MAHAPARINIRVAN DAY 550TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY: GURU NANAK DEV CLIMATE CHANGE VS AGRICULTURE

VOL.8 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2019 ` 50 PAGES 52

Prosperous Our Vision Pahawa Vitthal A Warkari couple wishes Chief Minister after taking oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

(Pahawa Vitthal is a pictorial book by Uddhav Thackeray depicting the culture and rural life of Maharashtra.) CONTENTS What’s Inside

06 THIS IS THE MOMENT The evening of the 28th November 2019 will be long remem- bered as a special evening in the history of Park of . The ground had witnessed many historic moments in the past with people thronging to listen to Pramukh, Late Balasaheb Thackeray, and Udhhav Thackeray. This time, when Uddhav Thackeray took the oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on this very ground, the entire place was once again charged with enthusiasm and emotions, with fulfilment seen in every gleaming eye and ecstasy on every face. Maharashtra Ahead brings you special articles on the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra, his journey as a politi- cian, the new Ministers, the State Government's roadmap to building New Maharashtra, and the newly elected members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

44 36 MAHARASHTRA TOURISM IMPRESSES THE BEACON OF LONDON KNOWLEDGE Maharashtra Tourism participated in the recent Bharat Ratna World Travel Market exhibition in London. A Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar platform to meet the world, the event helped believed that books the Department reach out to tourists and brought meaning to life. tourism-related professionals and inform them He had to suffer and about the tourism attractions and facilities the overcome acute sorrow State has. and face infinite obstacles on the path of acquiring knowledge. These 46 obstacles have rarely MAHA PLANTATION DRIVE GETS been faced by other RECOGNITION epoch-making men, and this is what makes his The State Forest Department was awarded the success far more glorious. JSW-Times of Earth Care Award for the Plantation Management Information System by making optimum use of IT developed 50-Crore Plantation Drive. The award recognised the Department’s efforts to solve complex climate change challenges. 42 THE MESSAGE OF 48 ONENESS CLIMATE CHANGE CALLS FOR For centuries, scholars AGRICULTURE MANAGEMENT and historians have been Due to climate change, some areas in studying Guru Nanak’s Maharashtra are witnessing unseasonal teachings. A spiritual light rains and agricultural losses. Hailstorms and and messenger of God, unpredictable rainfall during the months of he has shown the path February, March, April and May also bring of direct access to God losses. It is time to adopt alternative agriculture without the need of methods to save agriculture and help farmers. rituals or priests.

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

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 3 VOL. 8 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2019 `50 PAGES 52

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brijesh Singh Chief Minister Uddhav MANAGING EDITORS Ajay Ambekar Thackeray has directed Suresh Wandile that senior officials in EDITOR the State administration Anil Aloorkar EXECUTIVE EDITOR should pay attention Kriti Lalla to ensure that people's SALES AND CIRCULATION trust in Government Mangesh Warkad is meaningful and not (Astt. Director) Ashwini Pujari even a single paisa (Sub-Editor) of public money is COVER DESIGN wasted in development Seema Ranalkar Sushim Kamble works while taking Maharashtra forward BIPL MEDIA ASSOCIATES in the country. He was MANAGING EDITOR Jyoti Verma speaking soon after CONSULTING EDITOR assuming charge in Deepika Khurana the office of the ART DIRECTOR Chief Minister. Lakeer Studio DIRECTOR Xavier Collaco

Maharashtra Ahead is printed on behalf of the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, Government of Maharashtra, at Kala Jyothi Process Pvt. NOT A SINGLE PAISA OF PUBLIC MONEY WILL Ltd.Plot No.W-17 and W-18, MIDC, Taloja Industrial Area, Taloja-410 208, Navi Mumbai BE MISUSED: CHIEF MINISTER

Letters should be addressed to The Chief Minister said in his speech that the funds for carrying out the de- Directorate General of Information and velopmental works of the State come from the taxpayers. He further added Public Relations, that the work done to serve society would generate faith for the Govern- New Administrative Building, 17th Floor, Opposite Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032. ment in the minds of the public. He emphasised that it is the responsibility of Email: [email protected] everyone to create a sense of belonging in the minds of the people. "The people have entrusted me with the responsibility of the Chief Minis- ter with confidence. The State has got its first Mumbai-born Chief Minister.

