The Golden Sparrow on Saturday 25/06/2016

PUNE, JUNE 25, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

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

nd RSARY

E ANNIV

TION A R B E CEL

ALL PICS BY RAHUL RAUT, VISHAL KALE AND TEJAS GAIKWAD

On the auspicious completion of two years as Pune’s first and only weekly newspaper, we at TGS, dedicate this edition to this city, and more importantly, to you, the citizens. Putting this issue together has been truly a labour of love, as we turned on our scanners to spotlight the one-of-a-kind enchantments, quirks and qualities that endow Pune with its endless allure

The high-end restaurants that have cropped up in every nook and corner, have not diminished the appeal and allure of Puneri food

The ‘Blue Plaque’ is a permanent sign set up on the buildings, to highlight the link between the location and a famous personality of the city

nd RSARY

E ANNIV

ION T A R B CELE

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

Tilak Smarak Trust resorts to the Blue Plaque way, to mark the residences, and recall the achievements, of Pune’s leaders and achievers

BY YOGESH WAGH @YogeshWagh1857 Eminent personalities from all walks of life have played an important role in shaping our country, region, nation and city, and for them to have a significant historical presence. Their lives, roles and interventions played an important role in shaping our value system. So it becomes interesting and necessary to know where they lived, and what and how they have achieved great success in shaping our future.

Tilak Smarak Trust of Pune city has developed an innovative way of honouring the leaders and achievers, and highlighting their success.

They include poets, sportspersons, authors, fi lm directors, writers, producers, scientists, journalists, editors, playwrights, vice chancellors and people from many other fields.

They have designed a novel way of

The Blue Plaque means that their deeds and feats will never be forgotten

installing the ‘Blue Plaque’, which is a permanent sign set up on the buildings, to highlight the link between the location and a famous personality of the city.

The idea behind such a sign is to provide historical symbolism and make people recognise and be aware of the achievements of the leaders.

In Pune, the ‘Blue Plaque’ list was initiated by Jayantrao Tilak, grandson of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, on November 5, 1995. It works under the banner of ‘Pune Aitihasik Vaastu Smriti’, controlled by Tilak Smarak Trust. The Blue Plaque guide incorporates the life history of persons who have excelled in life, bringing fame and glory to Pune city, by fi xing a Blue Plaque on the place of their former residence.

Such recognition is important because some of the buildings where these eminent personalities lived, have been demolished and some are in the

The pick of Puneri quirkiness, humour The signs on doors in the old areas of Pune are witty, quirky, tangy and spicy enough to evoke a laugh or at least a chuckle

BY GARGI VERMA @missgverma ‘Kashala baghtoy, doorbell khaali aahe’ (Why are you looking, the doorbell is below) is a door sign you will see only in a city like Pune. A city where multitudes of cultures come together, the one thing that stands out are the ‘paatyas’ that almost all doors or walls are adorned with in the old parts of the city.

The Puneri paati, or paatya, is originally a wooden board with statements that are like good slapstick comedy. It might sting a little, but it makes for a good laugh. What might be considered as a random sign by the uninitiated, are actually sets of puny statements, meant to convey a message. All Punekars swear by it and everyone who calls this city a home has at least seen a dozen and chuckled at few.

According to Punekar Asavari Shinde, 40, the paati has always just been there. “I don’t even remember where I first saw them. When we were kids, every house, important space and even shops had them. We used to even rate them, based on the amount of sarcasm each one had,” she says with a chuckle. Now, even she has one on her door. It reads, ‘Doorbell ekda hi waajwa, gharaat superman naahi rahaat (Ring the doorbell once only, Superman does not live here). She adds, “It just adds a touch of humour to the regular problem of people pressing the doorbell again and again. Since it’s interesting, everyone will read it and many will follow too. That’s the hope at least.” Houses aren’t the only places. A temple in the city has a sign that asks people not to use horns near the temple, the deity doesn’t sit waiting for their horns, it says. Saumitra Deshpande, 32, a resident of the city for all his life, says, “It is just the way we work. It’s funny, smart and just too Puneri.”

Most cities have a dominant architectural characteristic. It is safe to admit, that the paatyas are Pune’s. After all, the paatis tell an outsider or a newcomer exactly what to expect! gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

process of being renovated.

The Blue Plaque has the name of the famous personality, the date of birth and death and the time period when the person lived in the building.

So such a practice of recognising the contributions of eminent personalities to their fields and the city by means of Blue Plaque is extremely pioneering.

Deepak Tilak, Vice Chancellor of Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth and son of Jayantrao Tilak, is continuing the tradition under Tilak Smarak Trust, and said that this tradition of Blue Plaque has been inspired by London’s Blue Plaques controlled by English Heritage Committee, one of the oldest in the world. The idea is that people should know who the great personalities are, where they lived and remember them. The motive is to link the people of the past with buildings of the present. yogesh.wagh@goldensparrow.com

SPDP, Mastani, cream roll with chai, Bhatti and Amrut-tulya teas are Pune’s creations Alongside McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Café Coffee Day, the signature Pune-style eateries that serve typical local fare are thriving with appetising creations that have stood the test of time

BY ABHA PANDIT @abha_pandit Pune has a lot to offer in terms of history and culture, but food is also way up high on the citizens’ priorities. And it must be said that the

typical Puneri cuisine has a lot to offer. Despite the high-end restaurants that have cropped up in every nook and corner, they have not diminished the appeal and allure of Puneri food. Here is a list of signature Puneri dishes, and the best places to sample them. abha.pandit@goldensparrow.com

The chaat concoctions Chaat items are loved all over India, but Pune has created its own concoction. SPDP stands for Sev Batata Dahi Puri, and is a mixture of spicy, tangy and sweet fl avours, with crunchy puris as the base. Th is dish has hollow puris, instead of fl at ones, unlike its close cousin dahi puri, served everywhere else. The ‘P’ in the

name comes from potato instead of batata, the Marathi word for the vegetable. SPDP is served at almost every chaat outlet in the city, big or small. But there are a few places which locals swear by for the best version of the dish.

Hotel Vaishali on FC Road and Kalyan Bhel outlets all over the city are the go-to places for chaat.

The sweet treat Mastani is another dish indigenous to Pune. A sweet treat, this dessert is a mix of thick milkshake, topped with a scoop of ice cream. At times, it is garnished with chopped up dry fruits and sometimes a cherry. It may sound simple, but it has its own unique taste. Named after the princess who stole Bajirao Peshwa’s heart, the mastani originated in the Sadashiv Peth area of Pune. Although there are numerous joints which offer this delicacy, Sujata Mastani is one of the oldest. It has outlets all across the city, and is a favourite since the ice cream there is made using the French pot method.

Amrut-tulya brew Th is list wouldn’t be complete without Pune’s special tea stalls.

Apart from the regular and masala tea available everywhere, there are some which are native to Pune and are specially sought after. Amruttulyas are traditional tea shops, mainly found in the Deccan and Peth areas of the city. Another tradition here is eating cream rolls along with tea. Crunchy and flaky baked rolls fi lled with sweet cream become a unique addition to morning and evening tea. They can be found at most small bakeries around the city, along with some tea stalls.

Spicy bakarwadi Bakarwadi is a typical Puneri dry snack, which is made with a spicy mix of coconut, sev and coriander. The mix is rolled into dough made with gram flour, cut into small rolls and deep fried until golden and crispy.

Th is snack is usually had at with tea, and is a perfect way to kill mid-day hunger pangs. The most famous, and arguably the best, are bakarwadis made by Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, a Pune chain of snacks and sweets.

Apart from commercial establishments, even temples in Pune close down for afternoon siesta

nd ANNIVERS ARY

CELEBRAT

ION

Historic data on all old land ownerships, geographical boundaries, prices of land at various times in the country are stored in Pune THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

CITY SWEARS BY EK TE CHAR BANDH Shopkeepers value their sacrosant ‘power nap’ more than anything

BY ABHA PANDIT @abha_pandit The people of Pune are known for making and living by their own rules. Outsiders may refer to these as ‘Puneri Attitude’. This so-called attitude is nothing but their set routine and their insistence to work on their own terms.

Often considered snobbish, the people of Pune will not inconvenience themselves for the sake of others.

This is especially true with shopkeepers, and it can be seen specifically in the afternoon hours. Puneites who run shops, particularly small ones, believe that an afternoon siesta ‘power nap’ is absolutely necessary.

This is how the tradition of keeping shops shut from 1 to 4 pm originated. If you happen to go down Laxmi Road or Deccan in the afternoon, you will see that

the shutters of most shops are down. The owners have locked up and gone home for lunch and a relaxing nap.

Business resumes as usual at 4 pm. The best example of this belief is demonstrated by Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale. One of the oldest and most well-known sweetmeat shops in the city, the doors of their main outlet on Deccan are closed to the public every single day for those three hours in the afternoon, come rain or shine.

With many non-Maharashtrians opening shops in the city, this tradition is not as evident as it was a few decades ago. While most of them prefer to keep their counters up and running throughout the day, some have even adopted the Puneri method, and are delighted to have an afternoon break. abha.pandit@goldensparrow.com

The history of dhol-tasha troupes dates back to 1964, when Dr Vishvanath Vinayak Pendse aka Appasaheb, the founder of Jnana Prabodhini formed the first all-boys group.

Country’s first sarvajanik Ganeshotsav was celebrated at Bhausaheb Rangari’s house at Budhwar Peth, Pune THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

nd RSARY

E ANNIV

ION T A R B CELE

CITY PRIDES ON ITS GANESHOTSAV The story that lies behind the Manache Ganpatis in Pune is like a lesson in the history and evolution of the city itself

Ganpati Mandal was established in 1893. The idol of Lord Ganesh of Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganesh Mandal is immersed every year and a new idol is made every year, the idol is made from Shadu clay. The Dada Golunjkar family has the credit of carving the idol for almost 122 years.”

Till 2000, the Ganesh idol was kept in the temple, but as the number of devotees kept increasing, the mandal has started keeping the idol outside the temple during the festival. “In the coming year 2017, the mandal will be starting a ‘Gram Daivat Award’ for people from different social sectors like Education, Medical, Army etc. giving their best for the society,” he said.

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2 Pune is considered to be Maharashtra’s cultural capital, and the form of Marathi spoken in Pune is considered to be the standard form of the language. The culture of Pune encompasses both the traditional Maharashtrian lifestyle that is prevalent in the heart of the city, as well as a modern, progressive outlook resulting from being a hub of education and liberal thought.

Lord Ganesh, the God of wisdom and prosperity, has been worshipped from Vedic times. Pune is the birthplace of the Ganesh Festival, now celebrated all over India, and some parts of the world, and it has its share of rich history. There are a few old Ganapati establishments that are more important than the others during the immersion ceremony.

G a ne shot s av, however, was confined to the homes of the people and palaces of the Maharajas in the days of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, until Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, initiated the concept of ‘Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav’, and mobilised people through the public Ganesh Festival.

His motive was to unite people and strengthen the patriotic fervour among Indians. As a result, Hindus came together for the festival, which became a source of political awakening against the British rule.

Due to the festival’s popularity and initiative, Ganesh Festival became a public festival in Pune. Soon afterwards there was rivalry among the various mandals regarding the privilege of immersing the idol on the last day of the Ganpati festival. Bal Gangadhar Tilak resolved the rivalry and declared the privilege of immersion to the first five Manache or honoured Ganpatis.

Guruji Talim Ganpati Mandal

but the main hurdle was to gather all at one place.

It was decided to install a Ganesh idol and come together for prayers for ten days and immerse the idol on the tenth day. It was during these meetings for prayers that the messages and bulletins were circulated to people.

The Bahusaheb Rangari Ganpati idol is a unique one. The idol killing a demon is symbolic, a rare ‘avatar’ of Lord Ganesh. It was a depiction of the ideas of Indians killing the British Raj. It is an eco-friendly idol which was installed.

Bhausaheb made an idol from paper pulp and wooden particles. The leaders present for the first meeting were Annasaheb Patwardhan, Nanasaheb Khasgiwale, Dagdusheth Halwai and others.

care. No loudspeakers are put on and no gulal is used. “The same idol, the same chariot and the ‘Devara’ of 1892 are displayed even today,” he said.

In 1893, in his daily, ‘Kesari’, Lokmanya Tilak appreciated this idea and in 1894, Tilak installed his Ganpati.

Gradually, the number of Ganpati mandals increased. In 1905, Lokmanya Tilak became a trustee of the Bhausaheb Rangari Trust.

Kasba Ganpati, the first honoured Ganpati

The concept of a ‘local deity’ or the ‘gramdevata’ is commonly found across regions and religions in India. Kasba Ganpati, one of Pune’s oldest temples, is Pune’s presiding deity – the ‘gramdevata’.

As the presiding deity of the city, locals visit this Ganesh temple before any auspicious occasion!

The idol of the Kasba Ganapati is said to have been found in the 17th

Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati Mandal

Bhau Rangari Ganpati, Hindustan’s first Ganpati

Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati’s has carved its name in the history of the city forever.

Though it does not figure among the five Manache Ganpati, it is significant and maintains its own cultural heritage Ganesh mandal in itself.

The Ganpati is named after Bhausaheb Laxman Javale, known to people as ‘Bhausaheb Rangari’. He was a famous Ayurvedic vaidya named Rajvaidya, but his main profession was to dye cloth and he was hence known as Bhausaheb Rangari.

The history of this Ganpati dates back to the 1890s, when the struggle for freedom was at its peak. He was also a revolutionary. In 1892, Bhausaheb, along with his close associates Annasaheb Patwardhan, Balasaheb Natu, Nana Bhor, Ganpatrao Ghotawadekar and many more, had a meeting in his house to discuss how they could bring people together to fight against the British rule,

in it. Kasba Ganapati came to be known as the ‘Gramdevata’, the village deity of Pune later.

The temple for this idol was built by Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai in 1626. Both Shivaji and subsequent rulers, Peshwas, steadily worshipped this Ganesh. The temple was thus restructured through the ages and thus displays a mixture of many architectural styles. The temple houses sabha-mandapas in front of the idol, paved with white marble, large verandas for devotees and a nagarkhana, where musicians would sit and perform their instruments every day. The practice continues even today, with musicians performing on special occasions.

Being Pune’s ‘gramdevata’, Kasba Ganpati is also ranked first in ‘Manache Ganpati’, the first five ‘honoured Ganpatis’ lead the immersion procession during the Ganeshotsav!

Sangita Jayanta Thakar, Chief Trustee of Gramdaivat Shree Kasba Ganpati Mandir Devasthan Trust, who is the sixth generation of the Thakar Family (daughter-in-law), said, “Around 400 years back, Thakar family migrated to Pune from Indi, Vijapur district. Vinayak Bhatt Thakar also carried his family deity, Lord Gajanan along with him.”

Balasaheb Nikam, President of the Bhausaheb Rangari Trust said, “From 1892 till date, no donation is collected.”

The Ganesh festival is celebrated with the contributions from the trustees, their friends and from voluntary contributions of people. “The idol is eco-friendly; the old chariot which used to house the idol then is still preserved.”

The idol and the chariot which will complete 125 years are still in good condition and are preserved with proper

century near the house of one Vinayak Thakar. It is believed that the Ganesh idol is swayambhu (found in its natural form) and was originally much smaller, and the original one has not been seen for centuries. The present-day idol is much bigger with repeated application of vermilion.

The Thakar residence was close to that of Jijabai, mother of Shivaji Maharaj.

Considering it to be auspicious, Jijabai had a temple built and the idol installed

Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati Mandal has the honour of the second most prestigious (Manache) Ganpati after Kasba Ganpati Mandal as Tambdi Jogeshwari is believed to be the gramdevi or goddess of the city.

Tambdi Jogeshwari temple is one of the oldest temples in the city and the idol of the goddess is regarded as swayambhu (self born idol). The temple was built around the idol by Trimbak Bendre in 1545 AD. In 1636, when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj came to Pune with his mother Jijabai, he sought the blessings of the goddess and ploughed the land in front of the temple with a gold plough which signified a new beginning for Pune.

During the Peshwa era, more land was allotted to the temple and a bigger temple was constructed in 1705. History records reveal that Peshwas used to seek blessings from the goddess before embarking on a new mission.

Anirudh Gadgil, Trustee of the Mandal said, “The Tambdi Jogeshwari

The Manacha Tisra or the third most revered Ganpati in the city Guruji Talim Ganpati Mandal was established in 1887 in Ganpati Chowk, Laxmi Road. It is referred to as the oldest Ganesh Mandals in Pune as it is established even before Lokmanya Tilak started Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav.

It was started in 1887 by a few Hindu and Muslim followers, Nanasaheb Khasgirale, Pandurang Shinde and The Lalabhais, Nalband Bandhu, all wrestlers promoting communal harmony. The mandal, even today, spreads the message

BY SALONEE MISTRY @SaloneeMistry The reverberating beat of the dhol-tasha is heard all around the year in Pune, as these mobile percussionists are in demand at all festivities and celebrations. No wonder, there are no less than 385 dhol-tasha groups in the city, of which 85 are registered with the Dhol-Tasha Mahasangh. The most popular dhol-tasha troupes include the Ramanbaug, Garware, Rannvaadya and Taal groups.

The history of these troupes dates back to 1964, when Dr Vishvanath Vinayak Pendse aka Appasaheb, the founder of Jnana Prabodhini formed the first dhol-tasha all-boys group.

Appasaheb was motivated by his love of music and an urge to create, to form the dhol-tasha troupe, which is also known as a pathak. The idea to form the pathak was sparked by the need to add rhythm to the Barchi Dance form, which was also introduced by Appasaheb. The first all-girl dhol-tasha group was

also started by Appasaheb’s Jnana Prabodhini in 1975.

A dhol-tasha troupe performance resonates with high energy and the stirring, infectious rhythms beaten out by the members, who expend immense amounts of physical energy as they tote the large heavy drums strapped around their waist, while the machine-gun rattle of the tasha adds a higher register layer, to complement the deep boom of the dhol.

The Ganeshotsav is the peak time for the dhol-tasha groups, who are an indispensable part of the extended visarjan or immersion ceremony. They put in a couple of months of practice before the festival, to get their act in sync. A dhol-tasha troupe consists of a minimum of 20 members, and the maximum number can be as high as 300.

The dhols are made in Shukrawar Peth, while the tashas are brought in from Chikodi, a village in the Belagavi district of Karnataka. There are countless shops dealing with dhol-tasha. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

Tulsibaug Ganpati Mandal

Tulsibaug is the fourth Ganpati of honour in Pune. This mandal is known for the size of the Ganesh idol. This is the first mandal to make a fibre glass idol of Ganpati. Every year a new 15-feet tall idol is created my D S Khataokar.

The celebrations during Ganesh chaturthi were started here by Sardar Krishnaji Kashinath aka Nanasaheb Khasgiwale in 1893, while Lokmanya Tilak converted it into a public festival in 1894. Tilak, with an intension to bring all the vendors, small and big, converted the Tulsibaug Ganpati into a public festival.

The Tulsibaug Mandal changed its Idol of Bappa after 75 years in 1975. The mandal’s Trust was established in 1901.

An ancient idol of Lord Ganesh dating back to the Peshwa era is still preserved by the mandal. The mandal is against using animals during the immersion, so the Visarjan Gada (chariot) is pulled by the women members of the mandal.

The jewellery of the idol is made of silver and soon a canopy of silver will be made by the mandal from the silver donated by the volunteers and some voluntary devotees.

Vivek Khatavkar, president of the Tulsibaug Mandal Ganpati said, “Apart from Ganpati the mandal also celebrates Gokul Ashtami.”

Kesari Wada Ganpati of communal harmony with many Muslim volunteers working throughout all ten days of the festival. People from different castes and creeds visit the mandal.

The Lord Ganesh sits on a mouse but the idol has the look of a wrestler. Most of the volunteers are from Talim. Lokmanya Tilak honoured this mandal as the third honoured Ganpati due to the well-known wrestlers created by the Talim. Wrestlers from Guruji Talim hold a rich history in the field of wrestling from more than 120 years.

Pravin Pardesi, Working President, Guruji Talim Ganpati Mandal said, “Unlike other mandals, we do not take donations. We have stopped taking donations since 1986. The money spent on the festivities is collected by the members.

Depending on each member’s financial capabilities, they contribute money. We make an estimate on how much money is required and likewise, responsibilities are divided. In fact, the silver and gold

Dancing to the beat of the dhol-tasha...

The hypnotic beat of the dhol-tasha is intrinsic to Pune’s soundscape, and it can be heard in every corner of the city during Ganeshotsav, when all 385 troupes are in great demand

ornaments that adorn the idol have also been contributed by the members. So far, we’ve never had any problems financially, all thanks to Lord Ganesh.”

The mandal has been promoting communal harmony since its inception.

“The mandal this year has contributed to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and also provides aid during various natural disasters from the fund raised by the volunteers of the mandal,” he said.

Founded by the freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak in 1893, the Kesriwada retains its century old tradition and is considered as one of the most respected Ganesh mandals of the city. The Kesari Trust is revered as the fifth Manacha Ganpati in the city.

At its inception in 1894, the Kesari Trust’s Ganesh festival used to be organised at Vinchurkar Wada, off Kumthekar Road, which was then the residence of Tilak. In 1905, the venue of the festival was shifted to Gaikwad Wada, presently known as Kesari Wada.

The mandal does not display decorations but emphasises cultural events and educative programmes. The mandal celebrates its Ganesh festival on the basis of the Tilak Panchang.

Lokmanya Tilak saw the festival as a platform to bring people together, irrespective of their caste, creed, culture and propagate the message of freedom among them. He organised speeches by eminent personalities to throw light on contemporary socio-political issues. vicky.pathare@goldensparrow.com

Pune is home to the country’s only National Defence Academy (NDA). It has a sprawling campus for all round training of cadets

nd ANNIVERS ARY

CELEBRAT

ION

Pune is the only city in the world to have commercial and defense Airport operating from the same strip THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

The odd names for temples in the city such as Jilbya Maruti, Pasodya Vitthal and Khuni Muralidhar have intriguing stories about how they came to named so

WHAT’S IN A NAME? LOTS, IF IT IS A WEIRDLY NAMED PUNE TEMPLE

YOGESH WAGH @YogeshWagh1857 Officially the marker of a location within a city is generally the pin code, which was started in 1972.

But traditionally Pune is known for its distinct quirks related to places, and one method is using weird and interesting names of temples as location markers. Customarily, the best manner of marking and locating places would be to name temples in relation to places and trade, and thus temples were major landmarks of any area, and Pune city is no exception. These names need to be preserved because of the cultural and heritage value they bestow on the place, and such local legends give Pune its distinctive character and identity.

Hearing names of temples like Hathi Ganpati (near Jnana Prabodhini school), Pasodya Vitthal, Pasodya Maruti, (Rawiwar Peth) Bhangya Maruti, Chimnya Maruti, Bhikardas Maruti, Patrya Maruti (Narayan Peth), Modi Ganpati (Narayan Peth), Jilbya Maruti (Shaniwar Chowk), Akara Maruti, Dulya Maruti (Ganesh Peth), Khunya Muralidhar (Sadashiv Peth, Bhopatkar Road) to name a few, raises questions as to how gods and temples ended up with such bizarre names. A glance at the stories surrounding these names helps us to understand that the names were related either to trade, a particular incident, and owner or patron of the place where the temple was based, to help mark the location.

During Peshwa rule, there were many small temples built across Pune city. Among the temples, the most favoured were Maruti, Ganpati and Vitthal. In order to mark a location or give direction, it had become impossible

for people to use just the name of the temple. Thus started the trend of associating the temple, with a nearby landmark or story. For example, in Pune there is a temple known as Batata Maruti, in front of Shaniwarwada, as there is a well established potato and onion market around it. So if anyone has to explain directions to someone, just saying near/in front of Batata Maruti solves the problem.

The story of Modi Ganpati, is very interesting .The story as far as naming it ‘Modi’, goes that the temple got its name as the temple idol was found in a farm of Khushrooshet Modi’s garden.

Another distinct story is that of Pasodya Vitthal. It is alleged that the surrounding area of the temple was used for selling Pasodya, that are bags

and Ghongadi (woollen blankets).

Pasodya or simple woollen blankets were very important for people in the city. Or what about Bhangya Maruti,

PUBLISHING

is looking for the following Positions to strengthen the team.

A hyperlocal weekly offering, devoted to Pune’s people in bringing out the most from them.

From highlighting the prominent citizens of the city to the versatility of hybrid growth the city is witnessing for last 5 years, TGS has established itself as the prominent choice of the reader and advertisers alike in Pune city.

POSITIONS Management Trainees ( MT) – Marketing / Advertising / Events/ Circulation/ HR TOTAL VACANCIES 20 MBA Fresher’s l Flair for Sales and marketing l Pleasing personality Street Smart l Excellent proficiency in English POSITIONS Sr. Executive l Department : Advertising Sales l Location : Pune n n n n n n n

Experience of 1-2 years of experience in Advt sales.

Exposure to Pune Market is essential. Need to know the agencies and clients at Pune.

Graduate (MBA Preferred) Excellent- Written and Presentation skills Proven track record of sales Marathi language skills Computer proficiency POSITIONS

Assistant Manager / Deputy Manager l Department : Advt Sales l Location : Pune n n n n n n n n

PUNE

Experience of 5-6 years of experience in Advt sales and event sales.

Exposure to Pune Market is essential. Need to know the agencies and clients at Pune.

MBA Full time from premium college Excellent- Written and Presentation skills Excellent in conceptualizing and execution of successful media plans.

Proven track record of sales and must have handled a revenue basket of 1CR in a year.

Marathi language skills Computer proficiency

We are equal Opportunity Employer l All positions are based in Pune.

