIR if he does not stop posting objectionable videos and her pictures to her, but Shaikh continued harassing her.

“During investigation, we found his phone switches off but we were able to identify his location after two months when he restarted the number as it was on surveillance. But soon his phone was again switched off,” the officer said.

A police team reached Devas in Madhya Pradesh, the location of Shaikh’s last phone call. The surveillance team informed that the number has become active again at a construction site and the cops nabbed the accused last week.

“Shaikh works as a labourer at the site. He confessed to having posted objectionable videos and photographs to the complainant. He said that he was fascinated after seeing a crime thriller serial and randomly logged

into FB and got the mobile number of the victim from her profi le after the victim had unknowingly accepted his friendship request. The accused is arrested under section 354( A) (D) (showing pornography against the will of a woman; or making sexually coloured remarks, shall be guilty of the offence of sexual harassment) and (Stalking), 507 (Criminal intimidation) and Information Technology Act 67 and 67(A). tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

“Most of the bridges were constructed before Independence. They however, in use as the technical experts have not found any distress syndromes or lapses. But since they have already crossed their expiry period, it is better to replace them.”

— Saurabh Rao, District Collector

Nationwide study discovers that respiratory diseases are the second most common illnesses afflicting citizens

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1

Around 44 per cent of Pune’s ailing citizens who visit doctors for treatment every day, suffer from respiratory diseases, which are the second highest cause of illnesses. This fact has come to light after city based academic research organisation, Chest Research Foundation (CRF) conducted a day-long nationwide study to pinpoint the most common ailment afflicting people. The study has urged the Indian government to put a greater focus on the prevention and cure of respiratory diseases.

Named after the Greek god of seas and storms, ‘The Poseidon Study’, is among the most extensive studies undertaken recently in India. It involved 13,250 physicians (general practitioners, general physicians and pediatricians) from 880 cities and towns across the country, who maintained records of every patient they treated on one specific day, resulting in the data of 2,04,912 patients. The study conducted at the country, state (Maharashtra) and Pune levels, yielded findings similar in respect of prevalence of patients.

Sixty-nine doctors including general practitioners (40), General Physicians (13), pediatricians (08) and

The premises of the chest research foundation

others (08) from Pune participated in this nationwide study. They examined 2,346 patients, which included 1,141 (48.64 per cent) men and 1128 (48.08 per cent) women, from all age groups.

Data of the remaining 77 (3.28 per cent) was missing.

The collective symptoms of various ailments were divided into four categories, including General/ unspecified, Respiratory, Digestive and Circulatory. The General/unspecified category included fever, head/body ache, loss of appetite and accident or injury. The Respiratory category included cough, Rhinitis, sore throat, wheezing, chest pain or tightness, foreign bodies, breathlessness, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Tuberculosis, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) and Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI)/pneumonia. The Digestive category included ailments like Nausea/ vomiting, Diarrhoea, Hepatitis, Worm infestation and abdominal pain. The

Circulatory category included symptoms like breathlessness, chest pain/tightness, Ischemic heart diseases, hypertension, congestive heart failure, valvular diseases, Pedal Edema and others.

The study revealed that out of 2346 patients, 47 per cent were suffering from general/unspecified symptoms, making it the top cause for people to consult doctors. Second were respiratory diseases that affected 44 per cent, while 24 per cent suffered digestive diseases, and ten per cent suffered from circulatory diseases. The percentages exceeded 100 per cent as some people were suffering from general/unspecified and circulatory diseases.

“We found that on an average, a doctor in Pune sees around 34 patients every day. More than 43.95 per cent of the patients consult a doctor for a respiratory problem, making it the most common organ affected in Pune.

The most common diagnosis made by primary care physicians in Pune is upper respiratory tract infections (URTI),

Women demand more public toilets in PCMC area PCMC is turning a blind eye toward the issue of the shortage of toilets for women in the area under its jurisdiction

P13

P9

Juveniles use chili powder to escape

which is 7.16 per cent. Obstructive Airways Diseases, which include Asthma and COPD are around 5.75 per cent,” said Dr Sundeep Salvi, director of CRF. “We are recognised by Pune University, Symbiosis International University and Ministry of Science and Technology as a respiratory research institute. We are approaching the state and central governments, so it will help taking initiatives towards improving people’s health,” he said.

Dr Salvi said that the aim of the research study wasto identify which illness afflicts the most people in India.

“There were three aims behind this study. First is helping develop appropriate healthcare infrastructure that caters to the most common ailments present in clinical practice. Second is to help in designing medical curriculum for under-graduate and post-graduate students so that they are well trained for the most common diseases encountered in clinical practice.

And third is to prioritise the limited research funds so that more research occurs in areas that most commonly affect people in India,” said Dr Salvi.

Two juvenile home inmates escape after throwing red chili powder in guard’s eyes

BY GARGI VERMA @missgverma

Two juvenile inmates ran away from the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Udyog Kendra juvenile home on August 11.

The two boys ran away after allegedly throwing red chili powder in the eyes of the caretaker.

On August 11, the juvenile home, allegedly, was facing a water crunch.

According to Sharad Kurhade, Superintendent of the juvenile home, since the PMC water wasn’t being supplied regularly, the overhead tank was empty and a tanker had been called that day. “When

About CRF Chest Research Foundation is a charitable trust, an autonomous research body set up in November 2002 by Cipla Ltd. CRF is an autonomous academic research and education organisation working in the field of respiratory diseases, and is actively involved in unveiling new knowledge through research in asthma and COPD. dnyaneshwar.bhonde@ goldensparrow.com

the tanker came, we had to open the gates to fi ll the small tank on our premises. Making use of the ensuing chaos, the boys pushed and fooled their way out,” he said.

However, sources said that the boys procured some red chili powder from the kitchen and threw it on the guard’s face, after the water was filled and doors were being closed. How the boys got their hands on the red chili powder is a mystery.

The two boys, between the ages of 15 and 18 were feeling ‘restless’ and ‘homesick’ and thus took the extreme step, said the superintendent. One of the boys is from Dongri, Mumbai and was transferred to the Pune Special Home. He was slated to be released on September 17. The other boy, a resident of Hadapsar and reportedly an orphan, was brought in a few days ago. “He was not getting accustomed inside and even counselling didn’t really help. Then, one of his friends was released on the same day. That made his resolve stronger, to run away,” said Kurhade.

Meanwhile, no traces of both the boys have been found one week after the incident. “We generally try to avoid such situations with the help of counseling, but without any strict punishment these children sometimes manage to get their way,” Kurhade said. gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

PUBLISHING

WE BREATHE PUNE!

BY GUNWANTI PARASTE @gunwantiparaste There is a serious shortage of toilets for women in Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the existing toilets are in a very unsanitary and unhygenic condition.

Shweta Kulkarni, from Talegaon, works for a private fi rm at Pimpri. “I travel to Pimpri from Talegaon and back on working days. I find it really inconvenient that there are so few toilets for women in Pimpri, and the toilets that are there, are ill-maintained and very dirty and unsanitary,” she said.

Congress Party Corporator Geeta Mancharkar told TGS that they had given a proposal for women’s toilets to the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) six months ago, but the PCMC has ignored the proposal. “We have followed up on the proposal but the PCMC has not responded. We have been insisting on the setting up of women’s toilets constantly in the PCMC area, as women are put to great inconvenience owing to the lack of toilets for them.

We have demanded a survey and report

‘Kabali’ success roars in Singapore

A decade of feeding hungry people on the city streets

Respiratory diseases, high on ailments chart in Pune

PUNE

For the last two years, The Golden Sparrow has covered Pune like no one else

JOIN OUR 50,000 WEEKLY READERS, AND LAKHS ONLINE! about the situation regarding women’s toilets, but the PCMC is evading the issue. We want the PCMC to construct toilets for women at key locations in the area, such as shopping centres and junctions, but the corporation is not taking up the issue seriously. To cater to the huge population of PimpriChinchwad, there is a need for an adequate number of women’s toilets.

There is only one toilet for women in the vegetable market, and it is in a

really bad and unsanitary condition.”

PCMC Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare told TGS, “We will be conducting a survey of women’s toilets in our area very soon. There are toilets which are in a very bad condition. We will demolish these and construct new toilets for women. We will also repair broken down toilets. We will terminate the services of the agencies which are shirking their work in this regard.” gunwanti.paraste@goldensparrow.com

SPECIAL

SUBSCRIPTION

OFFER

`199

For 1 year *52 issues

The existing toilets are in such a filthy and unsanitary state, that they are practically unusable

GOES DIGITAL WITH

thegoldensparrow.com

AVAILABLE ON

TGSWeekly

Contact: 9011055077

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

PUNE

“Diversification of agriculture into energy and power sector is the way forward. If all the extra money goes to the farmers, then the farmer will not be forced to commit suicide. If biofuel is used in public transport, it will even bring down air pollution also.”

— Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Shipping

Cops called at juvi home to control violent teenagers Juvenile Home inmates’ spat erupts into violence after an event on Raksha Bandhan day

BY GARGI VERMA @missgverma The Juvenile Home premises saw a lot of activity on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

While the authorities had organised an event for the inmates, a fight broke out soon after among the inmates which turned extremely violent. The Superintendent says that he has demanded police presence in the juvenile home to stop such incidents from happening again.

On August 18, after the celebrations of Raksha Bandhan finished inside the juvenile home, a couple of boys approached the Probation Officer on duty. While they were talking to him, more boys came into his office and a verbal spat began. Th is spat escalated quickly and the boys started hitting each other. According to sources, they overturned the officer’s table and broke the water pipe lying nearby. The fight became so brutal that one of the boys had a deep gash on his forehead and several others complained of sprains and bruises. It took nearly half an hour for the authorities to get everything under control, and

they had to call the cops from the nearby Yerawada police station.

When the situation was under control, looking at the injuries of the inmates, an ambulance was called for, but none of them were taken to the hospital for a medical checkup till late night on August 18. All of the boys involved were taken to a separate place and their parents were called. One of the parents, however, turned to the administration and said that the incident was caused due to their negligence. He said, “The boys, including my son, were under the influence of some substance which made them lose control and turn aggressive. How they are getting the substance inside is anyone’s guess.”

According to Sharad

Illegal structures under ZP scanner Pune ZP to register all unauthorised structures in its jurisdiction to generate revenue

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2 The Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) has decided to register all unauthorised structures which have come up in the jurisdiction of 1407 gram panchayats of the district, to generate revenue.

Unauthorised as well as illegal structures will be registered at their respective gram panchayats to make them taxable for the utilities provided to them. Initially, a temporary list of taxable structures will be made which will be finalised later, but registering structures will not mean that they are regularised, officials said.

The ZP had stopped the registration of unauthorised structures in the 1407 gram panchayats on February 10, 2010. Thousands of unauthorised and illegal structures have sprung up in the district in more than six years.

The owners of these structures evade paying taxes to the ZP for utilities like roads, electricity, transport etc, which expenses are borne by the ZP. The state government has suffered losses for six years and has reverted the decision not to register

unauthorised and illegal structures in gram panchayats. Acting on the new decision of the state government, the Pune ZP has instructed all the gram panchayat offices to register all unauthorised and illegal structure like houses, restaurants, warehouses, industries etc, which have come up after February 10, 2010.

Pune Zilla Parishad Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shalini Kadu said, “The gram panchayats have been asked to begin the survey for compilation of data of all the unauthorised structures and illegal structure etc, which will be analysed for final decision. The list of the identified structures during the survey will be analysed in the monthly meeting and the taxable amount of the structure will be decided on the readyreckoner rate of the area. Suggestions and objection on the taxable amount by citizens will be considered for a period of one month, after which the taxable amount for the structure will be finalised in the fi rst week of December.

“People should not consider their structures as legalised if they are been registered with the gram panchayat office. Th is decision is taken only to charge tax on this structure with earlier was exempted from it. During the registration, the category of the structure as unauthorised, illegal or illicit will be clearly stated.” vicky.pathare@goldensparrow.com

Kurhade, Superintendent of the juvenile home, it is the pent-up aggression of the underage convicts that leads to such incidents.

“It is not unheard of, definitely. But we have been trying and are mostly successful in curbing these incidents. However, sometimes, our counselling doesn’t work,” he said. He believes that it is the repeat offenders who cause all the chaos. “They have been through this before and thus know that nothing serious will happen to them. So, a juvenile home seems like an easy ride. Thus, they get into fights and are easily angered,” he said.

However, he believes that the fear of policemen, even in plain clothes, will help in containing such incidents. “Our commissioner office has already sent a letter to the Police Commissioner’s office. We are meant to be taking care of the children. We are sometimes unable to discipline them. The police, however, can stop these fights and can even use force at times if needed. They fear them and listen to them too,” he said.

However, child activists believe this to be counterproductive.

One of the volunteers for the juvenile home, requesting anonymity, commented, “The entire point to send them to a juvenile home and not a jail is to impress ideas on them with the help of counselling and not fear. What we need to do is better the counselling process, not the fortification of the juvenile home.” gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

G20 to focus on economy, no politics P 11

A traffic warden who works for free Sixty-nine-year old citizen lends a helping hand as traff ic warden to the traff ic police on the busy Satara Road

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar Vasant Bapurao Kulkarni, 69, has long retired from his job in the Public Works Department, but he has been using his time and energy to perform a very useful service for the five years. Kulkarni is putting in voluntary service as traffic warden on the trafficclogged Satara Road, come rain or shine, without a day off.

Pune city is infamous for its traffic bottlenecks around town, with more than 20 lakh registered vehicles. The monsoons cause an even greater chaos, with potholes and non-functioning traffic signals. Given the shortage of traffic police, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) appointed traffic wardens to lend a hand, but there is still a great shortage of traffic staff. What volunteers like Kulkarni do, is all the more precious then.

About his initiation as traffic warden, Kulkarni said, “I have been a central government employee for almost 30 years. During that time, I also served with the home guard. After retirement, I found it hard to pass the time with nothing to do. I have two sons and a daughter. Both my sons are software engineers, one of them is in Bengaluru and the other one is in Mumbai. My daughter is married. They are all busy with their lives. My wife is a spiritual person and she is always singing bhajans and goes to the mandir for prayers. But I am an atheist, and it was difficult to remain at home doing nothing.

So I met the Pune police commissioner in 2011 and told him that I wanted to work as traffic warden, which he agreed to. Ever since then I have been helping the traffic police at Pushpamangal chowk

and Walvekar chowk on Satara Road, which sees heavy traffic from 9 am to 1 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm. I get a pension so I work voluntarily. I have been working for five years without taking a day’s leave. It gives me immense happiness to work with the traffic police. The traffic police not only manage traffic, but also help citizens in times of need like accidents. Many a time we have taken injured persons to hospital and saved their lives. Saving anybody’s life is like worshipping god.” tushar.rupanavar@ goldensparrow.com

A smart way to ensure quality education Jnana Prabodhini develops teaching assist app, which evokes huge response as over 10,000 teachers across 600 schools are now using it TGS NEWS SERVICES @TGSWeekly Considering the extensive use of tablets and smartphones these days, Jnana Prabodhini has come up with a ‘Happy Teacher’ app to save the lesson preparation time of teachers, and to have a common platform for teachers to share their experiences.

This mobile application has been scientif ically designed and has teaching material in English and Marathi from standard I to V. The app promotes activity based learning and aims to improve the quality of education

in Maharashtra. Along with the study materials and information, the app also shares videos that will help teachers to interact with the students.

It was a huge project and more than 125 teachers from Pune, Satara, Solapur, Wai and Mumbai voluntarily helped to generate the content for this app. App designer Graham Earley, who was in India for social work, helped the creators with technical support, while the videos are made by the students of Deccan Education Society’s Film and Television Institute.

“There are several videos available on internet for teachers, but they are not designed specif ically for our teachers. And not every teacher have a laptop or even a computer, but almost everyone uses smartphones, so we decided to create an app that will help the teachers to organise their teaching programme for the entire

year,” said Pallavi Paradkar, coordinator for the project.

“To make it an interactive, the app allows the users to post their ideas and they can communicate with each other. The teachers will get notif ications every day and also helpline service is available for them,” said Paradkar.

The app was launched on July 28 and in less than a month it has gained huge popularity. As per the app creators, over 10,000 teachers across 600 schools in Maharashtra have downloaded this app and the number is likely to increase in future.

“Our target is to reach the teachers in the rural areas, so they can be associated with the advanced teaching techniques and eventually it will benef it the students. We will def initely observe a boost in educational standard with the help of this app,” said Paradkar. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

How PMC (mis)treats its contract staff PMC contract workers have not been paid their salaries for two months

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar Contract workers employed in security, water supply, solid waste management and garden departments of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) have not been paid their salaries for the last two months. As many as 4,500 workers working for the civic body on contract basis, have been deprived of their salaries despite constant demands for the last two months. These workers recently met PMC Commissioner Kunal Kumar and complained that they had not been paid their salaries for the last two months.

The contract workers are not paid salaries as per the minimum wages act of the government. Instead of hiring workers on a permanent basis, the PMC has given contract of security, solid waste management, water supply and garden departments to a private

contractor. But owing to PMC lapses in administration, these workers are not getting their salaries on time. Many of these contract workers have been working for 7-8 years, but the PMC administration has not improved.

Mallesh Chandankhaire has been working as security guard for eight years. “I have not been paid my salary for three months. My family is wholly dependent on my income.

Contract workers of PMC get just

Rs 6,500 as monthly salary, which is very low considering the current rate of inflation. But since we do not get even that on time, we have no option but to borrow money from money lenders. Sometimes our entire salary goes towards paying back the loans.

We have complained many times regarding our salary to our contractor, but he keeps saying that the PMC administration has not passed the cheque on time,” he said.

Anil Bagav has been working with the PMC garden department. He has not received his salary for three months. “I am working as gardener at the main building of PMC since the last two months. We have not received our salaries for the last three months.

Our families have been starving for the last few months. I have a small daughter and my family depends on my income. We have complained many times to our contractor and PMC administration, but nothing has happened,” he said.

About the unpaid salaries of the thousands of PMC contract workers, PMC Commissioner Kunal Kumar said, “I only got the complaint letter of contract workers who have not received their salaries yesterday.

Some workers met me at my office.

I am reviewing the entire issue with concerned department officers.

Eleven officers look after the issue, so I have issued an order that these 11 officers from various departments will not receive their salaries for August until this issue of contract workers is resolved.” tushar.rupanavar@ goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

“The cases of water-borne diseases are mainly reported from the city’s outskirts.

Our staff from the health department are paying door-to-door visits to sensitise residents about the preventive measures to be taken.”

— S T Pardeshi, chief of PMC’s health department

Pune’s homeless have a saviour within reach

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar

Banker Yogesh Malkhare celebrated Rakha Bandhan 2016 in a very novel and special way. He had received a phone call from a Shivajinagar resident about a female mental patient dressed in rags, with matted hair, roaming around in Shivajinagar area for the last couple of months. Yogesh immediately went to the area with some colleagues, and with the help from some residents, located the woman. He made repeated but futile attempts to talk to her. Then on the spur of the moment, Yogesh told her that he wanted her to tie a rakhi on his hand. To his joy, she readily agreed, so he took her to a nearby shop, and bought a rakhi of her choice. The woman then put kunku on Yogesh’s forehead and tied the rakhi to his wrist. Yogesh took her woman to the Deccan police station, registered her name in the police diary, and with the help of the police, got the woman ad-

mitted to a women’s shelter at Alandi.

The police will take the woman to court on Friday, and her medical treatment and where she is to stay will be decided as per the court order.

Yogesh runs a home loan franchise of ICICI Bank in Pimpri-Chinchwad area.

But for the last three months, he has been rescuing beggars, homeless people and mental patients living under bridges and on city streets. In three months, he has taken 79 people to shelters, or handed them over in the care of their families or relatives. Yogesh has spent no less than Rs three lakh for transporting these people to police stations, hospitals, barber shops, buying them clothes, feeding them and finding them shelter homes.

About his mission, Yogesh said, “I hail from a village in Osmanabad district. I got married and moved to Pune.

Here I see beggars, homeless people and mental patients living on the streets, under bridges and at traffic signals, all the time. One day I walked up to one

such person, talked to him, and offered him food. I took him home, but realised that there are so many such people in the city. So I took him to a police station.

Initially the police were kind of abrupt with me. But later they realised that I really wanted to help the person. So they registered his name and took him to court. The court ordered that he be sent to a shelter home. Earlier shelter homes did not admit such people until a court passed the order. So I met District Collector Saurabh Rao, and told him about this issue. Rao advised the shelter homes to admit such people, when police brought them to the shelter homes, and take them to court the next day. Till date I have admitted 79 such people to shelter homes, and some people are now living with their relatives. In our country there is machinery to help even stray dogs, but we do not have any special provision for homeless people. The police force has its limitations, so people must come forward and help the homeless, beg-

See, as you speak

gars and mental patients who are living on the streets. This has now become a regular practice for me. Now people call me on my phone or let me know through social media about such people. My colleagues Vivek Newale, Swati Dhimble and I take such people to a nearby police station, and then admit them to shelter homes. So we need help. We need a four-wheeler for this work. I appeal to citizens of Pune to please come forward and help me according to their ability.

I plan to start a helpline for this work, and also plan to set up shelter homes, to widen the scope of this work. A few days ago, we registered ‘Smile Plus Foundation’, an organisation for this work, with the charity commissioner office.”

Yogesh Malkhare, Contact Number: 8600000806 To donate money to Yogesh State Bank of India, Dhole Patil Road Branch, Pune Account number: 35937957171 tushar.rupanavar@ goldensparrow.com

PICS: TEJAS GAIKWAD

Yogesh had to use all his persuasive powers to convince the homeless woman to tie a rakhi on his wrist on Raksha Bandhan day. (Right) Yogesh Malkhare and his colleagues

MIDC hikes penalties eight fold to boost industrialisation Penalties for defaulting investors hiked eight-fold by MIDC to ensure timely start of production

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2 Coming down heavily on lax investors, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has approved an eight-fold hike in the penalty amount to be levied on investors in industrial plots whose production does not start in the given Santoshkumar time frame. The Deshmukh decision is an enforcement of the General Resolution passed by the state government in March 2015, to ensure bonafide credentials of investors, officials said.

The MIDC has issued notices to 31 industrial land owners whose plots were lying unused from the stipulated time, along with levying the new penalty. Six entrepreneurs have started their production within a month after the notices were issued by MIDC, and

seven investors who were fined, have assured to start production in a couple of months. The defaulting investors own plots admeasuring an area of 3,50,000 square metres in areas under MIDC jurisdiction of Pune region, like Kurkum, Jejuri and Indapur.

“Provision in the industrial laws allows the state government to take back industrial plots from investors if production does not start within the stipulated time frame. To encourage industries, the state allots MIDC plots at a price lower than the market rate of the area and also provides subsidies in taxes and electricity depending on the investment,” said Santoshkumar Deshmukh, deputy collector and regional officer, MIDC Pune region.

The amendment to the penalty criteria for investors will facilitate better utilisation of industrial plots. “Earlier only five per cent of penalty was collected from the investors, but hence-

forth, for the fi rst year, penalty up to 25 per cent and second year penalty up to 40 per cent respectively will be collected by MIDC,” he said.

As per the provisions, MIDC allows the industrialists planning to invest in industrial zone to start their production within three or four years from the date of purchase depending on the zone, which is calculated on the infrastructure available at the area. The amount of penalty is calculated on the rate of property multiplied by period and area of property. The area of plots given by MIDC for development amounts is 6000 square feet and above as per the requirement of the investor.

