“Slum dwellers are our Gods”

The road leading to Hotel Grand Hyatt is day-by-day shrinking in size with illegal encroachers enjoying a field day at the cost of the tax-payers? The road beginning from Vakola Pipeline to Ashok Nagar has become a vote-bank for illegal encroachment. Little is the Shiv Sena corporator Sanjay Potnis nor Congress MLA Kripashankar Singh doing anything to curb the encroachers. While speaking to Santacruz Patrika, a resident stated, “With the road shrinking and traffic moving at heavy speed we have absolutely no space left to walk and in grave danger of risking our lives. We had approached the corporator but he did not heed to our demands.” Further, the rag-pickers near Shastri Nursing Home have been offered an alternative accommodation. But, a few of them have rented out their alternative accommodation and encroached upon the land. It was yesterday that at midnight an autorickshaw coming from Hotel Grand Hyatt at a fast speed rammed into the huts thereby destroying them. While speaking to Santacruz Patrika one of the families said, “Since we all had gone to have food served by the nearby Navratri Mandal, no one was in the huts. Otherwise 3-4 children would have been crushed to death.”

It's agonizing to witness the ongoing deterioration, decomposition, shredding of the social fabric and hurtling of Mumbai to it's slow but sure death, thanks to the exponential growth in the number of slum dwellers and other encroachers. This is having a grave effect upon on every aspect of living of its legitimate residents due to the consequence of usurpation of a large number of compulsory open spaces like the footpaths, playgrounds, recreational grounds, railway, other government lands etc. It would be shocking to know that all of this occurs in gross violation of a slew of laws and regulations of the land.

None of the law-makers or the law-enforcers seem to have ever given a serious thought to the after effects of the burgeoning population of unauthorised occupiers of our public land which in reality were mandated for providing amenities for the welfare of the law-abiding and tax-paying residents of the city – like smooth running of railways, buses and other vehicles, expansion of government offices, construction of public schools, hospitals and Courts, providing playgrounds, recreational grounds, gardens etc. Alas, none of our so called "public servants" (read elected representatives and administrators) have given a thought to this injustice. They have seldom, if ever, thought beyond their own narrow and short-sighted policies of promoting and pampering their vote- banks by aiding / abetting or protection of the illegal encroachers and deriving pecuniary gains or enhancing their career. At the most (and that too under public pressure) they take action, albeit cursorily and in a half-hearted manner to soothe the ruffled feathers. What's more, once in a while even when some honest and duty conscious officers have sought to diligently clear the encroachers, they have had to contend with insults, obstacles, transfers and punishment postings as penalty for implementing the laws. One factor that has led to the romance of the politicians and the slum-dwellers is that the latter are being promptly given the voting rights

The dismayed Hon'ble Judges of the Supreme Court had denounced this trend by stating "The promise of free land, at the tax- payers' cost, in place of a jhuggi, is a proposal which attracts more land grabbers. Rewarding an encroacher on public land with a free alternative site is like giving reward to a pick-pocket." Thus, the end result is that a major chunk of the hard-earned tax payers' money collected from the true residents of Mumbai are utilized to provide amenities like housing, electricity, health-care, drainage lines, water supply etc to the slum dwellers. On the other hand the lawful residents are left with a bitter taste in their mouths – apathy from their elected representatives to their problems, usurpation of open spaces, air and noise pollution, breakdown of civic infrastructure, unhygienic conditions, spread of serious diseases like malaria, dengue, tuberculosis, typhoid, cholera and even sexually transmitted diseases like HIV / AIDS, lack of space for pedestrians, traffic congestion, increase in number of unauthorized hawkers, lack of car-parking space, a dearth of green lungs in the vicinity and increase in security threats to the residents.