All positions are full time l Salaries consummate to the experience SEND YOUR CV’S TO Mail : hr@goldensparrow.com or Write to us to: Ms. Vijaya Shinde HR- Department: Golden Sparrow Publishiming Pvt. Ltd. Pinnacle House, 884/9, Nal Stop, Erandawane , Pune 411 004. Phone 020 66233 500/1

named after bhang or opium, as it is alleged that opium used to be sold in the vicinity?

The most fascinating name is that

of Khunya Muralidhar or the Murderer Muralidhar. The question is why Lord Krishna is addressed as a murderer.

There are two myths around this name.

One is that Sadashiv Raghunath alias Dada Gadre built this temple in the year 1717. At one time, a British officer called Boyd was going through the temple with his soldiers. During that time, Gadre’s soldiers, who were Arabs, had a major fight with the British soldiers. In that fight, around 50 to 100 soldiers lost their lives. Since that time the temple is known as ‘Khunya Muralidhar’. Another myth is that the Chaphekar Bandhu freedom fighters had murdered British Officer Rand Aster and one of their colleagues, Ganesh Dravid, shared this information with the British and betrayed them.

Angered by this, the Chaphekar bandhus killed Ganesh Dravid in the chowk near the temple. Later on they were hanged by the British government.

Due to this murder, it is alleged that the temple was named Khunya Muralidhar.

But historian Mandar Lavate refutes

such claims, and states that it was the fight between company soldiers and Arab soldiers that led to the naming of Khunya Muralidhar.

The story around Dulya Maruti is also interesting. It is said that during the third Panipat war, when the Marathas were defeated by Ahmed Shah Abdali, the news of the tragic demise of Senapati Sadashivrao Peshwe and Vishwasrao Peshwe filled Punekars with sorrow. It is alleged that the pain was so much that the Maruti started shaking with anguish and sorrow, and so it was named Dulya that is ‘Shaking Maruti’.

In recent times, Pune is witnessing new landmarks such as hotels, malls, theatres, restaurants, and theses temples have lost their shine and significance as location markers. The new generation has no idea about their relevance and their quirks. On the contrary, nowadays it is difficult to find these temples and many have forgotten their history and connotation. yogesh.wagh@golddnsparrow.com

As far back as 1966, the city’s development plan included a proposal for a cycle track network

Over 15,000 Puneites have taken up running as hobby in the past 3-4 years

nd RSARY

E ANNIV

ION T A R B CELE

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1 The health-conscious Puneite may take to a jogging park, or fi nd some suitable place for his/her morning or evening workout. But there are those who have no need for a park and such, as they have access to an environment which is even more stimulating. Pune is surrounded by hills or tekdis that are very popular with citizens, if not for a fitness workout, at least as an environmentally favourable place to hang out at. Be it Vetal tekdi, Taljai tekdi, Parvati tekdi or Hanuman tekdi, these are spots where one can unwind, take time out from the humdrum routine, and give one’s lungs their full quota of fresh air.

VETAL TEKDI Vetal Hill aka Vetal Tekdi is a favourite destination for Pune’s nature lovers, and trekkers from Gokhalenagar, Kothrud, MIT College and Sutardara areas. Located on top of Bhamburda forest in front of the ‘Vetal baba’ temple, from which the name of the hill is derived, it is spread over 11 square kilometres.

Close to 500 people come to Vetal Tekdi for a walk every morning and evening. The dense forest area of the hill is home to many birds and creatures, including peacocks, squirrels and deer that are regularly seen here. There is a small temple of Maruti or Hanuman with a space where visitors can rest or exercise.

There is a big stone quarry about a kilometre from this place, and valleys. Vetal Tekdi is the highest point within the city limits, with an elevation of 2,600 feet, which makes it visible from Pashan, Panchavati and Chaturshrungi. It happens to be near the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). The place has two access roads, one from Gokhalenagar and the other from Kothrud. The Forest Department and Pune Municipal Corporation maintain it.

Nandakumar Kadam, resident of Gokhalenagar and a regular visitor to Vetal Tekdi, said that it has a serene atmosphere and one can experience nature in its purity here. “A regular visit in the morning every day gives me immense peace of mind. I am fit and fine because of this routine,” he said.

TALJAI TEKDI Adorned with dense green cover, birds, butterfl ies and peacocks, Taljai Tekdi happens to be in the heart of the city, in the Sahakarnagar area. The hill gets its name from the temple of Hindu Goddess Taljai in the vicinity.

The hill is also known as ‘Pachgaon Parvati’. The road to this hill passes through the Shivaji Maratha College campus and vehicles are prohibited in this area.

Just beyond Shivaji Maratha College, is a picturesque mountain path, with sharp turns. Near the entrance of the forest is a temple of Taljai Mata. Th is place is also a favourite of amateur bird watchers and ornithologists, with peacocks being the star attraction. Students preparing for civil exams prefer this spot to study.

The Taljai tekdi is a tourist attraction, and is known as mini Ghat. With its lush green woods and a balmy environment, it is a favourite haunt for many citizens. There are paved pathways, jogging and walking tracks with a compound wall, to ensure an ideal environment for the visitors to commune with nature. And the steep curved road is a challenge for the fitness aficionados.

Countless citizens visit the hill for scintillating vistas of sunrise and sunset every day. Taljai Tekdi is open for visitors from 5 to 10 in the mornings, and from 4:30 to 7 in the evenings.

Tekdis are spots of serenity that offer an instant getaway

Citizens have easy access to a number of hills that are in the heart of Pune, not just for purposes of fitness and exercise, but also to take a break from hectic routines, and find an environment conducive to a communion with nature

PARVATI TEKDI One of the most popular hills of Pune, Parvati Tekdi is also a very popular tourist destination. Situated next to the Janata Vasahat in Shankarnagar area, the hill offers breathtaking aerial views of the city. It is a daily haunt for children, youth and senior citizens.

There are 103 stone steps that lead to the top of the hill, which is around 250 metres in height. There is a Parvati temple built by the third Peshwa, Shrimant Nana Saheb, in the 1749, which is a major attraction for visitors, and a Shiva temple.

Citizens from Parvati, Sahakarnagar, Swargate, Dandekar Bridge, Shastri Road, Sinhagad Road visit the place every morning to climb the hill. There are myths about ailing people recovering by praying to the gods here. Behind the temples is a slope

and hilly area that leads towards Taljai Tekdi. The distance between Parvati and Taljai Tekdi is just two kms. Visitors exercise in the open space at the temple.

The art work of the temples is beautiful.

There used to be a Ghadyal Khana and Nagar Khana, which housed a clock and a gong respectively. Vetal Chabutra is a square plinth of stones in a plot situated at the foot of the hill. It is exhilarating to climb up to the Sati monument. Parvati Tekdi remains open from 5 am to 8 pm.

HANUMAN TEKDI Surrounded by three prominent colleges, Symbiosis, Fergusson and Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce (BMCC), Hanuman Tekdi is a favourite spot for youngsters. There is access to the hill from Fergusson College and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum. Th is hill is being developed by ‘Green Hills Group’, a non-governmental

First ever national marathon was organised in Pune in 1919 Over the years the city has evolved into a hub for runners and marathoners

BY ASHISH PHADNIS @phadnis_ashish Pune has a rich history of running events. The first ever national marathon in the country was organised in Pune, in 1919. That was followed by the Indian Olympic Movement, under which the selections trials of athletes and wrestlers were held at Deccan Gymkhana, for the first ever Indian contingent that participated in the Olympics in 1920 at Antwerp, Belgium.

Later, the annual Pune International Marathon (PIM) event put the city on the global map. Started in 1983, the PIM is the oldest marathon event in India, held annually.

The city is also becoming a hub for runners and a paradise for marathoners. The pleasant weather, plenty of jogging tracks, parks, hills, several running groups and a huge number

of running events held in the city, have made Pune a city for runners.

According to Nikhil Shah, the founder of Pune Running Beyond Myself (PRMB), more than 15,000 Puneites have taken up running as hobby in the last 3-4 years and the number is rising every year. The busy roads in the city witness runners practicing in the wee hours of the day. While some of them train for competitive events, some run for fitness or just for fun. The trend has picked up in such a way, that even events in remote places like Kundalika River or Durshet forest marathons are crowded. The number of casual runners has increased tremendously and any running event, right from 3km to 21km distance, receives huge response.

Along with the oldest PIM and the recent PRMB events, several new players have joined in and, on an average, Puneites witness around 50 running events annually. That means almost one event a week, and by that standard it makes the city one of the running hubs in India.

It’s not just limited to participating in

events, but several runners from the city have proved themselves at the international level.

Thirteen-time ironman Kaustubh Radkar is a classic example. Following his lead, several others are also trying their fitness in famous ultra-running events like Comrades Marathon in South Africa, while triple Limca Book of Record holder Michelle Kakade has recently etched her name in the Guinness Book of World Records to become the first individual to complete an epic journey of Indian Golden Quadrennial, covering a distance of 6,000km.

In 2010, she was the first Indian to complete the marathon Des Sables, a six-day 254-km run across the Sahara desert.

“The city has synthetic tracks at Balewadi and Sanas ground for sprint training, then dirt tracks at various hills provide endurance test, and Sinhagad Fort helps in hill marathon training. In addition, a large number of groups work as support systems, while the experts provide valuable inputs for new trainers. In all, Pune is a complete package for those who want to run,” said Harshad Pendse, runner. ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com

organisation (NGO), which has planted thousands of plants and made bunds to store rainwater. Being near the colleges, it is regularly frequented by students, for studying.

For residents of Gokhalenagar, BMCC Road or Fergusson College Road areas, Hanuman Tekdi is a perfect option for a morning or evening walk.

The 70-acre hill has a small Hanuman temple at the top. There is also an open space and walking track. The trees

on the hill include tamarind, alma, papaya, neem and more. The major attraction is a stone quarry fi lled with water, in which Bramha Kamal flowers flourish even in summer. Shrimant Mote, who lives in Gokhalenagar said, “I have been visiting this hill for the last five years. The NGO’s effective water management ensures that the plants and trees here remain green all year round.” dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

A BICYCLE-FRIENDLY CITY Easy availability of hi-tech bicycles has given the pedal-propelled two-wheeler a new lease of life in the city, with a new generation of cyclists

BY ASHISH PHADNIS @phadnis_ashish Pune was known as a city of bicycles decades ago. Opening up of the economy in the 90s brought in the automotive age with a vengeance and the number of eco-friendly bicycles on city roads decreased and traffic congestion increased.

Bicycling is now seeing quite a revival in the city, harking back to an era when Pune was a bicycle town. Thanks to new technologies and easy availability of global brands, bicycling has now taken on a sportier than ever before dimension. The new all-terrain bicycles have put adventure biking within the reach of anyone with a willingness to use their lung and pedal power, besides giving those willing to brave through the bumper-to-bumper traffic a completely environment-friendly style of mobility and transportation.

To promote this rising cycling trend, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has constructed cycle tracks on various roads of the city. As far back as 1966, the city’s development plan included a proposal for a cycle track network. The 1987 development plan for the ‘old city’ limits included this proposal and expanded it to include a cycle track network

as well as cycle-only bridges. In 2008, PMC signed an MoU with Dutch NGO Interface for cycling expertise. The city created a dedicated Non-Motorised Transport Cell (NMT Cell).

PMC officials visited the Netherlands to learn about effective ways to run cycle tracks.

In 2013, PMC launched first-of-its-kind effort by any civic body in the country and built around 20 tracks at different areas of the city.

The total distance these tracks covered was around 88 km. However, the sub-standard work, lack of maintenance, encroachment by vendors and shopowners, and obstructions like electric poles, hoardings, PMPML bus stops and surface repairs, ruined the initiative. If PMC manages to give a proper boost to this project, it can be a major step in Pune’s attempts to become a smart city.

“Having dedicated cycling tracks is a wonderful project. Unfortunately it wasn’t executed well. Commuting to office via these cycle tracks will be a dream for cyclists like us as it’s very difficult to ride a bike during peak hours. Pune certainly has a large number of cyclists and the number will increase if they get such tracks,” said Surhud Ghatpande, who rides 60 km daily. ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com

nd ANNIVERS ARY

Majority of state level ice hockey players are from Pune.

Many are now making it into the national team

The fastest of racquet sports, badminton was first tried out in the city, when it was called the ‘Poona Game’

CELEBRAT

ION

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

The first game of badminton CITY’S OWN MINI FOOTBALL WORLD CUP was played in Pune The Symbiosis international students football tournament launched in 1971, is a treat for all Puneites who love the sport

BY ASHISH PHADNIS @phadnis_ashish Cricket-obsessed India is way behind when it comes to soccer, let alone World Cup football. But, there is big spurt in the number of soccer fans in India, whonot only follow the European football leagues, but are also enthusiastic supporters of their favourite teams, in the ongoing Euro 2016, or even the Copa America in the US. Symbiosis Lavale campus is the venue, where the university organises an international students football tournament every year, which has an enthusiastic throng of Puneites to witness the games.

Symbiosis University is home to students from 85 countries, from African countries like Tanzania, Sudan and Uganda, middle-eastern

counties like Iran and Kuwait, to Asian countries like Indonesia, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. These students who migrate to Pune for their education, put together their own teamsrepresenting their countries, and participate in the Symbiosis tournament,.

Though these students aren’t really professional footballers, they make up for their lack of world class skills with their enthusiasm, and the pride of representing their nation.

No surprise, the tournament has the feel of a mini world cup, as the players turn out in kits resembling their national squads, while their supporters are there in large numbers to cheer their teams with national flags, painted faces and fancy outfits.

These spectators arevery vocal, and are also equipped with drums, trumpets and other instruments to

PUBLISHING

create just the kind of symphony a football match deserves. And as the tournament progresses, the knock-out rounds are played with tremendous intensity. The team members keep changing every year, as newcomers replace those who have completed their graduation and returned home.

Th is tournament is conducted

by Symbiosis International Cultural Centre to instill a sense of unity amongst the foreign students. It started in 1971 with the theme, ‘Play for Peace’. The fi rst game was football, but over the years basketball, volleyball, badminton, table-tennis and pool have been added on.

Earlier, the tournament used to be held at Station Workshop, EME ground, Range Hills, but it has now been shifted to the Symbiosis Lavale campus.

Iran and Sudan have been the strongest contenders, having won the title several times. ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com

E N U P OWS

KN

!

T S E B

Way back in 1870, a handful of British soldiers started playing a game at Ammunition Factory, Khadki, which, from being called the Poona Game, acquired the name of badminton after it was exported to England

BY ASHISH PHADNIS @phadnis_ashish

Pune is the birth place of badminton, the second most popular participatory sport in the world behind soccer. The fastest of racquet sports, badminton was first tried out in the city, when it was called the ‘Poona Game’.

As per the records, the game was first played by British soldiers in the Ammunition Factory, Khadki in 1870. The rules and accessories were unlike what are prevalent now in modern badminton, but it was the origin, the birth of a new sport, which has eventually evolved into an extremely fascinating one.

The British soldiers after getting started with badminton in Pune, then started playing the game on their return at Gloucestershire County. The Duke of Beaufort from the town of Badminton helped a lot in the developmentof this game, and thus it was renamed badminton, in remembrance of his invaluable contribution.

Unfortunately, there is not a single monument to show that the game of badminton originated here in Pune. Pune District Metropolitan Badminton Association (PDMBA), the current flagbearers of the sport in the city, are working on this aspect, and also plan to make Pune a badminton hub.

“It’s our responsibility to build a monument or a museum near the birthplace of the game. At least we should have a chowk named as badminton chowk, with a beautiful sculpture of badminton shuttle to indicate that the game originated here. We have approached several officers, but still it is unfruitful,” says Uday Sane, PDMBA secretary.

But that aside, badminton is gaining popularity in leaps and bounds, and today there are nearly 9000 enthusiasts playing badminton on the 100 courts spread all over the city. As per the official records, the maximum number of tournaments every year are held in Pune. From state and district championships, the association has been

PUBLISHING

conducting a number of inter-club leagues and inter-school tournaments every year. From the oldest tournaments like the Sushant Chipalkatti memorial, VV Natu All India Ranking, Old Monk and Haveli taluka, to the recently started Maharashtra Badminton League, the city hosts around 37 tournaments, which is much more compared to other cities.

The city has gained a good reputation in the technical field too, and 50 per cent of Indians who officiate at international level tournaments are from Pune. ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com

NEXT IS NOW

 Pune has the

most road bridges of any city

 Pune has the

most women 2-wheeler riders

The revolution

began 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.

Buoyed by the fantastic response to the first two editions of the TGS MOVE IT® Marathon announcing

3 SEASON

Be part of The Golden Sparrow

BE PART OF THIS INCREDIBLE

FESTIVAL OF RUNNING

BIGGER | BETTER | BOLDER

21ST AUGUST 2016, SUNDAY

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

SHIVAJI NAGAR, PUNE

For online registration : www.meraevents.com

TGSWeekly

FOR SPONSORSHIPS: MITTAL NARVANI: 91460 26329 PRASHANT SHARMA: 8446211410

FOR BULK & RUNNER GROUP REGISTRATION CALL SAMPAT: +91 90281 33322

rain between Pune and Mumbai seems to years, to be precise. Travelling on the train, clockwork schedule, is always an experience rs and workers have their say in what is an or the Queen See p08-09

ANIRUDD

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

UNDER PMC RULE Pune police completed 50 years on July 1?

The top brass in Pune police just forgot about the day Pics by AniruddhA rAjAndekAr

or de f r Mah othtoeo c fe li a l a e in re

w.com

nsparro

egolde

PUNE,

APRIL

2, 2016

| www.th

rs ng houay worki s aw long couple the les and brityves, but er cele edu oth ic sch p these ter hal h each Errat ht kee ir bet re wit stantly mig from the y sha m con d the the ted bon keeps connec

TGS LIFE

Made for each other in real life too

See Spotlight, p8

The merger of fringe villages into Pune Municipal Corporation began more than five decades ago. But despite the THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016 PUNE positive intentions of the administration and politicians, it is a travesty then that residents of several of these villages continue to be deprived of basic amenities like drinking water, proper roads and hospitals See Spotlight, p08 & 09

MUMBAI

CITY

Sony Asks Dhanush Why This Kolaveri Di P2

Mumbai biggies battle for scenic plot worth Rs 50 crore in Pavana P5

Water meant for parched

Pune’s Batman mystery solved Torn by societies sold in black Censor Board chief ’s family found war back running an ‘illegal’ resort in Matheran home, they seek solace Pahlaj Nihalani’s son owns a palatial villa spread over five acres in Matheran, which is let out to tourists. The property does not have requisite licences from the revenue department and has become here an eyesore for licensed hotel owners who have to shell out huge sums by way of taxes every year

Images of a Batmobile being driven around on the streets of Pune went viral on social media

BY GARGIVERMA @missgverma

When it comes to films Pahlaj Nihalani, chief of the Central Board of Film Certification in India, takes a high moral ground. But there seems to be trouble in his own backyard. A palatial villa owned by his family in Matheran is talk of the town as the residential property is being ‘illegally’ let out to tourists thronging the hill station.

The property called The Fleetwood is spread over five acres. It boasts of a heritage villa with four bedrooms and a cottage with two suites. Also known as Salmona, the property as per revenue records is a residential one and has been in possession of Chirag Nihalani, censor board chief’s son since 2003.

Most licensed hotel owners in Matheran talk endlessly about how Nihalani and his family are swindling the government, by paying taxes and other charges meant for a residential unit but using it for commercial purposes.

Local taxes and charges for amenities like water, electricity, among others for commercial premises or hotels are much higher than that for residential units in Matheran.

Another grouse the local hotel owners

less viable for guests.

“I charge moderately for each of the 15 rooms in my hotel.

Even though my rooms are occupied only during season, I have to pay commercial rates and taxes through the year. The unlicensed Pahlaj Nihalani and the places don’t pay a five-acre palatial villa in single penny for Matheran taxes and thus they bargain to even half have against likes of Nihalani is that they of what we charge,” he explained. can offer huge discounts since their taxes Officials in the revenue department and charges are much lower than those paid confirmed that the property ‘titled MP 101, by licensedPAGES: ones. “Th e ones who do not have `5 City Survey Number 203, bearing the card 16+16 (TGS LIFE) | PRICE: licences have lesser overheads. They can slash reference number R-01/(o) is a residential their tariffs to half and still survive,” said property owned by Chirag Nihalani since Rusi Irani, owner of Cecil Hotel, one of the 2003’. Pawan Chandak, superintendent of the bigger names in Matheran. He explained revenue department in Matheran said that that he is barely making any profits from the residential property cannot double up as a the hotel owing to the commercial rates he hotel. Interestingly, the property is managed by pays for amenities and increased taxes. Most Neeta Nihalani, censor board chief’s wife. importantly, competition from unlicensed When TGS contacted Neeta Nihalani she hotels and guest houses, makes his property categorically denied that her plush property

See p05

Here’s why Pune motorists are not disciplined

BY BAPU DEEDwANIA

For all of you, who have been wondering if Batman has migrated to Pune after seeing the Batmobile patrol the streets of Pune, we at The Golden Sparrow have been at it to bring to you the owner of the Batmobile!

The machine is a gift from a father to his son! Yes, you heard right. Adar Poonawalla, 34-year-old CEO and Executive Director of Serum Institute of India Ltd, has been the man behind the Batmobile. He and his five-year-old son Cyrus dressed in Batman costume took the vehicle for a spin last Sunday. The Batmobile was a surprise gift for Cyrus from Adar. Traffic came to a standstill as everybody got busy, clicking pictures and admiring the car.

It was some time back that Cyrus asked his father if Batman was for real and if he

truly existed. He also asked if the Batmobile was for real. Being a man who loves his cars, Adar decided to make the Batmobile come true for his dreamy-eyed son. Insiders reveal that the billionaire discussed the idea with a Mumbai-based vehicle customisation expert, who was more than happy to oblige.

“Adar had spotted a similar looking car in Dubai at an auto show. However, the car was exorbitantly priced which only encouraged him and the customisation expert to create the machine themselves,” said a source close to the Poonawallas.

Work on the Poonawalla Batmobile began eight months ago. An S-Class Mercedes was used to create the vehicle.

“This car has been conceptualised to look exactly like the Batmobile and that itself is an onerous task. The base machine was completely stripped to make way for the one with wings and style exactly like the Batmobile. All we know that it got created in phases and its parts manufactured with precision by Adar’s trusted person and finally assembled in Mumbai. The rest, Adar says, is a gift for his son and the secrets are not to be revealed,” said another friend close to this family.

The vehicle was transported to Pune two weeks ago, just in time for Cyrus’ birthday.

An order issued by the state government to come down heavily on the violators is not being enforced strictly by Pune cops See p3

Pilloo impersonates Silloo

They are lining up by the score at

SHANTABAI’S BARBER SHOP

The 74-year-old impersonated a senior lawyer’s 88-year-old mother, because her brother asked her to do so. At the heart of the drama is 107 acres of prime plot in Thane worth Rs 875 crore as per the Ready Reckoner rate

Thirty years of being in the trade has made Gadhinglaj woman the most wanted barber in the region

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JANUARY 9, 2016

@tusharrupanavar Men line up outside her house every morning and wait patiently for their turn. She is the most popular and sought after barber in the region. Tales of Shantabai Yadav’s struggles and how she overcame them are famous in the area. But that’s not what makes her popular. It is her skill with the blade that makes her the most sought after barber in Gadhinglaj Taluka, Kolhapur. The 65-year-old has been at this for over 30 years.

She lost her husband Shripati Yadav to a heart attack, when she was in her early 30s. The couple had four daughters, the youngest barely a year old, when her husband passed away in 1984. Her husband used to work on a working as a farm labourer and would It is then that she thought of three-acre family farmland. But after get 50 paise a day after toiling for eight taking up her family occupation of his death, his brothers took over the hours. That was hardly enough to feed a barber. Though she hailed from farm. Th is meant that either Shantabai our family of five. I wondered what else Nabhik community, neither her would have to depend on her husband’s I could do to supplement my income. I father, brothers nor husband had ever family or go back to her maternal home had lots of free time in the evenings,” ventured into the business. They were in Karnataka. She wanted neither. said Shantabai, while giving one all into farming. “I an “We have started preparing a report on ofthe realignment ofthink the handling route along the “Since I did not want to be her customers a shave at her house in ustra (razor) is in my blood. riverside in Pune city and the cost operations for the total project according to dependent on anyone, I started Hasursasgiri village.

Continued on p3

the 2015 rates. The report will be submitted before November 15.”

— Kunal Kumar, municipal commissioner

Malnourished Radha is fighting for her life

PUNE

“Storm water becomes a problem every monsoon. The detailed project report aims at creating the database of storm water drainage systems. It will also give the location, length and width of drainage channels.”

— Ashiwini Kadam, the head of the standing committee

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR

But on November 2, the RBSK team found that the Kadams had gone to a relative’s house in Chakan.

“We then sought the help of a woman corporator, who convinced Sunanda to take Radha to the hospital,” said Dr Pranali Vetal. But as the journey began in a jeep, Sunanda again had second thoughts and the RBSK doctors had to convince her that her daughter needed urgent treatment.

RAHUL RAUT

A severely malnourished two-and-ahalf-year-old girl child from Chakan is fighting for her life at Sassoon Hospital. Radha Kadam, weighs just 4.2 kilograms, but her parents Anil and Sunanda were reluctant to avail of medical treatment for her. Eventually, with the help of their tenants, a corporator and even the traffic police, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) doctors of Khed managed to bring Radha to Aundh District Hospital THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY on Monday. After preliminary check-up 21, 2016 PUNE at the Nutrition RehabilitationMAY Centre (NRC) at Aundh District Hospital, she was referred to the Sassoon Hospital for further treatment.