The aim of MIDC is to generate employment in industries, but the unethical attitude of investors creates a hurdle. “The notices earlier were neglected by most of the entrepreneurs due to the nominal amount of penalty. Thus, imposition of higher amount penalty is the need of the hour. Due to the increase in penalty, investors have started responding positively,” said Deshmukh. vicky.pathare@goldensparrow.com

Share your world of books

P08

Youth takes up the cause of the homeless, beggars and mentally ill people wandering the streets of Pune, and finds them shelter homes to live in

PUNE

P09

To curb extortion in name of donations Ganpati mandals and organisations ordered to register online with the charity commissioner before collecting donations

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2 All Ganpati mandals and organisations will now have to register online before collecting donations for pujas and other religious programmes, and file their annual audits with the charity commissioner. The police can register FIRs regarding any complaints of unauthorised collection of donations, officials say.

Being a first-of-its-kind initiative, a training programme on Section 41 C of the Maharashtra Public Trust Act 1950 was held last week. Online registration of Ganpati mandals and organisations will be done for the first time from this year, before any donations are collected.

But manual registration can also be done by the charity commissioner.

Pune district Joint Charity Commissioner Shivaji Kachare said, “Currently all mandals and organisations have been asked to register online with us, and certificates will be issued. Online registration can be done on www.charity.maharashtra.gov.in by all mandals. All people or organisations are legally obliged to follow the law and should come forward to register themselves. They need not come to our office, and the process is hassle-free, which will save them time and money.

The organisers have to also submit their audit report. No police permission will

be given to organise programmes like pujas, Navratri, Dahi handi, Ganpati or to collect funds without registrations.”

About the collection of donations, he said that extortion in any form in the name of donation is unacceptable, and he has appealed to the public to bring to the notice of the district administration any such coercion.

The Ganeshotsav is a couple of weeks away, and mandals in Pune city and the suburbs are collecting ‘voluntary donations’ from shopkeepers and residents. The latter, however, are not happy with the huge amounts they are being forced to pay every year.

Assistant Charity Commissioner K R Jadhav said, “As the development is new, mandals can register themselves manually. Organisers can register themselves online as well as manually, but they have to get registered. A few organisers have registered themselves manually with the charity commissioner, but not a single online application has been received yet. Last year during Ganpati Festival, around 1000 Ganpati mandals had registered themselves and took permission for donations,” she said. vicky.pathare@goldensparrow. com

!

T S E NE B

PUBLISHING

U P S W KNO

 Pune has 22

bridges over two rivers

The aim of MIDC is to generate jobs in industries

 The first school for

girls started in Pune

The first national

marathon was held in Pune

The Golden Sparrow covers Pune like no one else.

A hyperlocal weekly with over 50,000 readers and lakhs online, we understand the city best.

Be part of The Golden Sparrow

To advertise, contact: Mittal Narwani: 91460 26329 Prashant Sharma: 84462 11410 l Sanjay Savarkar: 9823030318 thegoldensparrow.com

TGSWeekly

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

PUNE

‘Life has given me lot and I want to give back to society whatever I can’ Vasantrao Ghuge, 83, has a simple formula that he lives by. “I go and lend a helping hand wherever I know there is a problem,” he says with a determined glint in his eyes. This former employee of Hindustan Antibiotics was not willing to lead a life of leisure after he retired. Instead, he offered his services voluntarily to work as a traffic controller at busy intersections of Pune city, such as Sawardhan Chowk, Neelam Chowk and University Road. “I am a believer in discipline, and I have the urge to do social work. By working as a traffic controller, I believe that I am doing a constructive job that also benefits the citizens, as the over-congestion of vehicles on the city’s streets is a peril that city dwellers face every day of their lives.”

Where there’s a will there’s a way, he believes. He even volunteers at a cancer hospital when he is not on traffic duty.

“People can do a lot after retirement if they want to instead of just waiting for the end,” he said.

Ghuge works for two hours in the morning, and three hours in evening.

Coming to the assistance of the overworked and understaffed traffic police is like a calling to him. “I go wherever there is a traffic jam, or where the volume of traffic has created a troublesome situation,” he said.

Assisting the traffic police since 1995,+ Ghuge has been given an honorary traffic police uniform by the department, as a token of gratitude for his years of service. “I’ve been offered money as a reward for doing the job, or a regular salary, but I have never taken it, as I am not doing this for any material reward,” said Ghuge. The work is its own reward, he thinks, and he really does not expect anything in return. “I

have been fortunate and life has given me lot to be thankful for. Now I want to give back to society whatever I can,” he said.

Pune, over the last two decades, has had an exponential growth in terms of vehicles on the roads, which has made commuting in the city an ordeal, no less.

Ghuge wanted to do what he could to help ease the situation. “I do not have a desire to be in a position of power, and enforce the traffic rules, and punish the offenders. The fact of the matter is that a lot of road-users are unaware of the traffic rules, and it is such people I can help by making them aware of the rules. I educate them as a fellow citizen and not as a figure of authority,” he said.

“I am asked questions like ‘Can I enter this one way?’, ‘Do I have to stop at this signal?’, ‘Why is the signal red?’, all the time, and it is a rewarding feeling to inform and educate people,” he said.

Ghuge has not missed a single day at work, except for the times he was out of town, or was unwell. After all these years, his is a familiar face and a lot of people know him, and appreciate what he is doing. “I always tell the people I accost for violating rules, that what I am doing is for their own benefit, so that they can drive safely, and reach home safely. Most people respond to me amicably, and do not take offence at my admonition,” he said.

Ghuge has no intentions of taking it easy, even at the age of 83. “I will continue doing this until my health doesnot allow me,” he said. “As a matter of fact, my recent medical check-up at Sahaydri Hospital was all clear, and everything was normal. You’ll be healthy if you have a healthy mind and a will to live for others,” he said.

The work is its own reward, he does not want anything in return time an idea comes to one’s mind, blog about it.

‘It is a priceless reward when I can teach someone to become fearless’ Vijay Nakhle, 51, was a subhedar in the Indian Army before retiring in 2014.

He operated tanks during his service.

He was always involved in sports and physical education courses at centres like the Army Physical Training Centre, Wanowrie. When he retired, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. He started giving self-defence and karate lessons to girls in the slums of Vishrantwadi. “I want to help them become strong mentally and physically. If you want to be strong tomorrow, you must start today. I want to change the way society looks at these girls from the downtrodden areas of the city,” he said.

Vijay is training 32 teenage girls for an hour daily after school. He feels that these girls from the slums need self-defence training more than girls from the more affluent strata of society, owing to the dismal living conditions in the slums, where women are perceived as a commodity, and crimes against women are commonplace.

“The girls I teach will be able to protect themselves

when no one else will. I train them in physical education, sports and karate, but most importantly, I am teaching them to be fearless. Do not tolerate injustice but fight back, I tell them. I believe that crimes occur when the victim is fearful. I want to prepare the girls to deal with the worst of situations. If a girl complains of physical pain, I tell her to train harder the next day. Pain is a sign of progress. If a woman finds herself in a situation where she is being physically abused, she should at least have the strength to resist and escape.

I teach my students to fight back,” he said.

Society must undergo a radical change so that women will be treated as equals, he thinks. Touched by the helplessness of womenfolk in slum areas, Vijay knew he was eminently qualified to give them a helping hand, and train them to defend themselves. “It is a priceless reward when I feel that I have taught someone to become fearless. So I don’t want anything in return, except for the satisfaction of being able to help someone in need,” Vijay said.

Brightenin lives in their t

Retirement can be a daunting prospect or a pleasurable one, depending on the individual’s outlook. But there are those who are determined to make their retirement phase a blessing for others, in whatever way they can

BY RITUJA RAO AND SUSHANT RANJAN @TGSWeekly

R

etirement is a crossroads that every working human being must come to and cross in the twilight of their career. Individuals deal with the end of a working life in varied and individual ways. While some may plunge gleefully into the prospect of having the rest of their lives to do with it as they please, others may feel a tinge of dread at the notion of having nothing constructive to do. The wiser ones among us have the foresight and ability to

‘Everyone studies, but I want to make my students understand’ Arun Phadnis, 66, who worked at Zandu Pharmaceuticals, took voluntary retirement in 2000, and chose to steer his life in a different direction. A volunteer at Ramakrishna Math, near Dandekar Bridge, Sinhagad Road, Arun has now found an outlet for his love of teaching.

“I teach out of liking and as a liability of my existence,” he said.

Ramakrishna Math is a social activity centre with a library, hospital and school. Students of corporation schools attend classes here as they are not taught very well at their schools. Arun teaches geography to students from standard IV to X, and spends four hours a week, and two hours a day during vacations and public holidays at the Math.

“I want to simplify their lives.

Everyone studies, but I want to make my students understand. I explain to them the basics of environmental geography, the reason behind every geographical phenomenon. It is not just about geography, but I teach my students to apply this to their daily lives. Don’t just study, but understand. My classes

are about life and guidance, beyond just geography. I have always tried to instill the value of self-discipline in my students,” he said.

Arun’s love for geography and social work has made him very popular with his students. “My colleague who teaches standard XI and XII, told me that my students were very well-prepared and think of me fondly. I believe that I should help others if I can. Any skill should be shared with those who are less fortunate. That is the circle of life,” he said.

“Life changes after retirement.

Everyone at that age only talks about one thing that is health. But there is a lot you can do even at an advanced age, for anyone in need and for society as a whole.

You are born to die. But this way at least I know I have something for others in my life,” Arun said.

Arun also runs a campaign against spitting in public. He believes that he owes his good health to the devotion to his cause. People should keep busy even after retirement, he thinks.

make provisions for the retire they are assured a pension, or that will absolve them of fina prudent may pay for their tho to seek out avenues, such as a the money to pay their bill who have put aside a substan to indulge in pursuits that th for, such as travelling aroun may take the opportunity to energies to activities or caus about. In short, there is no people follow after retiremen

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

PUNE

‘I want to liberate women and help them stand on their own feet’ Vimal Abhinath Dhavne, at the age of 69, seems to have an unlimited source of energy and enthusiasm.

This former principal of a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) school, retired in 2013. Since then, she has worked ceaselessly for the welfare of needy women in Lohegaon and Viman Nagar. Vimal Tai, as she is fondly known, conducts reading, writing and maths classes for women, in her own home. She also devotes her time to resolve the problems these women face, be it domestic, academic or financial. She teaches the women in batches.

“Some of my students learn from their children.

Every woman who runs a household should know at least how to count. I teach them everything that they practically need,” she said.

“A man is defined by his thoughts and actions. I want women to be heard in their homes, neighbourhood and society. If I touch even one life, my soul will be liberated,” Vimal says.

Vimal Tai launched a chit fund for women in Lohegaon area, which has proved to be lifeline for the 20 women members, who now have a source to go to, to deposit their savings, or borrow money when necessary, for groceries, medical expenses or their children’s school fees. Vimal Tai also plays counsellor for women faced with alcoholic or violent spouses, domestic friction, and

at times she even personally intervenes to resolve the problem.

“I want to liberate women and help them stand on their own feet. I started doing this for my own satisfaction and happiness. I receive a pension which is more than adequate for my needs, so what I do is just out of my passion,” she said.

Vimal Tai’s affinity for women’s welfare began when she was graduating in Women’s Studies. Since then she has worked for a number of foundations and NGOs, while working asteacher.

She has known many women who wanted to study but never had the chance to. She wants the women she teaches to find jobs or start their own businesses.

“I arrange tailoring and craft workshops so that they make articles like bags and earn some money,” she said.

Vimal Tai believes that there is nothing worse than being idle. “It will only help you to put on unnecessary weight. It is much better to mingle with people, and participate in activities that benefit the community,” she said.

“Retirement has offered me the opportunity to do something I had never done before. I want to invite more people to conduct workshops for the women here.

There is a dire need of jobs for women in this part of the city and I want to change that,” said Vimal Tai.

ng others’ twilight years

ed phase of life, where, have made investments ancial worries. The less oughtlessness by having a part-time job, to earn ls. The fortunate ones ntial stash, will be able hey have not had time nd the world. Others devote their time and ses they are passionate standard pattern that nt, but one can say, that

different people find different ways to deal with the retired phase of life.

The exceptions, of course, are the people who are endowed with a benevolent and philanthropic nature. They are the ones who will look upon retirement as an opportunity to use their resources and abilities for the benefit and welfare of the less fortunate among us. TGS has zeroed in on five exceptional human beings from the city who are using their retired phase of life to bring cheer and lend a helping hand to the needy people of society.

Rather than be dismayed by what just a single person can achieve, or do to change the world for the better,

they are going forth with a positive and plentiful resource of goodwill and uplifting intent. It is not a desire for publicity or fame that motivates them.

Rather it is their empathy for the underprivileged, and the desire to put right the wrongs that moves them.

Such selfless persons and what they do is what elevates the human race from a dismal, dog-eat-dog existence. They are the ones who prove the truth of the adage, ‘it is better to give than to receive’. They are the ones who may inspire others to follow in their footsteps, and strive to make the world a better place. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

‘I wish my daughter was wearing a helmet on that day…’

Pradeep Niphadkar, journalist and poet, was struck by a load of grief and sorrow when his 27-year-old daughter Pranjali died in a road accident. Pranjali, the mother of a one-and-a-half year-old child, was riding helmetless when she met with an accident on the Rajaram Bridge off Sinhagad Road on September 7, 2015. She succumbed to the head injuries she sustained a few days later. After the tragedy, Pradeep posted the following message on his Facebook page. “Please do not send condolence messages. Instead, gift a helmet to a girl driving without one, click your selfie with her and send it.”

Shaken by the incident, he resolved to curb the incidence of road deaths, making an ardent appeal to two-wheeler riders to wear helmets. Pradeep joined hands with city-based activist Anil Mandrupkar to set up the organisation ‘Helmet Pune’, on January 2, 2016.

Pradeep launched a campaign and sent text messages to all his acquaintances. “It is very important for two-wheeler riders to wear helmets, as they can be the difference between life and death in case of an accident. Most road accidents involving two-wheeler riders prove fatal if they are not wearing helmets,” said Pradeep.

The ‘Give a helmet to your daughter and click a selfie’ campaign has evoked an overwhelming response,and countless people gave helmets to their daughters after it was launched. They also clicked selfies and sent them to Pradeep.

He also set up an NGO under the ‘Helmet Pune’ name, spreading awareness about helmet use through this organisation.

“I wish my daughter was wearing a helmet on that day. I do not want any other girl or her parents to go through this. Therefore, I appeal to citizens that if they see any girl driving without a helmet, they should

stop her and request her to wear a helmet. My request to those responding to my appeal is that they should not ask the name of the girl to whom they are gifting a helmet, neither should they give their names. The intention should be only to create awareness,” he said.

The former journalist still writesfor newspapers, and also organises events. “People generally take it easy after retirement,butmy work has increased, and I am working non-stop. I keep my mind fresh by holding events and writing articles in newspapers,” he said.

Pradeep organises ghazal concerts under the label ‘Ghazal Geet’.

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

TECH/START-UP

PUNE

“The first electronic digital computer (called ENIAC - the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) was developed in 1946 and contained over 18,000 vacuum tubes.”

— http://www.hightechscience.org/

See, as you speak

BY ANAND PARTHASARATHY

The video call has evolved. It is no longer some sort of costly corporate conference tool. Skype, now a Microsoft property, was the first to democratize the video telephone call by enabling anyone with a PC, laptop — and latterly even a mobile phone —to make what technically, is known as VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol. We Indians appreciated its potential for making free ISD calls albeit with limitations.

Then, Facebook’s Messenger app embedded the video calling feature in a corner of the message box — as did Skype in its mobile app. To find other Skype users you had to sync your address book with Skype — time consuming. Google, always had video calling in Google Hangouts but you had to add this to your phone functionality by opening a Google account.

Apple had its own video caller — FaceTime. But like all things Apple, it was ring fenced: it could be used only between Apple phones.

Four days ago (August 16), Google

rendered almost all these existing video calling services obsolete or at least creaky by comparison. It launched its own Android and iOS app, Google Duo, a video calling tool, so elegant in its simplicity, that we have to ask ourelves, why did no one think of this before?

And see the sneaky message to iPhone owners: Apple only allows you to videochat with other Apple phones. Download Duo and you can do that with all phones — iOS and Android!

Look for the Google Duo app in Google Play. Once you have downloaded it to your phone, you can straight away use it. No separate account is required. There is just one button: ‘Video Call’. Tap it — and it automatically loads your phonebook of contacts. It shows you which of your contacts has Duo. If someone does not, there is a button to invite them. Within weeks, I am guessing, most of your contacts would be Duo-ready. In ‘settings’ there is another button called Knock Knock. This feature lets the person you are calling see you in video even before picking up the call.

No kidding! This is Dahi Handi festival P 10

Google’s new video calling app, Duo, is a challenge to Apple, Facebook and Microsoft

Duo adjusts call quality to network conditions.It will keep you connected even when bandwidth is limited, by dynamically reducing the resolution of the video. More usefully, when you are video-calling on the move, Duo will switch between available Wi-Fi and your phone’s data package, automatically without dropping your call.

Duo is already live in India for both Android and iOS, Many other geographies will only get, it over the next few days. I tried it soon after getting Google’s release — and was making a call in precisely 2 minutes to another phone also with Duo. Yet another personal technology has been dumbed down — I mean that in the best sense of the term -- and placed in the reach of the rest of us. To see each other as we speak, routinely without special set up — that adds a whole new meaning to user friendliness.

And yes, I need to be decently dressed from now on, all the time, not just from 9 to 5. Who knows, who will video-call?

IndiaTechOnline

Gaming behemoth Small frame, big heart The ASUS G 752 is a heavyweight among gaming laptops

BY ANAND PARTHASARATHY So many of the world’s most popular computer games—Call of Duty, Age of Empire, Grand Theft Auto, World of Warcraft, TombRaider—seem to involve violent action, that some of this aggression seems to be rubbing off on the platforms used to play them! I am handling a gaming PC after a long time so I was unprepared for the menacing, look of the ASUS G 752 gaming notebook, the flagship of its recently launched suite of five games machines in the Republic of Gamers (ROG) series.

How can they call this 17.3 inch, 4 kg behemoth a notebook? It at least qualifies for being called a laptop— and a heavy one at that.

The grill of the heat vents at the back look aggressive enough.

Open and switch on the notebook and the keys, backlit in deep red (with a special anti-ghosting feature, which ensures no jam even if you accidentally hit multiple keys) add to the overall macho look and feel.

The full HD display and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980m graphical processor unit which supports the 6th generation Intel Core i7 ‘Skylark’ main processor clocking 2.6 GHz, seems to say: Throw any game at me and I will play it to perfection.

The G752 is one of a minority of gaming notebooks that exploits Nvidia’s G-Sync technology, which ensures no screen lag by syncing PC display with graphics card . The storage is no slouch: 1407 GB of hard disk plus 128 GB of solid state drive. The

RAM is expandable from 16 GB to 64 GB. For gamers who want to create their own shortcuts to gain that vital millisecond advantage in competitions, there are a set of programmable keys in the top left hand of the keyboard. This is a Windows 10 machine and ASUS has added a lot of gamer-friendly software tools—like the Game Centre which monitors the performance of the machine and tells you from one second to the next, the temperature of the CPU and the GPU. When I tried its paces with my copy of Call of Duty, the temperature heated up from 47 degrees C to 52 degrees C as the action on the screen hotted up. The makers have created a graphical user interface called Steam to manage the games on the machine and push you towards buying any titles you need. There are no free or demo versions except World of Tanks, a World War II smash-n-bash game.

The 2 USB ports with a HDMI and an ethernet port take care of all conceivable peripheral needs and the Type C USB make this up-todate. I thought the 1.2MP camera was too underpowered even if this is not basically a platform for nifty photography, but the WiFi meets the fastest 802.11ac standard.

Like most ROG machines, this one features their 3D Vapor Chamber for increased cooling performance— important since many gamers will try and overclock the CPU. The asking price is Rs 79,990—which compares reasonably with other competing branded gaming laptops.

IndiaTechOnline

The Redmi 3S and 3S Prime have a small frame but are big in terms of performance

BY V SUDHAKSHINA

Recently smart phones with large batteries have been the trend in Indian market, but we find that these devices often end up being huge and bulky.

Not everyone is comfortable holding and carrying around a 5.5 inch and above device, but does that mean you will have to compromise on battery life?

Not necessarily. Xiaomi’s newly launched Redmi 3S and 3S Prime come with a 4100 mAh battery housed in a 5 inch body. The Chinese smartphone maker claims that both these devices would give a decent life of up to two days on a moderate use.

Just few months ago, Xiaomi had come up with the mammoth 6.44-inch Mi Max with 4850 mAh battery. Looks like this time the company is targeting a different user segment with a smaller device, yet bigger battery. But the Redmi 3S and 3S Prime are not just about battery life and come with few other interesting specs. We got a chance to try out these devices and here’s our take: For starters, we think both these devices are few of the sub-Rs 10,000 phones that come with some high-end features. Design wise, both these phones look like the younger siblings of the Redmi Note 3. Both are clad in a uni-body metal with curved edges. They are available in three color variants of gold, silver and grey. Weighing 144 grams with 8.5 mm thickness, these devices aren’t the lightest but feel compact and sturdy to hold. We felt that the 5-inch HD display with a reading mode and color temperature adjustment went easy on our eyes with required brightness and sharpness.

One more interesting feature of these smart phones is the infrared sensor or the IR Blaster, which can help you turn the device in to a universal remote for home appliances and electronic equipments like television, air conditioner, DVD players, projectors, etc.

The 13 megapixels rear camera and 5 megapixels font camera did a decent job by capturing clear and sharp pictures. The primary camera comes with features like 0.1 seconds ultra focus, PDAF (phase detection autofocus),

Anubhav Sonthalia

to do online and non traditional marketing: morphing new technologies into a shrewd understanding of the emerging online consumer. They crystallised their learnings, into algorithms that help optimise the way to spend your money on marketing: mix-nmatching multiple avenues: SMS marketing, email marketing, social media advertising: Facebook and LinkedIn, Google ads. There is no one-size-fits-all formula.

Says COO Anubhav Sonthalia: “At Sokrati we focus on one goal: How to spend our client’s dollars just like we would

Santosh Gannavarapu

Credit-card-sized champ

Some users, like a power bank that is as small-n-light as they can make it. The Hyderabad based LatestOne.com, has launched the PTron Gusto, one of the most compact power banks we have seen. It is hardly thicker than a credit card, weighs just 50 grams, yet offers 3000 mAh (at 5 volts, 1 ampere) of recharge power. That makes it a useful takealong with phones, tablets, music players etc. Will fit easily in a ladies purse. In addition to the USB charging cable and a retractable micro USB cable to charge Android phones, the Gusto also has a port for iPhone and iPad. Good value for Rs 599.

Good for three devices Many users carry multiple devices when they travel, phone, tablet, music player, e-book reader etc. Ambrane’s P-1122 power bank meets such needs. This is a designed-and-made-India product with 10,000 mAh capacity and no less than three USB outputs which can be used to charge three devices simultaneously.

The Lithium-ion device comes with short circuit and over discharge protection. It includes a bright 4-LED torch which is switched on and off with a double click and swivels out if you want light at an angle (it worked very well as a reading lamp, when stood up!).

At Rs 799 this is value for money — the 320 gram weight is not excessive for the “juice” it stores.

Gartner’s take on top tech trends

HDR and HHT (handheld twilight) for low light conditions. And the selfie camera with f/2.2 aperture has face recognition and some editing tools like Beautify.