Follow us on www.twitter.com/MahaDGIPR We have to work to fulfill the dream of making Maharashtra a leading State Like us on www.facebook.com/dgipr in the country, along with Mumbai. While allocating funds for development Subscribe us on YouTube/MaharashtraDGIPR works, it is equally important to see that taxpayers’ incomes should also in- Visit us on www.mahanews.gov.in crease. For bringing prosperity in the lives of farmers and labourers, devel- Blog/maharashtradgipr opment works should be prioritised accordingly,” he added. Please visit the website http://dgipr.maharashtra.gov.in The Chief Minister said that officials should work to provide a transpar- Directorate General of Information and Public Relations ent and clean administration to serve people better. This is very important to A Government of Maharashtra Production generate the feeling of affection and respect in the minds of people towards the Government and administration. For inclusive development, the speed of work and direction are equally important. Senior administrative officers have an important role to play in this. Chief Minister expressed the hope that the authorities will discharge their responsibilities effectively and efficiently, and the Government will succeed in achieving the pinnacles of progress.  Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, Government of Maharashtra GUEST EDITORIAL SINCERE AND CAPABLE

On Thursday, the 28th No- he strove endlessly. He himself had experienced the life vember 2019, Uddhav Bala- of the deprived, but possessed tremendous will power saheb Thackeray took oath to overcome the situation. He determined and decided as the 29th Chief Minister of to uplift the oppressed and deprived community com- Maharashtra at Shivteerth prehensively, which was a task equivalent to lifting the in Shivaji Park, Mumbai, in Himalaya as it were! Using his extraordinary intelligence the presence of a mammoth and foresight, he wrote a new chapter of social revolution gathering, ushering in a new in India. era in Maharashtra. Dr Babasaheb, after completion of initial education One of the most accom- in India in adverse conditions, later attained his doctor- plished and prosperous al-level education in a foreign country with distinction. States of India, Maharashtra His quest for knowledge continued endlessly even after Hon'ble Minister is all set to attain new heights completing his formal education. He was remarkably under the able leadership of its new Chief Minister. knowledgeable on various subjects such as economics, Presently, the State is facing many problems. The farm- sociology, labour, law, water conservation, religious stud- ers have suffered huge damage due to excessive, untime- ies, defence and other subjects. He had a collection of ly rainfall. In his first cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister hundreds of books on these subjects. His love for books took the decision of extending cannot be described in words. He substantial help to farmers. He had a separate gallery for books has offered a reverent salute to in his house and he affectionately Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by took care of this wealth. sanctioning `20 crore for the con- While drafting the Constitu- servation of the Raigad Fort, the tion of India, his elucidation and capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Ma- comments on our country’s unity, haraj’s Swarajya. integrity, oneness and secularity To make common people be- are very important and timeless. lieve that this is their own Gov- Therefore, India’s Constitution is ernment, the Chief Minister has termed as one of the greatest in directed the State administration the world. In fact, it is considered to take urgent decisions on mat- as an ideal example of a demo- ters of concern. He has made it cratic system. The empowerment clear that every penny of the pub- given by the constitution to com- lic will be utilised appropriately. mon people is noticed during ev- Maharashtra has got a bright ery election. leader in the form of Uddhav The efforts made by Dr Ba- Thackeray ji, who is patient, yet basaheb Ambedkar through the firm; soft, yet determined; and constitution, seeking to eradicate affectionate, yet dutiful. Undoubtedly, Shivchhatra- centuries of injustice, have proven to be futuristic. His pati’s Maharashtra will shine with new lustre under work of giving identity, justice and status to Indian women his leadership. is incomparable. He attained Mahaparinirvan on 6th De- December 6, 2019 is Mahaparinirvan Day of Bharat cember. However, his work, thoughts, directions, inspira- Ratna, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who is considered as tion, energy and the pride of self-esteem are immortal. On one of the world’s greatest scholars and prime leaders, the occasion of his Mahaparinirvan, through this issue of who brought about a social revolution. He not only gave Maharashtra Ahead, we gratefully pay our humble tributes the downtrodden the power to survive, but also gave to the legend. In this issue, we have included some articles them self-realisation. Through this, the oppressed and reflecting various aspects of his personality. deprived gained self-confidence; they got fresh inspira- I am sure you will like this issue. tion and energy to live. The social revolution of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is Eknath Shinde unparalleled and amazing, for the attainment of which Guest Editor