Radha was diagnosed as suffering Mother Sunanda with the little Radha at from Severely Acute Malnutrition the Sassoon Hospital (SAM) by RBSK doctor Dr Rama Pujari during a screening in Anganwadi The NRC doctors checked Radha a few days ago and her condition was and referred her to the Sassoon said to be critical. “We told the parents Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care that Radha needed urgent treatment Unit (PICU), where she was shifted on at the district hospital. After refusing Tuesday. NRC department in charge initially, they agreed and we were told Dr Vasant More said, “We found to pick them up from their home on Thursday, October 28. But on that day Radha to be suffering from acute they postponed the trip to Monday, malnutrition and dehydration. To November 2,” said Dr Pujari. avert the possibility of her contracting

Kids love alphabet teachers

Company promises jobs, dupes several people of Rs 250 crore

P10

Travelling abroad in no longer a preserve of a select few filed in his mother’s name through his

had approached HC in December 2015 seeking help to protect her land parcel spread over 100-odd acres in Prashant Ingale, actor of National award winningways Marathi film Thane.

Silloo Mistri’s petition against Find to Khwada, use attempted suicide recently owing to a debt Thane he had taken police last year. Theclaimed that cops were waste inactor whoplastic played the role of Panda, elder brother of theinitiating protagonist Balu (played not action laying NGT against those who

by Bhau Shinde) roads: in the film, consumed pesticide on December 24, in a bid to over her plot. Drama had forcibly taken end P8 his life. He was rushed to a private hospital where his bill the first day began inon the very first hearing on itself ran up to Rs 20,000. He was later January 2016, shifted to state run 6, Sassoon Generalwhen Jehangir Mistri, Hospital in Pune. He was discharged a senior appeared in court and on Saturday, January counsel, 2.

Born in a family of poor farmers in pointed out Karanjavane village in Shirurthat Taluka his mother’s identity (45 km from Pune), Ingale lost his had been forged file case. by histhe maternal uncles,Since who also parents at an early age. He was broughtto up lived in the village. Due to poverty and then the case has seen several twists. the need to earn to feed his family,It he out after 11th standard. Ingale has now come to a dropped point where Silloo, started growing onions on his half an farm land. He married Vaishali in who has filed the acre case, has admitted 2006 and has three children – Pranjali (6), Pallavi (4) and Shekhar (2). that she is an impostor and herlivingreal The family had been in a

to anyone to file such a petition.

BY GARGI VERMA @missgverma The division bench asked Advocate “International tourism has become HS Venegaonkar and Sailesh Thakkar, cheaper and more affordable. So everyone to get arepresenting passport and whowishes were Silloo in the travel the world,” says Atul Gotsurve, Regional Passportto Officer.

Gotsurve to which they said petition respond, was speaking to TGS at the Passport Adalat heldthe on January 6. that senior citizen was outside the There was a surge in passport generation without passports,” said sent Gotsurve. court.in 2015.The One Pune of passport the advocates was office passed 2.86 lakh new passports, That is why there are more rejections. compared 2.1 lakh passports “Nearlythe 25,000 passport applications out toto bring Sillooin into courtroom 2014, and 1.8 lakh passports in 2013. from students are rejected every Another applications year,” said. Ignorance but 30,000 she passport was nowhere to Gotsurve be found.

Theand were rejected. Talking about the childish errors are also responsible reasons for the surge, Gotsurve for the rejections. students advocate told thesaid,court that one“Most of the “International travel has become who apply for passports are from clerks had verified Silloo’s cheaper.

You can travel wherever you other states or fromidentity other parts of the want for Rs 50,000. Salaries have state. They furnish their permanent beforeso filing the class petition. skyrocketed that even a middle address asNot addresswanting proof instead of family can travel abroad. Then there where they actually live. This makes jump to Muslims any conclusion, the division is to religious tourism. go for police verification difficult,” he said.

Hajj, Buddhists travel to Sri Lanka “If the police give us a contradictory bench decided to tohear thewematter the the and Hindus have started going response, generally reject Nepal. Today the children are paying application,” he said. This can be easily daytravel, and instructed the alawyers fornext their parents’ so more and avoided. “Getting postpaid sim, a more people are travelling abroad. That bank account or a bonafide certificate to ensure that Silloo was personally is why there is such a surge in passport is not very difficult and they work as applications.” address proof. Applicants should get it present on isJanuary Studying abroad yet another 7.beforehand,” he said. reason. “Most applications we get are “Passport generation is an intricate onthepgrowing 2 from students who want passports to and lengthyContd process and

BY YOGESH SADHWANI

name is Pilloo.

It all started with a criminal petition being filed in HC on December 17, 2015. The case came up beDomestic airfore the division traffic to soarbench of JusSilloo Mistri three-fold tice Ranjit More and Justice VL P14 Achliya on January 6. When the hearing began, Jehangir, who also practices in HC as a senior counsel, pointed out that his mother’s name had been used tothan filewhatthe higher bankspetition would charge, against Thane cops.

@yogeshsadhwani Prashant Ingale, who played the second lead in Khwada, had taken alike loan yet another case in It seemed from moneylenders and THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY Bombay High NOVEMBER 7, 2015 PUNE wasn’t able to repay it Court. A senior citizen

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @TGSWeekly

Prashant Ingale in Sassoon General Hospital

kuchha house all along. Sometime last year, Ingale decided to build a pucca house and borrowed Rs 3.5 lakh from moneylenders in his village. Even though the rate of interest was way

infections, we referred her to the PICU at Sassoon Hospital.”

Insufficient or improper diet, premature birth, early marriage of the parents as well as ostracisation of girl children are among the causes of acute malnutrition. “Breast feeding is essential up to six months and thereafter the infant should have a proper diet, the failure of which leads to acute malnutrition that Radha is suffering from,” said Dr More.

Radha has been transferred to the PICU at Sassoon Hospital. A doctor treating her said that she has developed a lung infection due to SAM. Her condition is serious but stable.

“We don’t trust medical treatment provided at hospitals. My daughter is not suffering from any serious disease and she could have been cured at home,” said Sunanda.

The stopping of the health department’s Village Child Development Centre (VCDC) and Community based Therapeutic Centre (CTC) in August has given rise to child malnutrition problems, doctors say. “Under the VCDC program at Anganwadis, children were getting a proper diet. Even the CTC programme was addressing the infant malnutrition issue. These programmes were stopped by the Women and Child Development department leading to a rise in SAM cases,” said a doctor on the condition of anonymity.

The Women and Child Welfare Department conducted a survey of the 4578 Anganwadi centres in Pune district in June, which brought to light 370 cases of SAM. Daund and Baramati top the table with 46 and 44 cases respectively, while Indapur had only a single case. “There is a need for greater awareness about malnutrition in the district,” said Nitin Pawar, development officer of the Women and Child Welfare Department. dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

Ingale was confident that he would be able to repay the loans. He knew that banks would not give him as much money as loan and hence decided to borrow from private moneylenders.

His hope was the yield from his farm.

However, due to poor rainfall in his village, the crop failed this year.

Ingale wasn’t able to bear the monthly interest on his loan, let alone repay the principal amount.

“Moneylenders had started knocking on my doors. I was ashamed of my

Sadistic truck driver drags dog chained to the rear bumper across miles of tarmac in Lonikand area

BY GARGI VERMA @missgverma A dog chained to a speeding truck, being dragged across tarmac, is a disturbing sight, enough to raise the hackles of any animal lover.

But that is exactly what Baibhav Nath saw on late in the evening on January 5, as he was riding down Wagholi Road, near the Lonikand police station. A trailer truck bearing the registration number MH46 AF 5490 was speeding towards Wagholi,

existence. Hence I took the drastic step,” Ingale told TGS. On December 24, he went to the open square of his village with a can of pesticide. He consumed some of it before he was stopped by villagers.

Ingale was rushed to a private hospital in Shirur by the villagers. On the very first day the medical bill ran up to Rs 20,000 after which he was shifted to Sassoon General Hospital.

“We could not afford to pay as much and hence decided to shift him to a government hospital,” said Anil, his brother. For the last few days he had been recuperating at the hospital. “We gave him antidotes and now he is out of danger. His condition is stable and we have asked him to come once a week for follow-up,” said a medical officer at Sassoon General Hospital.

For now, Ingale is staying with his relatives in Wagholi, Pune. Anil revealed that after the incident, he tried reaching out to some of the actors and director of the film Khwada. “No one even came to see him, let alone offer help,” said Anil.

The 27-year-old bagged the role of Panda in film by accident. “The film was being shot around my village and I would go to see the entire process every day.

The actor, who had been given the role of Panda, was not doing his job well. So I just walked up to the director Bhaurao Karhade and told him that I would be able to do the role easily. He gave me a shot and I bagged the role,” said Ingale.

He got paid Rs 15,000 for the role, for which he worked for two months. The film won two national awards – Best Director and Best Sound – in 2015. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

NOT MY MOTHER Specialising in tax matters, Jehangir Mistri got to know about the petition

Dog tied to a trailer dragged for kms in Pune with a dog chained by its hind legs to its bumper. Dragged across tarmac at speed, the tortured animal was yelping and yowling in agony. Baibhav did his best to get the truck driver to stop, but in vain. All he could manage was clicking pictures of the canine’s gruesome ordeal at the hands of the sadistic truck driver.

Baibhav was unable to contact PETA when he reached home but he posted one of the pictures he had clicked on the Facebook page of ‘People For Animals (PFA), Pune’,

with the message, ‘Truck number MH46AF5490 dragging a dog on the streets of Pune. Poor dog suffered severe injuries and couldn’t take the brutality of this inhumane truck driver.

Please advice how to bring this monster to justice.”

Animal lovers and activists were quick to respond, one of whom, Anson Joseph took it upon himself to see justice being done. The founder of Animal Care Empowered (ACE), which aims to curb cruelty to animals, Joseph said, “No one should be allowed to get away with such sadistic behaviour.”

Joseph visited the spot on Wagholi Road with Baibhav. Even Baibhav does not know for what distance the dog had been pitilessly dragged across tarmac, when he saw it, but the scrapes and bruises were visible on the hapless animal’s body. Joseph later discovered that the dog had died from the injuries sustained. He found the dog’s body near the toll naka further down the same road on January 7. gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

mother’s lawyers. told inthe Big upward surge in passportHe generation 2015court as more and more people can afford travel authority that his mother hadforeign not given

appear for GRE and IELTS exams.

Studying abroad is the current trend and more and more students are applying to foreign universities, which generally don’t accept applications

BY YOGESH SADHWANI @yogeshsadhwani While the Pune police was grappling to register a case against the driver

“The civic body is trying to provide good roads and footpaths to citizens but some people are digging them, thus causing hardships to citizens. Police complaints must be lodged against the guilty , no matter who they are.”

— Ajit Pawar, NCP Leader

of the trailer which dragged a stray dog for several kms in Wagholi on Tuesday evening, TGS tracked him down. We were able to speak to him on Wednesday evening while he was

P10

Baibhav Nath and Anson Joseph lodged an FIR against the truck driver in Lonikand

The dog was tied by its hind leg to the truck’s bumper and dragged for kms

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and section 119 (beats, goads, overworks, ill-treats or tortures an animal) of The Bombay Police Act. Police was yet to even begin the process of tracing the driver. “We will try to track down the driver and present him before the court,” said Rajaram Godambe, police naik attached to Lonikand police station.

Meanwhile, TGS managed to get the details of the trailer’s registration. The vehicle registered with PanvelKhopoli is in the name of Sharad Gund, a resident of Kamothe in Sharad Gund Navi Mumbai.

Gund, who is a director in Shree Sai Shipping Agency Pvt Ltd, revealed that his driver Jailal did not mention anything about the Wagholi incident. Few minutes later Gund called back and said, “The driver found out about the dog tied to the vehicle while he was on the road. He did

not tie the animal to the trailer,” said Gund.

Jailal on his part said, “Us kutte ne thode hi mera khana churaya tha jo main use marta (that dog had not stolen my food for me to kill it).”

As for not stopping for several kms despite people chasing him, he said, “Motorists did try to stop me and kept howling at me. Till then I hadn’t figured anything about the dog. I thought they were trying to loot me and hence stepped on the accelerator.

It was only later when I heard someone tell me about the dog, that I realised what the commotion was all about. Hence I stopped the truck on an empty road and untied the dog.

I am not sure if the animal was alive or dead by then. It wasn’t making any sound though,” said Jailal. He kept insisting that he had no role to play in tying the dog to his trailer.

“Somebody must have tied it to my vehicle. Main Madhay Pradesh se Maharashtra kutta marne nahin aya (I haven’t come to Maharashtra from my hometown in Madhya Pradesh to kill animals),” he concluded. yogesh.sadhwani@goldensparrow.com

UPA concluded Netaji died in plane crash P12

RAHUL RAUT

Low onion prices bring tears to growers’ eyes

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1

Bhausaheb Rasankar, 40, is wondering how he is going to pay back the Rs 53,000 he has taken from a private money lender at a whopping 36 per cent interest, to cultivate onions on his one-acre farm. He lives in Golegaon, a village in Shevgaon tehsil in Ahmednagar district. His yield has been just 1.5 tonnes against an average of five tonnes. He spent all of the loan on planting, watering, pesticides/fertilisers, sprinklers, sacks and transportation to the district market, excluding labour costs. What THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY he earned fromJANUARY the sale Rs 10 per 9, 2016atPUNE kg two months ago (back then retail price was Rs 40) brought in just Rs 15,000, amounting to a Rs 36,000 loss.

“Storm water becomes Kids love Company promises jobs, And what he earned was spent on thea problem every monsoon. The detailed project report at creating the database of storm water upkeep of his 11-member jointaims family. alphabet dupes several people of drainage systems.

“My well has run dry. I paidIt will Rs also give the location, length and width teachers Rs 250 crore of drainage channels.”

15,000 on 14 tankerloads of water.

P10 P12 — Ashiwini Kadam, the head of the standing committee The crop production dropped by 80 The wholesale onion prices are so low that farmers like Arjun Nanavare from Satara Arjun Lendal from Paithan Taluka in Aurangabad district sold 36 tonnes of his Bhausaheb Rasankar from Shevagaon in per cent. Now I have no option but to have decided not to sell. Instead they have stored their produce produce. He has held back quite a bit of his stock due to falling prices Nagar district suffered a huge loss commit suicide,” Rasankar said.He is not the only one in such distress.

Farmers barely get Rs 3 to 5 per kg which yielded less than 30 per cent of cultivate sugarcane and onion. He once the rainy season starts, as onions has to buy water. Besides onion, he also farmers,” he said. The Pune market for their produce of onions, while in his investment. He sold 31 tonnes of also has a two-acre pomegranate farm. rot quickly,” he said. There are as much cultivates jowar, bajra and cotton. His gets 100 to 150 trucks of onions every the city we end up buying them for Rs onions for Rs 3 per kg. He has kept 11 He owes Rs 7.5 lakh to private money as 25,000 tonnes of unsold onions in family includes mother Sakharabai, day.

10. Falling prices of onions are good tonnes of onions in a temporary shed, lenders as well as banks. The water the village, waiting for prices to rise. wife Mira, brother Ajinath and his Traders blame surplus production news for consumers, but it has left the waiting for the prices to rise. “I have to pipeline cost Rs six lakh. Now the Nanavare is Sarpanch of Dhuldev wife Manisha. Bhausaheb and Ajinath and government export policies. “The growers in dire straits, with neither repay the Rs five lakh loan which I had family has to repay the loan, but the village and has a 12-acre farm where work as sugarcane cutters. Ajinath and regulatory body increases duties when bumper production nor fair prices. to take for farming expenses,” he said. onion prices have let them down. he cultivates sugarcane, onion, grapes. his wife went to Daund sugar factory onions sell for high prices in the local Prashant who not facing water Big upward surge in RAJANDEKAR passport generation in 2015 as to more Hence I tookinthe the drasticwestern ANIRUDDHA Even in Ingale, the regions Lendal owns a seven-acre plot Itexistence. is the same Onion cultivation is not profitable this cut sugarcane in September last year. market, leading to falling prices. step,” Ingale told TGS. played the second lead in and moreyear people can afford foreign travel Pingale, who gave two policies acre property shortages, farmers were unable to of land where water is available for belt. Arjun Ramchandra Nanavare, and he has to repay the Rs ten Nilesh Thorat from Market Yard is Thehisexport keep changing, On December 24, he went to the Khwada, of his village with a in can Satara recover 25had pertaken cent aofloan their investment. farming in summer. There is water 41, open fromsquare Dhuldev village lakh to a private bank. His well is the a middleman between the farmers and hampering exports, and leading on rent, has accused Pawar of cheating and to

BY GARGI VERMA of pesticide. He consumed some of it from moneylenders and Arjun Lendal, 43, lives in pipeline from Jaikwadi dam to the district, 10-12 tonnes, which source of water for his farm. the buyers. “Last year was a good one losses. There is a 50 per cent drop in beforeproduced he was stopped by villagers. @missgverma wasn’t able to repay it was arushed a private for the wants his overdue rent for three Karhetakali village in Paithan taluka farm but he is not getting enough he has Ingale kept in shed,towaiting Bhausaheb Rasankar owns a sixfor onion farmers. forgery.

This led toHe surplus exports due to government indifference “International tourism has become hospital in Shirur by the villagers. On in Aurangabad district. He cultivated water owing to the ongoing scarcity. prices gofirstup. should 15 and acremore farm in Golegaon of Shevgaon production and prices started falling towardsback farmers,” said Shivlal Bhosale, cheaper affordable.

So theto very day“We the medical bill get ran Rs years and hisperproperty TUSHAR RUPANAVAR everyone wishes to get a passport and up tonot Rs 20,000 afterI which heRs was60,000 42BY tonnes of surplus onion on his fourHis family includes wife Mukta, son per kg, Rs six. spent tehsil in Ahmednagar district.

His from January.

The current Rs 2-7 president of Adat association. @TGSWeekly travel the world,” says Atul Gotsurve, shifted to Sassoon General Hospital. acre farm, investing Rs three lakh, Deepak and daughter Komal. They per acre.

Wenotmay forced to sell it Passport well has runGotsurve dry in December, so he kg price is causing huge losses for onion dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com Regional Officer.

“We could affordbe to pay as much

Pune has a constant flow of young volunteers from foreign shores who are doing their bit to make the world a better place See Spotlight, p06 & 07

National Award winning film’s actor attempts suicide Prashant Ingale, actor of National award winning Marathi film Khwada, attempted suicide recently owing to a debt he had taken last year. The actor who played the role of Panda, elder brother of the protagonist Balu (played

by Bhau Shinde) in the film, consumed pesticide on December 24, in a bid to end his life. He was rushed to a private hospital where his bill on the first day itself ran up to Rs 20,000. He was later shifted to state run Sassoon General Hospital in Pune. He was discharged on Saturday, January 2.

Born in a family of poor farmers in Prashant Ingale in Sassoon General Hospital Karanjavane village in Shirur Taluka (45 km from Pune), lost his BYIngale VICKY PATHARE up by his maternal uncles, who also parents at an early age. He was brought @vickypathare2 lived in the village. Due to poverty and the need to earn to feed his family, he dropped out after 11th standard. Ingale In a bit to end hardships of started the beneficiaries ofhis half an growing onions on farm government, land. He married Vaishali in the Food Security Act, theacre state 2006 and has three children – Pranjali in a first of its kind initiative, will soon send (6), Pallavi (4) and Shekhar (2). familyabout had been automated messages informingThe them theliving in a kuchha house all along. Sometime last availability of foodgrains at year,fair Ingaleprice decidedshops to build a pucca house and borrowed Rs 3.5 (FPS). The district supply office (DSO) will be lakh from moneylenders in his village. Even the apex body at the district level the was way though to themonitor rate of interest

Sharad Pawar’s nephew sued by a Pune landowner

Travelling abroad in no longer a preserve of a select few

was speaking to TGS at the Passport and hence decided to shift him to a Adalat held on January 6. government hospital,” said Anil, his There was a surge in passport brother. For the last few days he had generation in 2015.The Pune passport without passports,” said Gotsurve. been recuperating at the hospital. “We office passed 2.86 lakh new passports, That is why there are more rejections. gave him antidotes and now he is out of compared to 2.1 lakh passports in “Nearly 25,000 passport applications danger. His condition is stable and we 2014, and 1.8 lakh passports in 2013. from students are rejected every have asked him to come once a week Another 30,000 passport applications year,” Gotsurve said. Ignorance and for follow-up,” said a medical officer at were rejected. Talking about the childish errors are also responsible Sassoon General Hospital. reasons for the surge, Gotsurve said, for the rejections. “Most students For now, Ingale is staying with “International travel has become who apply for passports are from his relatives in Wagholi, Pune. Anil cheaper. You can travel wherever you other states or from other parts of the revealed that after the incident, he want for Rs 50,000. Salaries have state. They furnish their permanent tried reaching out to some of the actors skyrocketed so that even a middle class address as address proof instead of and director of the film Khwada. “No family can travel abroad. Then there where they actually live. This makes one even came to see him, let alone BY GARGI VERMA is religious tourism.

Muslims go for police verification difficult,” he said. offer help,” said Anil.

Hajj, Buddhists travel to Sri Lanka “If the police give us a contradictory The 27-year-old bagged the role of @missgverma and Hindus have started going to response, we generally reject the Panda in film by accident. “The film was Nepal. Today the children are paying application,” he said. This can be easily being shot around my village and I would for their parents’ travel, more children and avoided. “Getting a postpaid sim, a go to see the entire process every day.

Parents seeking admission for sotheir more people are travelling abroad. That bank account or a bonafide certificate The actor, who had been given the role under theSo Right Education (RTE) Act are is whyto there is such a surge in passport is not very difficult and they work as of Panda, was not doing his job well. applications.” address proof. Applicants should get it I just walked up to the director Bhaurao befuddled again. Children living in Pashan Studying abroad is yet another beforehand,” he said.

Karhade and told him that I would be and Baner have been given admission in“Passport generation is an intricate reason. “Most applications we get are able to do the role easily. He gave me a from students who want passports to and lengthy process and the growing shot and I bagged the role,” said Ingale. schools in Alandi and Lonavala respectively. appear for GRE and IELTS exams. numbers make it even more important He got paid Rs 15,000 for the role, for “We had applied for admission and in the Studying abroad is the current trend for us to be accurate,” said Gotsurve. which he worked for two months. The and child more and students are “A passport is as necessary as an film won two national first awardsround, – Best our wasmore given the Sanskar applying to foreign universities, which Aadhar card,” he said.

Director and Best Sound – in 2015.

Gurukul School in Alandi, goodapplications 26 kms from generally don’t accept gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

BY GITESH SHELKE AND YOGESH SADHWANI @TGSWeekly

State to notify locals about RTE kids expected to travel foodgrains supply via SMS 55 kms for their school

system, But the non-availability of funds could

higher than what banks would charge, Ingale was confident that he would be able to repay the loans. He knew that banks would not give him as much money as loan and hence decided to borrow from private moneylenders.

His hope was the yield from his farm.

However, due to poor rainfall in his village, the crop failed this year.

Ingale wasn’t able to bear the monthly interest on his loan, let alone repay the principal amount.

“Moneylenders had started knocking on my doors. I was ashamed of my

our home in Pashan,” said father of a child

JULY 11, 2015

PUNE

S

H

San a fa His him pla Ha he Ala mru

Wa on bus con the it any 4,0 bus the cha and eve buy from yea tea San skil SP

Every year, the youngsters wait for the Warkaris to begin their pilgrimage to Pandharpur. That’s when they take up odd jobs to earn enough money to pay for their education

S

enough to pay for their education for the rest of the year.

While for several lakh people who converge from all over Maharashtra, Wari is just a pilgrimage. For around 300 students, it’s more than that. It’s an opportunity to make money – not to pay for their hobbies, but for their books and uniforms. Kiran and Santosh bring out their kerosene stoves, kettle, and everything else that they need to become chaiwalas. Satish, Tejas and Shubhangi apply tilak to the devotees, while Sambhaji brings out his magnet to fish out coins from the river. They make anywhere between Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 during Wari. While some of them go back to being students once the Warkaris leave Alandi and Dehu, there are those who travel all the way to Pandharpur to make the most of the pilgrimage. The kids walk on the Ghats of Indrayani river serving tea or applying tilak on the foreheads of the warkaris and other visitors.

This year too, the students have converged at the starting points for the annual 18-day long pilgrimage to Pandharpur on foot, the highlight

BY GITESH SHELKE @gitesh_shelke It’s time for Wari. The pilgrimage in which lakhs of people walk to Pandharpur also enables likes of Kiran, Santosh, Shubhangi, among others, to fund their education. As lakhs of devotees start gathering at Alandi and Dehu, kids from poor families put on their working shoes. From selling chai, to applying tilak, and even fishing out coins from the river, the students choose to capitalise on the crowd than attend their schools and colleges.

This is the only time they can earn a decent sum,

Kiran Pawar, 16

aggressive chaiwalas in the crowd, it takes Kiran Pawar a while to sell an entire kettle. Once through with his supply, he rushes to a corner, where he has kept a kerosene stove and his wares. Armed with a fresh pot of tea, he once again mingles with the crowd hesitantly.

Kiran is a student of standard X at Raja Shiv Chhatrapati Vidyalaya, Alandi. At a time when

others in his class are worried about their studies in the crucial year, Kiran has several other issues bothering him. His prime concern is funding his education, buying books, uniform and household items to make it through the year.

Originally from a village near Manmad, Kiran becomes a chaiwala when warkaris come into town. A few years ago, his parents,

of the state’s calendar of religious ceremonies.

