The Golden Sparrow on Saturday 28/05/2016

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PUNE, MAY 28, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

They are lining up by the score at

SHANTABAI’S BARBER SHOP Thirty years of being in the trade has made Gadhinglaj woman the most wanted barber in the region

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR

Long live the

DECCAN QUEEN The Deccan Queen, the fastest train between Pune and Mumbai seems to have been around forever, or 86 years, to be precise. Travelling on the train, with its exclusive dining car, and clockwork schedule, is always an experience to look forward to. The commuters and workers have their say in what is an unequivocal love and affection for the Queen See p08-09

@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 three-acre family farmland. But after his death, his brothers took over the farm. Th is meant that either Shantabai would have to depend on her husband’s family or go back to her maternal home in Karnataka. She wanted neither.

“Since I did not want to be dependent on anyone, I started

working as a farm labourer and would get 50 paise a day after toiling for eight hours. That was hardly enough to feed our family of five. I wondered what else I could do to supplement my income. I had lots of free time in the evenings,” said Shantabai, while giving one of her customers a shave at her house in Hasursasgiri village.

It is then that she thought of taking up her family occupation of a barber. Though she hailed from Nabhik community, neither her father, brothers nor husband had ever ventured into the business. They were all into farming. “I think handling an ustra (razor) is in my blood.

Continued on p3

MUMBAI

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

PUNE

“When allies like Shiv Sena are questioning the policies of the BJP-led government, the party needs to seriously introspect rather than celebrate its two years in power by spending crores of rupees.”

— Sachin Pilot, Congress leader

Obama lifts arms ban on Vietnam P 13

EPFO plans low cost housing scheme P 14

SBI takes possession of Orbit Corp’s luxury tower The developer of over a dozen luxury projects has defaulted on loans to the tune of Rs 135.59 crore to State Bank of India and Union Bank of India

BY YOGESH SADHWANI @yogeshsadhwani One of the major players in Mumbai’s real estate market is in troubled waters. State Bank of India (SBI) has taken possession of Orbit Terraces, an under construction plush tower at Lower Parel.

This is because the developers, Orbit Corporation Ltd, have not paid SBI and Union Bank of India dues to the tune of Rs 135.59 crore. The possession notice issued in the name of Orbit Corporation Ltd and its directors Ravi Kiran Aggarwal and Pujit Aggarwal cautions the public ‘not to deal with the properties’.

The notice dated May 4, states that on February 17 this year the bank had sent a demand notice asking the construction company and its directors to pay Rs 60.45 crores due to SBI and Rs 75.14 crores (totalling Rs 135.59 crore) due to Union Bank within 60 days. Since they did not repay the amount, bank took ‘symbolic possession’ of the project. According to the notice, the 60-storey tower has around 2.43 lakh square feet saleable area.

The luxury project on Tulsi Pipe Road has been under construction for few years now.

According to Orbit’s website, the ‘multi-storeyed premium residential apartment tower of duplexes with large double height terraces featuring exclusivity, luxury and much else to make it Mumbai’s most coveted address’. The developers sold quite a few flats in the building from 2010 to 2012. In the following years, however, Orbit Corporation managed to sell only a handful of flats. The last deal was registered in January this year when a 1,400 square feet duplex flat on 45th and 46th floors of the building was sold for Rs 5.75 crore. The slump in the real estate market for the past few years, and rising inventory of luxury apartments above Rs five crore has severely hit players like Orbit.

Experts pointed out that in a typical case where bank takes over symbolic possession of the building, the unsold inventory can be auctioned or sold to recover the dues, after following the due process of law. In the past, LIC Housing Finance and Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) have attached Orbit Corporation’s projects for non-payment of their loans. Both the financial institutions had put Orbit’s attached properties on sale.

FINANCIAL TROUBLES Orbit’s troubles started surfacing in 2013 when

This is how Orbit Terraces in Lower Parel will look once complete

LIC Housing Finance announced that it was taking over the developer’s Andheri project to recover their dues. A year later, IFCI too took over some of the projects. The financial institutions have the power to initiate action against the lenders under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFESI)

Mumbai youth beaten by cops

Duo returning from namaz allegedly beaten up by police at Kherwadi traffic signal TGS NEWS SERVICES @TGSWeekly Hamidullah Abdul Haq Khan, 26, and Asif Sharif Siddiqui, 20, Mazgaon were brutally beaten up by a policeman at Kherwadi traffic signal, Bandra (East), in the wee hours of May 24. Khan and Siddiqui were returning with family and friends after offering prayers at Shukruallah Shah Baba dargah in Versova, on the occasion of Shab-eBarat. The policeman allegedly hit Khan and pillion rider Siddiqui on their heads with his stick. Khan was bleeding from his head.

“Ten of us were returning after offering prayers at a dargah in Versova at around 5 am. The constable hit me and Siddiqui on our heads with his stick for no reason,” said Khan. They called their friends, who took them to Kherwadi police station. But the

station police officials did not heed their complaint about being beaten by a policeman, and threw them out from the police station.

They went to the deputy police commissioner (Zone 8) Virendra Mishra’s office. Without a police complaint, Sion Hospital refused to treat them. They were told that DCP Mishra was asleep. The duo was later admitted in Sion Hospital on the behest of a social activist.

“We were called to the police station by senior police inspector Sujata Patil. Instead of registering an FIR, she took our statements and said that she would examine the CCTV footage from Kherwadi traffic signal,” said Siddiqui.

Patil said,” I need to examine the CCTV footage from Kherwadi signal to verify the identity of the person who attacked the duo.” tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

Rider Hamidullah Abdul Haq Khan (in bandage) and Asif Siddiqui, the pillion rider, were allegedly assaulted by a police constable at Kherwadi signal at Bandra, when they were returning from Shab-e-Barat

Act. The recent possession by SBI is also under the Act. According to the audited accounts of Orbit Corporation Ltd submitted by the company to the Bombay Stock Exchange, the construction company posted a net loss of Rs 345.86 crore in year ending March 2016. According to a report prepared by Sharp & Tannan, independent auditor of Orbit Corporation, the company had defaulted on term loans to financial institutions and banks and payment of interest thereon in the financial year ending March 2016. The auditor’s report stated that Orbit failed to pay term loan from banks to the tune of Rs 76.40 crore and interest of Rs 79.71 crore, term loan from financial institutions of Rs 94.14 crore and interest of Rs 69.619 crore, and also defaulted on loans from other corporates to the tune of Rs 120.10 crore over and above interest of Rs 108.413 crore. The principal amount defaulted to various entities in FY16 worked out to be Rs 290.74 crore, while the interest worked out to Rs 257.75 crore.

MARKET CONDITIONS The real estate sector saw the worst phase in 2015-16 with sales and prices plummeting, experts say. According to Ashwinder Raj Singh, CEO - Residential Services, JLL India, a real estate consulting firm, high inventory levels, diminished demand and limited liquidity impacted new launches, as well. “For FY 2015-16, the number of new launches stood at 1,81,294 units compared to 2,16,082 units in FY 2014-15, equalling a drop of 16 per cent. Overall residential sales were down in the FY 2015-16 compared to FY 2014-15.

As per recent data, 1,58,211 units were sold in FY 2015-16 vs. 1,61,875 units sold in FY 2014-15, which is a drop of 2.2 per cent,” stated Singh.

In a study conducted by JLL India in 2015, it was found that the highest inventory or unsold stock in Mumbai was in Rs one crore and above segment. Ramesh Nair, COO & International Director, JLL India stated, “At a time when the residential real estate industry in Mumbai has hit a plateau in terms of capital value appreciation and sales, a startling fact has come to fore. A good 69 per cent of the overall unsold inventory (within BMC limits) is of units worth more than Rs one crore each.

That is, 30,501 units out of a total number of 44,032 fall in this ticket size.”

Almost all the projects of Orbit Corporation are in high end luxury segment with a price tag of Rs five crore and above. yogesh.sadhwani@goldensparrow.com

‘We have expressed our desire for one time settlement’

TGS spoke to Pujit Aggarwal, managing director and CEO of Orbit Corporation Ltd about the latest development: The notice mentions that SBI has taken symbolic possession of the company’s properties after the guarantors/ borrowers failed to repay the amount. What would you like to say to this?

Yes, SBI has taken symbolic possession for the said property.

The actual and physical possession still remains with Orbit Corporation Ltd. They (banks) Promoters of Orbit Corporation Ltd, Ravi Kiran Aggarwal and had earlier taken the symbolic his son Pujit Aggarwal possession too in December 2014.

However we have had a few meetings in the past 6-8 weeks with their senior management for one time settlement which has been discussed and is under further process.

The notice says that the borrowers/ guarantors are cautioned to not deal with the said property in any manner. As per our information you have also sold some flats at Orbit Terraces recently.

Was this before the notice?

A) Currently we will not deal in any manner with respect to the said property. In fact the entire project is sold years ago and there are no units available for sale in the project. Yes all these flats were sold prior to this notice. Furthermore due to changes in the provisions of Development Control Rules our saleable area has decreased by 19 per cent and costs have escalated by 25 -30 per cent due to fungible FSI premium and other new costs/taxes/premiums.

Q ) As per earlier media reports, in the past also there have been settlement talks with the banks on payment of defaulted amount. Any progress on that front?

A) We have met SBI +UBI (Lenders for the project under consortium) and expressed our desire for one time settlement wherein we have explained them the incremental cost to be incurred in the said project as well as balance receivable in the said project. Further we met senior officials of Banks and explained them the entire current status of Orbit Terraces. We are and always have engaged with Banks and Buyers both to update as well as involve them in next steps.

Proposals are under consideration and all stakeholders including financial institutions are eagerly participating in finding a solution which will result in fruition and closure of the project thus ensuring all commitments made by Orbit are fulfilled.

Q ) Going by your company’s audited financial results for FY16, Orbit Corporation Ltd has defaulted on term loan from banks to the tune of Rs 76.40 cr (plus interest Rs 79.71 cr), term loan from financial institutions Rs 94.14 cr (plus interest Rs 69.619 cr) and loans from other corporates Rs 120.10 cr (plus interest Rs 108.413 cr). Also, the company has posted a net loss of Rs 345.86 cr. How do you plan to tide over the crisis at hand, considering the luxury segment of the real estate market, in which you are a major player, is taking time to recover?

A) Currently we are discussing with each and every lender the current status of our project and the balance receivable in the said project. Post that we are negotiating with the banks for a mutual acceptable exit in every project. Considering the balance inventory as well as balance receivable plus cost to be incurred on balance construction work we are sure in next one year we will reduce our debt by 35-40 per cent. Our intention is to become debt free in the next three years for which we are on the absolute disciplined path to achieve the same.

(As told to Bapu Deedwania)

Mumbai EOW unable to bring Sai Prasad chit fund company director to state Chhattisgarh police cannot accompany accused to Mumbai due to short staff

BY SANTOSHEE MISHRA @santosheemishra Mumbai Economic Offences Wing (EOW) claim that Chhattisgarh Police are giving them the cold shoulder on the transit remand of an accused in Ponzi scheme.

A senior officer of Mumbai police said that their cops have to return Vandana Bhapkar empty handed whenever they visit Chhattisgarh to take remand of

the accused.

The accused is Sai Prasad Group of Companies D i r e c t o r V a n d a n a Bhapkar who is allegedly involved in Balasaheb Bhapkar raising money t h r o u g h collective investment schemes without permission of market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and cheating investors to the tune of Rs 2,500 crore. Vandana, who was arrested by the Chhattisgarh Police in the case, is presently in judicial custody in Chhattisgarh after the state filed an FIR. Sai Prasad Group of Companies another director Balasaheb Bhapkar has been housed in Pune jail, while

Vandana and their son Shashank Bhapkar, the third director of the company, is jailed in Chhattisgarh.

According to Mumbai Police, Vandana’s remand transit was sought four times but its Chhattisgarh counterpart failed to provide it citing lack of staff.

“After the arrest of Shashank, EOW wanted to take custody of Vandana to investigate her alleged role in the fraud.

We took orders from the Metropolitan Magistrate Court and sent the team of investigators but the Chhattisgarh police cited its inability to accompany the accused to Mumbai due to short staff,” said EOW Police Inspector Ashok Khedkar.

“Her interrogation is essential to ascertain her role in the huge financial scam,” added he.

On December 2, 2015, SEBI had filed a criminal case with

the Mumbai police against the management of Sai Prasad Group in which Balasaheb, his wife Vandana and their son S h a s h a n k were named.

Shashank and his parents have been accused of siphoning off public funds.

They allegedly collected funds to the Shashank Bhapkar tune of Rs 2,500 crore from 15 lakh people promising huge returns.

When they were unable to repay, investors filed complaints. In 2013, SEBI had issued an order restricting their companies – Sai Prasad Properties Limited (SPPL) and Sai Prasad Foods Limited (SPFL) – from collecting funds from public. santoshee.mishra@goldensparrow.com

Pansare’s kin want old investigator MUMBAI: Medha Pansare, daughter-in-law of rationalist and CPI leader Govind Pansare who was shot dead last year, has sought cancellation of the transfer of the officer investigating the case stating that it would “adversely impact” the probe.

Medha met Inspector General of Kolhapur Range, Prakash Mutnyal, yesterday and requested him to cancel the transfer order of inspector Amrit Deshmukh, attached to Rajarampuri

police station in Kolhapur. According to Medha, the IG assured her that he would give a serious thought on her request. Pansare (82) and his wife Uma, were shot at by two unidentified persons on February 16 last year near their house in Kolhapur. He died four days later at a hospital in Mumbai, while his wife survived the attack.

“The transfer of investigating officer would adversely impact the line of investigation, and therefore, he

should be posted at the same police station till the completion of the case,” Medha told PTI. “We are not satisfied with the pace of investigation, especially in the last few months. Whenever the High Court raps officers over slow progress of investigation, then only they show something on record, otherwise there has zero development in last few months,” she said.

Medha said she has also written

to the district Superintendent of Police seeking cancellation of transfer of Deshmukh. She alleged that the move could be a foul play by the higher authorities in police. An activist of right-wing group Sanatan Sanstha, Samir Gaikwad, was arrested on September 16 from Sangli in Maharashtra in connection with the murder. Gaikwad had moved the High Court after sessions court in Kolhapur rejected his bail plea twice.

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

“The Cantonment Board does not have the will to preserve old structures, some of which have a lot of history associated with them. Architects and conservationists are always ready to help preserve our heritage, but it is also difficult to wade through the bureaucracy of the Army authorities.”

— Kiran Kalamdani, a city-based architect and conservationist

Women in India earn 19 per cent less than men: Report P12

Elephants, horses and dogs seized from Rambo Circus Circus administration booked for cruelty to animals; four elephants, four horses and 14 dogs rescued

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1 Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) seized four elephants, four horses and 14 dogs of famous Rambo Circus at PWD Ground in Sangvi on May 26 evening. Even as the circus manager was able to produce valid licence to keep and tame animals, the Sangli-based NGO shifted these animals to rescue homes citing cruelty to animals. The authorities had to carry out rescue operation under police bandobast as they faced stiff opposition from around 30 families of circus workers.

Sangli-based AWBI has sent the seized four elephants to the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Agra on Friday (May 27) morning, while horses were shifted to the rescue home in Sangli and 14 dogs to the ‘Animal Rahat’ rescue centre in Pune.

Rambo Circus Manager Sudeshkumar Jose alleged that the NGO forcibly took away the animal despite the circus administration having valid licence.

AWBI Animal Welfare Officer Sunil Havaldar has fi led an FIR against Rambo Circus administration with

PUNE

AWBI authorities shifted the elephants to Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Agra

Sangvi police as per various sections of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960), Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and Amendment 2002 and Section 429 of Indian Penal Code (mischief by killing or maiming cattle).

Jose said, “Government had ordered a ban on use of animals but the High Court had stayed the order.

Yet AWBI officials took action against us as we did not pay them the ‘settling amount’.” Advocate PM Agarwal of Rambo Circus said that the even if the animals are seized, the circus shows will continue.

“We are paying Rs 12,000 per day to the PCMC as ground rent. We met senior police officers and Resident Deputy Collector Rajendra Muthe

and they have not issued any order of taking action against us. We have challenged the NGO’s action in high court and the court has given Monday (May 30) as the date for hearing our case,” Agarwal said.

Meanwhile, on May 26, animal welfare officers Havaldar and Sudheer Chaugule visited the ground where Rambo Circus is holding shows and initiated action.

“AWBI took action owing to cruelty to animals after consulting senior police officers,” said Sangvi Police Station Assistant Police Inspector (API) Sunil Gade.

AWBI seized four female elephants, four horses and 14 American Eskimo dogs. The action that started at 5 pm

They are lining up by the score at Shantabai’s barber shop

on May 26 continued till late night.

With the officials unable to arrange big vehicles to accommodate elephants, the rescue effort was further delayed as more that 200 people associated with the circus staged protest against the action carried out by the police and AWBI officials.

“Who will come to see our circus shows if elephants are taken away? We treated and tamed these animals as our own children. Our livelihood depends on these animals. Before taking away these animals, give jobs to the 30 families who work here. Officials had seized our dogs in 2000 and now they are taking away elephants,” said Vishnu Nair, who is working as a joker. Nair has been part of the circus team for 28 years. Rambo Circus owner Sujit Dilip was not present at that spot.

Circus staff in charge Durga Prasad, who hail from West Bengal and has been associated with Rambo Circus for 23 years, said that this is the fi rst time that such action has been initiated against the circus group. “We run our families from the Rs 15,000 that we get every month. One of my elder daughters has completed MA but she is working with us as she does not have a job. Now what will we do,” Prasad said.

Range Forest Officer of Bhamburda Range Devyani Ruplag Punde said that they did not seek any action against the circus but called the police only to witness the rescue effort. dnyaneshwar.bhonde @goldensparrow.com

Continued from p1 And the circumstances helped me become proficient at my job,” she said, matter-of-factly, barely taking her eyes off the customer.

Shantabai began by discreetly offering her services as a barber to the families she knew. Once she returned in the evenings from her work on the farm, she would set up her barber shop in her house. She charged half of what others in the region did. But the going wasn’t easy. The villagers started calling her names and made her life miserable. “I was young and a widow. It was easy for people to malign my name and say that I was up to something shady. I wasn’t the type to pay much heed to such chatter.

