DILIP PATEL AND OJAS MEHTA
English no virodh murkhai che pan matrubhashani ni avganna maha murkhai che
(Only fools can condemn English language, but there cannot be a greater foolishness than ignoring the mother tongue)”. Columnist and writer Gunvant Shah is not known for mincing words. He came straight to the point when he delivered his lecture at a function organised by Gujarat Sahitya Parishad to mark the International Mother Language Day on Sunday.
Shah actively promotes the view that there is as need for Gujarati medium schools to teach good English as there is for English medium schools to teach Gujarati.
“We are taking this up as a campaign. We have prepared a team of 25 enlightened citizens in every city and urban area that will approach English schools to teach good Gujarati and Gujarati schools to teach good English. Enlightened citizens will ask the principals and school managements what they can do improve the standard of English and Gujarati languages.”
Meanwhile, thousands of students took out a rally in support of Gujarati literature on the ‘International Mother Language Day’ in Gandhinagar on Sunday. The rally, called ‘Granth Rath Yatra’, was organised by Gandhinagar Cultural Forum. This is the fourth year in a row that the forum has organised such a rally.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Black is back
Friday, January 2, 2009
Black is back -gagini
The city last saw movie tickets being sold in black 7 years ago. Ghajini has brought touts back in business despite multiplexes
By Dilip Patel, Shraddha Singh and Megha Bhatt
Posted On Monday, December 29, 2008 at 03:08:35 AM
AM’s Dilip Patel (circled, right) negotiates for a Ghajini ticket with a tout outside Cinemagic in Odhav. (Above) Aamir Khan in Ghajini
Aamir Khan’s much-hyped action thriller Ghajini, which hit the cinema halls on December 25, has gone far beyond just setting the cash registers ringing in the city.
Running house-full in Amdavad’s multiplexes and single-screen theatres, Ghajini has achieved what another Aamir Khan starrer, Lagaan, managed to do in 2001.
Lagaan, along with Sunny Deol-starrer Gadar, ran to packed houses for weeks, forcing Amdavadis to buy tickets illegally from touts.
But after Lagaan and Gadar, no other movie, including Sanjay Dutt’s Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munnabhai, has managed to capture Amdavadis’ imagination over the last seven years the way Ghajini has done.
Over the past couple of days, movie tickets touts are in business in the city once again. With Ghajini shows packed for weeks in advance, tickets for the movie are being sold in the black market for more than double the actual price.
One of our correspondents paid Rs 70 for an officially-priced-at-Rs 30 upper stall ticket of a 6.30 pm show at Cinemagic cinema on Sunday. This single-screen theatre, located off Odhav highway, has seen a Rs 60 ticket for the 9.30 show of Ghajini going for as high as Rs 200, according to those living in the theatre’s vicinity.
The movie’s success has lifted the pall of gloom that had descended upon single-cinema theatre owners as well as multiplexes’ managements in the wake of the economic slowdown.
Estimating that approximately, a mind-numbing 15 lakh people from Ahmedabad alone have already viewed Ghajini in theatres and multiplexes since its release, Vinod Kankare, owner of Anupam Theatre in Khokhra area, likened the movie’s success to blockbusters like Sholay and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.
Said Kankare, “Ghajini is a path-breaking film on the lines of Sholay, which is Bollywood’s greatest-ever hit, and Rajshree Productions’ Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, arguably the best-selling social drama ever in Hindi film industry.”
Kankare said the hype around Ghajini’s lead actor Aamir Khan’s look and physique, and the secrecy about its plot contributed to the film’s success.
Tickets bought and sold away from counters at a theatre screening Ghajini on Sunday
According to the experts, Ghajini is expected to sweep in a gross of about Rs 200 million only from western India.
In Ahmedabad, every multiplex is showing more than 15 shows of the movie every day. And all the shows are running house-full. In fact, Fun Cinema in Satellite is screening 17 shows of the film while City Pulse in Raipur has been holding 19 shows.
Neeraj Ahuja, general manager (Gujarat operations), Wide Angle Multiplex, said, “We are running 18 shows of the movie and all are going house-full.”
According to R World mall’s assistant manager (operations), Jitendra Chauhan, the mall has earned Rs 5,52,582 from Ghajini between December 25 and December 28. He said, “Ghajini has been getting awesome response and tickets, at least for another week, will be difficult to come by.”
Rejoicing at some good news in the times of economic slowdown, Vandan Shah, owner of Rupam Cinema said Ghajini was a godsend. “The crowds’ response to Ghajini has been historical. Almost all the shows in our theatre are running to packed houses. For us, who run single-cinema theatres, we could not have asked for a better New Year gift.”
Black is back -gagini
The city last saw movie tickets being sold in black 7 years ago. Ghajini has brought touts back in business despite multiplexes
By Dilip Patel, Shraddha Singh and Megha Bhatt
Posted On Monday, December 29, 2008 at 03:08:35 AM
AM’s Dilip Patel (circled, right) negotiates for a Ghajini ticket with a tout outside Cinemagic in Odhav. (Above) Aamir Khan in Ghajini
Aamir Khan’s much-hyped action thriller Ghajini, which hit the cinema halls on December 25, has gone far beyond just setting the cash registers ringing in the city.