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 5 6 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 THIS IS THE MOMENT The evening of the 28th November 2019 will be long remembered as a special evening in the history of Shivaji Park ground that has already witnessed many historic moments. In the past, the ground has witnessed a throng of people gathered to listen Hindu Hriday Samrat late Balasaheb Thackeray and Udhhav Thackeray. When Uddhav Thackeray took the oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on this very ground, the entire place was once again charged with enthusiasm and emotions with fulfilment seen in every gleaming eye and ecstatic face.

t was 6.40 in the evening. The moment had come for which everyone was wait- ing since morning. When the Governor of Maharashtra, said, “I…”,I the entire attention of millions of people at Shivaji Park was centred on Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray…. “Seeking the blessings of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and remembering my parents, I, Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, take an oath that…” The words led to a huge ap- plause from the people gathered at the ground. Maharashtra had got its 29th Chief Minister and the spectators had an expression that this was the very moment for which they had gathered. The evening of 28th November will be long

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 7 Journalists of various regional and national newspapers and representa- tives of electronic media were ready to capture every single moment on the ground. There was a lot of excitement about the ceremony, ranging from ar- ranging the chairs and flower decora- tion, to curiosity about who would- at tend the ceremony. Nandesh Umap was performing on stage, singing powadas, songs of valour and making the atmo- sphere lively. The media was also excited because the first member of the Thackeray fam- ily, which had made its mark on the State’s politics for over five decades, who was to be sworn as the Head of the State. Most of the regional news chan- nels were conducting live shows from the ground and representatives of Hindi and English news channels were busy compiling their stories. Media represen- tatives of various Indian languages like Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada were also present to report news of the ceremony. The international media was curious to report the essence of the ceremony, when the top post of a State like Maharashtra, which leads in various sectors of the country, was being given to a leader, who is known to be patient and firm on his thoughts. The audience cheered when Chief Minister designate Uddhav Thackeray arrived on the stage at 6.36 pm. He wore a saffron-coloured kurta, he beamed with confidence, and Uddhav Thackeray taking oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra at Shivaji Park, Mumbai. his stance reflected his gratitude to the audience. After taking the oath, he hum- remembered as a special evening in the ing-in ceremony was in the evening, yet bly bowed in front of people and said the history of Shivaji Park ground that had, people had started arriving at the ground State belongs to them and promised that in the past, witnessed many historic mo- since morning. People from far villages this State would be run in favour of the ments. The ground used to be crowded and settlements took whichever transport people. Before swearing in, he gratefully with people to intently listen to late Bala- they got, just to witness this swearing-in recalled Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and saheb Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray. ceremony. Some could not sleep the entire assured that the new Government would When Uddhav Thackeray took the oath night, yet there was immense joy on their function as per Shivaji Maharaj's policies as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, faces and in their eyes. The highlight of this of people’s welfare. the entire place was again charged with ceremony was that people from the entire After Uddhav Thackeray took oath as enthusiasm and emotions with a sense State and from all strata of society attend- the Chief Minister—Eknath Shinde, Sub- of fulfilment seen in every gleaming eye ed the event. Along with farmers, workers, hash Desai, Jayant , , and ecstatic face. Farmers, labourers and youth and women, artists and celebrities and —took youth gathered from across Maharashtra from Hindi and Marathi film and theatre oath as Ministers. Many prominent lead- had a proud and glorious feeling that their industry were also present. Warkaris from ers from the State and the country were leader has become the Head of the State. Sangli, and were present in present on the occasion. Everybody knew for sure that the swear- large numbers. —Praveen Kulkarni