An ex-Maharashtra CM had grandly announced to the party workers that "Slum dwellers are our Gods". No wonders every politician worth his salt is seen prostrating before slum dwellers prior to elections. What better could be expected from our politicians when they are out to exploit the weaknesses of the migrants and illegal slum dwellers and convert it into the currency needed to come back to power – votes. The Maharashtra Government had passed the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act 1971 to protect the encroachers. But then never was it thought fit to give it a permanent deadline. Thus, almost every subsequent government have gone about extending the deadline beginning from 1975 to 1980 and finally to 1995. The promise given in the Congress-NCP-RPI manifesto on 1.10.2004 by the Chief Minister, with an eye on the slum vote-bank, promises extension of the slum regularization date from 1.1.1995 to 1.1.2000 if voted to power. Have our "elected representatives" forgotten that they are chosen to provide law & order and better quality of life to the lawful residents of the city? Don't they realize that the decisions that they take sitting in the Assembly should benefit every true resident and should never be supportive of a law-breaker? Where will this madness end? Every right-minded citizen should oppose this move of the Government to appease the illegal residents at the cost of well-being of the city if they care to have better quality of life for themselves and for posterity. One hopes that such regressive and irrational policies are reneged by the powers-that-be and better sense prevails in the larger public interest.

Hansaji’s birthday celebrated at Yoga Institute

Smt. Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra celebrated her 63^rd birthday at the Yoga Institute with pomp and glory. Hansaji after her marriage to the Director of the Yoga Institute Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, was instrumental in making radical changes in the functioning of the Institute. Hansaji is at present the Director of the Institute and the President of the International Board of Yoga. She is perhaps best known throughout the nation as the charming lady who is a yoga expert. Her charismatic personality has reflected in her talks, which she gives at the Yoga Institute with her husband Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, the Director of the Institute and during various functions in Mumbai, around the country and the world. Hansaji has also authored many Yoga books and featured in several cassettes.

She was recognized for her contribution to Women’s Health through the award presented by SPARC. She has been selected as “Women of the year 2000” by the American Biographical Institute, USA for her outstanding accomplishment and the noble example she has set for her peers and the entire country. She is a much sought after National and International speaker. She has conducted several seminars and lecture tours in India and in Europe, Australia, Canada, Pakistan, Hongkong and USA. She is the embodiment of Indian womanhood and an inspiration to all who visit the Yoga Institute.

Her birthday was celebrated with students of the Institute performing a wonderful skit. Also the chief guest for the function Smt. Pratibha Naithani also delivered a wonderful address to the huge gathering on the topic “Need of the Hour”.

Political clout leads to assault at National College

Today, politics which has set its root deep into corruption has also entered the campus and corridors of Colleges. The Akhil Bharti Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student wing of the BJP has set its roots firm on many college Campuses. Similarly, the Shiv Sena’s student wing is visible in many colleges. The latest entrant to dominate its might is the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidhyarthi Sena, an arm of MNS. Today, the student President of various colleges is dominated by these political parties. Hence, goondaism in colleges has taken a new dimension.

Last week a group of teenagers, who came to National College in Bandra for seeking admission, were assaulted by another group of boys who too had come to the college for admission. The victims—Rizwan Shaikh, Saif Ali Khan and Ramiz Shaikh along with their other colleagues—were waiting on the college campus to inquire about admissions. At that moment they came to the other group and asked them if they were the students of the College and demanded them to show their identity cards. Then a tiff took place between the two groups and a fight erupted. Both groups assaulted each other. In the meanwhile Mashaq Sheikh, Student President of National College entered the campus to find a melee. He intervened to disperse the groups from assaults and managed to flee them out of the college gates. Afterwards, it is understood that a teenager from Rizwan’s group asked Sachin Kunder to come out of the college campus. Then an assault also took place outside the college gate. In the meantime police came on the scene and the boys fled. The incident occurred at 4.30 pm. 
While speaking to Santacruz Patrika, Mashaq Sheikh confirmed and said, “I was not a party in the assault but due to rivalry with Vijay Gore, a member of MNS, he took revenge and helped them to report a case against me.” “Since Vijay Gore and his colleague Akhila Chitre, members of MNS have been trying to show their supremacy in the College, they have earlier also given me threats and have been trying their best to demoralize me and tarnish my image,” added Mashaq.

