Eighty-nine inmates of Arthur Road Jail appeared for Gandhi Peace exam organised by the Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal.Anda cell (egg shaped high-security cell) inmates also appeared for the exam, out of which two topped the test with 79 out of 80 marks, T R K Somaiya of the Mandal said. A jail official also appeared for the exam held yesterday, results of which were out the same day.
"I came to know true value of truth and 'ahimsa'. I realised the mistakes made by me and took a vow not to go astray in life," one of the Anda cell prisoners expressed his view in feedback after the exam.
The inmate had also written a letter to Sarvodaya Mandal last year, expressing his interest in reading Mahatma Gandhi-related books and appear for the exam. The Mandal had also sent him Gandhi's autobiography, Somaiya said.
Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal is organising the Gandhi Peace examination since the last ten years in various jails of Maharashtra.
The result has been inspiring for the organisation as well as inmates and officials of various jails. Its aim is to revoke the sense of regret among jail inmates and to inculcate qualities of Satya and Ahimsa (truth and non-violence) among them to become better citizens after their release.
The examination was conducted under the supervision of Jail Superintendent Bharat Bhosale with active support of Senior Jailer Y B Baviskar and Jail Teacher Ankush Dhengale.
To introduce jail inmates with Gandhian principles, a lecture by once hardcore criminal Laxman Gole, who confessed his crime before a judge after reading Gandhi's autobiography, was organised before the exam.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/Arthur-road-jail-s.jpg*Arthur Road jail in Byculla*
The under trial developed complications on Friday night even while his treatment was on. He was declared dead on Saturday morning by doctors. According to officials from the prison, his body was taken to the government-run JJ hospital on Saturday morning. The NM Joshi Marg police station has registered a case under section 174 of CRPC. Senior police inspector Ahmad Usman Pathan, said, “Accused Arvind Ramesh Shimpi (24), who was an under trail in a theft case was brought to Arthur Road jail on March 8. He was declared dead on Friday at JJ Hospital when he was brought in by authorities.”
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/Fire-mask-s.jpg*Firefighters douse the massive fire at the Deonar dumping ground on February 1*
On February 29, the Bombay High Court stayed new construction in the city because the state government and the BMC had failed to comply with the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) rules at the Deonar and Mulund dumping grounds.
However, till Friday March 11, the BMC hadn’t received a letter or order of the copy, leaving it in a state of confusion.
The Building Proposal Department issues an Intent Of Disapproval (IOD) [a letter which says that the proposal has acquired all the requisite permissions] and Commence-ment Certificate (CC) [the letter issued after the IOD] for buildings.
Department officials say they read about the HC order in newspapers. However, in the absence of any official communication, it decided to not issue any letters or certificates.
In this time, they issued IOD/CCs for redevelopment projects but with an undertaking that said that the ‘IOD/CC would stand cancelled, once it’s clear whether the court has stayed new constructions and if it affected the particular project.’ A letter to this effect was issued to the department [copy is available with sunday mid-day].
The letter, signed by all the three executive engineers at the department, reads: “The matter is discussed with higher authorities, when it is opined that in absence of official judgment/orders from High Court, no orders can be given whether to stop issuing IOD/CC or to continue with the existing procedures till receipt of orders. In view of persistent pressure from the developers, that the grant of IOD/CC cannot be stopped, till the order/judgment of the High Court is received, the undersigned have started issuing the IOD/CC of the redevelopment, MHADA, hospital buildings and schools, by obtaining an undertaking.
This is also discussed with higher authorities, which would continue till receipt of any orders/judgment in this regard.”
An architect, working closely with the Building Proposal Department, said, “For the last 11 days, we have been in limbo. The officers kept saying that the order hasn’t reached them and hence they cannot take a decision.”