Some of the kids are accompanied by their parents. Some of these children are regular to the Wari, since their early age, and do same tricks to earn little amount of money.

A startling feature is despite doing well at their businesses, they never lose sight of their ultimate goal – to focus on education and break away from shackles of poverty. “This does get me good money. But this is not what I want to do all my life. I want to become a big man and see to it that my parents stop working as farm labourers,” said one of the chaiwalas, before swiftly moving on to a potential customer.

In all this, they do not trivialise the importance of the pilgrimage. They rattle off how the 250-km walk to Pandharpur with Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi and Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi is all about paying respect to Lord Vitthal on Ashadi Ekadashi. “Someday I want to go with them, not as a chaiwala, but just another devotee,” concludes 16-year-old Kiran. gitesh.shelke@goldensparrow.com

who are farm labourers, shipped him to Alandi. They wanted him to get proper education and not get caught in the battle for survival, like they have been for years now. Kiran and a few of his friends have rented a small room at Hanumanwadi on Chakan Road where they stay together.

“My parents are not that well off. They are farm labourers and toil through the day just to make ends meet. I feel really bad that they have to pay for my expenses here just because they want me to make it big someday. I just don’t want to become a burden on them and do this to make some money to ease pressure on them,” said the 16-year-old. Every year as the Wari festival begins and Warkaris start pouring into Alandi, Kiran gets his stove and kettle out and turns into a chaiwala. “I do my bit to make life easier for my parents. I make Rs 200-300 a day by selling tea, which I spend on my uniform and schoolbooks. Thankfully the festival is around the time that school reopens. Th is way I don’t have to be without books for too long,” said Kiran. Last year, he made Rs 3,000 during palkhi season.

The teenager explains that other than toiling on others’ fields, his parents also own a small piece of land. “We grow wheat and corn on it. But the yield from the field is just about enough to feed our family,” said Kiran.

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 24, 2015

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

PUNE

OCTOBER 24, 2015

PUNE

David Vs Goliath plays out in the PAGES: 16+16 (TGS LIFE) | PRICE: `5

We are the world

Personal plane that can take off from garden

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

helps these kids go to school

T

trailer with a dog chained by its hind legs to its bumper. Dragged across tarmac at speed, the tortured animal was yelping and yowling in agony.

Baibhav did his best to get the truck driver to stop, but in vain. All he could manage was click pictures of the canine’s gruesome ordeal at the hands of the sadistic truck driver, which he posted on Facebook.

The Facebook post sparked lots of responses, most of them outraged at the callous driver. Likes of Manoj Oswal, founder of PFA Pune and Anson Joseph, founder of Animal Care Empowered (ACE), took it upon themselves t—o see justice being done. At the time of going to press, Baibhav and Anson had just finished lodging an FIR with Lonikand police station against the ‘unkown driver of the trailer’. The driver had been charged under sections 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle), section 279 (rash driving) of the Indian Penal Code, section 11(1) (beats, kicks, over-rides, over-drives, over-loads, tortures or otherwise treats any animal so as to subject it to unnecessary pain or suffering) of The

About AdAr PoonAwAllA Adar, 34, is CEO and Executive Director of Serum Institute of India Ltd, one of the leading manufacturers of vaccine in the world. His father Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla, Chairman and Managing Director of the company has managed to create a Rs 4,000 crore empire over the years.

Adar went to St Edmund’s School, Canterbury, from the age of 10 and later went on to do his bachelors from the University of Westminster. He returned to Pune at the age of 21 and ever since has been helping his father with the company. bapudeedwania@gmail.com

Wari

his 16-year-old doesn’t look a regular chaiwala. Dressed in a school uniform, he goes around holding a kettle and plastic cups. Intermittently, in a shrill voice he announces, “chai”. Not many in the crowd can hear him. Once in a while people spot him, figure that he is selling tea and place an order.

He quickly serves tea, pockets the money and moves on. Unlike other

‘Main Madhya Pradesh se Maharashtra kutta marne nahin aya’ on his way to Surat with a shipment.

Jailal Kumar Bahiya (26) claimed that he had no role to play in tying the dog behind his 40 feet trailer.

Jailal, who has been working with Navi Mumbai based Shree Sai Shipping Services for four years, claimed he got to know about the dog being tied to his vehicle a km after he had begun the journey. “I emptied the container at a godown in Wagholi around 8.10 pm. After I hit the road, a km ahead somebody on the road told me about a dog being tied to my truck. But the road was very congested and narrow. I couldn’t have stopped to untie the dog as that would have led to a traffic jam. So I navigated through the traffic. When I reached a toll naka on ShikrapurChakan Road, I parked on the side and untied the dog,” said Jailal. He claimed that on Tuesday he was on his way to back to Navi Mumbai after offloading his vehicle at Wagholi, when the incident took place.

Jailal’s trailer MH46 AF 5490 was spotted by a Fujifilm employee Baibhav Nath on Tuesday night. The Wagholi resident saw a speeding

TGS has strived to br them to you, dear rea

numbers make it even more important for us to be accurate,” said Gotsurve.

“A passport is as necessary as an Aadhar card,” he said. gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

PUNE, NOVEMBER 7, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

This is what the driver of the trailer, which dragged a stray dog for several kms in Pune, had to say when tracked down by TGS

Even on its way to the city, mounted atop a truck, via Mumbai-Pune highway, it managed to attract the attention of a whole lot of motorists.

When TGS contacted Adar, he said that the vehicle was a result of his son’s imagination. “It is made on an S-Class chassis, longer than a Rolls-Royce Phantom two-seater, and has been created as a result of my son’s imagination. I think it is an example to everyone, including myself, that are limited only by our PICS we

BY ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR imagination. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it and have the will to see it through.”

Sure Adar, inspiration indeed, it is.

P12

National Award winning film’s actor attempts suicide

Mistrust of hospitals by her parents has delayed the treatment for little Radha who is suffering from acute malnutrition

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dbhonde1

in Matheran is used to house tourists. “The property is neither a lodge nor a resort. We maintain it ourselves,” she said.

Little did she realise that the property is advertised extensively on the internet and the bungalow in fact has a website of its own. The As ‘Fleetwood Iraqi lives website states that – Aand house in the Clouds’ is ‘apt communities for nature lovers, continue travellers and to adventurous homosapiens who are in search of be war-devastated, many experiencing the old world charm and travel youngsters apply for refugee back in time’. The owners offer ‘an all inclusive status move to Pune package of meals andand accommodation’.

The property according to www.fl eetwoodhouse.com leaving behind bloody battles can accommodate ‘20-25 people’. Each guest is at home charged is Rs 2,750 per day during his stay in See Spotlight, p9 the luxury property.

Locals say that they have taken up the issue of illegal hotels in Matheran with the authorities and pointed at Nihlani’s palatial property as well, but in vain. Interestingly, way back in 2011 a survey of such illegal and unlicensed hotels, resorts and home-stays was conducted by the revenue department and 45 properties were shortlisted. They were all served notices. Nihalani’s property does not figure in the 2011 list.

“I can’t comment on why action was not taken before, as I wasn’t posted here then. All I can say that as soon we get the orders, we shall conduct a fresh survey and take action,” explained Chandak.

See inside: Your favourite hill station is decaying, p08 & 09

RAHUL RAUT

rrow.com

Deprived of basic Did you know amenities

PUNE, APRIL 2, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

Sharad Pawar’s nephew Jayant Pawar is in the limelight yet again.

A land owner from Koregaon Park, Pune has accused Pawar of cheating and forgery. Sharad Pingale, 86, has filed a criminal and also a civil case against Pawar, his wife Nicola and Jonas Holdings Pvt Ltd (JHPL), a company that Pawar used to run, among others.

Contd on p 4

Malnourished girl fighting for her life Two and a half year old Radha is paying a price

Kalyani family

BY YOGESH SADHWANI @yogeshsadhwani

T

here’s trouble brewing in one of the wealthiest families in Pune.

Sheetal Kalyani, 27, granddaughter of the pioneer of forging industry, Dr Neelkanth Kalyani, has fi led a case seeking partition of the family assets. The suit fi led in Pune Civil Court, Senior Division is against nine members of Kalyani family and 174 business entities run by the family. The 27-year-old has alleged that her uncle Baba Kalyani has usurped several family assets. The suit fi led in November 2014 is up for hearing on November 5, 2015.

Those against whom Sheetal has fi led the suit include her father Gaurishankar, mother Rohini, brother Viraj, uncle Baba Kalyani, cousin Amit and his wife Deeksha, aunt Sunita, grandmother Sulochana and aunt Sugandha Hiremath. While seeking 1/9th share in the family properties, she has sought partition of wealth acquired and invested in various companies including Bharat Forge, a USD 2.5 billion conglomerate.

Sheetal Kalyani, 27, has sought her share of the family assets and has filed a case against the entire Kalyani clan, including her own parents as well as her uncle Baba Kalyani, one among the country’s wealthiest businessman said to be worth USD 2.3 Billion

Deeksha A Kalyani ABK’s Wife 1973

Amit B Kalyani (ABK)

FUNDS GIVEN TO AUNT The petition states that family funds were given to Sugandha Hiremath (Dr Neelkanth’s daughter) to start Hikal Limited. “The late Dr Neelkanth and Sulochana (his wife) also gave cash and jewellery belonging to the joint family and vario

1975

Kalyani clan courtroom saga intensifies

Sunita B Kalyani BNK’s Wife 1951

FAMILY WEALTH The suit begins with explaining how her great grandfather Rao Saheb Anappa N Kalyani carried on business as a trader and agriculturist and amassed huge wealth. He and his family formed a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) known as ANK HUF. “The entire property amassed by Late Rao Saheb Anappa N Kalyani was the property of ANK HUF,” states the petition. After his death in 1954, his son Dr Neelkanth Kalyani took over as head or Karta of ANK HUF. “Dr Neelkanth Kalyani further set up and started businesses by using and utilising funds of the joint family which formed the nucleus for further expansion of businesses started by him and flourished by him,” states the petition, adding that Dr Neelkanth Kalyani started NAK HUF, a smaller entity within ANK HUF over a period of time. Sheetal, in her suit, states that after Dr Neelkanth’s death in August 2013, Baba Kalyani “is purporting to hold himself out as the Karta of the NAK HUF”.

Parents Gaurishankar and Rohini accused of being hand in glove with daughter Sheetal

NAK’s Son 1949

Married 1972

A Hindu Undivided Family is defined under the Hindu Law as a family that consists of all persons lineally descended from a common ancestor, including wives and unmarried daughters. This means membership of a HUF does not come from a contract but from status of the person in such families. A HUF cannot be formed by a group of people who do not constitute a family. Lineal descendents with a common ancestor is a must.

The property owned by this family will be through lineal ascendants or any ancestors. In an HUF, the Karta is the senior most male member of the family and in financial terms he can also be called manager of the family. In this account a corpus is created where every family member can pool their income. The corpus will be handled by or authorised to handle by Karta.

SHARE IN THE PIE Sheetal states that family funds held by the HUFs were used to set up businesses, acquire properties, buy jewellery, among others. “There is nucleus and nexus between joint family funds and properties. The plaintiff (Sheetal) as a member of the NAK HUF, joint family, has pre-existing right, title and share in all these joint family properties,” she states.

BY GARGI VERMA @missgverma

BUSINESSES The petition details how over the years using funds from the two HUFs several businesses were started including Bharat Forge, and have now prospered. She has sought her share in the businesses. “Over the course of time, using funds of NAK HUF or income derived from businesses formed and commenced out of the funds, companies and other entities were acquired and formed in the names of members of the said HUFs or companies under their control,” the suit states.

Sheetal has listed 174 such businesses entities in the petition.

The Kalyani clan legal wrangles are getting more intense. At the November 5 hearing, Sulochana Kalyani’s lawyers accused the parents, Gaurishankar and Rohini of being hand in glove with their daughter, Sheetal Kalyani who has sought partition of family wealth and filed a suit for the same in Pune Civil Court.

The courtroom was packed to the rafters on the noon of November 5, everyone eager to see what came next in the elite family’s current feud. The post-lunch hearing in the Civil Courtroom number 6, was presided over by Judge V S Malkapatte Reddy, and was attended by four sets of lawyers representing individuals from the Kalyani family.

Contd on p2

TRUSTS Sheetal’s petition also lists several trusts that were set up from family wealth and now own several properties. “The late Dr Neelkanth settled various private trusts out of the joint family funds. The said trusts purchased various properties,” states the petition which has listed out names of multiple trusts set up from family funds. Sheetal wants a share of this pie too.

JEWELLERY “Various ornaments and jewellery were purchased out of the joint family funds… The plaintiff (Sheetal) does not have details presently,” states the petition, adding that once she has the details of the jewellery acquired from family funds, she will list them for partition.

Baba Kalyani

Baba N Kalyani (BNK)

WHAT IS HUF?

Sheetal Kalyani

Neelkanth A Kalyani ( NA ANK’s Son

1926 - 2013 Married 1947

Parvati N Kalyani ANK’s Wife 1890 - 1962

Annappa N Kalyani (ANK) 1884 - 1954

La a Sarva M

Their deceased kin continue to live on m

m

m m w

ww

w

w

w

m

w m

m

m w

w m

nd

V a Dhama e 54

d m

nd n

n

Ganpa Lo e 53 A

E T

Paya Kukre a 22 I

THE GOLDEN SPARROW JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

• Katraj – Mojhe Vidyalaya Why are so many PMC schoo • Dhankawadi – Na Ta Wadi • Appar Depot – Kondhwa Gate students ma nour shed?

• Pune Station – NDA Gate • Bharati Vidyapeeth – Shivajinagar Station P3 • Manapa Bhavan – Warje Malwadi • Hadapsar – Katraj • Pune Station – Swargate • Katraj – Hadapsar • Warje Malwadi - Wagholi • Nigdi (Via Aundh) – Pune station • Hadapsar – Warje Malwadi • Upper Depot/Lake Town – Shivajinagar Station • Upper Depot – Shivajinagar Station • Katraj – Lohegoan • Manapa Bhavan – Balewadi/Mojhe Vidyalaya • Narhe gaon – Shivajinagar Station • Hadapsar – Wagholi (Keshnand Phata)

THAN MEETS THE EYE CITY The odds are stacked against people with criminal records as society is nd not willing to look past the taint and stigma. But there are exceptions who RSARY E V I N N A N have served their time behind bars and IO T A R B still managed toC retain ELEa zest for life See Spotlight, p08 & 09

turn a new leaf

Autorickshaw driver’s son goes on to become India’s youngest IAS officer PUNE,

27, Y 27, FEBRUAR

2016

row.com oldenspar | www.theg

HAVE THEY ED THEIR DANC

Restaurateur chases German national with a baseball bat on a busy street Pune Meet Mr & Ms Do-Goodersranks second in eyeball donation TO WAYRY GLO

ts share exponen stars dance the classical reached leading they’ve The city’sg tales of how hard work inspirin dedication and through

Ansar Ahmad Shaikh cleared UPSC exams in his first attempt

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar

Ansar Ahmad Shaikh, son of an autorickshaw driver, cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination in his first attempt. The 21-year-old went on to become the youngest candidate to have cracked the civil services exams.

In the UPSC results that were Congratulating Ansar Shaikh on his success declared on Tuesday, Ansar ranked 361. He is from the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, and is certain of abuses his mother. getting into the Indian Administrative Despite adverse circumstances, Service (IAS).

Ansar focused on his studies – went Ansar, who will celebrate his to Shelgaon Zilla Parishad School and 22nd birthday on June 1, hails from secured 76 per cent in 10th standard, Shelgaon village, Jalna district in the opted for arts in junior college and drought-hit Marathwada region. His mcleared 12thstandard with 91 per father Ahmad is an autorickshaw cent. He then came to Pune for H driver. Ansar explained that his father further studies. Ansar took admission w is an alcoholic and often physically in Fergusson College for his BA. P

m

m

m

w

w

m C

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

—D

JULY 11, 2015

PUNE

F

B

m

M

TGS LIFE

They Have Danced Their Way To Glory

MUMBAI

A garage for the price of a penthouse!

P2

Simultaneously he started studying for the UPSC exams.

Ansar put in 13 hours of study every day for UPSC. He passed BA with political science as special subject, with 73 per cent in 2015. In the same year he appeared for UPSC exams and opted for political science.

“I am happy to see my name in the final list of UPSC and told my parents

P5

the good news. My brother, who works in a garage, has supported me through it all. Without his help, it would have been impossible for me to achieve this,” said Ansar. He added, “I am marginalised in three categories - I come from a backward region, I am a Muslim and am from a poor economic background.”

As for his future plans, Ansar wants to focus on some key areas once he joins the services. “I want to work for religious harmony, women’s empowerment and rural development.

As an administrator, I will be able to work on these issues. I want to work for Hindu-Muslim harmony as I have seen religious tension in my village.

My sisters were married off at the ages of 14 and 15. My father beats my mother. Therefore I have decided to work for women’s empowerment.

Farmers’ suicides are a serious and administrators can do a lot to solve this issue. I want to serve the people of my country honestly. It takes patience to clear competitive examinations,” concluded Ansar. tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

NG HE TI

Harassed by cops, youth attempts sui

Family of yout attempted suic that the police and beat him u for no reason

RAHUL RAUT

BY YOGESH SADHWANI @yogeshsadhwani

The incident in question occurred last Saturday at 9 pm in Salunke Vihar, To give is better than to receive. ToPune. According to a complaint filed In ado case of road rage, aexpecting restaurateuranything and with the Kondhwa police station, Anuj good without his son assaulted a German national and and Caroline had stepped out for dinner in return may seem like adages that her partner on NIBM Road on February and were looking for a spot to park their belong to a generation past but PATHARE Hanumant Chavan said,Edward, “The demand 27.BY TheVICKY father-son duo, identified as there motorbike near a cafe. Sean who for are who look hurled beyond the eyeballs is much higher Sean andsome Kyle people Edwards, allegedly used to work with an airlineand as athere cabinis gap @Vickypathare2 horizons of theirGerman own happiness do director abuses, tried choking national and service untiland recently andThere is noware ten between demand supply. their toseen make this a slightly Betram, threatened her than and starting a restaurant in Mohammedwadi, PuneCaroline has bit moreworld eye donors for every 100 patients. There everyone her better partnerplace Anuj Saxena with wheel in his Tata Safari 1417 eye donations infor 2015-16, underdire the was is a on risethe in awareness about eye donations consequences, and even chased them Caroline explained centrally-aided National Programme for behind amongthem. common people but thethat demand withofaBlindness baseball bat.

All this because since they had slowed down their bike Control (NPCB), which puts is also rising.

Considering the population

BY GARGI VERMA to do the right thing, and do Caroline and Anujplace wereamong riding slowly were blocking the car’s the district second the 35for theand of Punepossibly district compared to path, Mumbai, ANDinSHAILESH JOSHI what they can welfare of the underprivileged. @TGSWeekly looking for a spot to park their bike and Edwards to honk incessantly. districts in the state.

Pune is continued doing well.“ District programme not all of us the WeEdwards happened to beThankfully, behind Once they Dr hadVparked the bike said, on the“There Health department statistics thatuncaring manager N Shirshikar live in truly all-out self- areshow completely and them in their SUV. side of the road, the car halted right nextin the centred and toself-obsessed jaded.

There are those who,23 centres in Pune district Pune contributed over 19 per cent of the are times, wherethe no one has the owing to circumstances or and Edwards ‘harshly abused’ Despite gravity the incident, to them 7,301 eyes collected from allofover the state. time or the least inclination chance, have chosen tocity devoteand in tehsils. The officials conduct Kondhwa initially registered athe upliftment Caroline and Anuj. toexpect pay heedpolice to another, leave themselves toto Officials donations for 2016-2017 programmes at colleges, schools and lending a helping hand.of of those lessand fortunate.“Anuj And in replied calmly and requested the Caroline Betram with her partner Anuj Saxena nonalone cognisable offence assault be higher.

Mumbai the list doing withso,a total even stage street plays to create awareness With the Indian tops cities mostly they have happened intimidation against the to Edwards. man to drop his harsh tone. The car went unplanned and haphazard comePune upon a amongst reward, of 2,139 eyes collected, followed by the people.”

It was only Caroline and if Anuj aheadisand parked on the side. Then, the Germany, who is on a tourist visa in am a woman. Instead, the man grabbed growth, thereafter is a huge and which, less than material, with 1417, Thaneforwith 781 and Nagpur Eyes can be donated by anyone from unaccounted a profound one nevertheless, me by my neck and shoulder,” added persisted that thepopulation cops agreed to file driver and his son left their vehicle and India, told TGS. which of the most the kind that delivers a witha452.

Theis deprived target for April the ages of two to 70. They can be stored On seeing that the Edwards were Caroline. When Anuj, who was busy first report 2015-March (FIR) threea meaning walked basic information of necessities, including contentment, to towards us, continuing to abuse 2016days foreducation.

Pune was 1,900, of which 74 per for almost days with and are to beand donated that goes getting aggressive and might harm calming Kyle, saw that his girlfriend was later. The father and sonlifehave beenbeyondus.human Anuj triedfour to speak the man This is a scenario that understanding. cent booked was achieved. within four six hours of a person’s Anuj, Caroline stepped between her being choked, he tried to break Sean’s for assault and negligence but are urged him to to settle the matter amicably.death. should be of grave concern to Here are a few such revicky.pathare@ goldensparrow.com Deputy director of health services Dr partner and Sean. “I stood between grip. After a bit of struggle Anuj was able yet to arrested. Meanwhile, the couple anybe right-thinking individual markable people. Both father and son did not stop and but as stated above, there are tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com has alleged that the sections under which cornered us, the son verbally threatening Sean Edward and Anuj to deescalate the to divert Sean’s attention from Caroline not too many people inclined See Spotlight, p08 & 09 the accused have been booked are quite to break my partner’s bones,” Caroline, situation, hoping that this man would towards himself.

Contd on p 4 mild. a visual anthropology student from refrain from violence towards me since I

StreetBeats Crew hop to the aid of cancer patient

Malin will have to wait another year for their homes IIT student’s body found near Dhaksurvivors fort THE GOOD WIFE? Teen raped at

Santosh Dhete, 18

e came to Alandi five years ago.

Hailing from Kalyan, ntosh’s aim was to become P amous mrudang performer. s love for the art brought m to Alandi, one of the finest ces to learn the instrument. ailing from a poor family, w shifted to a school in andi and also started taking udang lessons. m With the onslaught of ari festival, Santosh puts his working shoes. He gets sy selling chai. An extremely nfident teenager, he makes e chai on a stove and serves to Warkaris. He makes ywhere between Rs 3,000000 a week from the prolific siness. He moves around in e crowd oozing confidence, ats up with the Warkaris d makes sure that almost eryone around him ends up ying at least one cup of tea m him. Over the past four ars, since he has been selling during Wari festival, ntosh has only honed his lls. The student of Std XII at College in Alandi, claims

2014, claiming 151 lives. Of the 67

W

he is only getting better by the year at the trait.

He explains that he works doubly hard during Wari festival just so that his parents do not have to struggle to pay for his education. “My parents are casual labourers and the money I earn means a lot to them. It means that they do not have to send me money every month to meet

my expenses. From whatever I make during the festival, I use it to buy books, uniform and other things I need to study,” said Santosh.

Once the festival is over, the 18-year-old gets back to his studies. While on one hand he wants to be a famous mrudang performer, he does not want his studies to suffer in anyway.

If anything, he wants to excel

W

Shubhangi Dattatray, 13

in studies and make his parents proud. “I need to secure good marks in HSC just so that my parents do not have to work hard all their lives. I want to become a big man and ensure that they lead a comfortable life,” said Santosh.

As for his ultimate goal, “I want to do my graduation but I also want to be a famous mrudang player in future. I want to be a good artist.”Th

W

W Th

Th

T

hirteen-year-old Shubhangi Dattatray Akhunde from Kasti village in Ahmednagar district, has also come down all the way to Alandi with her mother for this year’s Palkhi yatra. She lives with her parents along with two siblings. Her mother works as a cook at a food stall, and father does the digging work as a labourer.

She and mother are also among hundreds of Warkaris, but when asked about her reason to come to the Palkhi from so Thfar, Shubhangi said, “We come from a very poor background and my parents don’t have the means to provide for the education of all of us. I have come with my mother so that I can also earn a little to MI get free education support my family. Though from the government, I still have to manage the funds for clothes, books and other needs of W18 days are a big my siblings as well. And these opportunity to when I can also earn.”

M Shubhangi also applies tilak to the devotees and is hoping to make around Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 from the yatra this year.

“We have come to Alandi with a Dindi which will proceed to Pandharpur with the M Palkhi, and while my mother cooks food for these Dindi members, I help her out in arranging the cooking material and other knick knacks,” she adds.

Apart from her undying zeal to succeed in life, Shubhangi also expressed her keenness to learn English to be able to speak confidently when she grows up and also aspires to be a police officer. “I want to be a wrespected person and able to give my parents and siblings all the happiness which we only dream of right now.”

Watching her undying zeal towards life with so little in hand, one can’t help but just silently pray that she is granted all that she yearns for. Sooner than later.

M

Th

W

W

M

Chatushrungi police have arrested culprit and booked him for rape and robbery “I went to Aamdefor Environment, village on Forests can shift to the new homes before the and Climate Change, gets

BY YOGESH WAGH demanded money from her on which w Thursday to inaugurate the construction coming monsoon,” Rao said. He also she gave him all her belongings. @YogeshWagh1857 youngsters booked for m the first house to two work of be built under asked the government departments But he didn’t budge and forcefully M m The Chatushrungi police has dragged her for about 15 feet away the rehabilitation plan. Iroaming do notaround thinkin forest to work in a co-ordinated manner to area with their pets arrested one Vijay Vikas Kamble, from the spot and allegedly raped that the construction will be completed complete the the monsoon.