8 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 KNOW YOUR CHIEF MINISTER

he 29th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav mitment to larger issues when he raised funds for drought-hit Thackeray is also the Shiv Sena Party Chief. Shri Ud- farmers and wildlife conservation through his exhibitions. dhav Thackeray, who has been relentlessly working Tfor the welfare of farmers and common people of ACHIEVEMENTS Maharashtra for many decades, carries the great legacy of Under the able leadership of Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena his father and Shiv Sena founder, late Shri Balasaheb Thac- has swept several local and State elections. He has also man- keray, his mother late Meenatai Thackeray and grandfather aged to steer the party through thick and thin and become a late Prabodhankar Keshav Sitaram Thackeray. commander of the ground workers in an effective manner. The soft-spoken gentleman is also the editor-in-chief of With the policy of 80 per cent social work and 20 per cent the mouthpiece of Shiv Sena, Saamna, a prominent Marathi •politics, his party was able to make a mark even in the Guin- newspaper founded by Shiv Sena Pramukh, Balasaheb Thac- ness World Records. keray. Born on 27th July 1960 in Mumbai, he graduated from Under his able leadership, the Shiv Sena has started testing JJ School of Arts. Many books of his photographs have been •and treatment centres for malaria and distributed medicines published. He is a an author and a professional photographer to the needy. whose works have appeared in various magazines and show- To strengthen health services in Mumbai, many cased at numerous exhibitions. •hospitals have been built and are functional. He initiated the innovative social service of organ- POLITICAL CAREER •ising blood donation mega camps in Mumbai. Uddhav Thackeray entered politics even as he was a stu- He secured a win for the Shiv Sena in the 2002 dent. He took active part in socio-political activities of • BMC election while working as the Shiv Sena Shiv Sena. He was handed over the responsibility of chief campaigner. Subsequently, his party has managing the party in 2002 Brihanmumbai Mu- been consistently performing well in the nicipal Corporation (BMC) elections in which and State elections, where it Shiv Sena performed exceedingly well. It was was a partner in the then ruling coalition the first time that the State saw his leadership for the last five years. He has expanded qualities and flair for politics. He then started the party base and network to include working with the party more closely and was local bodies, zilla parishads and other l declared the working president of the party in ocal elections. 2003. In 2004, Shri Balasaheb Thackeray an- He organised a debt relief campaign nounced him as his successor. for• the farmers of the Vidarbha. Farmers in the region were under heavy debt follow- PERSONAL LIFE ing a long dry spell in 2007. He stepped in and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is married to worked towards improving their conditions. Smt Rashmi Thackeray and has two sons, Aaditya He successfully shifted the focus of his and Tejas. is the president of •struggle to the development and welfare of Yuva Sena and a newly elected Member of the farmers. This has not only helped expand his Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. mass base, but also made him a prime candi- date to lead the State. CREATIVE ASPECTS Uddhav Thackeray has transformed the Uddhav Thackeray’s photo book Maharashtra image• of Shiv Sena to a well-organised, ma- Desha, 2010, replete with breath-taking aerial ture political formation that is run by some- shots, is a glimpse into the geographical beau- one who cares deeply about the State and ty, cultural fabric, and historical perspective of its welfare. the wondrous State of Maharashtra. By forming an organised and well- The photo book, Pahawa Vitthal, 2011, grounded• political party, Uddhav Thac- capturing various aspects of rural Maharashtra keray has created a better and forward- and the Warkaris during Pandharpur Wari pilgrim- looking Maharashtra. A sensitive writer, poet age, has also been received very well by national and an intellectual, Uddhav Thackeray has and international art-lovers. led a silent revolution in the political realm of Uddhav Thackeray also exhibited a deeper com- the country. 

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 9 LEADER OF THE MASSES It was Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s efforts due to which the Shiv Sena got a distinction of having an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for social work. Thus, as the Shiv Sena Chief had become 'Lokmanya', Uddhav Thackeray, who has emerged as the leader of the masses, has become 'Loknayak' due to his sheer hard work and commitment.

10 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray thanking the people after swearing in as the Chief Minister.