Further, also while clarifying with Sachin Kunder, the main accused, he told Santacruz Patrika, “While we were standing in the campus, Rizwan and his boys started asking us for our identity cards. Since we questioned their authority they began attacking us and we too in self defence reciprocated.” “After the quarrel as I was relaxing at Bandra an MNS member approached me for a compromise. Since I refused they helped the boys in lodging a complaint against me.” said Sachin. Similarly, others too from the group complained that only Rizwan Sheikh, is a student of the College while his other colleagues were from Rizvi College. “Being outsiders what right do they have to ask us for our IDs”, complained Sachin.
In the assault motorbike chains, stones and steel rods were used. The security guards kept watching and did not intervene. The security guards were probably scared of those goons, as they were from a political party. After the assault the security guards closed the gate. According to college Principal Dinesh Panjwani, both groups were outsiders. College authorities have a CCTV recording of the incident and they will it give to the police. 
Rizwan Sheikh and his colleagues approached Khar police station at 7.30 pm, and were sent to Bhabha Hospital for a medical check-up. The College Principal of R.D.National College Dinesh Panjwani, said, "As soon as I saw the CCTV footage, I immediately ran down, but by then the goons had fled the scene. I will give this footage to the police to find out who is behind this act." The Khar police have lodged an FIR against Vinit, Sachin, Wajid and Mashak and have booked them under Section 323, 324, 504, and 34 of IPC.

There are now many questions that require an answer: Firstly, why are political party representatives allowed a clout in the colleges? Why are outsiders permitted into college campus without proper identification? Why are innocent students and parents made to wait in queues for long hours for getting admissions and these political party representatives given preferential allotment of admissions for a heavy price? It is high time the Education Department conducts an enquiry into the scam in college admissions and way of functioning.

Ayodhya verdict is like a pain-killer which gives temporary relief from pain but has chronic side-effects.

The historical verdict has finally come from the Allahabad High Court benched by Justice Agarwal, Justice Khan and Justice Sharma. The Ayodhya land dispute and all the issues have been addressed by the Court but both the parties are not altogether content or pleased with the decision.

Verdict: The High Court that began reading out its verdict at 3:30 pm IST dismissed the Sunni Wakf case and all 3 judges consented that Ayodhya is, indeed, the ‘janmabhoomi’ or birth place of Hindu God Rama. The idol of Bhagwan Ramlalla placed at the site has been given a legitimate status and its removal has been withheld. The disputed land has been divided into 3 portions of which one-third is to be allotted to the Hindus, one-third to the Sunni Board and the remaining one-third to the Nirmohi Akhada. The verdict, though not really crystal clear, is in favour of maintaining the status quo. In layman's words, a piece of the temple/mosque land goes to Sunni Wakf Board (read Muslims), a part to Nirmohi Akhara (a school of radical Hindu godmen) whiles the 3rd - where there is a shrine of Ram - stays as and how it is. Not only this means no single party was declared a winner of the case, but also there is hardly a chance to call any party a loser as well.

Hindu dissatisfaction: While the Muslims are upset after the Sunni Wakf law suit was dismissed by the judges, the Hindus are professing their disgruntlement at the division of land into 3 parts. The lawyer from the Hindu community expresses concerns over land settlement questioning the basis on which the land has been trisected. He maintains that when the Court has accepted that land, indeed, belongs to the Hindus (being the birth place of Lord Rama), then it should have been granted wholly to them. He has voiced his desire of moving to Supreme Court. Even after this historical judgement, the case seems far from getting over and resolved.

Why the parties would approach the court asking it to decide a matter of faith? Why it was not opposed? Hindu's believe Ram was born at that place. Can any one tell them not to do so? Can any one tell Muslims or followers of any other religions to stop believing their scriptures (particularly in India)? I think court only upheld Hindu belief not that Ram was actually born there. The same can be argued is - about some one entering other's house and claim it as their own: The mosque was on the ruins of a temple. Its pillars have pictures of Hindu gods carved on them". All three judges accepted this and now it is anyone’s guess that entered whose house. Best way forward is to go to Supreme Court with the question "Should courts decide on matters of faith?"