Running house-full in Amdavad’s multiplexes and single-screen theatres, Ghajini has achieved what another Aamir Khan starrer, Lagaan, managed to do in 2001.
Lagaan, along with Sunny Deol-starrer Gadar, ran to packed houses for weeks, forcing Amdavadis to buy tickets illegally from touts.
But after Lagaan and Gadar, no other movie, including Sanjay Dutt’s Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munnabhai, has managed to capture Amdavadis’ imagination over the last seven years the way Ghajini has done.
Over the past couple of days, movie tickets touts are in business in the city once again. With Ghajini shows packed for weeks in advance, tickets for the movie are being sold in the black market for more than double the actual price.
One of our correspondents paid Rs 70 for an officially-priced-at-Rs 30 upper stall ticket of a 6.30 pm show at Cinemagic cinema on Sunday. This single-screen theatre, located off Odhav highway, has seen a Rs 60 ticket for the 9.30 show of Ghajini going for as high as Rs 200, according to those living in the theatre’s vicinity.
The movie’s success has lifted the pall of gloom that had descended upon single-cinema theatre owners as well as multiplexes’ managements in the wake of the economic slowdown.
Estimating that approximately, a mind-numbing 15 lakh people from Ahmedabad alone have already viewed Ghajini in theatres and multiplexes since its release, Vinod Kankare, owner of Anupam Theatre in Khokhra area, likened the movie’s success to blockbusters like Sholay and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.
Said Kankare, “Ghajini is a path-breaking film on the lines of Sholay, which is Bollywood’s greatest-ever hit, and Rajshree Productions’ Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, arguably the best-selling social drama ever in Hindi film industry.”
Kankare said the hype around Ghajini’s lead actor Aamir Khan’s look and physique, and the secrecy about its plot contributed to the film’s success.
Tickets bought and sold away from counters at a theatre screening Ghajini on Sunday
According to the experts, Ghajini is expected to sweep in a gross of about Rs 200 million only from western India.
In Ahmedabad, every multiplex is showing more than 15 shows of the movie every day. And all the shows are running house-full. In fact, Fun Cinema in Satellite is screening 17 shows of the film while City Pulse in Raipur has been holding 19 shows.
Neeraj Ahuja, general manager (Gujarat operations), Wide Angle Multiplex, said, “We are running 18 shows of the movie and all are going house-full.”
According to R World mall’s assistant manager (operations), Jitendra Chauhan, the mall has earned Rs 5,52,582 from Ghajini between December 25 and December 28. He said, “Ghajini has been getting awesome response and tickets, at least for another week, will be difficult to come by.”
Rejoicing at some good news in the times of economic slowdown, Vandan Shah, owner of Rupam Cinema said Ghajini was a godsend. “The crowds’ response to Ghajini has been historical. Almost all the shows in our theatre are running to packed houses. For us, who run single-cinema theatres, we could not have asked for a better New Year gift.”
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Termite attack on Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram
Ashram officials destroy 100 books on Gandhiji damaged due to poor upkeep; some photos of the Mahatma also consigned to fire
DILIP PATEL
Gandhians will be shocked to learn this. Books on Mahtama Gandhi are not safe at his karambhoomi — Sabarmati Ashram. Stacked in a damp godown, termites are partying on them.
The Sabarmati Ashram authorities on Thursday evening destroyed at least a hundred damaged books on Gandhiji, penned by different authors, setting them afire. Termites had virtually reduced them to dust, courtesy poor upkeep.
The ashram authorities also set ablaze a few worned out photographs of the Father of the Nation.
Some of the books reduced to ashes were published 50 years ago. Damaged copies of the English and Gujarati versions of “Gandhiji Avtariya Gujarat Thi” (Gandhiji born in Gujarat) were also consigned to fire. Gujarat government had published the book in 1988.
Sabarmati Ashram Managing Director Amrut Modi said: “Sorting out around 100 damaged books among thousands in the godown on the ashram premises, we set them on fire. Feeding on them, termites reduced them to dust. Some damaged photographs of Gandhiji were also consigned to fire. ”
Taking a strong exception to the bonfire of books, an ashramite said: “Losing a hundred books on Gandhiji due to a termite attack exposes the lack of interest in authorities in preserving the books. They were not given enough attention. It’s a shame.”
A source said the rear wall of the book godown separates it from a toilet. “Its proximity to the loo could have led to its dampness. Subsequently termites, which thrive in damp conditions, ate into the books in the godown,” the source said.
Gandhians, however, can take heart from the fact that termites did not damage any rare book. “Exclusive books are safe,” said Modi.
There are around 3,000 books on and by Mahatma Gandhi in the godown on the ashram premises. “If the ashram authorities do not pull up their socks after losing 100 books, the rest can also be reduced to dust,” said a Gandhian.
