DILIP PATEL
The state election commission is working out details to enable people to cast a negative vote in local elections, including civic polls. In the coming weeks, the commission will ask the manufacturer of electronic voting machines (EVMs) to add an extra button and install a new software in the instruments to activate the feature.
“We have started the procedure for empowering people with the right of negative voting,” the panel’s secretary, Prakash Shah, told Mirror. “Once modifications are made in EVMs, people of Gujarat will be able to cast a negative vote against a candidate/party in local elections.”
The panel initiated the process for activating the aforesaid feature in EVMs after the state assembly passed the Gujarat Local Authority Laws Amendment Bill, 2009 on December 19. The bill makes voting in polls of seven civic bodies, 26 district panchayats, 223 taluka panchayats and 13,706 village panchayats mandatory and provides people the right to record a negative ballot against a candidate/party.
Gujarat is the only state, which has made these provisions. Chief Minister Narendra Modi, in fact, has described the bill an attempt to strengthen democracy. The state election commission possesses 20,000 EVMs, each of which has 16 buttons. Now, an additional button and new software for the aforementioned feature will be added in all of them.
Meanwhile, the commission and state government are reportedly discussing implications of negative voting. They are apparently exploring the option of holding a local election again if more than 50 per cent of the votes turn out to be negative.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
ECO-FRIENDLY BAGTRENDHITS GANDHINAGAR
DI L I P PATEL
Amovement against usage of
plastic, the scourge of the
environment, is gaining
momentum among
women in Gandhinagar. On Monday,
as many as 1,500 eco-friendly
reusable bags, were distributed for
free in three vegetable markets in
Sector 7, 21 and 24.
The exercise was conducted by
Gandhinagar Residents’ Association
(GRA) that had support from Gujarat
Pollution Control Board and
Kalpataru Power Transmission
Company.
The GRA had been toying with
the idea of giving shoppers ethical
alternatives to plastic bags that
don’t harm the environment during
production and don’t need to be
discarded after each use.
SHUNNING PLASTIC
ON MONDAY, around 5.30 pm,
GRA president Arun Buch and his
team, accompanied by GPCB’s
chairman C L Meena and member
secretary R G Shah, distributed the
cotton bags to women at the vegetable
markets.
They were asked to empty the
veggies from their plastic carry bags
into the cloth bags and urged to
bring it along everytime they came
shopping.
Buch said: “When we asked them
why they weren’t using cloth bags,
some said they found it
embarassing to hold it as compared
to the plastic bag that could be folded
and kept in a purse. It was saddening
to know that plastic was
some sort of a status symbol for
them. But beautifully designed
cloth bags can change their mindset.
Most women who were distributed
the cloth bags loved them and
promised they won’t touch a plastic
carry bag now on.”
HOUSEWIVES TAKE A PLEDGE
THE WOMEN were also made to
sign on a pledge sheet stating they
shall not use plastic carry bags and
shall participate in activities to combat
climate-change. Even pamphlets
detailing the ill-effects of plastic
were distributed. They were urged to
inform the GPCB about any vendor
giving away plastic bags that were
less than 20 microns in thickness.
Buch said: “Four months ago, in
a similar exercise, 300 eco-friendly
bags were distributed among shoppers.
Even I use it and see many people
bringing it along with them to
the market.”
He adds further: “The cloth bag
costs Rs 15 and will last for nearly
two years.
The plastic bags you’ll use in two
years’ time will cost the vegetable
vendor not less than Rs 60. But using
it costs us even more. Look at
what we have done to our environment.
Plastic bags that get buried in
landfills may take up to 1,000 years
to break down, and in the process
they separate into smaller and
smaller toxic particles that contaminate
soil and water.”
Buch says that as per existing
rules vegetable vendors have to pay
Rs 50 fine if they give away bags below
20-micron thickness. “This is
not enough. You have to raise the
fine if you want to effectively curb
the habit of using plastic.”
Jyotsna Darji, who received the
free cloth bag on Monday, said:
“Stray cattle often eat plastic bags
while trying consuming vegetable
waste and it leads to slow starvation
and death. I don’t know what other
damage it causes to the environment.
But I now know plastic is
harmful. I shall use the cloth bag
given to me.”
Ritaben Parmar, a housewife said:
“I was quite embarassed to take the
cloth bag with me to the market.
They look very downmarket. But
such classy cloth bags can easily replace
plastic carry bags.
THE NO-PLASTIC REVOLUTION
A group of environment-conscious citizens distributed 1,500
cotton bags to customers at vegetable markets in the state
capital in its first step towards combating climate-change
Arun Buch (right) convinces Jyotsna Darji, a shopper, to empty vegetables from the plastic bag into the cloth bag
I was quite
embarassed to
take the cloth bag with
me for shopping. They
look very downmarket.
But such classy cloth
bags can easily replace
plastic carry bags
– Ritaben Parmar,
Housewife
I don’t know
what other
damage it causes to the
environment besides
killing stray cattle. But I
now know plastic is
harmful. I shall use the
cloth bag given to me.
– Jyotsna Darji,
Housewife
Amovement against usage of
plastic, the scourge of the
environment, is gaining
momentum among
women in Gandhinagar. On Monday,
as many as 1,500 eco-friendly
reusable bags, were distributed for
free in three vegetable markets in
Sector 7, 21 and 24.
The exercise was conducted by
Gandhinagar Residents’ Association
(GRA) that had support from Gujarat
Pollution Control Board and
Kalpataru Power Transmission
Company.
The GRA had been toying with
the idea of giving shoppers ethical
alternatives to plastic bags that
don’t harm the environment during
production and don’t need to be
discarded after each use.
SHUNNING PLASTIC
ON MONDAY, around 5.30 pm,
GRA president Arun Buch and his
team, accompanied by GPCB’s
chairman C L Meena and member
secretary R G Shah, distributed the
cotton bags to women at the vegetable
markets.
They were asked to empty the
veggies from their plastic carry bags
into the cloth bags and urged to
bring it along everytime they came
shopping.
Buch said: “When we asked them
why they weren’t using cloth bags,
some said they found it
embarassing to hold it as compared
to the plastic bag that could be folded
and kept in a purse. It was saddening
to know that plastic was
some sort of a status symbol for
them. But beautifully designed
cloth bags can change their mindset.
Most women who were distributed
the cloth bags loved them and
promised they won’t touch a plastic
carry bag now on.”
HOUSEWIVES TAKE A PLEDGE
THE WOMEN were also made to
sign on a pledge sheet stating they
shall not use plastic carry bags and
shall participate in activities to combat
climate-change. Even pamphlets
detailing the ill-effects of plastic
were distributed. They were urged to
inform the GPCB about any vendor
giving away plastic bags that were
less than 20 microns in thickness.
Buch said: “Four months ago, in
a similar exercise, 300 eco-friendly
bags were distributed among shoppers.
Even I use it and see many people
bringing it along with them to
the market.”
He adds further: “The cloth bag
costs Rs 15 and will last for nearly
two years.
The plastic bags you’ll use in two
years’ time will cost the vegetable
vendor not less than Rs 60. But using
it costs us even more. Look at
what we have done to our environment.
Plastic bags that get buried in
landfills may take up to 1,000 years
to break down, and in the process
they separate into smaller and
smaller toxic particles that contaminate
soil and water.”
Buch says that as per existing
rules vegetable vendors have to pay
Rs 50 fine if they give away bags below
20-micron thickness. “This is
not enough. You have to raise the
fine if you want to effectively curb
the habit of using plastic.”
Jyotsna Darji, who received the
free cloth bag on Monday, said:
“Stray cattle often eat plastic bags
while trying consuming vegetable
waste and it leads to slow starvation
and death. I don’t know what other
damage it causes to the environment.
But I now know plastic is
harmful. I shall use the cloth bag
given to me.”
Ritaben Parmar, a housewife said:
“I was quite embarassed to take the
cloth bag with me to the market.
They look very downmarket. But
such classy cloth bags can easily replace
plastic carry bags.
THE NO-PLASTIC REVOLUTION
A group of environment-conscious citizens distributed 1,500
cotton bags to customers at vegetable markets in the state
capital in its first step towards combating climate-change
Arun Buch (right) convinces Jyotsna Darji, a shopper, to empty vegetables from the plastic bag into the cloth bag
I was quite
embarassed to
take the cloth bag with
me for shopping. They
look very downmarket.
But such classy cloth
bags can easily replace
plastic carry bags
– Ritaben Parmar,
Housewife
I don’t know
what other
damage it causes to the
environment besides
killing stray cattle. But I
now know plastic is
harmful. I shall use the
cloth bag given to me.
– Jyotsna Darji,
Housewife
SANAND GIDC ESTATE PLAN CLOUDS SCHOOL’S FUTURE
DI L I P PATEL
Students of the district panchayat-
run primary school
at North Kotpura face an uncertain
future due to Gujarat
Industrial Development Corporation’s
(GIDC) decision to acquire
5,000 acres of land in Sanand and
shift the entire village to make way
for an industrial estate.
The school, where 65 students
studied eight months ago, is now
left with only 22 of them as children
of agricultural university
staff have shifted. The school
lacks basic facility like drinking
water and school teachers as well
as students bring their supply
from home. For the students, who
want to continue their study, the
nearest school is about 5 km away.
“I want to study. I know the
poor conditions in which my
family lives can improve only if I
study. But I don’t know what will
happen now,” said Kanku Rathod,
a class VI student of the school.
There are many like Kanku who
are distressed due to the prevailing
uncertainty.
The ground where children
once played has become a hot bed
of discussion where students
share their anxiety. Not only the
students’ but the future of 40 families
living here is also uncertain
as there is no rehabilitation plan
ready for them.
“We shudder to think what will
happen after six months. Our
families are caught in a dilemma
as there is no rehabilitation plan
ready,” she added.
There are only three teachers in
the school. Hiral Soni, one of the
teachers, said, “All these students
want to study. But they do not
know where they and their families
will be six months from now.