Harshal Pradhan sess that a common Shiv Sainik considers him a leader? Why does everybody trust him even though he does not have the utside the party, there are various opinions about charisma of Shiv Sena Pramukh? Why is there a respectful fear Shiv Sena Party Chief Uddhav Thackeray. Many a about him in the Shiv Sena regardless of his modest nature? time the question that came to people’s mind was Actually, the answers to many such questions are related to whether he would be able to take forward the leg- his personality and are easy to find. Oacy of Shiv Sena Pramukh. There is a class that believes that he is not as aggressive as his father Balasaheb was and does FIRM STAND not have his fiery-speech style that defeats the opposition. In Even though Uddhav Thackeray is very modest, he is very firm fact, Uddhav Thackeray himself agrees that he cannot speak in his decisions. He sticks to his words. He isn’t high-handed like Shiv Sena Pramukh. He clearly says that a personality like and communicates directly with party workers and office bear- Balasaheb takes birth once in a century and, thus, there can be ers. Uddhav Thackeray, who hates falsehood and manipulation, nobody like him. So, what quality does Udhhav Thackeray pos- gives priority to the work of common people. It is his conviction

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 11 to bring this dream to reality, can be con- sidered different. On the 25th April 2010, Uddhav Thackeray took the responsibil- ity of organising a mega blood donation camp Raktadanacha Mahayadnya at the NSE Sankul, and in no time Shiv Sena’s name was registered in the Guinness World Records for this great social work. This incredible achievement happened easily because of his strong social com- mitment. In his political journey, Uddhav Thackeray never took an easy or fast- track route to gain popularity with the help of media. He entered politics with the legacy of social work of the Thac- keray lineage and the social commitment of Shiv Sena Pramukh, and he practices the habit of gaining people’s affection through his work. It is not an easy path as many times one gets criticism instead of credit. When Uddhav Thackeray started to look into the affairs of Shiv Sena, he started to construct the party from the base, considering the then prevailing sit- uation. He looked into the appointments of gatpramukhs (grassroot rank of Shiv Sena). Later, when appointments for Up- Uddhav Thackeray with wife Smt. Rashmi Thackeray and sons, Aaditya (MLA) (right) and Tejas (left). shakhapramukh (deputy branch head of Shiv Sena) and shakhapramukh (branch that power should not be an end in itself, but should be means head of Shiv Sena) came up, established people tried to safeguard to an end, which is to achieve the welfare of the largest number their departments. of people. Perhaps, that’s what precisely brings him closer to Uddhav Thackeray was looking into party-building like a the Shiv Sainiks, who were trained under Balasaheb too. He has seasoned politician. He took the decision that MLA candi- a strong will for social work over politics. dates will be decided by the organisation, that is through the When the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was un- shakhapramukhs and vibhag pramukhs (department heads), der his leadership and there was an issue raised on potholes in and thus gave due importance to the organisation and office Mumbai after rains, Uddhav Thackeray actively headed the repair bearers. He almost completed the party-structure during the works of potholes. Whether it is a problem related to drinking rule of the alliance. Through his work, he has proved that Shiv water or health issues in Mumbai, he is always ready to strive Sena Party Chief and the Shiv Sainiks are important. hard to solve them. This year too, he himself kept a watchful eye on the potholes’ repair work for three nights. He conducted TREAD ACROSS MAHARASHTRA urgent meetings of municipal administration on the increase in Mumbai- corporation elections were won under the able malaria cases. He himself surveyed the hospitals and checked the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray. He paid no attention to his arrangements for treatment. He started malaria tests and treat- detractors and focused on strengthening the party-structure ment centres under Shiv Sena and distributed medicines worth and concentrating on the issues of people of Maharashtra. He `30 lakh to the needy. He planned schemes for strengthening toured the entire State during elections. He was persistent on healthcare services in Mumbai, especially the suburbs. Through many issues being faced by the rural population as well as farm- this, hospitals like Bhagwati at Borivali, Shatabdi at Kandivali, and ers’ suicides. At times, to help farmers, he organised exhibitions Cooper at Juhu are being revamped. These hospitals are the dire of his photographs and donated to the farmers approximately necessity to cater to over 63 lakh patients in the suburbs alone. `10 lakh generated from the sale of his photos, proving himself to be a compassionate politician. FIDELITY TOWARDS SOCIAL WORK Due to this compassionate nature and strategic political char- The leadership of Shiv Sena Party Chief Uddhav Thackeray, who as- acter, Uddhav Thackeray has endeared himself with both Shiv pires to rule for the people’s development and constantly strives Sainiks and the masses of Maharashtra. 

