2015: THE YEAR OF CHANGE  A VISION FOR  NANDGAONPETH 

VOL.4 ISSUE 12  DECEMBER 2015  ` 50  PAGES 52

GLOBAL MEMORIAL OF THE LEGEND Minister for Revenue, Eknath Khadse with his wife and Warkari couple, Damodar Ratan Somase and Laxmibai Damodar Somase offer prayers at the official puja of Lord Vitthal–Rukmini in Pandharpur, SEEKING LORD’S BLESSING Minister for Revenue prays at Pandharpur for a drought-free, peaceful and prosperous Maharashtra

inister for Revenue, Eknath MKhadse performed a puja of Lord Vitthal and Rukmani on the occasion of Kartik Ekadashi at Pandharpur recently. The senior Cabinet Minister prayed to Lord Vitthal to make Maharashtra free from drought and attain peace and prosperity. The 85-year-old Warkari from Jaduwadi, Malegaon taluka, Nashik, Damodar Ratan Somase and his 78- year-old wife Laxmibai Damodar Somase performed the official puja with the Cabinet Minister. Thousands of devotees gathered in the holy city of Pandharpur on the auspicious occasion. CONTENTS WHAT’S INSIDE

05 COVER STORY TRIBUTE TO THE SOCIAL CRUSADER Prime Minister dedicated to public the London house of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The memorial is a tribute to the principal architect of Constitution of and the leader who stood for equal rights

09 12 14 18 PANCHTEERTH IN PERSON SWACHHTA ABHIYAN SPOTLIGHT WHERE HISTORY CHANDRASHEKHAR SUCCESS STORIES: A NEW VISION WAS MADE BAWANKULE SOLAPUR & FOR VIDARBHA The five important places related Minister for Energy, New and Solapur District Collector A multi-pronged strategy to to the life of Bharat Ratna Renewable Energy Resources in Tukaram Mundhe and Nagpur transform the region and bring in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar have an interview talks about the work District Collector Sachin Kurve socio-economic development been declared as Panchteerth. A done by his department towards share the achievements of the covers agriculture, industries, feature on the destinations State’s progress in past one year mission in their districts infrastructure and tourism

24 30 34 40 YEAR ENDER INDUSTRY WANDERLUST MAHARASHTRA 2015 DRIVEN BY EXPLORING THE WHERE NATURE A report on key developments in MILL POWER UNEXPLORED BECKONS the State in past one year, from Government envisions Vidarbha is known for its If you wish to get enchanted by Chief Minister’s foreign visits to development of Vidarbha as historical land and hill forts. A nature’s beauty, the wildlife, open Jayukta Shivar Yojana, Make in India’s new textile hub; the visit to the forts to understand meadows and grasslands, Pench Maharashtra and Swachh textile park at Nandgaonpeth is their history, architecture National Park is where you need Maharashtra Abhiyan the first step towards the vision and the role they played to head this winter vacation

DISCLAIMER: V IEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE MAGAZINE ARE THOSE OF WRITERS

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 03 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

VOL. 4 ISSUE 12  DECEMBER 2015  `50  PAGES 52

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar MANAGING EDITOR Chandrashekhar Oak ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Devendra Bhujbal A TRIBUTE EDITOR Kirti Pande TO THE EPITOME EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kriti Lalla he month of November witnessed the historic moment of dedication of TEAM CO-ORDINATION London house of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to public by EDITING Prime Minister Narendra Modi in presence of Chief Minister Devendra Suresh Wandile Fadnavis at London. The house, where the great legend spent years during his (Deputy Director) T studies in London was acquired by the State Government in August 2015. The ADMINISTRATION Government of Maharashtra will now develop this as an international memorial. It Digamber Palve will inspire students going for higher studies in London. (Sr. Assistant Director) SALES AND CIRCULATION In October, while performing the foundation-laying ceremony of the memorial of Ashwini Pujari Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Indu Mills, Mumbai, the Prime Minister had announced (Sub-Editor) the five key places associated with the life of the social crusader and architect of the Constitution of India to be developed as Panchteerth. We include an exclusive MEDIA TRANSASIA article giving information of these places. ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jyoti Verma December is the month when State Assembly’s winter session takes place at Nagpur. ASSISTANT EDITOR The session is important from Pallavi Singh Vidarbha’s point of view. The issue DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR includes a special article on the various Sachin Jain decisions taken by the Government for development of the region. CHAIRMAN J.S. Uberoi The Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan is PRESIDENT becoming a huge success with the Xavier Collaco initiatives and awareness created by the State Government. Exemplary Maharashtra Ahead is printed work has been done by many local on behalf of the Directorate General bodies in the field. The issue has taken of Information and Public Relations, cognisance of excellent works done in Government of Maharashtra, Nagpur and Solapur under the at KALA JYOTHI PROCESS PVT. LTD. Abhiyan. Such good works stand to be Plot No.W-17 & W-18, MIDC, an inspiration for other districts. Taloja Industrial Area, Taloja-410 208, Navi Mumbai To observe the accomplishments of State Government’s one Letters should be addressed to year in office, the Directorate General Directorate General of Information of Information and Public Relations and Public Relations, New Administrative Building, took many initiatives. There were 17th Floor, Opposite Mantralaya, special issues of Lokrajya Marathi and Urdu, Maharashtra Ahead, a booklet on one Mumbai-400032. year of fulfilment of promises, booklets on all districts, tableaus and special Email: programmes on Dilkhulas and Jai Maharashtra. maharashtraahead.dgipr @gmail.com Please visit the website The award-giving ceremony of Best Journalism Award for the year 2014 was http://dgipr.maharashtra.gov.in a special occasion. At the function, Chief Minister presented Lokmanya Tilak Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned columnist Padma Shri Directorate General of Information Muzaffar Hussain. Seventeen journalists were felicitated. The Chief Minister and Public Relations announced a new award from next year for journalists, who would work for creating A Government of Maharashtra Production awareness for Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan. In other articles, we bring to you a jungle safari in Pench National Park, the rural folk theatre of Khadi Gammat and the amazing forts of Vidarbha. Enjoy the edition and let us know your feedback.

Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar Editor-in-Chief, Maharashtra Ahead, DGIPR

Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, Government of Maharashtra COVER STORY LONDON MEMORIAL

he London House of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb TRIBUTE TO SOCIAL Ambedkar which will be transformed into an international memorial, was dedicated to people by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at London on NovemberT 14. This was indeed a historic moment and a tribute CRUSADER by the Maharashtra Government to the epitome of unity and brotherhood. Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra Chief The Prime Minister having dedicated Minister Devendra Fadnavis Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s London house as said the country will progress on the principles of social equality Chief memorial to the public is a fitting tribute and fraternity inscribed by Dr. Minister to the architect of Constitution of India who Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Devendra stood for social equality and fraternity Constitution of India. Fadnavis said The house where Dr. India will Babasaheb Ambedkar stayed progress on the while pursuing his studies at principles of social equality London was opened as memorial and fraternity to public in presence of Prime inscribed by Minister Narendra Modi and Dr. Babasaheb Chief Minister Devendra Ambedkar Fadnavis. Minister for Social Justice Rajkumar Badole, Member of Parliament Ramdas Athawale, Former Minister Sulekha Kumbhare and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. The moment the Prime Minister entered the historic house situated at King Henry Road, the atmosphere was filled with slogans of Jai Bheem. On the occasion, Prime Minister (From top) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid M.P. Ramdas Athawale pay tributes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at London tributes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Prime Minister was

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 05 COVER STORY LONDON MEMORIAL

F (Clockwise from top) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister, Social Justice, Rajkumar Badole with a replica of Ashok Stambh; Prime Minister and Chief Minister look at the rare pictures related to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Prime Minister signs the visitors book at the London memorial

warmly welcomed by the Chief Minister on the occasion. The Economics, has been opened as memorial to public by Prime Prime Minister, while visiting the house got himself Minister Narendra Modi. The principles of social equality and acquainted with the rare pictures and things of historic fraternity given by Dr. Ambedkar through the Indian importance kept there. He not only minutely observed the Constitution proved its importance for the development of the objects, but also expressed his gratitude towards them. nation. I pay my humble tributes to the real son of Bharat Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the Mata (son of soil), Jai Bheem, Jai Bharat, Jai Maharashtra!’’ principles of social justice and equality of Dr. Babasaheb Earlier, during Prime Minister’s visit for the foundation Ambedkar will always inspire the world. On the occasion, laying ceremony of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s memorial at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis penning down his feelings Indu Mill in Mumbai, the Chief Minister had requested him to in the visitor’s book kept at the memorial, mentioned that “this visit the London house. Having accepted the invitation, the is a historic day, the house of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar where Prime Minister included the programme in his London tour. he stayed while pursuing education at London School of The historic moment was witnessed by the entire world.

06 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 M COVER STORY MAHAPARINIRVAN DIN

THE INSPIRATION LIVES ON Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was a jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired a nation that was free, just and inclusive. He inspired the Modern Buddhist Movement and campaigned against social discrimination, says Dr. Pradeep Aglave

acquired, to devise solutions to the problems people faced. Born on April 14, 1891 to Bhimabai and Ramji Ambavadekar, an army officer stationed at Mhow in , Bhimrao was from a lower caste and had limited rights in Indian society. The family was from the town of Ambavade, in Mandangad taluka of of modern-day Maharashtra. Bhimrao belonged to the poor, low Mahar (dalit) caste, which was treated as Untouchable and subjected to socio-economic discrimination. Although they attended school, Bhimrao and other Mahar children were segregated and given little attention or help by teachers. They were not allowed to sit inside the class and served water from someone of a higher caste from a height. It was this abject poverty and cruelty that led Bhimrao to begin his mission of changing the social, cultural and spiritual state of the backward. Bhimrao’s biggest weapon in the fight was his acumen and keenness to learn. Besides his extraordinary intellectual powers, he was gifted with an ambitious father, encouraging teachers, and a royal benefactor, all of which together helped him attend college in Bombay and then Columbia University, a first for anyone of his background. With his perseverance and grit, he raced through an MA and a Ph.D in anthropology and political economy, writing Masters and Doctoral. His feat sent him next to London School of Economics (LSE), where he began a second MA in 1916. In 1917, he was abruptly summoned back to India by the benefactor to repay the debt and work.

Freedom of mind is the real freedom. A person, whose mind is not free though he may not be in chains, is a slave, not a free man. One, whose mind is not free, though he may not be in prison, is a prisoner and not a free man. One whose mind is not free though alive, is no better than w dead. Freedom of mind is the proof of one’s existence. We must break the chains, once and forever. —DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR (1891-1956)

he rousing words of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar encourage one to be free in thoughts and make a world that respects freedom of mind. Around 1947, when the golden words were said, the task was easierT said than done in a country that was not only divided by castes and religions, but was also a captive for over150 years. The scenario, however, did not deter the revolutionary driven by the agonies of his own life and the vast education he

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 07 COVER STORY MAHAPARINIRVAN DIN

Coming back to India, unfortunately, brought back the demand for a separate electorate for dalits, in what came to be same, insulting, caste-based incidents. Bhimrao was an called as the Poona Pact. From 1935 onwards, Dr. Ambedkar Untouchable again. Upset and frustrated, he quit his job and told his followers to find justice outside the folds of Hinduism. went back to Bombay to rejoin his family. He was appointed as a professor of political economy at Sydenham College and CONSTITUTION AND BUDDHISM soon saved enough money to go back to London to resume his In some years, India attained freedom from the British rule. On studies. Between 1920 and 1923, he earned a second MA and August 29, 1947, a resolution of Constituent Assembly a second PhD at the LSE, as well as a law degree from Gray’s appointed a Drafting Committee with seven members, Inn in London. By late 1920s, the 32-year-old lawyer was including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for preparing a draft of the called to the Bar. He started a practice at the Bombay High Constitution of independent India. It is said when drafting of the Court, began publishing his scholarly papers, was appointed Constitution of India was embarked upon, Pandit Jawaharlal professor at the Government Law College, was nominated to Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel thought of inviting known the Bombay Legislative Council, and ran journals and constitutional expert, Sir Guor Jennings. When approached for community organisation dealing with the rights of dalits. He advice in the matter, reported to have told also launched a series of agitations and campaigns to them, why they should be looking for foreign experts when they demand that dalits be allowed to access public goods such as had an eminent legal and constitutional expert in Dr. drinking water from tanks and wells, to move freely and in a Ambedkar. The then Law Minister, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was dignified manner, and be granted entry into sacred temples appointed the chairman of the Drafting Committee. just like other Hindus. The Constituent Assembly took two years 11 months and 18 In 1930, he led thousands of activists to the Kalaram days in framing the Constitution of India. It was adopted on Temple in Nashik, demanding access to the temple. In 1932, November 26, 1949. The Constitution heralded an era of he reluctantly agreed to Mahatma Gandhi’s plea to drop the equality, social justice and practice of equity. Yet, turbulence, trauma and inhuman practices persisted. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, therefore, thought of India’s political isolation and demanded Constitution a separate preserve for was adopted on Scheduled Castes. With an all- November 26, pervasive vision of socio-religious 1949. The realities, he struck upon the path Constitution of Buddhism and ignited the heralded an era of equality, spirit of men for the attainment social justice of equality and liberty. In the and practice 1950s, he travelled to many of equity countries where Buddhism flourished. On October 14, 1956, less than two months before he died, he converted to Buddhism with about 3.65 lakh of his followers in Nagpur. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s work on the uplift of the backward not only helped India, but struck a chord with backward societies all across the world. Presidents of the Buraku, a socially exploited community in Japan, came to India to study his philosophy to act on it back home. Janos Orsos, the president of the gypsy community in Hungary, Europe, was also inspired by the leader. Just like Karl Marx led a revolution in 1917 Russia, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar re- ignited Buddhism in India by embracing it. Not less than a religious leader for the dalits, every year lakhs of followers visit Chaityabhoomi on the death anniversary of their hero. The day, December 6, observed as Mahaparinirvan Din, sees lakhs of Ambedkar followers gather at Shivaji Park in Dadar, Mumbai. The mass gathering displays the inspiration and belief that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was.

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C WHERE HISTORY WAS MADE The five important places related to the life of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar have been declared Panchteerth. Dr. Dhanraj Dahat pays a visit to the places

Ambedkar Monument, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh

harat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a noted cantonment, rising to the rank of Subedar. scholar, jurist and revolutionist apart from being the A memorial can be seen at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s chief architect of the Constitution of India. The birthplace, which has become a place of worship for Indians at leader throughout his life fought for the rights of large. The memorial is in the shape of a Buddhist stupa, built sociallyB backward classes. In the year of 125th birth at a spot where his father’s quarters used to be. Located by the anniversary of the revolutionary, Prime Minister Narendra Agra–Mumbai Road, it is a marvelous piece of architecture Modi has resolved to develop the five places associated with made of white marble with the statue of the great leader in the the life and mission of the great leader. Termed Panchteerth facade. It houses photographs and life history of by the Prime Minister, these places are Ambedkar Monument Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, Ambavade village in Ratnagiri district, Dr. Ambedkar’s residence in Delhi, the house where AMBAVADE, RATNAGIRI he stayed in London and the Indu Mill area in Mumbai. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s native village Ambavade holds significance in his life. Located in Mandangad taluka of AMBEDKAR MONUMENT, MHOW Ratnagiri district, this is where a young Bhima was named as Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was born to Bhimabai and Ramji Ambedkar. His original surname Ambavadekar comes from Maloji Sakpal on April 14, 1891 at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh. this village. Researchers say that his father Subhedar Ramji His ancestors had been serving the army of the British admitted his son at the Government High School, Satara, Empire, and his father served in the Indian Army at the Mhow Maharashtra (now known as Pratap Singh High School). His

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surname was changed from Ambavadekar to Ambedkar with the recommendation and faith of Mahadev Ambedkar, a Deshasta Brahmin teacher, who believed in him. What is interesting to note is that at the time when Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was heading to London for a round table conference, the same teacher handed over a letter of appreciation to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, which he preserved with utmost care. In his later years, when Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had made a mark for himself in public life, the teacher went all the way to meet his favourite student at Damodar Hall in Mumbai. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar not only received him with honour and gratitude, but also humbly bowed to him with utmost respect and humility.