All I wanted was to lead a dignified life, and bring up my daughters in a happy environment,” said Shantabai.

The situation took a turn for the better when Haribhau Kadukar, a respectable man from the village, called her to the village square during the day and asked her to give him a shave. “Once I had finished my job, he told everybody that I was trying to earn a living as a barber, and that he would not tolerate anyone spreading rumours about me.

His act changed things for me,” she said. Sometime in 1985, she stopped working as a farm labourer and focused totally on being a barber. By now her popularity had grown. Men wanted her to give them a shave every day.

“Back in those days, very few people paid in cash. Payment was mostly in grains. For a year-long service, I would get ten kg of grains from every patron.

Th is worked fine with me as my children

had enough to eat. As the word spread, I started going to the neighbouring villages as well for assignments,” Shantabai said, replacing the blade, and preparing for another customer. As soon as the new patron walks in she makes him sit on a paat (an elevated wooden plank), hands him a mirror to hold, and prepares the shaving lotion.

Over the years she has expanded her scope of work. She no longer restricts her work to men. These days she goes over to farms and shaves buffaloes as well. “They need to be cleaned up once in few months. I have a separate razor for them. Even local vastigruhs (residential schools) have tied up with me to give their students head shaves,” said Shantabai, who charges every customer Rs 20. She proudly talks about the profession having helped her marry off all her daughters.

“I have grandchildren now. My son-in-laws keep asking me to come and stay with them. I personally believe that as long as I am able to work, I will not depend on anyone. The ustra is the symbol of my freedom,” she said.

Over the years, Shantabai has been showered with accolades. Quite a few mementos adorn her two-room kuchcha house, which has an iron cot and a television set. Just when she is about to finish with her second customer for the day, a kid arrives at her door and informs her about his grandfather needing a shave. She picks up a polythene bag, stuffs all the essentials and gets ready to leave. “I go to people’s houses as well if called,” she concludes. tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

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THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

PUNE

“For many years there has been no innovation made to enhance the speed of trains operating on Central Railways routes. Also for travelling to Konkan, passengers have to board a train from Mumbai as there is no direct connectivity between Konkan and Pune.”

— Harsha Shah, President of Railway Pravasi Group

‘Fund squeeze causing stricter evaluation of e-comm models’ P10

Dumping of construction waste and debris prohibited New Central government demolition waste management rule prohibits dumping of material, and citizens flouting norms to be penalised

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2 A recent announcement by the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has made construction and demolition waste a hot topic of discussion. Environmentalists have welcomed the new eco-friendly Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rule 2016, but warn that the new rules framed by the Central government would now require the civic body to ensure there was no littering/dumping of materials by individuals or builders, and it should also collect and reuse the material.

The norms include segregating construction debris into steel, concrete and depositing them at an authorised facility. It bans dumping of this waste in open spaces. Permission for construction will be given only when a complete construction and demolition waste management plan is presented by the individuals or builders. Even citizens have to follow the dumping norms and if flouted,

they can be punished.

PMC municipal Joint commissioner and Solid Waste department Head Suresh Jagtap, said, “Construction and demolition materials can be seen dumped by individuals by the roadsides, open places, open plots etc. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) lifts, transports and dumps this material at low lying areas and makes use of it.

“Builders follow the norms and use the construction waste, but citizens don’t follow the rules. It’s common to see construction waste thrown at river banks, roads, garbage dumps, isolated places, obstructing traffic and creating problems.”

The Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016, state that construction and demolition materials are not a waste but a resource. Under these, the state government will have to formulate a policy. The local authorities shall examine and sanction waste management plan of the generators (builders, individuals etc) within a period of one month or from the date of approval of building plan, whichever is earlier, from the date of its submission. Within a period of one and a half years, the local authorities will have to start processing and reuse of construction and demolition materials by setting up a unit.

Widespread ignorance of Customs rules

Working on the process of reusing the construction and demolition waste, PMC has two plans Plan I, Processing, and Plan II, Transportation and Collection.

“PMC has floated tenders for setting up of processing unit and transportation and collection of construction waste. The land for setting up the processing unit will be provided by PMC to the company at Ahmednagar Road, in a Public Private Partnership which will be finalised on June 4, 2016. The agreement will be for 15 years,” said the commissioner.

The construction waste can be processed, segregated and reused for making tiles, paving blocks, crush etc. “After the finalisation of the units, citizens cannot throw the construction waste they would be penalised by PMC for doing so,” said Jagtap.

PMC Solid Waste department Executive Engineer Sudhir Kadam said, “After the completion of processing unit, it will be mandatory for every citizen to follow the rule. Helpline number would be set up by PMC for door-to-door collection of construction waste and debris at nominal charges. PMC also decided to fix penalty, set up a unit to monitor individuals not segregating the construction and demolition materials and not handing it over to the PMC’s appointed agency.” vicky.pathare@goldensparrow.com

Pune faces prospect of flooding yet again

P12

Organ transplant to be included in RGJAY Scope of insurance under Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayi Arogya Yojana to be widened TGS NEWS SERVICES @TGSWeekly The government is working towards widening the scope of insurance under the Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayi Arogya Yojana (RGJAY), and may bring most organ transplants under its ambit. It is also considering revision of the insurance amount, including 129 more surgeries/therapies/ procedures, and even some specialised surgeries under the scheme, officials say.

The scheme currently entails around 971 surgeries/therapies/procedures along with 121 follow-up packages in as many as 30 identified specialised categories, viz, General Surgery, ENT Surgery, Cardiology, Nephrology, Surgical Oncology, Neurosurgery etc. Soon more than 129 ailments will be added to bring the count to 1,100 surgeries/therapies/ procedures to be covered under RGJAY. Joint replacement surgeries, knee and hip replacement surgeries will also be covered.

RGJAY Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mahendra Warbhuvan said, “At present, not all organ transplants are covered under the RGJAY. Also, the amount ensured for each transplant as insurance is not appropriate, so the government is thinking of revising these rates from November.”

Kidney transplant and ventilator support will be included in the scheme.

“The government is mulling over including most organ transplants under the scheme, but the amount of cover will be the major concern. Some 122 more procedures will be added to the scheme, taking the total to 250 procedures covered under the scheme,” he said.

Some old procedures will be dropped

from the list. Speciality procedure of Hematology will be included in RGJAY. “The new modernised techniques and machineries has forced the health officials to take the amount and procedures for consideration,” he said.

RGJAY district coordinator Dr Sagar Gadekar said, “The State Health department has also decided to drop the Private Partnership with various hospital chains, and all schemes will be run only under the RGJAY.” The insurance cover will be also increased making the amount eligible to cover most organ transplants covered under it. Joint, knee and hip replacement surgeries will also be performed under the scheme.”

Under the RGJAY, Rs 1.5 lakh per year is the amount of cover for every family Below Poverty Line (BPL). Above Poverty Line (APL) families (excluding White Card Holders as defined by Civil Supplies Department) to quality for medical care for identified specialty services requiring hospitalisation for surgeries and therapies or consultations through an identified network of health care providers. In case of renal transplant surgery, the immunosuppressive therapy is required for a period of a year. So the upper ceiling for renal transplant would be Rs 2, 50,000 per operation as an exceptional package exclusively for this procedure.

In Pune district alone since, the inception of the Scheme 29 Renal Transplant has taken Place. Two in 2014, 15 in 2015 and 12 in 2016 are the number of renal transplants performed in the district. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

PMC drags its heels on cleaning drainage lines, nullahs, and majority of pre monsoon work remains incomplete

BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar

On November 23, 2015 houses in Tingrenagar, Santosh Nagar and Vaibhav Colony were flooded owing to torrential rainwater. These citizens’ belongings were washed away by the water. The main reason for such flooding, is that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has not cleared the drainage lines, which get clogged during heavy rains. There is a possibility of such scenarios this year

too, because the PMC General Body (GB) May 15 deadline for pre-monsoon drainage lines cleaning is past, and 71,980 metres of drainage lines are yet to be cleaned. The administration started cleaning drainage lines in the second week of April. Pune city has 1,57,522 metres of drainage lines. GB had set May 10 as deadline, but only 34,922 metres of drainage lines have been cleaned, and 71,980 metres of drainage lines are yet to be cleaned. Of the 23,161 drainage chambers, only 3,190 have been cleaned.

Of the 284 culverts, only 28 culverts have been cleaned. Nullahs measuring 24,181 metres are yet to be cleaned.

The PMC general body meeting was held in April, and the administration was ordered to clean drainage lines, chambers and nullahs before May 15. The administration’s negligence may result in hazards to people living near the rivers.

Mayor Prashant Jagtap said, “Despite the May 15 deadline, the administration has not been able to complete even half of the pre monsoon work. I will review the

situation at flood-prone areas, check the status of the pre monsoon work, and take action against official negligence.”

PMC additional commissioner Prerana Deshbhratar said, “The storm water work gets delayed due to tender system. Releasing advertisements in newspapers to passing the tenders is time consuming. So pre monsoon work started late and is incomplete at the deadline. We will finish pending pre monsoon work as soon as possible.” tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

The evolution of Sassoon General Hospital into a role model

Dean Chandanwale, in five years of his tenure, has transformed Sassoon General Hospital, with his belief that public participation is essential for a people’s hospital to progress

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1 Sassoon General Hospital, Pune was a typical government hospital, with its lack of hygiene/cleanliness, security issues, mismanagement etc, six/seven years ago. But the hospital has turned over a new leaf since then, and today it is safe and clean like a private hospital, providing quality out patient department (OPD) tertiary care treatment to poor and middle class patients. Having taken charge on May 13, 2011, Dean Dr Ajay Chandanwale has been a motivating factor behind this welcome transformation. Rather than rely on government funds, Chandanwale devised means to raise substantial funds through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which was put to use in development of the hospital on all fronts.

‘Sassoon is a people’s hospital and public participation will make it progress’, Chandanwale believes. The dean appealed to individuals, corporates, religious trusts, NGOs and industries to contribute generously to the hospital that provides health care to western Maharashtra, catering nearly seven lakh OPD patients, and 64,000 In door patients (IPD) annually, free or at minimal cost. CSR teams under the guidance of senior faculty were assigned the task of procuring funds from donors. Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust, Pune provided Rs.1.5 crore to upgrade the kitchen into a

hi-tech one, which provides daily meals to 1200 IPD patients free of cost daily. The trust also funded the renovation of five maternal and pediatric wards, and a rest room Dr Chandanwale for relatives of patients.

“Now many trusts and NGOs are helping us financially, and with expensive equipment, as we have gained their trust. During my five-year tenure, we have raised Rs 11 crore and used it for the development of the hospital,” said Chandanwale. The funds were used for free joint replacement implants to more than 140 surgeries, and additions such as Obstetric ICU, Human Milk Bank courtesy Bank of Baroda, Haemophilia centre, Sulabh Shauchalaya for OPD patients and relatives of IPD patients, outsourced ‘Pay & Park’ facility and an institutional research cell Among his novel concepts was obtaining 80G Income Tax exemption for donations to the hospital, and B J Medical College to motivate donors to contribute to patient welfare. This model of channelising private resources towards public health care has been appreciated by the government, and other medical colleges in the state have been urged to emulate the same.

With soaring costs of medical

History of the hospital and BJ Medical College

treatment and the growing population of Pune, modern health care, and upgradation of facilities at hospitals were the need of the hour.

Under the dean’s plan, extensive renovation was undertaken, including the Cath lab, Central Clinical Laboratory, ten General Wards, entrance gates, compound wall and internal roads, along with expansion of the Medical ICU (MICU) and Haemodialysis unit.

He pioneered the idea and introduced 100 Special Nursing Home rooms in the 11-storey building of the hospitals, to cater to middle socio-economic class patients. Under the dean’s appeal, corporate donated 11 defibrillators, three neonatal ventilators, 27 ECG machines, 30 suction machines, 17 multipara monitors, 31 electrosurgical

cautiery machines, 14 air conditioners, 108 fans, 302 sets of chairs, 63 trolleys, 50 wheelchairs, 37 Fowler beds, six fogger machines for OT sterilisation, a Blood Gas Analyser with cartridge, seven computers, seven printers, six scanners, 20 cots, plastic surgery instruments, pathology workstation and more. Nine borewells were dug on the campus. He is mobilising government funds to establish Modular OTs, new Centralised Laundry with Drying Tumblers, and a new Forensic Department building.

A believer in team spirit who is known to identify the potential of colleagues and subordinates and motivating them, Chandanwale said, “When I joined the B J Government Medical College & Sassoon General Hospitals at Pune as dean, I had a

Sassoon General Hospital was established in 1867, for which Rs 2,13,000 was donation by Sir David Sassoon. His grandson Jacob Sassoon donated Rs two lakh in 1909 for another building. The tradition of service to the common man continues till date. Byramjee Jeejeebhoy donated land for a medical school in 1871, and the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy or ‘B J’ Medical College affiliated to Sassoon Hospitals was launched on June 23, 1946. B J Medical College caters to 200 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, (MBBS) and 144 post graduate/Diploma postgraduates and two Superspeciality (Plastic Surgery) students every year. The college runs BSc Nursing College, and Paramedical courses.

Department of Biochemistry Associate Professor Dr S T Salgar said, “Dean Chandanwale motivates all faculties, staff, resident doctors, nurses and students for accountability and commitment towards patients through his own work. He is a dynamic role model for all.” Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust chairman Ashok Godse said that Chandanwale, a former student of BJ Medical College, undertook the hospital’s transformation with great determination.

CSR Co-ordinator Dr Harish Tatiya said, “Patients also receive help through Medical Social Service Department headed by superintendent M B Shelke, with ten Medical Social Workers (MSW) who arrange sponsorships for poor patients, which is unique in the state.”

Hospital superintendent Dr Ajay Taware said that new projects are in the pipeline. “The streamlining of work at the hospital thanks to the dean’s efforts, is what other government hospitals can emulate.” dream to uplift the institute and bring state -of-the-art health care facilities without putting a financial burden on the government. I come from a middle class socio-economic background, and I am aware that the costs of health care today have gone beyond the reach of the middle class. So I planned to work on the infrastructure and

facilities at Sassoon General Hospital so that middle class could come to a government hospital like Sassoon without hesitation. I have strived hard to fulfil my dream. Public participation is the key factor in development of any government institution like Sassoon General Hospital.” dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

70 Indians arrested in Nepal for drinking

Extreme beliefs linked to violence

“There are two options for executing walking plaza — closing one lane only or making the entire stretch of Laxmi Road a walking plaza zone. In either of these options, parking facility would not be there on Laxmi Road.”

— Prashant Jagtap, Mayor

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Film stars will now have Senior citizens made to to register their deals climb three floors to get PF

BY VICKY PATHARE @Vickypathare2

Senior citizens find going to liftless provident fund office in PCB building an ordeal

BY SUSHANT RANJAN @sushantranjan

The lift at the Pune regional office of Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in Camp area has not been functioning for the last four years, causing huge inconvenience to senior citizens. Visitors, to the office on second and third floors, mostly senior citizens, have no option to use the stairs. EPFO has taken the office on rent from the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB).

EPFO blames it on PCB and claims it has sent several letters to the civic body, asking them to repair the lift. The first letter was sent in March 2016 and two reminders were sent in April. According to EPFO the long-standing dispute of rent agreement between PCB and PF office has been dealt with, and the EPFO has paid rent arrears of Rs 1.76 crore, from August 2013 to March 2016, at revised rates.

A senior official said that PCB as owner of the entire building, should provide lift service. “We have sent several letters to PCB authorities and we are continuing the follow-up. But they are not taking it seriously. First, they have to provide us lift and after that we will maintain the lift.” The PCB Engineering department is also in the dark. A senior engineer said, “I have no idea whether the lift is working or not. I will look into the matter and raise the issue at

the board meeting. We will discuss it with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).”

The three-storey building of the PF office is an ordeal for 58-year-old Mahendra Patekar. “Both my knees are weak because of arthritis and I cannot climb even a few steps. There are many elderly visitors like me who face difficulties in climbing the stairs,” he said. Another senior citizen, Mubeen Khan, said the lift has not been functional for more than eight months. “Earlier we complained to the authorities about the breakdown of the lift, but it was of no use.

Visiting the PF office is an ordeal for us,” he

said. An officer said, “The PF office is solely responsible for the maintenance of the lift as it was handed over in the best working condition at the time of an agreement between that office and the PCB. It was the duty of the PF office to maintain and upkeep the assets of the building in working condition and hand it over in the condition that they were initially taken in.”

PCB Engineer Vijay Chavan said, “Earlier, PCB and PF office had several issues. We have resolved many crucial issues.

The new tender for lift will open on June 6.

We will set up a new lift.”

As per official records, before a new agreement is signed, the monthly rent paid by the PF office to PCB is Rs 24,332 for 17,640 sq ft area. The rental agreement expired in 2011. PCB authorities admitted that a dispute is going on regarding registration of agreement with retrospective effect and clearance of dues considering enhanced rates for the period between 2008 and 2013. sushant.ranjan@goldensparrow.com

The Department of Registration of Stamps will now monitor the agreements between actors/actresses and their producers, amounting to crores of rupees.

Prior to the amendment in the Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment) Act, 2015, these agreements were optional. The revenue department has now made it mandatory for all optional documents to be registered as well as the payment of registration and stamp duty.

This may add up to Rs 200 crore every year to the department coffers, said officials.

As per the new amendment in Section 10/d of the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 2015, it will be mandatory for every agreement even optional documents to be duly stamped and registered with the Department of Registration and Stamps, and the payment of registration and stamp duty. The revenue department will issue an official public notification, stating every agreement has to be duly stamped and registered, in a couple of days.

State Inspector General of Registration (IGR) and Controller of Stamps Dr N Ramaswami said, “Actors, actresses undergo agreements with the production houses amounting to crores of rupees. People come to know about such agreements through the media after a movie or television serial become hits. Now after the amendment in the act under Section 10/d, it will be mandatory for every agreement to be duly registered and pay the registration and stamp duty.”

A nominal amount of up to Rs 10 lakh, or 0.1 per cent of the agreement amount, and above Rs 10 lakh, 0.2 per cent of the agreement amount, will be charged by the registration department.

“In spite of earning crores of rupees, these actors avoid paying such a meagre amount,” said Ramaswami.