Their future looks bleak.” District
panchayat education officer SP
Chaudhary said, “The school has
to be shifted. We are preparing a
report on the school to present
before the education committee.
The panel will take the final decision.
We are aware of the fact that
there are 22 students and three
teachers in the school.” If the
families decide to stay there, then
district panchayat will have to
think about their accommodation,
he said.
Chandu Thakor, a resident of
North Kotpura whose son is in the
school, said, “We feel as if we have
been uprooted from our land.
Neither we nor our kids seem to
have a future.” Mukesh Vaghela,
a social leader, said, “We have met
the mamlatdar and have made a
representation to him to allow
these people to stay here and to
continue with the school.”
PLEA CHALLENGING LAND
ACQUISITION FOR NANO
PROJECT TURNED DOWN
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court dismissed
a plea challenging the
land acquisition by state government
for Nano car project. The
apex court questioned the locus
standi of an NGO and its head in
opposing the project which was
aimed at producing the cheapest
four-wheeler.
Students of the district panchayat-
run primary school
at North Kotpura face an uncertain
future due to Gujarat
Industrial Development Corporation’s
(GIDC) decision to acquire
5,000 acres of land in Sanand and
shift the entire village to make way
for an industrial estate.
The school, where 65 students
studied eight months ago, is now
left with only 22 of them as children
of agricultural university
staff have shifted. The school
lacks basic facility like drinking
water and school teachers as well
as students bring their supply
from home. For the students, who
want to continue their study, the
nearest school is about 5 km away.
“I want to study. I know the
poor conditions in which my
family lives can improve only if I
study. But I don’t know what will
happen now,” said Kanku Rathod,
a class VI student of the school.
There are many like Kanku who
are distressed due to the prevailing
uncertainty.
The ground where children
once played has become a hot bed
of discussion where students
share their anxiety. Not only the
students’ but the future of 40 families
living here is also uncertain
as there is no rehabilitation plan
ready for them.
“We shudder to think what will
happen after six months. Our
families are caught in a dilemma
as there is no rehabilitation plan
ready,” she added.
There are only three teachers in
the school. Hiral Soni, one of the
teachers, said, “All these students
want to study. But they do not
know where they and their families
will be six months from now.
Their future looks bleak.” District
panchayat education officer SP
Chaudhary said, “The school has
to be shifted. We are preparing a
report on the school to present
before the education committee.
The panel will take the final decision.
We are aware of the fact that
there are 22 students and three
teachers in the school.” If the
families decide to stay there, then
district panchayat will have to
think about their accommodation,
he said.
Chandu Thakor, a resident of
North Kotpura whose son is in the
school, said, “We feel as if we have
been uprooted from our land.
Neither we nor our kids seem to
have a future.” Mukesh Vaghela,
a social leader, said, “We have met
the mamlatdar and have made a
representation to him to allow
these people to stay here and to
continue with the school.”
PLEA CHALLENGING LAND
ACQUISITION FOR NANO
PROJECT TURNED DOWN
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court dismissed
a plea challenging the
land acquisition by state government
for Nano car project. The
apex court questioned the locus
standi of an NGO and its head in
opposing the project which was
aimed at producing the cheapest
four-wheeler.
4,000 villagers rally against govt
DI L I P PATEL
Around 4,000 villagers of Sanand taluka, including some 700 women and 200 children, took out a rally from the ST depot in Sanand town to the mamlatdar’s office on Monday against the state government’s decision to acquire their land for setting up an industrial park. The government has issued a notification to acquire around 7,000 acres of land near the Nano plant for setting up a Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation. Besides people from the seven villages that have been served government notices, people from three other villages — Motipura, Jholapura and Rasulpura — also joined in the rally, fearing their land too might be taken over by the GIDC. The villagers presented a memorandum, signed by around 100 people, to the mamlatdar. and later staged a dharna outside his office. Eyewitnesses told AM that the rallyists shouted slogans of ‘Jaan denge, par zameen nahi denge’ (We will give up our lives, but not our land), GIDC hatao, zameen bachao, (Remove GIDC, save our land). One of the leaders, Kamsibhai Patel, said, “People of all seven villages are furious, so all of us decided to take out a rally. We intend to adopt an even more aggressive attitude. “The mamlatdar has given us seven days to look into the matter. If we don’t get a proper reply after this period, we will intensify our agitation.” Virjibhai Patel, a farmer, said, “We had informed people only around 12 noon that we were going to take out a rally. Yet, around 4,000 people turned up. We will pass resolutions in every village against giving any land to the government.” Most farmers believe the government should choose non-agricultural, barren land rather than fertile land. And Ahmedabad has thousands of hectares of such arid land, they said. Radhaben Patel, a widow who was part of the rally, said, “The four villages, Hirapur, Kuwar, Gokadpur and Sinyavad, have around 8,000 cows. Women in these villages earn their livelihood by rearing them. We will not leave this land at any cost. If need be, we will gherao government offices. If we don’t save our land, our next generation won’t forgive us.” Sanand Mamlatdar Sudhir Patel said, “I’ve received a memorandum from the farmers which I will pass it on to the collector. After listening to their grievances, a decision on acquiring
Around 4,000 villagers of Sanand taluka, including some 700 women and 200 children, took out a rally from the ST depot in Sanand town to the mamlatdar’s office on Monday against the state government’s decision to acquire their land for setting up an industrial park. The government has issued a notification to acquire around 7,000 acres of land near the Nano plant for setting up a Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation. Besides people from the seven villages that have been served government notices, people from three other villages — Motipura, Jholapura and Rasulpura — also joined in the rally, fearing their land too might be taken over by the GIDC. The villagers presented a memorandum, signed by around 100 people, to the mamlatdar. and later staged a dharna outside his office. Eyewitnesses told AM that the rallyists shouted slogans of ‘Jaan denge, par zameen nahi denge’ (We will give up our lives, but not our land), GIDC hatao, zameen bachao, (Remove GIDC, save our land). One of the leaders, Kamsibhai Patel, said, “People of all seven villages are furious, so all of us decided to take out a rally. We intend to adopt an even more aggressive attitude. “The mamlatdar has given us seven days to look into the matter. If we don’t get a proper reply after this period, we will intensify our agitation.” Virjibhai Patel, a farmer, said, “We had informed people only around 12 noon that we were going to take out a rally. Yet, around 4,000 people turned up. We will pass resolutions in every village against giving any land to the government.” Most farmers believe the government should choose non-agricultural, barren land rather than fertile land. And Ahmedabad has thousands of hectares of such arid land, they said. Radhaben Patel, a widow who was part of the rally, said, “The four villages, Hirapur, Kuwar, Gokadpur and Sinyavad, have around 8,000 cows. Women in these villages earn their livelihood by rearing them. We will not leave this land at any cost. If need be, we will gherao government offices. If we don’t save our land, our next generation won’t forgive us.” Sanand Mamlatdar Sudhir Patel said, “I’ve received a memorandum from the farmers which I will pass it on to the collector. After listening to their grievances, a decision on acquiring
Vote, Amdavad, vote. You really have no choice
DILIP PATEL
Beginning October 2010, 35 lakh voters in 56 wards of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation will have to vote. Compulsorily. In a first-of-its-kind decision in the country, the state government has set the ball rolling to make it mandatory for all voters to cast their vote in local self bodies elections. he state government has already legalised the framework for the same and will present it during the two-day Vidhan Sabha session to start on Thursday. The law will also have a no-vote provision for voters who do not find a candidate worthy of their vote. The state government has proposed a law granting 50 per cent reservation for women in local self-government bodies’ elections, Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel told Mirror. “The decision to make voting mandatory will be the first of its kind in the country. We are also taking a lead in 50 per cent reservations for women in local self government body elections,” Patel said. He said that voters who do not exercise their franchise will be served a show cause notice by the state election commission and asked to give a clarificaition in 30 days. If the voter fails to safisfy the state election commission than he will be declared a defaulter. The state government is in the process of framing the rules for penalty or punishment for defaulter voters. The state government will amend three laws under the Gujarat Local Authorities Law Amendment including the BPMC ACT, the municipalities act and the panchayat act to accommodate the new law. The Gujarat local self government bodies have 3.5 crore voters. There are 13,000 gram panchayats, 225 taluka panchayats,167 municipalities and 27 district panchayats besides seven municipal corporations. All of these will go for an election between September and December 2010. The state government is also in the process of forming a Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation following the high court order.
Beginning October 2010, 35 lakh voters in 56 wards of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation will have to vote. Compulsorily. In a first-of-its-kind decision in the country, the state government has set the ball rolling to make it mandatory for all voters to cast their vote in local self bodies elections. he state government has already legalised the framework for the same and will present it during the two-day Vidhan Sabha session to start on Thursday. The law will also have a no-vote provision for voters who do not find a candidate worthy of their vote. The state government has proposed a law granting 50 per cent reservation for women in local self-government bodies’ elections, Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel told Mirror. “The decision to make voting mandatory will be the first of its kind in the country. We are also taking a lead in 50 per cent reservations for women in local self government body elections,” Patel said. He said that voters who do not exercise their franchise will be served a show cause notice by the state election commission and asked to give a clarificaition in 30 days. If the voter fails to safisfy the state election commission than he will be declared a defaulter. The state government is in the process of framing the rules for penalty or punishment for defaulter voters. The state government will amend three laws under the Gujarat Local Authorities Law Amendment including the BPMC ACT, the municipalities act and the panchayat act to accommodate the new law. The Gujarat local self government bodies have 3.5 crore voters. There are 13,000 gram panchayats, 225 taluka panchayats,167 municipalities and 27 district panchayats besides seven municipal corporations. All of these will go for an election between September and December 2010. The state government is also in the process of forming a Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation following the high court order.
CM’s security upped after terrorist threat
DI L I P PATEL
Following intelligence reports of
threats from LeT to Chief Minister
Narendra Modi, Somnath temple
and Ahmedabad city, security at important
installations across the state has
been tightened.