ALIPUR ROAD, DELHI Spread over three acres, the house at 26, Alipur Road, North Delhi, was the last home of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. He occupied the bungalow on November 1, 1951. This is where he stayed while he was independent India’s first Law Minister. Historians say, this is where he penned some of his famous works, including The Buddha and His Dhamma, Buddha or Karl Marx and Revolution and Counter Revolution. The meetings of Scheduled Caste Federation were also held at this residence. It was here that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar passed away on December 6, 1956. In 2012, the Union Government took a decision to convert Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s Delhi residence, where he breathed (From above) The inside view of the house at Alipur Road, Delhi, where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar spent his years as the first Law Minister of his last, into a memorial inspired by Buddhist architecture. It India. The new memorial is being developed at the place. would house his memorabilia and a photo gallery covering all important aspects of his life and work. The construction of the memorial is in full swing. The expiration of his scholarship the following year forced him to temporarily abandon his studies and return to India. KING HENRY’S ROAD, LONDON He was able to return to England in 1920 with the support A global personality, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar travelled the of the Maharaja of Kolhapur, his Parsi friend and his own world for education and Buddhism. A place where he stayed savings. By 1923 he completed a thesis, The Problem of the for his higher education was London. In 1913, he was selected Rupee. He was awarded a D.Sc. by the University of London, and by the Gaikwad ruler to travel to the and enroll on finishing his law studies, he was simultaneously admitted to at Columbia University, at a scholarship of $11.5 per month. the British Bar as a barrister. On his way back to India, Dr. Winning his degree and doctorate, he later travelled to London Babasaheb Ambedkar spent three months in Germany, where and enrolled at Gray’s Inn and London School of Economics he studied further in economics at the University of Bonn. He (LSE), to study law and prepare a doctoral thesis in economics. was formally awarded a Ph.D by Columbia University on June 8, 1927. His third and fourth Doctorate (Ll.D, Columbia, 1952

Ambavade village, and Ll.D., Osmania, 1953) were conferred honoris causa. Ratnagiri district Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s residence in London while pursuing D.Sc. at the LSE in 1921-22, a 2,050 sq. ft. property on King Henry’s Road, is a three-storeyed building. The scholar wrote papers on economics during this period. In 2015, Government of Maharashtra decided to transform the house into an international memorial-cum-research centre. In November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the memorial. On the occasion, the Chief Minister said, “Our Government has decided to award scholarship to two dalit students every year to study at the London School of Economics.”

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(From left) The house where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar stayed during his study at London will be converted into an international memorial dedicated to him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a visit to the memorial in London

The 125-year-old structure in London is likely to be the stay of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. His residence here is redesigned as per the plans drawn by the State Government named Rajgriha. A chaitya was later built at the spot where and in consultation with overseas authorities. The Chief Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was laid to rest, giving it the name Minister said, “Today, lot of works of Dr. Babasaheb Chaityabhoomi. Millions of people from all over India visit this Ambedkar remain under wraps. We would like people who place every year on December 6, his death anniversary, to pay tour London (foreigners and domestic) to visit the centre. It is their homage and respect to the great leader. our endeavour to make Dr. Ambedkar’s writings global.” The State Government has taken a decision to construct a memorial on the sprawling 2.50 lakh sq. ft. area. The memorial INDU MILL, MUMBAI will cover about 7.4 hectares of Indu Mill land acquired from The Dadar area in Mumbai holds significance because of the National Textile Corporation. The bhoomipoojan of the memorial was done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October this year, The State Government in the presence of Governor plans to build Ch. Vidyasagar Rao and a grand memorial Chief Minister Devendra of Dr. Babasaheb Fadnavis. The memorial Ambedkar with a will have a 150-feet-tall stupa, auditorium, statue of Dr. Babasaheb guest house, Ambedkar and comprise a museum, library, stupa, 140 feet in height and garden and a 110 m in circumference. parking lot at the There will be an Ashoka Indu Mills area in Dadar, Mumbai Chakra covering the struc- ture and a vipassana (medi - tation) hall with a seating capacity of 13,000. A section, named Gallery of Struggle, showcasing important events associated with the life and work of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar will also be part of the project. The memorial will also house an auditorium, a guest house, museum, library, a beautiful garden and a spacious parking area. The memorial, to be developed at a cost of over `400 crore in the city where the icon and architect of the Constitution lived for several years, is planned to be completed during the tenure of the present Government. (From top) Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs bhoomipoojan at Indu Mill, (The writer is a Resource person at RTM Nagpur Mumbai, and the model of the memorial University, Department of Dr. Ambedkar Thoughts)

1 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 11 IN PERSON STATE CABINET MINISTER

aharashtra is the first State to announce a policy “MAHARASHTRA for non-conventional energy resources. Solar energy is being prioritised. Electrical Inspector is being shifted from PWD to Energy Department. IS THE FIRST STATE TheM work for new thermal power generation sets at Koradi and Chandrapur is almost complete, and by the end of March TO ANNOUNCE A 2016, than 2,000 MW of electricity will be available to the State, shares Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Minister NON-CONVENTIONAL for Energy, New and Renewable Energy Resources, in an interview with Vivek Joshi. In past one year, his department has seen sanctions of additional power distribution projects ENERGY of MSEDCL. Pending electrical connections to agricultural pumps are set to be completed by end of March 2016. Excerpts from the interview: RESOURCES POLICY”

Q. Share with us the key decisions taken by you as State’s Energy Minister. A. Energy is one of the most important departments in the State Ministry. Around 12 crore consumers from the State have been connected and the expectations from the Depart- ment have towered. I have prioritised justice for farmers, consumers and entrepreneurs. During the year, many important decisions have been taken. I made efforts towards reducing the electricity tariff for common people and was successful in reducing the rates by 35 paise per unit.

Q. It is believed that electricity generation has stalled due to unavailability of coal. A. It is not true. With efforts made by Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal, sufficient coal is being made available through Eastern Coal Fields Ltd. A decision is being taken to invest Government capital in electricity generation projects to rejuvenate them so that electricity generated could be supplied to people. This will make

available new electricity generation centres at lower costs. f

Q. Please throw light on load-shedding in the State. A. Electricity is not available in cases of technical faults, maintenance and repairs or when the bills are not paid. Otherwise, electricity is available 24x7 for household consumers. Electricity can be provided for agricultural pumps only for eight “A LOAD hours according to an Act of the SHEDDING-FREE State Government. The reason for STATE IS NOT not supplying more than eight A DREAM ANY hours is due to restrictions placed MORE FOR on lifting ground water. A load- MAHARASHTRA; IT IS DREAM shedding-free State is not a dream THAT IS any more for Maharashtra; it is a TURNING INTO dream that is turning into reality. REALITY” Q. Electricity is important

12 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 conventional energy in the State? A. Foreign investors have come forward to invest in solar projects. The Government will soon come out with a policy on it. On this, a Government technical establishment, Maharashtra Energy Development Authority is working with full force. We are making efforts to provide 5 lakh solar-based agricultural pumps to farmers in the State. The target for power generation from non-conventional energy sources has been set at 15,000 MW. Apart from solar, wind energy based, molasses-based, agro-residue based, small hydro-based and industrial waste-based projects are being set up. “SOLAR POWER GENERATION Solar electricity generation SETS OF 1 KW sets—of 1 KW to 50 KW TO 50 KW capacities—will be installed on CAPA CITIES WILL top of the buildings and on land. BE INSTALLED. Using solar energy for hot water USING SOLAR is being made compulsory. Our ENERGY FOR HOT WATER IS policy for saving electrical BEING MADE energy is through use of LED COMPULSORY” lights in Municipal Councils and Municipal Corporation areas.

Q. As the Guardian Minister for Nagpur, what work have you done so far? A. I got a religious tourism development project for Koradi at an expenditure of `431 crore. We were following up the project for many years. The Government has sanctioned `1,508 crore for rehabilitation of MIHAN. Lands for eminent institutes such as National Law University, AIIMS hospital, IIM and IIIT have been approved and sanctioned by the Government. Immediate help was provided to flood-hit people during last August. I took the matter up with New Delhi for restarting of District Central Co-operative Bank. Now, the bank will start shortly. Development works in the city and district to the tune of `300 crore have been sanctioned under DPDC. Sanction for for the State and its mega projects. What are your `65 crore for tribal and `132 crore for remedial measures for initiatives? Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been provided. My A. Make in Maharashtra is not just an agenda for the Chief target for tanker-free district under Jalyukta Shivar Yojana is Minister, but a mission close to heart and a priority for every set for 2018 and most of the works have been completed. A member of the State Cabinet. It is not correct to say that the decision has been taken to make all electrical lines electricity rates are high for the State consumers. The common underground in Nagpur City. man is getting electricity at `3-4. This is the first time after Maharashtra is first to announce a policy for non- 1999 that the electricity rates have dropped by 5.82 per cent. conventional energy resources. Solar energy is being priori- Consumers using 0-300 units per month will receive benefits tised. The work for new thermal power generation sets at of the same. Common consumers do not use 300 units per Koradi and Chandrapur is almost complete, and by the end of month, thus, will not have to pay higher rate of electricity. March 2016, more than 2,000 MW of electricity will be A committee has been constituted to go into the question of available to the State. Additional power distribution projects of provision of electricity to industries at lower rates. The MSEDCL have been sanctioned. All the pending electrical committee is studying the topic and would present their report connections to agricultural pumps would be completed by to the Government soon. To control pilferage and losses, feeder March end. In my first year in the office, I have strived to see franchisee concept has been brought in. that the contribution of energy department is maximised in the progress of the State by working around 16-18 hours a day, and Q. What are the steps taken for promotion of non- I shall continue to do so in the future.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 13 SWACHHTA ABHIYAN SOLAPUR

open defecation were put up on boards. Later, students used to gather to question them about the practice. To keep the grounds “We have left no free from defecation, we placed flood lights there. We provided public toilets. All these measures steadily brought ODF to seven Municipal Councils of Solapur, leaving Barshi and Pandharpur. stone unturned The seven Municipal Councils—Kurduwadi, Karmala, Akalkot, Dudhni, Maindargi, Mangalwedha and Sangola—are now due for sanitation” for an inspection by a State-level committee. Q. What were your plans for solid waste and how far has these been successful? A. We collected waste from houses. From January 15, 2015, we decided the routes for Ghantagadi. Its timetable was placed on every square. We created awareness among citizens about giving the waste to these vehicles only. We removed all waste bins from the city and issued stern warning to people to not place any such bins anywhere in the city. We were, thus, able to collect 95 per cent solid waste of a city daily. On a public holiday, February 22, 2015, we ran a special campaign. About 36,000 people, our team, including Mayor, elected representatives, officers and staff, participated in the programme. Within six to seven hours, we had cleaned every office under the campaign. After the success of this campaign, we organised a campaign for Pandharpur City on April 12. Here, 11,000 people with our staff and officers participated. We lifted about 145 metric tonnes of waste from the city during the campaign.

Q. How did you plan Ashadhi Fair? A. Ashadhi Fair is an annual cWe tried festival. This year, for safe everything to celebrations, we used Ham Radio make people give and a hotline for the first time. A up the practice of brief on the fair was sent to the Chief open defecation. Minister’s Control Room in Mumbai We gave them daily. The IRS system was used for overnment of Maharashtra launched Swachh Maha- roses, took out the first time. With cooperation from rashtra Abhiyan (Urban) on the lines of Centre’s processions and 52 departments, we built five points Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Kurduwadi and Karmala placed their at the temple, Juni Peth, Navi Peth, Municipal Councils in Solapur district were the first photographs Sant Peth and bus depot. All the cities to be declared open defecation free in the State on boards incidents in the city were recorded under the programme. Solapur District Collector Tukaram at these points. Connectivity is a Mundhe, in an interview with Vijaykumar Sonawane, talks hassle during mega events. The Gabout his team’s initiatives that brought a huge difference in hotline ensured communication terms of sanitation in the district. Excerpts: between the officers throughout the fair.d The HAM radio was effective in a perimeter of 100 km Q. How did you encourage people to give up open around Pandharpur. The main centre was at Shingnapur. defecation? A. Making citizens take up the habit of building and using toilets Q. Tell us about the amenities. at homes and, in turn, helping the number of toilets in the cities A. We created facilities for sanitation and electricity at places increase was the first priority of Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan. where the palanquins were to arrive. Once the palanquins People opting for open defecation were acknowledged with music moved, we cleaned the area within just three hours. All the and roses early in the morning in a Gandhigiri style. At places potholes on the roads were repaired. Drinking water and bore where even this was not effective, photographs of people going for wells were provided. A toll free number in case of an emergency

14 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 M “

DHUDNI PATTERN OF CLEANLINESS n Dhudni village of Akalkot taluka, the Municipal Council has set up 10 groups of Balveer. These groups have children Ibelow 14 years of age. The children ask the women of the village, “Our mother makes use of toilet, what about you? Do A FUND SET UP FOR you make use of a toilet or go for open defecation.” SWACHH MAHARASHTRA ABHIYAN The recurring question has caught the attention of women n the lines of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a Swachh and created a need to have toilets. The children have been Maharashtra Kosh (cleanliness fund) will be set up for given T shirts by the Municipal Council, creating a different Othe implementation of Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan identity for them. With children asking such taxing questions, (Urban and Rural). The decision was taken by Chief Minister people have started to rethink about building toilets, helping Devendra Fadnavis at a recent Cabinet meeting. The Chief the cause of the Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan. Minister will be the chairman of the fund, which will have other members including Minister for Water Supply and WHAT IS SOLAPUR Cleanliness, Minister of State for Urban Development, Chief PATTERN? Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Principal  For making villages Secretary, Urban Development-1, and Secretary, Urban defecation free, there is a Development-2. The State Director of Swachh Maharashtra need for constructing Abhiyan will be the treasurer. toilets. Without public The Cabinet announcement came after it was realised that toilets, the idea would have the allocation from Union and State Governments for the not been transformed into cleanliness mission would not be sufficient. The new fund reality. Hence emphasis was aims to achieve the objective of improving cleanliness given to individual toilets. standards in rural and urban areas. The fund has been set up  Government assistance is for managing contributions and corporate social responsibility one component. With funds towards the mission. people now encouraged to make use of toilets, it is not important how much Government will give; in fact, important is the was set up. Temporary toilets were built at 65 acres in People’s participation demand of the citizen. Pandharpur. The devotees, therefore, did not use river bank was important for Swachh  Those going for open for defecation. This also avoided health-related issues. We Maharashtra Abhiyan. It defecation were felicitated placed bins for waste, created a dam in 90 days to avoid open was made possible by in Gandhigiri style early defecation, and posted vigil groups. These made the city clean creating awareness morning. At some places, among citizens. The small drums were beaten, and, for the first time, the devotees did not come across the foul awareness led to greater while at some, roses were smell in river precincts. participation and positive offered to people. In cases results for the mega where even these acts did Q. What would be your message to Solapur citizens? cleanliness programme not work, pictures of people going for open We are in the 21st century and in an era of information and A. defecation were clicked and displayed. With embarrassment, technology. While we use smart TV and smart phones, we people start using toilets. cannot lag behind in case of sanitation. Every home with a  People’s participation was important for Swachh smart TV and a smart phone must have an individual toilet. Maharashtra Abhiyan. Awareness led to greater participation We can not only maintain health through this, but also build and positive results for the mega cleanliness programme. a smart taluka, a smart city and a smart and clean India.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 15 SWACHHTA ABHIYAN NAGPUR

Government has implemented many welfare schemes at Movad Municipal Council. Under these, 307 constructions “Awareness have been completed under small expenses sanitation scheme, 271 constructions have been completed under Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme leads to and 68 constructions under Ramai Awas Gharkul scheme for Scheduled Castes and Neo- Buddhists, taking the total to better results” 646 constructions. Collector Sachin Kurve A survey for shares with Maharashtra Ahead cSwachh RESPONSE TO APPEAL the experience and early achievements Maharashtra A primary survey for Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan was of Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan was undertaken to make people undertaken during July and in the district aware about August this year. This is when the hygiene and citizens were introduced to toilets in homes. construction of toilets and made aware of hygiene and toilets in The people homes. The campaign was taken responded to each doorstep. enthusiastically Generally, people are aware of to the appeal the importance of cleanliness and sanitation, but due to lack of funds and guidance, they com - promise on hygiene and opt for opend defecation. Awareness, thus, becomes important. Citizens came forward in response to Government’s appeal and filled up the forms. The citizens who had applied online were invited to a Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan meeting for detailed info rmation. The citizens who did not have toilets were given funds for the construction of toilets. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was imple mented during

ovad Municipal Council has become the first in Vidarbha to attain freedom from open defecation. The Chief Officer and executives from the Council were felicitated by the Chief Minister on October 1. Movad Municipal Council was established in 1867 and had an area of 52 hectares. The huge floods on July 30, 1991 Mhad cost the city 204 lives. It was later rehabilitated at 665 hectares. Majority of its population is farmers. With 4,444 males and 4,333 females, the total population of the city is 8,777. Primary, secondary and higher education in the city is under the management of Municipal Council. The State

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September and October 2015. Secondary school students participated in the activities. An essay competition was held and all Municipal Council staff participated in cleaning the areas, gaining participation from citizens. It was due to the cooperation from residents that Movad Municipal Council could achieve cleanliness in such a short period.