After work the spat,before Javadekar contacted and eventually booked under the nothing to do with Javadekar Madam’s 21, for raping a 19-year-old student her. On seeing someone approaching Conservator of Forest (CCF)completely Jeet Wildlife Act. They were charged for call. Bringing dogs to a forest area from a well-known city college. from a distance, he immediately ran

BY PRIYANKKA DESHPANDE by the time the monsoon arrives. It is HisChief staff though have

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE narrated the incident and asked trespassing or pasturing domestic is prohibited and hence we filed a The incident occurred at Hanuman away with her belongings he could possible that the construction of houses differentSingh, views of the situation and @journopriyankka for action to be initiated against the animals in the forest land. complaint against them. We will Tekdi in SB Road area on February grab,” explained Sawant. @dnyanesh1 will take another six months. I hope blamed two.the local residents theoffence under the Indian continue to take action against such 24, around 7 pm. The girl hails from The call was enough for the several for An Sawant also added that the Just one call from the Minister officials seated in Van Bhavan to rush Wildlife (Protection) Act is punishable offenders in future,” he said.

Vardhaman district of West Bengal victim went back to her paying guest District Collector Saurabh Rao’s the villagers will get their houses byUnion delay.

Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of of State for Environment, Forests and to Vetal Tekdi in search of the ‘rude’ with imprisonment for a term which Meanwhile, Satyajeet Gujar, and moved to Pune only a few accommodation and narrated the assurances to rehabilitate the 34 Diwali,” Walse-Patil said.

TheChange district Junnar, youngsters, Ambegaon, Kalyanwith Pandhare Climate Prakash Javadekar’s who had misbehaved may extend to three years or with Deputy Conservator of Forests for months ago to pursue higher studies. incident to her room-mates. She was enough and for the several forestthat the the Uniongovernmental Minister’s wife. CCF Singh fine which may extend to Rs 25,000, Pune played down the incident, “Even The case was registered after over also called and informed her father families who were victims of the Malin authorities consider hiswife views said machinery officials in Pune to launch a witch hunt was accompanied by Range Forest or both. The forest officials claim that trespassing in a forest area is an offence. 24 hours of the occurrence of the about the incident following which tragedy before the monsoons, have been opinions on the rehabilitation work. already work, but it was thethey local for a young lady accompaniedwas by two Officer at (RFO) Devyani Ruplag-Punde, did not slap harsh charges against But we don’t initiate strict action incident at the Chatushrungi Police her father told her to immediately YOGESH SADHWAN dogs on landslide Vetal Tekdi, a greenresidents pasture forester forest guard for cops have booked file a police the couple. complaint. However, the shown up to be in vain, by local MLA The survivors of the whoNarendra werePatil, responsible the “We have filed a complaint against people going there for walks, Station, where theBY in the heart of the city. The lady had Madhukar Godage, among others. under section 376 victim didn’t go to the police the same against both of them and will submit a as for generations now this area (Vetal Kamble @392 g evening h adhwan Dilip Walse-Patil. The former speaker were rendered homeless.

Several delay. residents had a difference made the mistake of taking her dogs “The For the next half hour, the officials report to the ACF office. Our superiors Tekdi) has been popular among the (Punishment for rape) and as it was very late. The next M on a walk in anafter area that comes spread regarding out in search of the youngsters will decide of the state legislative assembly, who committees were appointed and ofunder opinion the locations of the course of action citizens. If we had to enforce the law, (Punishment for robbery) of the day she told one of her professors and forest department and behave ‘rudely’ with three pets. The forest officials against the two,” said a forest officer, as it is on paper, we would have booked Indian Penal Code. Based on the a few friends about the incident, who visited Malin on Thursday, said that several surveys and reports from the houses, delayed.

It anonymity. with the Minister’s wife. Within half an finally so foundthe the work duo and got took them requesting the two under harsher provisions. They description given to the cops by the accompanied her to the police station Two D Hom Bh bh receivingstate the call fromis Prachee to Automotive RFO Devyani Ruplag-Punde could have been booked for taking the victim, accused was nabbed from his where they finally filed an FIR. the district administration will take environmental experts,hour ofthe not easy to set Research up anAssociation entire village. a battalion of forest officials of India (ARAI) parking area, where while talking to TGS explained that dogs for hunting wildlife. However, residence bung in Pandav Nagar Th ow area near M h “From ng among nthe victim’s Sou h another six months to complete the government announced aJavadekar, rehabilitation We haveJavadekar been was facing water tracked down the lady, who was idenwaitingshortage with severalof there is a ban on bringing pets on the I don’t think we did that in this Hutatma Rajguru Vidyalaya. belongings, a cell phone, an Mumb w u on and d her hhand bag n w Th tified process as Pooja Sahasrabuddhe. of her friends. This Unionhave According to senior police ATM card hill, which rehabilitation. plan for them. But the of for The construction buttime wethewill 16 falls under the jurisdiction particular case,” he said.

W ended only four hours later, with Minister’s wife reprimanded the two, of the forest department. “We are now When TGS contacted Prachee Ja- inspector Arun Sawant who is in- which contained her gym shoes, Malin village in Ambegaon taluka, relocating them has beendrama going on for houses ready before the monsoon,” own h d d d o b ng Sahasrabuddhe and another pet owner, who by now had figured that they thinking of strictly enforcing the ban vadekar, she declined to comment. Sa- charge of the Chatushrungi Police headphones and about Rs 60down was Amit Chordia, getting fined under The weresaid. in trouble. The forest officials told on pet dogs,” sheThe Station, dogged thend victimon useddelays regularly of the houses attoMalin has been by 110 miles from Pune, was wiped out said. constructionhasrabuddhe too declined comment. a couple of years.

Pandhare u nstolen,” w onsaid nDetectiond Branch Sm Wildlife (Protection) Act. them about the area being a restricted CCF Jeet Singh was quick to add Her friends, however, said that the 23 visit the tekdi after returning from Police Sub Inspector, Rajaram Singh of existence by a landslide on July 30, Rao visited the siteIndian on May 10 priyankka.deshpande@goldensparrow.com The incident occurred at around 6 one and that pets are not allowed. every evening. C She used that the action against Sahasrabuddhe year old student of Chartered Accoun- her gym God accused hn Chauhan. ndHe added h thatdtheugh

ade 45

w

T

w

m

W

Th

M

pm on Wednesday, February 24 on Vetal The duo was hauled to Range and Chordia had little do with the Tekdi which falls under Bhamburda Forest Office (RFO) in Gokhalenagar Union Minister’s wife. “This has Forest. Prachee Javadekar, the Union Minister’s wife and a prominent educationist was taking a walk when she saw a woman accompanied by two dogs jogging towards her. Neither of thePUNE, two Labradors, leash, | www.thegoldensparrow.com MAYwere 14, on 2016 which made Javadekar uncomfortable.

According to eye witnesses, Javadekar told Sahasrabuddhe that dogs were not permitted in the area and that she should have at least leashed the two animals. Not realising that she was talking to Union Minister’s wife, Sahasrabuddhe got into a heated argument with Javadekar. Just then Amit Chordia, who owns a Golden Retriever, also joined the argument.

Chordia was on a walk with his pet.

Prakash Javadekar and wife After a heated argument with whom Prachee Javadekar they thought was yet another senior citizen, Chordia and Sahasrabuddhe walked away with their pets.

M

Tejas Modak, 15 W

M

W

hile most of the children his age would love playing cricket or video games if given an option of not going to school, 15-year-old Tejas Modak skips his school for religious activities, Th and also to earn some money. He has been regularly going on Palkhi yatra from Alandi to Pandharpur for the past two years.

Studying in standard IX of New English School, Phursungi, Tejas earns his pocket money by applying tilak to devotees throughout the yatra. “Th is is my M third year of the Wari, and each year, I manage to W make about Rs 5,000-6,000 during the span of 18 days,” he said. The money he earns supplements his parents’ income and is used for his education. His mother washes utensils in a hotel, while his father is a plumber but all their earnings put together, they still have to fight to make ends meet.

One look at this young boy and one would figure that he is an extremely sharp boy. He loves to talk a lot so while talking about himself, he also explained how he has already informed his school principal and class teacher about his Wari to ensure that they do not think he is playing truant from school. Tejas also wants to become an engineer and is already working hard towards it. After his school, he works as a part-time waiter in the hotel where his mother works. “I work only during evenings after my school finishes so that I don’t lag behind the schedule as it’s the primary focus in my life. I do this and a few other small-time jobs whenever I have some extra time and feel the need of earning more for my study and other needs.”

T

W

Th

For 13-year-old Sambhaji Shivaji Bhutekar who M lives in Alandi, Palkhi is the best time to earn Th in Indira Gandhi No 2 some quick bucks. Studying school, this VII standard boy lost his mother a few years back and has been living with his grandmother ever since. His father who is a laborer in Mumbai comes and gives some money whenever he can, but most of the time, Sambhaji tries to figure his way out on his own.

Every weekend this boy comes down to the ghat of river Indrayani to fish out a few coins, nails and scrap metal which he sells to fulfi l his everyday needs such as buying clothes and books for school.

When asked how he learned the trick, he said, “I used to watch older boys fetching coins and metal using a magnet and thought of giving it a try. So I bought a large magnet from a local scrap vendor, tied a nylon rope around it and fish out whatever I could from the river. Normally I manage about 50-60 bucks during weekends. But as the crowd increases during Palkhi procession, my chance of making extra money also increases.

I bring home Th around Rs 150-200 a day these days, as I find them Th mostly on the submerged stairs of the ghats.”

Like any other youngster Sambhaji too has big dreams. He wants to become an engineer or a Mas politician, but he is quite petrified with English a subject. “I failed in the subject this time and I am M to have good command over scared as one needs the language to succeed in life. I will work harder now and make everyone proud one day,” Whe added looking at the passersby.

Th

O

ill a few years ago, Satish used to stay with his parents in Umarga, Osmanabad District. His parents were too poor to afford his education and pay for other expenses. His uncle did not want Satish to be deprived of a chance to make it big someday.

The enthusiastic and zealous kid moved to Phursungi in Pune with his uncle and ever since has been attending a local school. However, his uncle isn’t well off either.

Just to ensure that he does not become a burden on his uncle, Satish dons his working clothes during Wari festival. As soon as warkaris start pouring into Alandi, the 15-year-old puts his business Th use. He dumps acumen to good his schoolbag aside for a few days.

For the fi rst few days, as crowd keeps growing at Alandi, every morning Satish hops onto a bus from Phursungi.

WOnce in Alandi, he starts applying tilak to the warkaris. “Not everybodyWpays for the tilak. One out of 10 people give a rupee or two,” said Satish. In the evening he returns home, 35 kms away, only to head back the next day.

Once the warkaris start the pilgrimage, he also joins them.

During the 18-day journey, the 15-year-old nets around Rs 5,000, just about enough to pay for his books, uniform and other education related expenses through

Th M

M M

M

M

MP Tendulkar comes in aid of school in Bengal tribal village P12

Th

M

W

Th

The 15-year-old hails from Umarga in Osmanabad district, where his parents work as farm labourers.

W parents are way too poor.

“My I moved with my uncle to Pune just so that I could study. My uncle is alsoWnot a rich man. He toils through the day just to make ends meet. Th is is the best I can do to help my family out. The money that

I earn during Wari is more than enough to pay for my books and clothes,” said Satish.

A student of ninth standard, Satish proudly announces that he secured A grade last year. “I like Mathematics but English is a little tough,” he said.

He hopes that someday he will overcome his handicap and speak proficiently in English.

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2016

PUNE

Asia buying spree boosts arms trade P 13

The stigma of mental illness has left them withcan no we family or home How waste food to return to High Court issues contempt when so many go hungry?

Th w m

m

E en h w e o en e doe no w n o h e n h ng o do w h h m

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY

w

UNE 8

06

PUNE

notices to civic chiefs m

m

m

M

OW

V SHAL KALE

Te a ace h d n nnova on u vey P10

Sewage plant work disrupts life at Bootee Street KALYANI

FAM LY TREE

W k g und way n PCB wag amn p an n h h a d n Not y p pu a d Camp a a

so ong ago in separate incidents two oggers were

BY SUSHANT RAN AN sexua y harassed

on the seventh floor of a building in Pali Hill, Bandra and shelled out Rs 1,42,184 per square foot, making it the highest rate ever paid in the maximum city. Ranbir Kapoor concluded the deal on April 27 and paid a whopping Rs 35 crore for the 2,469.60 sq feet apartment in Vastu Pali Hill building.

Mumbai has witnessed several high-end deals but all of them have been in South Mumbai. The highest so far has been in Darshan Apartment in Malabar Hill. The triplex flat got sold for Rs 57 crore and cost the new owners Rs 1.35 lakh per

in all 21 flats. The flat comes with two parking lots, one in the basement and one in the open. The building does not have the who’s who of the city living in it. Interestingly, the flat acquired

by Ranbir is valued at a mere Rs 11.31 crore as per the Ready Reckoner rate.

The actor, who has given several hits in his career spanning nine years, has acquired the four-bedroom flat from Khyati Valia, who is on the board of directors of several real estate and financial services companies.

According to the papers available with TGS, the actor paid the first instalment of Rs five crore for the flat on March 2. He paid the next instalment of Rs ten crore on April 20, and a week later concluded the deal by paying the remaining Rs 20 crore. On the same day, he registered the deal with Department of Registration and Stamps. Over and above the Rs 35 crore tag for the flat, the actor shelled out Rs 1,75,30,000 for stamp duty and registration.

Continued on p2

mun p

o po

on

nd

oun

n

g how h mon

M h d po n p d o on

No vacancies for African guests at Pune hotels Pune s hospita ity sectorPan a e Dabho ka shows distinct pre udicede nked P12 against African students refusing accommodation for their guests

Pune Colonel booked for abetting wife’s suicide

BY ROM L KOTHAR @ om _ko ha

Th

Ka bu g

Mayuri Jawalekar

g e ehoh ddong o The ou Ung b d e ng o omp he h e ng do e h m on u de w Pub L g emp on fi d o g ho d ng b Q n Sukh n b d Q n Sukh n nd w R nd P h ndk h d fi d P L Th

he pd ng h off woHek d ugh whoe ek heh nho p o e on o h he wou d ge o

o om ng om ou po k ng ou wo h d Th P L on o Pun onn d w h oh PL

nd

n

w om

W

Th

o M h h n h W omb n d h ng h H gh Cou W h d u d n o d on No mb 29 k ng h mun p o Wpo on Th oun nd po p o fi n WM ffid ng wh h w do ng h mmb oh he o up eb ded h pw ob d o bu he h e u ed o e me home fi ng Mwh h w n d o b nu 14 b h ou h nu W 8 h ng Th ou h u d W on mp g n Th h pond n on nu 15 A o h m od d o pond w h p n on b M W nu 18 d QThn Sukh n W R a dS n P6 p M

W

W

h nd ed w h e he e en n e d no m

M

In India, around 194 million people starved in 2014-15 as per a UN report.

W M The number is on the rise. In a bid to turn thingsMaround, several corporate Th houses in Pune are now stressing on the need to minimiseThfoodTh uwastage andh ho hv o Th have come up with innovative methods. Then, there are those who ubm CTh Foaremtaking o h FRRO o uM y W on w h n 24 hou o h v o from the rich and feeding the poor See p08-09 W Th

Infant deaths could be MLA office theft curbed significantly mystery solved m

m

A

G

m

M m

Th

40 CNG stations planned in city

M

Th

W W

W

Th

o gn gu Th o m v fi d by h p v po on To onfi m h

Wh n w fi d h ho n qu on nd d n fi d ou v N g n nd qu d ommod on h nw

BY GARGI VERMA W @missgverma w n b up nd fin no ThTh n w Getting admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act is proving to W d h ho d n fi d ou v be a never-ending hassle for parents When the stage lights dim, Lavani performers prepare forWa better and authorities alike. While the second round of lottery for admission n and nd ghungrus, qu dthey areommod on future. Juggling nd textbooks burning the under the Act has also finished, W M students from the midnight oil to give nd themselves h y da ychance g atdanother Wh nlife w d Th h m nd pu on n Am n n nd W kd o ommod on h ho g n ho ed by Ruby Ha CTh n c Th h d v n wh h h y off d u Th Mo A n ud n d h h oM h gu Th om D Thh u d o ommon p ob m nd h h p ud p ov d h m ommod on g n hm vd n n h M A h ho wn o w p nW h pp n o v Pun hMy M W o d h h w no oom v b h d m n find ng h m W ommod on Wh h w o h m dynx dy n ho Th ho h w on d o h w k h y odm h h n ud d Ho R dh k N n P h Th oom w o up d On o h ho G nd Ho C mp Ho A m n R mng d h hyn dd p P h Ho P g N n P h Ho n om h Fo gn R g on R g Sh n Qu G nd Ho K h on Offi FRRO o ommod R dnyR P h om ko ha @go d n pa ow om o gn P k d E w

PICS BY RAHUL RAUT AND ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

m

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 23, 2015

PUNE

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 23, 2015

PUNE

Th

She hopes to be a

policewoman soon PRIYANKKA DESHPANDE @journopriyankka

Backstage, half a dozen Lavani performers, dressed in their best, are having an animated conversation. One would imagine they are discussing their costumes and accessories for upcoming shows but far from that they are chatting about their education and future plans. One of the performers is determined to acquire a degree in the Arts stream, while another wants to clear the state exams and join the police force. While one group of performers step onto the stage, 15-yearold Amrita fishes out a book from her bag. She is preparing for the standard X exam and does not believe in wasting time while waiting for her turn under the spotlight.

The young dancers do not want to end up like most of their seniors – living in complete poverty and depending on others for two meals – when their time’s up. While Lavani continues to provide their bread and butter for now, the performers are taking up education to secure their future.

Take the case of Sunita Kalambkar, who was a child when she took to Lavani. Sunita had to give up her studies to earn a living for her family. Two decades later, she still has a family to support but, in the meanwhile, she has completed her SSC and even pursued a course that trained her to handle basic chores on the computer. Well aware that her time on stage would be up sooner or later, Sunita wants to acquire skills that will help her get a job.

one h d a e n nd a The e a e 1 5 o e o nea b ndne a e n he wo d o wh h 46 akh a e a e n nd a and 35 000 a e a e added eve y yea The annua need o o nea an p an a on o emove he ba k og 2 50 000 bu n nd a on y a ound 50 000 eye dona on ake p a e annua y o wh h a ound 60 pe en an be u ed o o nea an p an On y 25 000 peop e o 0 3 0 4 pe en o he o a dea h n nd a a ua y dona e he eye eve y yea om whe e on y 50 000 dona ed eye a e o e ed n Maha a h a a ge o o e ng 7 000 o nea wa e n 2015 16 o wh h on y 43 pe en o 3 015 wa a h eved PMC hea h offi e Somna h Pa de h a d The amended Fo m 4 and 4A a e a eady ava ab e n a he ho p a and PMC ha d bu ed n a ho p a The de on o dona ng eye e w h he dono and he on en o k n make no ma o d ffe en e Mo o he k n don ome o wa d o u h on en Howeve PMC ha 615 med a e ab hmen eg e ed w h unde he Bombay Nu ng Home Reg a on A 1949 wh h an g ve one an dea

he daughter of a Punjabi father and Marathi-speaking mother, 15-year-old Amrita is a newcomer to the Lavani stage. She has been performing for just a few months, all in a bid to meet her family’s expenses. Amrita’s father died in an accident in Libya, where he was working as a mechanical engineer, in 2003. That is when their hardships started. Her mother used to manage household expenses from her savings.

But in the last couple of years, Amrita’s mother has run out of funds and the 15-year-old was forced to find a source of income.

“My mother is not well educated, to find a job that would suffice for her, me and my elder brother. I therefore decided to start performing,” said Amrita, who is studying in Poona Women’s Council school, in standard X. Amrita is a trained Lavani dancer, and seeing her dedication, her dance master trained her free of cost.

Amrita is the sole breadwinner of the family. She has been performing at various events across the state. However, for her study comes fi rst, and she opens her school books even in the make-up room.

“Th is is an important year. I will be appearing for the class X board exam. Although I cannot take a break for an entire year, I study during the intervals in the shows,” said Amrita, who wants to be a professional dancer but also wants to complete her graduation.

What hurts Amrita the most is that often her friends are not allowed by their parents to spend time with her. “Their attitude towards me is strange. They think that I am doing something very wrong by performing on the Lavani stage. It makes me very sad,” said Amrita.

Th

dona on D V N Sh h ka d p og amme manage Na ona P og amme o Con o o B ndne NPCB a d a ve y good move aken by he a e hea h depa men o g ve a boo o he NPCB ue ha he a e a k n e m o eyeba o e on a mo o he eye bank a e no n o med abou he b a n dead pe on The Aundh D Ho p a ha amended Fo m 4 and 4A bu he P mp Aishwarya Badade Ch n hwad Mun pa Co po a on p ov de u he o m A w enqu e n o he ma e and ge onfi med and y o make amended o m ava ab e a ea a Sa oon Gene a Ho p a he added Aa Gokha e ZTCC d oo d na o a d Re a ve a e he one who g ve he on en o o gan o be dona ed We mo o he me y o ea e awa ene abou he o gan dona on bu a eady p n ed n he o m abou he on en o he k n o eye dona on ha o he wo k a eady done The gove nmen ha aken a good de on and h nk ha eve yone hou d ome o wa d and do he b owa d a ishwarya came into the Lavani field in 2010, following in the footsteps of her elder sister Smruti. The 21-year-old is in the fi rst year of bachelor of arts course. She also has her own banner like her sister. Aishwarya performed after a gap of one year in Pune, on May 21, in the Lavani Mahotsav 2015. Aishwarya said, “So far I have not had any bad experiences. If a girl’s conduct is good, no one will dare to pass lewd remarks at her, even if she is performing ‘Shrungarik’ Lavani on stage.”

Their mother Madhuri always accompanies her daughters to their shows. Her college friends are her fans, she says. “They are very cool with what I perform.

They do not have biased views about Lavani,” Aishwarya said. The young Lavani dancer also performed in the recent Marathi movie ‘Cinema Veda’.

“Although I want a career in dancing, my studies are equally important for me, and that is the reason I will complete my graduation,” said Aishwarya. She is yet to chart out her career path but is determined to make good use of education she acquires over the years.

Maya Khutegaonkar

Th

Almost every Lavani performer had to wear the painjan or ghungru at a very early age, when they should have been without a care. However,M their impoverished state and family tradition forced them into the make-believe world of Lavani. Having stepped on to the stage, there was no turning back. Their life thereon was spent touring remote villages and performing an art form that is generally looked down as titillating, if not outright obscene, pandering to a rather sleazy audience.

Senior performers explain how a nomadic existence has deprived them from leading a regular life. The stigma attached to being an entertainer, who travels through most of the year, cast a taboo on them becoming a part of the mainstream society. Their lack of education also denies the performers any other option of earning a living.

Once the bloom of youth and beauty is past, a Lavani dancer has almost no future to speak of.

Life in the 40s becomes a burden for them, as their ‘demand’ takes a downward plunge, there are few takers for the aging sex symbols.

Lavani performers, beyond the age of 35, are silently pushed to the sidelines. From regular nightly shows, their performances turn far too few to sustain them fi nancially. Sure, the state government has started a pension scheme for folk artistes, including Lavani performers, but it has many loopholes, not to mention that the pension amount itself is meagre.

Times are changing. A number of Lavani

PMC turns blind eye towards eye donation of all Miffed TambeMother quits over garden issuehousing scams

his 24-year-old Mumbai girl has her own banners called Lavanya Smruti and Nakhrel Kairi Laadachi. A trained Lavani dancer, she has also played the lead in three Marathi movies. She has been performing Lavani since 2008, but took a break for her education. Now in the last year of hr BCom, Smruti is returning to stage after five years. On June 11 she will be performing her ‘Lavanya Smruti’ at Balgandharva Rangmandir in Pune.

“Education has always been my priority. I enjoy performing Lavani a lot, but that is not more important than my studies,” said Smruti, who wants to pursue a degree in law, once she completes her graduation.

“I do not much care for what people think of me when I perform Lavani. I follow my passion, and I personally feel that girls who perform Lavani should ignore it, if society is judgmental about them,” said Smruti. Her father works as a driver in BEST, in Mumbai. Smruti says that Lavani as a dance form is not bad, nor are the Lavani artistes. What is bad is the biased view of society,” she says.