SHAME
Shock discovery:
Sabarmati Ashram authorities on Thursday spotted 100 books on Gandhiji and a few pictures of the Father of the Nation, damaged by termites.They were in a godown on the ashram campus
Reduced to ashes:
The authorities destroyed them setting them on fire
Probable reason of termite attack:
Dampness inside the godown due to its proximity to a toilet
DILIP PATEL
Gandhians will be shocked to learn this. Books on Mahtama Gandhi are not safe at his karambhoomi — Sabarmati Ashram. Stacked in a damp godown, termites are partying on them.
The Sabarmati Ashram authorities on Thursday evening destroyed at least a hundred damaged books on Gandhiji, penned by different authors, setting them afire. Termites had virtually reduced them to dust, courtesy poor upkeep.
The ashram authorities also set ablaze a few worned out photographs of the Father of the Nation.
Some of the books reduced to ashes were published 50 years ago. Damaged copies of the English and Gujarati versions of “Gandhiji Avtariya Gujarat Thi” (Gandhiji born in Gujarat) were also consigned to fire. Gujarat government had published the book in 1988.
Sabarmati Ashram Managing Director Amrut Modi said: “Sorting out around 100 damaged books among thousands in the godown on the ashram premises, we set them on fire. Feeding on them, termites reduced them to dust. Some damaged photographs of Gandhiji were also consigned to fire. ”
Taking a strong exception to the bonfire of books, an ashramite said: “Losing a hundred books on Gandhiji due to a termite attack exposes the lack of interest in authorities in preserving the books. They were not given enough attention. It’s a shame.”
A source said the rear wall of the book godown separates it from a toilet. “Its proximity to the loo could have led to its dampness. Subsequently termites, which thrive in damp conditions, ate into the books in the godown,” the source said.
Gandhians, however, can take heart from the fact that termites did not damage any rare book. “Exclusive books are safe,” said Modi.
There are around 3,000 books on and by Mahatma Gandhi in the godown on the ashram premises. “If the ashram authorities do not pull up their socks after losing 100 books, the rest can also be reduced to dust,” said a Gandhian.
SHAME
Shock discovery:
Sabarmati Ashram authorities on Thursday spotted 100 books on Gandhiji and a few pictures of the Father of the Nation, damaged by termites.They were in a godown on the ashram campus
Reduced to ashes:
The authorities destroyed them setting them on fire
Probable reason of termite attack:
Dampness inside the godown due to its proximity to a toilet
Friday, February 19, 2010
PROPERTY PAPERS TO BE DIGITALISED IN GUJARAT
The new system will ensure more transparency and public will have easy access to property documents
DILIP PATEL
The real estate scene in Gujarat has changed over the past few years. Realising the importance of having genuine documents to residential and commercial properties, the Gujarat government has decided to digitise its records. This will ensure more transparency and easy access to property records by the public.
Documents like the sale deed, mortgage deed, marriage registration, stamp paper (revenue and non-judicial), agreement stamps etc will be computerised. The revenue department has decided to outsource this work and has invited tenders from interested companies.
The revenue department has over 45 lakh documents that will have to be computerised. Of these, 1.20 lakh belong to Ahmedabad.
Principal secretary P Paneervel (revenue) said: “Digitalisation will reduce increasing workload. It will save a lot of time for people who would otherwise have to spend weeks to get their original documents and for other procedures.”
CLEANING UP CORRUPTION
PROPERTY BUYERS currently visit around 10 government offices to register land ownership. Under the proposed digitised system, all aspects of
land administration will be brought under one authority.
SOLVING DISPUTES
Due to lack of proper surveys, ownership of urban property is often subject to litigation. Digitising records will make it near impossible for people to forge documents.
Online documents will also make research of property documents easier. The research is not always for educational purpose. It is used by the government to fix property price, get information on the sort of property being sold, duty to be levied and much more.
DILIP PATEL
The real estate scene in Gujarat has changed over the past few years. Realising the importance of having genuine documents to residential and commercial properties, the Gujarat government has decided to digitise its records. This will ensure more transparency and easy access to property records by the public.
Documents like the sale deed, mortgage deed, marriage registration, stamp paper (revenue and non-judicial), agreement stamps etc will be computerised. The revenue department has decided to outsource this work and has invited tenders from interested companies.
The revenue department has over 45 lakh documents that will have to be computerised. Of these, 1.20 lakh belong to Ahmedabad.
Principal secretary P Paneervel (revenue) said: “Digitalisation will reduce increasing workload. It will save a lot of time for people who would otherwise have to spend weeks to get their original documents and for other procedures.”
CLEANING UP CORRUPTION
PROPERTY BUYERS currently visit around 10 government offices to register land ownership. Under the proposed digitised system, all aspects of
land administration will be brought under one authority.
SOLVING DISPUTES
Due to lack of proper surveys, ownership of urban property is often subject to litigation. Digitising records will make it near impossible for people to forge documents.
Online documents will also make research of property documents easier. The research is not always for educational purpose. It is used by the government to fix property price, get information on the sort of property being sold, duty to be levied and much more.