Both the devices are powered by a 1.4 Ghz Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor and run on the Android 6.0 with the MIUI 7 interface. The difference between Redmi 3S and 3S Prime is that the latter is a higher variant with a fingerprint sensor and higher RAM and storage of 3 GB and 32 GB (expandable) respectively. The Redmi 3S comes with a 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal memory, expandable up to 128 GB. The Redmi 3S and the 3S Prime are priced at Rs. 6,999 and 8,999 respectively. We feel that both these devices are a good bargain for the features they offer. Both phones are available on Mi.com and Flipkart.

IndiaTechOnline

Pune-based Sokrati Technologies, carves a niche, as a digital marketing specialist

Ashish Mehta

Different strokes: Two power banks, two use cases

IndiaTechOnline

‘We spend your dollars, like we would, our own’ Web-based commerce has transformed the way business is done. The transition from bricks to clicks can be a painful journey -and sometimes DIY or do it yourself, may not be the best way to navigate the shoals of online enterprise. Which is why, the Pune-based Sokrati Technologies offers an alternative mantra: Do what you do best.

Leave digital marketing to us.

By constantly questioning the status quo (their company name recalls the Greek philosopher Socrates, who made relentless Q&A, the corner stone of his teaching methods), the four cofounders of Sokrati -Ashish Mehta, Anubhav Sonthalia, Santosh Gannavarapu and Kaushik Paranjape -came together in 2009 to craft a new way

Product Review

Kaushik Paranjape

our own – cautiously and judiciously. We believe in doing this scientifically: datadriven decisions trump hierarchies any day.”

In the seven years it has been around, Sokrati has grown to become a 250 -plus team based in Baner, Pune, with an international office in San Francisco. The company has served over 3000 clients and has ended up managing over 15 per cent of Google ads and 10 per cent of all Facebook advertising in India. For three years in a row Sokrati made it to the Deloitte Technology Top 50 listing

in the Asia-Pacific region.

Their value proposition is two fold: For small and emerging business, Sokrati offers multiple plans from $ 99/ month to $1499/ month to manage their advertising spends in the most cost effective manner. A small startup would typically spend about $ 1000 - $2000 a month on advertising. Sokratri helps such companies in all aspects including preparing ad collateral.

But the company also numbers big players like Snapdeal, Flipkart, PayTM and CitiBank among its clients -- and their proprietary solutions have helped them compete with the world’s best and brightest to gain a strongfoothold.

There is no magic formula or silver bullet in digital marketing -- but in its own way Sokrati has been able to serve the marketing needs of hundred of companies big and small, with a value proposition that is compelling and cost effective.

IndiaTechOnline

Emerging technologies to watch out for in the next 5-10 years One of the reliable annual forecasts of upcoming technologies is industry watcher Gartner’s ‘Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies’. The 2016 edition released earlier this week is the distilled essence of what the world’s top technologists predict. The Hype Cycle is so called because technologies go through a graphical cycle from a trigger for the innovation to a peak of hyped expectations, followed by disillusionment for some which fall by the wayside till the robust technologies finally mature into a productive phase.

This year Gartner sees “three distinct technology trends that are poised to be of the highest priority for organizations facing rapidly accelerating digital business innovation.”

Key Technology Trends: Technology will become more human-centred, fluidly flowing between home and office. Critical technologies include Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Gesture-based control, Brain to computer interfaces and the ‘Connected Home’. A new Smart Machine Age is coming that will help us solve problems that no one has encountered previously.

New technologies will include Virtual Personal Assistants, Commercial drones, Q&A in natural language and smart robots. A platform revolution is emerging. These will form a bridge between humans and technology and will include Internet of Things, Quantum Computing-BlockChain and Software-defined- systems. Gartner will elaborate on these upcoming technologies at its annual symposium & ITXpo in Goa, November 15-18.

IndiaTechOnline

IT is like that...

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20 26 20 6

“As we remember and pay homage to all who sacrificed their lives and delivered freedom to us, let us renew our pledge to serve the nation with ever greater sincerity, devotion and truth.”

— Najeeb Jung, Delhis Lt Governor

“In our culture senior citizens head the home. Now, they are ignored.They have worked hard to ensure that our generation could enjoy the comforts that they were denied.”

— Sachin Tendulkar, Cricketer

Light of selfless service

Share your world of books

A businessman by profession, he counts his success by serving the underprivileged

BY SHA LESH JOSH @TGSWeek y

Com ng up w h n a ves ha he p he underpr v eged and he ess or una e ead a decen e has been a way o e or 66-yearo d Ka das Har bhau More The seed o serv ce ha was sown n h s hear dur ng h s US v s o a end he convoca on unc on o h s daugh er n 2001 has b ossomed and changed he ves o many peop e over he years Be ong ng o an nfluen a armer am y n Kopre v age 13 km rom Pune More ed a com or ab e e bu was he envy o h s schoo ma es “No one be r ended me n schoo as we be onged o a r ch am y and I was e so a ed and one y ” he sa d A er comp e ng he pr mary educa on n he v age he moved o Pune and o ned Maharash ra V dya aya he on y schoo wh ch adm ed ch dren o armers Hav ng secured a ob n Bank o Ind a n 1973 More se es n Pune a er ge ng marr ed o Ka yayanee Sh rke n 1975 Adm ng o be ng sens ve rom a young age a er ac ng he co d ooks o h s c assma es Ka das sa d ha even hough he c assroom used o be u o cheer u k ds he rema ned s en and e abandoned and d scarded “La er my a her o ned po cs and neg ec ed h s bus ness eav ng he am y on he br nk o penury ” he sa d add ng ha he has exper enced bo h ends o he financ a spec rum As a banker More used o financ a y he p hose who sough h s ass s ance Pos -pre-re remen rom bank Ka das s ar ed a pe ro pump THE BEGINNING Ta k ng abou h s US v s More sa d “I ound no beggar on he s ree s and many peop e nc ud ng my daugh er used o dona e used c o hes o Goodw n he US The soc a organ sa on co ec ed used c o hes and o her househo d ar c es rom homes or ree and se n he r ma s a ow pr ces g v ng he poor

Used books collected during 20-day drive will be on sale at pop-up event today TGS NEWS SERV CE @TGSWeek y

Ka das Ha bhau Mo e ( gh ) has unde aken many soc a p og ammes ha has benefi ed s uden s and he needy

an oppor un y o own branded h ngs I was mpressed by he r financ a mode as even hough was a char y n a ve he benefic ary pa d or ” More brough he Goodw n a ve o Ind a hrough h s More We are Trus ounded n 2012 “I n a y arge ed hose c zens who have s ayed abroad and know abou he work under aken by Goodw USA Soon Pune es ooked orward o he Goodw Ind a s veh c es ha were parked a var ous oca ons across he c y The ew persons who o ned he campa gn have now become a b g am y o 40 women and 20 men Men co ec rousers sh r s T-sh r s sarees and o her c o hes rom res den a soc e es Women wash ron and pack he c o hes and men dona es hese ar c es n s ums v ages r ba areas schoo s and even ou o s a e under d sas er re e ” he sa d Shar ng h s exper ence o v s ng a War e s um w h he firs veh c e oaded w h c o hes and o her househo d ems or se ng a owcos More sa d ha around 500 c o hes were

d s r bu ed n he ma den r p The se -he p group dona ed 1 000 c o hes n U arakhand a er devas a ng floods d sp aced housands o peop e n 2013 and 3 000 c o hes o r ba areas ke Gadch ro and Pa ghar or ree The dona ed ar c es are d s r bu ed a a m n ma pr ce o Rs 30 o mee he expense spen on repa r ng he c o hes Goodw Ind a co ec s c o hes u ens s oys urn ure and o her househo d ems Funded by IT firms even compu ers are d s r bu ed o ch dren THE INITIATIVES In Augus 2016 Goodw Ind a s ar ed a p h a-bhakr ou e n Sh vne ha se s a decen mea or Rs 30 “Th s ac y s or abourers I s us an ex ens on o wha I can do or o hers I a ways ook or deas and n a ves ha wou d prov de he underpr v eged he bas c needs o e nc ud ng she er ood and c o h ng ” More sa d add ng ha he has prov ded res dence ac y o he s aff work ng a h s pe ro pump a er hey s a ed he r financ a cons ra n s The

se -he p group ounded by More a so v s s rura areas and den fies am es who canno mee he wedd ng expend ure o he r wards Funds are poo ed o ge he coup es marr ed and bas c househo d u ens s o run a am y are a so g ven The n a ve s carr ed ou under he Kanyara na V vah Madad Yo ana ACCOLADES Goodw Ind a en ered The Gu nness Book o Wor d Records n anuary 2016 or co ec ng 2 93 623 c o hes or recyc ng and dona on I ach eved he ea by o n ng hands w h m nor y educa on soc e y Maharash ra Cosmopo an Educa on MCE soc e y The c o hes were co ec ed and d s r bu ed on he spo o var ous se -he p groups and NGOs The Ind an Econom c Deve opmen & Research Assoc a on IEDRA he organ sa on ormed or he econom c and soc a deve opmen o nd v dua s and organ sa ons a so honoured Goodw Ind a n 2015 g eedba k@go den parrow om

A decade of feeding hungry people on the city streets

BY SALONEE MISTRY @Sa oneeM ry

Apar rom do ng h s on her own a ew am es rom he res den a soc e y ha she ves n a so he p her ou She runs a mess where she eeds abou s x s uden s who ve nearby and even hey dona e he r ood or he day o he home ess n case hey p an on no ea ng a he mess n ha n gh In add on o h s Shah a so runs a par our wh ch he ps her ake care o her daugh er house and h s nob e deed ha she re uses o e go off I s on y recen y ha a er ry ng her bes o manage h ngs on her own d d she sough he he p o he women group on Facebook ca ed PULA a women s suppor group shor or Pune ad es o he p her ou “My b gges cha enge do ng h s s o coord na e and manage every h ng a one Peop e prom se o he p ou and con r bu e bu when s me o de ver here s no response rom hem ” she added Th s s he reason she s curren y ry ng o ge as many peop e on board as poss b e Wha peop e a o unders and s ha even he coord na on par o an n a ve ke h s akes up a o o me and effor When peop e prom se o con r bu e hey mus s ck o or e se no comm a a she added ur her a onee m ry@go den parrow om

The used book co ec on campa gn aunched by pre-schoo and Learn ng Cen re The Harmony Tree and Poona Synergy Round Tab e 177 par o Round Tab e Ind a ha bu ds schoo s or he underpr v ege rom Augus 1 w end on Sa urday Augus 20 The dona ed books co ec ed under he G he g o read ng and dona e your gen y used books n a ve w be on sa e a a un-fi ed pop up even Books or Books he d be ween 10 am P yanka Shah and 2 pm on Augus 21 “We have a so arranged a drop box a The Harmony Tree a Rav Farms n Sopan Baug Those who wan us o co ec he books can con ac us on 9552512548 ” sa d Pr yanka Shah Harmony Tree spokesperson Organ sers have pu up drop off oca ons a The Qu rk Shop n Wanowr e and Aundh E her Or a Sohrab Ha us Books n Wanowr e Themes Furn sh ngs on MG Road C ass c Rock Coffee Co a Ka yan nagar and Venus Traders & S a onery Supers ore branches a Camp Ko hrud and Budhwar Pe h “Apar rom ac v es or ch dren and adu s we w have a book read ng and n erac ve sess on w h Lee a Gour Broome au hor o renowned Pengu n C ass cs “F u e n he Fores ” and “The Red K e Adven ure” Book C ub ac a or La ka Sakhu a w conduc a book qu z w h pr zes and surpr ses ” Shah added The proceeds o he used book sa e and s a s w be dona ed o NGOs nc ud ng Gyaan Adab Akansha Founda on L gh o L e and Doors ep Schoo and char ab e organ sa ons o he p bu d he r brary and resources I s a do-good effor o c ean ou he bookshe ves w h a ready-read books ha wou d make a grea read or someone e se g eedba k@go den parrow om

CARS, BIKES, TRIPS, GEAR HONEST, FUN REVIEWS TECHSPEC TANK PADS

TGS LIFE

Regardless of what bike you ride, your knees and thighs are typically going to come into contact with the fuel tank/airbox cover, which is usually made of painted metal or plastic. The problem is that metal and plastic don’t stick very well to textile, nylon or any material that you’d typically wear as pants on a motorcycle ride. Anchoring to your bike with your knees and thighs is critical for safety and confidence.

Most sport riders are familiar with grippy stickers that you can put in place on the sides of your tank to alleviate this.

Techspec is one such brand, which makes a unique ‘snakeskin’ pattern rubber material that can be applied to your tank with adhesive.

Unlike some other brands of grip pads that look like organic globs or some sort of acupressure surface, the Techspec item is a fairly basic,

AUGUST 6, 2016 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

TGS LIFE JULY 9, 2016 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

By Tushar Burman

Road-tripping in Thailand

TGS LIFE JULY 16, 2016 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

T

here are many legends surrounding the birth of the Ford Mustang, one of America’s most well-known performance cars. I will avoid the word “iconic” because it’s so overused in this context that I challenge you to find a launch or drive report without it. One such legend has its name inspired by the legendary P51 Mustang fighter aircraft used by the USAF, which makes sense seeing its “aviation inspired” interior on this 2015 model we drove. Other stories tell of how the entire allocation of the original run of the Ford Mustang sold out in just a few months. It has been an immensely popular vehicle since its birth in 1964-65, and this is its 52nd year in continuous production, despite the challenges of the ‘70s oil crisis, various downturns and such. Other muscle cars have come, gone and been resurrected, but the Mustang has been a constant.

The model Ford has launched in India is the Mustang GT and it wears all-new bodywork compared to the outgoing model. The previous generation started the “retro-futuristic” craze back in 2005 and has served the company well, spawning innumerable special editions and variations on performance and body style. This new model bears the same basic shape, but has a much more stylish, swoopy visage. The front is more aggressive with a wider grille and three slashes in each headlamp, while the rear looks more old-school with the same three-segment design following through.

The classic long bonnet and short boot with a fastback roofline remains, covering a 2+2 cabin and a surprisingly roomy boot! It’s all very well executed, betraying no irony or cheesy nostalgia. This truly does look like many decades of progress have been made to get to this handsome shape.

The Mustang is only available in the V8 engine option for India, which makes

Perfect roads as far as the eye can see

TGS LIFE

are present and are best used in sport mode or one of the sharper driving modes. There are four of those, including a “Track” mode that turns off the traction control, unleashing all 515Nm upon the rear wheels. Some of our colleagues were caught unawares as their cars did unintended 180-degree turns.

The Mustang isn’t for the hardcore trackjunkie, despite what the driving modes may say. The tendency is to safely understeer as opposed to snap-oversteer. Of course, you can get it to do the latter but it’s a deliberate effort. The upside is that it’s very easy to get used to and just, well, drive. Suspension is pliant and comfortable, ground clearance is generous, which should make it good to use in our road and traffic conditions. The interior is a bit bland — all black and grey surfaces, but with a surfeit of buttons. The steering wheel has no less than four separate clusters of buttons for various controls. Everything is generally where you expect it, save for the bonnet release, which is inexplicably in the passenger footwell. We had to get off the car for motorcycle to open the hood! Comfort is good, however, with supportive leather seats, usable rear seats (but not for adults), cup holders, armrest with storage, two west of Chiang Mai which is considered oneUSB of slots, an SD card reader and an 8” information/navigation screen. the best riding roads in Asia. Among the first All this at Rs 65 lac, ex-showroom Delhi, stopovers on this route is a popular, butshould still tiny which translate to about Rs 77 lac onroad.If Maharashtra town called Pai, which we visited.

Chiang buyers will be disappointed however, as the recent revision in RTO taxes Mai were Pune, think of Pai asmeans Wai,thatexcept the imported Mustang GT will 140km away. probably cost north of Rs 80 lac. Still, in this price waterfalls segment, one’s options are cars like the Nestled in a valley replete with Audi TT and the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG. and lush greenery, Pai is a small with all-wheel drive and much Bothtown are smaller, a growing tourist population, sharper pioneered aroundby a track, but also less practical in terms of ground clearance, comfort and backpackers. It’s close enough to the border space. With the Mustang, you have the with Myanmar to have cultural heritage, influences of and enough space in the machismo for a verybut grand tour, as long as you leave the hill tribes in terms of food andboot clothing, Our Honda CB500X proved an able, fun and comfortable ride for our trip that giant spare tyre at home. significant enough to have all the infrastructural tushar@goldensparrow.com

TANKED-UP TGS LIFE

JUNE 25, 2016 PUNE

JUNE 11, 2016

By Tushar Burman @tburman

W

that Himachal Pradesh is likely to make more of a dent in your bank balance. Food, boarding and infrastructure are organised and consistent, typical of a nation that takes tourism seriously, and with pride. You never pass a street stall without a sing-song “Sawatdi-khaaaa” (Thai for namaste, quite literally), friendly smiles and a disarming lack of guile. Thailand also has strong cultural connects to India, having a Hindu and Buddhist history. It occasionally surprises the uninformed when encountering names and iconography from the Ramayan and other Hindu mythology. There is, in fact, a Thai version of the Ramayan on TV, with Ram played

perfect sense. There’s an intimate connect Mustang, but the saving grace was that those in most minds between muscle cars and big, were around the lauded Buddh International brawny engines. That’s not to say that the Circuit, India’s only F1 track. As you’d Mustang has always had a V8. There have expect, the Mustang is pretty fast in a straight been many inline-four options over the years line. This time round, it isn’t too bad around as well, but we suspect the international the corners either, having an independent EcoBoost version would not be accepted in rear suspension instead of an ancient liveour market. The motor makes 395bhp and axle type found in most generations of the 515Nm of torque, which is down somewhat car. This is clearly a grand-tourer sort of car. from the international model. This is The suspension feels quite plush, there’s to accommodate the varying fuel perceptible body roll when you’re quality available in India. We’re hustling around the corners and Verdict pleased with this decision; a car things are generally smooth at + Comfort, like the Mustang deserves to speed. I suppose we should be price, heritage be driven, not bragged about pleased as consumers that we’ve - Middling auto when comparing specs, while come to a point where we can gearbox your staff takes a jerrycan to actually buy much harder-core the nearest 97 octane bunk, performance cars in this price TGS rating which is probably an hour away. bracket. ;;;;2 Trust us: we know what it’s like The V8 sounds nice inside the to have a hoot of a car in the garage cabin, but isn’t particularly evocative because it’s out of pricey fuel. It wears beefy insideChiang or out. It’s butjump-off muted burble Maia isdeep your point tyres shod around 19” wheels and uses large that comes to the ear; no snap crackle and adventures Brembo brakes to bring things to a halt. pop drama of European tyre-burners. The We only had five short laps in the India edition only comes with the 6-speed

THRILL OF DRIVING

The TUV300 urban SUV gets more punch with a 100hp motor

MOTORS IN THAILAND Riding or driving in the country is bound to feel familiar to an Indian tourist. For one thing, they drive on the left side of the road — a colonial vestige similar to ours. They accept International Driving Permits issued in India.

Being part of the ASEAN region with a large contract manufacturing industry also means Shima a recently-released Polish brand of that vehicles tend to be similaris to what you’ll see on Indian roads. Toyota Innovas and Corollas,far less known than the typical motorcycle apparel, Suzuki Swifts, Nissans and familiar European gear you’ll see on your mates on a Sunday ride. luxury cars in urban areas. What you’re likely to they aren’t be unprepared for However, is the automotive culture of scrimping on their debut. customisation that If seems the is country. theto pervade catalog anything to go by, the lineup is It’s ridiculous! On my first day in Bangkok, I was thorough and top-notch betraying no cost-cutting. passed by a courier delivery truck with massive tested the D-Tour WP (waterproof) gloves oversize rims and We’ve tyres. Even cabs — whether licensed or Uber —and are seldom seen without an have come away impressed. To begin with, obligatory level of customisation. the price isis right: Rs 4800 for a pair of this kind Automotive enthusiasm even more is a good the dealThai indeed. evident in the two-wheelers ride. There are several things to Unlike in India, where culturally, we’re about Key is the fused liner, which like about the gloves. “bigger is better”, the Thai have a different take Shima calls NextFit/NextDry. What this means on their commuter vehicles.

Step-thrus and

SHIMA D-TOUR WP GLOVES

THOROUGHBRED @tburman

MOTO GEAR

PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

hen we last drove the TUV300 shortly after its launch, it was a pleasant surprise in its package, refinement and general ability around the city. At the time, we didn’t really take it on an extended highway jaunt and probably just as well; you see, in it’s previous guise, the TUV300 came with a modest 75hp output motor, which was fine in urban environs, but didn’t really have punch anywhere in the rev range.

That has now changed with Mahindra calling this iteration the mHawk100 motor -- essentially the same thing but now putting out considerably more power and torque, up to 100hp and 240Nm. If you’ve read our previous assessment of the TUV300, not much has changed, save for our experience with other, more recent SUVs in and around the same segment. The TUV300 crossover/hatchback which was globally unveiled in is surprising in its nice interior accoutrements. A great AC, Out back are the jump seats that make this he SUV,urban technically, a very decent infotainment system with Bluetooth and iPod a 7-seater. It’s doable, but not comfortable for long journeys.

Then April, Datsun’s Redi-GO finally makes its way to Indian roads. connectivity that works flawlessly, a nice two-tone Dash that again, have you seen how many passengers tourist cabs can pack The Redi-GO runs on a three-cylinder i-SAT engine mated looks contemporary and a quiet cabin that belies the intrinsic into a Scorpio these days? The jump seats fold 799 up andccrear seats nature of a three-cylinder Diesel engine. It should sound and feel fold down to liberate a lot of extra cargo room, you need it.manual transmission. It produces 53 hp, 72Nm of to ashould five-speed rough, but it doesn’t. Nothing in the SUV does.

Call us picky but this author is not a fan of the TUV’s torque and delivers a fuel efficiency of 25.17 kmpl. The top speed Of particular interest to us in this new 100hp guise of the aesthetic. I’d prefer the front of the NuvoSport with a squat stance is 140 Kmph and the ground clearance is 185mm. The vehicle on TUV, was the suspension. You see, the Mahindra NuvoSport, instead of sharp corners and the face of Bane, Batman’s formidable which we also recently tested, uses the same engine, but has a foe. That said, with a top-end model, you do get at a nice display thefinish, press launch looked solid, with most details standing up problem with considerable body roll. Not so much with the TUV, decent looking alloys and wheels that fill their wells properly. to scrutiny. While it may be built to a cost, it looks good in the flesh which is controlled and feels more secure at highway speeds. It There are even some nice extras like a start-stop system (well, not andextends doesn’t also feels a bit firmer, but that’s a trade-off we’re willing to make: really nice in our traffic), an eco mode that rangebetray while it’s budget category. some more jerks to the spine in exchange of careening off a cliff sacrificing power, and static cornering lamps, Safety which are aisboon courtesy “Datsun PRO-SAFE7” which includes on a sharp bend. Engine performance is also on par with the when turning the wide vehicle in darkness. In fact, we’re confused braking NuvoSport, but after using the TUV’s manual transmission, we about why these features don’t make it toshortest the NuvoSport, whichdistance, high strength body shell to absorb impacts, ended up missing the AMT of the NuvoSport, which somehow gets cruise control as consolation. But thegood TUV doesn’t.

Strange. visibility and wider view of the road, high bolster support while managed to keep things feeling sprightly.