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/Rakib-Miraj-Sayeed-s.jpg*Rakib Miraj Sayeed (right) and Vittobha Padir rescued Muthani from the tank*
Muthani alleges that he was pushed into the tank, owned by a gym called Shree Veer Gogadeo Pratisthan Fitness Centre.*Faiyaaz Imitiyaaz Muthani with his parents; the tank on top of a public toilet belongs to a neighbouring gym. His parents had registered a missing complaint*
A resident of Bhawani Peth, Muthani left home to play with his friends on the evening of March 7. His mother Sultana, who works as a cook, lodged a case of kidnapping early next morning, when her son failed to return home. That Muthani was trapped in a 10,000-litre water tank just 30 feet away from their residence was something she had not imagined. As it turned out, Muthani, a Std IV student of BT Shahani Navin Hind High School, fell into the tank after a foiled attempt to catch a bird. He had clambered onto the roof of a public toilet to access a neighbouring tree, but, he claimed, he was pushed into the tank placed on the roof of the toilet, by an unidentified man. “I tried to climb out but the tank was more than 10 feet deep. I was afraid. I started sucking my thumb and went to sleep. At around 5.30 am [on March 8], I woke up when I heard the azan,” recounted Muthani. His attempts to scream for help failed. At one point, Muthani said, he even tried shifting all his weight to one side of the tank, to make it topple. “I could hear the school bell ringing and I screamed but it was useless. I started poking my fingers out from the pipe so that someone would see me,” he said.
Luckily, the public toilet shares its wall with Maharshi Harkadash Vidya Mandir. Sayeed, a Std VII student of the school, was cleaning the classroom duster in the school’s corridor after the morning assembly at 8 am on March 10. This is when he noticed fingers popping out of the tap of the adjacent tank. Sayeed brought this to the attention of his teacher Vittobha Padir. Padir said, “We prepared a human pyramid to reach him.” As a first rescue measure, he threw in a bottle of water for the thirsty boy. By this time, Muthani had indicated where his family stayed and word was sent to them. Finally, Padir managed to yank him out.
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*Also read: Water cut in Mumbai, drought in Maharashtra, but this burst pipe hasn't been fixed for 45 days**Water gushes out of the burst pipeline on Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road. Pic/Nimesh Dave*
“We have complained to the CEO of Aarey and have urged him to file an FIR, so that those responsible for the act are booked and such acts are not repeated. Past records reveal that the same spot was vandalised before on 10 different occasions. We fix the pipe, and within hours, it’s back to square one. It’s frustrating,” said Jivhav Sonone, Deputy Engineer —PWD Aarey.
Gaganand Raut, CEO of Aarey, who rushed his staff to the spot on Friday, said, “The concrete pipeline cannot be shut because it has been sourced from the Powai lake to the buffalo sheds inside the Aarey complex. It is a serious and reoccurring problem which must be tackled.”
Local resident Sudhakar Shenoy, an ex-employee of Air India, who had first spotted the jet one-and-a-half months ago, was surprised to find the pipeline spewing water again. “On Friday, I was happy to see that the pipe had been repaired. But at around 3.30 pm, the jet was back and with greater force,” said Shenoy.
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*(From left) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with PM Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India Justice TS Thakur and Law Minister Sadanand Gowda in Patna on Saturday. Pic/PTI*
“This project was initiated when Nitish Kumar was Railway Minister and Atal ji was Prime Minister. The dream of that time is being realised now. Had this not been neglected in last 10 years and work been taken up for it even under routine budget, even then it would have been completed in six-seven years,” Modi said, dedicating to the nation the Digha-Sonepur rail-cum-road bridge here, which is stated to be the longest in the country. He rued that the cost of the project escalated from its earlier estimate of Rs 600 crore to Rs 3,000 crore due to the “delay”. “This money belongs to people,” he said.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/Dr-Mukesh-Joshi-s.jpg*Rajesh Ojha with Dr Mukesh Joshi at Kutchh’s Jaya Rehabilitation Centre and Research Institute where he was fitted with the prosthetic*
On Saturday, however, Ojha was fitted with a prosthetic, which is an experimental venture between a Mumbai-based orthopaedic and a 3D printing firm. The prosthetic, in many ways, is a first for all concerned.*The prosthetic was made by Mulund-based Anatomiz 3D Healthcare which pegs the cost at Rs 18,000*
Created out of a biocompatible material, this cost-friendly prosthetic — its creators, the Mulund-based Anatomiz3D Healthcare, peg its cost at Rs 18,000 - took four months to perfect.*Dr Doshi says that the prosthetic comes with strings that are attached to the wrist*
After the fitting on Saturday, Dr Mukesh Doshi, a prosthetics and orthotics surgeon, and a consultant at Saifee and Nanavati Hospital, said, “With practice he will be able to hold, throw, write and do all kinds of light work using the hand. The design is actually so simple that it works on strings which are attached to the wrist, as he moves the wrists; he will even be able to close his fingers into a fist,” said Doshi.