PROHIBITION OF PLASTIC Sanitation is important for humankind. One of the reasons for dirtiness in urban cities is the unlimited use of plastic bags. Plastic bags need to be prohibited, not only for sanitation, but also for protection of environment. Movad Municipal Council took up the challenge and prohibited plastic bags. A meeting of traders and businessmen was organised to implement the initiative. A powerpoint presentation on the harmful effects of plastic was shown at public places, weekly markets and Navaratri festival. SANGLI GETS SANITATION AMBASSADORS —As told to Anil Thakare ur area has 30 houses. Every home has a toilet. However, I and my sister-in-law did not have a toilet in Oour house. We used to follow open defecation sometimes. We used to feel bad about it. The Gram Sevak MESSENGERS OF CLEANLINESS once came and asked us why we were lagging behind? We amous for its cool weather, Lonavala took it to heart and decided that what may come, we shall will soon be famous for its cleanliness have a toilet in our home. We ventured finally. The chain was Fas well. Lonavala Municipal Council is placed with the goldsmith,” says Sushila Bhimrao Dudhal. implementing Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan Sushila Bhimrao Dudhal is educated up to seventh standard with full force, taking everyone along. The and is a resident of Dudhal near Dhulgaon, in Sangli. She is a civic body has made its mind to clean the widow. As a farm worker, she somehow manages the family city to underline its eternal natural beauty. that has two sons and a daughter. Her cousin sister-in-law is One of the initiatives of the Municipal Rukmini Tukaram Dudhal. Educated up to fifth standard, she Council has been with school students. It has two sons. The ladies felt bad that only their homes lacked has been observed that if children create awareness about any issue—such as toilets. Both were stressed that their children were defecating sanitation and cleanliness—it first impacts in the open. Finally, both of them dared and pledged their their parents and eventually society. In jewels with the goldsmith. Today, toilets are being constructed Lonavala, a competition was organised for in their homes, and they are proud of this. spreading awareness. In this, students from On the lines of , now Sangli has ladies who have fifth to ninth standard participated class come forward to construct toilets by pledging jewels. Now wise and appealed to people to not create both of them have been chosen as district’s sanitation mess, spit in public places and avoid use of ambassadors. Besides Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the State is plastics, among others. The competition led implementing Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan. The response to to awareness with the future leaders the programme has been praiseworthy in rural areas. drawing attention to today’s problem. —Samprada Beedkar

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 17 SPOTLIGHT VIDARBHA

“THE REGION WILL EMERGE AS AGRO-INDUSTRIAL HOTSPOT OF MAHARASHTRA” A multi-pronged strategy for socio-economic development of Vidarbha complete with agriculture, industries and infrastructure will transform the face of cotton belt, says Shubhangi Khapre

hief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has adopted a multi-pronged strategy for inclusive growth of Vidarbha by inter- linking three critical sectors of agri- Cculture, industries and infrastructure. With the objective to transform the face of one of the most backward regions of Maharashtra, the State Government has taken many decisions. In a major policy shift, Devendra Fadnavis in last one year took a decision to approach the problems of Vidarbha with clinical precision by diagnosing the root cause instead of providing mere cosmetic solutions confined to agriculture. The Government unveiled a five-year road map spelling (Clockwise from above) The cotton production in Vidarbha, Chief Minister out mega-projects with timeline to be pursued Devendra Fadnavis meets farmers at relentlessly for bringing in a change that would the launch of the food security scheme and during a visit to Gosikhurd impact about 25 crore people across the region. irrigation Project in Gondia district In the wake of recurring drought and hailstorm, all the Vidarbha (and Marathwada) districts prone to farmer suicides were brought under food security act, free electricity, health card and free education to students, both in schools and those pursuing professional courses in public and private colleges. Across the 14 districts where farmer suicides had taken place, the special package has provided relief and covered 68 lakh farmers. The farmers are provided wheat for `2 per kg and rice for `3 per kg. Every family is given 35 kg of food grains and each individual 5 kg. Almost 47.28 lakh new electricity connections were provided to the farmers in these 14 districts in a year. The Chief Minister is confident that all the

18 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 M THE KEY pending electricity connections would be cleared by FEATURES June 2016. To avoid the children of farmers being  Total crop loan affected by the crisis and their education being allocated during 2014- disturbed, the Government has declared free 15 was `34,200 crore. In Nagpur, Wardha and education in both school and colleges. Students Buldhana, district pursuing professional courses in private colleges banks have provided have been given exemption from annual fees. `380 crore with The Chief Minister, who has embarked on the financial assistance from the Government. challenging mission of “zero suicide” of farmers, believes sustained economy coupled with alter - Farmers are provided wheat for `2 per kg and native mode of livelihood extended to farmers is rice for `3 per kg. Every the only way ahead to overcome the agro-crisis in family is given 35 kg of foodgrains and each Vidarbha. To begin with, the State Government individual 5 kg. has set up Vasantrao Naik Shetkari Swabhiman Mission to tackle the grave issue of farmer  To avoid the children of farmers getting suicides. A farmer activist, Kishore Tiwari, who affected by the crisis has worked in Vidarbha, has been appointed as and their education disturbed, the director of the institute. The household where a Government has farmer has committed suicide has been given declared free priority in jobs in State Transport Department. education for them in Ensuring that finance does not come in the both school and colleges. way of providing relief to farmers, the total crop loan allocated during 2014-15 was `34,200 crore.  To provide good healthcare in districts In Nagpur, Wardha and Buldhana, district banks reeling under agrarian have provided `380 crore with financial assistance crisis, Rajiv Gandhi from the Government. Jeevandayee Yojana has been provided. The Chief Minister has maintained that agriculture and irrigation cannot be pursued in  The State Government has set up isolation. He believes that reforms in irrigation in Vasantrao Naik terms of decentralisation of power in planning and Shetkari Swabhiman Mission to tackle execution of projects will help in bringing more the grave issue accountability in the system and boost agricultural of farmer suicides growth. As a result, Vidarbha Irrigation Develop-

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 19 SPOTLIGHT VIDARBHA

ment Corporation has been accorded powers to S f enforce and execute the project plans. It has also facilitated quick clearance in administrative approvals and decentralised transfer of officials in the irrigation department to expedite the works in the region and around. To mitigate drought in the 14 affected districts, 132 irrigation projects were cleared. This would bring 2.19 lakh hectares of land under irrigation. On the issue of pending works, the projects with 70 to 75 per cent work done have been given highest priority in terms of administration and finance. It has been mandated to get all these projects completed within three (From top) Chief Minister years so that farmers can reap Devendra Fadnavis at the benefits. Samadhan Shibir at Nagpur, at a farmer’s The State Government has taken house in Vidarbha, and inaugurating Nagpur a decision to make Vidarbha the Metro and the model new agro-hub housing 80 per of the project cent spinning mills and textile parks of the State keeping in mind the cotton cultivation here. The region, which also produces one third of country’s oranges, is getting a makeover with advanced processing units that would generate new small-scale sectors and provide market to farmers. The impetus on infrastructure includes road connectivity and industries. Devendra Fadnavis believes that Make in Maharashtra cannot become a reality without addressing the regional disparity in industrial and infrastructure sectors. A mega project worth `30,000 crore stretched over 800 km between Nagpur and Mumbai, Communi cation

20 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 m Super Expressway has been approved. The project, The work farm-to-fashion policy has lead Amravati to become which would drastically reduce the travel time on the ambitious an international textile hub. At Nandgoanpeth between Nagpur–Mumbai to eight hours, would MIDC, 500 hectares of land has got eight industries also lead to development along the highway. It project in with an investment of up to `2,000 crore. promises motels, food courts and other hospitality alliance with Under the mini-cluster development, micro, services, generating 20,000 jobs. The work will JETRO has small and medium industries have been made complete in 2019. The development on MIHAN already begun. provisions of `221.52 lakh. Up to 80 per cent of the has surged ahead, as long-pending hurdles related The metro subsidies in these projects have been extended in to land acquisition and affordable power tariff is expected to , Amravati and Wardha. The same would have been resolved. complete in apply to Osmanabad, Aurangabad, Paithan and While tapping investments for Make in 2018. There Jalna of Marathwada. Maharashtra abroad, Chief Minister Devendra is also an MoU State’s first mobile social media lab has been set Fadnavis simultaneously worked on a tribal signed with up in Chandrapur. E-chalan facilities have started development plan. A pilot project has been CISCO to in Nagpur rural police station. There is an effort to ( undertaken in a remote village, Harisal in district develop the give Vidarbha a reckoning in the field of education. Amravati. A digital village project will be pursued orange city The Indian Institute of Management set up in by Microsoft in Harisal, which is the epicentre of Nagpur has already started its first batch from malnourishment in Maharashtra. The decision to VNIT campus. The Indian Institute of Information promote agro-industries, manufacturing and Technology has got approval for Nagpur and . service sector in Vidarbha is part of the strategy to THE KEY The Nagpur institute will become operational from address the crisis in rural Maharashtra. FEATURES 2016-17. To avert failing students lose their In Nagpur, Reliance has decided to invest  To remove the academic year, policy changes in education has been `6,500 crore for setting up an indigenous backlog of agriculture done. It has enabled 1,07,27 failed students to helicopter manufacturing unit. This would help pumps in Vidarbha and reappear for tenth class examination. Marathwada, State generate 20,000 new jobs. CST Tyres has made Government has The State Government has decided to promote investment worth `1,200 crore in Nagpur. MIIPL allocated `819 crore. tourism aggressively keeping in mind the socio- has got a nod for setting up a chocolate  A mega project worth economic development of villagers in Chandrapur manufacturing factory in Khed at an investment of `30,000 crore spread and Gadchiroli. It has decided to promote mines over 800 km between `1,005 crore. Nagpur and Mumbai, and mineral sector for the development of tribal The business sectors are also linked to a farmer’s Communication Super belt in Gadchiroli. One-third revenue from these produce. Since Vidarbha is the biggest cotton- Expressway has been industries would be spent on development cultivating centre of the nation, the Government approved. of the tribal region facing the Naxal menace. has emphasised on textile and spinning mills. The  The two big cities of A policy decision has been taken to minimise Nagpur and Amravati have been chosen human–animal conflicts in wildlife buffer zone, for the ambitious which encompasses almost a third of Vidarbha. Smart Cities project of About 150 villages would be developed for which the Union Government. `40 crore has been sanctioned for 2015-16. Eco- Out of the 100 cities chosen for the samities have been set up in 23 villages in the programme, ten are forest areas. Other works include constructing two- from Maharashtra and lane roads in Gorewada–Katol road project and two from Vidarbha. security walls along all water reservoirs upgraded  The three sanctioned railway projects of in the forest. Allocation of `60 crore for promotion Wadsa–Desaiganj– of bio-park, African safari and night safari with Gadchiroli, private investment has been done. Ahmednagar–Beed– Under Tadoba tourism—to promote the Parli Vaijnath and Wardha–Yavatmal–Nan reserve that houses maximum number of tigers ded would bolster and wildlife in Vidarbha—there will be more open railway connectivity in buses running between Nagpur and Chandrapur. Vidarbha and A buffer zone tourist circuit is being developed. To Marathwada. provide livelihood to tribals in Chandrapur and In Nagpur, Reliance  Gadchiroli, bamboo cultivation has been plans to invest `6,500 crore for setting up an undertaken. To address region’s social problems, indigenous helicopter after Wardha and Gadchiroli, the Government manufacturing unit. has imposed ban on liquor in Chandrapur.

2 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 21 RENEWABLE ENERGY ATAL SAUR KRISHI PUMP YOJANA

D

FROM SUN TO FARMS With solar energy being seen as a consistent source of power, it could be a game changer for States who can make most of it. Maharashtra is on the job, says Vikas Adhe

o ensure that the farmers who solely Electrical load shedding is needed due to the depend on agriculture for their survival limitations on electricity generation and ever- are not adversely affected due to lack of increasing demand. Lack of required amount of electrical connections, receive affordable electricity for agri pumps results in obstacles in Telectricity for their agri pumps and enjoy perennial irrigation. Even with water resources available in freedom from payment of electricity bills, Govern - the wells, it is a common experience to see loss of ment of Maharashtra is implementing a path- crop due to lack of power. breaking project of installing 10,000 solar agri With limitations on traditional power gene - pumps under Atal Saur Krishi Pump Yojana. The ration, adverse effects such as pollution and (Clockwise from left) scheme is being implemented in six farmers’ limited availability of mineral resources, the Solar agriculture pumps being installed suicide affected districts of Akola, Amravati, State Government has taken a decision to develop in Maharashtra Washim, Buldhana, Yavatmal and Wardha. non-conventional energy sources such as solar

22 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 M S

Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) but cannot be provided connections due to technical difficulties will be covered under the new scheme. It is essential that the beneficiary owns the piece of land where the solar agri pump is to be installed and the well has enough water for irrigation. A district-level committee under the chairmanship of District Collector will select the beneficiaries. Under the Atal Saur Krishi Pump Yojana, has been given the target of installing 1,000 solar agri pumps. The pumps will be given out by the district-level committee to the farmers, who do not have power connections. The 3 and 5 HP solar agri pumps will be of AC/DC version and 7.5 HP pumps will be of AC version. Thirty per cent of the cost of the pump will come from Government of The farmers India, 5 per cent from will have to pay State Government and just 5 per cent 5 per cent from the amount for solar beneficiary. The rest agri pumps 60 per cent will be under the a loan to be repaid scheme. The by the MSEDCL in supplier agency installments. will be fully The MSEDCL has responsible for clarified that the maintenance burden of the loan will and repairs of not be placed on the the pump for 7/12 extract of the five years from farmers. Thus, the installation farmers will be free from loan burden. The vendors will be paid 60 energy. This will make a perennial source of per cent on installation and 40 per cent over a five- energy available in the State. Distribution of THE KEY POINTS year period, with this being linked to parameters solar agri pumps to farmers on a grant basis is  Government like the performance of the sets. of Maharashtra is part of this initiative. implementing a path- This State Government scheme will provide Under the scheme, the farmers will have to pay breaking project of farmers permanent freedom from load shedding only 5 per cent of the amount of solar agri pumps. installing 10,000 solar and electricity bills. They will accrue dual benefits, The supplier agency will be fully responsible for agri pumps in the State. as they will receive pumps worth lakhs of rupees in E maintenance and repairs of the pump for five years  Distribution of agri a few thousand rupees. pumps to farmers on a from installation. These 3, 5 and 7.5 HP agri grant basis is part of The solar agri pump type, capacity (HP) and pumps will be installed in agricultural lands of State’s solar mission. amount to be paid for getting the benefits of the farmers with area of 5 acres or less.  The Centre will scheme are as follows: 3 HP AC pump at `16,000, contribute 30 per cent, All the farmers in the State who have accrued the State Government 3 HP DC pump at `20,250, 5 HP AC pump at benefits of wells under the crash irrigation 5 per cent and the rest `27,000, 5 HP DC pump at `33,750 and 7.5 HP AC scheme, those from extremely inaccessible areas, will come as a loan to pump at `36,000. The scheme will be implemented from villages which have not been electrified be repaid by MSEDCL on first-come-first-serve basis. The farmers need in installments. by traditional methods, areas where no objection to contact the nearest MSEDCL office for more  The scheme aims certificate is not available from the Forest to be a solution information. Department and farmers who have made of load shedding and —The writer is Public Relations Officer, payments to Maharashtra State Electricity electricity bills. MSEDCL, Akola Circle