Still, it’s evident from the quality of thecornering, interior that the TUV absorbing steering and a driver airbag. energy With the benefit of hindsight and experience, we can also is meant to be a bit more upmarket. But it costs between 10 and Five personalized kit options are available: Urban, Style, Kool, say that the current TUV300 feels a bit heavy to steer compared 16,000 rupees LESS than the NuvoSport. Confused?

So are we. to peers like the Vitara Brezza and NuvoSport, but retains the On our extended time with the TUV300, urban and Easy Kit - Premium. Colour options available Easywe’ve Kit done - Sporty surprisingly, far better than the NuvoSport practical turning radius we enjoyed previously. It’s squared-off commuting, Mumbai-Pune highway runs, multi-passenger are: White, Silver, Interior Grey,is,Ruby and Lime. The Datsun Redi-GO design (tank-like, according to Mahindra) has the benefit of outings and cargo runs, and we were unable to run the comes with warranty of 2 years/unlimited km andandthe car allowing excellent visibility while squeezing into tight tank dry, so anecdotally, the mHawk100 engine ais also with follow-me-home lamps, parking sensor other bellscan and be spaces, which the TUV can do despite its width. The quite efficient. Highway runs were usually whistles one expects in a India modern App’. vehicle. Mahindra is churning Verdict booked via cruising mobile app called ‘Datsun breadth manifests in internal space as well, with the between 100 and 120, which is where the vehicle out vehicles rapidly based on what are fast turning out to be + Refinement, front passenger having plenty of shoulder space. feels most comfortable. We’re sure the 240Nm is proven platforms. Perhaps at some point they will also consolidate performance, The rear seat is wide enough for three passengers capable of more sprightly performance, but the vehicles to be less confusing. As a parting googly: you can still buy price as well, though we did hear the odd complaint TUV300 weights 2.2 tonnes, so there’s only so the old, less powerful engine with the TUV300, but the new one - Heavy steering much it can do. The rest of it is up-to-date. Dual costs just Rs 8,000 more, so why would you? about jerks being transmitted up into the spine from rear passengers. airbags and ABS are present, as are keyless entry tushar@goldensparrow.com TGS rating ;;;`2

Datsun Redi-GO launched, starting at Rs 2.38 lac

VW launches Ameo compact sedan Sub-4m three-box starts at Rs 5.14 lac

the palm area and a reinforced, soft pad on the knuckle. There’s a rubber screen wiper on each thumb, which worked very well on our rainy rides.

Waterproofing is good, with light showers being repelled entirely. The D Tour WP do seem to run a bit large, so you might need to order one size smaller than your typical glove. Recommended.

Shima D-Tour WP gloves PRICE: Rs 4800 BUY AT: Kombustion Imports & Exports Pvt Ltd (+91 87938 84215)

is that there’s no inner lining flapping about behind the exterior shell. Those can be infuriating to put on and take off.

Shima’s solution is to fuse the waterproof liner with the exterior shell. This makes for a slightly stiff feel, but far more comfortable in the long run.

Fasteners are good, with a velcro cinch at the wrist and a larger velcro pad to secure the cuff, which is extra roomy to accommodate your sleeve, should you choose to wear the gloves over them. The velcro Hondapads themselves are CB500X not the typical sort, with the + Refinement, base (hooked) part being Fueling, practicality a - much Bland flatter, smoother material that catches less on TGS rating dri-fit material. Protection ;;;;2 is adequate for this sort of glove, with some leather in

PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

MIDDLE CHILD Hardcore performance is great for track days. Audi has a more everyday option @tburman

Minimal badging on the sides and at either end

W has finally put a price tag on its sub-4m sedan — the Ameo, and it’s very competitive. Evidently, the company has taken steps to address its reputation in making cars that are costlier to own than the competition.

In this case, the Ameo ends up being cheaper than their own Polo hatchback, Currently, the Ameo is availabel only with a petrol engine — the same 1.2l MPI three-cylinder motor we’ve seen before in the Skoda Fabia and VW Polo.

A diesel is promised soon. Volkswagen is touting several segment-firsts: rain-sensing wipers, static cornering lamps, cruise control and a centre armrest up front, but the kicker for us is that two airbags and ABS are standard on all variants, which is a big step forward at this price point.

Visually, the Ameo looks very similar to its Polo and Vento cousins, with a slightly stubby-looking front and

back. The rear boot is expectedly short, but allows a bit more cargo volume than the Polo hatchback. It’s not the Large plenty prettiest integration of a boot thatboot we’vestores seen, but VW and is easy to access have been understated in their styling of the rear. In a front three-quarter view, the boot does not draw attention to itself, which is probably a good thing.

Watch for a detailed review of the made-in-India Ameo next week. Prices:

A

udi’s S line of cars don’t get the recognition they deserve. Sitting in between the standard models and the totally performance-oriented RS cars, they sit as the middle child, often overlooked. We have, on occasion, driven the RS5, RS7, even the R8 and come away impressed by the raw power they pack into seemingly standard body styles. But let’s face it: a wolf in sheep’s clothing isn’t likely to make you a nice wool coat. It’d rather eat the coat with you in it. Not so much the car on this page: the S5, which is what Audi calls a “sportback”, basically a sedan with a hatchback rear and more rakish roofline. In terms of size, it sits somewhere between an A4 and an A6 but ends up feeling surprisingly compact.

Even in terms of performance potential, you could consider the S5 the middle child. There are sportscars in the lineup that make less power.

Why then did Audi feel the need to paint the media car in this lurid yellow, we have no idea. It’s a unique shade for sure, akin to pure printer’s ink

R is equipped with Brembo monobloc callipers, Showa big piston forks, Öhlins rear suspension and Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa Tyres.

The Thruxton R is priced at Rs 10.90 lac ex-showroom, Delhi. That’s a lot of bike for the money, and should appeal to a wide swath of motorcyclists with it’s “modern classic” vibe. This rounds out the new Bonneville platform with the Speed Twin, Bonneville T120 and Thruxton R coming in at attractive prices and all immediately available. Triumph continues to push aggressively forward in terms of models and marketing.

There are more than a few lessons for some other manufacturers to learn.

G

MERCEDES-BENZ GLC LAUNCHED AT RS 50.7 LAC JUNE 18, 2016 PUNE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

expanse of nice, flat luggage area and very easy to access thanks to the hatch opening. It’s a bit like THRILL the Skoda Octavias of old -- looking like sedansOF DRIVING with hatches hiding huge boots.

On the go, the S5 is a refined experience. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is quick and smooth, and shifts gears with digital efficiency.

Press the throttle with aggression and the gearbox quickly shifts down, releasing a nice V6 roar from the quad pipes out back. It’s a chatty car in that it likes to make nice growly noises when provoked, but never overpowers. The sound is enough for feedback and kicks, but does not cause discomfort.

High-rev gearshifts release a nice crackle from the exhaust. Paddle shifters are present for those times when you think you know better than the car’s electronics. Driving modes can be chosen Dash is usual Audi fare. Dark two-tone upholstery between comfort, dynamic, efficiency or tailored and carbon trim look sporty to your individual tastes. Ride quality is where the generally luxurious experience breaks, with than anything else and it drew attention wherever the large wheels and relatively low profile tyres it went. Though, we suspect, it would pass under transmitting road imperfections to the passenger. the radar in a more sedate paint job. Few, if any Setting the car in ‘Comfort’ mode didn’t do much external features stand out. You have a typical in this regard.

Audi front grille, headlamps and design language On our favourite, winding hill road, the S5 tweaked slightly to accommodate the curvaceous shone with its Quattro permanent all-wheel rear hatch. The red ‘S’ badges are also discreet on drive system. There’s always more grip than you the front and the back. need, and it works well with the performance of Step inside and the treatment is typical Audi. the motor. The specifications will surprise you if “Butat mom! my friends have SUVs with lower and the GL-class). Mercedes provides two If you’ve been in a recent A-type sedan, everything you drive the car before looking theAllbrochure: coefficients!”. IsV6! this a common refrain in engine options: the diesel GLC 220 d outputs is familiar. There’s the MMI screen, central console 329hp and 440Nm from thedrag supercharged your household? Tired of doing the school run 170hp and 400Nm of torque while the petrol and ergonomics as expected, but with a small, We’ve driven much angrier-feeling carsright angles? Mercedes GLC 300 outputs 245hp and 370Nm of torque. in an SUV that has only beendelivers listening tothis you and your burgeoning Officially, Mercedes has launched the fiddly jog dial. The steering wheel also with less power. Thhas e S5 ilk and is readyDespite to address this sticky problem.

GLC ‘Edition 1’, which is their traditional was doesn’t have explicitly labelled phone capability with little drama.

Verdict One is no longer stuck with the BMW X6 as of saying ‘first batch’. As they’ve done before, controls, which is something that being 4.7 metresthelong, the that S5 slices feelsthrough the air rather the Edition 1 cars come into the country as only SUV + Refinement, bashes itfootprint into submission.

CBUs (fully imported). This is Mercedes’ sixth will confuse those coming from a small compact with than performance, The Mercedes-Benz other car brands. Upholstery is in is good andGLC class of vehicles luxury SUV in the country, making their lineup width-wise. Visibility was launched on 2 June, conveniently slotting the most comprehensive among the luxury car unique black and dark brown and there the flat-bottomed feels into thesteering sliver of space left between the GLEpurveyors.

- It’s just “nice” class and GLS-class (previously, the ML-class Expectedly, equipment levels are high. is much leather on display. There nice to till around good surfaces. are some lacquered carbon fibre The ORVMs could have done a TGS rating trim pieces along the door and other better job showing the sides and rear ;;;`2 surfaces as well, though we’re not sure if of the vehicle, but that could be down it’s the real thing. The seats are comfortable to personal preference. and supportive one-piece units for the front, lending The Audi S5 has plenty ofIn performance a surprise move, Mahindra launched vehicle from 0-80% charge in 1 hour and an all-electric feeling version of its Verito sedan, 45 minutes, is reserved only for the top (D6) a sporty look without being uncompromisingly potential, but keeps everything the eVerito, on 2 June. Mahindra variant. Fast charging needs to be done an odd, middle hardcore like the near-race seats you’d find in a comfortable and luxurious. It isdubbed claims that the sedan can go 110km on a at one of Mahindra’s designated charging child and we imagine it will have takers than sports car. fullless charge.

The manufacturer is claiming stations, while a standard full charge takes costsbecause as low as Rs 1.15/km.

8 hours and 45 minutes using a 15-amp sedans Rear legroom is good for a person of my size more overt sportscars or luxuryrunning e eVerito also phones home home plug. Other features include opportunity (5’9”) but then, few grown men are actually my of the niche it occupies. That’sThan with a variety of information regenerative braking and a Claims a diff erent. size, so we’d suggest a seating capacity of four for for the buyer who wants something (Telematics).

Fleet sales seem feature called REVIVE, which range of to becomes a likely target, especially is basically an 8km power in this maximum comfort. At least one passenger we rode Certainly no other car we’ve seen considering the aging Verito/ reserve for emergencies. You 110km on a ex-showroom, with commented on how his i20 felt more spacious shade. At just north of Rs 69 lac Logan platform. The eVerito don’t get airbags in any variant. full charge can buy more in key in the back. Again, apart from the “sport” theatre, the price will give you pause. You is available immediately Performance is about New Delhi, adequate for city use, which is more overt sports Mumbai, there is little else to talk about. Open the hatch spacious luxury cars for less, or cities: Bangalore, Kolkata, where Mahindra is pitching the again. Pune, and it’s another world. Literally! Audi claims 480 cars for as much. Stuck in the middle Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and eVerito. Top speed is claimed at 86kmph tushar@goldensparrow.com litres of cargo space, and we believe them. It’s a vast Nagpur. and the 110km range is dependent on load.

THRILL OF DRIVING

Marks the sixth luxury SUV that Mercedes sells in India

AMEO=POLO PLUS

By Tushar Burman

bottomed steering wheel which feels nice to manipulate.

If we were to nitpick, we’d say that the touchack in 2009, when Volkswagen introduced screen infotainment system is a bit smaller than the Polo in India, it was a breath of fresh on the hatch, but it serves the purpose perfectly air. At the time, the go-to car for the well and doesn’t end-up looking aftermarket like segment was the Maruti-Suzuki Swift, and some recent cars we’ve driven. You get steeringwhile the Fabia did exist to represent a European mounted controls, cruise control and a cooled contender, it was deemed too odd and expensive glove box for beverages on hot days. A centre for what it offered. Volkswagen was reeling from armrest is available for the driver which is a slim problems with the Skoda brand’s service and unit much like in the Vento. You don’t get rear cost complaints and didn’t want to repeat the AC vents behind it, however. same mistakes with VW. Fast-forward to 2016 Rear seat accommodations are quite and anecdotally, VW cars are still considered comfortable, and the extra knee room over the expensive to run (they’re not; this author owns a Polo hatch is apparent. Headroom at the rear is petrol Polo). VW has taken specific note of this at a premium, much like the Polo hatch, so those sentiment with the Ameo compact sedan, and with long torsos (or generous behinds) may hit has launched it for a very competitive price, even their heads on the roof. slightly undercutting the Polo hatchback!

If you’ve read so far and are wondering where How they’ve achieved this was not the masala begins, well, it doesn’t. The Ameo immediately apparent to us on our long-ish test is striking in its anonymity. Even viewed from drive. The car is fundamentally the same inside the front 3/4 angle, one can barely discern the and out, save for the added boot. We drove the boot sticking slightly out of the rear. It’s a tiny Eighteen-inch alloys areHighline standard.

Mercedes sunroof, lighting switchable petrol variant (the diesel motor will ambient extension of the body, to bewith sure, since the idea during Diwali) and fit, finish and quality and is to fit a sedan within fourbehind metres tothe qualify will provide an optionalcome off-road engineering colours levels, cargo bars rear to be on par with the hatch. Plastics for lower taxes. We’ve always liked the practical package that raises the appeared ride height by 20mm seat that liberate another 30 litres of luggage are just as pleasing to the touch, with no hollow, depth of the Polo boot, and this remains useful in and offers three additional ride modes: - find.space what an up EASYplasticky-feeling spots we off could The two-and the Ameo. Mercedes Only now, the calls volume goes from dashdrive and beige interior remain,PACK and make tailgate.

294 litres inDO the hatch to 330 in the sedan.

It’s a road, incline and slippery.tone Five modes are WE HAVE YOUR the cabin feel airy. Bonus points for the flatminor bump, but it’s there. @tburman

B

standard in the GLC: Comfort, Eco, Sport, ATTENTION YET? Sport+ and Individual. Hill descent control Safety is typical Mercedes fare: ABS, ESP, is standard as well. We also see the use of Crosswind-assist, PRE-SAFE, Attention Verdict Mercedes’ new 9G-TRONIC nine-speed + Safety,auto price Assist, Active Parking Assist, 7 airbags, LED transmission. headlamps and adaptive tail lamps.

- Marginal enginethe Slotting in below their range-topper, All this could be yours at Rs 50.7 lac for the rating diesel GLC 220 d, and Rs 50.9 lac for the GLC GLC understandably gets plentyTGS of comfort ;;;22 and convenience features. There’s a panoramic 300 petrol, ex-showroom, Pune.

It’s finally here: the Polo with a boot

The exterior of the boot itself is reasonably well integrated, and not as much of a tack-on like you’d find on the Swift Dzire. Not as good as the Ford Figo Aspire, but not bad. The tail lamps are simple and don’t draw attention to themselves.

Styling seems to be borrowed from the Skoda design language, with a crease running across the otherwise slab-like boot lid. Everything seems to be designed to be anonymous. VW have had to adjust the front and rear overhangs accordingly, and the car ends up looking a bit stubbier than the hatch.

The Ameo at present is only available in a petrol variant, utilising the venerable 1.2l MPI three-cylinder motor that does duty in the hatch.

It generates 75PS and 110Nm of torque, which felt inadequate six years ago, and continues to be. It’s a flexible engine, to be sure, with useful low-end grunt that allows you to have a load of passengers and navigate inclines with grace rather than amateurish slipping of the clutch. However, there’s no getting around the rough sound of the three-cylinder and this author continues to field the same questions he’s had to with his own car: “is this a diesel?”. Once at highway speeds, it’s okay, but overtakes take effort. You do get cruise control, however, so that sort of balances things out a bit. The stiff suspension makes the car fun

Engine and interior mimic the Polo hatch

to drive, but is hard on all passengers. We really wish VW would do something about this.

Perhaps the most important thing about the VW Ameo is the fact that it comes in at such a competitive price, and that it does so with two airbags and ABS as standard across variants.

There are some segment-firsts such as rainsensing wipers, cruise control and auto up/down power windows with anti-pinch all-round, but that’s about it. The Ameo is a competent car at a competitive price about in the middle of the pack. You can get more features for more money with a Hyundai, but you get the secure, Teutonic feel of a well-built car with the VW. The petrol engine is a mixed bag, and we suspect many will wait for the diesel this Diwali. tushar@goldensparrow.com Watch a video overview here:

Mahindra launches all-electric eVerito

Triumph Bonneville Thruxton R launched for Rs 10.90 lac

T

while remaining lightweight.

Features are basic but thoughtful.

There’s a water-resistant pocket within the shell at chest level for your phone, and a felt pocket above the waist for your glasses.

Unfortunately, this pocket is unusable when the rain liner is in place. Zippers are of high quality as is the neck fastener, which uses velcro and has a soft pad where your neck meets the textile.

The jacket comes with CEapproved armour in the shoulders, elbows, and along the back. Fit appears to be European, which will work well for slimmer riders.

There are button fasteners on the sleeves to get a more snug fit, and velcro on the cuffs and waist. The RST mesh jacket will be available in this black/red combo, or the inverse: red/black.

RST mesh jacket Price: Rs 9500 Buy at: Bay City Speed Shop (baycityspeedshop@gmail.com)

TGS LIFE

JULY 30, 2016

By Tushar Burman

V

RST MESH JACKET

RST is a British manufacturer of motorcycle apparel that has recently become available in India. The distributor pegs them as a mid-tier brand, but we were impressed with the thought behind this jacket and its features.

This is a basic textile/mesh jacket with a supplied, removable rain liner. Some background: it’s very hard to stay entirely dry in motorcycle gear unless you use an impermeable rain jacket over your kit or invest in much more expensive stuff. Rain liners are nice to have, but rarely foolproof.

Thankfully, this RST jacket comes with a liner that zips into the shell using a long U-shaped zipper. Sleeves are held in place with small elasticated loops holding onto buttons on the liner.

It’s a snug fit and doesn’t move around much. This design allows the jacket to be quite resistant to rain in light to medium rain,

TGS LIFE

TGS LIFE

T

wo months after the release of the Bonneville T120, Triumph has rolled out Thruxton R in the Indian market.

The 1200cc Thrurxton R runs on a high power, 8-valve, parallel twin engine generating just over 95hp and 112Nm of torque. This is a higher output version of the mill that powers the T120.

The Thruxton R carries feature like ABS, ride-by-wire, traction control, torque assist clutch, LED DRL, LED rear light, an engine immobilizer and a USB charging socket. The bike also has riding modes to choose from: road, rain and sport.

The equipment list continues; the Thruxton

B g dea

Riding your motorcycle in the monsoon is a necessity for many, but it also brings out the adventurers. You’ve almost certainly got that Facebook friend who takes his bike to impossibly wet and dirty locations just because she can. If you’d like to follow suit but prefer to stay a bit drier, we have some kit you might want to consider

MOTORCYCLING THROUGH THAILAND niceties of the rest of Thailand. Think perfect 4G If you’re a motorcycling enthusiast, or have connectivity, AirBNB and the most incredible become one in the recent past, you’ve probably gourmet burger I’ve ever eaten on the street. The known or heard of someone who’s ridden a bike Pai river itself is popular for white water rafting around our ASEAN neighbour. In fact, there at various skill levels, and you can even take a is now a land route from North-East India slow boat to Laos, which takes two days and through Myanmar into Thailand. Heck, you costs just 1750 baht, or about 3500 rupees. In can go all the way to Singapore before you hit fact, our overnight stay and jaunt in the night the inevitable shore. There are many reasons to market ended up costing less than Rs 2000 for this, not least of which is the incredible road the two ofconverter us. Try getting that deal in Panchgani automatic. It’s a traditional torque you won’t be banging and down network. You’re very unlikely toso see a badly anyupnight of thetheyear. gearbox like a dual-clutch unit, but it’s okay. In potholed section of tar. In termsterms of distances, And that, in essence, is a microcosm of the of speed, it’s somewhere in the middle the country is about 1600km longofand 1000km experience you’re likely to have on any a economy automatictype and aofperformancedual-clutch. It can be sluggish, we across, so there’s plenty to explore.tuned Of particular road trip in but Thailand — it’s cheap to the point think it matches the character of the engine. note car” is the Mae Hong a long circuit sure, we’ve driven slower. Paddle shifters What else do you call a vehicle that the term “pony was coined for?Son loop --For

By Tushar Burman

MONSOON

So close yet so far. Perfect reasons to take off for a motorcycle trip

by a Gujarati. He has a huge fan following!

Having been (and motorcycled across) the country twice, I almost tend to take it personally when people refer to the country and its sex trade, as if the nation is one giant red light district. It isn’t, and you should definitely avoid visiting it with someone who holds that belief.

This author travelled the length of the country with his spouse, feeling perfectly secure despite being a nervous traveller. It truly is a place where you can hit the road without any specific plan and come off the bike feeling like you’ve explored and seen something new.

@tburman

S

till buzzing from what must have been thousands of curves across just over a hundred kilometres of road, it occurred to us that perhaps we should take a break and refuel our bodies, since the Honda CB500X we were riding showed no signs of using any significant quantity of gasoline. We were at Pai canyon, a small lookout point for tourists along the highway with four food and one coffee stall.

My spouse enjoys the occasional coffee, so she requested one. The beans were promptly ground in front of us, mixed with condensed milk, ice and water, and served in a convenient plastic container. All this while, I bit down on a prepackaged Tuna sandwich knowing full well that the nearest fresh tuna was at least 1200km away.

Both the sandwich and coffee were fresh and delicious. If this was roughing it on a road trip, it’s exactly my style.

black rubber piece. We think it goes rather well on our “modern classic” Ducati Scrambler. Grip is excellent, whether seated or standing, and it doesn’t rip up your pants or cause discomfort. Also useful is the fact that the adhesive allows you to remove and reposition the pads a number of times before losing efficacy. It also comes off without leaving residue.

Grippy tank pads are one of the cheapest mods you can do to you bike to allow you to ride safer and more confidently. It certainly helps in the rains to make sure you stay on the bike. The Techspec pads are available for most popular bikes, or you can buy them in self-adhesive panels and cut them to suit your vehicle.

