Fwd: ALM-7L31 - 2007 Wind - Up, 2008 India's '2M' Leader's Learnings for our '3M' ones here...
Yashesh Bhatia
From: Mumbai JVPD North West ALM <jvpd...@gmail.com>
Date: Dec 31, 2007 12:24 PM
Subject: ALM-7L31 - 2007 Wind - Up, 2008 India's '2M' Leader's
Learnings for our '3M' ones here...
To: jvpd...@gmail.com
JVPDNW-ALM-7L31.EML dated 31st December 2007.
Dear ALM & Concerned Mumbai Resident & Valued Well-wisher,
Apologies for sending this ALM update after a long time period of six months.
Some of you whom I have met personally have been wondering about this
time gap. Partly due to time constraints at home / work and mainly due
to the fact that during this period, the various ASR (Area Sabha
Representatives) and other residents have all been doing an excellent
job trying to sort out various society & civic issues.
Update on the various activities in our area and Kudos to the
concerned people mentioned below. In case I have missed out anyone, my
apologies and a promise to strive to update the same in my next email.
1.0 - Road Construction - The 2nd East West Road (between 10th & 11th
NS Road) in our area which was in a shabby state of affairs during the
last 3 years (An Auto Rickshaw Driver called it the Worst Road in
Juhu) was finally re-constructured with paver blocks (the first in
JVPD as I understand) by the MCGM authorities as an appropriate Diwali
gift to Vithalnagar residents.
Thanks to Mr. Adolf D'Souza, Mr. Anand Desai, Ms. Sherly Singh and the
other ASR's and Juhu Resident Association (JRA) Representatives &
Vithalnagar Residents - Mr. Atul Khatri, Mr. Bobby Chandok, Mr.
Jayesh Lakhani, Mr. Maloy Bhatt, Mr. Rajindra Agrawal, Mr. Shishir
Nevatia, for their efforts on the same.
Currently the East-West Arterial Road connecting Cooper Hospital &
Juhu Church is being relaid with concrete. Even though it's higher
level (at least one foot above the surrounding low lying North South
Roads) will exacerbate JVPD Homes flooding in the future, I was made
to understand by Sherly Singh that based on her interactions with the
concerned road officials, this level is the benchmark for all new
Mumbai roads in the future considering our coastal city's risk due to
global warming.
2.0 - Water Quality - Vithalnagar Residents on 11th Road - Mrs. Reena
Valecha & Mrs Ashit Patel had complained of stinking dark cola
coloured water coming out of their taps a couple of months ago. Though
Mr. Subhash Avasare of MCGM (who is in charge of water matters in
K-West Ward) had promptly sent a team of officials to investigate and
sort out the matter at that time, the problem had stopped on it's own
(as was the usual pattern observed and reported even earlier).
Thanks to the above residents as well as Adolf D'Souza and Anil Desai
who had visited the area and seen the above water samples. Thanks also
to Mr. Mayank Shroff, ASR in our area who had suggested that we file
an official complaint as regards the same.
3.0 - Water Pipe Repairs / Cleaning / Cementing - Subsequently, since
last month, MCGM has been carrying out a detailed investigation cum
cleaning cum cementing project for all the water lines on 11th & 12th
NS Road.
At various spots along the water line, the road was (unfortunately)
dug and the water lines were inspected (using a Visual Monitor) for
leakages and the same was also cemented. This work has been completed
on 11th NS Road and is currently continuing on 12th NS Road.
It is hoped that this problem of bad water quality that we have been
complaining for a lot of time will finally get sorted out completely.
Let us keep our fingers crossed (and continue to boil our water and
clean our water tanks periodically).
4.0 - Road Damages - Due to the above water pipe repairing work,
unfortunately the condition of all our roads (11th NS Road which was
freshly laid just a couple of years ago) as well as the newly paved
2nd East West Road has been damaged.
The same was mentioned to the MCGM Water Pipe Contractor at the
location. He mentioned that the same would be repaired. Even though
the dug up holes have been filled up and the road has been
reconstructed, it has not been done as per the condition of the
earlier road in proper level and also the road divider markings have
disappeared.
Complaint as regards the same has been lodged with BMC Online
Citizen's Portal (Details mentioned below in Point 10.0). It is hoped
that the original condition of the road is restored back soon.
5.0 - Demolition of Unauthorized Structures - This week, as reported
by the press, MCGM finally carried out the demolition of unauthorized
structures behind SVKM Hostel opposite Amitabh's Old Bungalow & behind
ICICI Bank & Trig Office on 10th NS Road to widen / deepen the Irla
Nallah.
Once the Nallah is widened and deepened suitably, we hope that the
nearby areas stop becoming mini-lakes during the monsoon. Also, the
absence of unauthorized structures will also help prevent dumping of
wastes and keep this vital portion clean as it will not impede the
flow of sewage to the sea.
The authorities are however requested to ensure that the poor people
staying in these unauthorized structures are treated with full dignity
and provided alternative living and work accomodation as promised to
them. It is traumatic to loose one's living abode and work of
place/stay and as citizens, they have an equal right to a dignified
living as all of us which the authorities should provide and for which
we all pay our taxes.