12 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 FIRST DECISION FOR CHHATRAPATI’S RAIGAD... The Government of Maharashtra has announced `20 crore for the maintenance of Raigad Fort

mmediately after assuming office as tal works. Emphasis has been laid on the new Chief Minister of Maharash- environment protection along with tra, Uddhav Thackeray took decision speedy work of metro project. Hence Ito provide `20 crore for mainte- the Aarey Metro Car-Shed work is nance of Raigad Fort and its surrounding stayed. While addressing the media areas. A plan of `606 crore for the main- at Mantralaya, the Chief Minister said tenance of the fort is ready. However, that a decision would be taken in this providing funds for this was pending. regard after a detailed review. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray "The Government belongs to all, called for a report of the developmen- but it should always be remembered tal works of Raigad fort, and as a special that it is the taxpayer's money we are case, gave approval for the funds. Chha- using for various schemes. Therefore, trapati Shivaji Maharaj’s forts are heri- secretaries of various Departments tage of Maharashtra and it is important are advised that not a single paisa is to conserve them and inspire the future wasted. I am the first Mumbai-born generation. The State Government will Chief Minister and I am thinking of extend all necessary cooperation for it, measures to be taken for Mumbai's said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. welfare. We are also taking steps for ensuring the development of other AAREY METRO CAR-SHED WORK infrastructure and environment pro- cities. Soon, important decisions to STAYED TILL ITS REVIEW tection of the State. The State Gov- ensure the welfare of farmers will also Special attention will be paid to the ernment is not against developmen- be taken." 

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 13 OUR NEW MINISTERS Eknath Sambhaji Shinde Subhash Rajaram Desai

Born : 6th March 1964 Born : 12th July 1942 Place of Birth : Daregaon, taluka Jawli, Place of Birth : Malgund, taluka and district Ratnagiri Education : S. S. C., Diploma in Journalism Education : S.S.C. Languages known : Marathi, Hindi, English and Gujarati Languages known : Marathi, Hindi and English Marital status : Married, wife Smt. Sushma Marital status : Married, wife Smt. Lata Children : Three (sons) Children : One (son) Profession : Industry Profession : Industry/Social work Party : Shiv Sena Party : Shiv Sena Constituency : Elected Constituency : 147 – by members of Ma- Kopri-Panchpakhadi, harashtra Legislative Thane district. Assembly Other information: Cre- Other information: ated a network of social 1982: Founder, Prabod- work in the entire Thane han Goregaon Trust; City and district; started 1973: organisation of an open art gallery in Inter-school sports Thane city, Sachin Ten- festival and Inter-college dulkar Mini Stadium, Bal- elocution competition; asaheb memorial on the 1973: Shiv Sena Ambu- facility plot at Eternity, lance Service started at Shahid Hemant Karkare Goregaon; 1977: Chief Sports complex, Jogging Park and Central Library, and others; Executive, Suburban Marathi Sahitya Sammelan; 1989, Trust- distributed free medicines by organising nutritional diet and ee, Prabodhan Prakashan; Publisher, daily Saamna, Weekly health check-up camps in tribal areas of Mokhada, Talasari Marmik and Dopahar ka Saamna; 1991: Establishment of and Jawhar, and organised a lecture series for SSC students Prabodhan Sports Complex; 1992: Chief Organiser, Konkan in the areas such as , Boisar and Saphale; organised Railway Parishad, Khed, district Ratnagiri; 1999: Establish- the distribution of educational materials to poor students ment of Prabodhan Joggers’ Park; 2000: Chief Convener, and essential items to the flood-affected people; organised Mumbai Festival and Hindustani Classical Music Festival; tree plantation and health check-up camps; Chairman, Thane 2001: Chief Convener, Herbal World exhibition of medicinal District Badminton Association, and Vice Chairman, Ma- plants and panel discussion; 2002: Received Dharmaveer harashtra Athletics Organisation; extended help to flood- Award from Sambhaji Pratishthan for Outstanding Social affected people; special contribution for comprehensive Work; 2003: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue riding a development and modernisation of Thane city; Shiv Sena horse inaugurated at Sahar Airport; 2004: Started Prabodhan Shakha Pramukh, Wagle Estate, Kisan Nagar No. 2; Shiv Sena Blood Bank; 1966: worked as a Shiv Sainik from the inception Thane District Chief; active participation in all agitations of of the party; 1984: Shiv Sena leader; 1985: Chief Organiser, the party; Corporator for two terms and member of Stand- 2nd All Maharashtra Shiv Sena session at Mahad; 1986-1990: ing Committee for three years; Leader of the House for four Chief Shiv Sena Public Relations for Jalgaon district; General years at Thane Municipal Corporation; Member Maharashtra Secretary, Shiv Sena since 1989; 1995: Chairman, Rest of Legislative Assembly 2004-2009, 2009-2014, Leader of Op- Maharashtra Statutory Development Council; 1995: Elected position, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, 12 November-5 to Maharashtra Legislative Assembly; 1994: Court ruled elec- December 2014; Member, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly tion invalid as propaganda was made on the agenda; 2014-2019; Minister Public Works (Public Undertakings), 2004-2009 and 2009-2014: Member, Maharashtra Legisla- December 2014-October 2019; re-elected to Maharashtra tive Assembly; 2015-16: Member, Maharashtra Legislative Legislative Assembly in October 2019. Council, Minister for Industries, Maharashtra State, since 5 December 2014; re-elected to Maharashtra Legislative Council in July 2016.