As per section 68 of Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment) Act, 2015, the Revenue and Stamp department can inspect registers, books, records, papers, documents, instruments or proceedings, which may help uncover fraud or omission in relation to any

duty. “Inspector of Stamps can enter any premises and inspect the same in the custody of any person, office, firm or any other organisations and conduct raids,” said Ramaswami.

As per the new amendment in law, every agreement has to be mandatorily registered. Documents like Adoption deed, Hypothecation deed, Composition deed, Partition Deed, Will are some of the optional documents.

“IGRS department now has the power to conduct raids, issue notices, and make sure that every agreement is duly stamped by individuals and concerned institutes if found violating the norms can be held responsible.

The amendment in the act has given power to the IGRS department to take action against such errant individuals, Production houses, institutes and organisations. In a recent drive conducted a couple of months back in Solapur, the IGRS Department recovered Rs 1.25 crore. Soon drives will be conducted in Pune district to monitor such organisations,” said Ramaswami. vicky.pathare@goldensparrow.com

PMC top brass accused of usurping homes meant for poor PUNE,

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Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had given a total of 304 homes to the Wadar Samaj in year 1959, on a 5.21-acre plot at Janwadi area on Senapati Bapat Road. The members of the community were given homes by the PMC under the slum rehabilitation scheme. All 304 households submitted the required deposits to PMC when they were allocated the houses, and have been paying property tax regularly to PMC. During the Panshet floods in Pune in 1961, 88 of these residents had gone to the adjacent villages to earn a livelihood due to flood in city. But when they returned, they found that people had encroached on their houses. PMC had given these homes to its class three workers, and the Wadar community did not get homes since then.

Many of them are now living in rented houses. They staged several protests outside PMC but to no avail. Now the Wadar community has united under Shivram Timanna Vitkar’s leadership, who too lost his home and filed a criminal case against PMC Commissioner Kunal Kumar, Mayor Prashant Jagtap, Corporator Sharadabai Orase and Datta Bahirat. They want PMC top brass to be booked for fraud, cheating,

property tax to PMC. We founded the Wadar Hakka Samiti (Rights Committee) to fight against injustice. In 2010, under the leadership of Ganpatrao Memane, we staged a protest at PMC main building for 45 days. Memane died during the agitation.

PMC commissioner gave us in writing that they would give homes to Wadar Samaj within 30 days, but we have not got any of the 88 encroached homes. On November 13, 2013, the then social justice minister Shivajirao Moghe ordered the PMC to give Wadar Samaj our homes back. Moghe also sent a letter to the district collector to give our homes back. Soon after, leaders of our community met the then PMC commissioner, who promised that PMC would give our homes back within 15 days.

But we are still waiting. We are fed up with false promises from PMC administration and politicians, so we have approached the judiciary and filed a case against PMC commissioner, Mayor and two corporators who illegally encroached in our homes.”

Deputy Mayor Mukari Anna Algude said, “I belong to the Wadar Samaj, and am well familiar with the issue. Those who lost their homes are my close friends. I have raised this issue in general body meetings.

PMC has done injustice to the Wadar Samaj. Mayor Jagtap has assured us that PMC will give homes to original owners as workers retire and vacate their homes.

We have filed a case in Pune court to register a criminal case against the Mayor and commissioner in their respective police stations for allocating home of Wadar Samaj to PMC class III workers.” Advocate Ramesh Vitkar who is representing the Wadar Samaj in court said, “All the documents are in favour of Wadar Samaj. They have ownership documents and some are paying property tax regularly to PMC. The case is in First Class Magistrate court, Shivajinagar. Court has given us a hearing date on May 30. The court will surely give justice to the Wadar Samaj.”

Additional Commissioner of PMC Rajendra Jagtap said, “It is true that these 88 homes are in the name of Wadar Samaj people. These homes are reserved for Wadar Samaj people but we do not know how PMC allotted these homes to its workers. The administration has instructions from the mayor that once these homes are vacated by PMC workers, they should be given to their original owners.” tushar.rupanavar@goldensparrow.com

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BY TUSHAR RUPANAVAR @tusharrupanavar

forgery and criminal breach of trust. First class judicial magistrate, Pune has scheduled the hearing for May 30.

The Wadar community comes under scheduled caste category, and stone sculpture is their traditional occupation.

The then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited Pune in 1959, and seeing their poverty-stricken condition of the Wadar Samaj, had given them 5.21 acres of land in Janwadi area. PMC constructed 304 homes and gave them to the Wadar Samaj under the slum rehabilitation scheme. But when 88 of them went to other villages, PMC gave their homes to its class III employees. Wadar Samaj leader Ganpatrao Memane staged a 45-day protest at the PMC building, and Memane died during the agitation on September 13, 2010.

After Memane’s death, the administration woke up and the then PMC commissioner assured in writing that they would get their homes within 45 days. Nothing has changed since forcing the community to file a criminal case.

Prakash Orase, who is living in a rented house said, “Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru gave the Wadar Samaj the plot at Janwadi. My father gave the required deposit to PMC for a home, which PMC constructed in 1960. We are still paying property tax to PMC. During the 1961 floods, 88 including my father migrated.

But when they returned, other people were living in our homes. PMC gave the 88 homes to their class III workers illegally.

These homes are in our names, and we have documents of ownership. Some are paying

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88 homes given to the Wadar community in 1959, encroached on by PMC and given to its class III workers

What’s on the chef’s platter?

The wind has changed

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

PUNE

India-Iran Chabahar Port pact to counter China-Pakistan alliance

“PMPML is only responsible for bus operations on the BRTS corridor. The civil works have to be executed by the PMC. These shortcomings still exist and needs to be addressed urgently.”

— Abhishek Krishna, PMPML Chairman

Real heroes of HSC

Night school students put in a day’s work and yet manage to attain success at the Higher Secondary exam

BY GARGI VERMA @missgverma

While the Higher Secondary Exam (HSE) results of Maharashtra Board declared on May 25 will help many

young applicants to decide on their career path, for some it is a happy moment in workplace as they are already earning to support their education and family. These youngsters work during daytime and attend night school, work hard with limited resources and clear exams with flying colours. Team TGS meet meritorious students of Saraswati Vidya Mandir Sansthan’s Poona Night High School who did not let economic deprivation come in the way of their educational success. The school has only commerce section. gargi.verma@goldensparrow.com

He scored highest ever marks among night school students

Sunil Dhebe has put in only 3-6 hours of study time daily to secure an impressive 83.69 per cent. Hardly 17, he has been working for the past two and a half years as an office boy of an advocate in Rasta Peth. “I wake up at around 8 am and study for three hours before leaving for work at 11 am. After work, I attend the night school from 6 pm to 10 pm. I come from a small village in Mahabaleshwar but want to study and not work in the fields. My parents sent me here to live with my brother and sister-in-law,” he said. His brother, who tests water samples in housing societies, struggles to make ends meet giving Sunil no option but to lookout for work.

“I visited a lawyer’s office through a friend and was absorbed as an office boy,” he said. Sunil’s night school teacher AH Jadhav said that Sunil never misses a class.

“He is always curious. I think it’s best if we leave it on him to decide what he wants to do in future once he finishes his BCom,” he said, adding that with his sisterin-law having moved to the village, his brother has to

do cooking. “I don’t know how to cook so my brother manages the kitchen. I just go home, have dinner and sleep,” said Sunil, who secured the highest marks among the night schools in Pune.

‘I study early morning and pay attention to my teachers’

The parents of Tanaji Th indale don’t understand marks or exams. All they know is that their son is fulfi lling their dreams. A salesman and helper at an imitation jewellery shop on Laxmi Road, Tanaji stood second in city’s night schools with 79.38 per cent and dreams to become a Chartered Accountant. Hailing from Vhisar village in Ville Taluka, Tanaji moved to Pune for further studies. “My parents are farmers. Their dream is to only see me educated,” he said, adding that he has been staying with his uncle for the past two years. Tanaji spends nine hours at the Laxmi Road shop and attends classes at the night school. “I study early morning and pay attention to what teachers say in the class. That is enough,” he said.

The 18-year-old loves music and old movies.

“The public transport is not good here, so I travel on cycle daily from Dhankawadi to Lakshmi Road in the morning and from there to my college in Shukrawar Peth in the evening and back home. By the time I hit home, I am too tired and just sleep,” he said. Tanaji credits his teachers’ guidance for the good marks.

“I love accounts and professors explain the subject in simple ways. They teach day students before taking our classes. Hence, they know exactly how to explain something and how much weight each topic holds from an exam point of view,” said Tanaji, who earns Rs 5,500 every month. “It is enough for my educational expenses and I send some money home also. My uncle, who is also my guardian in the city, never keeps me wanting for anything. He treats me like his own children,” he said.

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‘My mother convinced me to get educated’

When asked about their students, teachers generally come up with a complaint or two. Ashish Agarwal was an exception. Right from the principal to the peon of the school, everyone has only words of recommendation and praise for the 33-year-old student who secured 53 per cent in HSC in his fi rst attempt.

Ashish is one of the oldest students of the batch that passed this year. “I dropped out of school in standard VIII as my father, an autorickshaw driver, was finding it difficult to manage the family. Later, it was my mother who admitted me to night school six years ago. I felt very awkward while fi lling the form. The students were 10 years younger to me but my mother was adamant and I joined the classes for her sake,” he said. Soon, he became friends with his schoolmates and they supported him. Ashish, who had given up studies 15 years ago, held a pen for the fi rst time after so many years and was not booed, but cheered.

Positive peer pressure helped him come out of his cocoon and realise the importance of education. “I had taken admission in standard VIII

and now I am cleared junior college.

I wish to study further,” he said.

Ashish, unlike other students, is not just working for sustenance. “I am married with two school-going kids.

Hence, it was difficult to manage work and studies. I used to drive an auto but now work as a scrap dealer.

My mother is the biggest support system I have,” he said.

Hard work matters

Aniket Kadam has always been fond of books. And working at Sameer Book Depot for the past four and a half years he considers as God’s blessing. “I started working when I was in standard VI. After changing two jobs, I finally landed up here,” said Aniket who was ranked third in his school with 72.76 per cent. “My father works in a hotel and my mother works as a domestic help. I have two married sisters,” said the 18-year-old, adding that he always wanted to study. “I will appear for Common Proficiency Test (CPT) and CA exams after completing BCom,” said the resident of Parvati. With no means to buy books, Aniket borrowed some from the school and the shop owner allowed him to read books at the depot. “I used to study whenever I get time. My parents support me, but they are unlettered and have high hopes from me. I began preparing for CPT exam after the college got over and became so engrossed that it was

my mother who phoned me and told me about my marks. She does not know what these marks mean but was told by her friends that I scored good marks. I realised that I wouldn’t be able to study if I did not work. Night school was the only option I had and I tried to make the most of it,” he said.

Kirtankar tops from Karjat tehsil

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1 For Dnyaneshwar alias Mauli Balbhim Pathade, invoking the name of deity has brought in educational success. The 18-year-old kirtankar secured top rank in standard XII from Karjat Tehsil with 82 per cent marks. Dnyaneshwar is busy answering congratulatory calls on his mobile phone with a humble ‘Ram Krishn Hari’.

An arts stream student of Samarth High School in Karjat, Dnyaneshwar has been a kirtankar since he was a nine-year-old. Apart from performing 260 kirtans in 2016 and over 2,000 kirtans across Dnyaneshwar Maharashtra, including Pune, for the past ten years, Dnyaneshwar has also used the medium to create public awareness on social issues like female foeticide, addiction, child development and superstition.

Kirtan is mostly a three-hour programme comprising devotional songs (owee, abhanga) of Hindu religion on mythology, recited as a group to the audience with the leader being called the kirtankar. Dnyaneshwar’s discourse consists of granthas written by Saint Tukaram and Saint Dnyaneshwar and their lives and the group repeats the lines sung by him. Kirtans are performed in rural areas during birthdays and other religious events.

There are separate courses run by various spiritual academicians in Alandi and other states to learn this art of singing and performance combining music and storytelling. Usually students don the role of kirtankars after they reach 25 but Dnyaneshwar is an exception as he leart the art of kirtan from his father at the age of nine. His father Balbhim, who is a farmer, was also a kirtankar and insisted on Dnyaneshwar pursue his formal education. Apart from various districts in Maharashtra, Dnyaneshwar also accepts offers from organisers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to hold kirtans. “I get Rs 1,000-2,000 per kirtan and the amount helps my family,” he said. Dnyaneshwar does not tire even after performing kirtans and would study regularly when he was performing in other districts. “I would study regularly after finishing kirtans. Sometimes my performances will finish at midnight but I reached home and devoted time solely for studies,” he said.

His social awareness initiatives through kirtans have also received positive response. “I got a call from the organisers based in Karnataka that about 22 children have given up smoking after attending my kirtan. I have convinced people of 35 villages to stop the practice of wedding barat as it involves consumption of liquor and violence and inspired 55 people to become vegetarian,” he said.

Dnyaneshwar’s family comprises his homemaker mother Jayashree, elder sister Shital who is persuing her engineering course in Chandannagar and elder brother Samadhan who is working at Cummins in Phaltan (Satara). dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

PCMC comes down hard on those Human error and rash driving lead commercially exploiting gardens to most accidents on Expressway 16 years after its opening, the Pune-Mumbai Expressway continues to claim lives on a regular basis

Shiv Srushti garden in Sangvi is being used for commercial purposes without permission from the garden department

BY YOGESH WAGH @YogeshWagh1857

BY DNYANESHWAR BHONDE @dnyanesh1 Shiv Srushti garden in Sangvi, set up at a cost of Rs 1.75 crore by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), was inaugurated in November 2012. The one-acre garden has murals depicting events in the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Now it is being used for commercial purposes, such as exhibitions of home appliances, distribution of gift articles to voters by political parties, etc. And the garden department is doing nothing to stop such activities.

Social activist and vice president of Pimpri Chinchwad environment organisation, Raju Dattu Savale, of old Sangvi, visited the garden on May 7, when an exhibition of home utility articles and appliances had been organised by Nirbhaya Udyogniti.

“There was a big pandal set up on the lawns, with blaring music from speaker stacks. Visitors were littering the garden,” said Savale. Savale found that no permission was taken from the garden department for the exhibition.

Savale wrote to PCMC chief garden officer Suresh P Salunke, regarding the illegal use of the garden, on May 9. The garden department authorities then sent a show cause notice to Bharat Vikas Group (BVG) India, which has been given a three-

Exhibition of home utility articles and appliances had been organised by Nirbhaya Udyogniti at Shiv Srushti Garden in Sangvi

year contract by the PCMC, for the upkeep of the garden, for Rs 1.37 lakh per month. The notice issued on May 12, questioned why Nirbhaya Udyogniti was allowed to stage the exhibition without permission, and why the incurred loss should not be refunded by BVG. If the BVG officials fail to offer any explanation, the contract would be terminated.

The garden superintendent also sent a notice to Arati Patil, organiser of Nirbhaya Udyogniti, stating that they has encroached on the lawn without their knowledge and permission. “Your act has caused harm to the garden, incurring a loss of Rs 3000 to our office,” the notice stated.

“As per the law, the garden

department should terminate the contract of BVG and seek criminal action against them. I am sending a reminder asking what action has been taken,” Savale said.

Garden department chief superintendent Suresh P Salunke said, “Such programmes are not allowed in the garden. If an exhibition was organised, it was their responsibility to inform us or seek criminal proceeding against the BVG group, which they didn’t. So we have sent notices and asked for explanations from both BVG group and Nirbhaya Udyogniti, and after their replies, we will seek appropriate action against them,” said Salunke. dnyaneshwar.bhonde@goldensparrow.com

Prominent realtor-developer Deepak Kulkarni, aka DSK, and his collogue Kiran Kate were injured in an accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, on May 25, while his driver Niraj Ramkaran Singh, 37, died on the spot.

The 94 km, six-lane expressway, a vital road link between Pune and Mumbai, has seen more than its share of fatal accidents since its opening around the turn of the millennium.

Urse overbridge, Khandala tunnel, Khandala exit, Somatane phata, and Kiwake end point are the most accident-prone spots.

Rash driving is the prime cause of accidents on the expressway. In the 18 accidents in the past five months, 12 people have died and 24 have been seriously injured.

Non governmental organisations

and governmental agencies have been trying to pinpoint the reason for the accidents. “We can prevent or reduce the number of accidents only when we figure out the reasons for the accidents.

There is a large number of freight vehicles, whose drivers are prone to errors due to fatigue,” said an official at the highway police department.

Flouting of traffic rules and ignorance of lane discipline, overtaking from the wrong side and not maintaining adequate distance between two vehicles, are other causes of accidents. “On the expressway, slow driving, improper use of indicators and wrong parking can cause serious accidents,” he said.

The reason for the accident involving DSK, is that drivers of freight vehicles use neutral gear on descents to save diesel, and therefore have no control over the vehicle.

“Serious accidents occur due to the inattention to basics such as tyre pressure, or worn out tyres. Tyre bursts are a major cause for accidents,” said the official.

Experts also blame faulty construction of the expressway, such as

sharp bends, where reduction of speed and precise steering are necessary.

People park broken down vehicles on or near the road, without switching on warning indicators.

The road markings and signages on the expressway are not placed in the right places, or are not well-lit.

The expressway offers highspeed road travel between Pune and Mumbai, but rash and reckless driving, and flouting of traffic rules can turn the journey into nightmare in a split second. yogesh.wagh@goldensparrow.com

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

“Marks just show three qualities - understanding of the subject, memory and presentation skills. So, if your marks are less, it doesn’t mean that you are less intelligent.”

— Shirisha Sathe, Psychologist

“It is appalling and ironical that India would use a colonial law to oppress its homosexuals. India needs to grow up. India needs to realise that it doesn’t need to follow British laws any more.”

— Sir Ian McKellen, Actor

City’s young engineers make learning fun for school kids Three friends aim to extend benefit of their e-learning tool to cover poor children

BY RASHMEET TALUJA @rashmeet_taluja A classroom used to be a place where a teacher delivered a lecture and gave notes using blackboard and chalk, and most of the students believed that the key to success is rote learning. The advent of Internet and fast-changing information technology has transformed classroom.