An accident and a loss
Ojha said the accident happened while he was at work at an industrial plant in Kutchh. “We were working on anchoring a ship and were then conducting further repair. However, there was a heavy pin which came with an iron base. As soon as I disconnected the pin, my fingers got stuck in the middle of the latchlike structure and I lost all four fingers of my hand as well as half of my thumb,” said Ojha. Though he was rushed to the hospital, his fingers couldn’t be saved. Though he could get a cosmetic silicon prosthesis, it wouldn’t provide movement.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai Dr Doshi was looking for alternatives for patients like Ojha. “Patients who lose an entire palm or a hand were still able to get silicon based prosthesis. However, for those with partial amputation of fingers or amputations ahead of the joint, there were no options available. I was looking for a patient who would be ready to work with us in an experiment to create such a prosthesis,” he said.
Doshi, honorary director of the Kutchh-based Jaya Rehabilitation Centre and Research Institute — where the procedure took place — was informed of Ojha’s case in October. “I had read about Anatomiz3D Healthcare which had previously worked with 3D printing in healthcare and asked them it they’d be able to help. They asked me to send a Plaster of Paris cast of the patient’s hand,” Doshi added. Firoza Kothari, from Anatomiz3D Healthcare, said that while they had previously attempted pre-operative surgical and educational models this was the first time they were venturing into making prosthesis.
“The process worked in four parts: scanning the POP cast, modifying the prosthesis based on the scan of the patient using exact measurements, 3D printing of the parts and then assembling of the same. While the entire process was supposed to be feasible, it actually didn’t work out well the first time,” said Kothari. This was in November.
“The hand was returned to us by the doctor saying the fitting wasn’t right. Twenty days ago, however, Doshi asked for revised designs and we started work,” said Kothari.
She added that while the hand, created out of a Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) material, can be made within five days, it took her team longer as the mold came in from Bhuj.
When asked how the technology works, she said that they work using a 3D printer and hand held scanner. “First we scan the project which is to be printed to get the exact shape of the project and measurement correction. The scanner emits rays which give us a computerised 3D image of the object with cloud points. We make necessary changes and print the objects in parts to be assembled later,” explained Kothari. The material being created from things like cornstarch and sugar have no side effects on the skin and also fits better.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/Ghulam-Nabi-Azad-s.jpg*Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad speaks at the National Integration Conference in New Delhi on Saturday. Pic/PTI*
Hitting back, a RSS spokesperson in Nagaur, where a crucial meeting of the organisation's functionaries is on, said such a comparison showed “intellectual bankruptcy” of Congress and its “unwillingness to deal with fundamentalist and cruel forces like ISIS”. RSS will consider legal action against Azad, he said.
BJP too jumped to the defence of its ideological mentor, calling it a nationalist organisation and demanding an apology from Azad.
The party said it was “unfortunate” that Azad had made such comments and asked Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to disassociate from his remarks and take action against him if he does not withdraw them.
“RSS is a nationalist organisation. It is very unfortunate that he has said so. It shows his mental bankruptcy. He must apologise or Gandhi should take action against him,” party National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said.
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*Vijay Mallya*
The ED’s investigations revolve around the bank loans that the grounded airlines and the group took from a consortium of nationalised banks, and an alleged default of over R900 crore loan from IDBI bank. “We want to know where the money has gone,” said an ED official. The ED has also summoned Vijay Mallya to appear in court on March 18, which they haven’t got an answer to.
