Mumbaiya Politics

I believe that three things which drive Mumbai are its Nightlife, which I think is vanishing now; thanks to ACP Vasant Dhoble, Crime, and Politics.

In Rohit Shetty’s film Singham, there is a dialogue “Yahan politics main system ho ya na ho, lekin system main politics jaroor hota hai”. We can refer Yahan as Mumbai (in fact India, but let’s narrow it down to Mumbai). 
So, “Mumbai main, politics main system ho ya na ho, lekin system main politics jaroor hota hai”

Before Independence:

Let us start with an era when there was British rule in India. Bombay and Politics are intertwined since 1885. The first session of the National Congress Party was held in Bombay from 28–31 December 1885. During the first fifty years, it held six sessions of National Congress Party. Later during the 20^th century it became a strong base for the Indian independence movement.

After Independence:

After Independence, in 1960s Bombay saw the rise of regional parties. On 19 June 1966, Shiv Sena party was formed which headed a campaign to expel South Indian and North Indians migrants forcefully. From Independence until the early 1980s, the Congress had dominated the politics of Bombay, but in 1985 Shiv Sena won the Bombay municipal corporation elections.

Different parties in Bombay/Mumbai:

To remove the Congress in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a major national political party, in 1989, formed an alliance with the Shiv Sena. In 1999, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) separated from the Congress, but later allied with the Congress, to form a joint venture known as the Democratic Front.  Currently, other parties such as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and several independent candidates also contest elections in the city.

Parties those are very prominent in Mumbai are-

1. Indian National Congress: It is a major political party in founded in Bombay in 1885. The party is currently the chief member of the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition headed by Sonia Gandhi.
2. Shiv Sena (SS): It is aright-wing Hindu party, formed on 19 June 1966 by Balasaheb Thackeray.
3. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): On 25th May 1999, Sharad Pawar, Shri P. A. Sangma and Shri Tariq Anwar and other hundreds of their political supporters decided to form this new Political Party. Sharad Pawar was elected President.
4. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS): Raj Thackeray left the Shiv Sena in December 2005 and formed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in March 2006. He is a nephew of Bal Thackeray. Like his uncle, Raj Thackeray also headed a campaign to expel North Indian migrants by force.

In the Indian national elections held every five years, Mumbai is represented by six parliamentary constituencies: Mumbai North, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai South Central, and Mumbai South. A Member of Parliament (MP) to the Lok Sabha, is elected from each of the parliamentary constituencies.

In the Maharashtra state assembly elections which are held every five years, Mumbai is represented by 36 assembly constituencies. A Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) to the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha, is elected from each of the assembly constituencies.

Along with this, elections are also held every five years to elect corporators in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The Corporation comprises 227 directly elected Councillors representing the 24 municipal wards, five nominated Councillors having special knowledge or experience in municipal administration, and a Mayor. The tenure of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Municipal Commissioner is two and a half years.

Since there are many parties who wants to rule on Mumbai, there are always some or the other disputes. One party having rally for some reason then other one organising a rally for other. The only thing parties believe in is how to manipulate common person and create vote bank. It is said that Mumbai is a favorite place for terrorists and attackers. Mumbai is the financial capital of India. The politics in Mumbai has a great influence on the politics at the national level.

If financial capital is not in a good state, then obvious it will affect the whole country. But it is spirit of Mumbaikars who runs it. (I sometime doubts, it’s a spirit of Mumbaikar or the majboori.) Unfortunately there is politics everywhere, not in terms of political parties only but in a way Mumbai works, which corrupts the system. Hence whenever we hear of word ‘Politics’ most of us make faces and say ye toh gutter hai, saaf karne jayenge toh khud ke haath gande honge.

ETAWAH: The Land of Talents

Etawah, my native place, is a city in the state Uttar Pradesh near Yamuna River. It is a part of a Kanpur Division. Also Etawah is a place of sangam between Yamuna and Chambal.  If go in the history of the city, it was an important center for the Revolt of 1857.

Etawah - Constituency map Uttar Pradesh

Chambal ki Gattis are close to Etawah city, hence it is a notorious city even today. But today I, Anusha Pathak, want all of you to know that my native in not that bad as everyone thinks. Etawah is a land of talents too and here I am presenting few amazing talents of Etawah people.

1.      Ustad Imdad Khan (1848–1920), Instrumental Classical Musician: Even though his father Ustad Sahabdab Khan was the founder of Etawah Gharana, which comes from the most ancient school of music, the Gwalior Gharana, Ustad Imdad Khan was the one who developed the instruments, and created an innovative instrumental style that became characteristic of the Etawah gharana. The gharana is also called as Imdadkhani Gharana.