ONGC oil is well
oil is well
Did you know Rs 2,500 cr worth of oil is pumped every year from 102 wells around Ahmedabad
DILIP PATEL
There’s gold to be found beneath the city. Not the shiny, yellow kind but pitch black. We’re kidding you not. The ONGC has been pumping out crude oil worth Rs 7 crore from the Ahmedabad oilfield every day. That translates to oil worth Rs 2,500 crore every year. The royalties and taxes add up to a whopping Rs 1,000 crore. Gujarat government gets a share of this pie.
ONGC Executive Director Anil Johri says, “Ahmedabad is rich in oil. A lot of oil is found in the Cambay basin from Mehsana to Ahmedabad. After Mehsana, oil is found in abundance here. Narmada has rich deposits, too.”
“There are 102 oil wells active in the region. We drill 10-15 oil wells every year,” said Johri, adding: “One can find oil at 1,000 to 1,500 metres here. The wells in Ahmedabad oilfield produce 130 tonnes of crude oil every day.”
MORE OIL PRODUCED
AND EVERY year, more oil is drawn out as new wells are dug around the city. The latest one to be drilled by the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) is just a kilometre away from AMC limits. The 15,000-m deep well at Bhuvaladi village near Vatva GIDC industrial estate is expected to produce five tonnes of crude every day.
We expect the gusher to be active in another 15-20 days, said an ONGC official.
WELLS AROUND CITY
THE OTHER oil wells are at Soni ni Chali in Vastral, Nikol, CT Mills, Ramol, Vach, Hirapur, Harnevav, Gotiya Hanuman, Nandej, Vivekanandnagar (Hathijan), Vitthalpura, Bareja, Navagam, behind Motera stadium in Chandkheda, Jhundal near Chandkheda and Adalaj.
Did you know Rs 2,500 cr worth of oil is pumped every year from 102 wells around Ahmedabad
DILIP PATEL
There’s gold to be found beneath the city. Not the shiny, yellow kind but pitch black. We’re kidding you not. The ONGC has been pumping out crude oil worth Rs 7 crore from the Ahmedabad oilfield every day. That translates to oil worth Rs 2,500 crore every year. The royalties and taxes add up to a whopping Rs 1,000 crore. Gujarat government gets a share of this pie.
ONGC Executive Director Anil Johri says, “Ahmedabad is rich in oil. A lot of oil is found in the Cambay basin from Mehsana to Ahmedabad. After Mehsana, oil is found in abundance here. Narmada has rich deposits, too.”
“There are 102 oil wells active in the region. We drill 10-15 oil wells every year,” said Johri, adding: “One can find oil at 1,000 to 1,500 metres here. The wells in Ahmedabad oilfield produce 130 tonnes of crude oil every day.”
MORE OIL PRODUCED
AND EVERY year, more oil is drawn out as new wells are dug around the city. The latest one to be drilled by the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) is just a kilometre away from AMC limits. The 15,000-m deep well at Bhuvaladi village near Vatva GIDC industrial estate is expected to produce five tonnes of crude every day.
We expect the gusher to be active in another 15-20 days, said an ONGC official.
WELLS AROUND CITY
THE OTHER oil wells are at Soni ni Chali in Vastral, Nikol, CT Mills, Ramol, Vach, Hirapur, Harnevav, Gotiya Hanuman, Nandej, Vivekanandnagar (Hathijan), Vitthalpura, Bareja, Navagam, behind Motera stadium in Chandkheda, Jhundal near Chandkheda and Adalaj.
internet and e-mails CENSORED
In a bid to secure data, the state govt restricts officials’ access to internet and e-mails; bans use of USBs, memory sticks, PDAs and palmtops Ii
DILIP PATEL
The state government has restricted internet and e-mail access to its officials. The officials have been asked to keep their e-mail and internet credentials secure. In fact, they have been urged to use GSWAN-assinged e-mail addresses for official communication.
In a government resolution (GR) dated February 2, the government has laid down guidelines for internet, e-mail, instant message and peer-topeer file sharing. It states: “A large volume of electronic data has been created and there is an immediate need to secure the operations of egovernance systems and also to secure the electronic data against theft, alteration, misuse and destruction.”
‘ELECTRONIC MAIL IS VULNERABLE’
IT ASKS officials to be aware that electronic mail is vulnerable to unauthorised access and modification. “Users should not forward work sensitive e-mails originating from either GSWAN (Gujarat State Wide Area Network) or customer domains to any free public e-mail domains such as Yahoo, Hotmail etc. Users should not use personal e-mail addresses as contact address for conducting GSWAN operations. Users should not use Internet services to forward chain letters, junk mails, spam or unsolicited messages. They must not defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or violate privacy rights. Upload or download material that contains viruses, trojan horses, worms or other harmful programmes,” it stated.
PERSONAL DATA IS NOT PERSONAL
THE GR warns that GSWAN management had the right to examine personal file directories and all other information, including e-mails, on computers connected to GSWAN.