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 23 YEAR ENDER MAHARASHTRA 2015

THE YEAR OF GLOBAL ACTION t Year 2015 for Maharashtra was a year of achievements not just at home, but internationally. A year for development, it saw successful implementation of many programmes such as Jalyukta Shivar Yojana, Make in Maharashtra and Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis positioned the State on world’s map through his visits to Switzerland, Germany, USA, China and Japan attracting foreign investments in the State. Approvals for State’s key infrastructure projects such as coastal road, Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway and extension of Mumbai Metro are other noteworthy developments. The purchase of London House where Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar stayed while pursuing higher studies and success of Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar are jewels in State’s crown. Team Maharashtra Ahead lists the key events of the year

 JANUARY 2015 CYBER CRIME year. The programme is being Government of Maharashtra implemented in the drought- announced a cyber strategy to affected districts of Maharashtra. address cyber crime. The plan involves setting up an indepen- AAPLE SARKAR dent machinery to curb cyber CONNECTING PEOPLE crimes, training police personnel State Government launched Aaple and employing latest equipment. Sarkar, an interactive portal and mobile application that connects ON THE WATER TRAIL the Government with people of The ambitious and dedicated the State. Monitored by the Chief into a global financial, commer- water empowerment scheme, Minister’s Office, it is a platform cial and entertainment hub. The Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan aims to for citizens Maharashtra Government provide villages with permanent to partici- launched the initiative with a INDIAN SCIENCE pate in dis- potential to generate a revenue CONGRESS AT WORK cussions on of $50 billion. Maharashtra has The 102nd session of Science Maharash- huge areas where it can work Congress took place from January tra’s development. The portal is upon to kick-start growth. 3 to 7 in Mumbai. It had in atten- part of Government’s participative Creation of new ports, industrial dance Nobel laureate, eminent governance measures with the corridors and tourism are some scientists, research scholars and motto, Minimum Government– of the key areas of development. dignitaries like Prime Minister Maximum Governance. Narendra Modi and Former Presi- STATE GOVERNMENT dent of India, Late Dr. A.P.J. COMPLETES 100 DAYS Abdul Kalam. During the five source of water by 2019. A need The Maharashtra Government set action-packed days, the mega city of the hour, the programme has ambitious goals upon completion saw over 12,000 delegates from been designed to free the State of 100 days in office. Chief Minis- all across the globe speaking on from recurring drought-like situa- ter Devendra Fadnavis underlined various subjects under this year’s tion by utilising water from natural that his priority is to fast-track theme, Science and Technology resources and recharging water projects and assured of action and for Human Development. reservoirs with rainwater every transparency. He shared that Chief Minister’s Office will fast track all projects and the War PANDHARPUR WARI Room will coordinate between MAHARASHTRA ON RAJPATH agencies and remove bottlenecks. AT DAVOS Maharashtra grabbed attention Chief Minister Devendra of the Nation when its tableau Fadnavis attended the World won the first prize in this year’s Republic Day parade. Themed Economic Forum Meeting at on Pandharpur Wari, the tableau Davos from January 24-26, left the audience dancing and 2015 in order to network chanting Vitthal, Vitthal. with international business leaders and investors, and to  FEBRUARY 2015 speak with them about the new Make In India FOR A BETTER, initiative and the Make In TRANSFORMED MUMBAI BEST JOURNALISM AWARD Maharashtra drive that the Mumbai Next was the theme of Best Journalism Award and Lok- the mega conference, Transform- manya Tilak Lifetime Achieve- State aims to embark upon. ing MMR that aimed to transform ment Award were given for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region year 2011, 2012 and 2013. With

24 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 M the felicitation of three senior edi-  APRIL 2015 tors, participation of 45 talented journalists and their families, the MAIDEN BUDGET PADMA AWARD ceremony was an occasion for the OF THE STATE TO NINE DIGNITARIES media fraternity to get together. The maiden annual Of the total 149 Padma Awards budget of the given this year, Maharashtra DEMISE OF R.R. PATIL Maharashtra received a total of nine. Two Former Deputy Chief Minister, Government, termed as Padma Vibhushan went to Hindi Home Minister film legends, Dilip Kumar and of Maharashtra “daring” by Chief Amitabh Bachchan, one Padma and a creative, Minister Devendra Bhushan to eminent scientist people-ori- Fadnavis, laid special Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, and Padma Shri ented, popular focus on agriculture awards to renowned film director leader, R.R. and rural development, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, music Patil passed composer Ravindra Jain, lyricist infrastructure and away on Febru- decentralised industrial Prasoon Joshi, scientist Dr. ary 16 after a long battle with development. It was Prahlada, vocalist Shekhar Sen various ailments including cancer. aimed at boosting the and to Late Dawoodi Bohra  He was 57. leader Syedna Mohammed State economy and turning it around. The Budget Burhanuddin (posthumously). AWARD TO PRABHA ATRE emphasised on the growth of State economy, agriculture The awards were distributed at Veteran classical vocalist and irrigation. The Budget announced by Minister of the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Dr. Prabha Atre was felicitated Finance, Sudhir Mungantiwar had an outlay of `7,272 Bhawan in New Delhi. with the presti- crore for water resources development with a resolve gious Pt. Bhim- to complete 38 irrigation projects. An allocation of sen Joshi 1,000 crore was made for Jalayukta Shivar Abhiyan, Lifetime ` `2,400 crore for rural development, and `970 crore for Achievement energisation of agricultural pump sets. Award 2014. The award, instituted by State Govern- witnessed a tripartite agreement Chowpatty beach as Swaraj ment’s Directorate of Cultural between Union Ministry of Tex- Bhoomi as a tribute to freedom Affairs, carries a cash purse of `5 tiles, Government of Maharash- fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar lakh, a memento and a citation. tra and National Textile Tilak, who was cremated AKHIL BHARATIYA MARATHI Corporation, for transfer of 12 at Girgaum Chowpatty area. SAHITYA SAMMELAN  MARCH 2015 acres of land adjacent to The 88th All India Marathi Chaityabhoomi at the Indu Mills MAZI KANYA BHAGYASHREE Literary Conference took place in LAND FOR DR. BABASAHEB compound in Mumbai for With an aim to prevent female Ghuman, in Gurdaspur, Punjab. AMBEDKAR MEMORIAL the memorial of Bharat Ratna foeticide and Collaborated and celebrated as its Prime Minister Narendra Modi Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. promote own by the Governments of education Punjab and Maharashtra, the GIRGAUM among girls in convention endorses the stay and CHOWPATTY the State, spiritual journey of the 13th cen- TO BE Government of tury reformist and Maharashtrian RENAMED Maharashtra poet, Sant Namdev in Ghuman SWARAJ launched 700 years ago. The spiritual BHOOMI Mazi Kanya leader spent two decades in the The Maharash- Bhagyashree on International fields of Punjab, composing hun- tra Government Women’s Day, celebrated on dreds of abhangs—praise-poems decided to rename Girgaum March 8, in Mumbai. to the Lord Vitthal.

A HAND OF SUPPORT The Government of Maharashtra TARAPOREVALA AQUARIUM RENOVATED needs a pat on the back for hav- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ing streamlined the process of inaugurated the renovated Taraporevala evacuating residents of Maharash- tra stuck in tremor-hit Nepal and aquarium, which has around 400 species of bringing them safely back to their fish, including a few from China, Singapore homeland. The Government suc- and Malaysia. Set up at a cost of `8 lakh in cessfully contacted 1,000 tourists 1951 at Charni Road in Mumbai, the from Maharashtra and made aquarium houses about a hundred species of arrangements to get them back. fish. The Chief Minister believes that with renovation and value additions, the aquarium NEMADE RECEIVES stands to become an iconic landmark for JNANPITH AWARD not just Mumbai, but also India. Eminent Marathi litterateur, novelist, critic, poet, academic, a relentless advocate of the literary

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 25 YEAR ENDER MAHARASHTRA 2015

movements and leader of the Maharashtra Government con- post-1960s Little Magazine Move- ducted the first-ever online ment, Dr. Bhalchandra Nemade Lokshahi Din, bringing solutions was conferred close to people. On the occasion, the Golden Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Jubilee Jnan- tried to address the problems pith Award at of people from various districts the hands of of the State. Prime Minister Narendra INTEGRATED TEXTILE PARK Modi. Dr. AT NADGAONPETH Nemade, 76, Inaugurating the textile part at i was honoured with the highest lit- Nandgaonpeth in Amravati, Chief erary award for his immense valu- Minister Devendra Fadnavis able literary contribution. announced to open integrated SWACHH MAHARASHTRA MISSION textile parks in eight cotton-rich MAHARASHTRA In May, Chief Minister administered seven vows to local districts of Maharashtra and BHUSHAN AWARD encourage local private industri- Balwant Moreshwar Purandare, a body representatives and encouraged natives to make the alists with financial assistance. historian, writer and theatre per- State clean and green. He administered an oath of seven sonality from Maharashtra, was steps to cleanliness to all the Mayors, Presidents of selected for Municipal Councils and administrative officers. Beginning the Maharash- with the local-body representatives working at the tra Bhushan grassroots level in Konkan region, Devendra Fadnavis award. The decided to carry out the exercise in Marathwada, Western historian’s Maharashtra, Vidarbha and north Maharashtra in phases. major works He also linked the cleanliness drive to the Smart Cities have con- tributed much Project, while encouraging the elected representatives to to the cult of plan 25 years ahead and set the aim to clean their areas. Maratha warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The 92-year-old CENTRE’S SOCIAL author is known as Shiv Shahir towards transforming India. SECURITY SCHEMES because of his bestselling narra- Prime Minister Narendra Modi tive Raja Shiva Chattrapati and  MAY 2015 launched three ambitious social Janata Raja. security schemes, relating to MAHARASHTRA TURNS 55 insurance and pension sector and RIGHT TO SERVICES ACT On May 1, 1960, the State of intended at widening the process The Maharashtra Government Maharashtra came into existence of financial inclusion. The Prad- approved an ordinance for the and on May 2, 2015 it turned 55. han Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana Maharashtra Guarantee of Public The number one State of the (accident insurance), Pradhan Services Act, popularly known as country, Maharashtra has seen Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana Right to Services, to improve unprecedented growth in all (life insurance) and Atal Pension transparency and delivery of spheres and across all its regions Yojana were launched by services to citizens from the Gov- since its inception. jects and agreements signed Union Finance Minister, Arun ernment machinery. As per the between the Asian nations. Jaitely in Mumbai. ordinance, about 160 services CHIEF MINISTER’S CHINA VISIT Aurangabad, in Maharashtra, and will be covered under the Act in Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Dunhuang signed a sister cities SAMADHAN SHIBIR the first phase. was part of Prime Minister agreement during the visit. AT NAGPUR Narendra Modi’s delegation to State’s first Samadhan Shibir was A TRIBUTE TO China. The five-day-long forum FIRST ONLINE LOKSHAHI DIN organised at Mundle High School DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR saw discussions on various sub- This National Technology Day, in South-West Nagpur. Chief Min- The April issue of Lokrajya— dedicated to Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar—was released by MAHARASHTRA IN HANNOVER Minister for To bolster the association between Social Justice, Rajkumar Maharashtra and Germany, the Badole at State leadership—Chief Minister Devendra Bharat Ratna Fadnavis and Minister for Industries, Dr. Babasa- Subhash Desai—led a delegation to heb Ambed- Germany to attend Hannover Messe, kar Samajik Germany, world’s largest industrial trade Saptah held fair. The fair was jointly inaugurated by at Gateway of India. The issue Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German had special articles on the princi- Chancellor Angela Merkel. pal architect of Constitution of India, his life and contribution

26 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 Y

business at a meeting with US-India Business Council in New York. He successfully projected the State as a powerhouse and a great investment destination of India. The State managed to secure investments worth `8,000 crore that would generate 70,000 jobs in the State.

SMART CITIES MISSION ister Devendra Fadnavis called Ten cities of Maharashtra were the initiative a platform where shortlisted under Union Govern- both administration and citizens ment’s Smart Cities Mission. The come face to face to solve issues. INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY focus of the programme  JUNE 2015 Maharashtra joined the world in celebrating the first is sustain- International Yoga Day. The United Nations declared able and NEW IT AND June 21 to be observed as the day of yoga. The day saw inclusive ITeS POLICY LAUNCHED nations across the globe stretching together for a good develop- The State Government launched a reason. The State observed the day with hundreds of ment. The new Information Technology (IT) events where people took part with zest. cities from and Information Technology- the State are Mumbai, Navi enabled Services (ITES) policy, Mumbai, Pune–Pimpri–Chinch- which aims to generate invest- wad, Amravati, Solapur, Nagpur, ments in the IT sector to the tune MAHA HAS A STATE –Dombivali, Aurangabad, of `50,000 crore and generate BUTTERFLY Nashik and Thane. employment for more than 10 The beautiful Blue Mormon lakh people in the State. became the official butterfly of IIM NAGPUR A REALITY the State. Maharashtra is home to First of the six new Indian Insti- tutes of Management (IIMs) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed last year was inaugu- rated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur. It is the State’s first IIM and is being mentored by IIM Ahmedabad.

DEMISE OF DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM Former President of India, a 225 varieties of butterflies visionary, a renowned scientist and accounts for 15 per cent and Bharat of the country’s estimated equally enchanting at Trimbakesh- Ratna, Dr. butterfly population. war, with the crowd celebrating A.P.J. Abdul the hoisting of the holy flag, Kalam left for COASTAL ROAD MARATHI WORD BANK Dharma Dhwaja, at Kushavarta heavenly PROJECT Maharashtra Minister for Culture Teerth. Union Home Minister abode on July and Vinod Rajnath Singh launched the 27 in Shillong Mumbai’s coastal road Tawde released the 20th congregation at Trimbakeshwar. after suffering project, expected to volume of Marathi Vishwakosh a cardiac transform the city, got (encyclopedia) in Mumbai. MAHARASHTRA MEETS arrest. The Maharashtra Legisla- a green signal from the THE UNITED STATES tive Assembly paid rich tributes to Centre, following Chief  JULY 2015 Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis the former President. Minister Devendra promoted Maharashtra as an SIMHASTHA KUMBH investment destination and vari- Fadnavis’ meeting with IN NASHIK–TRIMBAKESHWAR ous initiatives taken by the State Union Minister of State The twin temple cities of Nashik Government for ease of doing for Environment and and Trimbak reverberated with Climate Change, chants and prayers of thousands of Prakash Javadekar in sadhus, who took a holy dip in New Delhi. A one-of- river Godavari on the occasion of its-kind infrastructure Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The Mela project, it aims to was inaugurated by Chief Minister decongest city’s traffic Devendra Fadnavis, who hoisted MUMBAI–NAGPUR the holy flag in Nashik amid the EXPRESSWAY and create 91 hectares sounds of conch shells, recitation The Maharashtra Government of green spaces. of hymns and flowers showered announced an ambitious Com- from a helicopter. The scene was munication Super Expressway

2 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 27 YEAR ENDER MAHARASHTRA 2015

 SEPTEMBER 2015 WORLD TIGER DAY SANCTION FOR KOYNA–MUM- On July 29, the day celebrated as World Tiger BAI WATER LINKING PROJECT Day, the State Government appealed The sixth meeting of Special to people of Maharashtra to come together Committee for Interlinking of for protection and conservation of forests and Rivers held in New Delhi gave an tiger. An exhibition on tiger was organised in-principle sanction for making in Mumbai Mantralaya on August 4. The a detailed project report of Tiger Protection Foundation had approved Koyna–Mumbai water-linking project. The meeting of interlink- the appointment of actor Amitabh Bachchan ing of rivers was organised by as State’s Ambassador for tiger conservation. Union Ministry of Water Resources at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi and chaired by mega project between Mumbai informed that from August 1, Uma Bharati, Union Minister for and Nagpur worth `30,000 2015, it would apply only to Water Resources. crore. It would connect all the those dealers whose turnover three backward regions of would exceed `50 crore in a year. SECOND AND Vidarbha, Marathwada and THIRD SHAHI SNAN North Maharashtra. Second and third shahi snan of Simhastha Kumbh Mela took  AUGUST 2015 place at Nashik and Trimbakesh- war. Thousands of seers, mahants MAHARASHTRA BHUSHAN and sadhus belonging to ten The Maharashtra Government akhadas took a dip in holy river bestowed Maharashtra Bhushan, Godavari on the occasion. the State’s highest honour, on FOOD SECURITY SCHEME eminent historian, writer and FOR FARMERS CHOSEN FOR SMART theatre personality, Babasaheb JUSTICE M.L. TAHALIYANI Since August 15, Maharashtra has VILLAGE PILOT PROJECT Purandare by Governor BECOMES MAHA LOKAYUKTA been providing foodgrains to the A pilot project of Smart Village Ch. Vidyasagar Rao in Mumbai. Justice Madanlal Laxmandas farmers of 14 drought-affected will be taken up in Harisal in Tahaliyani, retired Judge of the districts under National Food Melghat, which will be digitally METRO POWER TO MUMBAI Bombay High Court, sworn in Security Scheme. To ensure that connected to improve health- The Government took a decision as the new Lokayukta of the producer of food for the care. Technology can help in the 138th annual meeting of Maharashtra. entire world does not starve, eradicate malnutrition and build MMRDA to sanction `35,400 Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis network and connectivity to crore for 118-km expansion of LONDON MEMORIAL took this important decision. provide better healthcare. Metro network in Mumbai. This The primary agreement of pur- metro network will include chase of the London house, where Dahisar–Charkop–Bandra– Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar stayed Mankhurd Metro-2 corridor during his studies is completed. The deed of exchange by the State Government was completed with the owner, Douglas Millie. The London administration gave heritage status to the house.