Ustad Imdad Khan was born in Agra, but later shifted to Etawah. He was taught by his father Ustad Sahabdab Khan and the legendary beenkar Bande Ali Khan. He had served to kings of Mysore and Indore. He also played for Queen Victoria in Delhi.

In the 19^th century, Senia style was dominating in the instrumental classical music of Northern India. But, Ustad Imdad Khan introduced the element of Khayal gayaki into the alap of the first time. All gayaki ornamentations were implemented and systematically developed into the techniques for this newly developed style for playing sitar.

Ustad Imdad Khan was the first Sitar player to come out with a recording.

2.      Devesh Singh Chauhan (1980), Hockey Player of India: Devesh Chauhan has born on November 12, 1980 in Etawah. He is a Hockey goalkeeper from India. In early 2000, Devesh Chauhan made his international debut for the Men’s National Team. He represented India twice at the Olympics in 2000 (Sydney Australia) and in 2004 (Athens, Greece) where India finished in seventh place on both the occasions.

In the year 2001, Champions Challenge for Men was the inaugural tournament of Champions Challenge which held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Devesh Chauhan was the goal keeper of Indian Hockey team at that time. India defeated South Africa by 2-1 in the final to win the competition.

3.      Gopaldas Saxena ‘Neeraj’ (1924), Poet and Song Writer: E bhai zara dekh ke chalo song from Mera Naam Joker, would always remind you of Raj Kapoor and Manna Day. But Gopaldas Saxena ‘Neeraj’ (or popularly known as Neeraj as it is his pen name) was the one who wrote the song. Not only this but many songs like O meri Sharmili from Sharmili, Phulon ke rang se, dil ki kalam se from Prem Pujari, both sung by Shri Kishore Kumar. Rangeela re from Prem Pujari sung by Lata Mangeshkarji, Mera man tera pyasaa from Gambler sung by Mohammed Rafi and many more.

‘Neeraj’ji is among the best known poets and authors in Hindi literature. He is also famous poet of Hindi Kavi Sammelan. He has many collections i.e., “Neeraj ki Paati”, “Baadlon se Salaaam Leta Hoon”, “Geet jo Gaye Nahi” etc.

He was born on January 4, 1924 in the small village Ekdil of Etawah. His style is easy to understand but is compared with high quality Hindi literature.

Besides writing he was the Professor of Hindi Literature in Aligarh.

In the year 2007, he was awarded Padma Bhushan. Recently in the March of this year 2012, he recited some of his works at Annual Inter-College Cultural festival, Spoculit of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow. Nowadays he works as the Chancellor of Mangalayatan University, Aligarh.

4.      Mulayam Singh Yadav (1939), Ex-Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh: Mulayan Singh Yadav is an Indian politician, head of Samajwadi Party (SP) from Uttar Pradesh. He was born on November 22, 1939 in the village Saifai of Etawah. He did his education from different colleges of Uttar Pradesh like K. K College, Etawah, A. K. College, Shikohabad and B. R. College, Agra University.

He was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh thrice from 1989-1991, 1993-1995 and 2003-2007. He also served as Minister of Defence (1996-1998) in the United Front government.  His supporters call him Netajee and Dhartiputra. Mulayam Singh is a dedicated follower of Indian socialist leaders like Raj Narain and Ram Manohar Lohia.

Now his son Akhilesh Yadav (1973), who was also born in Saifai village, is Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He took his primary education from Saint Mary School, Etawah.

5.      K. Asif (1922-1971), Film Director: Asif Karim was born on June 14, 1922 in Etawah. He was a film director, film producer and screenwriter. He is most famous for his work for the epic Hindi movie Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

Asif Karim went to Bombay to his brother-in-law Nazir Ahmed Khan and later took the name K. Asif. His directorial debut was Phool (1945), with a star cast of Prithviraj Kapoor, Durga Khote and Suraiya, which did well on box-office. Later he came up with the Mughal-e-Azam in 1960 with Dilip Kumar and Madhubala, which bagged him the status of legend despite his very few work.

The other film he made was Hulchul in 1951. While shooting on another film Love and God, K. Asif died on March 9, 1971 at the age of 48.

Along with all these eminent personalities and specialties of Etawah, former Indian President, late Dr. Zakir Hussain (February 8, 1897) pursued his school education in H.M.S Islamia Inter College, Etawah which is an epitome of unity and good relations between Hindus and Muslims. 