W M

DPS denies RTE admission, child u on says TGS mb k d onsnhome nd vou far from school

ace managed o na ch h h bu he wh zzed pa eav ng me w h h h bu on and ome phone co d The woman ed o no e down he @ eg a on numbe o he coo e bu wa eg b e and oon he guy ped off W C m B CB w w

BY GARG VERMA have neve aced uch an nc den W m w w w even a go o wa k when da k and @m gv ma R T de e ed a ound 4 am wa o udden B C m Th F wve mon h a e wo ogge go and ug y a ed me o qu e ome O m w m w n Dow moOCn ng m andme h hahe aw woman u wd hand mo e edw n hehav ea pyR khou a d vmaddhngand aam an w a mp ano b he W a woman dnaga R ad BRTS w nfid n m w w w on he oad ha a ng vewbu y fi pm abe neven oAhm how women need o Th Th w Th w m d b Ap nd h comp a ned nc wo w o a N mN a U den ww C and m up o he own B a e y CB have ffi a han m w M NNURM Th CB m B me aRw awwbu — y Punc on ag nm ap heThPun mo nMa ng daugh e whom eachw eve y mday how Th A w m m m m w W Wh e anCB FCR haE been Offiodged he o be awa e o exua p eda o u k ng m L C m m w C w m w K m w cu p a amge Thw eve mywhe e ake mu p ew p ecau on w m w w A m m CB Th ffi T m w Aw 36 yea o d coun e 10,000 ng A m ke wa kwPLUS ng n he oppo e dm ec BUYERS on o HOME DUPED m C C L w CB Th @ p ycho og W who e de a Ko h ud he affic no u ng headphone wh ew m L m w w wa mo e ed and g oped a on une 15 wa k ng and gene a y be ng awa e o S Th n me e ng y a e e w en by T w m State a ound 7 10 am a he bu y unc on o my u ound ng Fo ome h ng ke m government K C L SNDT Co ege Road and Law Co ege D Somna h Pa de h Hea h Offi e h o happen o me ve y hock ng initiative for eyeba and w m M Road am a egu a when Punew Mun pa Co po a on o he wh w n upw n h Wh h come M p o m pe h ona yh he wna d n h h u n ud h un R 500 dm NCP p a gn mo n ng wa k n ac w fa s on w m ma e heam h depa men on Feb ua y even head a On une 16 he odged an F AR a w wcorneaThdonation C L V C v a ng ga d n p an ew wa k ng g oup and wa k ea y n he he d e ve m K10 2015 Th m a ed A pe he Deccan Gymkhana Po cew S a on m deaf ears m n Dhankawad mo n ng a d he woman A he day o o S wa e Gove nmen o m on a n ng The po ce a e ve y Mco ope a ve and m w C m D D w m T m eye dona H m m w V do T m nc den he de ayed he mo n ng wa k on on en o umn w be hey have a u ed me haMC hey

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR Th w w BY V CKY a wa he daugh e choo eopen ng d Badade bu ed o a ho p a n e gh day eve y h ng o ca ch he cu p m he a dw w PATHARE m Smruti @TG W m m ha 2 w @ w m 16 mon h day wa my daugh e fi day a Howeve a e none The 36 yea o dC be eveGB ha he @V kypa V Tm m M R w choo and go hec c So d opped o he ho p a n Pune have e e ved nc den ha u made he onge C MC w m w mm m Do m M y a ngmmo me Bu n he wake o he ngConstruct demand o on sutes my g B o Che bu Mop Dand hen wen h amended o m da e Mo wa obvKou D D w m H K m W eyeba and o nea om he b mnd he wa k D he wa d o he ho p a au hoAmrita e a Kaur e even op me Th w M con nue o w wou d neve m K m N m N m GB Maha a h a S a eV Gove nmen She had u eached he bu y unawa e abou he manda o y u e A ep ou aGBa hou he a wd He on y O on une MC m C w mm Th T T NC m B NC wa unc on on he Law Co ege Road whe e m eg e acco d HC o m 4 and 4A ng o he ha heM m 26 2013 had uedm a d e ve o a 26 W he ho p a have o d T Tm w GB w m V C ffi mun pa e n he SNDT Co ege Road cu m wh h do no on a n he o umn o y m m o po a on and 202 m m na e a D cou m dn hu Mhe offende m D mo e e ou MC C V C a D w he a e o n ude a o umn n dea h gna when heD nc wden whappened eye dona on on en Sa oon Ho p a w h hadK mn u edVo a Team den fied OG H ADHWAN Th H C Th m m w Tm ce h ha a ked o he o m even a e U cou HA d U hea ANAVAand GA G e fi a e and app a on oMumba m wh T hO wh enV e MA a MC wo whee e mhwm Howeve a wanm mw ha women m Tm w DN AN HWA HOND Th m m ffi H m m wou comeAND gh beh wa wa k ngmm who Ap 2016 ha e e ved he ame o d m AN O Hw nd M me HC A m ace Thm a n ance hou dn m d he O p peop e on de g v ng m on Th en m ffi w Th HC w @ m m m M w m m R Th M ffi o dona ng he eye o eye bank owa d @heG WLaw Co ege RoadA and o m hemm e ve becau e o M Go ouD epo m H m M hu m he veh c e wa m com ng M m m When n o ma on wa ough abou om he Tu n ng a b nd eye o he n a ve uch hoo gan S and a mand m ong m m M m H m D mm m m m he ame h ough an RT fi ed by CAm offi Thhe gove w ong d ec on n hemone way A e ch N and neve g ve up on you PMC ha no eedom m nmen m M C M G Makhan Aga wa wa evea ed haTh m mp udden y came Ove y c o eMand he he u e bu ha been gh and ndependence becau e o a ew A m de N N M m M emen ed D m m W G m mpa Co po a on apa om Pune Mun g oped my back de and he a mhu d e mhe eby de ea ng he ve y mm c ean he a d M m m M e A me up m H m N Thc m wa no expec ng mm po e o mhe o mde mo o he mun pa o po a on ecoun ed The v pu n anua y wo ong d ance m m m m m m C Chad mm m m uch an ac o happen onm he bu y ee A a me when he a e gove nmen unne acedffi m a ue whe em have mp emen ed he gove nmen R av u va na n b mm mm m m m N H mD u e BY PRwaYANKKA madeDESHPANDE manda o y by he ugg ng o u b he gap be ween Tw nm n wo andwhee n he d de B app R oached m wmhem w K ffi he Am nc den happened und ak n m m n h ndEven mhough affie gove @nmen o n ude on en econdwm mhe d d no o e he ca mmand demand and upp y o eyeba and beh nd g oped Th andM manhand ed bm ak ng om n Madhu m H m m M a ffi hem and and a fled ng he cene on Bane Road m o umn o eye mm dona on n au e o napped backTh my ng o m ba ance he o nea PMC ha been augh on he

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE Th m m m M m A Th R m w @D m hme M fiG a eCNG o be C mued by do o wo whee e She ad wa a m edm w ong de and Un ve y Road Howeve ne heThw mdea N w unita recently completed her MSCIT (Maharashtra State- Certificate in Information Technology) course. She has faced many hardships over the last 36 years. Sunita was only 12 when her mother brought her on to Lavani stage, and started performing at Kothala village in Kalamb taluka of Usmanabad district, where she hails from.

“My mother sent me to Pune, where I studied up to standard VII at Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha. However, later it became impossible for my mother to pay my school fees, so I had to leave school,” said 36-year-old Sunita.

Her ordeal did not stop there. She had to put on her ghungru for the Tamasha phad, when she did not even understand the meaning of the lyrics of the Lavani songs. “I had no choice but to join our ancestral profession as my mother suffered from spondylitis,” said Sunita. The 12-year-old had to tour the state with the tamasha group to earn money for herself, her mother and younger sister. Sunita used to get Rs 50 per show, which has now changed. As a professional Lavani dancer, she now charges thousands of rupees per show.

“I was always drawn to education, and when I started earning sufficient money, I appeared for my class X and XII exams. I also did MS-CIT course so that I could give computer lessons to my son, who has given his class X board exam this year,” said Sunita. “The time will come when I will have to sit at home, but I am sure my education will help me get a decent job,” said Sunita.

e

M

Abou Ye awada men a ho p a

z n o Pun h v b n u d o ng A n n on v ng n Pun m Fam o y yo hh md aud dnma noa nmdnyha S hn y wa n d d h Th can who a ended he d nne yp numb mm hu v d onAy gg own d h waA mu d uden d n n m nd h young A n m o BY b GARGp VERMA d on b y w nd AND m SHE KE Th ou m K d n o G TESH om oW b nd h mon ound d Vn mM h 2016 Th Ruby H @TG M m w m x An m Cn h y L C n w ho ng d nn o A n T w m m Bu h n xp n o om A ud n on un 11 2016 wh h H w n ud n n PunC how up dm nTh n w y ound d o g n on w o b w w R C C b o h Lho p yH ndu yw n Pun n odu d A A n p n v m K ow d h A Th n ud n ommun y L Co h m D Ch h p o AAS w ob H quwm m w w pum Dd ho w w u d w m p n n Pun o h o on P d n m ommod on o udmmn p n v om AAS Pun Om g ohn P k K m T w M w K om ng n om KD h wm m k ng C h ng m n o h Sunita Kalambkar Obama a Pu n m w Th Pun hC p o L h A oL on y h En h y m gn h d m y ove Sy an ua on w M E m o A nP SH ud n n nd wAASK w Th wh nw h ho h w n o o book oom he sole breadwinner in her family, apart from her father who is a school bus driver, Mayuri started performing as a side dancer when she was in standard VII. Her mother and paternal aunt were also Lavani dancers, who taught her the art of make-up. “What my father earns is not enough to run a household with seven family members. I had no other option than to take to the Lavani dance stage, to supplement my father’s income and provide for my family,” said Mayuri, who scored 78 per cent in her class IX exam.

The family lives in small room in Dapodi. Mayuri is currently in standard X at Swami Vivekananda Vidyamandir School. Unlike other Lavani dancers, Mayuri is determined to complete her education.

“My parents do not allow me to leave the Lavani stage. I, however, want to join the police service. I manage somehow to concentrate on my studies. I study late into the night, and also make time to practice Lavani,” said Mayuri, who takes care of her three siblings’ education, from what she earns as a Lavani dancer.

Mayuri is planning to take a break from Lavani performances this year, because she wants to study all she can for her board exams. She is hurt when people make disparaging remarks about her and her profession and their attitude towards Lavani. “I feel bad when people disrespect Lavani artistes.

Th is should not happen. Lavani is just a dance form like any other,” she adds.

M

W

Th

Lady jogger molested by a masked biker

“Wh e he e a e eve a p opo a whe e n bu e an be p o u ed on a de e ed paymen ba he e bu e w be ome a heada he n x mon h Even a wo day o d bu w uffe a b eakdown no ma n a ned p ope y” — Abh hek K hna PMPML ha man

already has an offence registered

F n nd N underksectionsh 392 (punishment p opofor d in dwelling on u on o robbery) nand 380 o (theftbung ow house) against him at the Deccan Stationng in 2015. ou o p h Police o yogesh.wagh@goldensparrow.com on Th h ubm d p n o h PAGES: 16+16 (TGS LIFE) | PRICE: `5 Mun p Co po on o G Mumb MCGM n k ng p m on o bu d n w u u h wou d hou h nmn Sm God G oup h m n Ad leader or worker of the party God ou‘‘If any n bough h bung ow isnfeeling suffocated in the organisation, they are free wish to. The n u on toh godanywhere n unthey2014 omparty h leadership is not bothered about them. The NCP will win civic elections with the support of its existing cadres and leaders.’’

N on C —n Ajit oPawar, h NCP P Leader o m ng A NCPA Sh ong w h h d ugh p d R 372 o o M h ng wh h w n md D Hom Bh bh mo h M h b nd h h ng C n d n p2

There was drought in most of the parts ofTwo thed country h last w year p dandn there 2014 o is anger h g ho d ng w h g ho d ng b ng Th n flood d w h against the BJP government for doing little to tackle it In this background thePMC k guo

BY YOGESH SADHWANI sq ft in the year 2013.

Cong d V hw ho d ng Wh n Ranbir beat all the previous deals @yogeshsadhwani K d mscientists b hd onto predict nu 15 timely mo o on g ngood h ho d ng in South has Mumbai forced as well as thethe IMD Central government and The 34-year-old Ranbir Kapoor suburbs with his latest acquisition. h Bomb H gh Cou ud d d o P h ndk H o h has paid the highest per square Interestingly, Vastu Pali Hill is not a on mp no o Comm on monsoon o gum n this b year d on h po foot rate for an apartment high-end building that offers several in Mumbai. He recently amenities. The 12-storey building PunAjay So puShinde N Mumb S ngcitypunit President who n d o k on — MNS bought an apartment with two basements for parking has Bh w nd Ahm dn g nd o h g n h m mb h ng g

W

Th

the year. But this enterprise comes at a cost. “I get boils on my soles. It hurts for days to come. But I need M to walk nevertheless,” he said. One of those who believes in looking Th added, at the brighter side, Satish “The best part of the journey is that it passes from two cities and many towns. People in the cities, especially in Pune, pay good money, if I apply tilak on their forehead.”

About Vetal hill Vetal hill a prominent destination for nature lovers, around covering 10km square area situated at Bhamburda forest, next to Gokhlenagar in Kothrud. The hill which is the highest point in Pune attracts thousands of people, most of whom come there for walks and jogs. There is a temple of Vetala located on the top of the hill. The hill has lush green cover and peacocks, deer, rabbits, among other animals are frequently spotted there. dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

to spend about two hours reading books at the tekdi. “On the evening of February 24, she was sitting near a pagoda-like structure at the tekdi when the accused allegedly groped her from behind. At first, the accused

Highest rate paid so far for a Mumbai residence, 10x what previous owner paid

M

W

tancy regrets getting into a verbal duel with the Union Minister’s wife. “She told us that she did not know about dogs being prohibited in the area and got into an argument with Javadekar.

Had she known about the law, she wouldn’t have taken her pets and certainly not got into a spat with anyone,” said a friend of Saharabuddhe.

Ranbir’s new flat costs Rs 1.42 lakh per sqft!

Satish Jadhav, 15

Sambhaji Bhutekar, 13

Sm a Godre Cr shna and her daugh ers who bough Meherang r n an auc on or Rs 372 crore n 2014 have subm ed p ans o cons ruc a seven-s orey s ruc ure

The po u on under con ro PUC cer fica e you s ow away care u y may no be wor h paper s pr n ed on See P4

City trekkers dont pay attention to safety m

and expressed his satisfaction over

houses, only 16 may bePrachee readyJavadekar, before wife the progress of the work. “We want Panauti IIT Powai? of Union Minister of State the monsoon. to ensure that the 34 affected families

DNA

Th

Hanuman Tekdi

Dr Homi Bhabha’s iconic Same vehicle four bungalow to be demolished different PUC readings

Malin landslide survivors are not sure they will have a roof above theirmheads F m before the monsoon arrives m m

H

fact is that rugby i demands consumm not to mention dex strength, and its d by the virtues of th See Spotli

C t zens ve n ear o a ng trees P5

Murderers and smugglers

reak stories and bringMUMBAI ader, ahead of the rest

H

• Pune Station – Vishrantwadi (Via Bhosari) CITY • Kothrud Depot – Katraj

LEBRA

Meet the c tys trend ng YouTubers

Profitable routes

RUGBY

Mehboob Shaikh, 53, of Sayyednagar, Hadapsar was missing since January 3, to this, I could not perform the final rites 2016. His son Asif Shaikh, 32, filed a on my father according to our religion,” missing complaint with the Kondhwa said Asif. The Sassoon hospital forensic police station on January 4. Asif had department records show that Mehboob submitted all the required documents, was found by a passerby in an unconscious details and photographs to the Kondhwa state at Pimple Nilakh Gaothan near old police, who assured him that they would octroi post on January 10. An ambulance inform him when they found his father. brought him to Sassoon Hospital as an Eight days later all the Kondhwa unknown patient. The doctors informed police said was they were searching. the Sangvi police. “Post mortem showed Asif contacted all his relatives and went that he died of natural causes,” said Dr S B to Mumbai, Gulbarga, Kolhapur and Punpale, head of the forensic department.

Osmanabad to look for his father.

Mehboob’s body was preserved for three Four months later there was no trace of days to validate his identity. As per the rule the missing man. Then Asif was shocked the body was taken by PMC for cremation when he saw his father’s photo in the on the fourth day. register of ‘unknown dead bodies’ on April Kondhwa police station senior police 21 record at the police commissionerate. inspector Rajendra Mokashi said that He was told that his father was brought Sangvi police should have checked for dead to Sassoon General Hospital by missing person complaints registered with Sangvi police on January Asif was then stations after finding Menboob’s PAGES:10.

16+16 (TGS LIFE) | PRICE:police `5 told by the Sangvi police that the woman body. “We had sent photos of missing police official was on leave for two days. people to all police stations. It was the duty The Sangvi police took eight days to record of Sangvi police to ascertain is there was Asif’s statement that the dead person any missing person complaint lodged with was his father and he did not have any any police station when an unknown body complaints against the police. On April was found,” said Mokashi.

Sangvi police station senior police 29, Asif submitted documents of identity inspector Prabhakar Dhage said that they proof of his father after which the police had put the body for 21 days in Sassoon assured them that they would change the Hospital but his name and address was name of ‘unknown’ to the real name in the not found. “We broadcast all the details catalogue and the post mortem report. But to the police stations and conducted after 15 days there was no communications CITY searches. We have just come to know that fromthe Sangvi police.

Meet lakhpati Mathadi he was a Muslim.”

“Despite constant follow ups, the police workers from Pune dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com didn’t inform me of my father’s death. Due

CE

TGS LIFE

• Swargate – Dhanori/Lonikand • Hadpsar – Loni Kalbhor • Vishrantwadi – Vahulgoan • Indrayaninagar – Manapa Bhavan

performers, who have endured the vicissitudes of fate, striving to keep their heads above water along with their art and dignity, are now taking up education. Far from turning their backs to the world of Lavani, they simply are investing in the future.

So whether it is a young performer, who has barely been around for a couple of years or a star on stage, the women are looking at completing their graduations and eventually opting for professional courses. Their reasons may differ but the common thread is that they do not want to end up like their seniors.

Th irty-six-year-old Sunita Kalambkar took to textbooks so that she could teach her son, who had appeared for the Class X exam. For 15-year-old Amrita Kaur, who is a newbie to the Lavani stage, the board exam next year is more important than her dance performances. Dapodi resident and standard IX student, Mayuri Jawalekar’s dream is to join the police service, while the Badade sisters want to complete their graduation and take up professional courses. These members of the fairer sex cram in all the words they can in between their dance practice sessions.

Dance master Yogesh Deshmukh is proud of his students. “They have a passion to study further and I always encourage them to study hard. Many of my Lavani dancers are school-going kids, and I want them to concentrate on their education, along with their dance performances,” said Deshmukh. priyankka.deshpande@goldensparrow.com

R

which are loss-making owing to the scanty numbers of passengers. Service on these routes was started under the urging of politicians.

In 2007, the PMPML fleet had 950 buses. Since then the populations of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have crossed the 35 lakh mark, but the number of M buses has risen to only 1400, an increase of 450. But g breakdowns are frequent, and PMPML need 1200 d e s parts purchase. That is how we manage to keep more buses. In 2014-15, PMPML had an 80 perTubspare You cent income target from ticket sales but it remained 1400 buses operational. The dead kilometre figure is at 65 per cent. PMPML earned Rs 58 crore from increasing so routes where there were few passengers advertisers, but because of dead kilometre increasing, have to be revived and routes with no passengers have PMPML suffered a Rs 318 crore operational loss. to be shut. Route rationalisation is very necessary.”

Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations PMPML Chief Executive Officer Mayura have not paid Rs 80.50 crore and Rs 69.50 crore Shindekar said, “To curb PMPML operational loss, respectively, which they have to pay to PMPML for both corporations have to pay their dues immediately.

ON SATURDAY bearing its operational losses.

Last year we earned 65 per cent revenue from ticket PMPML Joint Managing Director D P More sales, which can improve with more ticket checkers said, “Our dues, which PMPML gets from both to keep tabs on conductors. Another revenue option corporations to fulfill operational losses of Rs 150 is more advertisers. We will switch from diesel crore is still pending. Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal to CNG as CNG costs less and it is environment Corporation paid two installments of Rs 6.5 friendly. WePUNE, urgently need 1200 new buses as more FEBRUARY 27, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com crore for March and April, but PMC has not paid than 300 buses will be scrapped soon.” anything. But the loss is so huge that even after both PMC Mayor Prashant Jagtap said, “It is high corporations pay their dues, we will sustain Rs 150 time we cleared PMPML dues. PMPML is the only crore loss. We earn more than a crore of rupees per public transport system in the city. We decided in the day but rising diesel prices and maintenance expenses May 3 standing committee meeting that we will pay are higher than our income. We are keeping aside six Rs 7.50 crore in 11 monthly installments.” per cent of our daily income for maintenance and tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

A

nother big name in the field of Lavani, Maya Khutegaonkar teaches Lavani to youngsters, including men.

“We could not pursue education due to poverty, but I feel that the younger generation of artistes, should get a professional degree, and then start performing,” said Khutegaonkar.

“Viewers do not want to watch the performances of ageing dancers.

Ultimately, aging Lavani dancers have to sit at home without any source of income. I think professional courses and proper education will enable them to make their ends meet when their stage career is over,” added Khutegaonkar.

Surekha Punekar

S

urekha Punekar is the one who brought Lavani back in vogue when when it was on the verge of oblivion. Punekar thinks that the westernisation that has crept into Lavani nowadays is ruining the true essence of the art form.

“The old Lavani artists never dressed indecently. In fact, Lavani is one of the dance forms where you should not expose yourself. However, nowadays an element of ‘fashion’ has entered Lavani, and therefore audience’s also tends to look at it differently,” said Punekar.

She explained that very few Lavani artistes have a bright future. After a certain age most of them go into the oblivion as audiences prefer younger performers. Only those who can sing well are able to survive for a longer period. Punekar is among the few who still sings and performs Lavani. For those who are not as talented as her, education is the only way to survive in the long run, Punekar believes.

MEAGRE PENSION FROM STATE The state government has a pension scheme for Lavani artistes. However the sum offered every month is pittance, not even enough for one person to survive. Depending on their grades, given by the government, they get anywhere between Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,000 a month.

The A class, that is national level artists, are entitled to Rs 1400, B class state level artists get Rs 1200, and C class district level artists get Rs 1000 as monthly pension.

To make matters worse, not every artist ends up getting the pension.

Of the 765 folk artists in Pune district identified by the government, 130 are not traceable, claims the administration.

India’s first school for girls was set up at Bhide Wada, Pune, on January 1, 1848,

by Savitribai Phule and her associate Fatima Begum

The first reliable record for the population of Pune is from 1851 when it stood at 73,209 THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

nd RSARY

E ANNIV

ION T A R B CELE

City has eight treasure houses of history, culture, art and pioneers who shaped their own destiny Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

The three-storey Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum at Bajirao Road, near Mandai, contains approximately 20,000 historical articles, which are on display in 40 sections. Dinkar G Kelkar (1896-1990), who lived to the age of 95, spent all his life in putting together this amazing collection and preserving it, and the museum is dedicated to the memory of his only son Raja.

A man of immense purpose and dedication, he embarked on his life-long endeavour in 1920, and one by one, section after section, he put together a collection, with items dating back to the 14th century.

The museum collection includes fi rstly a replica of Bajirao Peshwa’s Mastani Mahal. There are separate section devoted to beauty, utensils, textiles, lamps, musical instruments, and articles made from ivory. The collection

Shinde Chhatri

includes metal idols of gods and demons, including Lord Ganesha, Hanuman, Kalika, Mahavir and Gautam Buddha.

The idols are made of stone, wood, brass and other metals. The collection of musical instruments include tambora, tabla, sarangi and other instruments. Then there is the famous Paithani sari and clothes worn by well-known people. There is a eye-catching collection of lamps, night lamps and those used on ships.

Dr Kelkar handed his collection to the Department of Archaeology, Government of Maharashtra for developing it as a Regional Museum with better display and maintenance.

“The museum should have been provided parking space, and good roads by the governments,” said Sudhanva Ranade, director of museum. The museum attracts tourists from all over the country and abroad.

Tilak Museum

The Shinde Chhatri at Wanowrie, is a three-storey memorial, built and dedicated to the memory of 18th century Maratha military leader Mahadaji Shinde.

Th is is where Mahadji Shinde was cremated on February 12, 1794. The memorial represents the rich heritage of that era. The regal entrance gate made of iron and the imposing exterior features intricate and detailed carvings. Shinde Chatri has a temple of Lord Shiva, which was built in the year 1794 by Mahadji himself. It is now maintained by the Scindia Devasthan Trust, Gwalior.

The major attraction of Shinde Chhatri is the elaborate style of architecture, reflecting the style used in Rajasthan. It is also called The Anglo-Rajasthani style of construction, featuring a fine blend of two different cultures. The Chhatri hall holds carvings and painting, as well as a gallery. The paintings and photographs of members of the Shinde family give this place a historic significance, and the colourful window panes are attractive.

In 1965, a samadhi (memorial) was constructed outside the sanctum of the Shiva temple, in memory of Mahadji Shinde, exactly where he was cremated.

Madhavrao Scindia (Shinde) was responsible for the building of the complex, along with the memorial of Mahadji Shinde.

National War Museum

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who was conferred the title of ‘Lokmanya’ in tribute to his immense popularity and the love he evoked among the people of Pune and Maharashtra, was also a fierce fighter and leader, who led the Indian masses during the halcyonic days of India’s freedom struggle.

The museum that bears his name, located in Narayan Peth, in Kesari Wada, houses a treasury of photographs, items of personal use, educational certificates, hand-written letters, replicas, books, and a library, all of which illustrate and depict the sterling role that he played in the course of his exceptional life. The legend of Lokmanya comes alive in the rare and exclusive and black and white photographs that document the stirring events of his life.

The pictures highlight the trials and tribulations as well as the triumphs, through the turbulent times of the freedom struggle, and the landmark events of Tilak’s political career. The photos also include the institutes where Tilak studied, as well as those he founded with his colleagues, including Fergusson College, New English School and Deccan College. A rare photo that captures Tilak with Mahatma Gandhi at his bungalow on Sinhagad, dates back to 1915. There is even a moving photograph of Tilak’s funeral, and the overflowing throngs of people who were part of the ceremony.