TENDULKAR, THE AMBASSADOR Cricket icon Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar will now bat to protect Maharashtra’s lush green forests. In a letter to Maharashtra (`12,000 crore and 40 km), Finance and Forests Minister Wadala–Ghatkopar–Thane–Kasar- Sudhir Mungantiwar, he agreed FIRST SHAHI SNAN vadavali Metro-4 via Wadala GPO to become the ambassador to The first Shahi Snan of Simhastha Kumbh Mela at and R.A.Kidwai Marg (`12,000 protect forests of Maharashtra. crore and 40 km), Dahisar-E-And- Nashik–Trimbakeshwar took place on August 29. Lakhs of heri-E-Bandra-E Metro-5 corridor devotees, including mahants of various akhadas, thronged (`8,100 crore and 27 km) the banks of Godavari for the holy dip. On the day of and Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Shahi Snan, the royal processions of the three akhadas of Road Metro-6 corridor (`3,300 the Vaishnava sect with mahants and mahamandleshwars crore and 11 km). atop vehicles, and flower-bedecked horses and camels, began from Laxminarayan Temple in Tapovan and reached LBT PARTIALLY ABOLISHED Ramkund. At Trimbakeshwar, thousands of sadhus and The State Government abolished mahants took royal bath at Kushavarta Teerth. Local Body Tax (LBT) partially. The Urban Development Department

28 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 Fadnavis inaugurated Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s house in London during his study. The Government has decided to transform the house into an international memorial- cum-research centre.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE SCHEME achieved freedom from open FOR FARMERS defecation and had solid waste The Government of Maharashtra management in place. launches Accident Insurance Scheme for  NOVEMBER 2015 farmers in the State. The scheme, to be implemented from ATAL SAUR KRISHI 2015-16, aims to provide social PUMP YOJANA and economic security to Under the scheme, 10,000 solar- farmers and their families. CHIEF MINISTER VISITS JAPAN powered water pumps will be dis- tributed to five lakh farmers in the MEMORIAL FOR BALASAHEB During the four-day visit to Japan, Chief Minister State in the first phase. The Gov- A grand memorial of Late Devendra Fadnavis was able to effectively project ernment plans to empower Balasaheb Maharashtra’s pre-eminence in attracting domestic and agriculture with solar power. Thackeray, Shiv foreign direct investments to Japanese investors. Sena Chief, will In a bid to kick start Japanese investments, the State come up at the Government announced to have a one-stop shop to Mayor’s monitor all of its upcoming projects. bungalow at Shivaji Park, announced Chief Minister LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Devendra Fadnavis on the TO PRABHAKAR JOG third death anniversary of the Indian violinist and music State leader. composer Prabhakar Jog was DR. AMBEDKAR’S felicitated with LONDON HOUSE Lata Mangesh - Prime Minister Narendra Modi kar Award for and Chief Minister Devendra Lifetime Achievement 2015, for his contribution to music. The award is a national-level award instituted to honour works in the field of music.  DECEMBER 2015 JOURNALISM AWARDS 2014 Lokmanya Tilak Lifetime Achieve- Mungantiwar flagged off a bike ment Award for 2014 went to rally, covering four out of the six renowned columnist Padma Shri tiger reserves in the State, organ- Muzaffar Hussain. The function ised to support Government’s CONSTITUTION DAY hosted by Directorate General of Save Tiger programme. The Maharashtra celebrated Information and Public Relations AMRUT SCHEME seven-day rally passed through the Constitution Day on awarded best performing jounal- Government of Maharashtra Melghat, Pench, Navegaon– November 26. Chief ists at State and Division level. A decides to implement Atal Mis- Nagzira and Tadoba–Andhari Minister Devendra new award for journalists working sion for Rejuvenation and Urban Tiger Reserves, with the bikers towards spreading awareness on Transformation (AMRUT) and coming from the corporate sector. Fadnavis led over 1.25 Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan was shortlists 43 cities for the same. lakh school children to announced on the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s SANITATION MILESTONES recite the Preamble of ambitious project has provisions Following the launch of Swachh the Constitution of NATURE TOURISM to upgrade 500 cities/towns Bharat Abhiyan on the birth India at a mass DEVELOPMENT BOARD between 2015 and 2019. anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi recitation programme The State plans to set up in 2014, the State Government organised by Ministry Maharashtra Nature Tourism  OCTOBER 2015 launched Swachh Maharashtra of Social Justice Development Board to boost Abhiyan. The programme is being at Yashwant Stadium tourism in its 48 sanctuaries, six A BIKE RALLY FOR THE TIGERS effectively implemented with national parks and four reserved Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan provision of toilet facilities to all. in Nagpur. conservation areas. The board will and Finance Minister Sudhir In its first year, around 20 cities be headquartered at Nagpur.

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DRIVEN BY MILL POWER With the mega textile park, the State Government plans to make Nandgaonpeth India’s one-stop textile destination for investors, says Chandragupta Amritkar

otton has been regarded as amongst the Department have become aggressive. This Maha- top in the family of fibres, either natural rashtra Industrial Development Corporation or manmade, and is popularly known as (MIDC) initiated project will be a boon for the King of Fibres. In India, Maharashtra investors, as they will have benefits of 10 per cent takesC the lead in cotton cultivation. Vidarbha, which capital subsidy and up to seven per cent subsidy. It accounts for more than 35 to 40 per cent of the has seven-star facilities, including a common cotton cultivated in the country, has been facing effluent treatment plant (CETP), and benefits the problem of lack of industries that could support such as an industrial promotion subsidy and cotton cultivators, unfortunately, resulting in stamp duty and electricity duty exemption numerous cases of suicide. But, the major crop of incentives by the Industries Department. Maharashtra is finally getting its due. The projects, which will be undertaken through With the recent inauguration of a mega textile public–private partnerships, are aimed at creating (Clockwise from left) Chief park at Nandgaonpeth in Amravati—a major a textile township, which would have provisions Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister for cotton-producing district—by Chief Minister for multiple activities—from processing to Industries Subhash Desai at Devendra Fadnavis, the State Government plans marketing—within the hub. According to Minister Nandgaonpeth, women to make the location India’s one-stop textile for Industries Subhash Desai, eight prominent carrying cotton, a spinning mill and cotton destination for investors. Led by the vision, the industries have already started setting up their plants in full bloom Maharashtra Textile Department and Industries units in the Nandgaonpeth MIDC, which is bound

30 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 M to help local farmers get good price for their agriculture produce. These eight textile units, with an investment of `1,243 crore, will provide direct Eight prominent employment to 3,700 people. industries have Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said already started setting up their that his Government gives special priority to units in the providing irrigation facilities and setting up Nandgaonpeth cotton-processing units in the region. “Jalyukta MIDC, which is Shivar Yojana is a part of this endeavour. It is bound to help local farmers get good essential to create decentralised water storages price for their and complete well-digging works. Unless agriculture irrigation facilities are created, a farmer’s life will produce. These not improve,” he said. eight textile units will be able In another move that may give the much- to provide direct needed push to Vidarbha’s cotton economy, four employment sick textile units—three from Mumbai and one to 3,700 people. from Solapur—will be shifted to Nandgaonpeth —Subhash Desai textile zone in Amravati. Devendra Fadnavis plans Minister for Industries to shift nine more such sick units controlled by National Textile Corporation (NTC) to Vidarbha so

that the cotton grown in the region is processed in the region only and not shipped out. As per the Chief Minister, no textile mill will be allowed to close down; instead, it would be revived through relocation of the unit and its employees.

MORE TEXTILE PARKS Government of Maharashtra has announced to set up textile parks in eight districts of the State. Beginning with Nandgaonpeth MIDC, similar parks will be set up at Yavatmal, Parbhani, Buldhana, Nanded, Beed, Jalna and Auranga bad. The cities have been selected on the basis of cotton production in last five years. The State Government has also decided to D provide financial aid to self-financing textile units to inspire them. It has been decided to set up integrated textile parks, wherein facilities such as electricity, roads, water, CETP, skill development training and processing will be provided. In the long run, the Government plans to launch 50 more textile parks all over Maha- rashtra. A new textile policy is in the pipeline where there will be more and more incentives for the sector. Plans are afoot to revitalise the old spinning mills. The Government plans to set up a speciality textile park to promote organic cotton cultivation in the State. A first-of-its-kind project in the country, the project follows Government’s commitment to promote eco-friendly textile products. In the next five years, the Government foresees Maharashtra to become the textile hub of India.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 31 PROJECT MIHAN

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THE PRIDE OF VIDARBHA A With new investment to flow in, Infosys starting work on its project and TCS, Air India ventures on, MIHAN-SEZ is set to establish Nagpur on world’s map, says Sopan Pandharipande

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RAILWAY-HOWRAH MUMBAI ROUTE

ROADWAY-NATIONAL HIGHWAY NO.7

he Multimodal International Hub complex. The GoM then formed a special purpose Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) together vehicle named Maharashtra Airport Development with a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is Company (MADC) to act as a nodal agency for the most ambitious project, which can setting up MIHAN-SEZ. It was expected that when Ttransform the economy of Vidarbha. The project complete, the MIHAN-SEZ would bring in was initially planned in the year 2000 by investment of close to $500 million and provide Government of Maharashtra. The idea was to set jobs to over three lakh persons in the region. up an international airport at Nagpur, which The unique feature of MIHAN-SEZ is that it is could handle passenger as well as cargo traffic and just adjacent to the city of Nagpur, which is the serve as a trans-shipment hub between Middle geological centre of the country with air, rail and East and Hong Kong. road access to all four corners of India. The entire The concept had its genesis in the fact that as project is spread over 4,200 hectares of land near (Clockwise from below) many as 400 international flights overfly Nagpur the old Nagpur airport, which has an area of 1,300 Multimodal (three modes of transport) MIHAN SEZ, every day, and if MIHAN could attract half of them, hectares. Thus the total area covered by MIHAN- Central Facility Building of it would provide a big boost to the aviation industry SEZ is about 5,500 hectares. Of these 2,100 MADC for MIHAN project and bus stop and side in Central India and revolutionise the economy of hectares is dedicated to the SEZ. elevation view of Central Vidarbha. The idea was later supported by Union The MADC has set up an excellent infra- Facility Building Government by adding an SEZ to the MIHAN structure consisting of a 240 MW captive power

32 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 M MADC has land here. Aviation major Boeing Inc has also set commissioned up a maintenance, repairs and overhaul (MRO) CONCOR for facility for aircraft in the MIHAN-SEZ. Of these developing a companies, TCS and Boeing have already begun full-fledged rail their operations, while Infosys and Tech Mahindra and road have started civil construction of their projects. As network and many as eight small companies have started half a dozen commercial operations and close to 2,000 people property are employed at MIHAN-SEZ. developers to However, compared to initial estimates, the build townships progress of MIHAN-SEZ has been sluggish. The in MIHAN-SEZ major reasons of this have been that MADC office for taking care is situated far away in Mumbai and for every petty AIRWAY-NAGPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT of the housing decision entrepreneurs are required to visit needs of the Mumbai. Coupled with this, bureaucratic hurdles people working posed by complex rules have proved to be a major in the complex dampener for progress of the project. Last year, the State got a young, dynamic and visionary Chief Minister in Devendra Fadnavis who decided to usher in changes to attract investments in the State. His first move was to cut down the THE KEY number of clearances required for setting up FEATURES industrial units. In past, as many as 76 clearances  MIHAN-SEZ is just were required for setting up an industrial unit. adjacent to Nagpur Many of them were unnecessary and some had city, which is the geological centre of the become redundant. Devendra Fadnavis did away country with air, rail with all these clearances and brought the number and road access to all down to 26, providing ease of doing business. four corners of India. The second step the Chief Minister took was to  The total area delegate powers to local officers to take decisions in covered by MIHAN-SEZ is about 5,500 hectares. local issues, sparing the head office of MADC for Of these 2,100 hectares major decisions only. Thus entrepreneurs no longer is dedicated to the SEZ. are required to visit Mumbai for petty decisions, as  Eight companies have started commercial they are resolved at Nagpur itself. operations, and nearly The third initiative was the forceful 2,000 people are emp- marketing of the MIHAN-SEZ wherever the c plant for interrupted electricity supply, water loyed at MIHAN-SEZ. Chief Minister went. As a member of Prime treatment plant for clean drinking water, captive  Anil Ambani’s ADAG Minister’s delegation to industrially developed Group has lined up broadband network for faster Internet connectivity countries, Devendra Fadnavis promoted $1 billion (`6,500 crore) and a network of well-paved, four-lane roads that investment in defence Maharashtra, its manuf acturing potential and stretch up to nearly 65 km. The MADC has also production ventures in trade belts in countries such as USA, Japan, the commissioned Container Corporation of India the MIHAN-SEZ. UK and China. The net effect of this marketing (CONCOR) for developing a full-fledged rail and  Aviation major Boeing was that MIHAN-SEZ had started looking up Inc has also set up a road network and half a dozen property developers maintenance, repairs and several new companies have decided to set up to build townships in MIHAN-SEZ for taking care of and overhaul (MRO) their units here. The most prominent among the housing needs of the people working in the facility for aircraft in them is Anil Ambani’s ADAG Group, which has the MIHAN-SEZ. Of complex. India has nearly 600 SEZs, but nowhere these companies, TCS lined up $1 billion (`6,500 crore) investment in the world-class infrastructure amenities like and Boeing have defence production ventures in the MIHAN-SEZ. ( MIHAN-SEZ are available. That makes MIHAN- already begun their The company is planning to manufacture SEZ number one SEZ in the country. operations, while helicopters and aircraft for military and civil use. Infosys and Tech Attracted by the world-class infrastructure, as Mahindra have started Chinese contract production major, Foxconn has many as 70 companies have acquired land in the civil construction of also committed to invest $5 billion in Maha - MIHAN-SEZ. IT majors like TCS, Infosys, Tech their projects. rashtra and efforts are on to divert major portion Mahindra, DLF and Cassandras have acquired of this investment to the MIHAN-SEZ.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 33 HERITAGE FORTS

of Gond kings can be estimated by the magnificent construction EXPLORING THE of this fort. Structures such as gateways, bastions, palaces, religious structures and nagarkhana (music gallery) proudly stand inside the fort to date. These structures were built with UNEXPLORED stones and bricks, with lime as a cementing material. Nagpur is the central place of Vidarbha and assumed to be Vidarbha is known for its historical land its capital. Remains of a big land fort can still be seen in the and hill forts. Dr. Sachin V. Joshi writes on military area at Nagpur near Sitabardi. These remains their history and architecture underline the struggle and achievements of Nagpurkar Bhosale. In 19th century, Mudhoji Bhosale (II), a descendant of Nagpurkar Bhosale, constructed a land fort at Sitabardi. ocated on the north-east part of Maharashtra, Forty six bastions and eight gateways were built at the fort, Vidarbha is close to Satpura hill range. The range with names given to each and every gateway. British officer connects and divides the two States of Maharashtra Blackers prepared a map of the fort at the time of the attack and Madhya Pradesh and is home for Bhilla and Gond on the fort in 1818. To date, the area of the fort can be communities.L The hill range is in the northern region of identified only with the help of this map. The map showed Vidarbha, with Melghat forest, near Amaravati, at the southern many structures—old palace, new palace, citadel and well, end. Geographically divided into two parts, Eastern and among others—most of which were demolished during Western Vidarbha, the region boasts of two different types of Nagpur’s urbanisation at Nagpur. forts, land and hill forts. Ambagad, Tipagad, Bhivgad, Vairagad, Surajagad, Rajoli and Tipagad are the , Manikgad, Surjagad, Rajoli, Mahurgad, Gawilgad, important forts located in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli and Devgad are Vidarbha’s eminent hill forts, while districts in Vidarbha. With thick forest and Naxalite area Umred, Nagardhan, Balapur, Aamner, Deolapar, Pawani and around, it is not possible for one to visit the forts easily. Ballarpur are the land forts seen here. Chandrapur, Ballarshah and Chandankheda are fortified Devgad is the oldest fort built by Gond dynasty. The fort cities, with Surajagad and Rajoli forts situated on the was a capital of the dynasty in medieval period. The prosperity mountain. The zenith of the Surajagad fort is almost flat and