L a p t o p s , computers, projectors, LCD screens, CDs and DVDs are Saransh Vaswani fast becoming part of everyday education. The learning has also moved from a fact-focused process to a cognitive one, focusing on critical thinking and problem-solving beyond classroom notes, where students are encouraged to take the lead and not just follow.

And Pune’s three youngsters have decided to take the benefits of this vibrant medium to the underprivileged. In order to bring back the charm of homework as a rudimentary learning tool for stronger basics among schoolchildren, the trio has created a non-profit platform that provides teachers and students with an intuitive online interface to

Left to right: Young engineers Oasis Vali, Sharang Pai and Siddhant Pai make doing school homework fun for students

assign, complete, evaluate and analyse student homework. They are also partnering with community centres and government schemes to provide easy and free access and learning benefits to deprived communities.

E-learning platform Open Shiksha (www.openshiksha.org) focuses on comprehensive analytics and personalised assignments. Underlining the importance of teachers, it focuses on providing teachers with targeted tools and specialised analytics to help them make informed teaching decisions.

Open Shiksha founder Sidhant Pai (23) said, “We three friends during our schooldays found that only 10 per cent students did their homework, 30 per cent simply copied the homework from others and the remaining didn’t even bother. A valuable learning practice like homework was looked as a mundane tool.”

An alumnus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, Sidhant graduated in 2014 with

a degree in environmental engineering.

He works on front-end development, content, operations and outreach for Open Shiksha. The co-founders are Oasis Vali (23) who completed his mechatronics engineering from University of Waterloo in 2015 manages the back-end development, game-design, development operations and outreach operations of the facility and Manipal Institute of Technology computer science student Sharang Pai (19) works on front-end development, mobile app development and game design.

“Extensive surveys covering parents, teachers and students in urban schools besides involving non-profit organisations in the educational space went behind launching the platform.

Student performance wasn’t continuously analysed for conceptual weakness and homework wasn’t very useful without feedback. It was not personalised, and the ‘one size fits all’ approach limited student learning,” Vali said. The team

Extend support to dry Latur Former techie delivers water tankers to old age homes, orphanages and slum dwellers TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeekly With Maharashtra suffering one of its worst droughts in 100 years in 2016 and parched Marathwada region becoming a tragic tale of agrarian holocaust with farmers ending lives, many government bodies, NGOs and social organisations have come f o r w a r d Amit Singh to provide assistance to villagers in distress. Former techie and social worker Amit Singh (29) of Pune has organised a campaign through his NGO Posa Foundation to deliver water tankers to people living in drought-affected Marathwada.

The social body’s target groups are old age homes, orphanages and slum dwellers in Chinchauli and Gondegaon villages in Latur district.

Singh started the initiative ‘Jal hi jeevan hai’ through Posa in May and along with friends and family visited

two orphanages last week. They distributed 3,200 litres of purified cold water to 180 backward class families, including 70 households in Chinchauli village and 110 in Gondegaon.

Posa Foundation had recently made donation to Dnyandeep Balakashram in Dighi. Dnyandeep Balakashram looks after 81 children from underprivileged background, orphans and single parent child.

Singh also introduced children of this ashram to several career opportunities in various sectors such defence and civil services, ITI and other technical works, engineering, medical and fi nance. The NGO receives funds from corporates, friends and family.

“We visited two orphanages in Latur, one of which receive only drinking water. We will be sending a tanker with a capacity to hold 6,000 litres of water to this place,” Singh said. Members of the NGO also visited slums in Latur to study their water requirement. The initiative roped in young college students.

Speaking to TGS, Fergusson College MSc (social work) student Sanchita Garule, 21, said, “We studied the water shortage conditions in Latur

and other areas of Marathwada and found that old age homes, orphanages and other locations occupied by people belonging to economically weaker sections were the worst sufferers and needed immediate aid. Budgets were made and we started seeking out sponsors. The fi rst donation of 24,000 litres of water was made at Gokul Bal Ashram on April 29.”

According to Singh, there are water tankers available in the region but it come at a price. “Many slum dwellers get as little as 200 litres of water from the municipal corporation once a week or sometimes once in 15 days.

At times they use non-potable water to quench their thirst due to water scarcity. I regularly visit Latur and distribute 50 drinking water bottles of 20 litres each. My friends and family are also actively contributing to the cause by raising funds and spreading awareness,” he said.

“We personally monitor water distribution to ensure that water reaches the families or groups in need. Many sponsors have joined our effort but the initiative needs more hands and any form of assistance is welcome,” Singh said. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

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developed the platform and began a pilot beta testing with a few CBSE schools in Pune in December 2015.

The response was positive. Delhi Public School (Pune) Principal Neelam Chakrabarty said, “We piloted the Open Shiksha’s partnership model at DPS Pune last semester for standard VIII maths. The platform was well received by students and teachers and allowed us to conduct an educated analysis of student performance data and look at ways to improve student learning.”

“Our platform analyses student performance from multiple assignments and creates individual learning profiles.

With advances in computing, it makes sense to migrate educational tasks online so we can leverage machine learning, also provide actionable, high quality data to teachers and schools,” Sharang said.

Students from economically weaker sections do not have access to computers or smartphones but the team is confident of overcoming the hurdle. They are joining hands with government, nonprofit and private CSR ICT (Information and communication technologies) schemes to provide low-cost tablets and start community learning centres through Open Shiksha.

“Online educational tools and adaptive learning will help provide a more holistic education to underprivileged students. Open Shiksha aims to play an important role in the eco-system,” said Saransh Vaswani, co-founder of Saajha, a non-profit company that has joined hands with Delhi Government to scale its interventions to 1,000 schools and improve children’s learning outcomes. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

Memorable camp for underprivileged TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeekly During summer, many schools, educational institutes, private organisations and social bodies hold various camps giving children coming from well-to-do families many options to fi ll their vacation ranging from traditional Soha Moitra favourites such as swimming, dance music and martial arts to new activities ones such as icemaking, photography, sewing. Some of the popular events include basketball and football workshops, activities like kids robots, puppet workshop, paintball, bakery classes, sewing classes, theatre workshops, musical and dance classes, ice skating, zumba-kickboxing, meditation through music, and smartivity science and quiz workshops.

Children from urban slums and communities in Pune will look forward for their own summer camp organised by social organisation Child Rights and You (CRY). Other cities where CRY will organise similar events include Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Delhi. The Pune camp

is being conducted for the third consecutive year and the response has been overwhelming leading to a considerable reduction in number of dropouts.

Kids belonging to the economically weaker sections of society always take back memorable experiences after the end of this free camp. Around 200 children will attend the camp in May and June. Activities planned include singing, dancing, fun yoga, drawing, photography, puppet show, quiz and awareness on child rights.

“The camp will be rounded up with a direct interaction between the children and celebrity guests which also include eminent successful professionals.

Th is section of the event aims to bring the concept of role models in the lives of these children so that they start believing in themselves and aspiring for such success in their lives,” said Soha Moitra, Director (North) and Volunteer Action. A postgraduate in social work from MS University, Vadodara, Soha joined CRY in 1997.

The camp’s objective is to not only make the summer enjoyable for the poor children but also to sensitise the people about the facilities and teaching in government schools.

“The idea is to inculcate selfconfidence among the children and a sense of self-worth and to seed in them the desire to dream big and turn their dreams into a reality,” she said. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

Camps will help children start believing in themselves

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

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PICS BY RAHUL RAUT, TEJAS GAIKWAD AND VISHAL KALE

FINE DINING ON WHEELS

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Piping hot sabudana wadas with chutney are quite a rage with the regulars

he Deccan Queen’s dining car is far more than a pantry, and it looks more like a upmarket hotel dining room. When the railways stopped the pantry service for a while, the regular commuters were up in arms, and resorted to signature campaigns and letters, urging the authorities to restore the service.

“From the commuters’ demands, we knew that we had to restore the dining car, so we modified the coach, and brought it back,” said a senior Central railway official.

The refurbished dining car was restored in 2015. While earlier, it had wooden furniture and metal walls, upholstered walls and quality furniture gave it a new look.

“Our menu has remained unchanged as have the moderate prices,” says S Ranganathan, Chief Catering Inspector. The dining car menu includes cutlets, omelettes, cheese and butter toast, sandwiches, packaged food and beverages.

And the highest standards of hygienic and quality are maintained.

“The dining car staff begins work at 04:00 am,” says R N Sheikh, head of the dining car staff. They require 50 kg of potatoes, ten dozen eggs, five kg each of carrots, peas and cauliflower, five kg of chicken,

The menu has remained unchanged as have the moderate prices

R N Sheikh, who is the head honcho in the pantry, rolls out the wadas

bread, milk, sugar, teabags and coffee powder.

“We make sure that we have all the supplies so we can cater to customers with everything that is on our menu,” Sheikh says.

“At the early hour, our customers arrive from their homes in need of breakfast, and we do our best to serve them in double quick time,” says S Jagannathan, a dining car worker, and their union leader.

“The Deccan Queen is more than a job. We have spent years of our lives in it, and now it has assumed a special place in our lives,” he says.

“The dining car is a very comfortable place and customers linger over their meals, and even talk business. In the 70s and 80s, politicians were known to hold their meetings in the Deccan Queen dining car,” says Jagannathan.

Behind the kitchen is a small breakfast bar, where catering inspector N K Mohan is stationed.

“Serving our customers is our priority, and we try to ensure that all of them are satisfied with our service.” He says. The bar is of course, a very busy place, and all the staff go about their duties with alacrity, without wasting any time at all.

Vinay Kumar joined the Deccan Queen dining room staff eight months ago. “I was working at Patna station, and being assigned to the Deccan Queen feels like an honour,” he says. He lives and sleeps on the train. “I work round the clock and even help in procuring raw material and setting up the kitchen,” he says.

THE JEWEL OF THE CENTRAL RAILWAY

SUSHANT R

P Abdul Wahid and assistant pilot K S Binayak behind the Queen’s wheel

E

very one who has worked on the Deccan Queen in whatever capacity feels connected with the train. “People have given their blood, sweat and tears, while working on the Deccan Queen. It is their hard work and devotion that has made the Deccan Queen such a legend over 86 years,” says a former employee, whose first assignment was with the Queen in 1984.

Guard R K Meena, 55, has been working with the railways for 25 years, and has been assigned to the Queen 15 times. “We are never allotted the same journey twice consecutively, unless there’s an emergency. As a guard, I have to make sure that the driver knows if it is safe to travel, and that everything is fine at the back of the train.

The Deccan Queen is the best train of the Central Railway. It always runs on time and any minor delays are covered without a glitch. We do not want our passengers to be delayed by even a minute. It is always housefull with commuters. It is a lifeline between Pune and Mumbai, unstoppable and never late,” he says.

Pilot and engine driver Abdul Wahid, 52, has been assigned to the Deccan Queen during his 32 years of service with the Indian Railways.

Wahid was an assistant pilot, then drove locals for 12 years. The Deccan Queen pilot job is given to those with extensive experience.

“The first day as driver of the Deccan Queen was the most beautiful day of my life. It was raining and after Khandala, the views were breathtaking. As pilot, I have the most amazing views from the engine. The mountains draped in clouds, the lush green stretches, and the profusion of waterfalls, the scenery between Pune and Mumbai, especially in the monsoon, is like a picture postcard,” he says.

The Deccan Queen forms a golden chapter in Central Railway annals, and its longevity has turned it into an icon. It is an indispensable feature in the life of the residents of both Mumbai and Pune, and a journey on the Deccan Queen is always an experience to look forward to.

une and and thei that resi frequentl a pension bustling Mumbai, found a prominenc cities are well conn are six trains runnin famous and everyon The Deccan Q

A HO

Chanting of the

“The public o the cities are with the imp record of rig departure an of the train o last 86 years colourful his The train ha of transport institution b loyal passeng The dining room is an ever cheerful and bustling place, with customers who revel in the menu

Prior to the journey, the Queen is brought to the platform from the shed

Chief

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

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IN THE PAST

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he train was introduced with two rakes and seven coaches. Their underframes of the original rakes were built in England, while the coach bodies were built in Matunga Workshop of the GIP Railways. The Deccan Queen, initially, had only first and second class accommodation. First class was abolished on January 1, 1949 and second class was redesignated as first class, which continued till June 1955, when a third class was introduced on the train. This was revamped as second class in April 1974. The coaches of the original rakes were replaced in 1966 by anti-telescopic steel body integral coaches built by Integral Coach Factory, Perambur.

Over the years, the number of coaches in the train has increased from six to the present 17 coaches. These coaches are now made at the Kapurthala factory and their upkeep is done at Pune. However, the train is managed by the Mumbai staff and they are the inspecting authority.

Long live the

DECCAN QUEEN

THE ROYAL TRIVIA  4 AC chair cars, 10 second class chair cars  1417 people can sit and travel  Dining car for 32 people reintroduced in 2015  First train to have coaches with roller bearings, self-electricity generating coaches and introduction of second class chair cars  Revenue generated Rs 32,89,401 per month

The Deccan Queen, the fastest train between Pune and Mumbai, seems to have been around forever, or 86 years, to e precise. Travelling on the train, with its exclusive dining ar, and clockwork schedule, is always an experience to look forward to. The commuters and workers have their say in what is an unequivocal love and affection for the Queen

AN 86-YEAR ODYSSEY

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SANTOSH SHINDE

RANJAN AND GARGI VERMA @TGSweekly

Mumbai are key cities of Maharashtra, ir proximity to each other has meant idents of both cities travel to and fro ly, some on a daily basis. Once Pune, oners’ town, was overshadowed by big, but in the last two decades, Pune has ce and identity as an IT hub. The two nected well via road, air and rail. There ng between Pune and Mumbai, the most ne’s favourite being the Deccan Queen.

Queen was launched by the British

Great Indian Peninsula Railway on June 1, 1930. June 1, 2016 will mark the 86th year of the train’s existence.

Over these years, a lot has changed but the Deccan Queen has retained its name and schedule, as well as its status of being a cut above the rest. The fastest of all the trains between Mumbai and Pune, the Deccan Queen is used by hundreds of commuters from both cities on a daily basis, a lifeline, no less. No other train takes you to Mumbai from Pune or vice versa in less than three and a half hours.

It is feather in the cap of the Central Railway that it has maintained the class and elegance of this queen of the tracks, and the undiminished love for it from the commuters is an affirmation of a love that will go on forever.

OME AWAY FROM HOME

A black day in the annals of the Queen, when miscreants set fire to several compartments

ver the course of 86 years, the train has had an eventful ride. In 2006, some fanatics had set fire to the dining car and the other bogeys at Ulhasnagar station, and passengers were evicted forcibly. “I don’t even like thinking about that day. The train had been stopped at Ulhasnagar station. We were all restless as the train was delayed. But the situation outside was volatile. Suddenly a gang of youths told us to get off the train. When I refused, they told me that unless I did what they told me, I would die,” says Anwar Bhai, a businessman, who has been commuting by the train for a decade. “We got down and walked all the way to Kalyan on the tracks, and could see the smoke rising at the distance,” he says.

The Deccan Queen staff has been exemplary and have set standards of efficiency. The workers worked round the clock for two days to minimise the delay caused by natural factors. “Once during the monsoons, the tracks had been submerged, and the train was delayed by more than eight hours. Not only did all the staff put in extra hours, but as soon as they reached CST station, they started to prepare for the return journey. When asked why they were working so hard, they said that it was because this was their job,” said Sudyumna Nargolkar, a railway enthusiast.

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Ganesh Vandana is a unique and auspicious feature , in the season ticket holders’ bogey

of both e happy peccable ght time nd arrival over the s of its story. as grown from a mere mode between two cities into an binding generation of intensely gers.” ­— Narendra Patil f Public Relations Officer, Central Railways

“The Deccan Queen has become an important part of Pune’s identity and culture. We are very proud of the train and love it, like the passengers.

Deccan Queen is a prestigious train.

It is known for its punctuality.

Deccan Queen made place in the hearts of Puneites as it was the first inter-city train to operate between Pune and Mumbai.

Livelihood of many people depends on the train as officegoers from Pune use it to reach their offices in Mumbai. If it is upgraded, the Deccan Queen could reach Mumbai in just two hours and 20 minutes.” ­— Harsha Shah President, Railway Pravasi Manch

he Deccan Queen is a home away from home for the regulars, who travel daily aboard the train. “I sleep most soundly on the Queen, better than I do at home in my own bed,” says Jatin Bhausaheb, 36, who runs an industrial spares business. “I am able to live in Pune and work in Mumbai, thanks to the Deccan Queen,” he says.

The 70 plus Mohammad Bhai has been a regular commuter on the Queen for 50 years. “I work for a courier company, and from the first day of working till today, I have travelled every day on the Queen, and will on my last working day,” he says.

Subhash Thope, 65, also works for a courier company, and has been a Deccan Queen regular for 40 years. “My children who have settled down in Pune, ask me why I travel to Mumbai every day. Of course it is due to my job, but the perks of travelling on the Deccan Queen are the people I meet on the train,” he said.

Two Deccan Queen coaches are reserved for pass holders. As soon as the train leaves Pune at 7:15 am, passengers congregate at the rear door and chant the auspicious Ganpati Vandana, and even the non-Hindus join in. “No one remembers when this ritual began, it may be as old as the Deccan Queen itself,” says Naresh Bachhao, 48. Another courier company employee, he has been commuting daily by the Deccan Queen for 18 years.

“All of us passengers are like family, and we share all our happy or other situations with one another. We have our designated seats,,” he says.

Card games are what most season ticket holders indulge in, though it’s not gambling with money. Some catch up on their sleep, while others finish office chores. “The train reaches Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus at 10.30 am, from where we head to our offices,” says T S Nawagune, 59, who works as peon in a government office.

Ganesh Kathawate, 46, wants the Railways to change the timings of the Deccan Queen. “If the Queen is a workers’ train, it should cater to their office times too. For me, it will be more convenient if the train arrives in Mumbai a few minutes earlier, and the departure from Mumbai is delayed by an hour or so,” he says.

The reserved passengers and pass holders have no issues.

Those who travel on general tickets don’t mind any inconvenience.

“Lots of people get off at Lonavala, so from there onwards it’s always a comfortable journey,” says Pramod Sawant, 38. The Deccan Queen’s pantry car is also a big draw. And of course the Deccan Queen offers the fastest travel on tracks between Pune and Mumbai.