The ED had issued summons to over half a dozen officials of the IDBI bank and Vijay Mallya-owned KFA under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In an communication sent to all field officers, the Income Tax department has asked its officials to not “send or pursue” any tax demands or harass former Kingfisher Airlines employees. The employees have alleged that they were under tax scanner as Kingfisher had failed to deposit the tax deducted at source (TDS) with the income tax department.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “explanation” over how business tycoon Vijay Mallya could leave the country which he claimed was not possible without “approval” from the top. Meanwhile, Janta Dal Secular minister Deve Gowda supported Mallya and called him the “son of the soil”, and former J&K chief minister Farook Abdullah said Mallya was a “gentleman” and would return to India on his own.
*— With agency inputs**KFA employees write to PM to recover dues*
Hundreds of unpaid employees of the defunct Kingfisher Airlines have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention in the recovery of their dues which was estimated to be around R300 crore.
“On behalf of all the employees of erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines, we request you for your immediate intervention in helping us recover our hard earned dues,” the employees said in the letter sent to the Prime Minister on Saturday.
*Sebi clamps down on defaulters*
Coming out with strict steps to protect investor interest, Sebi on Saturday decided to bar willful defaulters from raising public money as well as holding board positions, besides making it must for listed firms to disclose impact of audit qualifications in a separate document.
To curb malpractices in the securities and commodities markets, the watchdog will boost surveillance mechanism and enhance the supervision of brokers and other intermediaries. The issues pertaining to control at the time of acquisition of listed entities and mutual funds' exposure to distressed debt securities were also discussed at the Sebi's board meeting, which went on for more than an hour here.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/Zorawar-Kalra-s.jpg*MasalaBar’s Zorawar Kalra excited about the opening of his progressive lab-like restaurant. Pic/Sayed Sameer Abedi*
On offer are cool and quirky concoctions like Bollywood Bhaang (lipsmacking vodka-infused thandai) and An Evening In Chowpatty (coconut fizz and vodka) along with small plates featuring everything from Calamari rings to paneer tikka, and even mushroom bruschetta, a fungi mash served on wafer thin phyllo pastry.
“It’s the only bar in the country that’s lit solely with candles. There’s not a single bulb here,” says Kalra, and that’s when we look up at the ceiling to verify his statement because until then, we were too busy staring at the sunset through windows fitted with magnifying glasses (the magic of the Basrai brothers).
*Sip, swirl and swallow*
It seems wine can bring people together. And what better way to showcase this than a new programme that gets 11 leading wineries under one roof. The aim of Wines of India is to promote a wine as a culture rather than a brand.
“The quality of Indian wines has grown tremendously over the years. In fact, Maharashtra and Karnataka are the leading producers of world class high-quality grapes,” says sommelier Nikhil Agarwal who has been appointed as director of the programme.
The challenge right now, he says, is to change consumer perception that all imported wine is better than Indian wine and to get a predominantly spirit and beer drinking population to try wine. Keeping this in mind, several tasting events, promotions at restaurants and festivals are being chalked out to expose customers to the varieties of wines available to us. Cheers to that.
*Of a love that is unconditional*
Pakistani troupe Siege The Band’s new single, Ki Kariye is all about propagating love that is not based on how a person looks. The band recently released their single, produced by Culture Machine, on their “Being Indian” channel. It’s about a boy who loves and supports his girlfriend even after she is a survivor of an acid attack.
“I used to have a crush on this girl in school and always wanted to write a song for her,” says lead vocalist Junaid Younus, “But I have also been working with an NGO in Pakistan that works with acid victims. It’s such a rampant practice in India and Pakistan and we wanted to address it.”
He also feels that the song could work as a tool to unite the two countries. “I live in Lahore, and I am barely 15 minutes away from the border. We are the same people. And music could be a way to connect.” Well said.