While security at Somnath has been
upped, decision on Modi’s security will
be taken in a week. Modi has Z+ category
security, the highest level of security
provided to any public person in
India. T S Bisht, secretary, home department,
said, “After the FBI report,
the Centre had alerted the state regarding
threats to the CM, Somnath temple,
coastal areas and Ahmedabad city.
We are in the process of reviewing the
security in the state.”
A home department source said, as
part of increasing security for Modi, on
both sides of the 26-km road from
Ahmedabad airport to the chief minister’s
enclave, four-and-half-feet high
railings, will be put up. Pits, 2.5 feet
deep, will be dug up on the entire
stretch.
Following intelligence reports of
threats from LeT to Chief Minister
Narendra Modi, Somnath temple
and Ahmedabad city, security at important
installations across the state has
been tightened.
While security at Somnath has been
upped, decision on Modi’s security will
be taken in a week. Modi has Z+ category
security, the highest level of security
provided to any public person in
India. T S Bisht, secretary, home department,
said, “After the FBI report,
the Centre had alerted the state regarding
threats to the CM, Somnath temple,
coastal areas and Ahmedabad city.
We are in the process of reviewing the
security in the state.”
A home department source said, as
part of increasing security for Modi, on
both sides of the 26-km road from
Ahmedabad airport to the chief minister’s
enclave, four-and-half-feet high
railings, will be put up. Pits, 2.5 feet
deep, will be dug up on the entire
stretch.
Prohibition, civic body bills in 3-day Assembly session
The state government will reintroduce the bill on prohibition with provision for death penalty and another bill providing for50per cent reservation for women in local self-governing bodies and making voting compulsory during the three-day winter session of the state Assembly. The assembly that was to meet only for two days, beginning Thursday, will now meet for three days, said Speaker Ashok Bhatt. The session was extended on the advice of the Business Advisory Committee of Gujarat Vidhansabha. There will be a question hour on all three days, Bhatt said. The Bombay Prohibition (Gujarat Amendment) Bill, 2009, provides for capital punishment for manufacture, supply, transport and sale of spurious liquor if its consumption results in a death. The Bill was passed in the last Assembly session in the backdrop of the hooch tragedy in the city in July in which more than 130 people died. The then governor Naval Kishore Sharma sent back the Bill to the Assembly for reconsideration contending that the provision for capital punishment is contrary to IPC clauses and Central Acts. The governor’s advice notwithstanding, the government has decided to reintroduce the Bill in its original form, a government source said. The government may also introduce a bill to amend Gujarat Disturbed Area Act (Aashant dharo) that regulates sale of immovable properties in communally disturbed areas, said the
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Gnagars VIP road to have six lanes
Rs 13 crore will be spent to upgrade the 4-lane road without felling a single tree
DILIP PATEL
Come 2010, driving on Shri Maharana Pratap Road in Gandhinagar will be a memorable experience . Spending Rs 13 crore, the National Highways Authority of India will upgrade it into a six-lane road within six months without felling a single tree.
The VIP road, dotted by Chief Ministers official residence and Raj Bhavan, has four lanes now. At present, its width is 17 metres. After upgradation, it will be 24.5 metres wide. Deputy executive engineer of Capital Planing Division AB Shah said: The work order for widening the road has been awarded to Kalathia Engineering.
The firm will start executing the project within a fortnight . The widened road will sport a completely new look with reflectors and signals at junctions. Red flowers will adorn it. Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation will take care of landscaping and beautification of the road, said Shah, adding that movement of heavy vehicles will remain prohibited on upgraded Shri Maharana Pratap Road.
MASTER PLAN SOON
Lee Associates, a consultancy firm of New Delhi, has been awarded the project of developing the master plan for the Gandhinagar development project Green, Clean and Solar . The firm will table its plan before the state government within five months.
DILIP PATEL
Come 2010, driving on Shri Maharana Pratap Road in Gandhinagar will be a memorable experience . Spending Rs 13 crore, the National Highways Authority of India will upgrade it into a six-lane road within six months without felling a single tree.
The VIP road, dotted by Chief Ministers official residence and Raj Bhavan, has four lanes now. At present, its width is 17 metres. After upgradation, it will be 24.5 metres wide. Deputy executive engineer of Capital Planing Division AB Shah said: The work order for widening the road has been awarded to Kalathia Engineering.
The firm will start executing the project within a fortnight . The widened road will sport a completely new look with reflectors and signals at junctions. Red flowers will adorn it. Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation will take care of landscaping and beautification of the road, said Shah, adding that movement of heavy vehicles will remain prohibited on upgraded Shri Maharana Pratap Road.
MASTER PLAN SOON
Lee Associates, a consultancy firm of New Delhi, has been awarded the project of developing the master plan for the Gandhinagar development project Green, Clean and Solar . The firm will table its plan before the state government within five months.
We will give up our life but not land
‘
Govt notification to acquire 5,000 acres of land next to Nano project for industrial park has farmers of four villages in Sanand taluka up in arms
Dilip Patel
Farmers of four villages in Sanand taluka are up in arms against the government after it issued a notification to acquire 5,062 acres of land to set up an industrial park next to the Nano project. Five thousand families stand to lose their land in the process.
The notification was issued to the Sanand mamlatdar and the four village panchayats of Hirapur, Charal, Bol and Siyawada on December 4.
K D Upadhyay, deputy secretary, revenue department, who issued the notification, said, “Yes, we’ve cleared the proposal sent by the district collector to acquire the land. And we’ve already published it in a gazette on November 18.”
However, the villagers refuse to abide by the decision. Around 500 farmers of the four villages led by Karamsinh V Patel met at Hirapur village on Sunday night to oppose the government’s decision.
A letter opposing the deal signed by all the farmers was later submitted to the GIDC Land Acquisition Unit at Fadia Chambers on Ashram Road.
Govindji Thakor, sarpanch of Charal village, said, “Under no circumstances will we part with our land, even if the government gives us Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh for one bigha. Land is our mother. We will give up our lives, but not our land. Most of us are illiterate farmers who have witnessed the sorry state of farmers who gave away their land for the GIDC Changodar project.”
Karamsinh Patel said, “We won’t give an inch of land even if the government shoots us or lathicharges us. We will beat up any official coming to admeasure our land. If need be we will break their bones.”
We are setting up a farmers association and will present our case to the collector, DSP and the GIDC, Patel said.
“The land is our livelihood and gives us our daily bread. The rice produced here is the best in the state. If alternate land is given to us, it will scatter our families. If the government gives us money for our land, it will be spent in no time,” he said.
Ahmedad district Collector Harit Shukla said, “The entire process of land acquisition will be carried out by GIDC and not us.”
GIDC requisition officer (OSD) N D Zala said, “We have already published a public notice. If any farmer has any objection, he can come to me. On Monday some farmers had submitted their objections to me.”
Farmer Jagabhai Govardhan, 51, of Hirapur village said, “I have 50 bighas of land. I grow rice, wheat and jowar. My joint family of 50 persons is dependent on the proceeds from the land. We know nothing except farming. We don’t want to sell our land and impoverish ourselves. I won’t give any portion of my land.”
Another farmer, Zalabhai Govabhai Patel, from the same village has 300 bighas of land. Patels says, “My extended family of 250 people depend on earnings from our land. No one in our family is educated and we will not give our land at any cost.”
Meanwhile, the government also plans to acquire another 2,000 acres in three more surrounding villages. This would up the total area for the industrial park to 7,000 acres.
Govt notification to acquire 5,000 acres of land next to Nano project for industrial park has farmers of four villages in Sanand taluka up in arms
Dilip Patel
Farmers of four villages in Sanand taluka are up in arms against the government after it issued a notification to acquire 5,062 acres of land to set up an industrial park next to the Nano project. Five thousand families stand to lose their land in the process.
The notification was issued to the Sanand mamlatdar and the four village panchayats of Hirapur, Charal, Bol and Siyawada on December 4.
K D Upadhyay, deputy secretary, revenue department, who issued the notification, said, “Yes, we’ve cleared the proposal sent by the district collector to acquire the land. And we’ve already published it in a gazette on November 18.”
However, the villagers refuse to abide by the decision. Around 500 farmers of the four villages led by Karamsinh V Patel met at Hirapur village on Sunday night to oppose the government’s decision.
A letter opposing the deal signed by all the farmers was later submitted to the GIDC Land Acquisition Unit at Fadia Chambers on Ashram Road.
Govindji Thakor, sarpanch of Charal village, said, “Under no circumstances will we part with our land, even if the government gives us Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh for one bigha. Land is our mother. We will give up our lives, but not our land. Most of us are illiterate farmers who have witnessed the sorry state of farmers who gave away their land for the GIDC Changodar project.”
Karamsinh Patel said, “We won’t give an inch of land even if the government shoots us or lathicharges us. We will beat up any official coming to admeasure our land. If need be we will break their bones.”
We are setting up a farmers association and will present our case to the collector, DSP and the GIDC, Patel said.
“The land is our livelihood and gives us our daily bread. The rice produced here is the best in the state. If alternate land is given to us, it will scatter our families. If the government gives us money for our land, it will be spent in no time,” he said.
Ahmedad district Collector Harit Shukla said, “The entire process of land acquisition will be carried out by GIDC and not us.”
GIDC requisition officer (OSD) N D Zala said, “We have already published a public notice. If any farmer has any objection, he can come to me. On Monday some farmers had submitted their objections to me.”
Farmer Jagabhai Govardhan, 51, of Hirapur village said, “I have 50 bighas of land. I grow rice, wheat and jowar. My joint family of 50 persons is dependent on the proceeds from the land. We know nothing except farming. We don’t want to sell our land and impoverish ourselves. I won’t give any portion of my land.”
Another farmer, Zalabhai Govabhai Patel, from the same village has 300 bighas of land. Patels says, “My extended family of 250 people depend on earnings from our land. No one in our family is educated and we will not give our land at any cost.”