Techspec ‘snakeskin’ tank pads PRICE: Rs 4000 - Rs 7500 depending on application BUY AT: Bay City Speed Shop (baycityspeedshop@gmail.com)

VISHAL KALE

She cou d eas y re a e o hose who go o bed hungry a n gh as hey canno afford a proper mea or may have g ven he r share o eed o her members o he am y As rem nds her o her own d fficu ch dhood days breaks her hear o see so many peop e s eep ng emp y s omach on he s ree s Wh e she can do much o change she does wha she can o make he r e s mp er For he pas 11 years Gee a Shah o Kondhwa has been runn ng a Ro Bank n he c y Her day beg ns ear y as she makes c ose o 300 ro s every day and s eps ou o her house n he a ernoon d s r bu ng n areas where she knows he home ess res de “I have had a ch dhood ha has no been he bes and have o en gone o bed emp y s omach I know wha ee s ke and w sh o do every h ng

n my power o no make o hers go hrough he same s rugg e ” she sa d add ng ha she ha s rom Ra as han When Shah s husband San osh was a ve he Gee a Shah coup e wou d go oge her o eed c ose o 200 peop e every day Now ha she s he on y breadw nner o her am y and has a 12-year-o d daugh er o ake care o she has o cu corners o manage her finances She some mes even akes supp es on cred rom he oca vendors she a s shor o unds They have a ways been k nd enough o g ve her wha ever she needs and she a ways repays hem he m nu e she can arrange or he money I s because o peop e ke hem ha she has been ab e o con nue do ng h s or a wh e now A huge par o her morn ng nc udes prepar ng he ro s and hen she eaves home o s ar d s r bu ng hem on her way o p ck up her daugh er rom he schoo The mo her-daugh er duo d s r bu es some on he r way back home oo

VISHAL KALE

Resident of Kondhwa, Geeta Shah has been relentlessly feeding the homeless and beggars since 2005

PUNE

Legroom is decent at the back. Headroom is a bit tight for taller passengers.

The eVerito will be available in three variants with marginal differences between them. Unusually, fast-charging ability, which Mahindra claims can charge the

Prices start at Rs 9.5 lac ex-showroom, Delhi, for the D2 variant after state and FAME subsidies. The D4 and D6 variants cost Rs 9.75 and 10 lac respectively.

VISHAL KALE

Our YouTube channel has the most fun reviews you've seen, guaranteed. Subscribe and comment.

A large, comfortable V8 grand tourer at an attractive price. We drive the Ford Mustang GT at the BIC

Eve yday o

he as

0 yea s Gee a Shah has been unn ng a Ro Bank n he c y and cooks abou 250 o s he se

The Mahindra NuvoSport is a friendly, practical compact SUV at a good price. The automatic is a bonus

Royal Enfield finally gives us a bike puspose-built for the Himalayas, a traditional pilgrimage for Bulleteers

Don't be fooled by the bland spec sheet. The Kawasaki Versys is a great all-round bike at a good price

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Look for "THRILL OF DRIVING"

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

PUNE

“Narendra Modi thinks more about Pak-occupied Kashmir. He congratulates people from Balochistan. But he is not ready to talk to the people of Kashmir in India. First, we have to create confidence in Kashmir, be it India-occupied Kashmir or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.”

— Digvijaya Singh, Senior Congress leader

No kidding! This is Dahi Handi festival NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court said that youth below 18 years of age cannot participate in the Dahi Handi ritual, part of the Janmashtami festival, in Maharashtra and the height of the human pyramid for it cannot exceed 20 feet, a limit fixed by the Bombay High Court.

A bench comprising Justices AR Dave and L Nageswara Rao, which decided to hear the revived petition in October this year, however suspended the operation of two other directions passed by the High Court to regulate the Dahi Handi festival.

The High Court directions, which have been suspended by the apex court, relate to amending the existing law to bar children below 18 years of age from participating in dangerous performances.

It also suspended the direction pertaining to 15 days prior approval from the authorities concerned to check the date of birth certificates of ‘Govindas’ to ensure that no underage children take part in it.

During the hearing, the bench agreed with the High Court directions with regard to the minimum age of participants and the maximum height of the pyramid.

The Supreme Court had, on August 10, revived a plea challenging a Bombay HC order restricting the height of human pyramids to 20 feet

FILE PHOTO

Youth below 18 years of age cannot participate in the ritual, part of Janmashtami: SC

for ‘Dahi-Handi’ ritual, saying it needs to hear the PIL petitioner before passing any order.

The court had sought reply of Swati Sayaji Patil, a social worker,

Act on complaint by lawyer on assault PHOTO FOR REPRESENTATION

CHENNAI: Madras High Court has directed police to act on a complaint by a city lawyer against advocates of Thiruvannamalai Bar Association that they had assaulted him after questioning his presence there when he had gone to attend a case.

Justice PN Prakash passed the orders on a Criminal Original Petition filed by D Balaji, who sought a direction to register a case on his complaint which he had sent by Registered Post to police in that town.

Balaji submitted he had gone to the police station in that town to file a complaint, but around 25 lawyers from the local bar prevented him from appearing before the police officer concerned.

“Petitioner is directed to appear before the respondent police in person and lodge a fresh complaint containing the very same contents filed previously dated July 15 2016. The same should be enquired into separately and action be taken in accordance with law if it discloses cognizable offence or drop

action otherwise.”

Balaji submitted that he had gone to District Sessions Court at Thiruvannamalai on July 14 to file a section for enquiry about a Criminal Miscellaneous Petition.

Thiruvannamalai Bar Association president V Ramakrishnan and Vice president G Rajendran approached him and questioned his credentials and demanded his ID card, which he showed. Ramakrishnan then suddenly started shouting at him and asked him if he was a big shot and was going to appear before District Court on July 15, to which he replied he had only come to note some details with regard to a case.

To this, Ramakrishnan told the petitioner he was an advocate in Madras High Court and questioned his necessity to come to the town, took the ID card along with him and asked him to follow him. Balaji submitted that another lawyer standing nearby made a phone call, following which about 10 to 15 advocates came to the spot, started abusing him in filthy language and then assaulted him.

Balaji submitted he did not file a complaint before police due to severe pain after the assault and for security reasons sent it through Registered post to them on July 15, for which he was given CSR (Community Service Receipt). The petitioner prayed for a direction from the Court to register a complaint and investigate the matter.

PTI

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has banned smoking in public places and sale of tobacco products to minors in Darjeeling district failing of which would draw a fine of Rs 200.

Stating that the ban was in force in the Hills as per Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) in 2003, District Magistrate Anurag Srivastava told PTI that the administration has started its implementation from the Independence Day. “It (ban on smoking in public places) was in place but the implementation was not done properly. Now on the directive from the Health department we started implementing the ban in the district,” he said.

Elaborating more on the ban, the DM said the sale of tobacco products to minors would be a punishable offence while sale of tobacco products would not be allowed within 100 metres of an educational institution.

“Not only the locals, this (ban) goes for tourists also. Anybody found smoking in public places will be fined Rs 200. And nobody will be allowed to sell tobacco-related products like cigarettes to minors below 18 years,” Srivastava said, adding that manufactures of tobacco products should adhere to the norm related to warnings on packages.

As per the COTPA, failing of adhering to the norm related to warnings on packages, the manufacturer of tobacco products on first conviction can face upto 2 years of imprisonment or can be fined Rs 5,000.

PTI

NEW DELHI: Forget the bulky paperwork, you can now apply, validate and activate new pre-paid and postpaid mobile connections using your Aadhaar card and fingerprint at the point of sale.

The government issued e-KYC guidelines to make the online process of application and authentication faster and simpler for subscribers.

In contrast to the existing document-based process, the move is intended to cut down time for SIM activation as KYC is verified instantly.

In e-KYC, a customer through her Aadhaar number and biometrics will online authorise UIDAI to provide demographic details such as name, address, date of birth and gender, along with the digitally-signed photograph, to the mobile operator.

“Digitally-signed electronic KYC data provided by UIDAI is machine readable, making it possible for licensees to directly store it as customer record in their database for the purpose of issuing a mobile connection,” a DoT notification said.

COAI Director General Rajan Mathews felt that the move will be helpful for all stakeholders as it simplifies activation, eases verification process and enhances security.

“Earlier, the entire verification process would last 8-10 hours and it will now be greatly reduced,” he hoped.

Bharti Airtel plans to start rolling out Aadhaar-based e-KYC solutions this week, MD and CEO (India and South Asia) Gopal Vittal said.

Vodafone India termed the e-KYC solution as “an instant, secure and green mobile subscriber verification project” and said all stakeholders will benefit from it. Customers will soon be able to walk in with their Aadhaar card in any of the Vodafone stores and walk out connected within minutes, the company statement read.

“For the consumer, instant activation means better experience and security of personal confidential information. For Vodafone, it will improve quality of sales as well as regulatory compliance. For the regulator, it not only means a green initiative, but hassle-free governance and accurate audit results,” said Sunil Sood, MD and CEO, Vodafone India.

PTI PTI

Highway Police to keep close watch on ATMs T H I RU VA N A N T H A P U R A M : In the backdrop of the recent hi-tech ATM robbery allegedly committed by a group of Romanians, police decided to keep a close vigil on the ATMs in the state between 9 PM to 6 AM. The order in this regard was issued by DGP Loknath Behara. The Highway Police and night patrol police teams will keep a close watch on the ATMs. They would examine if any mysterious objects have been placed near the ATM counters or if bank networks have been meddled with or if the kiosks have suffered any damage.

They would also keenly watch if the guards are doing their duty diligently and if there are any lapses, it would be reported to banks concerned, a police release said. The DGP has also asked the Zonal ADGPs, Range IGs, district police chiefs to file an action taken report in a week’s time.

PTI

Aadhaar for new mobile connections

CHOCK-A-BLOCK

Vehicles get stuck in heavy traffic jam at Gurgaon-Delhi Expressway in Gurgaon

Most primitive primate bones found in Guj Newly discovered group of 25 tiny animal bones are more primitive than 56 million years old fossil

WASHINGTON: A cache of exquisitely preserved 25 tiny bones, found in a coal mine in Gujarat, appear to be the most primitive primate bones yet discovered, according to a new analysis by an international team of researchers.

The assessment of the bones belonging to ancient ratsized, tree-dwelling primates, bolsters the controversial idea that primates native to what is now India played an important role in the very early evolution of mammals that include humans, apes and monkeys, researchers said.

“All other primate bones found so far around the world clearly belong to one or the other of the two primate groups, called clades: Strepsirrhini and Haplorhini,” said Kenneth Rose, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the US. “But many of the Gujarat bones show features that do not clearly belong to one clade or the other,” said Rose.

According to Rose and lead author Rachel Dunn from Des Moines University in the US, this suggests that the little primates represent a very early stage of primate evolution. At the beginning of the Eocene Epoch, about 56 million years ago, the world was warming, encouraging the dispersal of mammals

between northern continents.

The oldest known primate fossils found appeared around then in North America, Europe and northern Asia, but they can already be categorised as either adapoids or omomyids, the most primitive members of Strepsirrhini and Haplorhini, respectively.

The newly discovered group of 25 tiny bones, all from somewhere below the neck of the animals, are younger - some 54.5 million years old - but considerably more primitive than the oldest known primate fossil, Teilhardina, which first appears in deposits at the beginning of the Eocene, almost 56 million years old.

JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE

Vol-III* lssue No.: 10 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.

who had filed a petition for initiation of contempt proceedings against Maharashtra government in high court for failure to comply with the HC order.

The Maharashtra government had earlier approached the apex court seeking clarification on its 2014 order by which it had stayed the high court decision banning participation of those below 18 years in a popular ‘DahiHandi’ ritual.

The high court had on August 11, 2014, while hearing a petition filed by Patil, ordered that the height of human pyramids should not exceed 20 feet and that children below the age of 18 years should not be allowed to participate.

The state government had then challenged the high court order in the Supreme Court which had initially suspended the HC order and later dismissed the petition challenging it.

The Maharashtra government had taken a stand that since the apex court had not expressed any opinion on restriction imposed by the HC on the height of human pyramids, it was not bound by its earlier order.

The high court, however, had asked the state government to seek clarification from the Supreme Court on the aspect that its earlier order would be in force unless it had been set aside by the apex court.

PTI

Smoking banned in Darjeeling

‘SMEs offer greater flexibility for women’ P 12

Fossilized bones found in a coal mine in Gujarat, India: a femur bone from the adapted Marcgodinotius (left) is shown beside a femur bone from Vastanomys, an omomyid (right)

They are also more primitive than a relatively complete skeleton of the primate Archicebus, found recently in China and dated to about 55 million years ago, said researchers, including those from Garhwal University and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology in Uttarakhand, and Panjab University in Chandigarh.

Their analysis, Rose said, suggests the Gujarat primates are close descendants of the common ancestor that gave rise to the adapoids and omomyids found on the northern continents.

However, the Gujarat primates date back to a time when what is now India was a drifting land mass isolated from the northern continents and inching its way toward southern Asia.

“These are the best preserved and most primitive bones we have from the first 5 million years of primate evolution, but there’s not enough evidence to figure out when these primates reached India or where they came from,” said Rose.

Rose said there are several possible scenarios to explain what they have suggested, but all his team can say with high confidence now is that the tiny primates occupied equatorial India prior to its collision with Asia.

Researchers don’t have enough bones to reconstruct a whole skeleton, but the bones were not embedded in rock so they could be thoroughly examined from every angle, providing insights into the evolution of primate anatomy.

The research was published in the Journal of Human Evolution.

PTI

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

‘Want to develop team as a family’ P 14

PUNE

“ Would continue my radical anti-drug campaign despite criticism from the international organisation. Why would the UN be so easily swayed into interfering in the affairs of this republic? There are only 1,000 deaths.”

— Rodrigo Duterte, Philippines President

G20 to focus on economy, no politics PTI

World’s biggest economies to meet in the Chinese city of Hangzhou in September

‘Indo-China ties developing smoothly despite frictions’

BEIJING: China said next month’s G-20 summit will focus on boosting global economic growth and other financial issues rather than discuss contentious political matters like the disputed South China Sea. The high-profile meeting of the world’s 20 biggest economies in the Chinese city of Hangzhou from September 4 to 5 will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits Aguada Fort, one of the venues for BRICS President Barack Obama and other Summit scheduled for October, in Goa world leaders.

“This meeting, this G20 summit in Hangzhou, has as its theme economic formed in 1999 consists of Argentina, but rather let the market determine growth,” Vice Foreign Minister Li Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, exchange rates.”

Baodong told France, Germany, Besides the G-20 summit, Chinese reporters here, India, Indonesia, President Xi Jinping will also host an pointing out that Italy, Japan, Mexico, informal meeting of BRICS (Brazil, different countries Republic of Korea, Russia, India, China, South Africa) may have their own Russia, Saudi leaders, and deliver a keynote speech on agendas of their Arabia, South the opening ceremony of the Business concerns at such Africa, Turkey, the 20 (B20) summit, state-run news agency gatherings.

United Kingdom, Xinhua reported. Ahead of the summit, The theme the United States Hangzhou city is virtually being sealed of the summit and the European off to maintain security. Besides the will be ‘Toward Union (EU). world leaders, a large contingents of an Innovative, Yi Gang, a world media was expected to converge in - YI GANG Invigorated, vice governor Hangzhou to cover the event.

Interconnected and of the People’s Modi, who was expected to arrive Inclusive World Economy’.

Bank of China, said the Hangzhou late on September 3 would leave on China has been maintaining that the gathering will focus on stimulating September 5, the last day of the summit.

South China Sea issue, which acquired sluggish global economic growth with While officials say his meetings on a new dimension after an international policies promoting inclusive trade and the sidelines of the summit were being tribunal struck down Beijing’s claims development of robust financial markets. worked out, Modi is expected to meet over the area, should be resolved Addressing the special briefing on Xi, Obama and other leaders separately. directly by parties concerned and not by the upcoming summit, Yi said, “we need Xi is expected to take part in the outsiders. to instill market confidence and ensure BRICS summit to be held in Goa. The Group of 20 which was there are no competitive devaluations PTI

“We need to instill market confidence and check competitive devaluations.”

AP/PTI

Indian-American couple jailed for medical fraud in US

JOYFUL SHADES

all a problem between Beijing and New Delhi.

It was the US, not China, who made the relevant rules for NSG membership, and India failed to meet the criteria of entering the club,” it said.

“The two nations may have discussed the issue during Wang’s visit, and it is possible for both sides to clarify their own ideas, stances and policies over the matter. But the conjecture that Wang was trying to win India’s support over the South China Sea by helping New Delhi with the NSG membership doesn’t make sense at all,” it said.

On August 15, another article blamed the Indian media for “stirring up negative sentiments” against China by highlighting the divergences in the bilateral ties.

PTI

BY KJM VARMA

Hailing India for keeping “neutral stand” over the South China Sea issue despite pressure from the US and Japan, state-run Chinese media said there are some contradictions and frictions between the two nations but the overall bilateral relations have been developing smoothly.

“When it comes to security, after the final award of the South China Sea arbitration was announced, the Indian government has kept a neutral stance despite the pressure from Washington and Tokyo,” an article in the state-run Global Times said.

Calling for “solid step forward” to improve relations, the article said “admittedly, there are some contradictions and frictions between China and India, but the overall bilateral relations have been developing smoothly”.

It also flayed Indian media for “going too far” to blame China for blocking India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and linking last week’s Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India to the South China Sea issue.

“Indian media has spared no effort in linking Wang’s visit to the South China Sea issue and the country’s failure in joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG),” it said.

Last month an international tribunal struck down China’s claims over the South China Sea based on historic rights, pushing Beijing on the back foot in its maritime dispute with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan over the area.

“Regarding the NSG case, Indian media has gone too far, for it is not at

In this photo released by China’s Xinhua News Agency, a Long March-2D rocket carrying the world’s first quantum satellite lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Jiuquan, northwestern China’s Gansu Province

‘Kabali’ success roars in Singapore

BY GURDIP SINGH

Kirtish and Nita Patel

BY LALIT K JHA WASHINGTON: An IndianAmerican couple has been sentenced up to eight years in the US for receiving more than USD 4.8 million from Medicare and private insurance companies for knowingly producing thousands of fraudulent medical test reports.

Kirtish N Patel, 54, and Nita K Patel, 53, from New Jersey pleaded guilty in November to health care fraud related to their Biosound Medical Services and Heart Solution PC. Federal prosecutors say Nita Patel received a six-and-a half years sentence, while Kirtish Patel was sentenced to more than eight years. They must pay more than USD 4.8 million in restitution.

According to court papers, Kirtish Patel admitted to, from October 2008 through June 2014, fraudulently interpreting and writing diagnostic reports produced by Biosound despite having no medical license and knowing that the reports would be used by the referring physicians to make important patient treatment decisions.

Nita Patel admitted assisting her husband in forging physician signatures on the fraudulently produced reports to make them appear legitimate.

Federal prosecutors alleged that more than 10,000 diagnostic reports generated by Biosound between October 2008 and June 2014 were never actually reviewed or interpreted by a physician.

The couple were paid more than USD 4.8 million by Medicare and private insurance companies for the fraudulent reports.

PTI

Festival goers enjoy the colour party, when participants throw coloured powder at each other, at the 24th Sziget (Island) Festival on Shipyard Island, Northern Budapest, Hungary. The festival is one of the biggest cultural events of Europe offering art exhibitions, theatrical and circus performances and music concerts over eight days

“During the Wang’s visit the two sides may have also discussed how to further promote a closer partnership, which was raised during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit,” the article said.

“For the moment, when we talk about Sino-India ties, we tend to use the phrase ‘relations are generally stable without major conflicts’. Yet this should not be the highest expectation we hold for the relationship,” it said.

Acknowledging problems in the bilateral collaboration on economic and trade issues which “used to be one of the most positive parts of the bilateral relations, it said “joint works in this regard have not been going smoothly in recent years”.

Meanwhile, there is also no real progress on the Beijing-raised Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, which is a vital part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Numerous reasons can be listed, including political changes and social turmoil in Myanmar, it said.

“More significantly, New Delhi has kept a negative attitude toward the initiative. It does not mean that India is not welcoming China’s investment. Yet, given the nation’s strategic interests, it does not fully trust China because part of the project goes through sensitive regions in India.

As the two largest emerging powers in Asia, if China and India can enhance their friendly ties, and have more cooperation on international issues such as carbon emission reduction, reforming the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the two countries can share more mutual profits, it said.

Singapore: A Singapore start-up cofounded by five Indian-origin persons is cashing in on one of India’s latest boxoffice hit, Kabali, by selling figurines of the film’s lead character played by cine star Rajinikanth.

About 85 per cent of the 40,000 figurines produced by Carbon Copy Collectibles have been sold since sales began in mid-June for the global market, The Straits Times reported.

The company, founded by five Singaporeans of Indian origins, was selected by Kabali’s global publicity campaigner, Chennai-based production house, V Creations, to make and sell figurines of Kabaleeswaran, a character portrayed by 65-year-old Rajinikanth.

Each polyvinyl figurine, 16.5 cm tall and weighing 300g, is being sold for SGD 39.90 in Singapore.

E-commerce giant Amazon has

bought the Kabali figurines for the Indian market while it is being sold in Malaysia through Madura Stores, a local retail outlet for Indian products.

“We are the pioneers of the collectibles in the Indian cinema industry,” said Suraen Ramdass, 29, and one of the founders of Carbon Copy Collectibles which started in June 2015.

Carbon Copy Collectibles has made and sold figurines of two other Indian film characters in Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, Britain and the United Arab Emirates. The first was 2,000 pieces of Manik Baasha, a character from a 20-year-old movie, made in December 2015.

The second was 2,000 pieces of a character from 1992 movie Thevar Magan which were released in March this year.

The other founders are K Bala, 25, Dhivya Subramaniam, 27, Prakash Ramdas, 29, and Ganeshan Lingam, 29.

PTI

Thailand hopes political stability in near future

By approving junta-backed Constitution, voters gave the military final say on future elected governments

BY SUBHASHIS MITTRA

Thailand has been rocked by more than a decade of political turmoil that has stunted growth, two military takeovers and several rounds of often deadly street protests.

Against this backdrop, greater political stability appears on the anvil with Thais handing the junta of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha a convincing win in a referendum, paving the way for a democratically elected government.

By approving a new junta-backed Constitution, the Thai voters gave the military, which seized power in a coup two years ago, the final say on future elected governments.

Thai voters cast ballots for the first time since the military toppled the government, choosing whether to approve or reject a junta-backed Constitution.

Thailand’s Election Commission said that with 91 per cent of the votes counted, 61 per cent have voted in favour.

The draft won approval in all regions, except the Northeast, which is the stronghold of former premier Thaksin Shinawatea. The new charter could pave the way for polls next year.

The military has said the new Constitution would stem endemic political corruption and bring stability, but critics have said it will entrench military control.

After casting his ballot at a polling station in Bangkok, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said: “Come out (to vote) because today is important for the future of the country. “This is your duty and this is part of democracy, of an internationallyrecognised process.”

After the ‘yes’ vote, the draft will

become the Constitution, enhancing the military government’s legitimacy in the run-up to an election which Prime Minister Prayuth has promised will happen next year. The military junta which took power after a coup in 2014 called for the Constitution to be rewritten to ensure “clean politics” in the country.

The military government took a

gamble in holding this referendum.

Its performance in the two years since it seized power has been muddled, the economy is in poor shape and the government it ousted was led by a popular party which had won every election held in the past 15 years.

The gamble paid off.

Despite strong warnings from human rights groups and prominent

Thais have handed the junta of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha a convincing win in a referendum

politicians about the undemocratic character of the new constitution, a clear majority of those who voted approved it.

But turnout was low, and will undermine the legitimacy of the result for many Thais. The military now plans to hold a general election by the end of next year. Under the new voting system, this is likely to produce a weak coalition administration. And a wholly-appointed Senate and other unelected bodies will be given a decisive say over Thai politics, in what might best be described as a guided democracy.

Before the coup, just over half of the upper house seats were directly elected and the rest were appointed.

The change means militaryappointed lawmakers will have a decisive say in the likely event that no party holds a majority in the lower house, or National Assembly of Thailand.

Thailand has issued 19 constitutions since a constitutional monarchy replaced an absolute one in 1932.