It also has a list of instructions for those using memory devices with external connectivity. This includes pen drive, digital camera, digital watches, PDAs and palmtops. Stating objections to its usage, the GR reveals that portable storage devices allow employees, social engineers and intruders “to remove sensitive information, including protected classified data, from an organisation’s premises”
DILIP PATEL
The state government has restricted internet and e-mail access to its officials. The officials have been asked to keep their e-mail and internet credentials secure. In fact, they have been urged to use GSWAN-assinged e-mail addresses for official communication.
In a government resolution (GR) dated February 2, the government has laid down guidelines for internet, e-mail, instant message and peer-topeer file sharing. It states: “A large volume of electronic data has been created and there is an immediate need to secure the operations of egovernance systems and also to secure the electronic data against theft, alteration, misuse and destruction.”
‘ELECTRONIC MAIL IS VULNERABLE’
IT ASKS officials to be aware that electronic mail is vulnerable to unauthorised access and modification. “Users should not forward work sensitive e-mails originating from either GSWAN (Gujarat State Wide Area Network) or customer domains to any free public e-mail domains such as Yahoo, Hotmail etc. Users should not use personal e-mail addresses as contact address for conducting GSWAN operations. Users should not use Internet services to forward chain letters, junk mails, spam or unsolicited messages. They must not defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or violate privacy rights. Upload or download material that contains viruses, trojan horses, worms or other harmful programmes,” it stated.
PERSONAL DATA IS NOT PERSONAL
THE GR warns that GSWAN management had the right to examine personal file directories and all other information, including e-mails, on computers connected to GSWAN.
It also has a list of instructions for those using memory devices with external connectivity. This includes pen drive, digital camera, digital watches, PDAs and palmtops. Stating objections to its usage, the GR reveals that portable storage devices allow employees, social engineers and intruders “to remove sensitive information, including protected classified data, from an organisation’s premises”
GARVI GUJARAT IS A HIT WITH FOREIGN TOURISTS
Terror threat and swine flu hold no sway; number of foreign and NRI visitors highest in past five years
DILIP PATEL
Despite the double threat of terror attack and swine flu hanging over their heads, foreigners and NRIs are flocking to Gujarat. The state has posted the highest number of tourists in the past five years.
The state saw 31,728 visitors from abroad in December 2008. This rose to 36,378 in December 2009. Looking at the annual figures, the state received 2.28 lakh foreigners and NRI visitors between April 2008 and March 2009. And, by March 2010, tourism officials expect to register more than 3 lakh tourists.
Ahmedabad receives 30 per cent of the total tourist traffic that the state witnesses.
Tourism minister Jaynarayan Vyas said, “In the past five years, the state has witnessed a rise in the number of tourists from foreign countries.”
The dip in the number of visitors in December 2008 has been attributed to the July 26 blasts and recession
Vyas added, “This year, we have received the highest number of foreign tourists and NRIs. Gujarat’s image makeover as destination for business tourism and medical tourism is doing wonders.”
Awareness among the international community has significantly increased following the global investors’ summits. Earlier, international tourists used to come to Gujarat via Delhi and Mumbai. Now, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport in Ahmedabad is directly connected to seven international destinations, resulting in an increase in foreign tourists to the state.
The Gujarat Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation conducts surveys on tourists and supplies the data to the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited. GITCO’s tourist researcher Rohit Patel said, “We count tourists who fly in and stay at hotels. There are many NRIs who either own/rent a house or stay with relatives and friends.
“They are not part of our survey. This means that the state is receiving more tourists than recorded.”
He added, “Several foreign countries have released advisories warning against travel to India due to terror threat and the swine flu problem. This has affected tourism in the country. But Gujarat has recorded an increase foreign visitors.”
As part of its new drive to woo investors, the state government has also allowed foreigners and non-resident Indians visiting Gujarat to get liquor permits on the basis of their passports. This has put the shine back in the tourism sector too.
Meanwhile, TCGL is developing tourism on a ‘hub and spoke’ model. It is making a major city with urban infrastructure and facilities a base camp for tourists to visit about tourism destinations in the vicinity. The government is also developing 40 new destinations and 14 beaches across the state.
Patel said, “The government has been working hard at projecting the state as a hub for medical, religious and business tourism. The improvement in facilities like hotels, transportation etc draws the foreign crowd. Tourists from France and Italy came here to see the jain temples of Palitana. They are interested in its architecture and are fascinated by its archaeology.”
He added, “Since the past couple of years, a lot of NRGs and foreigners have come to India during November and December for medical treatment. Such people rarely cancel their plans, swine flu or no flu.”
DILIP PATEL
Despite the double threat of terror attack and swine flu hanging over their heads, foreigners and NRIs are flocking to Gujarat. The state has posted the highest number of tourists in the past five years.
The state saw 31,728 visitors from abroad in December 2008. This rose to 36,378 in December 2009. Looking at the annual figures, the state received 2.28 lakh foreigners and NRI visitors between April 2008 and March 2009. And, by March 2010, tourism officials expect to register more than 3 lakh tourists.
Ahmedabad receives 30 per cent of the total tourist traffic that the state witnesses.