Meanwhile, the government also plans to acquire another 2,000 acres in three more surrounding villages. This would up the total area for the industrial park to 7,000 acres.
Gandhi,s hridaykunj taken around 1930
caption: pic of hridaykunj taken around 1930
--------------------------
hridayoldest: Hridaykunj in 1930
hridayold: Hridaykunj four to five years later
hridaynew: Hridaykunj at present
The changing face of Gandhi Ashram
A rare picture of Gandhiji and Kasturba’s house taken in 1930 shows how Hridaykunj and the Ashram have been modified over the years
Dilip Patel
The most famous heritage structure in Ahmedabad — Gandhiji’s home at Sabarmati Ashram — is actually quite different in appearance from the original Hridaykunj.
A rare picture of Gandhiji and Kasturba’s house taken around 1930 shows that a number of changes have been made to Hridaykunj after Gandhiji walked out of it for the last time on March 30, 1930 for Dandi.
Gandhi Sena President Dhimant Badhiya said, “Gandhiji’s house should not have been tampered with after he left. But in past 79 years, several changes have been made to the structure of the house as well as the ashram complex.”
1. The fence surrounding Hridaykunj has been removed. Of the two pipal and one neem tree on the right, only the neem tree has survived. The two others were cut down.
2. Steel bars have been set into the windows that used to remain open.
3. New concrete steps have been constructed on the approachway to the outer courtyard of the house, replacing the simple wooden steps.
4. A toilet behind Hridaykunj used by Gandhiji has been pulled down
5. A platform used to wash clothes and utensils (left) earlier has been removed
6. The front area of the ashram has been extended and a wall built to separate it from the Sabarmati riverfront.
7. A well adjacent to the house has been sealed off with a cement cover. A concrete structure has been created on the well to increase its height. All these changes have been made in the past nine months.
8. A private trust is encroaching on the complex which houses
Gandhiji’s weaving school for spinning the charkha
9. Mira kutir and Vinoba kutir, a house built by Gandhiji for Miraben was pulled down when the light and sound shows were started in the ashram. It was considered an obstruction, sources said. A 15x15 sq feet room besides the kutir was also pulled down.
Now a ‘brand new’ Mira kutir and Vinoba kutir has been built a few metres away
--------------------------
hridayoldest: Hridaykunj in 1930
hridayold: Hridaykunj four to five years later
hridaynew: Hridaykunj at present
The changing face of Gandhi Ashram
A rare picture of Gandhiji and Kasturba’s house taken in 1930 shows how Hridaykunj and the Ashram have been modified over the years
Dilip Patel
The most famous heritage structure in Ahmedabad — Gandhiji’s home at Sabarmati Ashram — is actually quite different in appearance from the original Hridaykunj.
A rare picture of Gandhiji and Kasturba’s house taken around 1930 shows that a number of changes have been made to Hridaykunj after Gandhiji walked out of it for the last time on March 30, 1930 for Dandi.
Gandhi Sena President Dhimant Badhiya said, “Gandhiji’s house should not have been tampered with after he left. But in past 79 years, several changes have been made to the structure of the house as well as the ashram complex.”
1. The fence surrounding Hridaykunj has been removed. Of the two pipal and one neem tree on the right, only the neem tree has survived. The two others were cut down.
2. Steel bars have been set into the windows that used to remain open.
3. New concrete steps have been constructed on the approachway to the outer courtyard of the house, replacing the simple wooden steps.
4. A toilet behind Hridaykunj used by Gandhiji has been pulled down
5. A platform used to wash clothes and utensils (left) earlier has been removed
6. The front area of the ashram has been extended and a wall built to separate it from the Sabarmati riverfront.
7. A well adjacent to the house has been sealed off with a cement cover. A concrete structure has been created on the well to increase its height. All these changes have been made in the past nine months.
8. A private trust is encroaching on the complex which houses
Gandhiji’s weaving school for spinning the charkha
9. Mira kutir and Vinoba kutir, a house built by Gandhiji for Miraben was pulled down when the light and sound shows were started in the ashram. It was considered an obstruction, sources said. A 15x15 sq feet room besides the kutir was also pulled down.
Now a ‘brand new’ Mira kutir and Vinoba kutir has been built a few metres away
moon mission
Space centres films on Chandrayaan-1 attract scores of students
The mini-theatre at Space Application Centre is being booked by schools wanting students to know more about the countrys first unmanned moon mission
DILIP PATEL
Never before has the Space Application Centre witnessed such a spiralling demand for educational films. The documentaries made on Chandrayaan-1 , Indias first unmanned moon mission, are attracting a large number of students and those interested in science to the 40-seat theatre at SAC.
Such is the rush that SAC is now planning to construct a 100-seat theatre on the premises . Baroda High School has booked the theatre till August 28. Every day, 150 students from the school watch three documentaries here.
The first movie on Chandrayaan Mission to Moon shows the technology used in making the spacecraft, its launch and the images it captured . I was always interested in knowing more about the making of Chandrayaan-1 and the people behind it. It is an ambitious project. Over a twoyear period, it will survey the lunar surface to produce a complete map of its chemical characteristics and three-dimensional topography, says Prakrut Chauhan, a student.
Jignesh Patil, his friend, found the high resolution images sent by Chandrayaan very interesting . It has sent back 40,000 images and the documentary analysis some really stunning pictures. There is so much one gets to learn, he says.
Passage to Moon, another 30-minute film, gives interesting details and visuals on manned moon missions that have taken place so far. A third film Moon Within Reach will be screened soon. SAC has so far conducted 2,500 screenings of the three films that have been watched by over 2 lakh people.
Most of the audience comprises schoolchildren. But we also have scientific experts and engineering students lining up to watch these films.
A M Suchday, engineer, Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition , says: The demand is so huge that we are planning to construct a new 100-seat theatre . We have already sent a proposal to the higher authorities. Says Jayati Katwala, a student, Our scientists have put in nine years of hardwork to make Chandrayaan-1 successful. This is no ordinary feat. I think SAC should screen the movie in every school. Her classmate Dhwani Vakil says: The movies also document the scientific achievements of India since 1963, when ISRO commenced operations.
The mini-theatre at Space Application Centre is being booked by schools wanting students to know more about the countrys first unmanned moon mission
DILIP PATEL
Never before has the Space Application Centre witnessed such a spiralling demand for educational films. The documentaries made on Chandrayaan-1 , Indias first unmanned moon mission, are attracting a large number of students and those interested in science to the 40-seat theatre at SAC.
Such is the rush that SAC is now planning to construct a 100-seat theatre on the premises . Baroda High School has booked the theatre till August 28. Every day, 150 students from the school watch three documentaries here.
The first movie on Chandrayaan Mission to Moon shows the technology used in making the spacecraft, its launch and the images it captured . I was always interested in knowing more about the making of Chandrayaan-1 and the people behind it. It is an ambitious project. Over a twoyear period, it will survey the lunar surface to produce a complete map of its chemical characteristics and three-dimensional topography, says Prakrut Chauhan, a student.
Jignesh Patil, his friend, found the high resolution images sent by Chandrayaan very interesting . It has sent back 40,000 images and the documentary analysis some really stunning pictures. There is so much one gets to learn, he says.
Passage to Moon, another 30-minute film, gives interesting details and visuals on manned moon missions that have taken place so far. A third film Moon Within Reach will be screened soon. SAC has so far conducted 2,500 screenings of the three films that have been watched by over 2 lakh people.
Most of the audience comprises schoolchildren. But we also have scientific experts and engineering students lining up to watch these films.
A M Suchday, engineer, Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition , says: The demand is so huge that we are planning to construct a new 100-seat theatre . We have already sent a proposal to the higher authorities. Says Jayati Katwala, a student, Our scientists have put in nine years of hardwork to make Chandrayaan-1 successful. This is no ordinary feat. I think SAC should screen the movie in every school. Her classmate Dhwani Vakil says: The movies also document the scientific achievements of India since 1963, when ISRO commenced operations.
fault lines have become active
Activities of defunct fault line
triggered Wednesday’s tremor
Two dormant fault lines have become active, say Institute of Seismological Research scientists
Dilip Patel
Fresh activities of a dormant fault line near Banni Rann triggered the tremors in Kutch and Saurashtra on Wednesday evening. This is the second instance within a month of a dormant fault line becoming active. On October 9, movements in another inactive fault line prompted the earthquake at Allahbund near Pakistan border.
Analysing the epicentre of Wednesday’s earthquake, scientists at the Institute of Seismological Research in Gandhinagar revealed that new tectonic movements along a 30-km-long inactive fault line had cased the tremors. They also found that its impact was felt in Ahmedabad, around 300 km from the epicentre of the quake. Such vast impact zone of tremor is rare world over, they observed.
While studying the earthquake of October 9, the scientists of the institute found that activities of a defunct fault line at Allahbund in the Rann of Kutch had caused the tremors. It was last active in 1819. The quake triggered by it 110 years ago led to the formation of Allahbund.
The scientists of the Institute of Seismological Research analysed every quake that rocked the state till date after the devastating earthquake in 2001. They have created a model on the movement of tectonic plates after studying them.
BK Rastogi, the director-general of the institute, said the model and the research papers on the earthquakes in the state would be presented before scientists from across the world at the World Seismological Conference in Hyderabad in February, 2010. The representatives of the Institute of Seismological Research will discuss at length the exceptionally vast impact area of the earthquakes with epicentres in Saurashtra and Kutch.
Frequent quakes measuring between 4 and 5 on Richter scale have been a regular phenomenon in Saurashtra and Kutch between 2001 and 2009. This year, five mild earthquakes occurred in Kutch. Besides the two quakes this month, the epicentre of the rest were near Bhachau, the epicentre of the devastating earthquake of 2001.
triggered Wednesday’s tremor
Two dormant fault lines have become active, say Institute of Seismological Research scientists
Dilip Patel
Fresh activities of a dormant fault line near Banni Rann triggered the tremors in Kutch and Saurashtra on Wednesday evening. This is the second instance within a month of a dormant fault line becoming active. On October 9, movements in another inactive fault line prompted the earthquake at Allahbund near Pakistan border.