PTI Feature

MONEY MATT ER S

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

PUNE

“It has been the consistent and abiding passion at Nestle to marry the benefits of our extensive knowledge of flavours, technology and the science of nutrition with the tastes and experiences that delight our consumers.”

— Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director, Nestle India

Banks consolidation next fiscal, priority to end NPAs: BBB chief

Signposts e-visa for conference delegates: Ministry raises concerns Union Home Ministry has raised security concerns to the Tourism Ministry proposal to extend e-visa for conference delegates. “The Home Ministry has raised some security concerns with the e-visa for conference. It may not get a green signal from the Home Ministry for the time being,” a Tourism Ministry source said. However, he said the online visas would soon be extended for delegates coming to India for attending meetings and exhibitions.

India has a separate category of conference visa and anybody organising a conference, especially international bodies, must get a Home Ministry clearance for the subject of the conference, the source said. Tourism ministry had sought e-visa facility for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) segment to boost the tourism.

FinMin likely to issue 5th tranche of gold bonds next month Seeking to contain physical gold demand, the government is likely to issue fifth tranche of sovereign gold bond (SGB) scheme next month. “We are working on some changes with a view to making it more attractive. The next tranche should be issued in September,” a senior Finance Ministry official said. In the previous tranche, the government made some changes to make it more attractive and its positive result was visible in terms of mobilisation, the official added. Last month, the government had realised Rs 919 crore through the fourth tranche — the highest so far. The previous highest was Rs 746 crore, which was realised in the second tranche when the issue price was Rs 2,600 per gram of gold.

“We are ecstatic to introduce the ZenFone 3 Series, which redefines luxury with superior performance and design to consumers in India, one of our priority markets globally.”

— Jerry Shen, ASUS CEO

Vinod Rai says the lending activity in banks has got totally jammed because of stressed assets sitting on their balance sheets The consolidation of more banks may begin from next fiscal as the priority now is to unlock the jammed lending system with the Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) sitting over balance sheets of banking institutions, Banks Board Bureau chief Vinod Rai said recently.

He said it has been decided to remove NPAs from banks balance sheets by this fiscal end. Rai said the lending activity in banks has got totally jammed because of stressed assets sitting on their balance sheets.

“Capital has got locked and banks do not have enough capital to start the lending process. So our priority one today is to try to unravel or unknot the entire process where we bring about certain amount of resolution. We do one-time settlement. May be we remove some of the assets which are sitting on the balance sheets of banks,” he said while addressing Chief Vigilance Officers at Central Vigilance Commission.

Rai said “what we have decided ourselves is that from today till may be December 31, or may be on the outer side by March 31, the process of removing stress from balance sheets of those banks” will end.

“We have decided to put all our energy into that process. Trying to ensure that lending process starts again because whatever banks might be doing

they are not sticking out to lending for infrastructure. Unless you lend for infrastructure, the constraints for the growth of economy will always be there. .

“For the time being the priority is to start the lending process,” said the chief of BBB, that advises the government on top-level appointments at public sector lenders and ways to address the bad loans problem among other issues.

To a question over consolidation of banks, Rai said there are teams trying to work on it and it will be sorted out post April 1.

He said “if you saddle the banking administration with consolidation, which is a huge exercise by itself, it will create a lot of confusion”.

“But at the same time there are teams outside the banks which are working and trying to see which are the best fits. But unfortunately, for public sector banks it is not purely on merit that consolidation will take place. You just can’t make XYZ bank disappear let’s say from Kolkata, the entire political establishment will be up in arms...

“So you have to ensure that consolidation process takes place where you take union along with you but more importantly the political environment around that area. So that kind of work

is in progress. It will be sorted out.

But it will be sorted out post April 1. Believe me the decision making, if you call it delay, it is not delay because a lot of thoughts are going into it.

Because you cannot saddle financial institutions,” Rai said.

Referring to a decision on takeover

by State Bank of India with its associate banks, he said the SBI was picked up for reasons including the same working culture among its and other units.

PTI

Vinod Rai

CBI, CVC, CAG not stumbling blocks The CBI, CVC and CAG are not stumbling blocks that are causing any kind of policy paralysis and it is a total bogey, Banks Board Bureau chief Vinod Rai said.

He said there are a few people in the government who are making maximum amount of noise saying there is a policy paralysis.

“Let me dispel the notion that anybody who tells either the CBI, CVC or CAG is a stumbling block to any kind of policy paralysis or decision making exercise. It is a total bogey. It’s a total alibi of nonperformance,” Rai said.

He was delivering a lecture — “Do audit and vigilance lead to policy paralysis in the government” — to Chief Vigilance Officers of some government organisations at Central Vigilance Commission.

The BBB chief said in the government there are certain kind of people, if they are hauled up by the CVC, they make the maximum amount of noise. “When their shops get shut, they say there is policy paralysis,” said Rai, former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Audit reports on coal blocks

and second generation spectrum allocation, besides those on Commonwealth Games related projects during Rai’s tenure as CAG had cited alleged serious administrative and financial irregularities worth crores.

There have been concerns by some regarding fear of three Cs — Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and CAG. Rai said unless there is an oversight agency, there will not be any trust or confidence between public and its government.

“These institutions have been created to ensure there is certain element of transparency and there is certain element of probity in public administration and public spending,” he said.

Rai said all those in government jobs should feel that “we sit in glass houses and every action of us are being monitored from outside”.

He asked the CVOs — who act as distant arm of the CVC to check corruption — to differentiate between a malafide and bonafide mistake in decision making.

Embed Indian language interface in IT gadgets

Hiring activity in July up a modest 3 per cent

Some Kannada writers have launched an online campaign by petitioning to Union Information Technology Minister Ravishankar Prasad asking him to make it mandatory for IT tool-making companies to embed Indian language interface in their gadgets. In the petition, Kannada writer Beluru Sudarshana said a leading Kannada author had published an e-book in Kannada and tried to sell it through Kindle, but, unfortunately, Amazon India did not support Kannada in its Kindle tool.

“We request you to take steps to make embedding of Indian language interface and related tools (fonts, keyboard drivers etc.,) inside these text graphic interface based gadgets, mandatory for all IT tool making companies,” Sudarshana added.

Narayana Shashtry, a supporter of the petition, said the local language support on gadgets will be a win-win situation for both locals and companies as they can sell more of their products.

If the usage of electronic and IT gadgets has to grow manifold then the ability to convey the content in all Indian scripts and languages is a must for it to happen, said Anand Kankanhalli, another supporter.

Sudarshana urged the Centre to issue suitable guidelines in this regard to all manufacturers.

“To make this happen we urge you to form an

Hiring activity saw a modest growth of 3 per cent in July, year-on-year, led largely by the ITES sector while auto, hospitality, education and healthcare continued to show “slow and steady growth”, says a Naukri.com report.

Naukri Job Speak Index for July this year stood at 1,882, up 3 per cent over the same month in 2015.

“Post an impressive 22 per cent growth in June this year, though the index for July shows muted growth of just 3 per cent, good news is the slow and steady growth in the non-IT sectors like auto, hospitality, education and healthcare to name a few,” Naukri.com Chief Sales Officer V Suresh said.

While sectorwise, ITES recorded an impressive 46 per cent year-on-year growth, healthcare was up by 23 per cent followed by auto/ auto ancillary at 17 per cent whereas IT-software and telecom reported 21 per cent and 32 per cent decline, respectively in the July index.

“Looks like this trend will continue and we can expect the index to move north in the coming months,” Suresh added. Meanwhile, demand for professionals in ITES has grown remarkably, whereas, IT-Software and IT-Hardware showed downward movement of 14 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

Among the metros, Chennai is the only city

Ravishankar Prasad

autonomous governing body for supervising all the research pertaining to Indian languages which are public funded or in public-private partnership.

This way, we can reduce the redundant and unnecessary work,” he said.

To an e-mail query, Kindle India spokesperson said, “Today, Kindle does not support any regional language in India. We continue to gather feedback from our customers about their preferences and are working tirelessly to deliver a better experience.”

“Amazon is passionate about books and is continuously working to improve the overall reading experience for both customers and publishers,” he added.

PTI

‘SMEs offer greater flexibility for women’ Mentoring and personalised management style is attracting more and more women to start their career in this sector A mix of greater flexibility, more mentoring and a personalised management style is attracting more and more women, especially those who are restarting their career after a break, to smaller organisations, experts say.

“Women have begun working in smaller organisations in order to obtain greater flexibility, more mentoring and a more personalised management style. Small industries are among the first segments to encourage those women who took breaks in careers,” Saundarya Rajesh, Group Founder and President of AVTAR, a talent consulting firm, told PTI. The trend is visible in sectors such as accounting services, tax and legal advisory, content writing, e-publishing, small-scale manufacturing in tier II and III cities, smallscale BPOs, jobs, training and tele-marketing, house-keeping, food and catering.

Small firms, she said, are more flexible when it comes to employing women and

Group Founder and President of talent consulting firm AVTAR Saundarya Rajesh with her staff

not choosy about a particular educational background or experience. Women in SMEs occupy many different positions, which is typically not the norm with large firms, she said, adding that small organisations are more supportive of women trying out new roles.

In larger companies, the process of creating job descriptions follows standardised

global principles, which often keeps out talent experimentation, she noted. According to Saundarya, SMEs are among the first to look at hiring women who are on breaks.

“It is often very easy for a woman who has demonstrated good performance to avail of leave, sabbaticals, soft loans and other benefits, which might take a very long

and often very bureaucratic process in large organisations,” she added.

“The nimbleness and agility demonstrated by small organisations when it comes to decision-making around people practices serve as a big benefit for women employees.”

GlobalHunt Managing Director Sunil Goel said flexi work hours, work from home, flexible leaves and child care services, besides rejoining flexibility even after a long break, are acting as pull factors. Smaller firms, he said, are not only attracting women at mid and junior levels, but witnessing significant contribution by women staff at the helm.

TeamLease Services Senior VicePresident Kunal Sen said the e-commerce boom has led to a number of women becoming entrepreneurs, especially in consumer (fashion) and technology sectors.

Women are perceived to be suited for roles that are either process-oriented or deal in staff functions.

which witnessed an upward movement of 7 per cent in July. Whereas, cities like Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad recorded decline.

While, Delhi reported a decline of 4 per cent in the July index, Mumbai witnessed a downward movement of 11 per cent and Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad recorded a fall of 14 per cent, 18 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.

PTI

Veggies may soar further as peak production season ends: Report In a “most worrying” sign for consumers, the prices of vegetables in retail markets are likely to shoot up further in coming months as the ‘peak production season’ came to an end, says a report.

In the shorter horizon, there will be “more pressure on the market arrivals of vegetables as production season eases”, industry body Assocham said in its report.

Vegetable prices rose up to 100 per cent in the April-July due to low arrivals of the harvest in mandis, Assocham said. It termed the trend as “most worrying” because it was visible during the peak season of production. “There is a huge gap between retail and wholesale price of vegetables. On an all India average basis, retailers are selling at more than 52.7 per cent of wholesale prices,” Assocham Secretary General DS Rawat said.

At the retail level, potato prices went up by about 100 per cent during April-July 2016 over the same period last year, cabbage (49.3 per cent), chilly (47.8 per cent), garlic (37 per cent), cauliflower (33.9 per cent), tomato local (26 per cent), potato fresh (25 per cent), okra (22.3 per cent), and brinjal round (20.8 per cent).

Report states producers do not gain when prices increase. It outlined the need of building cold storage facilities in production centres, suggesting the government should improve infrastructure facilities by encouraging PPP initiatives.

PTI

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

WATCH OUT

LIVE PERFORMANCE BY ABJI

RETRO PROJECT

In an effort to provide a platform for young, upcoming artists Letartwork Gallery, Baner has organised an exhibition that includes various works of winners of the landscape painting competition. The exhibition will comprise of oil and water colour paintings. This would include demonstrations of portrait and water colour painting, and sculpture on Saturdays.

When: Till September 3 Where: Letartwork Gallery, BanerPashan Link Road

NEW MENU AT BAR BAR

WEEK THAT WAS

FATIMA AT LOST THE PLOT Lost The Plot is Pune’s only rooftop cinema are screening the film Fatima.

It is a story of an immigrant from North Africa called Fatima and her

Prathamesh Gokhale Marketing executive Shobha De’s hollow concern only can be taken seriously if she adopts a single sports person till next Olympic for his/her expenditures for training, travel, physio-therapy etc. Or what she can do to shut the mouth of critics is produce a medal winner kid in her own home. Making statements on performance of a player is very easy but do you have even guts to qualify for Olympics for any of the sport? Kindly do not pass judgements just sitting at home.

Yash Ashwin Student It is really sad that someone like Shobha De who has so much influence over a large part of the country can even think of voicing her opinions in such a manner. While what she said might not have been entirely wrong the manner in which she said it, is what caused all the chaos. The best way to tackle the issue however in my opinion would have been to simply ignore her tweet. This is not the first time she has done something like this and if she cannot understand how to word for opinion even after repeatedly telling her than ignoring her is the easiest and best way out. She got so much more publicity even after saying the wrong thing simply because we like to make an issue out of the small things in life.

VISHAL KALE

|Along with the Toasties, Malabari Paratha Wraps, Dabbas, Popcorns and more, BAR BAR will now start to serve bhel bowls, food on sticks and

Turn back time with High Spirits this Saturday evening as they bring back retro nights in full swing! Coming all the way from Goa, the Retro Project is here bringing you your favourite rock and roll and retro anthems. The band members are Toto on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Caje on bass, Anthony on lead guitar, Clifford on the keys, Petula on vocals and Lenny on drums.

When: August 20

This weekend, enjoy an unparalleled beering experience with a performance by Abji George. He has the perfect blend of rock, pop, electro, retro and even originals. With over a decade of experience in the music scene and a keen sense of the audience’s taste, they can tailor the set to create an unforgettable event!

Joining them on Bass and Drums will be session musicians.

When: August 21 Where: The Beer Café, Koregaon Park

Shobha De was criticised by everyone after she said that Indian Olympians are a waste of money and they go to Olympics to click selfies. We ask Puneites their opinion on the entire controversy

PMC TO SET UP WASTI CLINICS AROUND THE CITY

INFANT’S BODY FOUND IN HIGHLY DECOMPOSED STATE

the city which are far from health care facilities. By September 1, 50 Wasti Clinics will be started in these areas. “For medicines, we have made a provision of Rs 25-30 lakh for these clinics.

Some residents too have extended their support to this initiative and have assured of providing room for these clinics in their areas. The PMC has also decided to set up 17 diagnostic centres in 17 PMC-run maternity hospitals, to provide urine and blood test and CT scan facilities,” Kumar said.

HIV PATIENT TORTURED BY IN-LAWS

her to Aundh Hospital in May 2016 and abandoned her.

After eight days, the hospital administration and police contacted the in-laws, and put the victim in their charge.

But a month later, the woman escaped from the in-laws’ home under the pretext of going to the toilet. She went to her elder sister and narrated how her in-laws had tortured her, kept her locked up in a room at their village in Paud gaon for a month without food, even as they stay at the city’s Khairwadi area. The in-laws’ even beat her up.

Pune City Shiv Sena worker Hemant Dabi told TGS that the victim’s sister approached him for help. The victim mistreated by her in-laws was in a malnourished state, as she was deprived of food for a month. “We first fed her and then filed a case against the in-laws at Chaturshringi Police Station,” Dabi said.

A woman afflicted with HIV was locked up in a room without food for almost a month by her in-laws.

The 32-year-old managed to escape from the clutches of her tormentors on the morning of August 17, and went to her sister’s home for help. Her 35-year-old sister has filed a case against the in-laws at Chaturshringi Police Station.

The victim’s husband, an autorickshaw driver, had succumbed to AIDS six months ago. They have a sixyear-old daughter. After her husband’s death, the victim went to live with her married sister. The victim’s sister told the former’s in-laws to take care of her, as she herself was unable to do it. That is when the woman’s terrifying ordeal began. She was subjected to torture from the day she moved to her in-laws’ place. Her in-laws admitted THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 13-19, 2016

PUNE

PIC

OF

The body of an eight- to ten-day old male infant was found in a nullah at Shantinagar in Bhosari at around 1 pm on Thursday, August 18. The police have not been able to identify the body. The police were informed by the citizens who discovered the body.

The Bhosari police said that the body is in an advanced state of decomposition, which is a hurdle in its identification. The body was immediately sent to Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital for post-mortem. The postmortem report states that the body was dumped in the nullah after the infant was killed by an unidentified culprit, as no water was found in its lungs. This indicates that this is a case of murder.

Being an open air area, there is of course no CCTV footage for the police to base their investigation on, and neither are there any eyewitnesses.

In view of the lack of available health services in the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to start ‘Wasti Clinics’, on the lines of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s popular ‘Mohalla Clinics’ in Delhi. The PMC has started four Wasti Clinics at Yerawada, Mangalwar Peth and Bhusari Colony on a pilot basis, and plans to launch 50 Wasti Clinics in the city by September 1.

The municipal commissioner said that the civic administration does not need to invest additional money for this scheme, as these clinics will operate from PMC’s Samaj Mandir and Vyayam Shala buildings. A doctor and a nurse will be on duty at the Wasti Clinics, which will work three days in a week for three hours.

Kunal KumarPMC has identified 50 locations in

E WE K

Puneites, get ready to lose control to the beats of DJ Anuj and Garry as they are all set to take over the console.

Anuj and Garry started performing together in the year of 2010-2011. The main reason for them collaborating was their love for Electronic Dance Music. Since then, they have played at various platforms. Their stage antics are pretty much famous in Pune and across other cities in India.

When: August 20 Where: The Irish House, Viman Nagar

PROVIDING PLATFORM TO BUDDING TALENT

VOX POPULI

THE

DJ ANUJ AND GARRY

Where: The High Spirits, Koregaon Park

dessert. Bhels will make a comeback this season with 6 different kinds starting at Rs 69 for the ‘Desi Bowl’ with crunchy channa dal, kurmura and tangy chutneys. There’s also a Mexican Bhel and a Chicken Bhel. Danda Khayega Kya is dedicated to Food on Sticks with the monsoon favourite ‘Butta’ or Roasted Corn on the Cob; Tandoori Chicken Satay and more.

When: Ongoing Where: Bar Bar, Viman, Nagar

two daughters as they struggle to find their place in Lyon, France. The elder daughter Nesrine is a medical student while the younger one, Souad is a rebellious teen of fifteen. This slice of life film shows the prejudices that immigrants face from the natives as well as people from their own community. With just the right combination of drama and comedy, director Faucon creates a delightful film.

When: August 24 Where: Lost The Plot, Seasons Hotel, Aundh

PUNE

SELFIE SYNDROME: The selfie obsession has this man perched precariously atop a moving van, while he wields his mobile phone

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 13-19, 2016

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

Lending a helping hand

A sorry state of affair

Leading the lost, like him

ArmyNoaspirants room forget special children at this institute a helping hand

BY RITUJA RAO @TGSWeekly Dwijen Praveen Smart has covered the distance from sympathy to empathy and back. A recovering addict himself, the 57-year-old has noticed the social stigma an addict faces and founded Santulan, an open rehabilitation centre about five years ago. Santulan, running from a small room in Gokhale Nagar and having 23 patients, provides treatment for free. Given the high relapse rates, these inmates cannot afford the fees charged by rehab centres in the city.

“People are mindful of a sleeping dog on the streets, but walk over a drunkard. The society discriminates, loathes and dismisses addicts as people who cannot be helped,” said Smart, who lives, works and thrives with recovering addicts whom he calls his fellowship.

He said, “At Santulan, we look at people as human fi rst and then as a sick human.” Santulan works on three stages — detoxification, vocational rehabilitation where they bring their patients back into mainstream life, and holding workshops for patient’s co-dependents. The centre also runs workshops and events to spread awareness about addiction as a disease of emotions and the substance as only a symptom.

“Our work model uses a patient’s skill for their rehab. Be it painting, craft or cooking. Only their skill can help them recover. They sell craft at stalls, supply food, run errands and even do day jobs during their time at the centre. Th is is how Santulan funds its operations,” he said. Smart also runs a professional rehabilitation centre at Yerawada called Renaissance.

While this isn’t a free model, it helps him sustain Santulan. Residents of Santulan cook and supply meals to everyone at Renaissance. “All the patients and staff eat the food cooked at Santulan. My wife and two kids too eat the same food.” Santulan was started a year before Renaissance was established. While

Dwijen Praveen Smart’s Santulan provides vocational training to bring patients back into mainstream life

patients pay at one and not at the other, they lead the same principles. Their goal is to create self-sufficient productive citizens of the society.

DARK DAYS Addicted to alcohol at 14, Smart, an optometrist, experienced relapse 25 times and was an addict for about 17-18 years. Life had almost given up on him when he moved to Pune from Surat in 1996. He was a divorcee and bankrupt living on the streets of Pune before his father, an exporter, admitted him to Muktangan. He was a patient for about eight months and started working as a staff for a year and a half. He went on to work as the Regional Support Officer for the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Later, he fell in love and married Shilpa Smart. Life was difficult for the couple as they moved on with familial responsibilities.

He tried many businesses but wasn’t satisfied with the endeavours before they started a tiffin service.

“Shilpa used to make chapattis and I helped her.

We packed and supplied tiffins. I am doing what I am because of my wife,” he said about Shilpa who manages the accounts and networking for Santulan

building permission department and recruit engineers.”

—Ranjit Patil, Minister of State for Urban Development

Time to get smart with TVs

Reward for taking victims to hospital

P10

P12

for children and shelter for special children. It had a sensory garden and even had medical help for the

An addict in the past, Smart helps people recover and re-enter society with the help of his rehab centre Santulan

and Renaissance as Smart looks at administration and clinical tasks.

Smart’s team comprises industry experts and recovering drug addicts. His deputy and manager at Satulan is Anand Waghmare, who became paralysed and bankrupt because of addiction. With no boards, signs, websites or doctors recommending Santulan, the centre believes in word-of-mouth publicity and does not ask for donations or give commissions to doctors.

“The day I am satisfied my work will stop. So, no, I am not satisfied, I never will be. My dream is to create an umbrella that provides all sorts of services related to de-addiction. I want to create treatment models for women, children, poor, middle-class, upper class, for everyone. Smita wants to design a de-addiction MBA programme. De-addiction is a thankless job but I will never shut Santulan. Who would believe that a divorcee on the road would marry a double graduate and have two children who dream of being great cricketers.”

Leading a life that is an inspiration for his fellow beings, Smart and his family is a symbol of faith in humanity. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

children who came daily. However,

BY SHAILESH JOSHI Lieutenant despite being a mechanical it has now fallen in disarray as the engineer. He fought the 1971 battle with are disbanded, the shelter @TGSWeekly helplines Pakistan, Operation Blue Star, and Airwork like it should and the doesn’t sensory garden, meant anyway for His love for the uniform that called Observation Post and before he retired blind students, none of whom are for discipline, strive for a well-rounded voluntarily after 20 years of service. in the institute, has nothing but personality and aim for high standards Post-retirement, with thefew aim marigold bushes. Its facilities of professionalism did not wane despite to guide students from the state to teaching the children now include alphabets and rhymes, whereas no hanging up the military boots. Colonel join the armed forces, he started special care for their rehabilitation (retd) Jayant Chitale, who resides on supporting Raigad Millitary School is taken. Disha, even though it is Bhandarkar Road, has been devoting and Maharashtra Military School in government-funded, doesn’t have a licence from the Department for the his time to guide youngsters who aspire Mahad and Thana. He also suggested to join the armed forces. The 72-yearthe government ‘one school,welfare oneof disabled people.