*Creatives meet governments*
While Only Much Louder (OML) had its share of fallouts last year (the Mumbai police revoked permissions for its Seinfeld show; AIB’s roast got pulled up), there is no stopping founder Vijay Nair.
As secretary of licensing and policies of Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), Nair has found a kindred spirit in Delhi’s CM Arvind Kejriwal. The duo, and other associates, are working closely to put up the Delhi Arts Festival, and will also initiate the Delhi Creative Industry Corporation in a month.
Nair is working with the Maharashtra Government too to bring about a “one-window system” for licensing of events, hoping it will be ready in three months. Hopefully, creatives, not restricted to Bollywood, will have an easier time after this. And perhaps, OML as well?
*Gayle and his six machine*
We wonder whether Jamaican blaster Chris Gayle is a James Brown fan. Or more precisely, whether he has a copy of the Godfather of Soul’s 1970 album, Sex Machine. Nevertheless, Gayle has decided to call his new book Six Machine. The subtitle is ‘I Don’t Like Cricket... I Love It’.
Penguin Random House, the publisher of Gayle’s memoirs, says he is well followed on Twitter and Instagram, but, “do we really know him? Do we know what took a shy, skinny kid from a tin-roofed shack in the back streets of Kingston, stealing empty bottles to buy food, to the top of the cricket world? This is a story not just of sporting genius but of battling prejudice; of coming from nothing to everything and yet not losing yourself along the way.”
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/Tutorial-strips-a-s.jpg*A video grab of kids made to stand without their clothes outside Shree Tutorial Classes for not doing their homework*
The two kids study in class 2 and 3 respectively. According to the police, the incident came to light after the video was seen by Mumbai police commissioner Datta Phadsalgikar on WhatssApp. He ordered action against the class. However, on the instructions of senior police officers, the Malwani police registered the FIR against the teachers. No arrests have been made.
According to the police, the incident occurred on Friday at Shree Tutorial Classes located at Malwani Gate no 5. The teacher punished both the children for not completing their home work. They were made to stand naked outside.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/13-BEST-bus-s.jpg*The 143-year-old Electric House in Colaba is a heritage structure that has borne the brunt of several monsoons. Pic/Bipin Kokate*
Sources said no major repairs have been carried out in the building in the last few years. In July 2014, a contract for waterproofing the terrace expired. Last year, the roof was leaking at several spots throughout the rains. While the façade is made of steel frames, cement concrete and stone, the interiors, which include some classy teakwood battens, went soggy and eventually decayed due to the seepage. As a result, the offices inside the five-storeyed building look poorly maintained.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/Irena-Murray-Correa-s.jpg*Dr Irena Murray with Correa*
Correa was a guest at the Royal British Institute of British Architecture (RIBA), London, and exploring the possibility of displaying drawings of his work at the institute. Dr Murray curated the exhibition in 2013, and thus began their association. In an attempt to celebrate his body of work, both classic and modern, Dr Murray will deliver a lecture on March 15, titled, Before the Monsoon: the Architecture of Charles Correa at NGMA, presented by the British Council’s Arts Initiative. Edited excerpts from an interview.*The British Council in Delhi designed by Correa*
*Q. Charles Correa’s design transcends borders. What was the reason for this universality?*
*A.* Even if a project was complex, his ideas were clear. He always kept the user in mind, whether he was creating a building for housing or work. He tried to introduce elements of tradition in his designs. It could a historical visual, a concept or cosmic symbolism. Correa made buildings that felt good to live and work in; they were straightforward, just like the way he spoke.*Kanchanjunga at Peddar Road built by Correa has interlocking apartments at different levels, thus reducing the footprint of flats. Open on three sides, the flats provided adequate cross ventilation and the verandah was proportioned to serve as an outdoor living space, observed architect Kamu Iyer in his book, Boombay: From Precincts to Sprawl*
*Q. He is called an architect and humanist. Why?*
*A.* That he was a humanist predicated on the fact that he never lost sight of the people who would live in his buildings. While designing housing projects, he was aware that most people don’t live comfortable lives. There are tens of thousands who face difficulties in finding shelter. He emphasized this in his lectures, and in his buildings. He felt everybody was entitled not just to a roof but a space where one could breathe and function. His civic belief paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Some of his teachings made Charles feel strongly about haves and have-nots.