Analysing the epicentre of Wednesday’s earthquake, scientists at the Institute of Seismological Research in Gandhinagar revealed that new tectonic movements along a 30-km-long inactive fault line had cased the tremors. They also found that its impact was felt in Ahmedabad, around 300 km from the epicentre of the quake. Such vast impact zone of tremor is rare world over, they observed.
While studying the earthquake of October 9, the scientists of the institute found that activities of a defunct fault line at Allahbund in the Rann of Kutch had caused the tremors. It was last active in 1819. The quake triggered by it 110 years ago led to the formation of Allahbund.
The scientists of the Institute of Seismological Research analysed every quake that rocked the state till date after the devastating earthquake in 2001. They have created a model on the movement of tectonic plates after studying them.
BK Rastogi, the director-general of the institute, said the model and the research papers on the earthquakes in the state would be presented before scientists from across the world at the World Seismological Conference in Hyderabad in February, 2010. The representatives of the Institute of Seismological Research will discuss at length the exceptionally vast impact area of the earthquakes with epicentres in Saurashtra and Kutch.
Frequent quakes measuring between 4 and 5 on Richter scale have been a regular phenomenon in Saurashtra and Kutch between 2001 and 2009. This year, five mild earthquakes occurred in Kutch. Besides the two quakes this month, the epicentre of the rest were near Bhachau, the epicentre of the devastating earthquake of 2001.
Withering crops get fresh life
Farmers rejoice in rain, say loss will be lower than feared; foodgrain prices may drop
DILIP PATEL
The latest spell of rain has come as a lifeline for the agri sector bringing cheer to farmers. Kharif crops like rice, cotton, groundnut, bajra and pulses sown between June 20 and 30, which had been withering due to scarce rains, can now expect a revival. Agriculture department sources said all of Gujarat barring Kutch have received some much-needed drenching in the last few days.
RICE CROP SAVED IN TIME
SOWING HAD been done over 83 lakh hectares in the pre-monsoon kharif season with rice occupying six lakh hectares mainly in Ahmedabad district, Kheda, Nadiad and parts of south Gujarat. Rains in these regions will give fresh life to the standing crop. The dry patch stretching over two months had depleted groundwater and stretched irrigation facilities. The states rice production is an annual 14 lakh tonnes. This year, the yield was expected to be 40% lower owing to deficient rain.
Cotton, of which Gujarat is the largest producer in the country, was sown on 25 lakh hectare, about 2 lakh more than last year. All this too faced drying up but for the late spell of rains. Says ex-MD Seeds Corporation of Gujarat, J V Shah, The cotton plant will see fresh flowering, like a second life. This rain will benefit small pod cotton most. The loss owing to monsoon delay was estimated at 30%, which is now reduce to about 15%. Gujarats annual cotton production is pegged at Rs 10,000 crore.
Says agriculture director Dr S R Chaudhary, The loss in yield will be much lower than feared. These rains will also save farmers from scarcity conditions. The best part is higher farm production will help check spiralling foodgrain and vegetable prices.
LOT OF GROUNDNUT CROP ALREADY LOST
FARM EXPERTS say, recent rains may not be able to save the groundnut crop as much. Groundnut sowing was done in June, and its long past its flowering season. The dry spell lasted too long for most of the crop to survive.
However, farmers are rejoicing . Says Kisan Sangh working committee member Jethabhai Patel, We expect cotton crop to revive. Tur dal, mustard and castor too will get a fresh lease. Even the rabi crops like wheat, chana, jeera, potato and onion will also benefit from the rains. One more spell will ensure a good rabi crop.
DILIP PATEL
The latest spell of rain has come as a lifeline for the agri sector bringing cheer to farmers. Kharif crops like rice, cotton, groundnut, bajra and pulses sown between June 20 and 30, which had been withering due to scarce rains, can now expect a revival. Agriculture department sources said all of Gujarat barring Kutch have received some much-needed drenching in the last few days.
RICE CROP SAVED IN TIME
SOWING HAD been done over 83 lakh hectares in the pre-monsoon kharif season with rice occupying six lakh hectares mainly in Ahmedabad district, Kheda, Nadiad and parts of south Gujarat. Rains in these regions will give fresh life to the standing crop. The dry patch stretching over two months had depleted groundwater and stretched irrigation facilities. The states rice production is an annual 14 lakh tonnes. This year, the yield was expected to be 40% lower owing to deficient rain.
Cotton, of which Gujarat is the largest producer in the country, was sown on 25 lakh hectare, about 2 lakh more than last year. All this too faced drying up but for the late spell of rains. Says ex-MD Seeds Corporation of Gujarat, J V Shah, The cotton plant will see fresh flowering, like a second life. This rain will benefit small pod cotton most. The loss owing to monsoon delay was estimated at 30%, which is now reduce to about 15%. Gujarats annual cotton production is pegged at Rs 10,000 crore.
Says agriculture director Dr S R Chaudhary, The loss in yield will be much lower than feared. These rains will also save farmers from scarcity conditions. The best part is higher farm production will help check spiralling foodgrain and vegetable prices.
LOT OF GROUNDNUT CROP ALREADY LOST
FARM EXPERTS say, recent rains may not be able to save the groundnut crop as much. Groundnut sowing was done in June, and its long past its flowering season. The dry spell lasted too long for most of the crop to survive.
However, farmers are rejoicing . Says Kisan Sangh working committee member Jethabhai Patel, We expect cotton crop to revive. Tur dal, mustard and castor too will get a fresh lease. Even the rabi crops like wheat, chana, jeera, potato and onion will also benefit from the rains. One more spell will ensure a good rabi crop.
Authentic Gujarati fare
Gifted with rare culinary skills, migrants from Gogunda in Rajasthan have perfected Gujarati fare and now do a better job of it than locals
Dilip Patel
The best khamans, farsan and undhiyu come from outlets like Gopi, Chandravilas, Das and the like without doubt, but the cooks who make them aren’t Gujarati in the least. They are men from Gogunda region in Rajasthan. Gogunda, yes. It’s no ordinary village, having sent out at least 40,000 expert cooks and assistants to restaurants in Ahmedabad and some more elsewhere in the country.
The ‘discovery’ was made after NGOs from Rajasthan and Gujarat studied the high incidence and patterns of migration from Gogunda. Gujarat NGO Ajivika and its Rajasthani counterpart found that a majority of the migrants were cooks. They traditionally left home for better employment opportunities gifted with rare culinary skills.
Priority for them were food paradises, places where good food sold no matter what. Of such places, a major attraction for Gogunda cooks was Ahmedabad. Ajivika secretary Mahesh Gajera says it all began about 60 years ago when the first of the Gogunda migrants took up jobs in affluent Gujarati households in Ahmedabad as cooks. “The big bungalow owners, rich businessmen, took an instant liking for their fare. With time and fame, more of them landed in the city and joined well-known restaurants of the time. Soon, restaurateurs realised none could a better job with Gujarati fare than these chefs from Gogunda,” says Gajera.
Over the decades, they have understood the Gujarati taste and perfected even some of the most traditional delicacies. Today, outdoor catering at the reputed Grand Bhagwati and Rajpath Club are exclusively with Gogundas. Restaurants like Gopi, Pakvan, MJ House, Gorma and Surabhi swear by the incredible reliability and consistency of taste in the Gogundas’ cooking. And the accolades are doled out in equal measure. Star hotel Fortune Landmark boasts openly of the ‘tandoori roti’ made by specialist Hira Singh. At Hotel Metropol, Gogunda chef Raju Singh is ‘toasted’ with pride.
Swaminarayan Gurukuls and educational hostels almost insist on the cook being from Gogunda. These institutes don’t exactly penny-pinch in matters related to food. The Gogunda chefs are also fond favourites of tour operators, at wedding banquets and large parties.
Dilip Patel
The best khamans, farsan and undhiyu come from outlets like Gopi, Chandravilas, Das and the like without doubt, but the cooks who make them aren’t Gujarati in the least. They are men from Gogunda region in Rajasthan. Gogunda, yes. It’s no ordinary village, having sent out at least 40,000 expert cooks and assistants to restaurants in Ahmedabad and some more elsewhere in the country.
The ‘discovery’ was made after NGOs from Rajasthan and Gujarat studied the high incidence and patterns of migration from Gogunda. Gujarat NGO Ajivika and its Rajasthani counterpart found that a majority of the migrants were cooks. They traditionally left home for better employment opportunities gifted with rare culinary skills.
Priority for them were food paradises, places where good food sold no matter what. Of such places, a major attraction for Gogunda cooks was Ahmedabad. Ajivika secretary Mahesh Gajera says it all began about 60 years ago when the first of the Gogunda migrants took up jobs in affluent Gujarati households in Ahmedabad as cooks. “The big bungalow owners, rich businessmen, took an instant liking for their fare. With time and fame, more of them landed in the city and joined well-known restaurants of the time. Soon, restaurateurs realised none could a better job with Gujarati fare than these chefs from Gogunda,” says Gajera.
Over the decades, they have understood the Gujarati taste and perfected even some of the most traditional delicacies. Today, outdoor catering at the reputed Grand Bhagwati and Rajpath Club are exclusively with Gogundas. Restaurants like Gopi, Pakvan, MJ House, Gorma and Surabhi swear by the incredible reliability and consistency of taste in the Gogundas’ cooking. And the accolades are doled out in equal measure. Star hotel Fortune Landmark boasts openly of the ‘tandoori roti’ made by specialist Hira Singh. At Hotel Metropol, Gogunda chef Raju Singh is ‘toasted’ with pride.
Swaminarayan Gurukuls and educational hostels almost insist on the cook being from Gogunda. These institutes don’t exactly penny-pinch in matters related to food. The Gogunda chefs are also fond favourites of tour operators, at wedding banquets and large parties.