Of course, the monsoons throw up some difficulties, when the tracks are water-logged, and when there are rock slides in the ghats. Those are the time when delays occur and the Deccan Queen is held up. But it still remains the most comfortable, speedy and convenient means of commuting between Pune and Mumbai.

Mohammad Bhai has occupied the same seat on the Queen for 50 years

The season ticket holders are like family, seeing each other every day of the week

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TECH/START-UP

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“There are special bins in Mexico City where when you put your dog poo in it, you get free WiFi. The more poo, the longer the free WiFi.” — http://crazyfacts.com/

‘Fund squeeze causing stricter evaluation of e-comm models’ Government regulations clamping down on discounts may necessitate further changes in strategy and could impact sales growth in the near term, report said A tightening funding environment has prompted Indian e-commerce ecosystem to adopt stricter evaluation norms for business models, with focus on profitability and consolidation, a report said.

“We believe this (e-commerce) shake-up may intensify further, leading to the emergence of one or two strong companies within each sub-sector,” said the research report by Kotak Institutional Equities. A lack of fresh funding as well as stricter focus on profitability by investors is leading to swift business model changes by companies, it said.

Further, the current wave of consolidation among e-commerce players may intensify, leading to fewer, stronger players emerging within each category.

“Low valuations may prompt brickand-mortar companies to take over some e-commerce rivals, in a bid to make an online presence for themselves like Titan’s purchase of Caratlane and Future Retail’s purchase of Fabfurnish,” it said.

Further, recent government regulations clamping down on discounts and dependence on single large vendors may necessitate further changes in strategy and could impact sales growth

Indian Museum collection online with Google Beginning with its prized collection of Buddhist art including the famous Gandhara sculptures, the Indian Museum is now putting all of its galleries for 360-degree panoramic viewing for anyone to see online.

As part of a tie-up with the Google Cultural Institute, which allows art lovers to explore artifacts from all over the world on its website, the Indian Museum is launching an e-version of its exquisite exhibition titled Indian Buddhist Art. Among the important highlights in the exhibit include a sculpture of the head of Buddha from fifth century in Sarnath which is featured even in school textbooks.

“This is the first virtual exhibition we are organising after which all our galleries will gradually be available on the Google Cultural Institute website,” museum director Jayanta Sengupta told.

PTI

in the near term, the report added The hyper-valuations seen in successive funding rounds in 2014-15 also seem to be correcting, it said.

Fidelity had marked down its holding in Flipkart by about 40 per cent as of February 2016 (compared to August 2015), implying that the firm’s valuation may now be significantly lower than peak valuation of USD 15.2 billion attained in 2015.

Valuation of Rocket Internet’s Global Fashion Group (parent company of Jabong) plummeted by about 67 per cent during its last fund raise in April

2016, while Fabfurnish was acquired by Future Group at a substantial discount for USD 3 million, the report noted.

The report also indicated that hyperlocal category seems to be the worst-hit among e-commerce players.

Companies like grocery delivery firm PepperTap shut its delivery business and is focusing only on logistics, while delivery company Roadrunnr has merged with food-ordering app Tinyowl.

Several other portals such as Foodpanda, Jabong and Housing are also reportedly on the block, it noted.

PTI

Road less travelled attracts Indians: Skyscanner survey P 12

Optics find may lead to better night vision devices Scientists have developed ‘perfect’ thin film light absorbers, a breakthrough that may lead to low-cost infrared technology for improved night vision devices. The findings may help save millions of dollars in defence and other areas using sensing devices, and boost applications of technology to a host of new areas, such as agriculture.

Infra-red devices are used for improved vision through fog and for night vision and for observations not possible with visible light; high-quality detectors cost about USD 100,000 and some require cooling to minus 200 degrees Celsius. Researchers at the University of Sydney demonstrated a dramatic increase in the absorption efficiency of light in a layer of semiconductor that is only a few hundred atoms thick - to almost 99 per cent light absorption from the current inefficient 7.7 per cent.

The team discovered perfect thin film light absorbers could be created simply by etching grooves into them, said Martijn de Sterke from the University of Sydney.

“Conventional absorbers add bulk and cost to the infrared detector as well as the need for continuous power to keep the temperature down. The ultrathin absorbers can reduce these drawbacks,” de Sterke said.

“By etching thin grooves in the film, the light is directed sideways and almost all of it is absorbed, despite the small amount of material - the absorbing layer is less than 1/2000th the thickness of a human hair,” he said.

Bjorn Sturmberg, who carried out the research as a PhD student at the University of Sydney, said the findings did not rely upon a particular material but could be applied to many naturally occurring weak absorbers.

“There are many applications that could greatly benefit from perfectly absorbing ultra-thin films, ranging from defence and autonomous farming robots to medical tools and consumer electronics,” Sturmberg said.

The structures were much simpler to design and fabricate than using existing thin film light absorbers, which required either complex nanostructures, metamaterials and exotic materials or difficult-to-create combinations of metals and non-metals, said Lindsay Botten, Director of Australia’s National Computational Infrastructure (NCI).

“There are major efficiency and sensitivity gains to be obtained from making photo-detectors with less material,” Botten said.

The findings appear in the journal Optica.

PTI

Cyber crimes: CBI, Police Academy to make judges tech savvy Orientation programmes planned for judges to familiarise them with IT-related cases Amid a rising trend of cases related to cyber crimes, the government has asked the CBI and the National Police Academy to train members of the lower judiciary in tackling such issues.

The Department of Justice in the Law Ministry has written to CBI and the National Police Academy “to conduct training programmes for judicial officers for sensitisation in cyber crimes and related issues.”

Official sources in the ministry said here that such training programmes will strengthen the capability of judges in handling such crimes which are technical in nature.

The CBI and the Police Academy may now plan conferences and orientation

programmes for judges to familiarise them with cyber and Information Technology related cases.

Bhopal-based National Judicial Academy is already holding orientation programmes for judges and judicial officers on cyber crimes.

The move comes against the backdrop of

the cyber world being used by various groups and individuals to post anti-India and ‘jihadi’ content.

With pornography being another issue, the Law Ministry thought it appropriate to train judicial officers in understanding the intricacies involved in dealing with such cases.

The use of IT to commit crimes as well as the use of cyber tools to detect crimes and track down criminals is also on the rise.

Seeking to keep pace with the developments, the laws related to cyber crimes have also witnessed some changes and a need was felt to update the judges on the emerging trends and amendments made to the law, an officer explained.

PTI

Mothers are more active on FB: Study Those who posted more tend to report more depressive symptoms after nine months of parenthood than other moms

Women who feel societal pressure to be perfect moms and identify strongly with their motherhood role post more frequently on Facebook than others, a new study has found.

These same mothers who posted most frequently also reported stronger emotional reactions to comments on the photos they posted of their new baby - such as feeling bad if they did not get enough positive comments, researchers said.

The study looked at a specific group of moms - highly educated, mostly married women who had full-time jobs - and found that those who felt societal pressure to be perfect moms and who identified most strongly with their motherhood role posted more frequently than others to Facebook.

“While many new mothers are active on Facebook, these results suggest some seem to

be more drawn to the site than others and may use it in lessthan-healthy ways,” said Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan from Ohio State University (OSU) in the US. “If a mother is posting on Facebook to get affirmation that she is doing a good job and does not get all the ‘likes’ and positive comments she expects,

that could be a problem. She may end up feeling worse,” she said. Those mothers who posted more on Facebook tended to report more depressive symptoms after nine months of parenthood than other moms, researchers said.

“The message of the study is not that Facebook is necessarily harmful - but that

using Facebook may not be an effective platform for women to seek and gain external validation that they are good moms,” said Jill Yavorsky from OSU. Researchers studied 127 mothers from Ohio. When the women were in their third trimester of pregnancy, they measured how much they believed society expected them to be perfect parents.

They were asked to rate how much they agreed with statements like “only if I am a perfect parent will society consider me a good parent.”

Nine months after the baby was born, researchers measured how much the women identified with their role as a mother.

They rated how much they agreed with statements like “I know people make judgements about how good of a partner/ mother I am based on how well cared for my house and family are.”

Researchers also measured the frequency of their Facebook activity since their child was born, how often they uploaded photos of their children to Facebook and their emotional responses to friends’ comments and likes of child photos.

Mothers who did make their child’s image their own profile photos tended to show stronger identification with their mother role than women who did not, researchers said.

Moms also reported how often they felt depressive symptoms at three and nine months after giving birth.

One of the key findings was how mothers who thought society expected them to be perfect and who identified strongly with their motherhood role reacted to Facebook posts, said Yavorsky.

The findings were published in the journal Sex Roles.

PTI

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Get over anxiety and depression 7 Cups of Tea IOS/Android: Free Whether you’re stressed at work, having problems at home, or just in the middle of a bad day, sometimes you need to vent. But scheduling a therapist is time-consuming and expensive, and sometimes you can’t completely open up to friends, family, or coworkers. Now you can get confidential emotional support anytime, anywhere with 7 Cups of Tea. Free. This app gives you the support you need in a way that fits your lifestyle. During your conversation, you can remain 100% anonymous. They have over 20,000 trained listeners and licensed therapists to choose from. Each listener has a profile with reviews and a list of categories that they specialize in, ranging from panic attacks and bullying to eating disorders, surviving a breakup, and more. You can also choose listeners based on language or country.

Self-help Anxiety Management IOS/Android: Free Self-help Anxiety Management (SAM) is a friendly app that offers a range of self-help methods for people who are serious about learning to manage their anxiety. It has been developed by a university team of psychologists, computer scientists and student users. Established methods of self-help have been combined with high standards of usability to provide an engaging, flexible, and practical resource. The content is presented in various media formats in order to support users in learning about anxiety and practicing self-help. Users are encouraged to build their own Anxiety Toolkit of SAM resources that they find helpful and to draw on this for regular practice in managing situations that are associated with anxiety.

Buddhify IOS/Android: Free Buddhify is a well laid out app that is probably the best choice if you already practice mindfulness but want more of your life to be mindful. There is a large colourful wheel you choose a slice of, depending on what area of life needs your attention. This includes things like sleep problems, work breaks, having to wait around, eating, illness, and travelling. Once you choose your area, it then further breaks down into meditations of different topics and lengths. If you don’t like one of the voices on offer, try another meditation. There are some options available, such as a choice to fast forward or rewind the guided meditations. A simple timer is great for when you want to meditate by yourself, and there is a place to rate your sessions and track your progress.

Suicide Test IOS/Android: Free It has been estimated by the World Health Organization that every 40 seconds someone commits suicide.

Furthermore, it is also estimated that over one million people take their own lives per year. Based on current global trends, the number of those who commit suicide is expected to exceed one and a half million people within the next six years. An alarming trend to say the least, and one with so many different factors, yet still so few answers. This test will try to measure your depression level and will check your coping ability. All you need to do is answer questions honestly and you will find whether you are suicidal or not.

MindShift IOS/Android: Free Struggling with anxiety? Tired of missing out? There are things you can do to stop anxiety and fear from controlling your life. MindShift is an app designed to help teens and young adults cope with anxiety. It can help you change how you think about anxiety. Rather than trying to avoid anxiety, you can make an important shift and face it. MindShift will help you learn how to relax, develop more helpful ways of thinking, and identify active steps that will help you take charge of your anxiety.

This app includes strategies to deal with everyday anxiety, as well as specific tools to tackle.

ENVIRONMENT

Noting that the air quality in metropolises was in violation to the prescribed standards, the National Green Tribunal has directed the apex pollution monitoring body to fi le comprehensive data on the population and vehicle density in major cities across the country.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also directed Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to fi le complete data on pollution levels in these cities.

“We direct the CPCB to place before the Tribunal complete data in relation to the population density, car density, total population of the area and the pollution level of major cities in the entire country, “ the bench said.

On January 6, the tribunal had taken note of air pollution in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Patna, Lucknow, Allahabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Nagpur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Pune and directed states to fi le a comprehensive affidavit stating the steps taken by them for prevention and control of air pollution.

During the hearing, CPCB told the bench that report on pollution levels in these cities have already been fi led on record.

“All the cities which were indicated, are having ambient air quality which is violative of the prescribed standard. It is a known fact that there are primarily three sources of pollution, burning of

Gurgaon: A view of traffic jam in Gurgaon due to the hail-storm on Wednesday

waste and other materials, dust emission from various sources and vehicular pollution.

“The directions passed in regard to NCT, would safely be applied for all these cities. But before we pass orders in that regard, in relation to all the major cities in the country, we would like the CPCB to place complete and comprehensive data,” the bench said.

The matter is now fi xed for hearing on May 30.

The tribunal, which was restrained by the Supreme Court from dealing with matters on air pollution in Delhi, had earlier expanded the ambit of hearing by seeking responses on

Extreme beliefs linked to violence

This can be mistaken for psychosis, and a new legal term is needed that clearly defines this behaviour

Artificial sweeteners help individuals with obesity to cut calories and lose weight but may have negative health effects, a new study has warned.

Artificial sweeteners are often used to help individuals cut calories and manage their weight as they are not digested by the body.

However, the study suggests that the bacteria in the gut may be able to break down artificial sweeteners, resulting in negative health effects.

“Our study shows that individuals with obesity who consume artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame, may have worse glucose management than those who don’t take sugar substitutes,” said Professor Jennifer Kuk from York University in Canada.

“We didn’t find this adverse effect in those consuming saccharin or natural sugars,” said Kuk. “We will need to do future studies to determine whether any potentially negative health effects of artificial sweeteners outweigh the benefits for obesity reduction,” she said.

Currently, there are many new sugar substitutes that are used in foods. Further investigation is needed to determine if there are any health effects of using these sweeteners.

Data from 2,856 US adults from the Th ird National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III) was used. Individuals reported their diet over 24 hours and were categorised as consumers of artificial sweeteners (aspartame or saccharin), or high or low consumers of natural sugars (sugar or fructose).

Diabetes risk was measured as the ability to manage blood sugars using an oral glucose tolerance test.

PTI

Government is set to ban use of potassium bromate as food additive in next 15 days, following a CSE study that claimed presence of cancercausing chemicals in bread.

“Potassium bromate is one of 11,000 food additives that are allowed in food business. After careful consideration, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to remove potassium bromate from the list of permissible additives,” FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said.

The regulator has recommended removal of potassium bromate from the list of permissible food additives to the Health Ministry.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said that nearly 84 per cent of 38 commonly available brands of pre-packaged breads, including pav and buns, tested positive for potassium bromate and potassium iodate, banned in many countries as they are listed as “hazardous” for public health.

Meanwhile, Health Minister J P Nadda told reporters here that his

ministry had asked FSSAI to take the matter seriously and submit a report.

“They are coming out with a report.

The Ministry will take appropriate action accordingly. We will take action as soon as the report comes,” he said.

On the notification, Agarwal said, “As far as issue of notification is concerned the FSSAI has already sent the recommendation to Ministry of Health and it would be issued by the Ministry and there it may take a week or two.”

After the removal of potassium bromate from the list its use as food additive would be banned, he said.

On use of potassium iodate, FSSAI is examining the evidence and soon a decision will be taken over the same.

Potassium bromate typically increases dough strength, leads to higher rising and uniform finish to baked products, while potassium iodate is a flour treatment agent. CSE has urged FSSAI to ban the use of potassium bromate and potassium iodate with immediate effect.

PTI

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NATION

CITY

Get your voice heard on NetaG P6

No damaged goods please P3

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

When hunger strikes past midnight

NATION

CITY

Bakery worker’s daughter gets her wings P 12

Why are traffic cops taking selfies these days?

P3

AUTO,

HAIL A

CAB

GAUTAM SINGHANIA

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

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

Five members of the team tried hiring rickshaws for distances

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

DEHU

6

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

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

See Spotlight on p8&9

CHINCHWAD BHOSARI

4 THERGAON HINJEWADI VILLAGE

KALEWADI FATA

WAKAD

DIGHI

NASHIK PHATA

5

LOHEGAON

DAPODI 50

PIMPLE GURAV

WAGHOLI

3 4 BANER

VISHRANT VIMAN WADI NAGAR YERWADA

AUNDH

2

SANGAMWADI PASHAN

AH47

WADGAON SHERI

MUNDHWA

SHIVAJI NAGAR

GHORPADI

9

BAVDHAN

CAMP

HADAPSAR

KOTHRUD

SWARGATE PARVATI

WANOWRIE

1

NANDED AMBEGAON BUDRUK

KONDHWA

UNDRI

KATRAJ

4

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

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

said director of the school, who

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

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

The investigation was carried out by statements.”

DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL

ALANDI

AKURDI

RAVET

Sab golmal hai...

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

RITU GOYAL HARISH

CHIKHALI

KIWALENIGDI

~ Suit filed by the siblings

Precious man hours are lost every day at Hinjewadi just because planners forgot to make more entry and exit points. Over a decade after Hinjewadi was planned to house country’s best IT firms and saying is true. But what they are not telling us or willing to talent, planners have finally woken up to the plight of citizens. concede is that their enemy lies within. Their enemy number one They have now planned five alternative roads. But the authorities is not private cabs but members of their own ilk – many of whom are in no hurry to complete them. See spotlight on p8 & 9 are rude, refuse to ply short

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

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

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

We believe we were on the right,”

Parents teach them more than exams do P 10

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

~ Suit filed by the siblings

What a mess!

Teacher booked for sexually abusing 22 students acquitted

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

CITY

Truly, a tree lady P4

And yet no respite for commuters

DR VIJAYPAT SINGHANIA

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

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

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

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

PICS ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

DITCH THE

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

Breivik was not psychotic and diagnosed him with narcissistic personality disorder. Breivik was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

“Breivik believed that killing innocent people was justifiable, which seems irrational and psychotic.

However, some people without psychotic mental illness feel so strongly about their beliefs that they take extreme actions,” said Rahman.

“Our suggested term for criminally violent behaviour when psychosis can be ruled out is ‘extreme overvalued belief,’” he said.

Rahman defines “extreme overvalued belief ” as a belief that is shared by others and often relished, amplified and defended by the accused.

The individual has an intense emotional commitment to the belief and may act violently as a result of that belief, researchers said.

Although the individual may suffer from other forms of mental illness, the belief and the actions associated with it are not the result of insanity, they said.