This demolition exercise and subsequent Nallah cleaning / widening /
deepening will certainly help to reduce our increasing water flooding
related problems in the future. Kudos to Adolf, MCGM Authorities,
ASR's, Activists and all Residents who had worked so hard on this
issue a few months ago.
6.0 - MCGM Work in Our Area - As Mr. Anil Desai of Gulmohor Societies
Federation had rightly suggested in one of his emails, because there
are some many things which are wrong with our civic infrastructure, we
need to draw attention to the many achievements / tasks that MCGM does
right. In our ALM & surrounding areas, besides the ones mentioned
above, there are a few areas that I can think of where work has been
done during the last few months :
6.1- Storm Water Drains - Drains have been covered in most of the
places on 11th & 12th NS Road as well as on the roads around Chandan
Cinema in the past few months.
6.2- Roadside Banners - I noticed yesterday that a political party
that has put up roadside banners outisde Jain Temple on 10th NS Road
announcing their victory in the Gujarat elections has paid the
requisite charges to MCGM. The receipt for the same is pasted on the
banner.
6.3- Contemporary Road Signs - These have been put up on most major
roads. Residents will recollect that our ALM had given the names of
these roads to MCGM offical Mr. Sandesh Jadhav as per his request a
year ago.
6.4- Illegal Hawking - Efforts have been partly successful in reducing
illegal hawking in the area. Thanks also to Vithalnagar Society Office
Bearers as well as Super Agencies (who is in charge of security in
JVPD) who have taken action on our complaints against the same in the
past.
6.5- Civic Cleanliness - MCGM has initiated a strict Civic Cleanliness
Drive in Mumbai city under their 'Clean Up Mumbai' campaign. Private
Fine Collection Security Agents have been appointed. All citizens are
requested to co-operate in striving to keep our area clean.
7.0- Pending Issues - The following issues are still pending for
resolution in our Area :
7.1- Road Rumblers on 11th NS Road - As an outcome of our various
meetings with Traffic Officials, it has been suggested by them to
increase the road lighting as a first step for putting rumblers to
prevent speeding maniacs on 11th & other JVPD Roads. Vithalnagar
Society had agreed to take up the matter with Reliance Energy for the
same and also fund any necessary expenses for the same within it's
area.
7.2- Garbage Spilling - Through the initiatives of Ms. Vimal Thakore,
Dr Mrs Daftary, Mr. Mayank Shroff and the officials and residents of
Working Women's Hostel, efforts were initiated to communicate the
issue of overflowing garbage bins on 13th NS Road (opposite Natural
Icecream side).
Thanks to the above Activists and ASRs and others who helped on the
same. Even though MCGM has also put up a 'Clean Up' Sign at that spot
along with the Garbage PickUp Time, the road still continues to remain
dirty most of the day due to the garbage being thrown there.
8.0 -Vithalnagar Society & Nagriksatta Ward 63 Meeting - Following our
ALM's RED (Rupee Every day) suggestion for citizen funding for
corporators, a meeting was organised between Vithalnagar Society
Office Bearers & Nagriksatta Ward 63 - Mr. Anil Desai & Mr. Adolf
D'souza.
Mr. Anil Desai appraised in detail on Adolf's approach in dealing with
long term systemic issues rather than the typical politician's
approach of quick fix demonstration of solution of consequences of
earlier self-created-problems. He also outlined the objectives,
working and organizational details of Nagriksatta Ward 63.
Vithalnagar Officials praised the high quality & integrity of people
like Anil Desai on Adolf's team. They also suggested that since the
people had elected Adolf, he should also be present on the
Nagriksatta Ward 63 body officially and it's (then) Irla-centric
composition should be enhanced by increased representation by
activists from other areas of Ward 63.
9.0 - Juhu Residents Association - Is a Newly formed body of
Residents in JVPD who are deeply concerned about civic issues and meet
/ interact regularly with the concerned authorities. Rajesh Darak (who
has been very active in sending various civic & development related)
emails, Ritin Sariya, Sherly Singh, Utsal Karani and other committed
individuals are it's office bearers.
As per their write-up, their principal object is to create clean,
green, secure and healthy environment in JVPD Scheme.It is a
non-political forum of the residents of JVPD Scheme.
They have been associated with civic issues since the last four years
and have realised that we need firefighting solutions to persistent
complaints regarding encroachments, banners, clogged gutters, bad
roads, sweepers, garbage dumps, tree cuttings etc. They are working on
a long-term vision for our area.
They have requested all the residents of Juhu Scheme to join this movement and
look forward to your whole hearted & ACTIVE support and suggestions,
You are kindly requested to contact them at 6692 5792 / 6692 5825 &
Email - jvp...@gmail.com and act suitably.
To the best of my limited knowledge, they have structured their
organization systematically with different individuals looking after
specific areas of work both functionally as well as geographically.