Among the other treasures that this modest sized museum houses are letters written by Tilak, addressed to the British government, some evocative oil paintings, educational certificate including a laminated Bachelor of Law degree certificate, and the Sanad of practice, a replica of a library in which Tilak is seated at a table, and articles that he used including tables, bed, clothes, tepoy, shoes, his books and more. The replica of the cell he was housed in while in Mandalay Jail is a major attraction. Tilak is engrossed in writing the Gita Rahasya, in the light of a lamp, and his small library is also seen. A larger than life personality, the fruits and rewards of Tilak’s work we still experience and enjoy

This National War Museum is adjacent to the National War Memorial at Morwada Chowk, Ghorpadi, in Pune Cantonment area. This museum was inaugurated in December 2015, and showcases the rich heritage and history of the Southern Command. This museum provides a glimpse into the martial history of Maharashtra, Southern India and Rajasthan, which form the geographical expanse of Southern Command’s Area of responsibility. A visit to the museum is like a walk down the memory lane, from 1000 AD onwards, and weaves a chronological tale of indomitable saga of valour and sacrifice of the soldiers of Southern Command in pre- and post-Independence eras.

This history has been depicted through photographs and artifacts, including captured weapons, flags, documents, statues, murals, busts and oil canvas paintings. The museum also houses a Paint Ball Range to give visitors a first-hand experience of combat against terrorists. It also has a tank museum showcasing Indian and captured enemy tanks which had participated in various operations.

Mahatma Phule Museum The Mahatma Phule Museums on Ghole Road, Shivajinagar, was constructed in the year 1890. It was previously known as ‘Lord Ray Museum’, but was renamed as Mahatma Phule Museum in 1947. The museum building made of stone is imposing. The Phule museum has on display items relating to textiles, forestry, geology and natural history, as well as stone carvings, marble statues, oil paintings, brassware, arms and armoury, agricultural articles, industrial products, handicraft items etc. The armoury section includes swords, weapons of war, guns, metal helmets and more. A major attraction are body samples of elephants, lioness and fish. The museum library holds a collection of rare books.

The museum also holds fi lm shows and seminars for enthusiasts.

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum on Senapati Bapat Road, near Symbiosis College, is devoted to the man who wrote the Constitution of India. Entering the museum, there are black and white photographs on either side of the passage that highlight the milestone moments from Dr Ambedkar’s life. The domed museum building has four sections, and the display incudes articles used by the great man.

There are two chairs that Dr Ambedkar used, and the bed on which he breathed his last. Also on show are his footwear, the clothes and a fur cap he wore at the 4th conference on Buddhism held in Nepal, his travel accessories, dining table and chairs the Ambedkar family sat at for their meals, their utensils, a night lamp, a wall clock, two suitcases which he used while travelling abroad, and even the violin Babasaheb took his music lessons on.

The museum wall has statues of the eminent politician and lawyer, and events from his life like ‘Pune karar’, taking the oath, Kalaram temple satyagraha etc.

Joshi’s Museum of Miniature Railways Joshi’s Museum of Miniature Railways in Kothrud, showcases a variety of miniature models of railways that operate all over the world, in different geographical regions, for different purposes.

The models are beautifully made and include steam trains, diesel engines, rope railway, funicular railway, underground train, trolley bus, Wuppertal Hanging Railway, with a reversing station for steam trains, a two-lane highway with moving cars, fair ground with a circus which has changing shows, a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, roller coaster, and a toy train. They make for an arresting miniature scene, and the sound effects only enhance the experience. A swimming pool

with people in it, a restaurant which goes up and down a tower, drive-in theatre, fire engine which actually puts out a fire are ingredients which are intensely captivating. The museum finds mention in the Limca Book of Records 2004, as the only one of its kind in India. The museum was named after originator and founder Bhau Joshi, the ardent man, whose hobby was collecting train models from childhood. He visualised the layout, which was the result of a 40-year obsession, and it was first displayed in Pune at the Gokhale Hall in 1982. After this he decided to set up a Museum of Miniature Railways. The present layout was created, and opened to the public on April 1, 1998. dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

FIRST GIRLS’ SCHOOL STARTED FROM BHIDE WADA Bhide Wada, where the first school for girls was set up by Savitribai Phule and Fatima Begum, is to be converted into a commercial complex

BY YOGESH WAGH @YogeshWagh1857 Pune is a renowned education hub, with its proliferation of educational institutes and universities. There is a constant and growing influx of students who come here for education. But less known and acknowledged is Pune’s vital role in the history of women’s education in India.

Did you know that India’s fi rst school for girls was set up at Bhide Wada, Pune, on January 1, 1848? It was the courageous initiative of Savitribai Phule and her associate, Fatima Begum, who set up the fi rst school for girls in India. The aim was to free girls from social slavery and ignorance.

They faced immense opposition and even abuse, but continued steadfast amidst adversity, and continued to run the school.

Savitribai Phule was the wife of the radical social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. The school was named ‘Bhide

School’, after the owner of the property, Tatyarao Bhide. He gave some rooms to Mahatma Phule at his Bhide wada, to start the fi rst school for girls. Th is school which was functioning for many years, is no longer in existence.

Girls and women have excelled in every field, but we all seem to have a collective memory loss in failing to recognise the historical significance of the fi rst school for girls. It is a shame that such a crucial intervention that laid the foundation of women’s development in India, has been forgotten and no one understands and recognises its value and worth. The efforts of Savitribai Phule and Fatima Begum need to be documented and preserved, and one of the ways would be to make concerted efforts to restore Bhide Wada into a heritage site.

The future of Bhide Wada is now in a state of a stalemate. It was being converted into a residential-cum-commercial building but the combined efforts of a

number of people’s organisations opposed it, and they were able to get the court’s stay order. Pratima Pardeshi, Convenor, Bhide Wada Bachao Samiti said that all the ruling parties have supported the demand for declaring Bhide Wada as a heritage site, and build a memorial in respect of it being the fi rst school for girls.

The demand has been submitted to the Maharashtra state government, and the samiti is continuously following it up, but all they are receiving are assurances, not decisions. Now the situation is critical, as the building is in a dilapidated state and the whole matter is in limbo.

Thus this historical site and memory is now in the process of being erased not only from our minds, but also from the city space.

It is necessary to restore the glorious past of Bhide Wada, as it is a landmark place which has centrally positioned Pune in the history of women’s empowerment. yogesh.wagh@goldensparrow.com

nd ANNIVERS ARY

The highlight of the Pune classical music calendar is the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, which has a rich and eventful 63-year history

These are the famous kattas in the city, where political leaders across party lines unite for awhile, leaving aside their political rivalries

CELEBRAT

ION

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

Puneri kattas that allow politicos to unite for a common cause

Pune politicos devise a way to leave aside differences, and unite to discuss issues at their Saturday Club and Wadeshwar kattas

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar

Pune is a cultural hub of Maharashtra, besides being an educational, IT and automobile hub. Pune has spawned great leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who was a mentor of Mahatma Gandhi and Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak too belonged to Pune, and was at the forefront of the freedom movement till his death in 1920. There have been other stalwarts and leaders like Dhananjayrao Gadgil, Kakasaheb Gadgil and Mohan Dharia who played stellar roles in nationbuilding. India is a land rife with religious rites but Pune has remained an exception on this issue, and the credit for this has to go to the political leaders of Pune city. These leaders may belong to diverse political thoughts and ideologies, but they have never disrupted the cultural decorum and harmony of the city. Despite hailing from various castes, religions, social, economic and demographic backgrounds, the political leaders of the city come together on various political kattas (platforms) like the Saturday club, Wadeshwar Katta, Puneri Katta and Friday Katta. These are the famous kattas in the city, where political leaders across party lines unite for awhile, leaving aside their political rivalries.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson Ankush Kakade, who is the main convenor of the most famous and oldest political katta, Saturday Club of Pune politicians, said, “Before emergency, one political club existed in Pune of the Congress leaders, but

post emergency, this group vanished because of political differences between leaders of that time. So, in 2004, Satish Desai, Ulhas Pawar, Girish Bapat, Shrikant Shirole and I met at Sudhir Gadgil’s home, and discussed the start of a political katta in the city, where all political leaders of different parties could come together on one dais. That was a Saturday, so eventually we named this katta Saturday Club. We ourselves decided the constitution of the club, as we meet on the last Saturday of every month. Three or four group members take the responsibility of arranging dinner, and we engage in political gossip, discussions and debates, but we avoid personal attacks on each other, maintain each other’s dignity, respect each other’s thoughts, show appreciation for achievements and celebrate group members’ birthdays.

One may be president, vice president or secretary but all have been working like members. Now there are 110 members

in our club, including former deputy chief minister of state Ajit Pawar, Sikkim governor Shriniwas Patil, former state assembly speaker Dilip Walase-Patil, former minister Harshwardhan Patil, former IPS Gulabrao Pol and so on. The criteria for becoming a member is that they should be above the age of 40-45 for the sake of maturity. We make fun of each other but keep to our limits so that our friendship remains intact.

We have a diary of Saturday Club, in which we have contacts, addresses, and birthday details of all 110 members. By the end of December, we declare names of group members who are going to be sponsoring food for the group.

Everybody offer to arrange for food, but it comes to each group member once in 4-5 years. Political leaders and workers across party lines, come together without caste and religion discrimination, and discuss issues, from political, social to the current

situations. On the coming Saturday, June 25, it will be our 145th month of Saturday Club meet. The member who is to sponsor food, sends SMS, emails and invitations to all group members.

We come together, have discussions for an hour, appreciate/felicitate birthdays and achievements of group members, and then have dinner. Last year our Saturday Club members went to Sikkim with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, where one of our members, Shriniwas Patil, is now serving as governor. We travelled across Sikkim. Earlier this year, Saturday Club completed ten years of its formation, so the group members came along with their wives, and we had organised a music show at Central Park Hotel in Pune. A few months ago, minister Prakash Javadekar had invited Saturday Club members to

PUNE

New Delhi, and we all went to Delhi.

Sharad Pawar, advocate Makarand Adkar, minister Nitin Gadkari, MP Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant and Vandana Chavan hosted dinner and lunch for us during the tour. We visited many ministers and bureaucrats like Srikar Pardeshi in Delhi. We have veg and non veg food, but avoid liquor.

Saturday Club had given a cheque of one lakh rupees to Sakal Relief Fund for their work in curbing drought in state. A few days ago our club donated Rs 51,000 to NAAM Foundation.”

Talking about the Wadeshwar Katta, Ankush Kakade said, “Many youngsters wanted to join our Saturday Club, but due to the age difference, we could not involve them and some people our age too would not participate in Saturday Club as it operates late at night.

Satish Desai put forth an idea to the club members, that we have to explore our horizons and have to meet people from other fields like culture, literature, cinema, and social work. So we started Wadeshwar Katta. Every Wednesday of the week Satish Desai, Srikant Shirole, Gopal Chintan and I call guests from various fields, at 8 am. The hotel owner reserves one table where our Wadeshwar Katta sits from 8 am to 10 am. We offer breakfast to the guests, tea or coffee, and discuss their fields. It is like an idea exchange in an informal way. Guests from cinema, literature, drama, social work and even foreigners have attended Wadeshwar Katta. After voting in last Lok Sabha election, we called all four candidates who contested Lok Sabha election in opposition to each other, and had breakfast together at Wadeshwar Katta. For this, media had given us great coverage. This can only happen in Pune, where despite different political thoughts, we come together without hesitation and maintain a healthy political environment in the city.

“We use to call women on International Women’s Day, March 8, since the last few years. After that Neeta Sonwalkar, Mrunal Kulkarni, Vaishali Babar, Minal Kalamkar, and Shobha Bhopatkar, from different fields, have started Wadeshwar Katti group, like us. A few days back, we called PMC sweepers to Wadeshwar Katta for breakfast and discussion. On seeing our Wadeshwar Katta, some youngsters have started a Friday group at Hadapsar called Puneri Katta,” said Kakade. tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

PUBLISHING

WE BREATHE 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!

Hindustani classical music is alive and well in Pune

BY ZAINAB KANTAWALA @kantawalazainab

Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra,has always been a haven for aficionados of Hindustani classical music. Balgandharva Rangmandir, Tilak Smarak Mandir, Bharat Natyamandir have always been venues where classical music fans could see and hear the best exponents of Hindustani classical music perform. The highlight of the Pune classical music calendar is, of course, the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, which has a rich and eventful 63-year history.

Held in the second week of December, Sawai, which used to be a three-day all-night festival, has now changed into a four-day festival that ends at 10 pm owing to the loudspeaker law. Every renowned classical musician has performed at Sawai,including Carnatic music doyen M Balamurali Krishna, mandolin prodigy the late U Srinivas, violinist N Rajam, and Hindustani classical legends Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and luminaries of the Pune music scene such as the great Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Dr Prabha

Atre and new generation stars like Sawani Shende-Sathye.

Another highlight is Vasantotsav, the Indian classical, folk and light music festival organised by Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Pratishthan, in the memory of pioneering vocalist Vasantrao. Ustad Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, Pakistani Sufi singer Abida Parveen, and vocalist Roop Kumar Rathod have performed at Vasantostav.

The Taalchakra festival was founded by renowned tabla exponent Pandit Vijay Ghate, with a view to promote young and upcoming musicians, and provide financial support to needy musicians.

Besides these festivals, the auditoriums and venues like Ganesh Krida Mandir are where the classical music aficionado can always watch his/ her favourite stars perform. zainab.kantawala@goldensaprrow.com

nd

SPECIAL

SUBSCRIPTION

OFFER

`199

For 1 year

FIRST 50 SUBSCRIBERS WIN TGS BRANDED T-SHIRTS +

*52 issues

SARY

ER ANNIV

ON I T A R ELEB

C

FOOD VOUCHERS thegoldensparrow.com

TGSWeekly

Contact: 9011055077

Blades of Glory, India’s first cricket museum, is based in Pune. It is run by Rohan Pate, a former Maharashtra Under-19 cricketer

Pune was the first city in India to host Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008 at Shiv Chhtrapati sports complex in Balewadi

nd RSARY

E ANNIV

ION T A R B CELE

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

These Pune institutes are developing technologies that will benefit us all

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2

Pune is the second largest city in Maharashtra, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, and often referred to as the Oxford of the East,owing to its proliferation of educational institutes. Pune is one of the fastest growing cities in the Asia-Pacific region, and attracts large numbers of migrants from all across the country, as well as the world. These people are drawn to the city for reasons of education, career opportunities, as well as the quality of life.

Pune is also home to a wide range of manufacturing and automobile industries, as well as for research institutes of information technology (IT), education, management and training institutes, which attract migrants, students, and professionals from India, South East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The emergence of industrial Pune began in the early 1960s, with the arrival of mechanical engineering industries. Pune’s proximity to Mumbai, its temperate climate, and availability of qualified manpower made it a destination for multinationals to set up their units in Pune.

Pune is home to a number of premier national research institutes like Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), National Institute of Virology (NIV), National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN), and National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), one of the leading chemical research establishments in India, and many more.

These institutes in the city are developing technologies, improving efficiency and creating and implementing new scientific knowledge to invigorate industry, and to improve the lot of individuals and society at large.

THE ROLE OF MEDICINE COMES ONLY IN THE ABSENCE OF HEALTH The National Institute of Naturopathy located at the historical ‘Bapu Bhavan’ at

Pune is the only city in India with three cantonment areas, which underlines its importance as a military base, a legacy carried over from the days of the British raj

BY SUSHANT RANJAN @sushantranjan Th is city has been bastion of the Indian Army even during the British Raj, when it was called Poona. The British had a large army base in Poona, and the Southern Command (SC), a formation of the Indian Army, has been in existence since 1895. The Southern Command Head Quarters is located in Pune, and the SC has played a vital role during the integration of the princely states into modern India, as well as in annexation of Goa in1961, and during the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971.

The three Presidency armies were abolished and became the Indian Army on April 1, 1895. The Indian Army was divided into the Bengal Command, Bombay Command, Madras Command and Punjab Command, each under the authority of a lieutenant general. In 1908, the four commands were merged into the Northern Army and Southern Army,

Tadiwala Road, is unique and has historical importance as well.

Naturopathy, otherwise known as nature cure, is a drugless, non-invasive, rational and evidence-based system of medicine imparting treatments with natural elements based on the theory of vitality, theory of toxemia, theory of self-healing capacity of the body and the principles of healthy living.

Naturopathic Medicine is a system of primary health care practiced by naturopathic physicians for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This approach to health care emphasises education, self responsibility and therapies to support and stimulate the individual’s self-healing capacity. Naturopathic medicine is rooted in the healing wisdom of many cultures and times.

NIN Director K Satya Lakshmi said, “NIN focuses on three main aspects like nutrition, Yoga, exercise or physical activity and natural therapies. The role of medicine comes only in the absence of health. To ensure perfect health, we

are supposed to follow the rules of nature, the principles of life natural (Prakriti Jeevanam).

Diseases are caused due to the violation of nature’s laws.

“Naturopathy ensures healing at any stage by its simple methods like, fasting, dieting and treatments with natural elements,” she said.

TRANSLATING SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS INTO TANGIBLE BENEFITS FOR THE PEOPLE The National Animal Cell Repository at National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) is one of its kind in India. It has been providing valuable service to many organisations, especially academic institutions, as well as industries all over the country, by providing free cell lines to support research in cell biology.

NCCS is an autonomous organisation funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Ministry of Science and Technology.

The National Centre for Cell Science

located in Pune, is one of India’s leading research organisations working in the field of cell biology.

It was established with a mandate of three main functions: National Cell Repository, Research & Development, and Human Resource Development.

Since its inception, NCCS has been at the forefront of basic research in diverse fields of modern cell biology, especially those addressing paramount human health issues like cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases and regenerative medicine.

The state-of-the-art research at NCCS is focused on answering challenging questions through approaches that integrate modern and conventional disciplines, including computational and structural biology, genomics and proteomics, stem cell biology, immunology and microbiology. The focus of NCCS, however, is not merely limited to basic research.The scientists here actively collaborate with clinicians and also explore translating their promising scientific breakthroughs into tangible benefits for the people.

NCCS scientist Dr Jyoti Rao said, “NCCS was also ranked among the topmost life sciences research institutions in India by the prestigious international science journal, ‘Nature’, in a special feature on service-oriented activities, which are also an important component of NCCS.” “The Microbial Culture Collection (MCC), the largest facility of such a kind in the world, was initiated at NCCS with the aim of preserving and studying the rich microbial biodiversity of the country. It also provides a variety of services related to its areas of research.”

A LEADING CENTRE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF CROPS SUCH AS WHEAT, SOYBEAN AND GRAPES Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), established in 1946, is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. ARI’s current research and development activities span all areas of life sciences spread over six different themes, namely, Biodiversity & Paleobiology,

From nature cure, to cell research and improving crops, these national institutes based in the city are engaged in endeavours to ensure the well-being of the human race Bioenergy, Bioprospecting, Developmental Biology, Genetics & Plant Breeding, and Nanobioscience.

Anaerobic cellulolytic and methanogenic organisms from gobar gas plants were reported for the first time in India by the microbiology group of the Agharkar Research Institute.

A specialised culture collection of anaerobic organisms was also established. The current research activities of the Bioenergy group are focused on “exploring and exploiting microorganisms for sustainable energy”.

The thematic area of ‘Bioprospecting’ has emerged from the erstwhile Chemistry and Biometry & Nutrition Groups of the institute.

The newly formed group in ARI endeavours to discover molecules from biological resources that have applications in agriculture, health and environment.

Current areas of research include, Semiochemicals as attractants and repellents, Understanding mechanisms of metabolic and neurological disorders and cancers for the development of novel treatments based on natural and synthetic molecules, and Development of neutracuticals for metabolic and neurological disorders.

Speaking about the current research activities, ARI Director Dr KM Paknikar said, “Developing high yielding, disease resistant wheat, soybean and grape varieties for India, in general and peninsular zone is at stake.

The diverse challenges and constraints such as changing climate, growing population, increasing food needs, natural resource degradation, biotic threats to crop and changing consumer food habits demand paradigm shift in formulation and implementation of crop improvement program.

Our group is engaged in improving crop productivity and profitability without sacrificing ecological and economical sustainability.

The institute is one of the leading centres for improvement of crops such as wheat, soybean and grapes under the All India Co-ordinated Research Projects funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.” vicky.pathare@goldensparrow.com

THE CITY HAS BEEN

AN ARMY BASTION SINCE ITS POONA PHASE

a system that continued till 1920, when the arrangement reverted to four commands, viz, Eastern Command, Northern Command, Southern Command and Western Command.

In 1914, the Southern Army consisted of the 4th (Quetta) Division, the 5th (Mhow) Division, the 6th (Poona) Division, the 9th (Secunderabad) Division, and the Aden Brigade.

During World War II, , in April 1942, the Southern Command was reformed as Southern Army. The formation reverted to the Southern Command name in November 1945.

The Southern Command encompasses nine states and four union territories, which cover about 40 per cent of India. In 2005, some changes to the command’s boundaries were made, when a new South Western Command was established.

There are 62 ‘notified Cantonments’ in India, occupying an area of 1,57,000

Vol-III* lssue No.: 02 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.

acres, 25 in Central Command, 19 in Southern Command, 13 in Western Command, four in Eastern Command, and one in the Northern Command.

In addition 15,96,000 acres are in use for military garrisons, ‘quartering, camping, offices’, and training areas.

In the 19 cantonments under the Southern Command, seven are in Maharashtra and three in Pune, which is the only city in India to have three cantonments. The three Cantonments are Pune Cantonment Board (PCB), Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) and Dehu Road Cantonment Board (DCB).

PUNE CANTONMENT BOARD Pune Cantonment, also known as Pune Camp, is a military cantonment located in Pune, Maharashtra in India. It was

established in 1918 to accommodate troops of the British Indian Army. The cantonment is home to several military establishments. The headquarters of Indian Army’s Southern Command is located in Pune Cantonment. The National War Memorial Southern Command which commemorates the sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces is also situated in the cantonment.

The British Indian Army already had a small encampment west of the Mula River in Khadki. As more troops were required to be accommodated, a larger area was occupied to the west of the Mutha River, leading to the establishment of the Pune Cantonment in 1817 for accommodating troops of the British Indian Army. The villages of Mali, Munjeri, Wanowrie and

Ghorpuri (Ghorpadi) were selected for this purpose. Initially, a garrison for 4,620 troops was planned for the cantonment. Th is included two European regiments, a mountain battery, a native cavalry and three native regiments. A central belt of 130 acres (0.53 km2) was designated for training and drills. The fi ring ranges were located at Golibar Maidan. Soon a large number of civilians began settling in the area. Th is was encouraged since civilians provided services to troops garrisoned in the cantonment.

The limits of the cantonment were extended in 1822. In 1963, Ghorpuri Village (Ghorpadi) and Fatima Nagar were merged into the cantonment area. The limit of the cantonment was again extended in the same year when

Mundhwa village was included in the cantonment.

KHADKI CANTONMENT BOARD Khadki was the site of the Battle of Khadki, fought between the British East India Company and the Marathas in 1817, in which Bajirao II, the Peshwa ruler, was defeated. Soon after the war, the British set up a cantonment here.

It then became the base of the Royal Regiment of Artillery’s 79 (Khadki) Commando Battery.

The forces that used to come from Mumbai did not have a resting spot.

The British thus made a resting stop at Dehu, between Mumbai and Pune.

The spot was then used to provide, store and transfer weapons and armour.

Th is just increased the importance of the spot, in lieu, paving the way for the creation of the Dehu Cantonment Board.

Khadki could be considered an Indian Army base, along with an ordnance factory consisting of two ammunition factories, a Military Vehicle Depot (Central Armed Forces Vehicle Depot, CAFVD) and the Military Dairy Farm.

Referred to previously as Kirkee during the British Raj, its borders are flanked by two other large army establishments, the College of Military Engineering (CME) at Dapodi and the Bombay Engineering Group (BEG). It also has a war cemetery (Kirkee War Cemetery) and a war memorial. Khadki had a large number of open areas which were converted into playing fields by CAFVD. Khadki is surrounded on three sides by the Mula River, starting from Bopodi/Dapodi, past the War Cemetery, joining the Mutha River at what is known as Sangamwadi. Two historic bridges add to its military background, the low-lying Holkar Bridge and the Sangam Double Bridges, one for rail and the other for road traffic. Two more bridges have been added since 2005, one replacing Holkar Bridge, as it would invariably be submerged in the monsoons, and the other to shorten the distance from Deccan College area to Poona Engineering College and Deccan Gymkhana. Khadki has as many as seven military officers’ messes. sushant.ranjan@goldensparrow.com

There are 36 bridges in PMC limits, of which, 22 bridges are across the rivers, and 14 are flyovers and rail bridges

nd ANNIVERS ARY

CELEBRAT

ION

Pune has highest number of two-wheelers in the state.

The number of vehicles in the city grows by 38 per cent every year THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

The city has 22 bridges over the two rivers With its twin rivers, Pune is dotted with bridges that are vital links for the movement of people and vehicles from one side to the other

BY ROMIL KOTHARI @romil_kothari Pune, with its twin rivers, is a city that has a smattering of bridge, linking either sides of the rivers. The history of bridges in Pune dates back to the British era, when they built the Fitzgerald Bridge, or Bund Garden bridge, over the Mula-Mutha river.

Pune has developed greatly since then, and over the years more bridges have come up. But what’s more significant are the parallel bridges which can be found all over Pune along the banks of the Mula-Mutha rivers, including Baba Bhide bridge, Gadgil bridge or Z bridge, Sambhaji bridge, Lakdi Pul or Shivaram Mhatre bridge and SM Joshi bridge.

In total, there are 36 bridges in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits, of which, 22 bridges are across the rivers, and 14 are flyovers and rail bridges.

Sambhaji bridge or Lakdi Pul Sambhaji bridge is the oldest bridge in Pune.