Tourism minister Jaynarayan Vyas said, “In the past five years, the state has witnessed a rise in the number of tourists from foreign countries.”
The dip in the number of visitors in December 2008 has been attributed to the July 26 blasts and recession
Vyas added, “This year, we have received the highest number of foreign tourists and NRIs. Gujarat’s image makeover as destination for business tourism and medical tourism is doing wonders.”
Awareness among the international community has significantly increased following the global investors’ summits. Earlier, international tourists used to come to Gujarat via Delhi and Mumbai. Now, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport in Ahmedabad is directly connected to seven international destinations, resulting in an increase in foreign tourists to the state.
The Gujarat Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation conducts surveys on tourists and supplies the data to the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited. GITCO’s tourist researcher Rohit Patel said, “We count tourists who fly in and stay at hotels. There are many NRIs who either own/rent a house or stay with relatives and friends.
“They are not part of our survey. This means that the state is receiving more tourists than recorded.”
He added, “Several foreign countries have released advisories warning against travel to India due to terror threat and the swine flu problem. This has affected tourism in the country. But Gujarat has recorded an increase foreign visitors.”
As part of its new drive to woo investors, the state government has also allowed foreigners and non-resident Indians visiting Gujarat to get liquor permits on the basis of their passports. This has put the shine back in the tourism sector too.
Meanwhile, TCGL is developing tourism on a ‘hub and spoke’ model. It is making a major city with urban infrastructure and facilities a base camp for tourists to visit about tourism destinations in the vicinity. The government is also developing 40 new destinations and 14 beaches across the state.
Patel said, “The government has been working hard at projecting the state as a hub for medical, religious and business tourism. The improvement in facilities like hotels, transportation etc draws the foreign crowd. Tourists from France and Italy came here to see the jain temples of Palitana. They are interested in its architecture and are fascinated by its archaeology.”
He added, “Since the past couple of years, a lot of NRGs and foreigners have come to India during November and December for medical treatment. Such people rarely cancel their plans, swine flu or no flu.”
Saturday, February 13, 2010
No stopping your smooth drive from S G to G’nagar
No stopping your smooth drive from S G to G’nagar
Adalaj cloverleaf interchange to be thrown open to public on Monday
DILIP PATEL
Ayear after work on the project took off, the cloverleaf interchange at Adalaj will finally be thrown open to the public by the roads and buildings department on Monday. What this will ensure is a smooth cruise from S G Highway to Gandhinagar with no traffic stoppage at Adalaj, which earlier had a state highway and national highway crossing each other.
The Rs 15-crore central government-sponsored interchange will have two highways, state and national, four bypass roads and four connecting roads in the shape of a clover leaf.
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns are handled by loop roads. To go left, vehicles first pass either over or under the other road, then turn right onto a one-way, three-fourths loop, and merge onto the intersecting road. The Adalaj cloverleaf design has two descending loop roads and two ascending ones.
Earlier traffic cops had to be posted as around 80,000 vehicles, heavy commercial and passenger, crisscrossed the interection every day, resulting in accidents. The traffic is expected to double in six years.
S B Vasavada, chief engineer (national highways division), R&B department, said, “The interchange is ready to be thrown open to the public. This will ease traffic on the road, besides preventing accidents. Work is on to shift the overhead GEB line, and railing work on the stretch will be completed soon.”
Adalaj cloverleaf interchange to be thrown open to public on Monday
DILIP PATEL
Ayear after work on the project took off, the cloverleaf interchange at Adalaj will finally be thrown open to the public by the roads and buildings department on Monday. What this will ensure is a smooth cruise from S G Highway to Gandhinagar with no traffic stoppage at Adalaj, which earlier had a state highway and national highway crossing each other.
The Rs 15-crore central government-sponsored interchange will have two highways, state and national, four bypass roads and four connecting roads in the shape of a clover leaf.
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns are handled by loop roads. To go left, vehicles first pass either over or under the other road, then turn right onto a one-way, three-fourths loop, and merge onto the intersecting road. The Adalaj cloverleaf design has two descending loop roads and two ascending ones.
Earlier traffic cops had to be posted as around 80,000 vehicles, heavy commercial and passenger, crisscrossed the interection every day, resulting in accidents. The traffic is expected to double in six years.
S B Vasavada, chief engineer (national highways division), R&B department, said, “The interchange is ready to be thrown open to the public. This will ease traffic on the road, besides preventing accidents. Work is on to shift the overhead GEB line, and railing work on the stretch will be completed soon.”
State seeks better rail link for G’nagar
State roads & buildings department writes to the railway ministry demanding more trains
DILIP PATEL
Supporting the Gandhinagar residents’ crusade for better rail link, the state government has dialled the Centre seeking more trains for the state capital.
In a letter to the railway ministry, the state has sought extension of some trains up to Gandhinagar and change in route of a few of the 24 trains going via Kalol (13 km from Gandhinagar) bypassing the state capital.
Urging the Railway Board to “accept people’s demand”, the letter undersigned by the Road and Building Department secretary states that thousands of Gandhinagar residents face hardships due to lack of trains.