“Certain psychological factors may make people more vulnerable to developing dominating and amplified beliefs,” said Rahman.

“However, amplification of beliefs about issues such as immigration, religion, abortion or politics also may occur through the internet, group dynamics or obedience to charismatic authority figures,” he said.

PTI

Ban on potassium bromate on cards

Beware of artificial sweeteners

Baby’s cry can alter the way parents think Parents, take note! A baby’s cry not only commands your attention, it can also rattle your executive functions - the neural and cognitive processes used for making everyday decisions, according to a new study.

“Parental instinct appears to be hardwired, yet no one talks about how this instinct might include cognition,” said David Haley, associate professor of psychology at University of Toronto.

The study looked at the effect infant vocalisations - in this case audio clips of a baby laughing or crying had on adults completing a cognitive confl ict task.

The researchers used the Stroop task, in which participants were asked to rapidly identify the colour of a printed word while ignoring the meaning of the word itself.

Brain activity was measured using electroencephalography (EEG) during each trial of the cognitive task, which took place immediately after a two-second audio clip of an infant vocalisation.

The brain data showed that the infant cries reduced attention to the task and triggered greater cognitive confl ict processing than the infant laughs.

Cognitive confl ict processing is important because it controls attention one of the most basic executive functions needed to complete a task or make a decision, said Haley.

“Parents are constantly making a variety of everyday decisions and have competing demands on their attention,” said Joanna Dudek, a graduate student in Haley’s ParentInfant Research lab and lead author on the study.

“They may be in the middle of doing chores when the doorbell rings and their child starts to cry. How do they stay calm, cool and collected, and how do they know when to drop what they’re doing and pick up the child?” said Dudek.

A baby’s cry has been shown to cause aversion in adults, but it could also be creating an adaptive response by “switching on” the cognitive control parents use in effectively responding to their child’s emotional needs while also addressing other demands in everyday life, said Haley.

PTI

PUNE

“There is huge drop in count of sparrow, vulture and indigenous birds in state and the country. I urge environment ministry to discourage use of pesticides that could be leading to the dwindling numbers.”

— Vidyasagar Rao, Governor, Maharashtra

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

People who commit violent acts such as mass shootings may do so because of their extreme beliefs and not due to the fact that they are mentally ill, scientists say. Researchers from University of Missouri (MU) studied the 2011 case of Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik, and suggested a new forensic term to classify non-psychotic behaviour that leads to criminal acts of violence.

“When these types of tragedies occur, we question the reason behind them,” said Tahrir Rahman from MU. “Sometimes people think that violent actions must be the byproduct of psychotic mental illness, but this is not always the case,” said Rahman.

“Our study of the Breivik case was meant to explain how extreme beliefs can be mistaken for psychosis, and to suggest a new legal term that clearly defines this behaviour,” he said.

Breivik, a Norwegian terrorist, killed 77 people on July 22 in 2011, in a car bombing in Oslo and a mass shooting at a youth camp on the island of Utoya in Norway.

Claiming to be a “Knights Templar” and a “saviour of Christianity,” Breivik stated that the purpose of the attacks was to save Europe from multiculturalism.

Two teams of court-appointed forensic psychiatrists later examined Breivik.

The fi rst psychiatric team diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia.

However, after widespread criticism, a second team concluded that

worsening air quality in metropolises like Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

On December 18 last year, the tribunal had refused to vacate its order banning registration of new diesel-run vehicles, saying it won’t interfere with the Supreme Court order which has taken a similar stand.

In contrast to the prior NGT order banning registration of all diesel vehicles, the Supreme Court on December 16 exempted small ones and specified that the diesel-run SUVs and cars having engine capacity beyond 2000 cc would not be registered in Delhi and National Capital Region.

PTI

MAY 28, 2016

Supriya Bhoite from Chaturshrungi police station.

Contd on p4

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

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

The CPIO was clueless about the project and sought information from

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

Population, vehicle density under scanner

H EALTH

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

‘‘Apart from breast cancer, lung cancer among young urban women is increasing due to smoking. There are advanced yet simple methods to diagnose breast and cervical cancers.”

— Dr Chetan Deshmukh, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital

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Hum

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

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

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

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

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

Saath Saath

When

HUNGER STRIKES past midnight

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

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

The Kamdars

Run for…

yourself

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

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PUNE

“Dawood is an international terrorist and there is a need to take the help of international agencies to nab him. All the relevant documents against Dawood have been given to Pakistan.”

— Rajnath Singh, Home Minister

After the Assembly polls...

The loss of Assam and Kerala has come as a shock for the Congress

BY SUNIL GATADE Politics in the country is set to become more exciting in the wake of the results of the Assembly elections in five states.

The loss of Assam and Kerala and not a good show except in tiny Puducherry has come as a shock for the Congress which has fallen on bad days for the past two years.

While it is time to worry for Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandi, but it no way could be seen as a precursor to “Congress-mukt Bharat”, an issue on which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah are passionate about.

No doubt, the results have come as a morale booster for the BJP in the backdrop of the drubbing in Bihar and Delhi which had come as a bolt from the blue. In fact the victory in Assam for the BJP has been timely for the ruling party at the Centre given the fact that much churning was on within it over the past few months and it would subside the potent disquiet.

The win in Assam has come as a nice present for the Prime Minister who is completing two years in office this week amid mixed reviews about his performance. A section of political observers feel that the elections were a litmus test for regional parties.

Mamata Banerjee’s TMC and Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK have done well by retaining power in West Bengal and

Tamil Nadu. Mamata has done better than the last polls which it had won in alliance with Congress.

If the Left parties are considered a regional party grouping as they are actually are despite their ideology being international, then the LDF victory in Kerala could be dubbed as a surge of the regional forces. Left leaders however hate to be called regional.

Rahul Gandhi-led Congress had the only consolation of securing a majority along with allies in the tiny Union territory of Puducherry. Though Sonia Gandhi is the party chief, she has deliberately taken a backseat to help groom the son, whose record so far leaves much to be desired.

The results are bound to intensify the competetion between the BJP and

the Congress on one side and regional parties like the BSP, the SP and AAP as also the JD-U seeking to widen their influence in the year ahead.

The next round of Assembly elections are in politically key Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarkhand, Goa and Gujarat, the Hindutva laboratory of the BJP which is witnessing heavy wear and tear.

Challenge in the coming days would be growing for Rahul given the fact that the Congress is now retaining power only in six states as against 13 when it lost power at the Centre exactly two years back. The slide of the party has not stopped since as it lost power in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi.

There might be claims, but it is not true that the BJP has become the lone

HC dismisses plea against Ambani award

HEAT AND DUST

NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court refused to entertain a petition seeking direction to quash the government notification conferring Padma Vibhushan award in 2016 to late Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries Ltd. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath dismissed the plea saying no “public interest” was involved in the petition and it was filed to “malign” the person. “How public interest is involved in this? This is not a public interest litigation. It is to malign the person,” the bench said.

PTI

Women cover themselves during a dust storm in a hot day in Allahabad

A boon for families of the terminally ill CHANDIGARH: In a landmark judgement, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that the family of a terminally-ill person, who decides to stop treatment against medical advice and dies, cannot be denied insurance claim.

The court said the patient’s desire not be treated was an issue of “patient autonomy” and “embracing dignity in death”. Dismissing the petition of Oriental Insurance Company Limited, which had argued that the family of an insured person leaving treatment

against medical advice was not entitled for claim after death, the HC upheld the order of a claims tribunal which had asked the company to pay Rs 35.46 lakh in damages.

Medical experts feel the HC order is significant since many insurance companies tend to use LAMA or ‘Leave Against Medical Advice’ as justification to deny family of a deceased its claims. The order could come as a major relief to families burdened with huge medical costs.

PTI

Vol-II* lssue No.: 50 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.

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national party now.

Amit Shah may be boasting of making BJP the largest party in the world, but it needs to be taken with more than a pinch of salt.

BJP cannot minimise the importance of the battle for Lucknow next year given the fact that the road to Delhi goes via Uttar Pradesh. This is especially important because the BJP has already lost Bihar which has given larger ambitions to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD-U. Granted that the BJP has worked wonders in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha polls by seuring 73 of the 80 seats along with allies but it was two years back. Much water has flown from the Ganga- Yamuna since then.

At present, BSP’s Mayawati looks the favourite as the next Chief Minister notwitstanding the fact that her party has scored a duck in the Lok Sabha polls.

Politics is a different cup of tea.

One cannot rest on his past laurels and one has to earn his daily bread through election after election.

The Assam victory has given an opportunity to Modi-Shah to spread the saffron wings far and wide after the entry in the northeast.

For Congress, it is upto Rahul Gandhi to turn a crisis into an opportunity. The Grand Old Party is now being derided as having a hold on just six per cent of the country’s landmass when the saffrron footprint is growing.

For the Prime Minister, it is equally imperative to show a more aggressive pitch to deliver on the home front in the year ahead for a people who have heard lot of promises of ‘achhe din”.

PTI Feature

Widespread ignorance of Customs rules MUMBAI: There seems to be an awareness gap among passengers about customs norms with a survey by a government agency revealing that only 27 per cent of the respondents travelling at the city international airport claim to fully know them.

“There is a gap between what passengers should know and what is currently available. While only 27 per cent were fully aware of the Indian Customs rules and regulations, what is permissible and not permissible, the vast majority was either partly aware or unaware of the legal requirements,” according to a survey initiated by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).

CBEC, along with a management school, conducted a survey about the Passenger Satisfaction Levels (PSL) of customs clearance process at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), which is one of the largest airports in India in terms of the international passenger traffic.

The survey, whose report was released on May 21, also found that three areas where passengers expected improvements are access and availability of information, speed of process and greater transparency.

The survey’s scope was to assess PSLs with the customs clearance process. It was conducted for a week and involved 731 passengers.

PTI

Money does matter in relationships: Study P 14

Women in India earn 19 per cent less than men: Report Survey involved more than eight million employees in 33 countries, including 57,000 job holders in India

Smriti Irani gave away awards to women for across the world at the valedictory session on “Iconic Women and What drives them”, at the Women Economic Forum 2016

NEW DELHI: Women in India earn 18.8 per cent less than men, higher than the global average, largely due to lack of representation in highestpaying job functions and industries, says a report.

According to Korn Ferry Hay Group, women globally earn 17.6 per cent less than men and the figure for India stands higher at 18.8 per cent.

The global study by the group’s PayNet database tracked and analysed gender and pay for more than 8 million employees in 33 countries, including 57,000 job holders in India.

“Our data shows that when it comes to thinking about pay on the basis of gender, a man and a woman in the same company, doing the same job, will usually be paid nearly the same but still favouring men by 1.6 per cent,” Ben Frost, a global reward expert at Hay Group said, adding that the data shows this very consistently, from Sweden to South Africa.

In India, for the similar job levels and functions the pay gap, however, is 3.5 per cent. The gender pay gap impacts companies almost identically across the globe. However, it said, firms are perhaps looking for a solution in the wrong places.

“The biggest driver of the pay gap is a lack of women in high-paying industries, senior functions and in

leadership positions. If we want to close the pay gap and make a difference, it is the road to the top jobs that needs to be the focus. This is the pay gap problem,” Frost said.

The number of women found in highest-paying industries (like oil & gas, technology and life sciences) is lacking.

Furthermore, even in lower-paying sectors where women dominate such as hospitality and tourism men still hold the vast majority of management and executive roles the highest paid jobs within any industry.

“Organisations need to scrutinise the unconscious male bias in the ways they hire, develop, promote and reward employees, and define successful career paths, to ensure they optimize female talent,” said Peggy Hazard, managing principal at Korn Ferry Hay Group and co-author of the study.

“Only when we have more women in higher paying jobs will we see the gender pay gap begin to close not only by further equalling pay at similar job levels, but ensuring females reach the most senior roles, at the top of global organisations,” Hazard said.

PayNet database contains pay details for more than 20 million job holders in 25,000 organisations in more than 110 countries.

PTI

Women globally earn 17.6 per cent less than men

Road less travelled attracts Indians: Skyscanner survey Unconventional travel destination rising most in popularity is neighbouring Bhutan

MUMBAI: As more and more Indians are becoming experimental while choosing their holiday destinations, they are mostly looking for off-thebeaten-path places like Bhutan, Russia and Middle East to satisfy this adventurous need in them, according to a survey.

“In 2015, Indian travellers are the most experimental in Asia Pacific when it comes to choosing holiday destinations. Keen to uphold this

reputation in 2016, Indian travellers are seeking adventures off the beaten track to scratch that travel itch,” global travel search site Skyscanner revealed.

The survey is based on actual searches on Skyscanner from April 2015 - April 2016 for a travel period from May 2016 to December 2016.

The survey revealed the unconventional travel destination rising most in popularity is neighbouring Bhutan with a 75 per cent increase in search from 2015.

“The Thunder Dragon Kingdom is drawing Indian travellers in their droves this year too,” it added.

“Considering the adventurous nature of Indian travellers coupled with increasing disposable incomes and

continuously improving travel options, it’s no wonder these destinations are appearing on more and more their bucket lists. The surge in pop culture references in movies and literature may also be influencing tourists to look out for unfrequented destinations,” Skyscanner India Manager, Growth Strategy, Ravish Doctor said.

Bhutan was followed by Russia, where searches jumped 47 per cent year-on-year and is becoming a tourist hot spot for Indians.

In addition to the famed Faberge Eggs, the vodka and the ballet, tourists are discovering Russia through the Byzantine architecture and new holiday destinations such as Sochi, the Black Sea resort and home of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Affordable and varied flight routes along with the weakening Ruble are also bringing in more tourists to the snow clad country.

Away from the glitz and glamour of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, alternative Middle Eastern destinations like Iran and Jordan have seen a rise of 21 per cent and 15 per cent Y-o-Y, respectively.

With the ease of visa rules and change in policies, it is becoming an attractive unconventional destination, it added.

PTI

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

Bright future awaits paddler Neel P 16

70 Indians arrested in Nepal for drinking

BY SHIRISH B PRADHAN KATHMANDU: Around 70 Indian nationals, all hailing from Bihar, have been detained in Nepal over crossing the border to enjoy liquor in local pubs here since last month when their state banned sale and consumption of alcohol, according to police.

The Rautahat District Police Office (DPO) said it intensified crackdown on public houses in the southern Nepal district and have detained some 70 Indian nationals from pubs of neighbouring Nepali villages over the last one-and-a-half months.

The Indians began to enter Nepal to enjoy drinks as soon as their state government banned alcohol, according to police.

Police nabbed nine Indian nationals who had arrived at a village outside the Rautahat district headquarters, Gaur, from Sitamarhi in Bihar. The DPO said all 70 Indians were later released after they signed an undertaking that they would not enter Nepal again for consuming alcohol.

Each of them was also fined Rs 1,000, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Nabil Krishna Bhandari.

Besides, two pub operators from Gaur were detained over charges that their business promoted untoward activities.

On April 5, Bihar was declared a dry state as the state government imposed a total ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol including India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) with immediate effect.

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“Due to the atomic bombings, many lives have been lost and an extremely regrettable humanitarian situation was brought about. The stance of the Japanese government has always been that the atomic bombings do not conform to humanity.”

— Fumio Kishida, Japanese Foreign Minister

India-Iran Chabahar Port pact to counter China-Pakistan alliance

A pact on Transport and Transit Corridor was also signed by India, Afghanistan and Iran

BY AMMAR ZAIDI

TEHRAN: A “milestone” pact on the strategic Chabahar Port in southern Iran which will give India access to Afghanistan and Europe bypassing Pakistan was among the agreements signed here by India and Iran which also agreed to cooperate on combating radicalism and terror.

Besides the bilateral pact to develop the Chabahar port for which India will invest USD 500 million, a trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridor was also signed by India, Afghanistan and Iran, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi said could “alter the course of the history of the region”. The bilateral agreements signed by India and Iran after detailed discussions between Modi and President Hassan Rouhani included one on setting up of an aluminium plant and another on laying a railway line to give India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The agreements, aimed at further deepening India-Iran ties in diverse fields, covered areas of economy, trade, transportation, port development, culture, science and academic

Obama lifts arms ban on Vietnam

US leaves behind the troubled history between the former war enemies and embraces a new era with a young nation HANOI: US President Barack Obama lifted a half-century-old ban on selling arms to Vietnam, looking to bolster a government seen as a crucial, though flawed partner in a region that he has tried to place at the centre of his foreign policy legacy.

Obama announced the full removal of the embargo at a news conference where he vowed to leave behind the troubled history between the former war enemies and embrace a new era with a young, increasingly prosperous nation.

Obama steered clear of harsh condemnation of what critics see as Vietnam’s abysmal treatment of dissidents, describing instead modest progress on rights in the one-party state.

Activists said his decision to lift the embargo destroyed the best U.S. leverage for pushing Vietnam on abuse.

“At this stage, both sides have established a level of trust and cooperation, including between our militaries, that is reflective of common interests and mutual respect,” Obama said. “This change will ensure that Vietnam has access to the equipment it needs to defend itself and removes a lingering vestige of the Cold War.” Obama also has more current motivations. His move was the latest step in a yearslong and uneven effort to counter China’s influence in Asia.

Obama’s push to deepen defense ties with a neighbour was certain to be eyed with suspicion in Beijing, which has bristled at US engagement in the

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region and warned officials not to take sides in the heated territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Obama claimed the move had nothing to do with China, but made clear the US was aligned with the smaller nations like Vietnam.

The United States and Vietnam have mutual concerns about maritime issues and the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, he said. While Washington doesn’t take sides, he said, it does support a diplomatic resolution based on “international norms” and “not based on who’s the bigger party and can throw around their weight a little bit more,” a reference to China.

China outwardly lauded the lifting of a US arms embargo, saying it hoped “normal and friendly” relations between the US and Vietnam are conducive to regional stability. A spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said bans are a product of the Cold War and shouldn’t have existed.

China itself remains under a weapons embargo imposed by the US and European Union following 1989’s bloody military crackdown on prodemocracy demonstrations centered on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

For Vietnam, lifting the arms embargo was a psychological boost for its leaders. The United States partially lifted the ban in 2014, but Vietnam has pushed for full access as it tries to deal with China’s land reclamation and military construction in nearby seas.