There is no conclusive archaeological evidence to say that Rama was born in Ayodhya. There was a temple, but that was a Rama Temple, one among many razed to the ground by Muslim rulers of India. Can we punish Babar? No. Then why play tribalism and punish modern Muslims by pulling down their places of worship? Rebuild it! Demolition of Baburi Masjid has been a national shame. No sensible person thinks it right to demolish its structure while the matter was subjudice. Though the then Chief Minister of UP gave an affidavit to the Supreme Court to defend the structure, it appears that nothing of that sort had occurred. Its aftermath has been rejoiced by such persons like Mulayam Singh Yadav who emerged as a sudden savior of the Muslim community. However, afterwards, it was noted that he behaved like any other professional politician. He inducted the son of Kalyan Singh into his party and gave all out support to Kalyan Singh win the Lok Sabha poll. It is now time for the people to reject such self-styled saviors of the Muslims, at the polls. He claims himself a disciple of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia who never promoted the selfish interests of any of his near relatives. Where as this so-called follower of Dr. Lohia has converted his party into a family limited company.

I do not completely agree with the Allahabad High Court verdict. The Hon High Court has given the verdict only on the basis of belief and not as per the law on judicial grounds. I am quite satisfied with the judgment that the land will be distributed in 3 equal parts but at the same time I do not go with declaration of the court that, the land under the central dome of Babri Masjid was the Ram Janmasthan. I mean how can anybody decide where Lord Ram was born? A complete solution has not yet been reached out in this matter. Still an appeal can be made before the Supreme Court. The judgement is only a compromise made by the HC. This issue has been tickled to the next level of seriousness only by such a judgement. Though a compromise is made by court, in practice it is not the duty of courts to compromise on issues but instead to decide on an issue. The Court should give verdict based on facts and evidences and not on fear of communal violence or beliefs. I believe the entire disputed land should have been given either for Ram temple construction or Mosque instead of compromising for three equal parts. Well you can't make everyone happy so let’s accept the judgement, but the High Court has taken this decision keeping in mind the beliefs...which is not the way judgment is given. The dispute regarding ownership of land has not been decided. It is a fact that Mogul dynasty was established by invaders and hence the Masjid had come subsequent to Ayodhya being mentioned in scriptures. If questions are raised in basing decisions on religious faith then it gets into more larger area of debate… like the one on Sethusamudram projects … did Ram construct the bridge and if so, what is the proof? All religious scriptures emphasise that faith in the Almighty is a necessity for rationalists and the scriptures are nothing more than a story book. Whilst the verdict may sound as a compromise solution it has not resulted in getting a decision in clear terms. Having said that the bench of the High Court has attempted at what best it could do for maintaining peace and harmony of the society but in the process making each party forego some share of their entitlement. Is this what you call justice? Justice should be based on facts, evidences and not on myths, traditions and beliefs.

The Yoga Institute – Teaches meditation for healthy living

Yoga training at the Institute in progress

The Commissioner of Police, Mumbai Mr D.Sivanandan came to the Institute on the foundation Day, 25th December,2009