If the railway ministry heeds to the suggestions of the Road and Building Department, Gandhinagar residents may not have to go all the way to Ahmedabad to board Swarnajayanti Rajdhani Express or Ashram Express. Besides, Ahmedabad-Jammu Tawi Express and Ahmedabad-Muzaffarpur Express may also touch Gandhinagar.
Road and Development Secretary SS Rathore said: “We decided to send a letter to the Railway Board Chairman SS Khurana after Gandhinagar Residents’ Association delegates approached us for more trains. Besides, being a state capital, Gandhinagar deserves to have better railway connectivity.”
At present, only four trains touch Gandhinagar. Of them, two are locals — Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar MEMU and Gandhinagar-Indore passenger train. The two others are Mumbai-Delhi Express and Ahmedabad-Hardwar Express. The state capital has no rail link with Saurashtra.
The Gandhinagar Residents’ Association has been demanding more trains for the past few years. It had given a memorandum to Railway Ministry last year for better rail link.
Gandhinagar Residents’ Association president Arun Buch said: “Gandhinagar is developing fast. It houses eight universities, an army base, BSF camp and Coast Guard office. Annually, at least 50,000 people, attached to these establishments, have to travel all the way to Ahmedabad for boarding trains to their home town. Overall, 2 lakh Gandhinagar residents travel to Ahmedabad every year just to board trains.”
On an average, 800 passengers daily commute from Gandhinagar station, upgraded one-and-a-half years ago spending Rs 50 lakh. But it is being under-utilised at present due to shortage of train connectivity, said Buch.
PUT GANDHINAGAR ON TRACK: RESIDENTS
Gandhinagar Residents’ Association president Arun Buch said: “Not a single train stops at two stations near Gandhinagar — Kolwada (4 km away) and Motiadrej (7 km away). Even then, railway employees are posted there. It’s sheer misuse of manpower. They can be transferred to Gandhinagar if more trains travel through the state capital.”
DILIP PATEL
Supporting the Gandhinagar residents’ crusade for better rail link, the state government has dialled the Centre seeking more trains for the state capital.
In a letter to the railway ministry, the state has sought extension of some trains up to Gandhinagar and change in route of a few of the 24 trains going via Kalol (13 km from Gandhinagar) bypassing the state capital.
Urging the Railway Board to “accept people’s demand”, the letter undersigned by the Road and Building Department secretary states that thousands of Gandhinagar residents face hardships due to lack of trains.
If the railway ministry heeds to the suggestions of the Road and Building Department, Gandhinagar residents may not have to go all the way to Ahmedabad to board Swarnajayanti Rajdhani Express or Ashram Express. Besides, Ahmedabad-Jammu Tawi Express and Ahmedabad-Muzaffarpur Express may also touch Gandhinagar.
Road and Development Secretary SS Rathore said: “We decided to send a letter to the Railway Board Chairman SS Khurana after Gandhinagar Residents’ Association delegates approached us for more trains. Besides, being a state capital, Gandhinagar deserves to have better railway connectivity.”
At present, only four trains touch Gandhinagar. Of them, two are locals — Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar MEMU and Gandhinagar-Indore passenger train. The two others are Mumbai-Delhi Express and Ahmedabad-Hardwar Express. The state capital has no rail link with Saurashtra.
The Gandhinagar Residents’ Association has been demanding more trains for the past few years. It had given a memorandum to Railway Ministry last year for better rail link.
Gandhinagar Residents’ Association president Arun Buch said: “Gandhinagar is developing fast. It houses eight universities, an army base, BSF camp and Coast Guard office. Annually, at least 50,000 people, attached to these establishments, have to travel all the way to Ahmedabad for boarding trains to their home town. Overall, 2 lakh Gandhinagar residents travel to Ahmedabad every year just to board trains.”
On an average, 800 passengers daily commute from Gandhinagar station, upgraded one-and-a-half years ago spending Rs 50 lakh. But it is being under-utilised at present due to shortage of train connectivity, said Buch.
PUT GANDHINAGAR ON TRACK: RESIDENTS
Gandhinagar Residents’ Association president Arun Buch said: “Not a single train stops at two stations near Gandhinagar — Kolwada (4 km away) and Motiadrej (7 km away). Even then, railway employees are posted there. It’s sheer misuse of manpower. They can be transferred to Gandhinagar if more trains travel through the state capital.”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
GSRTC launches Sarkhej-Gandhinagar service
Buses will leave every 30 minutes and cover the distance in 45 min; ticket price: Rs 16
DILIP PATEL
Acting on public demand, the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) on Tuesday began plying five 28-seater mini luxury buses between Sarkhej and Gandhinagar. GSRTC says this service is also a bid to keep a fair share of transport fares on the route.
In December last year, GSRTC drivers and conductors and autorickshaw drivers had gone on a strike to protest the decision that allowed private company Vitco Pvt Ltd to operate on the route as it threatened to eat into the government entity’s earnings. The strike ended in a few hours after Vitco announced that it change its route.