*Q. What did he tell you about Mumbai?*
*A.* He spoke as an architect and urban planner. Many things troubled him in the 1960s and 70s. Bombay was flooded by people seeking work but later leaving due to housing problems. He studied the demographic patterns, how the population travelled in the north-south direction. He came up with the idea that the north-south axis could extend eastward to create a new city. Several other centres could be founded to unclog the city centre.
*Q. Was he happy with what he saw happen in the city in his lifetime?*
*A.* Yes and no. He established Navi Mumbai. Part of it, like Belapur’s housing projects, came to pass, though they were not realized to the scale he imagined. His vision of transforming Parel’s mills did not materialise despite a workable plan. He had a three-pronged idea for it: development, affordable housing, leisure and entertainment. It’s never too late to implement his plans. His sensitivity to the Indian climate is especially remarkable.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/Ketan-Saini-s.jpg*Students of St Mathew’s School in Malwani, Malad, came home with five medals at the MSSA inter-school boxing tournament in January. They have been training for barely a year. Pics/Nimesh Dave
*
It may be stretching the analogy a bit, but this pocket in the northern suburbs of Mumbai could be the city’s Bhiwani, promising to become a powerhouse for pugilists.*Ketan Saini, the son of a rickshaw driver and domestic help, is the school’s champion. His weight due to poor nutrition is a worry, says his coach*
Bhiwani Boxing Club in Haryana, shot to fame in 2008, as four of the five boxers who represented India at the 2008 Summer Olympics in China — among them is Vijender Singh, who won a bronze medal — were from Bhiwani.*Illustration/ Uday Mohite*
In Malwani, the glint of metal from the medals around the students’ necks shines bright. But even brighter is the smile that coach, former national level boxer, Santosh Dhaygonde, flashes. He trains these 30 students — 20 boys and 10 girls every alternate weekday. Dhaygonde, a Physical Training (PT) teacher at an international school in Kandivali takes time off to teach the children in the mornings from 8 am to 11 am. The Bhayander resident says, “In a very short time, they have managed to win medals. Many students are physically weak but what they lack in power, they make up with determination.”*(l to r) Nidhi Yadav, Ketan Saini and Harshid Shaikh practice with coach Santosh Dhaygonde*
Tight funds mean 30 students use four pairs of boxing gloves, three punching bags, two red corner and two blue corner headgear, and a pair of mitts — all donated by NGOs. It’s not enough, but they are making the best of what they have. “It’s tough to rotate the gloves and boxing gear among students since they get sweaty. Size is also a problem. Some children wear shoes that are loose since they are borrowed. This causes discomfort during competitive fights. Given their resources, they are doing a great job,” says assistant coach Jaydeep Mali, also a PT teacher at the school.*The 30 students share four pairs of boxing gloves donated by NGOs. They make the most of what they have, says their coach*
“I was always interested in boxing and excited when I got a chance to train. The movie Mary Kom was an inspiration,” says Nidhi Yadav, who along with Manisha Saroj travelled to Parbhani in Marathwada, for a state level event early February. The duo had started boxing only a month prior to the selection. Yadav, though, acknowledges that reel life is nowhere close to real life. “It is different to actually be inside the boxing ring and get punched by the opponent, but that only spurs me on!” Saroj adds, “I am practicing hard, and will surely win at the state level next year.”*Ketan Saini, the school champion at his home in Azad Nagar, Malwani. His mother Nirmala (rear, right) works as a domestic help*
A part of their learning process includes watching boxing matches on sports channels. It’s here that they draw inspiration and pick up some nifty moves. Irfan Khan, an under-14 boxer, says, “I try to hook and upper cut like the boxers on TV, though, in the ring, it is a very different feeling. But I enjoy my time in the ring and I like winning. I learn so much by watching others box in competitions too.”