While all of this has been going old has helped more than 1,500 students district’. Later, with the help of on Jayant for some time, the dismissal become military personnel through Nadkarni, Brigadiyar Avinash ofWagh children arbitrarily has started recently. For this academic year, his training institute ‘Maharashtra and Colonel Shamarao Chavan, many parents were told not to bring Military Foundation’. he started ‘Maharashtra Military their wards to Disha anymore. These Every Sunday,Dehu he Road and his team Foundation’ 1999. Inparents 2001,were also told that if they Cantonment arbitrarily, in as Pune they arein allegedly provides free training, including up toan institute ‘Commandant difficult manage and might cause complained, action would be taken Board run institute has he set trouble for school later. and raised against physical, mental and social aspects of Academy’ intheBadalapur thethem by the board, forcing been expelling students commando Disha squad. is a special home for them to stay quiet or to state that the profession, to youngsters. Apart differently-abled children. The school they don’t send their children out of arbitrarily, age and Th from this, Col Chitale also stating addresses increasing number of students andeshelter is run by the Dehu Road their will. However, a few parents funds as reasons students and youngsters and provide attending theBoard, military is a their grievances and they Cantonment which school looks expressed after children who areto physically were told that they did not have funds details about choosing the armed forces notable reference Col Chitale and mentally disabled, by working to arrange transport or that their as a career option. The passion to serve dedication to serve the nation, without

BY GARGI VERMA on their all-round growth and children ‘did not meet the criteria’ of the nation inspired Chitale to joined wearing the combat uniform. rehabilitation.

The institute has been Disha. While no official letter states @missgverma the military force in 1968 as a Second tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com running on funds generated by the their dismissal, the team involved did Mental health is just as difficult or even more difficult to manage than physical ailments. However, a government-funded organisation has been expelling students

cantonment board, in the premises of the cantonment board hospital.

But what was started as a noble initiative has now lost its way. Disha started as a centre with 24x7 helplines

not take any verbal or written effort to get these children back when they stopped coming to the institute. Team TGS decided to speak to a few of the affected students’ parents.

Rahul

When asked, he meekly mutters, “The vehicle doesn’t come to pick me. How Rahul is a shy nine-year-old, who do I go?” turns into a boisterous boy as soon Since Rahul can’t walk, the helper as he meets his group of playmates. had to pick him up and put him in the However, he can’t run around like vehicle. Since the school now has a them as both his legs are disabled. He female helper, he couldn’t be picked sits in a crude metal wheelchair his and thus was expelled, his friends father could afford to buy him, all day tell us. “He had also fallen down in and enjoys watching his friends play. there, once,” says one of his friends His younger sister and his friends are and Rahul stops him with a glare. His theArmed only family looking after him sisterJayant confirms,Chitale “He had for slipped from Many personnel in the Forces thank Colas(retd) grooming them his parents go to work and return late his chair and no one was around to after sundown. Rahul suffers from even pick him up.” malnutrition and that has rendered Rahul’s parents are labourers him frail, and without any special working at the broom factory in the training, his condition just keeps area. He stays alone the entire day deteriorating. with no one to help and take care of “The school van just wouldn’t him. Whatever little he was learning come to pick dada up. He used to in the school has stopped along with go daily, but he has stopped since the little exercise he was getting.

March,” says his younger sister. Rahul His head wound is gone, but this is just looks up sadly when enquired a bigger wound that is making his about the school and says nothing. future bleak.

Chandani

Aakash Aakash Hukke, 25, gets excited at the mere mention of school.

Mentally handicapped, his physical growth surpasses his mental growth.

However, he loves going to Disha which for him is ‘school’. “He has been going there for the past ten years. So, it has become a part of his daily routine.

Every day, he would dress up, wake us up to tie his shoe laces and would wait for his ‘sir’ to come and pick him up. He continues to do the same; even though no one has come to pick him up for nearly three months now.

“He was so enthusiastic about going to Disha. He loved the company there and had even learnt a lot of things.

He had even won a state dancing competition in Nashik, where they had gone from Disha. However, then the administration changed and slowly all of it stopped,” recounts his mother Alka Hukke. Meanwhile, Akash is busy showing us his copies, all of which are his attempts to write the alphabet and his own name. All of this was part of the Disha school work.

Alka has made several rounds of the institute. “They give me different answers all the time. First it was about the non-availability of funds, and then they said they don’t have staff. So, I volunteered brining him up to the school. Then they started complaining about how Aakash is old now. Tell me, can he ever behave like an adult? Then why are they treating him like one?” she said.

However, the biggest defence for the institute is Aakash’s age.

According to them, he has grown too old, at least physically, to be helped.

Chandani does not looks like a 21-year-old. Her mental and physical growth stopped at the age of two.

She understands when she is being spoken to, but is unable to speak, comprehend or respond. She is able to stand up with support, but is unable to walk and has several other health constraints.

She lives at Dehu Road with her maternal grandmother. “My daughter’s in-laws would have killed her had I left her with them. She is my responsibility now as her parents can’t look after her,” says Akkatai Pawar, her grandmother. When she was enrolled in Disha, five years earlier, she was in an even worse condition as she couldn’t stand and was unable to ingest food. “Earlier, there was a doctor madam, who took it upon herself to get routine checkups and physiotherapy done. She has now been replaced by someone who just puts Chandani in a corner,” she said. She was okay with even that as it provided Chandani with a favourable distraction. “However, one day they came and told us that there’s nothing that they could do to help her and that she should not be sent to Disha anymore,” Akkatai said.

Akkatai and her husband are both in their 70s. Their son is the breadwinner and he works for the cantonment board. She says, “I can’t ask him to look after Chandani without feeding his own kids. So, Disha was our only hope.” Now that

even they have turned their backs, Chandani has nowhere to go.

It wasn’t like this always, Akkatai recounts. “Earlier, there were physiotherapy sessions that helped her gain balance to stand up. She even had a proper diet chart planned out and the doctors there helped in whatever way they could.” She was even invited for special gatherings and was looked after. “Without any help from the government how are we to look after all of her medical needs when we just have enough to feed everyone?” asks a dejected Akkatai.

Her husband, Ganpat adores Chandani and sits in a corner holding her the entire time. He interrupts, “We will look after her till our life goes on. But, what after that?”

While these three are only few of the cases, there are many other children, some of whom have been sent to their villages as parents can’t afford the time and money to look after them. Many have even decided to keep them in the houses, even if the institute takes them back, stating, “If the institute throws them back again, we won’t know how to handle them anyway. It is better they stay at home.”

Deepti Salvi, a child activist from Nigdi believes that it is a grave issue and needs to be looked into by the authorities. “Clearly the institute is throwing out students that have the potency to cause problem for them or are difficult to handle. But they need counselling and proper guidance, not the tantrums of the institute,” she says.

However, Abhijeet Sanap, the CEO of Dehu Road Cantonment Board said that he was unaware of the entire situation. “I haven’t received any

communication from anyone about this. I am not sure if children were actually expelled or not,” he said. The person in charge of Disha, Dr Sami, when contacted by TGS cited that he wasn’t authorised to comment on it and his senior, the Resident Medical Officer Dr Waghchoure should be consulted.

Dr Waghchoure said, “Anyone above 18 years of age cannot be taken to the school. They are sent to rehabilitation centre. There is also no compliance on us to provide these children with vehicle. Neither Pune Cantonment, nor does Kirkee cantonment provide for vehicles. So why should we? We do this for welfare of children as much as we can.”

Speaking about the issue of not having the licence to run the institute, he said, “We have applied for the licence long ago. It is still under process.” gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

Back to classroom for dropouts’ sake Generally when someone gets over a Ancient Budhwar Peth wada gutted KCB to start pay & past experience that has not been a park to to ease read congestion WE BREATHE It was really disheartening good one, they like to forget it and get PUNE! about Dehu Road Cantonment on with their lives. Dwijen Praveen two years, The Golden Sparrow Board run institute for the mentally Smart is a man to learn something For thehaslastcovered Pune like no one else JOIN OUR 50,000 challenged kids and how they are from. He not only has kicked his WEEKLY READERS, expelling students without rhyme drug problem but is now running a AND LAKHS ONLINE! or reason. These children now have rehabilitation and helping others do the to suffer because of their inability to same. There are very few people who manage. It’s a matter of shame for spend money on others and do the kind the organization that started off as of working that Dwijen is doing. Our a noble initiative and now has now society needs more people like him and SPECIAL lost its way.

Even while no official it’s about time too. Inspired by him, I OFFER `199 their dismissal, the team letter states too wish to start something even if it is involved has not taken any verbal or on a small scale to help others. written effort to get these children -Nancy Fernandes Sarthi Sikshan Yojana of Ashutosh Kamble is giving free coaching to 70 school dropouts of the neighbourhood

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar

Education is base of nation building.

Since Independence, the government has brought many inclusive policies to curb school dropout ratio. But many children have to drop out from school due to various reasons like when they become orphans, parent is in jail, Ashutosh Kamble lack of fees and other basic needs, negative approach of parents who are illiterate.

Ashutosh Kamble, 29, has started the initiative to teach school dropout children in his neighbourhood.

Pursuing M Phil in economics from Garware College after completing his MA (economics), Kamble believes in doing his bit to educate the society rather than pointing fingers at the authorities. He visits the neighbourhood and encourages dropout kids to attend his personal coaching classes held on the terrace of his friend’s bungalow. His sincere efforts have led to 70 children of different age groups attending his night coaching given at the Jai Bhavani Tarun Vichar Prasarak Mandal Hall at Jai Bhavani slum in Kothrud area

from 6 pm to 11 pm every day, for free. Kamble calls his initiative ‘Sarthi Sikshan Yojana’.

A college dropout, Kamble could not pursue further studies for four years, before realising the importance of education and joined the college.

With a desire to help school dropouts, Kamble and friends visited Jai Bhavani Nagar, Kishkinda Nagar and Sutardara slums and found four children who left school in IV and V standard due to family problems.

He met the parents of these children and requested them to send their wards to the coaching class. Kamble enrolled these four children directly to standard X under Form No 17 that allows a student to appear for the board exam as an external candidate, on June 25, 2015.

And two of these youngsters, Tanmay Pol and Babasaheb Magar cleared the tenth board. Tanmay, who left school in standard IV, now hold a tenth board pass certificate and works at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. He aspires to be a paramedic Kamble said, “Our education system honours only those who gets high grades. Those who fall in the less percentage category are looked down upon, and I belonged to this ‘grade’.

It was only when I rejoined college did I valued the power the education.

I found that education is the only way to uplift lower and middle class people.

The school dropout children just need

PUBLISHING

words of encouragement and have to be sensitised about education. Taking part in National Social Service (NSS) activities during college days gave me the idea to start such an initiative.”

He started the coaching class on June 25, 2015 with four students and prepared course materials for standard V-XII. “I started coaching them on the terrace of my friend’s bungalow. Starting with four students now we have a student strength of 70 from various age groups.

My colleagues Poonam Shinde and Pradnya Chaudhari also extend help in teaching the kids. I had requested PMC Commissioner and school board to give me a classroom for night coaching but they declined,” he said.

The coaching classes are held at hall of Jai Bhavani Tarun Vichar Prasarak Mandal from 6 pm to 11 pm daily.

“My Garware College teachers Dr TS Kamble and Dr Atul Kulkarni have appreciated my effort and extended support. We now enrol students who have passed standard IV but could not pursue education and have touched 14 years to standard X. Students who have completed 17 years and cleared standard X but dropped out are enrolled directly in standard XII. Our free coaching is on all days of the week. Cognizant company officers recently visited our coaching class and taught soft skills to students.” tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

back when they stopped coming to the institute. This was not expected from the cantonment board. I hope this issue gets resolved soon.

-Dipali Jadhav

An inspiration in many ways

An old wada in Budhwar Peth was gutted in a massive that fire broke out in the wee hours of Friday. The Fire Brigade doused the fire in half an hour. No injuries have been reported but a shop on the ground floor reported loss of goods worth Rs 30 lakh.

The Olympia wada was built in the year 1928. It caught fire at around 3 am. The wada had been declared as dilapidated by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and notice had been served notice to the owner of the wada, to demolish the structure. Two floors of the three-storey wada were vacant, and there was a hardware shop and godown on the ground floor. The fire spread rapidly, causing major damage to the two-storey wada, and wooden furniture and the goods in the godown were destroyed. The cause of the fire is not known.

PMC Chief Fire Officer Prashant Ranpise said, “Fortunately nobody was injured but the goods in the godown at the ground floor were destroyed. Due to the wooden structure and rubber mats and pipes, the fire spread rapidly.

It took four fire tenders and two water tankers to douse the fire. The situation was brought under control within 30 minutes, but cooling took more time. Initially two fire tenders were sent after receiving a call at 3.44 am, but two more fire tenders were sent later to bring the fire under control.”

Owner of the wada, Quresh Poonawala said, “I don’t have any idea about the incident and came to know about it in the morning after getting a call from other shop owners in the area.” Asked about the notice issued by PMC for demolishing the structure, Poonawala

TGS NEWS SERVICES @TGSWeekly

said, “Yes, I had received the notice but have not acted on it.

Faraskhana Police Station Police Inspector Rajendra Chavan said, “No injuries have been reported, We learnt about the incident at 3.00 am. MSEB officials will be coming to disconnect the electricity supply, and further investigation is on to find the cause of the fire.”

For 1 year *52 issues

GOES DIGITAL WITH

thegoldensparrow.com

AVAILABLE ON

TGSWeekly

Contact: 9011055077

Owner of MS Kashinath Mahadev Jadhav godown, Suresh Shah, said, “There was around Rs 40 lakh worth of goods in the godown, and we are not aware about the amount of goods destroyed. Fortunately there was no untoward incident and human loss. I am not aware about the cause of the fire.” vicky.pathare@goldensparrow.com

The Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) has devised a strategy to raise funds for the development of the area under its jurisdiction, where encroachments and traffic congestion are a huge problem. The KCB plans to start a pay and park system in its jurisdiction, which it hopes will ease traffic congestion and stop encroachments.

After a long wait of almost ten years, the KCB has picked out nine spots in its area where the pay and park scheme will be implemented from September. These spots include survey number 108/A (parking area), Moledina Road up to Excelsior Talkies, Market square near fish market and the open plot near a bus stop.

KCB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amol Jagtap said, “Currently pay and park system is operated in all parts of the city and there’s no issue of following this practice in KCB area.

Applications have been received for the tenders issued towards pay and park and will be finalised within a couple of weeks.” All the identified places will be fully operational as pay and park within a month, assured Jagtap.

Residents of the cantonment area will be given monthly parking passes for two-wheelers. “People from the board area unnecessarily use bikes even to a nearby distance adding up to the number of vehicles, resulting in traffic jams. Previously residents of Akashdeep housing society and vendors from Khadki business centre opposed the implementation of pay and park, but the issue has been solved now and we don’t have any opposition from them towards

Making cakes for over a decade now, 90-year-old Kalawati Tallam helps her grandson Sriedhaar run the bakery they own and make ends meet

TGS LIFE AUGUST 13-19, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

She wants Bhai to taste her creations

the implementation,” said the CEO. Cantonment officials are conducting antiencroachment drives regularly in the board area, but it was strongly opposed by the vendors. Some vendors have even abused and manhandled the board officials. Most of these vendors do business on the proposed parking lots resulting in no places for parking, which leads to haphazard parking of vehicles leading to congestion.

Nijanand Palankar, a shopkeeper from Khadki bazaar said, “Customers visiting our shops are left with no place for parking as the place is already occupied by the illegal hawkers. The situation is getting worse day by day and KCB is least bothered about it. If the pay and park is implemented, at least the roads in the board area will be free from this encroachment.”

Nitin Sarode, a resident of Khadki said, “I am happy that pay and park will be started in Khadki.

Most of the times people don’t get place for parking their vehicles. The hawkers running their businesses illegally on the parking places, often quarrel with people over parking.” tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

H

ow many times have you had a fresh fruit cake that has left your mouth watering even after you have eaten to your heart’s content? It’s not very often that a cake is soft, extremely fresh and has been prepared minutes before it reaches your doorstep. Granny Amma’s Bakery is a quaint little space to watch out for in Rasta Peth.

Living in Pune since his college days, Sriedhaar Tallam has done a lot of odd jobs to help run the house. Right from working in a bakery and a hotel to assisting a tailor, the 42-year-old has had a rough time growing up. During all these odd jobs, he also assisted an expat family who had recently moved to a house in Koregaon Park and that was where he learned to bake cakes. He taught his grandmother and sister the tricks of getting the texture and flavour right and thus began the story of Granny Amma’s Bakery.

“It was a speech by Ratan Tata that inspired me to start the business. In his speech, he spoke about how if you ran a business and employed someone you not only fed that one person but four others along with him. Th is inspired me further to set up my own bakery and I am indebted to all those who have helped me,” he shares. A lot of what he has learned has been through observation and trial and error. There were hundreds of cakes that he himself rejected when he started off and refused to deliver them irrespective of the overflowing orders. He also makes sure that every single product he uses for his cakes is fresh and of the best quality. As if this was not enough, he delivers all over Pune and is

just a call away. While he has a huge list of people to thank there are a few names that immediately come to his mind. These are all those have helped him along the way and without whom achieving whatever he has today would not have been possible. There is Rahul Bhandari, Vipul Oswal, Gautam Jain, Deepak Mankar, Jitendra Shah, Raju Mutha, Vikram Kakade, Renu Desai, Vijendra Pawar, Mobina Khan, Chetan Puram and Raviraj Takavne, among many others.

Talking about his

grandmother, who is a huge Salman Khan fan, he tells us that her only wish is to bake a cake for him and feed it to him too. She absolutely loves the actor so much so that Sriedhaar even has a Tata Nano custommade for her with a small television inside on which she watches Salman fi lms. It was after she saw the fi lm Hum Aapke Hai Kaun that she fell in love with him and can keep

“It was a speech by Ratan Tata that inspired me to start the business”

old grandmother makes the cakes throughout the day. It is great that her grandson is helping her out and is doing everything he can to fulfil her dreams. There are very few people in the world today who go beyond what they think they are capable of and do something for someone else, even if it is their own family member. I will most definitely be ordering from the bakery on a regular basis and spread the word to help out in whatever little way I can.

-Shaounak Tambhe

AUGUST 13-19, 2016

PUNE

PICS BY RAHUL RAUT AND VISHAL KALE

There was a time when Pune was the bicycle capital of Maharashtra

There is a demand for copper articles and people do invest in copper

Late Shankar Balwant Kulkarni, father of Jagannath alias Baba Kulkarni (above), had opened city’s first cycle shop Kulkarni and Sons (left) at Appa Balwant Chowk in 1926

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2

SUBSCRIPTION

Kamble’s Sarthi Sikshan Yojana has kids who will appear for standard X and XII exams

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

PUNE

PUNE

“The intelligent boys are going for professional education and the less educated youth are entering into politics. This “The government will take action against errant civic officials who situation is very bad and it should be the otherwere way around.” responsible for the increasing illegal constructions in the city. state government will take steps to fill up vacancies in the civic — Subhash Desai, Minister, Industries andTheMining

TEJAS GAIKWAD

EDITOR

LETTERS TO THE

AUGUST 13-19, 2016

“I don’t want to be known as a Dalit film-maker. I touch upon caste inequalities because I’ve been affected by it. Even if I don’t belong here, I would have continued to speak about inequalities.”

— Pa. Ranjith, Film Director

watching his movies on repeat. She makes it a point to see every single fi lm of the actor on the big screen and is willing to travel distances to the theatres houses for whichever show’s ticket she gets.

For the Tallam family challenges and struggles are an everyday affair. Especially after a major accident a huge part of the funds are spent on Sriedhaar’s medical treatment.

“Irrespective of everything that we have been through our optimism isn’t weak enough to stagger. I have met enough and more generous and good-hearted people in my lifetime to believe in the fact that things will turn around some day,” he says, with a smile.

His future plans include expanding his business, continuously inventing cakes and creating an experience for the customer other than just delivering a product. An animal lover, he has already adopted three stray dogs and hopes to even start a pet clinic for the others that he can’t take in. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

The story in about Granny Amma’s bakery in the supplement LIFE was truly inspirational. It is great that even at this age the young at heart 90-year-

Before the dawn of the automotive age in India, Pune was a city of bicycles. It continued to be so even after the advent of the motor scooter, which was still out of the reach of the majority of people, and there were waiting periods of seven years after booking one. The streets of Pune, most of them narrow, were capable of accommodating the large numbers of cyclists those days, and Pune had the highest number of bicycles in the state.

Kulkarni & Sons Cycle Mart, located in the heart of Pune city, at Appa Balwant Chowk, has been landmark in the area for over nine decades. The shop entrance proudly displays the ‘established in 1926’ tag, and continues to do business in a city that once loved its bicycles, but has moved on. The Kulkarni & Sons Cycle Mart was started before the year 1926 by the late Shankar Balwant Kulkarni, who rented out and repaired cycles. Later, as the business grew, they started selling cycles.

Jagannath alias Baba Kulkarni, 75, the second generation owner of the shop, recalling the glorious days of past said, “During the years 1960 to 1970, there was a time when we even didn’t have time to speak or eat. Every month we used to get orders for 600 to 650 bicycles. Even the government provided two tyres and two tubes per person after showing their ration card. Most of the cycles sold were imported from England, Japan, Russia, Holland and China, costing between Rs five and Rs 25.”

“We want to complete 100 years of the shop, but I am really not sure about its future, as many of the cycle marts in the city have shut down. For decades, we sold ten to 15 cycles a day, but it is hard to sell one cycle a day now.

Business was good then. Today we are running into losses, but we run the shop to keep the tradition of the Kulkarni family going,” said

Surviving the sands of time

Kulkarni.

Shriniwas Kulkarni, 70, younger brother of Baba Kulkarni, who is the only man in the country to complete his PhD thesis titled ‘Impact of bicycle industry on mobility of population with reference to Pune city’, said, “Even in the 1980s, the Kulkarni Cycle Mart did good business throughout the year. On occasions like Dussehra, or Padwa, we used to sell more than 200 cycles on a single day.

There were bookings for cycles two months in advance during those days,” Kulkarni recalls.

“After the Panshet floods, the city’s geography changed and this was the time when the use of cycles started dwindling.

The residents in the core city areas started moving away and settled in the outskirts and suburbs like Hadapsar, Sarasbaug and Parvati.

As a result, distances increased and at that time there was no public transport. Just like Mumbai had a network of local trains, citizens of Pune started depending on motorcycles to move from one place to another. They became popular and every house had one or two twowheelers,” he said.

The dwindling numbers of cyclists over the last three decades has Kulkarni worried.

“People now buy cycles for leisure, as against those days when it was a need,” he says.

As in earlier times, there are a very few or no cycle stands in schools, colleges, institutes.

Even if there are, one can see very few cycles there. Most people living in different parts of the city come to Pune city for business or jobs, and go back to their homes in the evening.

Most of the people use motorcycles or public transport for travelling, and don’t use cycles,” said Kulkarni.

As the city has prospered, and the middle class could afford to invest in automobiles, the city roads are now clogged with cars and

motorised vehicles, leaving no room for the humble bicycle.

There are still signs that hark back to the time when Pune was a cycle city. A new generation of people now invest in cycles for recreational, professional or health purposes, but the age is past when the bicycle was the prime mode of mobility and commuting for the majority of the populace.