Congress chief Siddharth Patel
‘Old Congress’ men and Shankarsinh Vaghela faction join hands to dislodge Patel for state party presidentship
Dilip Patel
Gujarat Congress president Siddharth Patel is facing intense hostility from partymen barely a year into his stint as state chief. Sources said Congress men of various shades have teamed up to launch an assault from inside primarily to corner positions of influence for themselves and get their men tickets for the upcoming district and taluka panchayat elections in the state. Primary among them are ‘old Congress’ hands and Shankarsinh Vaghela-led former RJP members.
Siddharth Patel, son of late CM Chiman Patel, was made party president July 2008. He is seen as principal adversary, and leader third grouping in Congress, for being from the erstwhile Janata Dal. Bandying the teaming up as a bid to strength the party, his opponents are creating an occasion to make out a case against Patel before the central leadership. Party leader and ex-home minister Jitu Shah at whose place Congress men met, said “All of us including, Arjun Modhwadia, ex-CM Madhavsinh Solanki and Shankarsinh Vaghela, plan to meet the high command to explain to it why the Congress has been on the decline in the recent past, and how committed cadres are drifting away from the party.”
Some of Patel’s problems are of his own doing. Congress members say he is authoritarian in decision-making and can’t take difference of opinion kindly. There was in fact considerable opposition against Patel when his name was first suggested for state presidentship. Making matters worse for him are party bigwigs whom the central leadership dropped from plum posts. With nothing much to do, heavyweights like Arjun Modhwadia, ex-state chief Bharat Solanki and Vaghela, have a lot of time and reason to gun for Patel.
The Siddharth Patel came is doing all it can to expose the disgruntled lot for their intentions. Retorting such attempts, former Youth Congress leader Umnakant Mankad said, “Calling us rebels or disgruntled lot is not in the interest of the party. We are committed workers. This can lead to an explosive situation.”
As for Modhwadia, insiders said he is quietly nurturing ambition to be next state Congress chief. When AM asked him what he felt about attempts to project him as the next president, Modhwadia said, “No comments.” Obviously happy at the suggestion, and almost acknowledging such attempts by his supporters.
Siddharth Patel too can see the storm building up. “I would support any move that’s taken to strengthen the party. But this is not that sort of move,” he said. Quite convincing reasoning from somebody who is party president and is yet not invited in meetings held to strengthen the party.
In a late evening development, sources said two representatives of the central leadership was in two to meet Siddharth Patel.
Dilip Patel
Gujarat Congress president Siddharth Patel is facing intense hostility from partymen barely a year into his stint as state chief. Sources said Congress men of various shades have teamed up to launch an assault from inside primarily to corner positions of influence for themselves and get their men tickets for the upcoming district and taluka panchayat elections in the state. Primary among them are ‘old Congress’ hands and Shankarsinh Vaghela-led former RJP members.
Siddharth Patel, son of late CM Chiman Patel, was made party president July 2008. He is seen as principal adversary, and leader third grouping in Congress, for being from the erstwhile Janata Dal. Bandying the teaming up as a bid to strength the party, his opponents are creating an occasion to make out a case against Patel before the central leadership. Party leader and ex-home minister Jitu Shah at whose place Congress men met, said “All of us including, Arjun Modhwadia, ex-CM Madhavsinh Solanki and Shankarsinh Vaghela, plan to meet the high command to explain to it why the Congress has been on the decline in the recent past, and how committed cadres are drifting away from the party.”
Some of Patel’s problems are of his own doing. Congress members say he is authoritarian in decision-making and can’t take difference of opinion kindly. There was in fact considerable opposition against Patel when his name was first suggested for state presidentship. Making matters worse for him are party bigwigs whom the central leadership dropped from plum posts. With nothing much to do, heavyweights like Arjun Modhwadia, ex-state chief Bharat Solanki and Vaghela, have a lot of time and reason to gun for Patel.
The Siddharth Patel came is doing all it can to expose the disgruntled lot for their intentions. Retorting such attempts, former Youth Congress leader Umnakant Mankad said, “Calling us rebels or disgruntled lot is not in the interest of the party. We are committed workers. This can lead to an explosive situation.”
As for Modhwadia, insiders said he is quietly nurturing ambition to be next state Congress chief. When AM asked him what he felt about attempts to project him as the next president, Modhwadia said, “No comments.” Obviously happy at the suggestion, and almost acknowledging such attempts by his supporters.
Siddharth Patel too can see the storm building up. “I would support any move that’s taken to strengthen the party. But this is not that sort of move,” he said. Quite convincing reasoning from somebody who is party president and is yet not invited in meetings held to strengthen the party.
In a late evening development, sources said two representatives of the central leadership was in two to meet Siddharth Patel.
Kuber to launched an attack on Mumbai
Dilip Patel
A year after LeT operatives captured fishing boat Kuber to launched an attack on Mumbai the Commander Coast Guard Region (North West) has taken steps to plug the entry point to Gujarat and the country.
Checking of records and identities of fishermen
Fishermen have been instructed to carry all records of the boat and fishermen including registration number, log book and identity cards of fishermen. “We have already checked more than 100 boats in the last two months to check if their documents are in order. About 300 to 500 boats go out for fishing every day in the North West Region,” Commander Coast Guard Region (North West) Satya P Sharma Inspector General.
Plan to instal Radars
The Coast Guard has planned to erect 15 radars in the North West Coastal region to keep a watch on every boat that travels into the Gujarat waters. “Every ship and boat will be given a unique identification number through which satellite monitoring of the vessel will also be done. An Automatic Identification Plan will be put in place, a control room for which will be at the headquarters of the Coast Guard North West region at Udyog Bhavan in Gandhinagar,” the inspector general said. As many as 10 officers and 60 coast guards will be stationed at the headquarters at Gandhinagar.
Purchases to be made by the Coast Guard
The coast guard is equipped with three ships, six high-speed interceptor boats, two patrolling boats, two aircrafts and one helicopter.
It has plans to buy one new helicopter, three new big sized speed boats. The 27-feet long speedboats Speedboats will be equipped with automatic guns.
The inspector general said ships coming into the Indian coastal periphery have been instructed to inform about their arrival 96 horus in advance. “The work of guarding the coast is being done in cooperation with the customs, the Border Security Force and the Gujarat state fisheries department
A year after LeT operatives captured fishing boat Kuber to launched an attack on Mumbai the Commander Coast Guard Region (North West) has taken steps to plug the entry point to Gujarat and the country.
Checking of records and identities of fishermen
Fishermen have been instructed to carry all records of the boat and fishermen including registration number, log book and identity cards of fishermen. “We have already checked more than 100 boats in the last two months to check if their documents are in order. About 300 to 500 boats go out for fishing every day in the North West Region,” Commander Coast Guard Region (North West) Satya P Sharma Inspector General.
Plan to instal Radars
The Coast Guard has planned to erect 15 radars in the North West Coastal region to keep a watch on every boat that travels into the Gujarat waters. “Every ship and boat will be given a unique identification number through which satellite monitoring of the vessel will also be done. An Automatic Identification Plan will be put in place, a control room for which will be at the headquarters of the Coast Guard North West region at Udyog Bhavan in Gandhinagar,” the inspector general said. As many as 10 officers and 60 coast guards will be stationed at the headquarters at Gandhinagar.
Purchases to be made by the Coast Guard
The coast guard is equipped with three ships, six high-speed interceptor boats, two patrolling boats, two aircrafts and one helicopter.
It has plans to buy one new helicopter, three new big sized speed boats. The 27-feet long speedboats Speedboats will be equipped with automatic guns.
The inspector general said ships coming into the Indian coastal periphery have been instructed to inform about their arrival 96 horus in advance. “The work of guarding the coast is being done in cooperation with the customs, the Border Security Force and the Gujarat state fisheries department
Chosar youths’ toxic troubles
There are close 2,500 units in Ahmedabad district that are on GPCB’s watch. The GPCB has stepped inspection of the units.
During inspection, GPCB checks the function of units’ incenerator, log books, production data, waste storage and sell of waste. 10 officers of GPCB’s Ahmedabad team are currently on an inspection spree.
GPCB ends Chosar
youths’ toxic troubles
Dilip Patel
The marriage prospects of Chosar village’s youths that had sunk in the toxic waste flowing near the hamlet may finally resurface. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) on Wednesday slapped closure notices on four chemical units which were sending untreated effluents to the village through the Kharikat Canal. All the four units are located in Vatva GIDC.
Mirror reported last month how increasing ground and water pollution in Chosar, situated 30 km from Ahmedabad, had earned the village tag of a “chemical-dumping zone” and ruined several youths’ chances of finding brides. Lately, the problem has forced many families to permanently move out of the village to help their sons, some aged above 30, break the bonds of bachelorhood.
The GPCB, which had received complaints about illegal discharge of effluents in the canal, served the notices on the four units — Parshvanath Dyes Spray Ltd, Associated Dyes Stuff, Anaar Chemical Industries and Matang Industries — after a thorough probe. It also despatched similar notices to four other chemical factories that were either violating emission norms or dumping toxic waste in Ahmedabad’s drainage lines.
An official of the GPCB, who didn’t want to be named, said that it had asked the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Torrent Power Ltd to cut water and electricity supply, respectively, to all eight units. The four factories that have caused marital and health crises in Chosar used to release effluents with high acid content in the Kharikat Canal.
“These units were required to pass chemical waste either through an incinerator or a effluent treatment plant before discharging it,” the official said. “The exercise was proving to be costly, so they started directly dumping toxic waste in the canal.”
A team of pollution control body’s Ahmedabad division kept a watch on the units, and caught their tankers either illegally releasing effluents or heading towards the Kharikat Canal to do so. The tanker of Associated Dyes Stuff, in fact, was reportedly found in Chosar last month.
“We will not spare any factory that affects people’s lives by causing pollution,” a member secretary of the GPCB, R J Shah, said. “Associated Dyes Stuff used to produce 4.5 tonnes of toxic waste every month. We are trying to find out how much of this it released in the canal.”