Malwani’s boxing story began back in 2004 when Larzy Varghese, principal and trustee of St Mathew’s Educational Trust that runs the school, decided to set up the institution after seeing children squander their lives away in the nearby slum. “I gave up my job at a school in Malad, sold a parcel of land in Kerala and bought the plot on which the school stands. There are 2,000 students who study here, and, 56 are currently giving their SSC exams.” Varghese says the children are eager to learn. Education is their only means towards a better life.
The former Kerala literacy officer was part of the 1985 Literacy Campaign to spread education in the southern state. Launched in the 1980s, it encouraged young educated individuals from the state to go into the villages and teach people how to read and write their name. The campaign bore fruit in 1990, with Kerala becoming the state with the highest literacy rate in India. Varghese, a mother of two, says, she spends more time mentoring the children at the school than with her own sons.
Marriage brought Varghese from Kerala to Mumbai where she taught in a school for more than 12 years. “I remember seeing the children play in gutter water. They did not go to school. Ten-year-olds wasted their time roaming. That touched me deeply. I decided to start a school for them so that they could learn.”
Most teachers at the school are volunteers — retired teachers or faculty at private schools who spend their free time teaching here.
A Marathi teacher at the international school Dhaygonde teaches at, was the one to inform him about St Mathew’s. “He told me how a school was working at providing kids with an education. I started teaching them PT two years ago, and during the course introduced boxing. They took to it like a duck to water. I decided to take a special class,” says Dhaygonde.
His star student is Ketan Saini, son of an autorickshaw driver and domestic help, currently the school champion. He has won two gold medals at the inter-school level. “He will be the next Vijender Singh. He needs to put on weight, though,” says Varghese.
Saini, a Std VIII student and resident of Azad Nagar, started boxing one year ago and has already won a slew of bouts. Dhaygonde says he punches hard and is nimble on his feet. What has been a cause for concern is his weight. Last year, Saini weighed only 30 kilos. A nutrition programme introduced by Varghese ensures that the school’s boxers get three square meals.
They are given eggs, bananas, milk and oats for breakfast. Lunch and dinner includes roti, vegetable, dal, rice and eggs. “Earlier, students would faint during practice because they would not eat breakfast. Their punches were weak and they would tire easily. From the time Varghese Madam has started offering them breakfast, their performance has improved,” says Mali.
It’s far more than Saini, who has three siblings, would get on a regular day at home. Often, dinner would be just a glass of milk. In one year, he has put on five kilos. Now, cheered by their principal, teachers and coaches, eight boys including Saini and Khan will aim for gold in Chandrapur (near Nagpur) at the State level boxing tournament scheduled from March 30 to April 1.
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“In 2008, I accompanied my father to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar. While there, I met a child who was waiting for a cornea transplant,” recalls Patil, who is attached to Govandi police station. He learnt that the girl was one among 30 lakh patients awaiting the procedure in India. Of these, 60 per cent are children. The cornea is a clear tissue that covers the front of the eye. Disease or injury can cloud it, leading to vision impairment, and sometimes, complete loss of eyesight.
“On an average, 20 bodies are brought at the city’s government hospitals, like KEM and Rajawadi, every day. Imagine the potential,” says the Panvel resident.
Patil now juggles his day job with this campaign. He holds at least one camp every month, which starts with an 80-minute lecture. This Valentine’s Day, 78 families from a residential complex in Kamothe, Panvel, signed the pledge. “I hold camps on days when I am off from work. Else, I apply for leave,” he says.
“Initially, my parents were hesitant when I told them I was going to be a donor. Indians are superstitious. We worry that if we give away our eyes, we will be born blind in our next birth,” he says. It’s trashing myths then, that forms a chunk of his lecture. “I am often asked if donation is imperative while the person is still alive. How are they to be sure that their eyes will be used for a noble cause.”