30 TRIPS A DAY
THERE WILL be a bus every 30 minutes beginning 8 am and will cover the 36-km distance between Sarkhej and Gandhinagar in 45 minutes, said GSRTC’s Gandhinagar depot manager N C Soni. There will be 30 trips throughout the day.
Passengers had demanded for bus services on the route after a private firm was forced to stop plying buses here. “The new buses will beat competition. More buses will be added looking at the requirements,” Soni said. Tickets for the ride will cost Rs 16.
I am happy that after 7 years of representations, the government has heard our plea. The nexus betweeb traffic policmen and shuttle ricskhaw operators had become a nuisance. Now, we won’t have to depend on them
—Arun Buch, a commuter
DILIP PATEL
Acting on public demand, the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) on Tuesday began plying five 28-seater mini luxury buses between Sarkhej and Gandhinagar. GSRTC says this service is also a bid to keep a fair share of transport fares on the route.
In December last year, GSRTC drivers and conductors and autorickshaw drivers had gone on a strike to protest the decision that allowed private company Vitco Pvt Ltd to operate on the route as it threatened to eat into the government entity’s earnings. The strike ended in a few hours after Vitco announced that it change its route.
30 TRIPS A DAY
THERE WILL be a bus every 30 minutes beginning 8 am and will cover the 36-km distance between Sarkhej and Gandhinagar in 45 minutes, said GSRTC’s Gandhinagar depot manager N C Soni. There will be 30 trips throughout the day.
Passengers had demanded for bus services on the route after a private firm was forced to stop plying buses here. “The new buses will beat competition. More buses will be added looking at the requirements,” Soni said. Tickets for the ride will cost Rs 16.
I am happy that after 7 years of representations, the government has heard our plea. The nexus betweeb traffic policmen and shuttle ricskhaw operators had become a nuisance. Now, we won’t have to depend on them
—Arun Buch, a commuter
No land for Central University in G’nagar
University officials have demanded 500-600 acres of land in state capital; the govt wants the varsity to come up in Himmatnagar
DILIP PATEL
The allocation of land for Central University has triggered a major controversy as the state government has apparently said there is no government land available in Gandhinagar to set up the varsity. The state government, agreed to allot 1,000 acres of land near a village in Himmatnagar. However, the central government — which has already earmarked Rs 5 crore for the project — are still seeking to set up the varsity in the state capital.
LAND NEAR HIMMATNAGAR
“WE HAVE proposed to give the central government 1,000 acres of land near Himmatnagar for the Central University. A team from the HRD ministry has also visited the place,” said Education Minister Ramanlal Vora. The ministry demanded 500-600 acres of land in Gandhinagar but the state government suggested six locations other than the state capital.
A varsity official, on condition of anonymity, said: “We have identified a plot of 100 acres in Raisan village, Gandhinagar. We are negotiating with the state government for this plot. But we need more land.” The university currently functions from a government plot in Sector 30 of Gandhinagar.
GANDHINAGAR’S AIR LINK
EXPLAINING WHY they want land in Gandhinagar, the official said, “We want the faculty and students to gain easy access to the airport in Gandhinagar.” The official claims the varsity is upbeat about clinching a deal with state government soon.
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
THE CENTRAL University, which aims at promoting quality in higher education, offers MPhil/ PhD level courses. Estimated to be built at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore, the university came into being on March 3, 2009. It will soon offer courses in life sciences like zoology, botany, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Faculty for departments of Medicine, Health Science, Engineering and Technology and Natural Science have also been lined up.
DILIP PATEL
The allocation of land for Central University has triggered a major controversy as the state government has apparently said there is no government land available in Gandhinagar to set up the varsity. The state government, agreed to allot 1,000 acres of land near a village in Himmatnagar. However, the central government — which has already earmarked Rs 5 crore for the project — are still seeking to set up the varsity in the state capital.
LAND NEAR HIMMATNAGAR
“WE HAVE proposed to give the central government 1,000 acres of land near Himmatnagar for the Central University. A team from the HRD ministry has also visited the place,” said Education Minister Ramanlal Vora. The ministry demanded 500-600 acres of land in Gandhinagar but the state government suggested six locations other than the state capital.
A varsity official, on condition of anonymity, said: “We have identified a plot of 100 acres in Raisan village, Gandhinagar. We are negotiating with the state government for this plot. But we need more land.” The university currently functions from a government plot in Sector 30 of Gandhinagar.
GANDHINAGAR’S AIR LINK
EXPLAINING WHY they want land in Gandhinagar, the official said, “We want the faculty and students to gain easy access to the airport in Gandhinagar.” The official claims the varsity is upbeat about clinching a deal with state government soon.
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
THE CENTRAL University, which aims at promoting quality in higher education, offers MPhil/ PhD level courses. Estimated to be built at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore, the university came into being on March 3, 2009. It will soon offer courses in life sciences like zoology, botany, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Faculty for departments of Medicine, Health Science, Engineering and Technology and Natural Science have also been lined up.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)