34 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 M (Clockwise from below) A view of the Gavilgad Fort at ; Asadgarh the base is about 450 m. Narnala fort is located near Akot and Fort or , Ramtek Fort, Fort and Narnala Fort are all a part and parcel of the various land and hill forts in the Vidarbha region of its base village is Shahanur. Two gateways were constructed Maharashtra built by the Gonds, Bahamani rulers and Nagpurkar Bhosle to enter the fort. The climb starts from Shahanur and after crossing the five gateways, one can enter the fort. Every has a temple of local God, Thakurdev. According to local gateway of the fort has a name, such as Shahanur Darwaja, historians, Surajagad was constructed by a warrior, Surjan Mendha Darwaja and Mahakali Darwaja. Four water tanks Balavayak. The ruins of its structures such as fortification are located on the top of the fort. wall, gateways, religious structures and residential complexes The topmost Sakkar talav is the largest tank are covered with thick forest today. portion of here. The most interesting feature Tipagad is an important fort located 80 km away from Surajagad Fort is of the fort is Naugaji Tof, a huge Gadchiroli, surrounded by small hills. Its name comes from nearly flat and a cannon made from forge-welding Gond language and means island. Gond king Puramshaha temple of local technique in medieval period. ruled it in 15th century. He captured the region around god Thakurdev is According to historical text, Chhattisgarh and constructed water tanks on the fort. Gond seen on the Gulshane Ibrahimi, the fort was king, Karnshaha annexed the fort in 16th century. pleateau. It was constructed in Bahamani period. Another historically important land fort in the region is built by a warrior The twin forts of Gawilgad and Pawani. During an excavation by Department of Archaeology, named Surjan Narnala were built in Satpura to evidences of early historic settlement and many antiquities Balavayak defend the kingdom against the such as shell bangles, beads and coins were recovered from the enemy coming from north. site. Pawani was also fortified in medieval period with Situated at a height of about bastions and gateways. Its main gateway is still in good 500 m, Gawilgad is located near Chikhaldara and was built by condition and decorated with sculptures. The fort is Bahamani king Ahmedshah in early 15th century. Five strong surrounded by a moat filled with water. Today, its internal gateways can still be seen on the fort, decorated with area is occupied by modern settlement. sculptures such as elephant and lion. Gawilgad and Narnala are two important hill forts located —The writer is a Researcher at Department of Archaeology, in the dense forest of Vidarbha. Their maximum height from Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 35 JALYUKTA SHIVAR GOLDEN BAMBOO

THE GOLDEN BAMBOO To make Jalyukta Shivar Yojana further successful, golden bamboo can be used to avoid water getting carried away and erosion, says Arun Patankar

o provide perennial water for drinking and irrigation, Government of Maharashtra has A UNIQUE PLANT been implementing Jalyukta Shivar Yojana  The nomenclature of on a huge scale. The programme aims at bamboo is also interesting. Bambusa storingT rainwater and absorbing the same in the soil to Nigra means black improve the groundwater level. The flagship scheme bamboo. The name involves digging agricultural lakes, de-sedimentation comes from the Latin of rivers, lakes, nallahs and streams and widening word nigra for black. The species where the and deepening them, and constructing mud- parts are lesser in barrages for the streams. Since the fertile soil diameter above and often gets eroded due to floods and rains, the larger in diameter of the bamboo is planted, new shoots grow every below are called scheme controls erosion though cement dams. Buddha’s belly bamboo. year. After coming out of the soil, the bamboo shoot Considering these dams are expensive and not eco- reaches its natural height within just three months.  Bamboo is a type of friendly, it is advisable to construct mud-dams grass with height For example, if a Golden bamboo tree is more than along water reservoirs. ranging from 4-6 15 years old, a new shoot will reach its natural An effective remedial measure, thus, is inches to 130 feet. Once height of 30 feet/360 inches within 90 days. the shoot of the planting trees. Bamboo by far is the best among all bamboo is planted, new The bamboo species that is seen growing on the trees when it comes to controlling soil erosion. shoots grow every year. banks of rivers and streams—known as Katang in Three species of bamboo are well known to hold the Its shoot reaches Vidarbha and Kala in Western Maharashtra—is soil. Gray bamboo, also known as Henon, is one of natural height within thorny and grows up to 100 feet within 100 days. The just three months. these. The other is Sasa bamboo, which covers the hardness, strength and breaking point of this  A regenerative forest soil with its leaves. Both are not available in the wealth, the plant bamboo is equal to mild steel. Once a tree is cut, the State. While Maharashtra also lacks the third creates 10-20 new whole story ends. However, this does not happen for species, Golden bamboo, due to its stunning bamboos every year bamboo, as the species creates 10-20 new bamboos for 40-50 years. it can beauty, the species is now widely planted in the be produced either every year for 40-50 years; hence, it is a regenerative State. Golden bamboo holds the soil with its thorny from shoot or seed. forest wealth. Bamboo can be produced either from and horn-shaped roots and sub roots. Planting shoot or seed. However, the species needs around 40-  Golden bamboo Golden bamboo on the periphery of water grafting is hugely 100 years for flowering and seeding. reservoirs can be extremely beneficial. Once the successful and can be planted on a larger plantation is done, it continues to grow from 6-7 area. It is the most apt A STUNNING SIGHT years to 40-50 years, and produces 10-15 bamboo for social, urban and Although bamboo blossoming filled with flowers is every year on an average. The produce can individual forestry a stunning sight, it is also the death for the plant. enhance the income of farmers, as the crop is However, before dying, the plant leaves available to them. innumerable number of seeds to generate bamboo plants. Sometimes in the jungles, the whole plot of KNOW THE GRASS land with bamboos is seen flowering, which means Around 125 years ago, botanists D. Bandris, R. S. death in case of gregarious flowering. However, Trup and J. S. Gamble conducted a detailed these bamboo species resorting to community research on all the tree species under British rule suicide also leave behind millions of seeds. As the and wrote a huge volume on bamboo. The book has event happens just a few times in a century, the details of 74 sub-species of bamboo from India. seeds of bamboo are rarely available. The other According to them, bamboo is a type of grass with method is to replant the shoots during rainy season. height ranging from 4-6 inches to 130 feet. Most However, most of the time, the shoots are hurt while importantly, a lone plant rises from a shoot to tree taking out and re-plantation becomes unsuccessful. and reaches its height in 40-50 years when is ready The third method is grafting a part of bamboo for cutting. Bamboo is not like this. Once the shoot plant in a trench and watering it constantly.

36 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 M Commonly, very few of the species can be grafted in this fashion. Golden bamboo grafting is hugely successful and, therefore, it is possible to plant the same on a larger area. Golden bamboo is, thus, most appropriate for social, urban and individual forestry.

BENEFITS OF BAMBOO Bamboo has many uses. Even today, there is an option for scaffolds for construction and repair of high-rise buildings. The pandals of Durga Pooja and Ganesh Festival also use bamboo. The wonder grass is used to make makeshift boats for helping people during floods. Some boats use bamboo masts. It is also used for creating window screens. Burud community still makes use of the plant for

(Clockwise from top) Bamboo plantation, making containers. Bamboo is used to make the the plant being used in walking stick and musical instrument flute. various household items and as an object that In far-east countries of Japan, China, Vietnam, brings in luck Cambodia, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan and others, bamboo happens to be an important part of the social life. The earthquake-prone areas have Bamboo houses made of bamboo. Rural areas in Assam, has many uses. Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura and From homes in others also have bamboo huts. The beautiful earthquake-prone animal, panda’s daily diet consists of leaves and areas to scaffolds shoots of bamboos. The bamboo pulp is the main for constructing high-rise source for making paper. The tender shoots of the buildings, cuisine plant are edible and used in soups and other and lifestyle eatables. Manipur produces aphrodisiac liquids goods such as from bamboo shoots. The hard eye between the furniture, parts of the bamboo plant, known as Vansh it can be seen Lochan, is a known Ayurvedic medicine. everywhere —The writer is a retired IAS Officer

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 37 CULTURE CURRY KHADI GAMMAT

A BALLAD OF THE HINTERLAND The folk theatre form of Khadi Gammat is both entertaining and enlightening. The ballad showcases people’s stories while delivering a social message, says Dr. Pramod Munghate

andhar and Khadi Gammat are prime (From left) The artists Mavashi2 and Songadya3 have breathed new life in performing the folk theatre presentations in ancient folk art from form of Khadi Gammat in the folk theatre. Sutradhar4, nachya5, gamtya6, Maharashtra. A heritage of Vidarbha, Maharashtra dholkya7 and chonkya8 are other important the latter is an independent folk constituents of the art form. dramaticD form that has been entertaining and enlightening people from time immemorial. CHARACTERS OF KHADI GAMMAT According to linguist and critic, Dr. Harichandra The shahir is a poet and an actor in a Khadi Borkar, Dandhar and Khadi Gammat have parallels The ballad Gammat presentation. He is the one who is and both are presented by masses. He cites a new writer or shahir familiar with legends, myths, historical events and theory that suggests that Dandhar was the prime pens dialogues day-to-day happenings and has a grip on folk drama in 12th century and was initially called and songs that Ramayan, Mahabharat, folk literature and saint Khari Gammat and later Khadi Gammat. In capture varied literature. Co-shahir is an associate of shahir and Western Maharashtra, under the Muslim rule, emotions such is there to continue the performance that shahir Khadi Gammat came to be known as tamasha. This as aspiration, has left incomplete, increase the pitch of shahir’s might have happened before 700 years. anger, greed and voice and give a break to his senior in a Khadi Gammat has its individual characteris - desire. Its performance, by singing. Kashewar bhau Vishva- tics. The ballad writer or shahir pens dialogues and people-oriented nath, Kishor bhau Rajendra, Deorao bhau Vitthal, songs that capture emotions of people. The dialogues creativity and Vaman bhau Natthu, Sakharam bhau Namdeo on contradiction in social transaction, conversation indigenous are eminent pairs of shahir brothers. with pun, manifestation of mystic, deep and spiritual musical Gamtya is the one who brings in humour. He metaphors and instances from rural public life make instruments wears a short dhoti and is an affable character. the form culturally enriched and conscience based. make it different Spectators connect with him. When gaulan9 begins, Dramatic expressions of Radha, Gopika1, Krishna, from others gamtya transforms into Mavashi for a brief time.

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specialties. It is also called chaundak and is made of a hollow cylindrical wooden box whose upper end is open. At the base of box, sheep’s skin or monitor lizard’s skin is used as a cover. From the base, two to two-and-half feet bamboo stalk is fixed. A string from the base is tied to a peg on bamboo’s stalk at upper end. This string can be tighten or loosen to tune dholki. In Marathi culture, as in other folk forms such as bhajan and kirtan, tal has a significant place in folk dramatic forms like tamasha and Khadi Gammat. Tal is the core indigenous musical instrument. Cymbal or Jhanj is comparatively bigger in size than tal or manjira, and both are made of brass. Clarinet is the modern form of sarangi, a stringed instrument. In the initial phase, clarinet was used in Tukadoji Maharaj’s bhajan, but later became part of Khadi Gammat.

THE MESSAGE The presentation of Khadi Gammat has two major divisions—exposition and denouncement. In exposition, gan, gaulan and prayer are presented, and in denouncement, batavani, lavni13, powada14 She covers her head with the saree and makes fun and wag15 or narrative from history legend are of herself. Gamtya does not rely only on verbal THE VARIOUS showcased. In the new form, Khadi Gammat is humour, but also make use of gestures. He also ATTRIBUTES presented with narratives to highlight various performs the role of king’s friend with humour.  Khadi Gammat is social problems and Government schemes. presented with The female character, nachya has received wide narratives to Khadi Gammat concludes with the prayer to the popularity in Khadi Gammat. He is a fair-looking highlight various sun. From this standpoint, it has link with Vedic male actor, dressed in nine yard attire, and someone social problems practice of salutation to the sun. In Bhandara and who can express feminine emotions and feelings. and Government Gondia, there are performances of Khadi Gammat schemes. Dolkya is the character who plays drum, the on wider scale, and in them, the folk artists from  In Western indigenous musical instrument. He responds to Maharashtra, different castes, keeping aside their differences, shahir’s words, gamtya’s jump and nachya’s under the Muslim come together to perform. The Government has rule, Khadi performance. Chonkya is the tuntune player. Gammat came to given an impetus to Khadi Gammat to enlighten Talkari with cymbals in hands is another important be known as masses in the context of social issues. For survival character. The instrument currently used in the tamasha. This of Khadi Gammat or any other folk art form, it is performance is clarinet. It helps to continue the might have important that the new generation connects happened before rhythm created by shahir. 700 years. with it and is made conscious of indigenous  Gamtya is the cultural heritage. AN INSTRUMENTAL ROLE one who performs humour. He wears In Khadi Gammat, often the one-tuned dholki is a short dhoti and is FOOTNOTES: 1. Gopika: cowherd’s wife, 2. Mavashi: an used. At each side of dholki’s circumference are nine affable character. elderly woman, 3. Songadya: the one who creates humour, 4. Sutradhar: narrator 5. Nachya: a female character performed holes, and in them there is provision to tie small  The female character, nachya by a male who dances, 6. Gamtya: one who performs mimicry, ropes. Tightening the small rope tunes the sound of 7. Dolkya: one who beats drum, 8. Chonkya: the one who has received wide dholki to crest and trough. Though dholki is performs the one-stringed instrument, tuntune, 9. Gaulan: a popularity. presentation related to Krishna and cowherd’s wives in important in the art, daf or halgi also hold  Though dholki is Mathura, 10. Patlya: a thick and broad golden ornament, 11. conspicuous place. Core daf is octagonal or important in the Tuntune: a one-stringed indigenous musical instrument, hexagonal. Chang is also a type of daf and is circular. art, various types 12. Talkari: one who plays tal cymbals are bigger than tal or of dafs have been manjira, 13. Lavani: a Maharashtrian folk dance form with Halgi is smaller than daf. Among them, smaller is used named as daf, romantic import and titillating gestures, in which the main dafli or khanjeri. The shahir has a daf. He plays on halgi, chang and dancer is accompanied by a group of dancers, 14. Powada: a dholak, etc. ballad form with narrative content; folk, narrative song, and the daf, accompanied by the dholak, tal and chonke. 15. Wag: dramatic dialogues in tamasha. Tuntune or chonka is an instrument with

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 39 WANDERLUST PENCH

WHERE NATURE BECKONS If you wish to get enchanted by nature’s beauty, the wildlife, open meadows and grasslands, Pench National Park is where you need to head this winter vacation, says Pallavi Singh

N T

itting by the bay window as I sipped my the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, at cup of hot coffee while planning a holiday, a distance of 70 km from Nagpur—nestles in the my eyes fell on a poem by Bhawani lower southern reaches of the Satpura mountain Prasad Mishra, Satpura ke ghane jungle, range and is named after Pench river flowing neendS mein doobe hue se unghte, unmane jungle. through the park. The park lies between Chhind- The beautiful lines transported me to a land of wara and Seoni districts of Madhya Pradesh, and in wilderness and a place where nature’s bounty is at 1992 became India’s 19th Project Tiger. its best. Our family holiday destination was Days passed, bags got packed, goodie bags and decided—Pench National Park. accessories loaded, cameras and iPads in place, the (Clockwise from top) A Who can forget Mowgli, the pint-sized child and family set out on an adventure-filled trip. Having captivating view of Pench National Park, a cheetal, his adventures with Sher Khan and Bagheera of left our cars behind, special open-topped vehicles peacock atop a tree, tent Rudyard Kipling’s best-seller Jungle Book? Teaming took us to the tent houses located in a picturesque houses, water reservoir, with exotic wildlife, this land inspired the acclaimed setting. Birds of varied hues flitted through the migratory birds, tourists on a jungle safari and author to pen his most famous work. Spread over an trees overhanging our rooftops, even as the tiger, the star of the Park area of 750 sq km, Pench National Park—located on monkeys chattered excitedly in the dense foliage.