Also known as Lakdi Pul, it was built in 1761 after the defeat of Maratha army in the third battle of

Panipat. Since there was no way for the Maratha army to enter Pune, a bridge was built of wood, which is why it is known as Lakdi Pul. Although destroyed twice by floods, it was rebuilt in 1840 by the British into a stronger stone bridge, and after the 1961 Panshet floods, it was rebuilt and repaired by the Indian Army in just eight days. Now known as Sambhaji bridge, it is closed for two-wheelers, and is only accessible to three-wheelers and four-wheelers.

Bund Garden bridge or Fitzgerald bridge Bund Garden bridge, earlier known as Fitzgerald bridge, was built in 1867 by the British. It was named after the Governor of Bombay (Mumbai), Sir William Robert Vesey Fitzgerald, and was designed and constructed by Captain Robert S Sellon of the Royal Engineers. The Bund Garden bridge over Mula-Mutha river is 800 feet long.

Sangam bridge or Wellesley bridge When the British gained control of Poona, as Pune was known then, they built the Wellesley bridge, in 1818. The Wellesley bridge was named

after Aurthur Wellesley, one of the British officials of East India Company. It was strengthened in 1840 and completely rebuilt in 1876 to make it look like its present day structure. During the Panshet flood in 1961, the bridge was damaged and was repaired later. The Sangam bridge is the busiest bridge in Pune, which links COEP to Sangamwadi.

Holkar bridge Holkar bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Pune, situated in Khadki. It was built in the 18th century by Madharao Peshwa. The bridge was named after Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar of the Holkar dynasty of Marathas. It is believed that Yashwantrao Holkar used to camp near the bridge.

However, after the loss in the Kirkee war with British, Kirkee Cantonment was formed and this area was used by British as the camping area till the independence. At the present day, Holkar bridge is believed to be haunted and people are advised to not use this bridge at night, as mysterious deaths have happened here. romil.kothari@goldensparrow.com

There are nearly four lakh women riders in Pune Women with their faces marked by scarves and dark glasses are seen on every Pune street, and the facial accessories are augmented with lab technicians coats and elbow length gloves

BY ZAINAB KANTAWALA @kantawalazainab Pune has 3,61,053 female two-wheeler riders, the highest in the country. Be it students, working professionals, housewives or even grandmothers, a two-wheeler is indispensable as a means to get about for these females. And they have just cause, as Pune’s public transport system (bus service) is so unreliable or exorbitantly expensive (autorickshaws), that a two-wheeler is the perfect alternative. Scooters are their preferred choice, but there are a few adventurous women who are not averse to riding proper motorcycles.

The typical Puneri woman two-wheeler rider is turned out in Bandit Queen style, with a scarf camouflaging her face and hair, dark glasses across the eyes, and lab technicians’

coats and elbow length gloves. Not even their mothers would recognise them, you can be sure. And the protective helmet is conspicuous by its absence. Most of these women are also experts in squeezing through non-existent gaps in traffic, and aggressive enough to give you a dirty look, if you happen to obstruct them..

It is obvious that these members of the fair sex care much more about their skin, as the scarves and gloves prevent the darkening of the epidermis. And the safety aspect seems to be not on their horizon as helmet-wearing girls or women are rather rare on Pune’s streets.

It’s uncanny how now the bandit queen attire has become like a standard uniform for women riders of Pune, and their number is growing by the day. zainab.kantawala@goldensaprrow.com

Approximately, 3,000 foreign students currently study in the various colleges and universities across Pune

Plays for home theatre are scripted and performed differently than those performed on a traditional stage, as they are meant for smaller audiences THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

All the world’s a stage, even your own living room Pune’s theatre audiences are taking to the home theatre concept, or plays performed in someone’s living room, rather well

nd RSARY

E ANNIV

ION T A R B CELE

Here, the wadas co-exist alongside the high-rises While the wadas were once the ideal residences for the city dweller, the towering high-rises are now offering the Puneite a swanky, super-pricey alternative

BY GARGI VERMA @missgverma The city has always enjoyed a rich theatre culture. Theatre groups in the city have witnessed the years go by, while performing for appreciative audiences.

However, over the years, the changes in the realms of theatre have been radical.

While storylines and audiences keep changing, another aspect that has also changed steadily is the venue of the play or performance.

With the rise of confined theatre spaces, home theatres have emerged all across the city. While theatre stalwarts believe them to be a recurring trend, the spike in their growth in recent years has been phenomenal. Home theatres are just what the name suggests. These are regular homes, where the rooms are being converted into performance spaces. These plays, scripted and performed differently than those performed on a traditional stage, are meant for smaller and generally more aware audiences. While directors are coming up with more such scripts, the theatre enthusiasts seem to welcome the new wave quite enthusiastically.

According to Prasad Vanarase, 52, a theatre director renowned for his work in the theatre circles, the intimate spaces have always existed. “People have attempted this art form display in the past also. However, the current scenario is more about experimentation and considering how much these props enrich a certain script,” he said. He recently produced a play titled ‘DNA’, meant to be performed only in intimate spaces like a living room. “I was not meaning to do something out of the box. While developing the script, we realised that the play could be very well performed in a minimal space as it is actually showing the scenes of a living room,” he explained.

In an intimate room or home

BY GARGI VERMA @missgverma

Shirisha Sathe

theatre, the audience is as much a part of the play as the actors or the props. “In a way, there is no spotlight and dark, so the viewer has to be much aware and attentive, as all his actions are in the open,” Vanarase said. His claim was supported by Shirisha Sathe, 50, a counselling psychologist who has been hosting dance recitals, classical vocal concerts and plays in her house for many years. “We all know each other and that in a way strengthens the bond between the audience and the performer. It is not a chore; in fact, our neighbours, friends and family bond over these common interests,” she said.

Aditi Venkateshwaran, 30, who

is both a dancer and one of those who hosts plays at her house, provides a dual approach on the situation. “As a performer, many a times, we do not have the financial support we want.

So, procuring a big stage or the props is not viable. At such times, the homes of like-minded people have always been extremely welcome. It is like a conglomeration of people who all think the same way and appreciate art.

However, home performances are not always the alternative. At times, like in the ‘DNA’ play, the director makes a conscious decision and then it enriches the play even further,” she explains. “I myself am an artiste, I have family and

friends who all are in performing arts and so, home theatre felt like a genuine approach to get them all together under one roof or to have a get-together,” she adds.

While the city, thanks to its rich cultural heritage, has been quick in adjusting with new developments; it indeed is the people who gather and make home performances a reality. As Vanarase aptly puts it, “It’s all about making my script better; what I am adding to it by changing the venues and the audience size should guide my decisions.” For now, the home theatre scene seems to be helping the artistes. gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

Pune is strewn with a profusion of wadas, Vishrambaug Wada, Natu Wada, and the most famous of them all, Shaniwarwada, to name a few. However, these wadas have resplendent pasts, a tragic aspect, and somewhere in between, also a glorious life hence. Toughened by time and natural elements, they might not appear as regal as they did a few decades ago, but that doesn’t diminish their importance for the city or its dwellers.

The history of Pune goes way back to the fi fth century, when the settlement known as Punnaka existed along with the Pataleshwar temple and Kasba Peth. It was under the Yadava rule in the ninth century, and then the Nizamshah Sultans, and the Maratha and Peshwa rule in the 17th century, when all the peth areas came into being. Along with the peths,

The catalyst effect of student population of Pune

Known as the Oxford of the East, the city brings together students from other Indian cities, and even foreign lands, who have imbued the once bastion of tradition into a urban, cosmopolitan zone

BY GARGI VERMA @missgverma From being known as the capital city for multitudes of generations of rulers in the past, Pune has retained its position as a cultural capital, if not the actual state capital, even today. However, out of the many nicknames, the one spread far and wide is the name, Oxford of the East. The number of colleges and other educational institutes in the city corroborate the general idea behind this name.

Oxford in the United Kingdom, known because of the Oxford University, was the only place students with either talent or wealth, frequently both, used to end up at. A similar popularity is enjoyed by the Pune universities in the present generation. Home to seven deemed universities, two of them for the Defence Forces, Pune has a sizeable population of students who have migrated here to pursue an education. These outsiders can be students travelling a few hours from the suburbs of Pune, to foreign students who are trying to adjust to the city and its language.

According to Bhumika Chawla, 18, a resident of Chhattisgarh and a fi rst year student about to start her classes at the Pune University’s economics department, “Pune was the fi rst option as it provided me with the best opportunities and my parents did not have to worry about my security as well.” She is not the only one who thinks so. “Since there are so many colleges and even more students, the community is strong. So, we do not expect any hostility for our non-Marathi speaking child,” explains Akshay Mathur, a father of two, both of whom are studying at the Symbiosis University, albeit in different campuses. “Even though they are not in the same location, we are not worried as they are surrounded by their peers who all are as new in

the city as they are,” he says.

While the national students flock to the city and mingle with the locals, the international students are not far behind. In fact, the Symbiosis International University was founded to cater to foreign students. According to Saba, a student at the Symbiosis University, who originally hails from Kenya, the city feels like ‘home away from home’.

She explains, “We are not treated as foreigners, people don’t gape at us or make us uncomfortable.

On the other hand, there are strong efforts made to adapt our culture, to make us feel at home.” She is not the only one. According to Peter Falkner, an older student from Pune, who currently works in France, “India was made amazing by the college time we had.”

Approximately, 3000 foreign students currently

study in the various colleges and universities across Pune. The number is much higher for national students from outside Pune. These students are everywhere across the city, they frequent the eating joints outside the college campuses, they are the ones shopping on FC Road and MG Road, and they are the ones keeping the night-out scene of the city strong and diverse. Students, despite their native cities, come together and protest when it comes to decide right from wrong. These students, much to the woe of the older generation, also flaunt rules across the city. While the city is a beautiful gem of traditional culture, these young students give it a modern touch of experimental music, flashy shows and carefree nights. They give the city another identity, by making this city their own. gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

came up huge structures that were being used as houses and even offices by the court artisans and important ministers of the Peshwas. These were known as wadas.

Along with great architecture, these wadas slowly became the iconic imagery of the city. However, they were not taken very good care of, and due to fi res, floods and other unforeseen circumstances, their condition started deteriorating. Years of neglect added to the woes of these imposing buildings, worsening their condition further. Finally, however, the Heritage Department stepped in and took matters into their own hands.

Currently, the Pune heritage sites are categorised as Grade I, II and III according to their national and historical significance. Of Pune’s 250 heritage sites, 78 are Grade I, 85 are Grade II, and the remaining are Grade III. While on one hand we have the now-dilapidated wadas, on another hand, we have high-rises and luxury buildings. A tower that gifts its buyers private planes, to proposed high-rises with swimming pools on each floor, their existence confi rms that the housing sector in Pune as always, is booming. Both structures, the wadas and the high rises, are technically meant for the same purpose. However, with the changes in time and technology, the buildings have changed completely. It is only in Pune that one can actually see both co-exist. People who live in old wadas call it home, while many believe in spending millions and buying a posh apartment in one of the luxury buildings. Only in Pune, can one have something for everyone, be it a room in a wada or a penthouse. gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

nd ANNIVERS ARY

Michelle Kakade, 46 a mother of two, from Pune is the only Indian woman to run 256 kilometers across the Sahara Desert in 6 days

Over 2,000 Information Technology companies; a skilled workforce of over 200,000 generating IT-fueled exports in excess of $ 10 billion

CELEBRAT

ION

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

Pune has morphed into a tech capital in 20 yrs Auto and infotech are the twin ‘astras’ in the city’s quiver

BY ANAND PARTHASARATHY Three days ago ( on June 22), Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in Chakan, Pune, to inaugurate a new plant at Force Motors, a respected Indian name in automobile ancillaries. Also on hand was Frank Deiss, global head for Powertrains at Mercedes-Benz.

Why? Because the new plant was being set up with just one agenda: to manufacture engines and axles for Mercedes-Benz — with a rated capacity of 20,000 each. The plant could handle 14 different engine variants with 8 production lines... something made possible by today’s assembly line automation technology.

It made splendid sense for M-B to entrust its engines to Force, because its own India plant was almost next door in Chakan... a canny move to ensure a smooth supply chain.

The Force — Mercedes-Benz synergy is an epitome of what has transformed Pune, within 2 decades into a high-tech hub for the automobile

Materials Laboratory and Automotive Electronics Laboratory — at Chakan.

With all three legs — research, manufacturing and testing — firmly grounded in Pune, the city is poised to consolidate its position as India’s auto city — and among the best and biggest such consolidations worldwide.

Supercomputer capital

industry.

Even 8 years ago, a UK newspaper, The Independent, headlined a report on the gradual shift of the global auto industry, eastwards: “The boom is over in Detroit. Now India has its own Motor City”. That city is Pune.

The article went on to suggest that the car industry around Pune would help the Indian market overtake China.

And with reason. Historically, Pune has been home for half a century to two of the nation’s leading automobile makers: Tata Motors and Bajaj Auto — with Kirloskar Oil Engines, Cummins, Sandvik and Bharat Forge provided much need ancillary support by way of engines and auto components and tools.

Then came the auto boom — with international biggies General Motors, Volkswagen, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, JCB, Piaggio, Skoda, Bridgestone and others following one another to set up plants around Pune. In the process this turned the Chakan-Talegaon belt into one of the world’s largest automobile industry cluster .

This period also coincided with other Indian leaders like Mahindra, Premier Motors, consolidating in Pune.

The distinction between Indian and foreign brands became irrelevant when Tata Motors began assembling JaguarLand Rover cars for a global market in

its Pimpri-Chinchwad plant.

One reason why Pune has proved a magnet for auto majors, beyond its logistical advantages, access to Mumbai and its port etc, is the support ecosystem that has grown here by way of R&D and testing facilities. Technology watcher Zinnov Consulting, predicted in 2014 that the country could become a preferred destination for automotive R&D, with local engineering and science talent fuelling ‘made in India’ solutions for a global auto industry.

Zinnov found this activity peaking in what is now being called the Deccan Triangle of the auto industry — Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Pune has a headstart on the other two metros, with its larger installed capacity of automotive manufacturing.

This captive auto R&D infrastructure is complemented by the presence in India of the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) which has been providing various services to the Automotive Industry in the areas of design & development and know-how for manufacture & testing of components and systems to national and international standards.

ARAI recently marked its golden jubilee by inaugurating a suite of facilities — Passive Safety Laboratory, Powertrain Laboratory, Fatigue and

To misquote Goldfinger of James Bond fame, “One is happenstance, twice is a coincidence, three times is — not enemy action but — a deliberate game plan”.

This is how Pune has become the Supercomputing capital of India. Consider: In March 1988, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing was born in Pune, with a 37 month mandate and a budget of Rs 37 crores: to develop a supercomputer for modeling the weather, overcoming a US ban on the sale of a Cray computer to India.

This was the genesis of the Param programme of high performance computing machines, which for most of the next three decades has staked an Indian presence in the short list of the world’s 500 most powerful computers.

It is also the only continuous programme of ‘make in India’ supercomputers that has seen 5 generations of Param computers designed and developed in India culminating in Param Yuva II. If Param put Pune on the supercomputing map, Tata Sons consolidated the name when it acquired the Pune based Computational Research Labs in Pune in 2012, inheriting Eka, then the fourth-fastest computer in the world.

But the shifting goalpost of computer speed has taken Eka off the Top 500 list for some years now — a position that has been retained by Param and also joined by the Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pashan, whose IBM machine is currently the fastest in the city.

The city is known to host some other teraflop machines — which qualify as supercomputers— though being in private hands, they are not officially listed.

But when the number crunching power is added, Pune can legitimately bid for the title of Supercomputing City of India.

A PROUD MOMENT FOR PUNE AND INDIA: SP Dixit, Director CDAC exchanging papers with the Russian Academia of Sciences ‘Dr Valentine Gushchin to mark the acquisition of a Param Supercomputer by the foreign academy in 2008

Infotech: an exemplar of quality, not quantity Over 2000 Information Technology companies; a skilled workforce of over 200,000 generating IT-fueled exports in excess of $ 10 billion. That at twitterlength is the story of Pune, India’s emerging silicon plateau.

It didn’t happen overnight. In fact the somewhat sleepy and laidback Queen of the Deccan was content to call herself India’s Oxford ( or Cambridge) — till the 1980s

class work. The Usual Suspects among Indian tech giants — Wipro, TCS, Infosys, Mahindra-Satyam— were soon here, as were global names like Symantec, Veritas, British Telecom, Cognizant and dozens of others. Some of them sited their key operational units in Pune. Only last week, networking leader Cisco opened its second Global Delivery Centre in Pune.

Before it became part of Symantec, storage security leader Veritas centred its global research efforts in Pune and the centre churned out so many patents, the parent company had an annual event to honour the inventors here. Symantec’s Pune centre in Baner, houses its global command centre, a nod of its global intelligence network where hostile activity on the Internet worldwide is monitored 24 by 7.

The presence of the biggies has in

— respected for an eclectic mix of hardcore and esoteric learning centres: an Engineering College (COEP) ranking among the oldest in India; the premier Defence academy (NDA), pioneering institutions for women’s education ( SNDT) and an institution for research in history and culture.

Learning was fine; the proof of the pudding was in putting it to productive use — and Pune got down to business — literally — around the turn of the century, to attract the cream of Indian infotech players and Fortune 500 corporates with its canny combo of skills and a salubrious environment for work. IT Parks sprang up on the edges of the city — the Rajiv Gandhi IT Park at Hinjewadi, Magarpatta CyberCity, MIDC Software Tech Park at Talawade, Marisoft IT Park at Kalyani Nagar — to provide the international ambience that is required to do world-

turn made Pune a welcome home to hundreds of startups whose innovation feeds the technology ecosystem in the city. Local entrepreneurship in the tech arena has seen the steady growth of Pune headquartered companies like Persistent Systems and Josh Software who have carved out a niche for the Pune Brand in a competitive global maidan.

Yet Pune will never be — or aspire to be — a Bangalore or a Gurgaon: other, larger Indian concentrations of tech talent. Puneites pride themselves on the quality of talent they offer, not just the bare skills to populate a call centre. In the foreseeable future, that’s how it will be— as the city’s eager young minds help consolidate its own unique brand of the larger IT industry, a brand which offers bespoke, rather than assembly line talents.

IndiaTechOnline

Every other man in the city wears Bhikbali The Bhikbali is an ornament initially worn by Brahmin scholars of the Peshwa period, as a symbol of knowledge and intelligence

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar The Bhikbali is an earring that scholarly Brahmins used to wear in the right ear during the Peshwa era. A Bhikbali is fashioned from two pearls and a small pendant strung on a gold wire. It is a symbol of knowledge and intelligence.

In those days, the scholars in society had no money, and therefore they had to go around taking bhikshas (alms). That is how Bali became their status symbol.

However, after a period of time, the elite class also started wearing the Balis, which set a new fashion trend. People wearing Bhikbali were believed to originate from Pune, but this was not really true. People from the Konkan region of Maharashtra have been wearing them

for a long time.

Historian Mandar Lawate says, “Bhikbali has historical relevance with Peshwai. In the glorious peak period of Peshwai, the scholars of society would wear the earring. Scholars were generally from poor backgrounds, but they were rewarded by the Peshwas for their talent.

Bhik means to beg and scholars of the society did not have money to purchase ornaments, so these people had to go around taking Bhikshas or alms.

These scholars started wearing the Bhikbali and it became their status symbol, which is why it is known as the symbol of knowledge. The people who wear it are considered to be real Punekars.

By seeing actors wearing don it in Marathi soaps, youngsters have started following the trend. The Bhikbali has now become a symbol of pride and prestige.” tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

The youngest International Baccalaureate (IB) board teacher in the Asia Pacific region, is a Pune girl, Ira Ghosh

Deepika Chowdhury from Pune is the first Indian woman to win an International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB) title THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2016

PUNE

nd RSARY

E ANNIV

ION T A R B CELE

THESE ARE THE PUNEITES WHO BELIEVE IN

HAVING IT AND FLAUNTING IT

Men with large gold pendants, thick gold chains, bracelets and rings are a common sight in Pune, and they include the overnight crorepatis, politicos and those who have worked hard for their affluence

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar From being an education and automobile hub, Pune has also acquired the tag of being an IT hub. As a consequence, the city has developed and flourished in the last few decades. Therefore, real estate and land prices within Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits have soared, and residents of villages merged into city limits, have seen the value of the lands they own soar to astronomical orbits.

And overnight many such land owners have become crorepatis.

Having such large sums of money to do what they wish with, these people have found the perfect outlet for their money by investing it in gold, or gold jewellery, to be precise. It is common in Pune to see men decked in heavy gold pendants, thick gold chains, and prominent rings on their fingers.

Such people probably believe that such flamboyance flaunting of wealth bestows on them an exalted social status.

Such Bappi Lahiri-type of gold excess may draw sniggers in other cities, but Pune is where people seem to get by with such conspicuous displays of wealth. Even people elected to the PMC or those who have won the assembly elections are not averse to wearing such glitzy gold jewellery, and that the common man too has accepted such shows of affluence, and are impressed enough to vote for them.

The residents of fringe villages that were merged into the PMC sold their

Samrat Moze

Bunty Khese

lands to builders, private industries, in return for crores of rupees. So while they earned a living as milkmen, security guards, or Class III workers in Pune, they now had all the money they needed to invest in high-end luxury automobile brands for their own use, and exorbitantly priced superbikes for their college-going children. It is easy to figure out that real estate is their source of wealth.

But wearing heavy gold jewellery is not restricted to such nouveau rich alone. There are scores of other people who are not averse

to flaunting their wealth and are given to sporting such glittering gold jewellery.

The late Ramesh Wanjale, who was a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MLA, used to wear more than two kgs of gold jewellery.

Th is gave Wanjale a signature identity, and he became well-known around the state and country, and people even started calling Wanjale the ‘Golden Man’.

Bunty Khese from Khandave Padal inherited his forefathers’ land in Khandave, which was merged into PMC limits. The land owners of Khandave Padal village become crorepatis overnight. Initially some of them sold their lands to builders, but now a majority of the villagers who own land have become developers. Bunty Khese too is one such developer. He wears big golden chains around his neck, and bracelets on his arms.

His friends in Khandave, Vishrantwadi and Lohegaon put up photos with Bunty wearing many gold chains, and striking poses on his birthdays. About wearing of gold ornaments, Bunty said, “I did not purchase gold ornaments to show my prosperity to the people.

There are so many people in the world that have more money than me. But I am crazy about wearing gold ornaments. It is another way of investment, therefore I have purchased gold.”

Lakhan Padale, who hails from Lohegaon, too wears gold ornaments. He said, “There is no specific reason behind wearing gold ornaments. I like it so I purchased it. Every one wants to fulfi l his wishes in life. It was my wish to wear gold. I do not wear all these ornaments daily but

only at functions and festivals. We have faced poor economic conditions in our family, before taking up construction contracts. We now have money so we purchase gold to fulfi l our wish to wear it.” tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

Lakhan Padale

LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT

YOU HAVE ARRIVED

There is no better way to be the centre of attention than to invest in a high-end car, and then get it gold-plated

BY VISHAL KALE @iaMVISHALK

Pune has come a long way from the times when the Ambassador and Fiat were about the only cars to be seen on the streets before Maruti 800 brought the dream of owning a car within the reach of middle class India. Even that seems a long time ago, because today we live in an age when high-end luxury cars are a dime a dozen. Stand on a prominent street corner in Pune, and you will see fl eets of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi cars, and even the occasional Land Rover, Jaguar, Bentley or a stray Ferrari or Lamborghini even.

Th is is an age of conspicuous consumption, and people seem to believe in the adage, ‘if you have it, fl aunt it’. And swanky automobiles are a surefi re means to let the world know that you have arrived. When you arrive at a fi vestar in one of these above-mentioned sets of wheels, the glances of the onlookers, and the responses of the parking attendant are sure to make the owner feel rewarded enough.

Then there are those who go even further in the quest to be noticed. They will not only invest in a car that is a valid status symbol, but they will do more to make sure that their ride has the bling to be a real head-turner. Give your car a coat of gold paint and dazzle the world, seems

to be the formula.

Akash Mallav, 19, of Chandan Nagar, was gifted a Tata Nano by his father, in 2012. At Dussehra 2015, the resourceful teenager decided to give the gift from his dad a razzle-dazzle aura, so he got his Nano gold plated.

“Dussehra is a festival when people buy gold. I wanted to do the same, but with a little difference. The Nano was the fi rst gift my father gave me, so I decided to get the car gold plated, to set it apart from every other Nano,” said Mallav, who spent one-and-a-half lakh rupees on it.

Now that his Nano has its gold coat, countless people want to click selfies with the car. Akash’s relatives borrow his Nano when they are attending some important functions. He says that his car will be used in a Hindi fi lm soon. It seems that Akash and his gold Nano are a hit all round.

Sachin Khese is a connoisseur and businessman who has the means to indulge in his passion for high-end cars, of which he has no less than ten in his garage.

He bought a black Jaguar XF in 2015, but his astrologers advised him that the black colour was inauspicious. He went to the dealer in a bid to sell the car, and when the dealer heard his story, he advised Sachin to get his car gold-plated. It made sense to Sachin, and he spent Rs two lakh to get his car a golden sheen.

Mangaldas Bandal, of the Bandal group, was the fi rst Jaguar owner in India to get his car gold-plated.

The gold car trend seems to be catching on and there are sure to be many more car owners who have given their rides a gold coat, or are planning to. vishal.kale@goldensparrow.com

1,

For details call +91 8055 584 584 / 8657223377 | info-neelanchal@pinnaclegroup.in Pinnacle House, 884/9, Nal Stop Erandwane, Pune - 411004 | Project By GP Realty | www.pinnaclegroup.in