So from all this we can see that Etawah, my native place, a small city of Uttar Pradesh, India, has so much of talent within itself. Etawah has given many prominent personalities to India in different fields like Music, Sports, Literature, Politics, and Films etc.

Hence, I can say even if it is notorious place, thanks to Chambal ke Daakus, it has given me many more reasons to say that I am proud of my native place. I am proud of Etawah. 

Best Public Transport: BEST Buses

BEST Logo

Bright red coloured, big wheels and sometimes many posters, that’s what comes to my mind first when I think  about BEST bus. The parent company of these buses is Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST Undertaking). It is another public transport other than Mumbai’s “lifeline” local trains while covers entire city. It also caters to people living in Thane, and Navi Mumbai. Two other municipalities have their own public service named Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) and Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT). Initially, BEST Undertaking has started as an electric supply company which later extended in transport, starting Bus and Tram services. In 1964 BEST’s tram services came to an end.

Origin of BEST buses:
Idea of public transport was first given by an American company in 1865 but due to low economy in the city at that time the project never got a start.
Then in 1873, the Bombay Tramway Company Limited was given the licence to operate trams in the city. Later, in 1905, the Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways Company Limited (B.E.S. & T Co. Ltd) bought the company. It introduced first electrically operated trams in May 1907 in Mumbai.
In addition to tram service, Mumbai Municipality decided to introduce either trolley buses or motor buses in 1913. In February 1926, the B.E.S. &T Company decided to introduce three routes on experimental basis which received a great interest by public. By 1927 B.E.S.T. Company had a fleet of 49 buses. Double-decker buses were introduced to cope up with the traffic in 1937. The first Limited bus service in Mumbai, started running in 1940 between Colaba and Mahim. BEST has started Air-Conditioned bus service too. On August 18, 2005, BEST introduced the first disabled-friendly buses (five buses with special wheel chair-accessible low floors).
The B.E.S. &T. Company Ltd was taken over by Municipal Corporation in August 1947 and its named was changed to Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking. In 1995, it was again changed to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (B.E.S. &T Undertaking).

Interesting facts to know about BEST buses:

• In 2011, the BEST runs a total of 4,680 buses,  carrying 4.8 million passengers over 365 routes, and has a workers strength of 38,000, which includes 22,000 bus drivers and conductors.
• The single-deck bus can carry 36 passengers sitting and 22 passengers standing while the double-decker could take as many as 58 sitting.
• BEST also operates a ferry service since 1981 in northern Mumbai, across the Manori Creek.
• We know that there are Ordinary buses and then there are Limited buses. But very few know the difference between them. Limited buses skip minor stops and are used on Long routes. These buses provide connectivity beyond Mumbai city.
• The BEST currently uses 1500+ environment friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and Diesel powered Single and Double decker buses.
• Almost all buses have LCD TV’s per bus.
• In February 2011, Mumbai’s first air-conditioned bus stand was inaugurated at Dadar which caters to over 14,000 passengers per day.
• After three bomb blasts in and near buses (December 2002, July 2003 and July 2011) BEST has installed an audio-visual surveillance system on its buses to monitor suspicious behaviour. They also have awareness message in buses saying instead of watching outside the window, check for suspicious bag or a person.
• BEST buses are operated out of the 25 bus depot located in four zones- City, Central, Western, Eastern suburban zones. These depots carry various maintenance practices for buses.
• One of the most amazing facts which very few people know it that the BEST has their own Bus Museum. Yes, you read it write. Bus Museum. It is located at Anik Bus Depot in Wadala near IMAX theatre. The museum was set up in 1984 at BEST’s Kurla depot. Later, it was shifted to Anik depot in 1993. The museum shows the evolution of BEST. It has mini models of old BEST buses and ancient trams. Entry to the museum is free.

BEST has several options to pay fare:

• Single journey ticket in which Conductor issue a paper ticket.
• Daily pass which can be used for a whole in any Ordinary or Limited bus. Earlier the cost this pass was Rs. 15, which changed to Rs. 25/-. And within a short span it increased to Rs. 40/-, that too you should have a special Identity card provided by BEST.
• Monthly and Quarterly distance-wise bus pass which is mostly used by school going kids.
• Monthly and Quarterly unlimited bus passes. Their prices have also increased immensely.

It is said that if you are traveling in train at peak hours and you maintain your patience, your clothes are not torn and you safely reach your destination, you have won a war. Same concept applies on buses, including another factor of not harassed by people.

A regular bus commuter Swadesh Kumar Pathak says, “Even though most Mumbaikars prefer local trains to commute, buses also cater to a large group. They are bit time consuming due to heavy traffic in city and sometimes are roller-coaster rides, thanks to pot holes, but to a large extent comfortable rides.”