Vilas Tapre showing a century-old film reel of a movie shown at Vasant Talkies

New Poona Boarding House is famous for its long list of loyal customers; (inset) Suhas Udpikar

Serving homely and wholesome food to its faithful customers for nine decades

Avinash Wadke is a part of the third generation that is following the profession of forging copper pot

They have endured the VICISSITUDES OF TIME In the nearly seven decades since the turbulent times of British rule and the gaining of Independence, the nation and Pune city, have undergone momentous changes. But there are some landmark local businesses that have rolled with the punches and have adjusted to the demands of a new and changing clientele

There were few eateries in Poona (as Pune was called then) in the pre-Independence era. People did not have money, and what little they had was not be splurged on restaurant meals, or going to dining halls or hotels. The British rulers though were fond of going out for dinner, but they would only go to a select and exclusive kind of restaurants that would cater to their tastes.

Gururaj Ramakrishna Udpikar, came to Poona from Udupi in Karnataka. He started the New Poona Boarding House at Sadashiv Peth, on November 5, 1925.

Th is was a decade after the launch of start Sir Parshurambhau (SP) College in 1915, which brought students from outside of town to the city. These outsiders needed lodging and boarding, and this resulted in the setting up of restaurants and eateries.

“My grandfather saw that there was a need for boarding houses that would provide meals at affordable rates for these outsiders.

That is when he thought of starting New Poona Boarding House,” recounts Suhas Udpikar, Gururaj’s grandson, who now runs the boarding house, and takes pride in preserving the homely and wholesome tradition of food that is served at the eatery.

New Poona Boarding House would serve typical homely Maharashtrian food to such customers, and charge them Rs 12 a month.

“During the British era, many freedom fighters used to eat here. So there used to be frequent raids at our boarding house by the British to capture the freedom fighters.

As the city continued to develop, so did out clientele and more and more people came to our eatery to partake of our homely food. We have never compromised on the quality of food, and we have strived to serve our customers the same kind of healthy and wholesome food that my grandfather built his reputation on. My grandfather used to cook the food himself, and always made sure that our meals had the quality of home-cooked food. Even today we do not cook food at our home, as everyone in my family eats here,” said Suhas.

Recalling past times, Suhas said, “During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, there was a shortage of ammunition. So the ammunition factory workers were working round the clock, and they couldn’t even go home for their meals. We used to deliver tiffins to them,” said Suhas.

New Poona Boarding House has and continues to be a homely and frie place, where individual customers are greeted by their names. And such gen warmth and hospitality has always m that the boarding house has its regula faithful flock of customers, who treat a home away from home.

Times though are hard and with the changing tastes, it takes lot of effo to ensure and serve quality food to th customers at rock bottom prices. The are the daily, practical things to take of, such as the workers needed to run boarding house, and managing the bu as prices of commodities continue to There is also competition in the fo other restaurants and food delivery se that cater to a variety of tastes, and off new and western-oriented cuisines. B the New Poona Boarding House USP home-cooked food, and Suhas knows this is what he has to preserve.

Suhas’ son is a doctor, and there i one else Suhas can hand over the lega New Poona Boarding House to. But he is there at its helm, the boarding h will continue to flourish and prosper.

BY VICKY PATHARE & ROMIL KOTHARI

Shriniwas Kulkarni showing the latest models of bicycles at his store

The story on the businesses that date back to the pre-Independence era was a refreshing read. The article has some interesting businesses and establishments that I didn’t know has so much history behind it. They have seen the city transforming from just a hill station to city, and managed to survive and grow over the years. One of the most interesting story was of Kulkarni & Sons Cycle Mart at Appa Balwant Chowk. They have been around for ages and seen the ups and downs in the industry, from the time

The Tambat community gets its name for their craftsmanship that involves making articles out of copper (tamba in Marathi) such as coins, weapons etc. They hail from Konkan, and arrived in Pune around 400 years ago. It is said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj himself established 12 balutedaars in Pune, and enabled the Tambat people to make their home in Kasba Peth, which location is known as Tambat Ali. Th is area was also became home to the Kumbhar community at around the same time.

The Wadke brothers are among the oldest coppersmiths of Tambat Ali. Vishnu Haribhau Wadke used to make copper utensils in the 1940s. His son Maruti inherited and continued with the family business. His sons Avinash and Rajendra are the third generation of Wadkes who currently carry on with the coppersmith profession.

Times have changed and so also has the coppersmith business undergone huge transformation. “Time changes everything.

Earlier, the whole process was manual, so we were able to make just about two utensils a day. Around 25 years ago, new machines and techniques were introduced, which has resulted in the whole process taking less time and effort. Now we are able to make 12 utensils in a day,” says Rajendra. “In earlier times, people would come to us to order a new utensil or repair an old one. Now we get orders from dealers, and we don’t have individual customers.”

Today a coppersmith’s work is much easier, and the physical effort is much less compared to when it was all done manually, which also called for a huge amount of skill. In comparison, using machinery to make the copper pots and vessels is far less demanding physically. Almost all the work is done on the machine, from removing the impurities from the metal, to polishing the vessels. The only manual work required now is hammering the copper vessel to make it sturdier, or to give it a design and shape.

“Our family has earned a living from the coppersmith profession for generations. The market scenario keeps changing, and besides gold and silver, there is a constant demand for copper articles, and people also invest in copper goods. I can’t say whether the next generation will continue with the family business and tradition. My son, for instance, is pursuing a course in engineering, and is aiming for a career in that line. The world now offers infinite career options and opportunities for youngsters. Meanwhile, we will continue to carry on our line of work as coppersmiths.”

The city of Pune has been in existence for centuries and it naturally is home to a number of businesses that date back to the pre-Independence era. From a homely boarding house that serves wholesome meals, craftsmen who work with copper, a shop that sells bicycles, a theatre venue that later switched to screening movies, and dealers in khadi apparel, TGS has picked out establishments that have endured and flourished despite the sweeping changes that have transformed the city and its people almost beyond recognition, and who still look to an uncertain future with undying optimism and resolve

when people only used bicycles to travel to work and to the evolution of vehicles.Khadi, more than just a fabric, it was a Their business has only bloomed over potent catalyst of India’s freedom struggle the years.

-Manasi Deshmukh

From a house of plays to a popular Hindi and Marathi movies venue The British passed the Dramatic Performances Act in 1876, to curb the use of theatre by Indians as an instrument of protest against colonial rule.

The roots of modern Indian theatre go back to the days of British rule in India.

Modern Indian theatre developed during the period of colonial rule under the British Empire, from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. From the latter half of the 19th century, theatres in India experienced a resurgence. After India gained Independence in 1947, theatres spread throughout India as one of the prime sources of entertainment.

Vasant Talkies near Shaniwar Wada was built by in the year 1907 by the late Martand Narayan Tapre, a jeweller by profession. The theatre was named ‘Kirloskar Natyagruh’ by Tapre, as it was dream of his friend Annasaheb Kirloskar to build a theatre, but he was unable to do so. The theatre with a rich heritage going back 109 years provided a platform for Marathi theatre artists such as Bal Gandharva and others.

“Those days the initial and natural form of expression of the patriotism of the intelligentsia was through plays and literature in the regional languages. Modern Indian literature and plays developed everywhere in association with the reform movements. It was then taken over by the new patriotic mood when a large number of patriotic plays, poems and songs were made

and played all over the country and also in the Vasant Talkies,” said Vilas Damodar Tapre, who is the fourth generation descendant of Martand Narayan Tapre.

“Later, in the year 1935, the theatre name was changed from Kirloskar Natyagruh to Vasant Talkies, and the plays were stopped completely and replaced with Hindi and Marathi movies. The theatre’s three-floor structure was reduced to two floors resulting into the diminishing capacity to 450. The theatre has gone through many ups and downs, but it is still standing proudly in the heart of the city,” he said.

Till the year 1990, it was a golden period for the single screen venues, but after the city got multiplex cinemas, the single screen cinemas started fading out. Single screen cinemas that were once thronged by audience in large numbers are struggling due to many reasons.

Some have already closed their doors since they suffered heavy losses.

Remembering the movie made by the Tapre family, named ‘Bhagyarekha’, Vilas said, “My father the late Damodar Tapre had made the movie in the year 1947-1948, about single parent unmarried mother, which was a unique topic those days. The famous actress Shanta Apte played the lead role as the mother. The movie had five songs and a bhajan in it. I have even converted the movie to DVD format and preserved it,” he said.

City’s Oldest khadi shop ‘Gandhi Khadi Bhandar’ at Kunte Chowk; (inset) Anand Gandhi

Write to Us Vasant Talkies at Budhwar Peth standing proud since 1907

Letters to the Editor may be emailed to editor_tgs@goldensparrow.com, yogesh.sadhwani@goldensparrow.com or mail it to The Editor, Golden Sparrow Publishing Pvt Ltd, 1641 Madhav Heritage, Tilak Road, Pune-411030

In India, Khadi is far more than just cloth, it is the movement started by Father of the Nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The fabric of the freedom struggle, and a potent weapon of the Swadeshi movement, Mahatma Gandhi used khadi as a means of self-employment and self-reliance, and also urged the boycott of the use of cloth manufactured industrially in Britain, in the 1920s.

The charkha used to spin out threads of khadi cloth, used to be a symbol of India’s poverty and backwardness. But the Mahatma transformed it into a symbol of self-reliance and non-violence. The freedom struggle revolved around the use of khādī fabric and the ban of foreign-made cloth.

The late Chandulal Gandhi established Gandhi Khadi Bhandar on Laxmi Road, in 1942, which went a long way in boosting sales of the home-made fabric in the city. Chandulal was a nature lover and had a great fondness for khadi. The business is currently looked after by the second generation of the Gandhi

family, Anand Gandhi and his younger son Dr Harshad Gandhi. They are aiming to expand the business further, after setting up a branch of the bhandar at Karve Road a couple of years ago.

“Till date we have maintained the high standard of the store. Though the hand-woven fabric tends to have defects, the fabrics of Gandhi Khadi Bhandar are all selected after painstaking scrutiny and quality checks. As a result, you will not find any defects in the fabric we deal in,” said Anand.

Gandhi Khadi Bhandar fabrics are and have been imported from Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, since the inception of the business. There are thousands of varieties, including Khadi Wool, Khadi Cotton, Khadi Silk and Printed Khadi.

The prices of khadi fabrics range from Rs 80 to Rs 1100 per metre. Cotton khadi is the cheapest, while silk khadi is the most expensive variety.

“Khadi offers a comfort level which is far

greater than of other fabrics. Nowad is in great demand by youngsters, a students are very keen on printed kh is not just the choice of older people n jackets are in great demand, it is t people choose to wear at special fun marriages, parties, cultural program said Anand.

Prime Minister Narendra M appealed to Indians to buy khadi an the khadi culture. He has urged buy khadi in large quantities, in and in groups, for their own selv their families, to help the people w on the khadi cottage industry livelihood.

Asked if the PM’s urging has b sale of khadi, Anand said, “Yes t khadi has been boosted by more th cent after Modiji urged people to khadi. Khadi has found wide acc society, and shoppers come along families to buy khadi garments.”

SPORTS

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20-26, 2016

PUNE

“I never gave up till last, I knew I would win if I lasted till six minutes. In last round, I had to give my maximum, I had the self belief. ” — Sakshi Malik, Indian wrestler

“ To really become the best team in the world you need to play consistent cricket for a span of 3-4 years. This is pretty immediate and short-term incentive.”

— Virat Kohli, Indian skipper

‘Want to develop team as a family’

Says FC Pune City head coach Antonio Habas ahead of season 3 in the Indian Super League

BY ASHISH PHADNIS @phadnis_ashish

As a part of their pre-season training and conditioning, the Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Hrithik Roshan co-owned Indian Super League team, FC Pune City, commenced their preparations for the season at Vincci Valdecanas in Madrid, Spain under the watchful eyes of head coach Antonio Habas.

The former Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) coach in the Indian Super League, Habas said that his philosophy is to win, and that he would bring the same passion he cultivated in ATK. “I have a long career in coaching. For 27 years, I have been managing several clubs and teams in the world. For Pune or any other club, it is more important to develop a team as a family. As a coach, my fi rst target is to create a bonding between players,” he said.

“The pre-season is a great opportunity to work closely with the players. We will spend time ironing out any niggles, work on players’ weaknesses and educate them about their bodies. Building match-winning fitness is the prime objective of our pre-season. Without it our tactics, team spirit and technical skill will all be redundant,” he said.

Echoing the sentiments, club CEO Gaurav Modwel said, “Th is is the team’s time to lay down solid fitness foundations for the intensive season ahead. The entire squad along with the support staff will be there for 31 days to ensure everyone is in shape. Each player is different; therefore they will get customised training plans and diets that help them to be ready before the season starts. It’s also an opportunity for all players, Indians and foreigners to establish relationships and build understanding that will help everyone understand their roles and responsibilities better.” ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com

Signposts Bhagwat, Mundada win titles Pune shuttlers Sameer Bhagwat, Varun Khanwalkar and Shruti Mundada won titles at the recently held senior state badminton championship in Aurangabad. Bhagwat and Gauri Ghate defeated second seeded Nishad Dravid and Manasi Gadgil in the mixed doubles, while in the men’s doubles, Khanwalkar and Eshan Naqvi prevailed over the Pune pair of Bhagwat and Sudhanshu Medsikar.

Double crown for Priyanka Lodha Priyanka Lodha won a double crown in the inter-school fencing competition organised by District Sports Council and Pune Municipal Corporation. In the foil category, she defeated Nirmayi Mekale, while in the epee segment, Priyanka defeated Sanjana Lokhande.

Meanwhile in the boys’ event, Meet Chhajed and Parshwa Jadhav emerged winners in the foil and epee categories respectively.

Harmony Club wins aquatic championship Harmony Club won overall championship in the BV Bhide Memorial statelevel aquatic competition held at SP College recently. Over 430 swimmers from all across the state participated in this event. Harmony Club garnered 137 points, followed by Champion Aquatic Club with 102 points. Deccan Gymkhana finished third. Swejal Mankar and Sadhwi Dhuri were the individual title holders in the men’s and women’s open categories.

THE TRAINING CENTRE Vincci Valdecanas is an exclusive complex designed for corporate events, sport, leisure and family in a protected environment. With an area of 133 hectares, it is a unique sports-cum-leisure complex in Europe, which is just one and a half hours away from Madrid. Th is is phase two of FC Pune City’s pre-season training plans. In the fi rst phase, a pre-season medical and fitness test was conducted in Mumbai and Delhi for the Indian players. In Valdecanas, the entire squad, including the foreign signings, will assemble with Habas at the helm of the affairs.

The squad will train in Valdecanas until September 11, 2016. Post that, the team will be back in Pune for the fi nal phase of training before the season starts for the club.

Co-owner and Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan said, “Pre-season training is a time when individuals come together and gel as a team, to unify in thought, desire and approach towards the upcoming season. I am sure the coach and the players will train their hardest and come back fit and ready for the challenge.”

THE SQUAD FC Pune City which failed to reach the last four in the previous season, is determined to grab the top spot and bolstered their strength by signing a quality goalkeeper like Edel Bete, mid-fielders like Jonatan Lucca and former Barcelona player Pitu. In defense, they have Augustin Fernandes. Here is look at the team’s signings this season.

GOALKEEPERS Edel Bete (Chennaiyin FC) - is ISL’s most decorated goalkeeper. He can read his opponents’ minds early enough to anticipate and make a difference. The fact that he has been a crucial cog for both the sides that won ISL in the first two seasons, says enough and more about his abilities.

Bete has once been a member of French giants Paris SaintGermain. The 30-year old born and raised in Cameroon, has dual nationality,but represented Armenia at U-19, U-23 and senior level. He also represented multiple times Israeli champions Hapoel Tel Aviv from 2011-2013.

MIDFIELDERS:

Ahead of the third season, FC Pune City team is currently training with coach Antonio Habas and other support staff in Vincci Valdecanas sports complex, Spain

DEFENCE Eduardo Ferreira (Esteghlal Khuzestan FC) Eduardo brings a wealth of experience and solidity at the back. He spent his youth career playing for Fluminese, Flamengo and Corinthians. The Equatoguinean journeyman has played in the South African Premier Soccer League with Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns, Mpumalanga Black Aces.

Augustin Fernandes (Atletico de Kolkata ) is a good defender with great natural talent. His reading of the game and match situation is very good. Goa-born Augustin has played in his state since the beginning of his professional career. Starting his youth career with SESA, Augustin, in 2011, was drafted by Salgaocar FC. In his debut season, he helped the Goan outfit win the 2011 I League title and the Federation Cup both. He was part of Atletico de Kolkata last season.

Narayan Das (FC Goa) a Tata Football Academy alumnus has played previously for Pailan Arrows, Dempo, FC Goa and East Bengal. In 2011, he made his India U-19 debut followed by U-23 debut in the next year.

In 2013, the 22-year old graduated to make his senior national debut against Nepal and has since been a regular member with the Indian national team. Narayan plied his trade with FC Goa in the 2015 and 2016 ISL seasons.

Aakanksha wins gold medal TGS NEWS SERVICES @TGSWeekly City chess player Aakanksha Hagawane won a gold medal in her first ever Commonwealth Championship for the Under-16 Age group category.

It was a great comeback for Aakanksha after her Standard X exams and long break due to same on international circuit and on her very first appearance, she has won the title in Sri Lanka.

Aakanksha displayed fine skills and remained in the top 10 bracket right from the start. From nine games, she won four, drew four and lost only one match. Her highest achievement was from the fourth round, where she held top seeded and Grandmaster Abhijieet

Gupta to a draw with black pieces. Also, her only loss was with Grandmaster Swapnil Dhopade.

Supported by Lakshya foundation and also having a scholarship from Indian Oil Corporation, Aakanksha is training with FIDE Trainer Jayant Gokhale since nine years. She has just cleared her SSC exam with flying colours. A training camp with Grandmaster RB Ramesh in last month was quite helpful for her, other than training games with three IM Norms holder Aniruddha

Deshpande and Chinmay Kulkarni.

Sports counselor Debashree Marathe has been always been beneficial.

Aakanksha will be representing the country in the upcoming World Youth Championship which will be held in Russia from September 20.

Meanwhile, in open section, all three medals were won by Indian players. GM Abhijit Gupta won gold medal, while GM SL Narayanan and GM Deepen Chakravarthy grabbed silver and bronze respectively.

In women’s segment, WGM Tania Sachdev won gold medal.

Jonatan Lucca (AS Roma) The team bolstered their midfield options by signing former AS Roma midfielder Jonatan Lucca.

The 22-year-old played for FC Goa in 2015 edition and scored three goals in 16 appearances for them. A robust midfielder, Lucca is a proven performer with a combination of speed, skill and flair.

Pitu (FC Barcelona) Former Barcelona midfielder Pitu’s experience of playing in Spanish league will be a great plus for the team. Pitu is a very intelligent midfielder and a great reader of the game. The team has a talented and a creative organiser in midfield, an offensive player who moves the ball around intelligently and can assist forwards.

Francis Fernandes (Delhi Dynamos) Francis has been an asset for all teams he has played for, including the national side. His versatility of playing on the wings, attacking midfield or any position that the team needs him in will give the coach a lot of flexibility.

Bruno Arias (North East United FC) A product of Spanish club Sevilla FC youth system, Bruno made fi rstteam appearances before joining Real Murcia who earned a promotion to the La Liga. Bruno is one of the finest passers in ISL. His experience in anchoring the centre will be of great value to the team.

Andre Bikey (NEU FC) Bikey represented Cameroon in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.The centre-half who can also play in midfield, started his career with Spanish side Espanyol, moved to Shinnik Yaroslavl in Russia before signing for Lokomotiv Moscow in 2005.

FORWARDS Momar Ndoye (Atletico Madrid) - Momar is a young talent with great potential and will add variety to the team’s striking options up front. He joined Spanish club Atletico Madrid as a youth in 2007. The 24-year old Senegalese impressed the scouts there to then go on and play for the ‘B’ team of the former La Liga champions. In 2012, he was picked for the fi rst team.

Anibal Zurdo Rodriguez (Gimnàstic) Anibal’s experience of playing in the Spanish league will be very valuable to the team.

His speed combined with attacking instincts in the opponents box will surprise the enthusiasts.

Shivajians sign Shane McFaul TGS NEWS SERVICES @TGSWeekly DSK Shivajians Football Club have roped in former Irish youth international Shane McFaul for a twoyear term (2016-18). The midfielder joins the Pune-based squad after plying his trade in England, United States of America, Finland and Ireland.

His playing career so far has been decorated with two major honours with Irish sides. The fi rst being an FAI Cup winner with Sporting Fingal (2009), followed by the League of Ireland Premier Division title with Dublin-based St. Patrick’s Athletic FC in 2013.

Other teams Shane has represented during his career include; Notts County

and Brighton & Hove Albion FC in England and Finland Premier League sides FC KTP (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat) and FC Haka.

For the Shane McFaul record, Shane has been capped numerous times as a youth player at various levels (Under 14 to 21) for the Republic of Ireland. The 30-year-old is a ball-winning midfielder who is equally adept distribution and thus, becomes the second foreign player to be signed by DSK Shivajians FC for the season ahead.

Khalin Joshi gears up for the Asian challenge The golfer celebrates his 24th birthday by winning PGTI title in Pune TGS NEWS SERVICES @TGSWeekly Bengaluru’s Khalin Joshi savored a thrilling playoff victory over Delhi’s Chiragh Kumar at PGTI Players Championship at the Classic Golf & Country Club.

Joshi and Chiragh Kumar were involved in a playoff after both fi nished the regulation 72 holes with matching totals of 18-under-270.

Khalin fi nally nailed a decisive birdie on the fi rst playoff hole to take home the winner’s cheque worth Rs. 4,50,000.

Earlier in the day, Chiragh Kumar, lying overnight second and one off the lead, took the honours on the front-nine as he scored four birdies thanks to some excellent putting to establish a substantial

three-stroke lead over Khalin.

But the contest took an exciting turn after a two and a half hour rain delay, as Khalin, who could only manage a birdie and a bogey on the front-nine, fought back with three consecutive birdies on the 12th, 13th and 14th to draw level with Chiragh.

Joshi made a chip-in on the 13th.

There was more drama to follow as Chiragh and Khalin both dropped a bogey each on the 16th and 17th respectively. Both players made pars on the 18th and the deadlock resulted in a playoff.

Khalin, who celebrated his 24th birthday last week, fi nally sealed his third PGTI win with a fi ve feet birdie conversion on the fi rst playoff hole. He thus moved up from 10th to fi fth place in the Rolex Ranking.

“It’s a highly satisfying win for me since the course conditions were tough due to the rain on the last two days. I’ve also won on the PGTI after a long gap so it’s all the more special. Hopefully, I can now get my Asian Tour season

back on track,” said Khalin.

He added, “I came into this week carrying forward my good hitting form from last week in Noida. I didn’t really feel the pressure today.

I felt the stoppage due to rain helped me today. I wasn’t really swinging well before the rain delay. But during the stoppage of play I got in a good warm up session and got my swing going.

“I feel I’m in a good mental frame at the moment and looking forward to the second half of the season.”

Gurgaon’s Karan Pratap Singh, the lone amateur to make the cut, won the trophy for the best performance by an amateur. His total score of fi ve-over-293 placed him overall tied 40th.

Bengaluru’s Chikkarangappa S ended of the week with a flourish as he drained birdies on his last four holes to shoot the fi nal day’s best score of eight-under-64. The reigning Rolex Ranking champion thus fi nished third at 17-under-271. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com