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The sounds of the jungle filter through the night, as Navigator This viewing on elephant back is called Tiger Show. you drift off to sleep to the distant yipping of jackal. GETTING THERE The hour just before sunset is pure bliss. The light Get ready to have a surprise visitor in the form of By Air: Nagpur is the is perfect for photography; the air gradually gets nearest airport and has a at your doorstep in the morning. air links to Mumbai and cooler and all around you have the sights and An early morning gypsy safari in the national Delhi. From Nagpur, drive sounds of the jungle. park is a fun-filled activity. As you set out on your to Khawasa (80 km) from Pench Jungle Camp, a clean and well-run where Pench’s Touria tiger trail through the dense forest, scanning the gate is just 12 km away. camp, is a five-minute ride from the Touria Gate. vast stretch of open meadows and grasslands, you By Railway: The It offers air-conditioned tents, a swimming pool are bound to come across herds of cheetal or the nearest railhead is and a pleasant garden for candle-lit dinners. The spotted deer, sambhar, langurs, barking deer, Nagpur (92 km). resident naturalist is happy to take you on nature By Road: From Nagpur jackals, fox, chinkaras, wild dogs and hyenas, to (80 km) and Jabalpur walks. You can while away the afternoon break name a few. Keep your ears open to hear the alarm (190 km), one can drive between the two game drives at the small library calls of the jungle natives for they may announce on NH 7, and reach full of wildlife books and videos. There are the entry of Sher Khan when it is least expected. Khawasa, from where mountain bikes and horses for adveture lovers. the park is just 12 km. A birding heaven, Pench is home to over 250 Tiger is the obvious star of Pench, but bear and species of migratory and resident birds that include Indian wild dog, dhole, are also high on the list of the beautiful Indian roller or the blue jay, Malabar any keen wildlife enthusiast. However, nothing pied hornbill and the grey-headed fishing eagle. Pench was can be as romantic as sleeping on open rooftop the co-star S Take time to savour the beauty of the jungle— with a family of machan or covered platform and waking up to the fawns suckling, baby langurs playing and tigers in a BBC chirping of birds and chatter of monkeys. The tumbling over each other, gaur munching their documentary jungle’s night noises follow you back to your tents way through the sal trees. There are peacocks that was filmed along lantern-lit sawdust paths. everywhere, and bee-eaters and rollers, and if one in the jungle Remember to take binoculars, camera with the ( looks carefully, owls sleeping through the day can and narrated longest lens you have, water, identification books be spotted in the nook of a branch. by well-known or animal and bird guidebooks, and a notebook to You have the option of enjoying an elephant English keep a game list when you travel to Pench. Carry safari in Pench. Elephants have the ability to wander broadcaster and loose and comfortable clothes apart from a hat, into non-motorable territory and surround the tigers, author Sir David especially if you are travelling in summer. The thus, enabling closer sightings of the forest’s king. Attenborough best time to visit is October to February.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 41 DELHI DIARY FROM THE CENTRE

CENTRE’S NOD TO MEGA PROJECTS Chief Minister holds a string of meetings with Union Cabinet Ministers in Delhi to take forward State’s ambitious projects such as Mumbai’s coastal road and Pune Metro

(Clockwise from below) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a meeting with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu and Union Minister for Environment Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi

e proposed mega projects of Maharashtra such as discussions about Karad–Chiplun, Vaibhavwadi–Kolhapur, Mumbai’s coastal road and Pune Metro have got Ahmednagar–Beed–Parli and Lonand–Phaltan–Baramati approval from the Centre, said Chief Minister Devendra routes. The work on Wadsa–Desaiganj–Gadchiroli route is Fadnavis.T The Chief Minister had discussion with Union expected to start by March 2016. Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty In the current year, the Udhna– Alleviation, M. Venkaiah Naidu on Mumbai Metro, Pune Metro In 2014-15, (86 km) doubling, Kasu–Roha the Railways and Smart City. He said that approval will be given to Pune (26 km), Godhani–Kolumna (6 km) and Metro Rail Project soon after the revised DPR from the State commissioned Hotgi–Tilati (9 km) are due to be 50 km of new Government is submitted and clearance is granted. tracks in the commissioned. Union Railway Minister The final notification for the coastal road project will be State. This is Suresh Prabhu suggested that nodal issued soon, said Union Minister for Environment, Prakash expected to go officers from the Ministry and the State Javadekar in a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra up to 127 km Government meet every week to review Fadnavis. The Ministers had discussion on various projects, this year the progress of the work. including the upcoming Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis the conservation of Western Ghats. also met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley over setting up In other meetings, a special purpose vehicle will be a financial services centre in Mumbai. He said that financial established shortly to handle and speed up all pending railway services centres exist in many countries and one such centre projects across the State, said the Chief Minister after a meeting can be created in Mumbai too. He said that a proposal will with Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. The meeting had be submitted soon.

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ONLINE GOVERNMENT SERVICES NEED OF THE HOUR nline Government services are the need of hour and can be made possible through Jan Dhan Aadhaar Mobile (JAM), expressed Chief Minister Devendra OFadnavis at Delhi Economics Conclave 2015. The conclave was organised by Union Finance Ministry at Vigyan Bhawan. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stressed the need of technology to bring greater connectivity with people across the country. He said through JAM, Government welfare schemes can reach the last person. So far, Government of Maharashtra has registered 1.25 crore bank accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana. Union Minister for Finance Arun Jaitely, Chief Minister of Chhatisgarh Dr. Raman Singh, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister of State for Finance Dr. Jayant Sinha, Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister for Finance Sudhir Mungantiwar were present on the occasion.

NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME AWARDS resident Pranab Mukherjee conferred the Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Awards for the year 2014-15 to Pindividuals and organisations for their active role in tree plantation, blood donation and social awareness camps. The award is a recognition of outstanding contribution of the university NSS cells, programme officers, college and plus two NSS units and NSS volunteers to social service. The awards were presented by the Ministry of Youth Welfare and Sports at Darbar Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Late Indira Gandhi. The winners included programme coordinators of five universities, programme officers of ten colleges and coordinators of 32 universities of India rendering excellent services through NSS. Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge), Sarbananda Sonowal and Secretary Rajiv Gupta were present on the occasion.

MAHA AIMS INVESTMENT OF `5 LAKH CRORE; SCORES BIG AT IITF n the next four years, Maharashtra aims to attract investment of `5 lakh crore and generate 20 lakh Iemployment opportunities, expressed Subhash Desai, Minister for Industries, while inaugurating the Maharashtra Pavilion at India International Trade Fair 2015 (IITF) at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Minister of State for Industries Praveen Pote-Patil, Principal Secretary, Industries, Apurva Chandra, Resident Commissioner, Abha Shukla, Protocol Commissioner, Lokesh Chandra, and Director, Maharashtra State Small Scale Development Corporation, Shivaji Daund were present on the occasion. Speaking further, Subhash Desai said that during past one year, the State has taken many initiatives to boost the industrial sector. Conducive 3,839 KM STATE ROADS TO BE NATIONAL HIGHWAYS atmosphere has been created for investors. During the year, investment of `80,000 crore has been he Ministry for Transport has given approval to 3,839 km of made, generating 50,000 new employment opportunities. State highways to be widened and upgraded to National Favourable atmosphere has been generated for small scale THighways. This will help in boosting development of tribal areas and pilgrimage places in the State. The highways chosen for the industries. To boost small scale industries, `200 crore has work include State highways of Marathwada, Vidarbha and Western been made available as capital through SIDBI, while `75 crore have been provided by Maharashtra Government. Maharashtra. Maharashtra got the approval in a meeting held with The Government has reduced number of permissions to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, Nitin start industry to 25 now. The Government in past one year Gadkari and Maharashtra Minister for Public Works, Chandrakant has taken 47 industry-related decisions. The work of Delhi– Patil. Maharashtra Minister for Energy, Chandrashekhar Mumbai Industrial Corridor is in progress. For this, about Bawankule, Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Anand Kulkarni, 4 hectare land has been made available. Soon work of Secretary, P.G. Ganvir and Managing Director, MSRTC, R. Mopalwar were present on the occasion. Shendra–Bidkin Industrial estate will start. —Dayanand Kamble, Deputy Director, MIC, New Delhi

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 43 MAHARASHTRA RECENT MOVES

Government will be set up to GRAND MEMORIAL work out modalities for the OF BALASAHEB memorial. The trust will be THACKERAY AT headed by MUMBAI MAYOR’S and will include Chief Secre- BUNGALOW tary and senior Government officials. With the help of trust, grand memorial for the framework of memorial Balasaheb Thackeray, will be prepared. With the con- AShiv Sena Chief will be struction of the memorial, the built at the Mayor’s bungalow Government will try to form in Shivaji Park area, said Chief the State of his dreams and Minister Devendra Fadnavis. take the benefits of develop- Chief Minister said that a ment to each citizen, added public trust under the State the Chief Minister.

create the first digital village at MAHARASHTRA Harisal and overcome its problem TO GET 50 DIGITAL of malnutrition. The Chief VILLAGES BY 2016 Minister said that the integration of technology will help enhance hief Minister Devendra healthcare facilities, education, Fadnavis has said that the energy and other services in rural CState will build 50 digital areas of the State. He also under- villages by the end of 2016. The lined the positive impact of the Government’s first such project is increasing number of Government at Harisal in Melghat, where e-platforms in the State that have Microsoft will help the State. simplified a lot of processes. Chief Minister Devendra On the occasion, Microsoft Fadnavis was speaking at the CEO Satya Nadella also discussed Microsoft Future Unleashed ways to empower the lives of bil- Conference held in Mumbai re- lion-plus Indians with technol- cently. With the help of ogy. He also shared how local Microsoft’s ICT-based smart pro- data centres will allow businesses ject, the State Government will to expand in India.

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GOPINATH MUNDE FARMERS ACCIDENT INSURANCE SCHEME LAUNCHED

pay the premium of `27.25 crore for the scheme. The accident insurance scheme will benefit 1.37 crore farmers in the 10-75 year age group. The term of the current scheme ends on November 30, 2015. The new scheme will cover farmers who are victim of accidental death and MUMBAI, NOW SAFER AND SMARTER those left handicapped by WITH CCTV SURVEILLANCE he Government of road and rail accidents. Maharashtra has launched Eventualities like snake bite, hief Minister of Maharashtra boost crime prevention, early TGopinath Munde Accident murder, electric shocks, recently launched the first response, detection, prosecution Insurance Scheme for farmers scorpion bites, Naxal attacks, Cphase of Mumbai City Sur- and conviction. The State Govern- in the State. The scheme aims animal attacks and lightning veillance Project, covering south ment’s endeavour is to ensure to provide more social and strikes are also covered under Mumbai from Colaba to Worli, optimum use of manpower with economic security to farmers the scheme. According to a where 1,381 cameras have been technological intervention for and their families. To be im- Government circular, farmers installed of over 6,000 CCTVs. effective policing. “We plan to plemented from 2015-16, the whose names have been regis- The whole project will be com- complete all the three phases scheme will bring each farmer tered on 7/12 land extracts pleted by next year. before November 26, 2016. The `2 lakh annual insurance would be able to avail the Speaking on the occasion, entire city of Mumbai would be cover. The Government will benefit of the scheme. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis under digital camera surveil- said that CCTV network would lance,” he added.

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APJ ABDUL KALAM AMRUT YOJNA STATE NATURE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT FOR TRIBAL AREAS BOARD TO PROMOTE TOURISM OF THE STATE o promote nature tourism The board will have regula- overnment of Maharashtra in the State, the tory and executive authority has approved a revised TGovernment has decided with its head office at Nagpur. Gscheme, APJ Abdul Kalam to set up Maharashtra Nature Minister for Forests will be its Amrut Yojna for expecting and Tourism Board in forest areas Chairman and the Principal lactating women in the tribal to ensure protection of 48 Chief Conservator (Forest A areas of the State. The scheme sanctuaries, six national parks Resource) as its Executive Chief. will provide at least one full, nu- nutritious meal would be served and four reserve forests. The board will ensure de- tritious meal to every pregnant at the Anganwadis. The meal will velopment of natural resources lady and lactating mother. The include pulses, fruits, vegetables, The Board will and tourism facilities across scheme will benefit around rice and boiled eggs and milk ensure develop - the State. According to recent 1.9 lakh women in the first year on few occasions. The meals ment of forests and statistics, around 10 lakh peo- and will be implemented through will be provided for six months natural resources in ple visit wildlife areas in the Anganwadis. Each meal given is beginning from a lady’s third State annually. In last few Maharashtra and years, people have been at- estimated to cost `22. trimester of pregnancy to three tourism around Under the scheme, a free, months after delivery. tracted to national parks, these locations forests and sanctuaries.