Since I am too is the regular bus commuter I totally agree with him. Bus ride is roller-coaster but memorable one. One should at least travel once for the lifetime experience.

We and the Technology

“This is the era of technology”. You must have heard this thousand’s time by many. But questions which always comes to my mind is- are they boon or a curse for humankind? Are we too dependent on these technologies? Do we feel incomplete without them?

Unfortunately, the answer to the questions is Yes. We have become so dependent on the technology that living without it is like living without air.

Technology Evolution

Can you imagine your life without a cell-phone? Most of us will answer No, because we have become so dependent on it. If we are not on call then either we are busy in texting or engrossed in some other application of it. If you are getting bored, listen to songs in your phone; want to play games it’s there in your phone, even if you want to go somewhere ask the address to your phone. Why? Are the people around you, are dead or else you are blind that you cannot see anyone or anything except your phone and other gadgets.

I understand that the phone is a necessity but that doesn’t mean we have to keep checking it in every two-minutes, so that we don’t miss anything. We have forgotten to catch up with family, friends and neighbours. However, if we do so it’s a virtual reality, thanks to the Facebook and Skype. We are so used to the technology that most of our work is related to it. In fact nowadays, if you want to shop, just few clicks and the required things are delivered at your place. Today we cannot write something without a 'spells check’. This is insane.

Technology and today's generation

Technology has made us lethargic, weak, obese and what not. There is no physical or mental activity to be done. Want to calculate something, get calculator. Want to shop, order online. We are so much attached to our seats and don’t want to leave our comfort zones. I agree technology gives us an inspiration to creative new ideas, motivates us to invent new things, but today I can’t find single kid not using a cell-phone or a laptop. Is this the way we want to up bring our next generations; obsessed with gadgets?

One of the most important technologies that are discovered is Electricity. It is a boon to us. We won’t be able to do anything, practically any single thing, without it. Our all devices be it computer, television, microwave, washing machine or anything, it works on it.

Imagine one day there is no electricity for a day, what will you do? How will you survive? Horrific, isn’t it? But honestly, it is not so difficult. There are so many things we can do. Meet and talk to your friends and family without computer screens in front of you, go for a walk, enjoy the beauty of nature, get wet in the Mumbai monsoon. There are so many things to do instead of becoming a slave of the technology.

Call is your, want to become a master of the technology or a slave.

HAPPY AND GAY

SITUATION 1-
A: Hey look, Ronie is coming?
B: Ronie! Oh, he’s a gay!

SITUATION 2-
X: Kya baat hai bhai aajkal tu Jeet ke saath bada dikh raha hai?
Y: Yaar, dost hai mera.
X: Dost hai ya….? Waise bhi Act 377 lagu ho gaya hai. Ab toh legal hai ye sab.

Today we can see many such examples where, “being gay or lesbian” has become someone’s identity. Most people don’t even know what is the Act 377 all about? What does the law say? What is written in it? When and where it is applicable or why?

Homosexuality is neither mental illness nor abnormality nor immorality. It is just the way few of us wish to express our love and sexuality. But homosexuality is considered crime from the time 1860s when we were still under the control of British rule. According to the law, Indian Penal Code (IPC) Chapter XVI, Section 377, punishes “whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal.” Violations are punishable by a prison term up to 10 years and possible fines.It was criminalized because it was “against the order of nature”.

But on July 2, 2009, the New Delhi High Court overturned the 152-years-old law section, a bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice S. Muralidhar, changed Section 377 and decriminalized consensual sex between LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender) adults. They said that if this law is not modified, section 377 of the IPC would violate Article 14 of the Indian constitution, which states that every citizen has equal opportunity of life and is equal before law. However Section 377 continues to apply in the case of sex involving minors and forced sex.

In today’s world, people believe that they are so-called modern but when the actual time comes to prove their “modernity” they back out. It very much applies on accepting gays and lesbians in the society. Everyone has their own version of modernity. Different people have different opinions about LGBT community. Some believes that it is highly offensive. The act is ‘against the nature’ and the gays are criminals. Others are accepting them but they are very few. Some also believes that peoples’ opinion does not change just because the law has changed, which is very true. Also, some others believe that legalizing such relationships will make the society impure and increase the problems of HIV/AIDS.

However the one thing that has changed with this new improvisation is that, people have been open about their sexuality for the first time in families and in workspaces.