GPCB will take an undertaking and bank gurantee from the eight units.
“Any unit that is caught discharging untreated effluents in water bodies will be pulled up,” state environment department, principal secretary, S K Nanda, told Mirror. “GPCB is keeping a watch at different points of Kharicut canal and AMC’s mega water supply line. Most illegal discharge of toxic waste occurs in night.”
Dani Limda units: (1) Liza Enterprise Pvt Ltd used dump in drainage, produces cellulose powder. It’s tanker was caught dumping waste. (2) Arbuda Chemicals, produces organic chemicals. It’s tanker was caught dumping in drain.
Akar Traders and Vini Overseas are located in the city. They produce dyes. The units caused air pollution.
During inspection, GPCB checks the function of units’ incenerator, log books, production data, waste storage and sell of waste. 10 officers of GPCB’s Ahmedabad team are currently on an inspection spree.
GPCB ends Chosar
youths’ toxic troubles
Dilip Patel
The marriage prospects of Chosar village’s youths that had sunk in the toxic waste flowing near the hamlet may finally resurface. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) on Wednesday slapped closure notices on four chemical units which were sending untreated effluents to the village through the Kharikat Canal. All the four units are located in Vatva GIDC.
Mirror reported last month how increasing ground and water pollution in Chosar, situated 30 km from Ahmedabad, had earned the village tag of a “chemical-dumping zone” and ruined several youths’ chances of finding brides. Lately, the problem has forced many families to permanently move out of the village to help their sons, some aged above 30, break the bonds of bachelorhood.
The GPCB, which had received complaints about illegal discharge of effluents in the canal, served the notices on the four units — Parshvanath Dyes Spray Ltd, Associated Dyes Stuff, Anaar Chemical Industries and Matang Industries — after a thorough probe. It also despatched similar notices to four other chemical factories that were either violating emission norms or dumping toxic waste in Ahmedabad’s drainage lines.
An official of the GPCB, who didn’t want to be named, said that it had asked the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Torrent Power Ltd to cut water and electricity supply, respectively, to all eight units. The four factories that have caused marital and health crises in Chosar used to release effluents with high acid content in the Kharikat Canal.
“These units were required to pass chemical waste either through an incinerator or a effluent treatment plant before discharging it,” the official said. “The exercise was proving to be costly, so they started directly dumping toxic waste in the canal.”
A team of pollution control body’s Ahmedabad division kept a watch on the units, and caught their tankers either illegally releasing effluents or heading towards the Kharikat Canal to do so. The tanker of Associated Dyes Stuff, in fact, was reportedly found in Chosar last month.
“We will not spare any factory that affects people’s lives by causing pollution,” a member secretary of the GPCB, R J Shah, said. “Associated Dyes Stuff used to produce 4.5 tonnes of toxic waste every month. We are trying to find out how much of this it released in the canal.”
GPCB will take an undertaking and bank gurantee from the eight units.
“Any unit that is caught discharging untreated effluents in water bodies will be pulled up,” state environment department, principal secretary, S K Nanda, told Mirror. “GPCB is keeping a watch at different points of Kharicut canal and AMC’s mega water supply line. Most illegal discharge of toxic waste occurs in night.”
Dani Limda units: (1) Liza Enterprise Pvt Ltd used dump in drainage, produces cellulose powder. It’s tanker was caught dumping waste. (2) Arbuda Chemicals, produces organic chemicals. It’s tanker was caught dumping in drain.
Akar Traders and Vini Overseas are located in the city. They produce dyes. The units caused air pollution.
Gandhinagar to get its own Rajpath
The Gujarat government is working on a plan to develop a ceremonial boulevard like Delhis Rajpath in the state capital
DILIP PATEL
The US capital, Washington , has the stately National Mall, a stretch between Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol. Closer home, New Delhi has Rajpath, the ceremonial boulevard where Republic Day parade takes place every year.
If you have been fascinated by these two avenues, then you may want to visit Gandhinagar in the coming months. For, the Gujarat government is working on a plan to develop a similar imposing stretch in the state capital.
A stretch between the Sabarmati River and Gandhinagar railway station , encompassing the Vidhansabha , is likely to be converted into a central avenue, or vista. The roads & buildings department and forest & environment department will begin work on sprucing up the stretch after the plan is approved by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Buildings near the National Mall in US are quite identical. Buildings that will come up along the stretch in Gandhinagar will not be similar, sources in the state government said.
The sources also said that the central avenue would have gardens . A presentation on the central avenue was recently made before Modi. A final plan is expected to be presented to him soon. The central avenue will give a separate identity to Gandhinagar, which is one of Indias greenest cities, the sources said.
Though the plan on developing the avenue is being kept under wraps, the sources revealed to Mirror that the stretch would lead to the Vidhansabha and Gandhinagar railway station.
The stretch, which will have buildings like the Udyog Bhavan on its sides, will bisect J , Ch , Gha and Ga roads.
The forest department will develop a green zone along (part of) the avenue between the Sabarmati River and secretariat, the principal secretary (forests & environment ), S K Nanda, said. Another green zone will be developed near Indroda nature park.
Nanda said that the central avenue would extend up to the GIDC. He said that land near Infocity would also be developed under the central vista plan.
Under this project, a green building will be constructed. It will have a rain water harvesting system , he said. A museum exhibiting art and culture of the state will also be built.
DILIP PATEL
The US capital, Washington , has the stately National Mall, a stretch between Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol. Closer home, New Delhi has Rajpath, the ceremonial boulevard where Republic Day parade takes place every year.
If you have been fascinated by these two avenues, then you may want to visit Gandhinagar in the coming months. For, the Gujarat government is working on a plan to develop a similar imposing stretch in the state capital.
A stretch between the Sabarmati River and Gandhinagar railway station , encompassing the Vidhansabha , is likely to be converted into a central avenue, or vista. The roads & buildings department and forest & environment department will begin work on sprucing up the stretch after the plan is approved by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Buildings near the National Mall in US are quite identical. Buildings that will come up along the stretch in Gandhinagar will not be similar, sources in the state government said.
The sources also said that the central avenue would have gardens . A presentation on the central avenue was recently made before Modi. A final plan is expected to be presented to him soon. The central avenue will give a separate identity to Gandhinagar, which is one of Indias greenest cities, the sources said.
Though the plan on developing the avenue is being kept under wraps, the sources revealed to Mirror that the stretch would lead to the Vidhansabha and Gandhinagar railway station.
The stretch, which will have buildings like the Udyog Bhavan on its sides, will bisect J , Ch , Gha and Ga roads.
The forest department will develop a green zone along (part of) the avenue between the Sabarmati River and secretariat, the principal secretary (forests & environment ), S K Nanda, said. Another green zone will be developed near Indroda nature park.
Nanda said that the central avenue would extend up to the GIDC. He said that land near Infocity would also be developed under the central vista plan.
Under this project, a green building will be constructed. It will have a rain water harvesting system , he said. A museum exhibiting art and culture of the state will also be built.
Dog kennel in Police Line in Gandhinagar.
Dilip Patel
The security squad is strengthened by one more dog, Bijli. Another dog will join the team soon. After that the squad will have three dogs.
Wherever the chief minister goes, Bijli reach the spot to sniff if there is someting fishy.
Bijli is pressed into service to detect explosives, including RDX.
Bijli, a six-year-old labrador, was in Vadodara earlier. It was included in CM’s squad for excellent sniffing skills.
Its handler PA Varghese (32), also the in charge of Gandhinagar Dog Squad,
Five dogs in Gandhinagar Dog Squad. They are Gemila, Soni, Bijli, Simba and Giri. Giri is youngest of the lot, just seven months old.
Two dogs in CM’s security squad — Mamta and Bhoju — passed away last month.
Bijli will go to CM House on the occasion of Diwali to check security.
Now, dogs are mostly used for VIP security. Public function stages are checked by them. One or two hours before, they go to CM’s functions venues 1-2 hours before.
Of all the dog squads in the state, the one at Gandhinagar is most busiest.
Tarining every morning.
One more dog in chief minister Narendra Modi’s security squad. It will be third dog in the squad.
Bijli and Soni in CM security team at present. Giri will join them shortly.
Seven handlers in Gandhinagar Dog Squad. There is a service book of dogs.
“Biscuits and dog food at 7 am. One litre milk, bread at 10.30 am. Mutton soup at 6.30 pm. Bijli is fond of mutton soup,” says Verghese.
Verghese said: “Bijli is an excellent dog. It has adopted well. Bijli will attend the Diwali function at CM’s house.”
The security squad is strengthened by one more dog, Bijli. Another dog will join the team soon. After that the squad will have three dogs.
Wherever the chief minister goes, Bijli reach the spot to sniff if there is someting fishy.
Bijli is pressed into service to detect explosives, including RDX.
Bijli, a six-year-old labrador, was in Vadodara earlier. It was included in CM’s squad for excellent sniffing skills.
Its handler PA Varghese (32), also the in charge of Gandhinagar Dog Squad,
Five dogs in Gandhinagar Dog Squad. They are Gemila, Soni, Bijli, Simba and Giri. Giri is youngest of the lot, just seven months old.
Two dogs in CM’s security squad — Mamta and Bhoju — passed away last month.
Bijli will go to CM House on the occasion of Diwali to check security.
Now, dogs are mostly used for VIP security. Public function stages are checked by them. One or two hours before, they go to CM’s functions venues 1-2 hours before.
Of all the dog squads in the state, the one at Gandhinagar is most busiest.
Tarining every morning.
One more dog in chief minister Narendra Modi’s security squad. It will be third dog in the squad.
Bijli and Soni in CM security team at present. Giri will join them shortly.
Seven handlers in Gandhinagar Dog Squad. There is a service book of dogs.
“Biscuits and dog food at 7 am. One litre milk, bread at 10.30 am. Mutton soup at 6.30 pm. Bijli is fond of mutton soup,” says Verghese.