They are trying to adopt world class contemporary management thinking
that strives for creation of an individual ego & personality
independent organization which is the bane of most NGO's today.
10.0 - MCGM Citizen Portal - MCGM has set up a citizen portal -
http://portal.mcgm.gov.in/ on their website where residents can log in
their complaints. Although the same is a new effort (with it's
consequent teething problems), it is a step in the right direction.
More efforts are needed from the authorities to create such middle-men
elimination steps wherein which citizens can directly interact with
the authorities and remove
unjust-value-negating-middle-men-power-brokers.
Thanks to Sherly Singh & Rajesh Darak for their emails in informing
about the above portal, though MCGM had also well advertised about the
same and had got a good media coverage write-up.
11.0 - Thanks to the following Activists & ALM residents for their
continuing efforts
11.1 - Anand Desai, Adolf D'Souza & other JCWG (Juhu Citizens Welfare
Group) activists for their continuing action & advice to VithalNagar
Society Office Bearers in the unfortunate Criminal Case & Police
Action on the 1st weekend of December.
2 wrongs do not make a right. It is hoped that 2008 will witness quick
satisfactory resolution of all civil and criminal matters pertaining
to the above and other related matters.
We sincerely hope that in our society and in our ALM, no person /
group of persons should execute wrong un-lateral one sided decisions
using organizational / group / regulatory authority might as their
weapons.
Mr. Adolf D'souza has also offered to speak to the residents of
Vithalnagar on the issue.
Thanks to Vithalnagar residents Mr. Maloy Bhatt and Mr. Deepak
Chhabria and others for their efforts on the above.
11.2 - Mr. Arthur Coelho has prepared a revised note on Water Logging
Problems subsequent to the note made earlier which was emailed to all
residents. He also mentioned to me that Office Bearers of Federation
of 14 JVPD socieities have assured him that they would be filling to
consider his suggestions and advice on the same. Thanks to them for
the same.
11.3 - Mr. Gleason & GARAJ ALM for his continuing work in Juhu Gaothan
area and providing meals for the children there. Residents interested
can contact Gleason at 98205 45302 for further details.
11.4 - Mr. Kamlesh Jhaveri for his inputs and ideas as to how the ALM
could possibly leverage on the Times of India 'Lead India' campaign
for the forthcoming elections in 2008 & 2009. At an informal level, an
enterprising hard working JVPD activist was mentored in applying for
the above campaign. Mr. Jhaveri has several thoughts that he would
like to share with residents to improve our civic and political
workings.
11.5 - Mr. Madhu Sawant of the ' I Clean Mumbai' NGO for his efforts
in creating clean Mumbai neighbourhoods via the 'Saaf Angan' campaign.
He has also instituted a best Road award competition in K-West and
other areas in Mumbai. Residents interested can contact Mr. Madhu
Sawant at 93226 65836 for further details.
11.6 - Mr. Shishir Nevatia for his continuing inputs / efforts on
civic issues and Vithalnagar society matters. He has also made a
personal financial contribution to the Nagriksatta Ward 63 Association
which is highly commendable. Thanks also to Anil Desai who has emailed
a copy of his mail to Mr. Shishir Nevatia containing minutes of
meetings of Nagriksatta Ward 63 and other relevant documents.
In case I have missed out any activist or resident's name, apologies
to them. The same will be covered in a subsequent mail.
12.0 - Lessons from India's 2007 succesful '2M' political leaders for
some of their corresponding '3M' counterparts here.
As all of you are kindly aware, ALM's are a non-political forum. We
strive to focus on civic issues and related matters without dipping /
dragging our toes (or feet or our minds & bodies ) too much in
political matters.
However, this email comes at a time when the earlier UP state
elections & last week's election results in Gujarat (without getting
into the merits / de-merits of the reported unfortunate 2002 state
sponsored pogrom) have decisively changed the contours of Indian
politics for all time.
Politically inclined residents & activists are suggested to study the
same carefully, because there are several strong development related
as well as smart technology utilization lessons for all politicians
who are transparent, clean , committed and seek to build direct
integrity bridges with their citizens by their work and efforts.
The two Political 'M'-Winners of India in 2007 - Mayawati & Modi have
generated significant lessons for a few of our 3M public
representatives ( Mumbai Money Makers or Mumbai Mess Makers as some of
us ordinary citizens like to refer to them) for them to assimilate
smartly for Mumbai to grow in 2008 and beyond.
Nirali Dixit of Times of India West Side Plus has emailed a
questionnaire for residents as a follow up to their ' Meet your
Corporator' program in March 2007. The same is being sent as a
separate mail. An online poll has also been created by me for ALM
residents to vote on the questions emailed by her.
Thanking you for your ongoing efforts in helping create a better
Mumbai and your valuable time in reading this mail.
As usual, welcome all feedback, critique & suggestions.
Wishing all of you Happy Holidays and a Prosperous 2008.
--
Mahesh Khatri.
Email : kaytek (at) vsnl (dot) com,
jvpdnwalm (at) gmail (dot) com
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