One of my friends whom I talked about this whole issue said “Now I am more comfortable to confess that I am a gay. Although there is still no good social acceptance for people like us, the good part is that we are no longer criminals under the law.”

I believe that for LGBT community it is very important that they first accept themselves. They should believe in themselves, and then only they can be confident enough to confess others about their feelings. And this act has somewhat helped them to overcome the family and societal fear. Even though the situation is not so good but now they are not charged under some crime and they can fight without their hands being tied with law.

I think it’s the high time we should start accepting the change in this law. Also, respect individual’s privacy. When there is a change in society time to time, why can’t there be change in the laws which are formed so many decades ago and are enforced on us even today, even if it doesn’t make sense in today’s world.

‘Returns’ of Single-Screen Theatres

In this era, where multiplexes are everywhere, we have somehow forgotten that few years ago the only thing we had were single-screen theatres.

At the age of the multiplexes, it is believed that nowadays single screen theatres are not meant for the families but the“rowdies”. People say that these theatres are not safe for them and for their families because of the crowd coming there. But how much truth lies in this statement?

Regal theatre in Colaba

Today multiplexes have taken over the single screen theatres. They have added an element of comfort during watching the movie. They have made it so good that upmarket society prefer to go to multiplexes because there they can see people like them, the so-called sophisticated lot. From the owner’s angle too multiplexes are very profiting. They get to share 50% of the revenue while single screens only get theatre rent, which is a very small amount and sometimes it cannot even take care of their electricity bills. As per the statistics, the number of single-screen theatres in Maharashtra has come down from 864 to 722 and in Mumbai and Thane from 100 to 81.

Even though nowadays producers are making more products which will suit single screens, but owners are more interested in the government paying attention to their needs and demands. Because they have to give too much of entertainment tax compared to other states and also they do not have shares in the total revenue.

But now the trend is changing.

Film traders says that a film like Zindagi Na Mile Dobara grossed 25% cent of its box office from single screens, Murder 2 grabbed in 40%, and Ready and Bodyguard 45% each. The number of single-screen theatres may have come down in Mumbai and Thane over the years, but there is a quiet change happening. Today one cannot ignore the single screens as they make a major contribution, around 30%-50%, to a film’s box office collection.

In our country where cinema is a craze, this change in watching films is in a way a change in the lifestyle. Today’s cinema lovers have become very smart, they want better air-conditioning and a more Upmarket atmosphere, but at an affordable price. So, several single-screen theatre owners are renovating their theatres to satisfy the crowd which is coming back from the multiplexes. Single screens are matching multiplex standards now. Hence, the cinema-lovers are turning towards the single-screen theatres which are maintaining their position.

Chitra theatre in Dadar

Technically also single screen theatres are better than multiplexes. To see the beauty of landscape or to watch long shot scenes one should prefer single screens because it gives better quality due to long projections in the big halls. Compared to multiplexes, single screens have much more capacity and have big screen which gives true sense of watching film on “big screen”.

Single-screen theatres now have a nice mix of the audience. The multiplex audiences are returning to balconies while lovers of single screens continue to grab the stalls. Paradise cinema in Mahim, Edward theatre in Kalbadevi, Chitra, Plaza and Nakshatra cinema in Dadar, Regal in Colaba and Aurora in Matunga are now a cinema hall for family viewing.

(Photos- I googled it)

विचार

देखो! देखो उस उड़ती चिड़िया को देखो,

उड़ान भरती कितनी खुश है देखो.

उस चिड़िया के समान अपने विचारों को उड़ाने दो,

उसे किसी बंधन में मत बंधने दो.

लांघने दो उसे दूसरे देशों की सीमा,

पहुँचने दो अपने विचारों की गरिमा.

पर कभी ना कभी यह पंछी थक कर रुक जाएगा,

लेकिन स्वयं को, अपने विचारों को मत रुकने दो,

न थमने दो, न थकने दो.

देखो! देखो उस खिलते गुलाब को देखो,

पूरी बगिया को महकता, मुस्कुराता गुलाब तो देखो.

उस खिलते गुलाब के समान अपने विचारों को भी,

धरती रूपी बगिया में महकने दो,

खिल-खिल कर विचारों को अपने बढने दो.

महकने दो अपने विचारों की सुगंद को पूरे विश्व में,

बिखरे ऐसे कि कोई न कर पाए अपने वश में,

मगर याद रहे, ये गुलाब मुरझा जाते हैं, एक ना एक दिन,

पर स्वयं को, अपने विचारों को कभी न मुरझाने दो किसी भी दिन.

तो, अपने विचारों को उड़ने दो, खिलने दो और आगे बढने दो..!!