Verghese said: “Bijli is an excellent dog. It has adopted well. Bijli will attend the Diwali function at CM’s house.”
Rs 30-cr museum for Swaminarayan
Monday, August 31, 2009, 1:24:04 PM
5,000 items that Bhagwan Swaminarayan used will be displayed
DILIP PATEL
The Kalupur Swaminarayan sect is in the process of building one of Ahmedabads biggest museums , which will house around 5,000 articles used by Lord Swaminarayan , who lived 225 years ago.
Shree Swaminarayan Museum complex , opposite Terf School, near AEC zonal office in Naranpura, is coming up on 31,000 square yards of land. While the museum will be built on 30,000 square feet, the office and guest house will take up 35,000 square feet.
Total built-up area of the ground plus one floor museum will 1.75 lakh square feet. The museum will be built at a cost of Rs 30 crore. At its present market value the land cost is Rs 75 crore.
Taking into consideration the environment , electricity generated by solar energy and by windmills set up outside Ahmedabad will be used to run the fully air-conditioned museum.
To maintain a green cover, 300 trees will be planted around the museum before the building comes up. An underground reservoir to store rain water is also being planned.
The museum, which is expected to be functional by 2011, will use minimum windows, which will be doubly glazed and insulated keeping in mind the city temperature. Three fountains inside the museum and one at the entrance will be an added attraction.
Acharya Tejendraprasadji Maharaj, the sixth descendant of Lord Swaminarayan , who heads the Kalupur sect now, said, All together 5,000 articles used by Lord Swaminarayan will be displayed at the museum. These will include his flute, his paduka [wooden slippers], his footprints on a cloth, his mala, silver horse shoes, silver toothpicks , ivory slippers, arm bands, original chain of swing, sword and spear.
There will be 11 halls in total, including the central hall with two outer walls and an insulated ceiling to keep heat away. The central hall will provide for meditation to visitors
A preservation hall, built on 5,000 sq feet area, will house experts who will help in preserving Lord Swaminarayans manuscript, besides metal and wooden items used by him. It will also have a workshop, where replicas of the items can be had.
There will also be a library with rare books and anybody wanting to pursue a PhD will be provided with all the resources.
A special audio visual system will help visitors see and hear the Swaminarayan sects history. A mini theatre will show film on the life and times of Lord Swaminarayan.
Where
Naranpura
Total area
30,000 sq yard
Built-up area
1.75L sq feet
Articles
5,000
Opening
2011
5,000 items that Bhagwan Swaminarayan used will be displayed
DILIP PATEL
The Kalupur Swaminarayan sect is in the process of building one of Ahmedabads biggest museums , which will house around 5,000 articles used by Lord Swaminarayan , who lived 225 years ago.
Shree Swaminarayan Museum complex , opposite Terf School, near AEC zonal office in Naranpura, is coming up on 31,000 square yards of land. While the museum will be built on 30,000 square feet, the office and guest house will take up 35,000 square feet.
Total built-up area of the ground plus one floor museum will 1.75 lakh square feet. The museum will be built at a cost of Rs 30 crore. At its present market value the land cost is Rs 75 crore.
Taking into consideration the environment , electricity generated by solar energy and by windmills set up outside Ahmedabad will be used to run the fully air-conditioned museum.
To maintain a green cover, 300 trees will be planted around the museum before the building comes up. An underground reservoir to store rain water is also being planned.
The museum, which is expected to be functional by 2011, will use minimum windows, which will be doubly glazed and insulated keeping in mind the city temperature. Three fountains inside the museum and one at the entrance will be an added attraction.
Acharya Tejendraprasadji Maharaj, the sixth descendant of Lord Swaminarayan , who heads the Kalupur sect now, said, All together 5,000 articles used by Lord Swaminarayan will be displayed at the museum. These will include his flute, his paduka [wooden slippers], his footprints on a cloth, his mala, silver horse shoes, silver toothpicks , ivory slippers, arm bands, original chain of swing, sword and spear.
There will be 11 halls in total, including the central hall with two outer walls and an insulated ceiling to keep heat away. The central hall will provide for meditation to visitors
A preservation hall, built on 5,000 sq feet area, will house experts who will help in preserving Lord Swaminarayans manuscript, besides metal and wooden items used by him. It will also have a workshop, where replicas of the items can be had.
There will also be a library with rare books and anybody wanting to pursue a PhD will be provided with all the resources.
A special audio visual system will help visitors see and hear the Swaminarayan sects history. A mini theatre will show film on the life and times of Lord Swaminarayan.
Where
Naranpura
Total area
30,000 sq yard
Built-up area
1.75L sq feet
Articles
5,000
Opening
2011
Sample Gandhi’s ambidexterity
Navjivan reproduces Gandhi’s scribbles with his right and left hands in the reproduction of ‘Hind Swaraj’ to mark the book’s centenary year
By Dilip Patel
Posted On Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 03:51:57 AM
Two pages from tri-lingual “Hind Swaraj” that is being released on January 30. On top is Gandhi’s writing with his right hand whereas on bottom is the scribble that he made with left hand
Gandhi often cribbed about his bad handwriting. This was perhaps because he did not take his handwriting with left hand seriously.
Sample it for yourself. Photographs of his scribbles, both with right and left hands, are printed alongside. You may decide it for yourself which one is better.
Navjivan Press, while coming out with Gandhi’s celebrated book “Hind Swaraj” or “Indian Home Rule” in three languages to mark the centenary of the book’s publication, would make Gandhi’s ambidexterity public.
The book is being released on January 30, Gandhi’s 61st death anniversary, at Navjivan Press off Ashram Road. Incidentally, Navjivan’s copyright monopoly on Gandhi’s works ends on Wednesday.
“Gandhi often said he was disappointed with his own handwriting and exhorted students to strive for good handwriting. But surprisingly the notes he scribbled with his left hand look better than those written with the right hand,” says Navjivan trustee and Gujarat Vidyapith former vice-chancellor Jitendra Desai.
The publishing house has reproduced the photocopies of Gandhi’s scribbled notes in the book as the original manuscripts are not traceable. The English and Hindi translations of the passage scribbled in Gujarati are put on the same page. The hand-written text, too, has been reproduced in printed typeface.
Navjivan has used handmade paper, also known as “khadi paper”, for the book.
Hind Swaraj is the second most popular work of Gandhi, his autobiography “My Experiments with Truth” being the numero uno. The sales figure of Hind Swaraj is not available, but the autobiography has sold more than 37 lakh copies in 13 Indian languages. It has been translated into 25 foreign languages and sold tens of thousands of copies.
On the significance of Hind Swaraj, Desai said that the book is hailed as key to understand the phenomenon called Gandhi. Gandhi put his thoughts on politics, economics and Indian culture in this small book that he wrote over 10 days, between November 13 and 22, 1909, while sailing from London to South Africa in the ship christened Kildonan Castle.
The entire book was written on the ship’s stationery. So furiously did Gandhi write that when his right hand got tired, he wrote with the left! He went on to write 40 of the 275 pages of the manuscript with the left hand, Desai pointed out.
The book was banned when it was first published by Navjivan. The British government raided the publishing house, then located in Kalupur, and seized all copies.
Gandhi often said he was disappointed with his own handwriting and exhorted students to strive for good handwriting. But surprisingly the notes he scribbled with his left hand look better than those written with the right hand
— Jitendra Desai, Navjivan trustee and former vice chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith
By Dilip Patel
Posted On Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 03:51:57 AM
Two pages from tri-lingual “Hind Swaraj” that is being released on January 30. On top is Gandhi’s writing with his right hand whereas on bottom is the scribble that he made with left hand
Gandhi often cribbed about his bad handwriting. This was perhaps because he did not take his handwriting with left hand seriously.
Sample it for yourself. Photographs of his scribbles, both with right and left hands, are printed alongside. You may decide it for yourself which one is better.
Navjivan Press, while coming out with Gandhi’s celebrated book “Hind Swaraj” or “Indian Home Rule” in three languages to mark the centenary of the book’s publication, would make Gandhi’s ambidexterity public.
The book is being released on January 30, Gandhi’s 61st death anniversary, at Navjivan Press off Ashram Road. Incidentally, Navjivan’s copyright monopoly on Gandhi’s works ends on Wednesday.
“Gandhi often said he was disappointed with his own handwriting and exhorted students to strive for good handwriting. But surprisingly the notes he scribbled with his left hand look better than those written with the right hand,” says Navjivan trustee and Gujarat Vidyapith former vice-chancellor Jitendra Desai.
The publishing house has reproduced the photocopies of Gandhi’s scribbled notes in the book as the original manuscripts are not traceable. The English and Hindi translations of the passage scribbled in Gujarati are put on the same page. The hand-written text, too, has been reproduced in printed typeface.
Navjivan has used handmade paper, also known as “khadi paper”, for the book.
Hind Swaraj is the second most popular work of Gandhi, his autobiography “My Experiments with Truth” being the numero uno. The sales figure of Hind Swaraj is not available, but the autobiography has sold more than 37 lakh copies in 13 Indian languages. It has been translated into 25 foreign languages and sold tens of thousands of copies.
On the significance of Hind Swaraj, Desai said that the book is hailed as key to understand the phenomenon called Gandhi. Gandhi put his thoughts on politics, economics and Indian culture in this small book that he wrote over 10 days, between November 13 and 22, 1909, while sailing from London to South Africa in the ship christened Kildonan Castle.
The entire book was written on the ship’s stationery. So furiously did Gandhi write that when his right hand got tired, he wrote with the left! He went on to write 40 of the 275 pages of the manuscript with the left hand, Desai pointed out.
The book was banned when it was first published by Navjivan. The British government raided the publishing house, then located in Kalupur, and seized all copies.
Gandhi often said he was disappointed with his own handwriting and exhorted students to strive for good handwriting. But surprisingly the notes he scribbled with his left hand look better than those written with the right hand
— Jitendra Desai, Navjivan trustee and former vice chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith
Friday, October 9, 2009
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