The Yoga Institute is one of the oldest organised yoga centres in the world and is situated at Prabhat Colony in Santa Cruz (E), Mumbai, India. The institute was established by Shri Yogendraji in the year 1918. Shri Yogendraji was interested in Yoga since his young age and he studied Yoga at Paramahamsa Madhavadasaji`s Ashram in Malsar, Gujarat. After completing his Yoga studies, he felt that the benefits of Yoga could be given to all instead of keeping it a secret for very few and thus established The Yoga Institute. Soon, The Yoga Institute became famous as a non-sectarian and non-profit organisation for Yoga practices through physical, moral and psychic self-education. Shri Yogendraji was also referred to as the Father of Modern Yoga Renaissance in India for his extraordinary contributions.
The Yoga Institute is situated in an acre of land with lush greenery. The simplicity, sincerity and non commercial approach of the institute draw many people from across the world. The institute offers various courses and conducts training sessions and health camps for people suffering from different diseases and ailments. The institute conducts Health camps for solving the health disorders like cardiac problems and hypertension, respiratory problems, diabetes, orthopaedic conditions and stress related problems, etc. It is famous for catering to people from the womb to tomb, as it provides guidance for all stages of one’s life. The institute also conducts couples` classes about guidance for harmony in marital life, pregnancy and ante natal and post natal classes conditions.
The Yoga Institute conducts children’s classes, including some for teenagers and also classes regarding adult life. Apart from these, some Personal Growth workshops are also organised in the Yoga Institute. These workshops are organised to nurture the concepts of Self Development, Concentration, Relaxation and Mind and Memory Training. All these courses are conducted based on the Samkhya principles of the Bhavas or attitudes which have to be inculcated for a healthy state. Many people come to the institute to find assistance, guidance and help. There is a fee structure in the institute and the people are required to pay different amounts of fees for pursuing different courses. The health camps of the institute usually have two to seven days of duration.
Apart from the Health camps, the Yoga Institute also organises Yoga Teacher’s Training Programmes in English and Hindi. Only the people who have successfully completed the seven-day Yoga Health Camp are considered eligible to get enrolled in the Yoga Teacher’s Training course. The Yoga Teacher’s Training course in English has seven months of duration. Each month is considered a unit and different topics are taught in each month. During this course, the participants are required to take part in six health camps and four educational camps. They also need to assist in a 7 day Health Camp and in a 21 day Better Living Program.
For the Yoga Teacher’s Training Course in Hindi, the admission criterion is the same. This course spans for 1 year and the participants are required to attend six Health Camps and four Educational Camps, during the course. They are also required to assist in a 21 day Better Living Class and a seven day Residential Camp. The people pursuing these courses are required to carry their personal belongings to the institute. Apart from the Yoga Teacher’s Training courses spanning seven months and 1 year, the institute also conducts training programmes with duration of 1 month. There is a 3-month Comprehensive Yoga Teacher’s Training programme offered in the institute as well.
The courses and training classes in The Yoga Institute start at dawn from 6:30 am every day and go on for the whole day. A unique feature of the institute is that, Yoga is combined with medical check ups here. A special session named `Samattvam` is organised in the institute every Saturday at 1:30 pm. This session helps people to get relief from various physical and emotional problems. The session lasts for about three hours and includes video presentation, a question answer session between the patients and the experts and guidance of both medical and yogic practitioners. The medical expert initially examines the individual and determines the problems and or illness. Based on these examinations proper asanas, yogas and further courses are suggested.

Besides conducting the health camps and organising the Yoga Teacher`s Training course, the Yoga Institute also houses a top class library where several books on yoga written by various authors are found. Camping facility is available to organise special individual and group sessions. The Yoga Institute also organises symposium and panel discussion with the important people at regular interval in this institute. It is indeed playing a crucial role in spreading Yogic education in India.