Patil realised it would help if he collated the FAQs into a pamphlet, with corresponding answers. This flier is now his weapon at camps. He pitches in from his pocket to print them. “Laxmi Eye Bank in Navi Mumbai provides me with a doctor at the camps. They also help with expert guidance in preparing brochures and certificates,” he says.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/Metro-III-car-protest-s.jpg*A resident at a protest against the proposed Metro III car shed in March 2015*
On Friday, Fadnavis said the car shed was likely to come up at Aarey and the government was mulling whether to allow felling of 350 trees or to spend R1,500 crore more to save the trees. On Saturday, Union Forest and Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar also indicated that his ministry supported the state government.
Immediately after Javdekar’s statement at the 11th National Convention on Sustainable Development Goals in Mumbai, another guest at the function, Sena leader and state industry minister Subhash Desai told the media that the state government must lend an ear to the public which had expressed an outcry against the felling of trees at Aarey. He added that the Sena had been in discussions with the state and was looking at alternative plots for the project.
Speaking at the convention, Javdekar said, “There are sustainable solutions available to address the Metro car shed issue. Technology is now available to replant grown-up trees through mechanised uprooting and replanting them at an alternative site. Delhi Metro is a standing example in this regard, where for every one tree cut, five more were planted.”
Desai, however, insisted that his party would not let the carshed come up. “We are in a dialogue with the government and confident that the shed will be shifted to an alternate site.”
Last year, when Mumbai’s citizens expressed their outrage against the plans to fell Aarey’s trees, Sena’s youth wing chief Aditya Thackeray extended his support to their cause and promised to take up the issue with the government.
Environmental organisations have even identified a plot in litigation-free plot near Jai Ambe Nagar in Kanjurmarg East, hoping that the government will shift its focus away from Aarey.
Stalin D from NGO Vanasahakti said, “It’s not about 350 trees. We are against cutting even a single tree because it is avoidable. The CM has let the people down by not meeting them for over one year despite repeated attempts. The government has taken people for a ride. They are reigniting the conflict. People will oppose this backhand method of entering Aarey in order to destroy it under the guise of public good.”
Bittu Sahgal, editor of Sanctuary Asia magazine, said, “Mumbai’s forested areas are vital infrastructure against financial losses from floods and water shortages. Aarey is also a buffer for SGNP’s leopards. The worry is that if all new land for urban infrastructure comes from open spaces, the impact of climate change will negate all projected gains from metros, flyovers, sea-links or freeways.”
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/mar/shimpy12mar-s.jpg
Kishore Shimpy, a cruiseliner chef en route to see his hospitalised son in Mumbai, was thrashed for pointing out an immigration constable’s oversight.
*Also Read: Immigration officer thrashes flier at Mumbai airport for pointing out mistake**Kishore Shimpi*
While the official put the blame on the passenger for losing his temper, Shimpy registered a Non Cognizable Offence (NC) with the police.
On March 1, Shimpy flew from Paris (Jet Airways flight 9W 123) and arrived at 8.15 am at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. He visited Mumbai to be with his son, who was admitted to a hospital after he met with an accident and sustained head injuries.
Kishore Shimpy rushed towards the immigrations section to complete all formalities, and in that haste, the wrong date of entry stamped by the official, Deepak Chavan, went unnoticed.
His passport stated February 28 as the date of entry. What started with Shimpi’s loss of temper over this, soon grew into a an ugly fight between the two. The passenger was the first to register a NC in Sahar Police Station after which the Immigration officers came in to register a case against the passenger.
The local police registered a NC against Chavan and FIR against Shimpy under sections IPC Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 504 (intentional insult).
DCP Virendra Mishra said, “The CCTV footage is in their possession and we will have to wait till the department will handover the footage to us. Though we have drafted a written letter to the department the very next day, I will now ask the senior officials to ask Immigration to hurry up and submit the footage to us.”
“It is only after the CCTV footages are in the police’s custody that the case can be investigated ahead and the culprit cane be identified, till then things will remains the way they are now,” said a police official requesting anonymity. Reported by Mid-Day 4 hours ago.