PTI

Barack Obama is given flowers by Linh Tran, the ceremonial flower girl, as he arrives on Air Force One at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviews the guard of honour as he is welcomed by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the Saadabad Palace in Tehran, Iran

cooperation.

The two countries noted with deep concern that terrorism and ideologies of violent extremism “continue to infest and ingress” the region and agreed to enhance regular consultations between National Security Councils and others concerned on terrorism, security and related issues such as organised crime, money-laundering, narcotics trade and cyber crime, said a India-Iran Joint Statement issued later.

Modi’s visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 15 years, comes months after the lifting of international sanctions on Iran following Tehran’s

Stockholm refuses to lift Assange warrant STOCKHOLM: A Stockholm district court maintained a European arrest warrant against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange over a 2010 rape allegation, rejecting his lawyers’ request to have it lifted.

“The court considers that Julian Assange is still suspected of rape... and that there is still a risk that he will abscond or evade justice,” it said in a statement.

Swedish prosecutors issued the arrest warrant because they want to question Assange about the rape allegation, which he denies.

The 44-year-old Australian sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London in June 2012 after exhausting all his legal options in Britain against extradition to Sweden.

AFP

historic nuclear deal with the Western powers over its contentious atomic programme. Earlier, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited the country in April 2001.

The key agreement signed was a contract for development of Phase I of the Chabahar port on the southern coast of Iran by an Indian joint venture.

Chabahar port, located in the Sistan-Balochistan Province on the energy-rich Persian Gulf nation’s southern coast, lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India’s western coast, bypassing Pakistan.

“The bilateral agreement to

develop the Chabahar port and related infrastructure and availability of about USD 500 million from India for this purpose is an important milestone,” Modi said in joint media interaction with Rouhani.

“This major effort would boost economic growth in the region. We are committed to take steps for early implementation of the agreements signed,” he said.

The trilateral pact on Transport and Transit Corridor, linked to the Chabahar port development, was signed later by India, Iran and Afghanistan in the presence of Modi, Rouhani and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Rouhani said each of the three countries will name a minister for follow-up action.

“They (leaders) look forward to early delineation of all necessary rules and procedures leading to operationalisation of the transport and transit routes within the timelines stipulated in the Agreement,” the Joint Statement said.

Describing the signing of the trilateral corridor as “opening of a new chapter”, Modi said, “today, we all are witnessing creation of history, not just for the people of our three countries but the entire region. It will build bonds of connectivity.”

Underlining that the agreement was part of the endeavour to “carve out new routes for peace and prosperity” in the region, the Prime Minister expressed

confidence that the corridor will “spur unhindered” economic growth and help stop radicalisation of the youth by providing job opportunities.

“The arc of economic benefit will go beyond the three countries... Its reach can extend to Central Asian Countries. It can link South Asia on one end and Europe on the other,” he said. He asserted that the agreement “will strengthen our ability to stand in mutual support against those whose only motto is to maim and kill the innocents. Its success will be a positive vote for peace and stability in the region.”

Rouhani, while describing the Chabahar agreement as a “spring” in the ties among the three countries, said it was “not against any country”, an apparent reference to Pakistan.

Modi, while quoting Persian poet Hafez, spoke a few lines in Persian to say, “Days of separation are over; night of wait is coming to an end; Our friendship will stay forever.”

Earlier, Modi and Rouhani, during bilateral talks, discussed a wide range of issues of mutual concern.

“We have agreed to consult closely and regularly on combating threats of terrorism, radicalism, drug trafficking and cyber crime. We have also agreed to enhance interaction between our defence and security institutions on regional and maritime security,” the Prime Minister said.

PTI

GRADUATION DAY AT WEST POINT

Graduates toss their caps in the air at the end of a graduation and commissioning ceremony at the US Military Academy on in West Point

‘India uses vague laws to stifle dissent’ Human Rights Watch stressed that Indian authorities should stop treating critics as criminals

BY YOSHITA SINGH NEW YORK: India “routinely” uses vaguely-worded laws like sedition and criminal defamation as “political tools” to “stifle” dissent, a leading rights group said while calling on the government to repeal or amend such laws that are used to criminalise peaceful expression.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a lengthy 108-page report titled ‘Stifling Dissent -- The Criminalisation of Peaceful Expression in India’ stressed that Indian authorities should stop treating critics as criminals and not use “vaguely worded, overly broad laws”, which are prone to misuse, and have been repeatedly used for political purposes against critics at the national and state level.

The report called on the government to review all these laws and repeal or amend them to bring them in line with international law and India’s treaty commitments.

It said while India’s Constitution

Srinagar: Youth throw stones amid heavy tear smoke on police during a clash in downtown area of Srinagar on Friday

protects the right to freedom of speech and expression, recent and colonialera laws, such as sedition and criminal defamation, are frequently used in an attempt to clampdown on critics.

“Indian authorities routinely use vaguely worded, overly broad laws as political tools to silence and harass critics,” the HRW said in the new report.

The government should repeal or amend laws that are used to criminalise peaceful expression, the report said.

“India’s abusive laws are the hallmark of a repressive society, not a vibrant democracy,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at

Human Rights Watch.

“Putting critics in prison or even forcing them to defend themselves in lengthy and expensive court proceedings undermines the government’s efforts to present India as a modern country in the Internet age committed to free speech and the rule of law,” she said.

The report, which cited the arrest of student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and the ensuing unrest at the Jawaharlal Nehru University earlier this year, said criminal laws are used to limit and chill free speech in India.

“Vague laws are used to stifle

political dissent, harass journalists, restrict activities by non-governmental organisations, arbitrarily block Internet sites or take down content, and target marginalised communities and religious minorities,” it said.

One of the “most abused laws” in the country is the sedition law, used by successive governments to arrest and silence critics. The abuse of the sedition law became subject of national debate after Kumar was arrested for sedition in February.

The report said that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has frequently said he is committed to upholding the right to freedom of speech, his government has “not only failed to address laws which are frequently used to crush these rights, but has used them, as did previous governments, to treat criticism as a crime.”

The report also cited the October 2015 arrest of folk singer S Kovan by authorities in Tamil Nadu under the sedition law for two songs that criticised the state government for allegedly profiting from state-run liquor shops at the expense of the poor.

HRW said criminal defamation laws should be abolished because they can lead to very harsh consequences, including imprisonment.

PTI

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

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MONEY MATT ER S

“Pop Star smartphone launch is another step towards our recent e-commerce initiatives to bring technological advanced and stylish phones at affordable pricing in India.”

— Praveen Valecha, Regional Director, Alcatel India

Signpost Capital Goods Policy aims at 21 mn jobs Union Cabinet approved the first-ever policy for the country’s capital goods sector envisaging creation of over 21 million new jobs by 2025. The objectives of the National Capital Goods Policy are to create an ecosystem for a globally competitive capital goods sector to achieve total production in excess of Rs 7.5 lakh crore by 2025 from the current Rs 2.3 lakh crore. “Cabinet has given its approval for National Capital Goods Policy. Production to go up from Rs 2,30,000 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 7,50,000 crore in 2025,” the spokesperson said in a tweet.

“The Indian economy has recorded 7.5 per cent growth, which suggests we have macro stability, which is desirable and need to continue to preserve it.”

— Raghuram Rajan, Governor, Reserve Bank of India

After two years, Modi is India’s most business-friendly prime minister ever The economic slowdown has bottomed out and the economy is on revival mode and surging towards a high 8-10 per cent annual growth

BY KR SUDHAMAN A lot of positive developments have taken place to the Indian Economy during two years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government. Many of these developments have gone unnoticed because of the tepid global growth particularly in some of the advanced economies in Europe and emerging China.

The Indian Economy might not be growing to its full potential as yet but none can deny the fact that a derailed economy during the last few years of UPA government has been put back on rails. The economic slowdown has bottomed out and the economy is on revival mode and surging towards high 8-10 per cent annual growth in the coming years.

After slowing down to less than five per cent during the last years of UPA regime, India’s GDP grew by 7.6 per cet in 2015-16 and 7.2 per cent in 2014-15, making the country fastest growing economy in the world after racing China slowed down to less than 7 per cent annual growth in 2015.

Annual inflation, as measured by the wholesale price index (WPI), fell to -0.9% in January 2016.

High growth and falling inflation is unprecedented in recent Indian economic history.

Patna: BJP workers shower milk on a cut-out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to celebrate the completion of two years of NDA government, in Patna on Wednesday

The fiscal deficit has been contained below 4 percent of GDP and Current Account Deficit is less than 1.5 per cent of GDP. Foreign Exchange Reserves is beyond $350 billion and growing.

India received highest Foreign Direct Investment at over $50 billion in 2015-16, which has happened for the fi rst time in putting the Indian Economy on a sweet spot when most of the other major economies are not

doing all that well.

Systemic reforms have happened in the last couple of years, whose impact might not be felt immediately but over a period of time it would certainly cut down wasteful expenditure and subsidies would become more targeted and social schemes more effective.

Of course, one cannot say for sure Indian economy is out of the woods as yet in view of the external factors arising out of difficult global

economic situation and some domestic bottlenecks impeding rapid growth.

Agriculture, badly hit by poor monsoon during the last two years coupled with infrastructure constraints are some of the factors that needed to be addressed and the Union Budget this year has rightly caughtthe bull by the horn so that consumption demanded picked up particularly in rural areas and more jobs are created by pushing investments.

The economic survey shows that fi xed capital formation has fallen to 29.4% of GDP in 2015-16 from 30.8% in 2014-15. Agricculture has grown by merely 1.1% this year after -0.2% growth last year with food grains production stagnating at around 250 million tonnes for the past two years.

Exports and imports have fallen by 17.6 and 15.5%, respectively, during this year.

The Railways reported a mere 1% growth in freight volume in 2015-16 over last year. Growth in bank credit has ranged between 9 to 11% in the last two years in contrast to an average annual growth of over 20% in the last decade. Banks are unwilling to lend owing to a pile up of bad debts, with stressed advances accounting for over Rs. 8.5 crore, i.e. almost 7% of GDP. Conscious of these problematic areas of the economy, the Budget has

made an honest attempt to deal with many of the pressing issues. To begin with it has taken number of steps to boost sagging farm sector to deal with rural stress.

It has taken several steps to ensure infrastructure investments get a fi llip particularly investments in railways, highways, ports, airports, metro rail projects in various cities, development of smart cities, rural housing and power generation.

Massive investments in infrastructure is the key to kickstart the economy and this was happening when global commodity prices are low.

Th is would help the economy reduce costs on projects because of falling prices of steel, cement, oil etc.

India is endowed with 300 days of bright sunshine and rightly Solar power generation has been given special thrust by the government.

After it came to power in 2014, the NDA government has stepped up solar power generation target five-fold to one lakh mw by 2022.

One of the major successes of NDA government is in the area of financial inclusion. Th is would help in making India’s growth story more inclusive with nearly one third of its 1.2 billion population still living below the poverty line.

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EPFO plans low Chinese investments in India rise six-fold cost housing scheme Retirement fund body EPFO is working on a proposal to provide low cost housing to its over five crore subscribers.

“The EPFO is working on the proposal to provide low cost housing to its subscribers, which will come up for discussion in the meeting of its trustees expected sometime next month,” a source said.

Earlier this month, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya had said in the Lok Sabha that the government is exploring the possibility for providing a suitable low-cost housing scheme for subscribers of Employees’ Pension Fund.

He was replying to a question whether the government or the EPFO has introduced/proposes to introduce a scheme to allow its subscribers to pledge their future PF contribution to buy low-cost houses.

Last year, the proposal was also on the agenda of EPFO’s trustees meet.

A report of an expert committee on housing facility for the subscribers was also presented to the trustees for their perusal. The committee had unanimously recommended a scheme to facilitate subscribers to buy houses where they will get an advance from their PF accumulation and will be allowed to pledge their future PF contribution as EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment) payment.

Under the proposed scheme, there will be a tripartite agreement with member, bank/housing agency and EPFO for pledging future PF contributions as EMI payment.

The panel had suggested that the subscribers will purchase a dwelling unit with loans from bank or housing fi nance companies and hypothecation of property in favour of the latter.

Th is scheme was for subscribers who are low income formal workers and could not buy a house during their entire service period.

PTI

Under the scheme there will be a tripartite agreement

Low investment restrictions and favourable tax and land rent policies in the country pay dividends

BY KJM VARMA

Chinese investments in India grew six-fold in 2015 to USD 870 million from the previous year while more investments are in the pipeline following easing of restrictions on Chinese firms and favourable tax rates, a state-run daily said ahead of President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit.

Investment in India by Chinese companies in 2015 reportedly rose sixfold from 2014, partly thanks to low investment restrictions and favourable tax and land rent policies in the country, Global Times quoted Chinese business experts as saying.

China’s investment in India soared to around USD 870 million in 2015, six times that in 2014, the report said noting that the figure for 2015 was also twice the amount from April 2000 to the end of 2014.

Indian trade officials say that the figures reflect how Chinese investments trickled in small quantities into India.

India stepped up efforts to get Chinese investments in Make in India campaign since last year.

Beijing: President Pranab Mukherjee shakes hands with President of the Chinese Academy of Sculpture ,Wu Weishan at a meeting in Beijing, China on Wednesday

Over 300 Chinese investment officials and investors are expected to take part in India-China Business Forum to be addressed by Mukherjee in Guangzhou city tomorrow.

The total FDI from China in India so far is about USD 1.24 billion, according to Indian official figures.

Chinese officials say that money has been committed for a number of projects in India and the cumulative figure was expected to go up.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India China has committed USD 20 billion investments

Money does matter in relationships: Study

Romantic choices are not just based on feelings and emotions, but how rich one feels compared to others Money does matter in romantic relationships, according to a new study which found that wealthy men are more interested in short-term relationships and have higher demands regarding women’s physical appearance.

The study suggests that romantic choices are not just based on feelings and emotions, but how rich one feels compared to others.

“We wanted a better understanding of the psychological importance of money in the development of romantic relationships because very little is known about this subject,” said Darius Chan from the University of Hong Kong.

“That way people would have a better perspective of the relationships they are in,” said Chan.

Two experiments were performed on groups of Chinese college students already involved in heterosexual long term relationships. The couples were made to think they were either wealthy or poor to examine their mating behaviour.

In the fi rst study they found the wealthy men were less satisfied with their current partners’ physical attractiveness and were more interested in short-term relationships than those who were made to feel that they had less money.

However, women who felt wealthy did not make higher demands regarding the men’s physical appearance.

All of the wealthy participants in the second study found it easier to interact with an attractive member of the opposite sex than those belonging to a financially disadvantaged class.

More men than women from both wealthy and poor conditions selected a closer seat to the more attractive people.

“We remarked that wealthy men attach more importance to a mate’s physical attractiveness setting higher standards and preferring to engage in short-term mating than those who have less money,” said Chan.

“However, for committed women, money may lead to less variation in their mating strategies because losing

a long-term relationship generally has a higher reproductive cost,” said Chan.

From an evolutionary perspective, conditional mating strategies helped our ancestors maximise their reproductive success.

However, by looking at how people reacted when they thought themselves to be wealthy or poor supports the evolutionary psychology hypothesis that individuals adopt conditional mating strategies in response to environmental conditions.

“Whereas it remains as an empirical question to be answered, we expect that our findings are likely to be found in other cultures as well, because the basic mechanisms of mate selection have been found to be rather similar across culture,” Chan said.

PTI

in India. India, which has liberalising the investment climate for Chinese investors by removing visa and security restrictions, is insisting for more investments from China as the bilateral trade deficit has touched over USD 48 billion in favour of China in about USD 71 billion trade last year.

Chinese enterprises have been expanding their presence in India in recent years. One of China biggest banks, the Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), had set up a special team in its Mumbai branch in 2015 to provide its Chinese clients with

consultation services for mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in India.

The move was taken partly because of the increasing interest in M&As among Chinese enterprises operating in the country, the Global Times report said. China’s property giant Dalian Wanda Group announced in January that it would spend USD10 billion in building an industrial park in north India.

And in February, construction machinery manufacturer Sany Heavy Industry Co revealed a plan to invest USD One billion in India in the next decade.

“More Chinese firms are showing their enthusiasm for investing in India due to its huge market potential, along with low costs and strong demand,” Pang Guoteng, a research fellow at Shanghai-based M&A information provider Morning Whistle Group, said.

The Indian economy is also growing rapidly. The IMF estimated in August 2015 that India will see GDP growth of 7.5 per cent in 2016. Besides, the “Make in India” campaign is helping to attract overseas investment, Pang noted.

“The Indian government hopes overseas investment can boost India’s productivity,” said Pang, adding that local sectors like infrastructure and the Internet offer good investment opportunities for Chinese enterprises.

PTI

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

PUNE

VOX POPULI

singers, percussionists, saxophonists and more.

When: May 28 Where: MiAMi, JW Marriott, SB Road

SAPTA + MAN.GOES HUMAN

FLUX LIVE

BOLLY WOOD NIGHT WITH DJ WILLY

Put on your shoes and get down on the dance floor with some electrifying music fever this Saturday with DJ Pranav Desai. Paying ode to cutting edge electronic dance music, hinging

WEEK THAT WAS JCO COMMITS SUICIDE AT AIR FORCE STATION

EDITOR

LETTERS TO THE

Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Subedar Beant Singh, 42, posted at Air Force Station in Lohegaon, Pune was found dead in his room on Tuesday morning. He had two bullet wounds on his chest. A suicide note too was found from his room, in which he blamed four of his superiors. Singh used to live alone in Pune and was attached to army postal services. In his suicide note, he asked his superiors to give his emolument and other claims to his children.

According to officials attached to Viman nagar police station, there was a revolver lying by his side along with a suicide note.

Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Kurundkar, in charge, Vimaltal Police station, said, “The body has been sent to Armed Forces Medical College, Pune for post mortem, and as of now a case of accidental death has been registered.

Action against the persons mentioned in the suicide note will be taken after investigation.”

PAINTING PARTY

Put an artistic spin to your next party with a painting party at Independence Brewing Company. Organised by Group Art Circle, the event is for those

Jumana Ghadiali Housewife I have been using cabs to commute for quite some time now and compared to the rude and obnoxious autorickshaw drivers, the cab services are a pleasant change. The cabs pick me up and deliver me to my destination, they charge according to the tariff card, and all the drivers are well-mannered and polite. The cabs are a lot more comfortable and safe and even the fares they charge are reasonable, and there is never the problem off being overcharged.