Mahila Mandal President abused and attacked at Kalina

Kaulpatti Ramdin Mallah, 56 years residing at Gupta Chawl, Yogiraj Ashram, Kalina has been residing at this place for the past 40 years. She is also the President of Ektanagar Mahila Mandal, Kalina. Her two sons are employed. Her cousin Lalitha Omprakash Gupta has been staying alone a few rooms away. In the chawl below resides one Rajan Jaiprakash Gupta, 28 years and working as a cook in Hotel Grand Hyatt, Santacruz. Rajan Gupta is living with his mother, wife and two children. Since, Lalitha is staying alone Rajan has been trying to grab her home for a long time. A complaint had been lodged with the Vakola Police station earlier.
Since Kaulpatti and Lalitha are friendly with each other, Rajan cannot digest the friendship and has been regularly abusing both Kaulpatti and Lalitha. It was last week Kaulpatti had to attend her neighbour Sarwan Singh’s daughter birthday. Hence, Kaulpatti left to the nearby shop to fetch some chocolates for the girl’s birthday. Behind her Lalitha too followed. At that moment Rajan was sitting outside his home and seeing both Kaulpatti and Lalitha he began using filthy abuses on them. While speaking to Santacruz Patrika Kaulpatti said, “Seeing both of us he began giving us all the filthy abuses in the world and said that your Mahila Mandal cannot twist a single hair of his. He also gave me threats on life.”
“Fearing the threats Kaulpatti and Lalitha rushed to the Vakola Police station to lodge a complaint. Immediately Rajan Gupta too followed us to the Vakola Police Station. As we reached the Vakola Police station, a few yards away Rajan started attacking me. He dragged me with my hair, slapped, dragged and beat me severely. He also abused me”, admits Kaulpatti. Somehow Kaulpatti managed to reach to the Inspector at the police station to lodge a complaint. But to her surprise Rajan Gupta too followed to the Inspector. Fearing Rajan she lodged a complaint against Rajan of abuse. According a complaint No 4901 u/s 504 was registered against Rajan and he was arrested and released on bail.
Since the following day as Kaulpatti was in pain she went to V.N.Desai Hospital for treatment. Then the next day as Kaulpatti was standing at her doorsteps Rajan again started abusing her and threatened her and said, “See the police could do nothing to me and I have been released. Now your life is in danger.” Since Kaulpatti found no change in Rajan’s behaviour and the threats continuing she once again approached the Vakola Police station and lodged a complaint against Rajan Gupta. A case u/s 507, 504, 323, 506(2) has been registered against Rajan Gupta and he was again arrested.

Ganesh immersion ceremonies went off peacefully

This year’s Ganesh immersion ceremonies went off peacefully with hundreds of thousands of people gathering for the mega-religious event. No major untoward incidence took place in the city, a police officer said. With various NGOs joining the team of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) workers, the beaches were well managed during the immersion ceremonies. The Ganesh idols, varying from gigantic ones measuring several metres to tiny, hand-held ones, were taken for immersion into the Arabian Sea at various locations, creeks, rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and artificially-created immersion sites dotting the city and suburbs. The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard provided aerial, sea and land security cover. While the Coast Guard choppers hovered over the city keeping strict vigil, the naval patrol boats and divers were positioned at strategic locations, including the main venue Girgaum Chowpatty. Police were out in full strength all over the city and suburbs for the immersion ceremonies that kicked off in the morning in most areas with many small family and hand-held idols arriving at various immersion sites.

Nearly two lakh big and small Ganesh idols are estimated to be taken out in processions from homes and major Ganesh mandals, attracting over six million people, including domestic and foreign tourists. Besides Girgaum Chowpatty, the other prominent immersion sites include Dadar Chowpatty, Juhu Beach, Versova Beach, Marve Beach, Manori Beach, Madh Island, Gorai beach, the Mithi River and its branches and Sanjay Gandhi National Park. As many as 27 sites were located along the seashore, posing a challenge to the authorities to maintain security as well as safety of the Ganesh revellers and devotees who thronged the immersion venues all day. Mumbai Police and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had made elaborate on-site security arrangements at all the immersion sites.

With metal detectors, closed circuit television cameras, hand-held metal detectors, road blocks, loudspeakers and floodlights installed at most of the venues, we had already reduced chances of any untoward incident, an official said. Elaborate traffic arrangements with suitable diversions and one way routes to ensure that processions of Ganesh idols were not hampered or delayed also proved to be helpful. More than 16,000 policemen were deployed for security arrangements. 'We have also called for 3,000 policemen from the reserves. Sixteen companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) are also on duty,' a traffic official said. In view of the recent terror threats, the parking of all four-wheelers was banned on all immersion routes and movement of two-wheelers were banned for the day.