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The Governor was speaking after presenting the QUALITY SERVICES AND Aditya Vikram Birla Kala SMART LEADERSHIP Shikhar Award for Lifetime Achievement to santoor o make Smart Cities a success, maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Sharma in Mumbai. Director Thas called for empowering Mayors of Birla Group, Rajashree to enable better performance. “If we Birla and Honorary Secretary want a Mayor to perform, it is impor- of Sangit Kala Kendra tant to empower one with enough Lalit Daga were present powers,” he said, while speaking on on the occasion. Smart Cities Project at Prabodhan Mentioning that Mumbai Leaders Conclave 2015 in London. has music corners in suburbs, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis the Governor said such plat- said that Smart Cities is not merely forms should be ‘identified, about technology, but about involving supported and strengthened’ people and understanding their needs, ADITYA VIKRAM BIRLA AWARD TO to make them dynamic cen- and Maharashtra is moving in that di- PT. SHIV KUMAR SHARMA tres for propagation of art. rection. He also stressed on the impor- The Governor presented tance of quality of life. “We have to sserting that the city of trict’ in Mumbai. “Such a dis- the Aditya Vikram Birla create jobs, provide newer services and Mumbai is not just the trict will serve as a democratic Kala Kiran Awards to Murad give better quality of life to people. We Afinancial capital of platform for artists and musi- Ali Khan (sarangi) and are building a new city, NAINA, which India, but also the cultural cians from India and abroad, Satyajit Talwalkar (tabla) will be bigger than Mumbai,” he said. capital of India, Governor Ch. where they will be able to and Special Jury Award to During an interaction with Chief Vidyasagar Rao expressed the perform and showcase their Sanjeev and Ashwani Shankar Executive Officers, the Chief Minister need to create a ‘culture dis- talent,” he added. (both shehnai). assured that, while creating infrastruc- ture, there won’t be any hurdles in //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// terms of land acquisition, and cited the Navi Mumbai model of development. the village level for contesting lies are without toilets in their The best use of services will definitely HOME TOILETS local bodies elections. homes and need to be bring down the cost, which is the main MUST FOR On the lines of Swachh provided the same. objective. This will be achieved by the CONTESTING CIVIC Bharat Abhiyan, Swachh To end open defecation in State Government by creating Smart POLLS IN STATE Maharashtra Abhiyan is being cities, October 2, 2017, has Cities, he said. The Chief Minister fur- implemented in the State with been set up as deadline. For ther said that one needs to put water n a welcome move, the the aim to make toilets avail- this, the Government has and power supply into smart grid to State Government has able for each family and to do already initiated Mission keep a count of every drop of water Imade home toilets must for away with the practice of Mode in 366 urban centres. and every unit of power. those willing to contest polls open defecation. For the success of the mission, During the conclave, the Chief of Municipal Corporations, According to the 2011 cooperation of elected repre- Minister interacted with the gathering Councils and Panchayats by census, the urban population sentatives is crucial. Hence, it on the subject of urban infrastructure, making suitable amendments of Maharashtra is around 5.8 is imperative that people’s public-private partnership, powers of to the Civic Acts pertaining to crore comprising 1.8 crore representatives must first Mayor and new technologies. these. The initiative has families. Of these, around 8 have and make use of toilet already been implemented at per cent, i.e. 8.32 lakh fami- facilities at their homes.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 45 MAHARASHTRA RECENT MOVES

Nagpur. Minister for Social Justice A MANUAL THAT HELPS ONE BECOME PROGRESSIVE Rajkumar Badole, Minister for Energy Chandrakant Bawankule, aharashtra, by following Minister of State for Social Justice the principles of Dilip Kamble and City Mayor MConstitution, will emerge Pravin Datke were also present. as the most progressive State in RST Nagpur University’s Vice- the country, said Chief Minister Chancellor Siddartha Vinayak Devendra Fadnavis. The Chief Kane and Registrar, Puran Minister said this while paying Meshram presented a copy of the tribute to Bharat Ratna action plan of the varsity for the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on the 125th birth anniversary celebra- occasion of Constitution Day ob- tions of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. served throughout the country on The Samvidhan Divas was November 26. observed all across Maharashtra Taking a pledge to commemo- on November 26 with public rate the day, the Chief Minister reading of the Preamble at Gov- said that the State Government has and will always be governed by the Constitution given to the On the occasion nation by Dr. Babasaheb Ambed- of Constitution Day, kar. “He always strived for the the Chief Minister socio-economic uplift of the led over 1.25 lakh oppressed and suppressed sec- students from various tions of society, and the Constitu- schools of the State to tion laid the very foundation of recite the Preamble social justice and equality. The Preamble of our Constitution ernment, semi-Government and gives direction to the nation on educational institutions. The Con- how democracy would ensure jus- stitution of india was adopted on tice to the last human being,” said this day in 1949 before it came Devendra Fadnavis. into force on January 26, 1950. On the occasion, the Chief Min- The day is being celebrated as ister led over 1.25 lakh students Samvidhan Divas for the past sev- from various schools to recite the eral years in the State. In Preamble of the Constitution at a Mantralaya, Minister for State for mass recitation programme organ- Home, Dr. Ranjit Patil participated ised by the Ministry of Social Jus- in a programme of public reading tice at Yashwant Stadium in of the Preamble.

46 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 INFORMATION EXCHANGE AWARDS GALORE FOR SCRIBES The Best Journalism Awards 2014 ceremony saw laurels bestowed on journalists and the announcement of a draft bill to stop attacks on media being in the final stage

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Secretary, Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar and Director General Chandrashekhar Oak during the Best Journalism Awards 2014 ceremony, in Mumbai

draft bill to prevent attacks on journalists in Maharashtra is in the final stage. Speaking at the STATE-LEVEL AWARDS Best Journalism Awards ceremony 2014, honouring  Acharya Balshastri Jambhekar Annadrao Satpute, Information Ajournalists from all across the State, Chief Minister Devendra Award (Marathi): `51,000, Officer, Satara memento and certificate: Jhanvi P.L.Deshpande Best Story for Fadnavis said that the draft will come into final shape after  Vinod Patil, daily, , Television Award: `41,000, discussions with various journalists’ organisations. The function Ratnagiri memento and certificate: Santosh was organised by the Directorate General of Information and  Anant Gopal Shevade Award Madhukar Lokhande, Zee 24taas, (English): `41,000, memento and Buldhana Public Relations (DGIPR), Government of Maharashtra, at certificate: Ananya Dutt, daily,  Tolaram Kukreja Best Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai. Times of India, Pune Newspaper Photographer Baburao Vishnu Paradkar Award: 41,000, memento and The Lokmanya Tilak Lifetime Achievement Award for 2014 ` (Hindi): `41,000, memento and certificate: Vidhyadhar Raghunath was awarded to renowned columnist Padma Shri Muzaffar certificate: Mukesh R. Sharma, Rane, daily Sakaal, Mumbai Hussain. The award comprises a shawl, coconut, scroll of honour daily, Samachar, Gondia  Keki Moose Best Photogra-  Maulana Abul Kalam Azad pher Award, Government Cate- and `1 lakh in cash. Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar, Secretary, Award (Urdu): `41,000, gory: (DGIPR): `41,000, memento DGIPR, Chandrashekhar Oak, Director General, DGIPR and memento and certificate: Sheikh and certificate: Vijay Vaijnath Appa Pyar Mohammed, evening daily, Hokarne, Photographer, Shivaji Mankar, Director, News and Public Relations, DGIPR, Nanded Rahebar, Information Office, Nanded were present on the occasion.  Yashwantrao Chavan Award,  Social Media Award: `41,000, The Chief Minister said that besides implementation of an Government Category memento and certificate: Ashish (Marathi):(DGIPR): `41,000, Chandorkar, Chief Sub-Editor, Act to prevent attacks on journalists, the State Government is memento and certificate: Prashant (Online), Pune considering pension schemes for scribes. Various Government

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 47 INFORMATION EXCHANGE

developmental works reach people through them. The Jalyukta Shivar Yojana became successful with the help of media. He DIVISION-LEVEL AWARDS also announced a new award for journalists, who would work for  Dadasaheb Potnis Award, Maharashtra Times, Pune creating awareness for Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan from Nashik Division: `51,000 (of this  S.M.Paranjape Award-Konkan next year. The Government will `10,000 awarded by daily Division: `41,000, memento and Gavakari), memento and certificate: Dilip Shantaram Shinde, endeavour to include more and certificate: Charusheela Subhash daily Sakaal, daily Pudhari, Thane more scribes while signing new Kulkarni, Senior Reporter, daily,  G.G. Jadhav Award-Kolhapur Media plays a agreement for mediclaim, he said. , Nashik Division: `41,000, memento and very important role Chief Minister Devendra  Annatrao Bhalerao Award, certificate: Indumati Ganesh in preventing Aurangabad Division (Including (Suryavanshi), Reporter–Sub-Edi- Fadnavis expressed happiness on wrong things in ): `41,000, memento and tor, daily Lokmat, Kolhapur society, especially in presenting a separate award for certificate: Hari Ramkrishna  Loknayak Bapuji Anne Award- administration by social media category, which was Tugavkar, daily Sakaal, Latur : `41,000, Acharya Atre Award, Mumbai memento and certificate: criticising them. declared last year. “Like the main -  There are many Division: `41,000, memento and Harshnandan Suresh Wagh, noble people in stream media, social media should certificate: Sanjay Krishna Bapat, Correspondent, daily, Lokmat, society as well as in also be responsible in its function- Special Correspondent, daily Buldhana administration ing,” the Chief Minister said. Loksatta, Mumbai  G.T. Madkholkar Award- doing constructive  Nansaheb Parulekar Award, : 41,000, The recipient of the Lifetime ` and positive work. Pune Division: `41,000, memento memento and certificate: Praveen —Manisha Achievement Award, Muzaffar and certificate: Yogesh Sopan Shreeram Lonkar, daily Maharash- Patankar-Mhaiskar Hussain said, “I am indeed very Borate, News Reporter, daily, tra Times, Nagpur proud to receive this award in the name of a great personality like Lokmanya Tilak. O Different languages make Maharashtra a rich State. For me, Speaking on the occasion, Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar this award by Government of Maharashtra is a blessing said, “Media plays a very important role in preventing wrong T of Mata Sarsawati.” things in society, especially in administration by criticising them. There are many noble people in society as well as in administration doing constructive and positive work. Media should cover these diligently. The awards for the year 2015 will be presented before May 1, 2016.” Chandrashekhar Oak, Director General, DGIPR, said, “The function is organised to felicitate the journalists giving positive direction to society through constructive writings.” The committee members for the evaluation of the Best Journalism Award 2014, Chandan Shirvare, Anurag Tripathi, Surendra Gangan and Deepak Bhatuse were felicitated on the occasion. Shivaji Mankar, Director, News and Public Relations proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Pradeep Bhide. M.L.A. Raj Purohit, Director, Administration, DGIPR, Devendra Bhujbal, senior journalists and various eminent people were also present.

MAHANEWS Devendra Bhujbal and Director Shivaji Mankar, the column ‘First step of fulfilling assurances’ has now become niche. With the The all-inclusive news portal Government implementing many people-oriented decisions, ahanews is a news portal of Directorate General of schemes and initiatives, the common man, farmer and Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), Government agricultural labour all consider the Government as their own. Mof Maharashtra. The portal has been carrying news on Information on Our Government, Service Guarantee Act, Government decisions, schemes, initiatives and programmes to Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan and success stories and waterlogged the media and people of the State since 2008. Keeping up with areas have been shown through photographs. Digital the rise of social media, the portal has seen upgrades over the Maharashtra, LBT-free Maharashtra, 19 lakh tenements within years. Today, Mahanews is useful to people and media while five years, Shiv Arogya Seva, Indradhanush, Operation making efforts to increase people participation. With Kayapalat, Amrit Aahar, purchase of the house where Bharat appropriate planning by DGIPR Secretary Manisha Patankar- Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar stayed in London during his Mhaiskar, Director General Chandrashekhar Oak, Director study, Government’s decision to build a memorial of

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MAHARASHTRA AHEAD Special issue on Government’s one year in office A TABLEAU BASED ON DEVELOPMENT WORKS n the occasion of Government’s one year in office, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave a green signal to special issues of Lokrajya, Maharashtra Ahead and the tableau created by Nagpur–Amravati Division of DGIPR Lokrajya (Urdu) for November 2015 were released by to celebrate Government’s one year in the office. In the backdrop of the Kalidas Festival, a photo exhibition was ChiefO Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Sahyadri Guest held in the precincts of House, Mumbai. A dialogue with the Chief Minister was Deshpande Auditorium, Nagpur. organised by Mantralaya Ani Special The exhibition had relics from The pictorial, Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh. issues of DGIPR the six divisions of Nagpur and informative tableau from publications were On the occasion of completion of was inaugurated by the Chief released by one year, all the Departments of Nagpur carries Minister. Along with the information on Chief Minister Government of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis. exhibition, Nagpur District various A dialogue with contributed columns by respective Information Officer, Anil Thakre schemes of Chief Minister Ministers for the DGIPR created a pictorial informative Government of was organised by publications, sharing the tableau, where information on Maharashtra launched in Mantralaya Ani important decisions taken and various schemes of the Vidhimandal past one year Vartahar Sangh work done over the past one year. Government was shown through Director General, DGIPR, LED lights. Guardian Minister Chandreshekhar Oak, Media Chandrashekhar Bawankule, M.L.A. Anil Sole, Divisional Advisor to the Chief Minister, Ravikiran Deshmukh, Commissioner Anoop Kumar, District Collector Sachin President of the Mantralaya Ani Vidhimandal Vartahar Kurve, Director Mohan Rathod, District Information Officer Sangh Chandan Shirwale and Secretary Chandrakant Anil Thakre, Anil Gadekar, Manisha Savle, Vivek Khadse Shinde were present with other office bearers at the launch and others graced the occasion. of the special issue.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Indu Mill compound in Mumbai URDU LOKRAJYA were topics covered on the portal. GHALIB AWARD TO DGIPR EDITOR The State Government’s decision to provide wheat at `2 The coveted Ghalib Award from per kg and rice at `3 per kg to 68 Ghalib Institute bestowed on an lakh farmers in the suicide-affected author with huge contribution to M districts was publicised through Urdu literature has gone to Aslam articles in Mahanews. Parvez, Sub Editor, Urdu Lokrajya. With citizens confident of the The award carries a cash prize of welfare programmes, their `75,000 and has a certificate and participation in the projects has increased. On the occasion of memento. The award has been completion of one year of the State Government, the DGIPR given for Aslam Parvez’s special contribution to Urdu drama. The award will be given by Lt. published a separate booklet for each district. Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung at the inauguration of — Dhondiram Arjun International Ghalib Festival to be held in New Delhi.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  DECEMBER 2015 49 MEETING GLOBAL SECURITY

A FIGHT AGAINST TERROR Maharashtra shares with the world its security measures post 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks at Strong Cities Network, New York. A report

(Clockwise from top) Minister of State (Home) Dr. Ranjit Patil during the Strong Cities Network meeting organised by the United Nations in New York

ll the major cities of the world are currently under of modern technology, especially cyber security towards the shadow of danger from terrorist organisations. countering violent extremism. Mumbai has already experienced the pangs of such an President Obama, in his opening remarks at the summit, attack.A In order that big cities of the world are ready to said the world faced “a grave challenge in the form of terrorism.” protect themselves from such attacks, an international He predicted that terror groups like meeting was held recently in New York. The Strong Cities Active ISIS would lose the global battle Network (SCN) is a group of 25 cities of the world brought round the clock, because these have nothing to offer together on one platform by the United Nations to pool in the Force One other than suffering and death. He their strategies to combat terrorism and violent extremism. squad of the said that terrorism cannot come to an Mumbai Police The network was formally launched at the U.N. in a meeting has been end in one night. Everyone needs to held recently at New York and chaired by U.S. President trained at a toil day and night for it to happen. He Barack Obama. Mumbai was represented at the meeting by global level to announced the setting up of Inter - Minister of State (Home) Dr. Ranjit Patil. counter any national Steering Committee of the During the meeting, Dr. Ranjit Patil shared with the attack and SCN. Dr. Ranjit Patil was chosen as a audience Maharashtra Police’s best practices to counter protect member of the Committee. terrorism and violent extremism, including Force One, common people To save the country from ‘lone various successful strategies of Mumbai Police and Anti wolf attacks’ and keep the intruders Terrorism Squad (ATS), Maharashtra, local functioning of away, Dr. Ranjit Patil suggested to strengthen the mindset of Mohalla Committees and the proposed de-radicalisation citizens so that they do not fall prey to violent groups strategies for peace-building among the citizens. On like ISIS. Sensitising the youth, building awareness among this international platform, he requested best practices them, and educating, skilling and employing them are in technical expertise of all the countries for the use equally important, he added.

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Maharashtra Ahead, Always Ahead GRAB A COPY TO KNOW ABOUT INDIA’S LEADING STATE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES IT OFFERS

O.I.G.S. Presented by The

Digamber W. Palve Senior Assistant Director Directorate General of Information and Public Relations Maharashtra Government Barrack No. 19, Free Press Journal Marg Mumbai 400 021.

Printed at KALA JYOTHI PROCESS PVT. LTD., Plot No. W-17 & W-18, MIDC, Taloja Industrial Area, Taloja-410 208, Navi Mumbai. Published by Directorate General of Infromation & Public Relations Mantralaya Mumbai 400 032 on behalf of Government of Maharashtra. Managing Editor CHANDRASHEKHAR OAK, Director General of Information and Public Relations.