Elton Mendonce Digital Media strategist According to me, it’s mentally less exhausting to pay a cab driver what I owe him and maybe even tip him, rather than argue with a rickshaw driver over why the time of day is factor to increase rates.

Rickshawallas are often rude and they don’t go everywhere, which is a lot of inconvenience to people who need to travel a lot.

Deepankar Bhat Engineering student I suppose cab drivers are far more polite than rickshawallas, given that the cab services train them for a public image and there are ample discounts on cabs these days, even sharing cabs is convenient. One can enjoy air conditioning, comfortable seats and music at the same or lower price.

TASTE OF MEXICO

This summer, indulge in a savory, zesty and fiery delight at Hard Rock Cafe as it kickstarts the Taste of Mexico festival. The menu features an array of signature Mexican cuisines like Samosette of Spicy Corn & Cheddar Cheese, Mexican Street Corn Salad, Fiesta Chicken Quesadillas, Tequila Grilled Shrimp and the chef recommended veg. tacos. The limited edition menu consists of a selection of drinks like the Tequila Slammer, Ice Cold Jose Cuervo Tequila Gold Shots, Troublemaker, Amigo and Diablo among others.

When: May 31 Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Koregaon Park

PIC

LANCE NAIK MURDERED BY TWO HISTORY SHEETERS

The Dattawadi police arrested two persons in connection with the murder of a Lance Naik Sanjay Lawange, 39, on Wednesday who was posted at the EME battalion in Ghorpadi. The arrested persons are Pratik Ashok Hake, 19, of Nana Peth, who has five cases against him, and Amit Praful Sadankar, 21, of Rasta Peth, who has two cases registered against him in the past. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II) Pankaj Dahane said, “Sanjay Lawange had taken leave from May 19 to go to his village on May 20. Before that he visited Budhwar Peth red light area, where he met Amit Sadankar, who took him to Neelayam bridge, where they met Pratik Hake. Lawange withdrew a thousand rupees from an ATM and bought liquor from a wine shop at Gajanan

Maharaj chowk. While drinking, Lawange’s bank card fell from his pocket. Sadankar and Hake took the card and asked Lawange for the code number, but he refused.

The duo smashed Lawange’s head with a stone and killed him. Then they burnt his face by pouring petrol on him, so that he could not be identified”. Police have registered a case under sections 302 (murder), and 201 (Causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of the Indian Penal Code against the culprits.

AFTER FAILING SECOND ATTEMPT AT HSC, STUDENT COMMITS SUICIDE

Sanjay Dattatray Vibhute, 18, a resident of Borade Vasti, Thergaon, allegedly committed suicide at his home, after he failed his standard XII examination. It was Sanjay’s second attempt to clear the exam.

Sanjay saw the result on the internet Wednesday morning and returned home at 1 pm. He did not answer his elder brother Vijay or his mother’s calls. After finding the ground floor of the house locked, she called the neighbours who broked the door open. The found Sanjay hanging from the roof angle with his mother’s sari.

“Sanjay had no pressure from his family. In fact in

Towards equality The TGS Life cover story on women bikers was interesting. Women today have the opportunity to do what they will, even if it is something as male-dominated as motorcycle riding. These women must have faced opposition from their family and society in general, for defying traditions and taking to riding motorcycles, but their sense of freedom and taste for adventure are traits that must be appreciated and encouraged, as we move towards an age of equality.

-Piyush Nahar

the morning while he was headed out to check his results, we asked him for a party and he said that we would celebrate in the evening,” said his neighbour Shrikant Doke.

Sanjay’s father and mother work at a jewellery shop and brother Vijay is a software engineer. The police have registered a case of accidental death and police sub inspector Vijay Patil is investigating.

NO PARKING: This man was seated outside Pune station oblivious to the signage behind him. Fortunately, there are no tow vans to take away humans

Changing the world

The unselfish people who go out of their way to make the world a better place for the underprivileged, are really angels in disguise, and their efforts need to be lauded, as TGS has done. Whether it is Dr Ganesh Rakh, who has 540 girl children, Pravin who deals with the issue of menstrual hygiene and superstition, the woman who has made a village open defection free, and the other woman who herself was a child bride, and wants to abolish the evil of child marriages, these are people who have the determination and grit to do something about issues that trouble them, no matter how controversial or thorny.

-Kruti Shah Ali

The RTE imbroglio Granting children admission to schools 55 km away from their homes, under Right To Education is absurd. How can children travel such distances, and what can their parents do? The RTE has been embroiled in one controversy after another, and the whole aim of the endeavour, to provide quality education to children from all strata of society is lost. And the hardships that the parents of the students go through are really unseemly. It is time that the powers that be ensure that the RTE does not waver from its direction and goals.

-Dr Suchitra Sengupta

The gender divide The judicial system in our country has taken all the requisite measures to ensure that daughters get equal share in ancestral property and are treated on par with the sons in the family.

The Kalyani Nagar society stopping woman’s guests from using the family parking lot is unjust. Such attitudes take toll on any progressive measures taken by the state. In a patriarchal society, men are accused of misogyny, but the fault lies with both the genders.

-Suresh Gaikwad

Towards equality

The TGS Life cover story on women bikers was interesting.

Women today have the opportunity to do what they will, even if it is something as male-dominated as motorcycle riding.

These women must have faced opposition from their family and society in general, for defying traditions and taking to riding motorcycles, but their sense of freedom and taste for adventure are traits that must be appreciated and encouraged, as we move towards an age of equality.

-Piyush Nahar

Write to Us

Letters to the Editor may be emailed to editor_tgs@goldensparrow.com, yogesh.sadhwani@goldensparrow.com or mail it to The Editor, Golden Sparrow Publishing Pvt Ltd, 1641 Madhav Heritage, Tilak Road, Pune-411030.

RAHUL RAUT

TUNE INTO SOME ELECTRONIC MUSIC

A AMLICIOUS FESTIVAL

Summers are here and bring along with it the king of fruits, Mango. Making the most of the season, he Aamlicious Festival at Khandani Rajdhani will have a special rotational mango menu, which means that every meal will have at least two to three special dishes made from raw and ripe mangoes. Every year the chef churns out something special, as part of the festival, and this year the dishes lined up include Kairi Chana Dal Dhokla, Kairi Samosa Sabzi, Mango Kofta Pulao, Malabari Mango Kadhi, Mango Pachadi, Mango Raita, Fajeto, Aamrakhand, Mango Jalebi, and more!

When: Till May 31 Where: Khandani Rajdhani, Shivaji Nagar

OF

Get dressed and wear your best dancing shoes as Pune’s popular club, MiAMi is all set to offer you a fantastic Bollywood night with the super sensation DJ Willy. A Mumbai based Willy grew up listening to Bee Gees, Bill Haley and His Comets, and Michael Jackson. His strength lies in his versatility; and his ability to excel with any genre thrown at him. He always experiments to bring something new to the table, like infusing his set with live acts like

This Saturday, enjoy an unparalleled beering experience with a performance

by Flux. The band plays diverse and unique covers of popular songs from a wide-range of genres. Their sound include a variety of melodies from heavy, soft to progressive. The band expresses their energies, emotions and experiences through their performance.

When: May 28 Where: The Beer Café, Koregaon Park

The Sunday is going to be a smashing one at High Spirits Cookout with two power-packed acts by Man Goes Human and Sapta. Man Goes Human us an alternative rock band from Delhi and embeds a healthy dose of noir into their music, with a focus on intense lyrics, emotive vocals and an electric stage presence.

Conceived by Mar Bharath in 2007, Sapta is a groundbreaking independent electronic music act that seamlessly blends influences from India and the west to produce an energetic and compelling live act.

When: May 29 Where: High Spirits, Koregaon Park

Rajashree Swamy Student By law, an autorickshaw driver is not supposed to refuse fares, no matter what the destination. But in Pune, I have had to constantly get into arguments with rickshaw drivers who demand more than the meter reading. Their half return charge is because they do not get return fares. This daily hassle was really getting to me and therefore, to me the cab services are a life-saver.

E WE K

CROSS+ROADS

Get a chance to experience blues and rock band live with the Cross+Roads.

This Pune based band is influenced from all the corner of the world. Their music is a blend of blues styles ranging from rock, jazz, funk and traditional blues. The uniqueness of this band is that they draw spotlight on this mellow yet expressive genre of music drawn from real life and experiences.

When: May 28 Where: Wynkk The Lounge, Range Hills Road

who want to do something creative and fun. You need not be a painter to take part in the activity, you can create your rendition of the theme - Beer Me Up while listening to music, sipping your favourite beverage and socialising with like-minded people.

When: May 28 Where: Independence Brewing Company, Mundhwa

THE

on high production value and creating visual experiences, the night gets trippier. DJ Pranav Desai began his career in the late 90’s and is heavily influenced by old funk classics and the disco era. Expect some of the best unheard styles of Pranav Desai, who will take you on an amazing musical journey.

When: May 28​ Where: Bombay High, Hotel Orchid, Balewadi

Commuting in the city is an issue and the private cab services are providing a more efficient and reliable alternative to autorickshaws. We go around asking Puneites if they prefer cabs over auto

SPORTS

THE GOLDEN SPARROW ON SATURDAY MAY 28, 2016

PUNE

“ I have had success as a player. I fondly remember the 1985 World Championship and the 1983 World Cup and I’m proud of those too, but this phase as the team director was special.”

— Former India Captain Ravi Shastri

“A proposal to let professional fighters compete in the Olympics is ridiculous, it’s foolish and some of the pro fighters are going to get beaten by the amateurs.”

— Former Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson

Women players to play a crucial part Previous editions of Maharashtra Chess League indicates that a pair of strong women players can turn be a formula to success

BY ASHISH PHADNIS @phandnis_ashish The Maharashtra Chess League, since its introduction in 2013, has gained great popularity all over India. A lot of high profile Grandmasters and big names like GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly, GM Koneru Humpy, IM Tania Sachdev from the Indian chess circuit have shown interest in this league-cum knock-out team event.

The fourth edition is no exception, as GM Krishnan Sasikiran (2642) along with Humpy, Tania, and Padmini Rout will be seen in action at PYC Gymkhana from June 11.

While Sasikiran turned out to be the costliest player in the auction, Padmini and Pune’s IM Eesha Karavade got the highest bids. Ahmednagar Checkers bought the talented GM Sasikiran for a record price of Rs 1,70,000.

Looking back at the previous edition, clearly shows that the pair of strong women players have always turned out to be most beneficial.

T h a n e Combatants will be a perfect

Signposts Badminton fitness trainer course The first ever ‘Badminton fitness trainers’ level 1 course’ is being conducted by Mahendra Gokhale, director of MG’s sports and Fitness in PYC Gymkhana, Pune, from June 17.

The three-day course is designed especially for badminton coaches, trainers, players, and badminton enthusiasts of Maharashtra. The course will train participants in the basics of badminton fitness training , the role of a coach, theory and practical and age wise development programme with training methods.

The course will also train in badminton specific fitness drills, injury prevention and rehab, diet, nutrition and hydration. For details log on to www.mgsportsfit.in.

Sanmitra wins inter-club TT Sanmitra Sangh Club A team defeated Sharada Sports Centre A 3-0 in the final of the Inter-club table tennis tournament held recently.

In the first tie, Pooja Koparkar prevailed over Anurag Gote 11-13, 11-4, 13-11,11-7, while her husband Aniket Koparkar doubled the lead, beating Akshay Deshpande 10-12, 11-4, 12-10,11-9. Rohit Chaudhari sealed the victory with a 11-1, 11-6, 11-4 win over Swapnil Joshi.

Banthia wins national title Pune’s top seeded Siddhanth Banthia outplayed eighth seeded Sacchitt Sharma of Delhi to lift the boys’ title in the 10th edition of MSLTA -Yonex Sunrise Ramesh Desai Under-16 Tennis Nationals held in Mumbai recently.

The 15-year-old had won the under-14 national in Aurangabad in 2014. His under-16 title came easy after a 6-1, 6-3 win in less than two hours. Banthia who is supported by Lakshya Bharat Forge and is a member of the MSLTA Vision programme, said that the win came after a long time and after going through a rough patch, it was special for him.

example.

The team which finished runnerup in the second edition, changed their game plan, investing in quality women players and then emerged as the winners of the third edition of the league.

“In the first two editions, our

women players didn’t perform to our expectations and that was our concern.

So we roped in WGM Eesha Karavade and former junior world champion WGM Soumya Swaminathan. This move paid rich dividends. This time also we have maintained the same strategy.

We have got GM Padmini to pair with Soumya, who we have retained, and the duo will be a key factor for us,” said team coach Jayant Gokhale.

Combatants were lucky to have GM Lalith Babu for just Rs 65,000 and it allowed them to go all out for Padmini, and rope her in with a bid of Rs 1,61,000.

Another team with a strong women’s pair is Ahmednagar Checkers.

Nagar bought IM Tania Sachdev for base price of fifty thousand rupees and she will be joined by WGM Bhakti

Bright future awaits paddler Neel The nine-year-old is being trained to become an international paddler in next two years TGS NEWS SERVICES @TGSWeekly Pune youngster Neel Muley is currently enjoying table tennis. Under the guidance of his father and coach Upendra Muley, who is an established veteran player, the kid is slowly making progress in the rankings.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Neel won a majority of titles in the midget (under-10) category last year and started the 2016 season with the fi rst district ranking title at Deccan Gymkhana this week.

Upendra has high hopes for his ward and expects him to wear India colours in the next couple of years.

“He is still playing in the under-10 category but if we start early, it would help him achieve in the cadet (under-12) age group. We have national cadet championships and even internationally cadet championships are held at the regular basis. Giving an early exposure to international events will surely help in the long run,” said Muley.

CATCH THEM YOUNG Muley who represented Pune and Maharashtra in his heyday, turned to coaching and groomed some quality paddlers. Naturally, Neel grew up watching his father play. Before he could start training his son, Neel

started playing in tournaments just for fun and returned with titles.

“He is too young to start serious coaching. I want him to enjoy the game more than losing or winning,” said Muley.

The fearless attitude and confidence earned Neel quite a few titles, but this season, he has been playing more cautiously. It even cost him a match in the cadet section, where he unnecessary opted a defensive stance and went down in quarterfinals.

“Playing against stronger and bigger opponents, you need to go all out. But he got a little scared and tried to push the ball instead going for finishes. I am sure he will realise his mistake and in the next tournament will play is natural game,” added Muley.

BIG TOURNAMENTS AHEAD Neel is now preparing for the national ranking tournament to be held in New Delhi from June 23. Before that he will have two state ranking tournaments.

The fi rst tournament is being held in Pune next week while second will be held in Mumbai from June 12.

“These tournaments will help him shaping up for the nationals. Of course, we just want him to get the feel of the tournament. I am sure, he will learn a lot from these events,” said Muley.y. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com

Kulkarni of Goa. Humpy, who made her debut last year, decided to experience the thrill again this year. Jalgaon Battlers bought her for Rs 1.38,000. But they failed to form a formidable pair, as they have untitled Akanksha Hagawane of Pune and Rutuja Bakshi as a relatively weak link.

Mumbai Movers spent heavily on R Vaishali (Rs 1,03,000) and have WGM Swati Ghate (Rs 70,000) to make a good pair. Vaishali, who had a base price of only ten thousand, was the sensational highlight of auction after her value crossed the one lakh mark.

Last year there were no takers for her.

Mumbai even backed up their women pair with youngster Saloni Sapale at the base price of Rs 10,000.

Pune Sangli Nok-99 Navigators,

the new entrants of the league, got Mary Ann Gomes for Rs 46,000 and she will be joined by Tamil Nadu’s V Varshini and Maharashtra’s Ananya Gupta.

After Humpy was sold, no other women player was expected to cross this sum, but Pune Truemasters bid Rs 1,58,000 for local Eesha Karavade and added Rucha Pujari for Rs 28,000.

However, Pune’s first GM Abhijeet Kunte feels that every team has a the right balance and it all depends on how the players perform on a particular day.

“In my opinion, Mumbai has top ranking as they have three Grandmasters and two International masters. They have got a strong line up and close to them are Thane and Ahmednagar.”

Kunte was bought by Pune-Sangli Navigators for one lakh from base price of sixty thousand. They also acquired GM B Adhiban for one lakh fifty thousand.

Talking about the team, Kunte said, “Our team is new and the management got very little time for preparations and research, yet they have got a decent team and we will give our best.”

Meanwhile, Mumbai Movers bought GM Abhijeet Gupta (1 lakh 40 thousand) while newest GMs of Maharashtra Shardul Gagare and Swapnil Dhopade also earned satisfactory amount. Shardul was retained by Nagar for 72 thousand, while Jalgaon paid one lakh 25 thousand for Swapnil. ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com

Ahmednagar Checkers GM Krishnan Sasikiran, GM Shardul Gagare, IM Tania Sachdev, WGM Bhakti Kulkarni, IM Sagar Shah, Shashikant Kutwal, Sankarsha Shelke, Pawan Dodeja.

Thane Combatants IM Padmini Rout, GM Aravindh Chitambaram, WGM Soumya Swaminathan, GM Lalith Babu M R, IM Abhimanyu Puranik, Aniruddha Deshpande.

Pune TruMasters IM Eesha Karavade, GM SP Sethuraman, GM V Vishnu Prasanna, IM Abhishek Kelkar, Harshit Raja, IM Swayams Mishra, Rucha Pujari

Pune Sangli Navigators GM B Adhiban, GM Abhijit Kunte, WGM Mary Ann Gomes, IM Sameer Kathmale, IM Aditya Udeshi, V Varshini, Ananya Gupta, Akash Thakur.

Mumbai Movers GM Abhijeet Gupta, WIM R Vaishali, WGM Swati Ghate, GM Diptayan Ghosh, IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni, Rakesh Kulkarni, Raunak Sadhwani, Saloni Sapale

Jalgaon Battlers GM Koneru Humpy, GM Swapnil Dhopade, GM Narayanan SL, Nubairshah Shaikh, Srinath Narayanan, Rutuja Bakshi, Aakanksha Hagawane, Pratik Patil.