14 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 Jayant Rajaram Patil Chhagan Chandrakant Bhujbal

Born : 16th February 1962 Born : 15th October 1947 Place of Birth : Sangli Place of Birth : Education : B. E. (Civil) Education : L. M. E. (I) Languages known : Marathi, Hindi and English Languages known : Marathi, Hindi and English Marital status : Married, wife Smt. Shailaja Patil Marital status : Married, Wife Smt. Meena Children : Two (sons) Children : One (son) Profession : Agriculture Profession : Agriculture Party : Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Party : Nationalist Congress Party Constituency : 283 – Islampur, district Sangli Constituency : 119 – Yeola, district Nashik Other information : Chairman, Rajarambapu Coopera- Other information : He is Founder Chairman, Mumbai tive Sugar Factory Limited; Vice Chairman, Maharashtra Educational Trust, ; Ex-Trustee, VJTI, Mumbai; Pradesh Yuvak Congress; Chairman, Kasegaon Education Founder, Mahatma Phule Samta Parishad, working to get Society; Chairman, justice for the ne- Deccan Sugar Tech- glected, downtrodden nologists Association; and backward classes Chairman, Maharashtra as well as spreading State Sugar Factories the thoughts and ideals Association; Director, of Mahatma Phule, Dr. Vasantdada Sugar Insti- Babasaheb Ambedkar tute, ; Member, All and Shau Maharaj; Ex India Sugar Association; Trustee Mumbai Port Director, Maharash- Trust; Producer of tra State Cooperative Marathi films Daivat Bank, cooperative 1985 and Navra Bayko banks, credit societies, 1990; 1973 Member, cooperative spinning 1973-84 Leader of mills, cooperative consumer stores, Agricultural Graduates Opposition, 1985 and 1991 – Mayor of Mumbai Municipal Association, Poultry Farming Cooperative Society (made Corporation; 1991, Chairman, All India Council of Mayors; constant efforts to set up such institutes and to improve In Shiv Sena till 1991 followed by joining Congress party; the standard of living of the people and comprehensive Working for NCP since June 1999 and founder member development of the area); Member, Senate, Shivaji Univer- and First State chief of NCP from June 1999 to November sity, Sangli District Freedom from Addiction Committee; 1999; Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly – Rajarambapu Dnyan Prabodhini, Council Member, Engi- 1985-90, 1990-95, 2004-2009, 2009-2014, 2014-2019; neering College and Polytechnic, Rajaram Nagar (a leading Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council – 1996- institute in computerisation of all institutions); working for 2002 and 2002-2004; Revenue Minister December 1991 NCP since May 1999, Member, Maharashtra Legislative – March 1993, Minister for Housing, improving dirty Assembly 1990-95, 1995-1999, 1999-2004, 2004-2009, habitats, house repairs and reconstruction; Leader of Op- 2009-2014, 2014-2019; had been Minister for Finance position 1996-1999 Maharashtra Legislative Council; Dy and Planning November 1999-December 2008 and made Chief Minister and Home and Tourism Minister of Maha- a huge contribution towards bringing up State’s economy; rashtra October 1999 to January 2003; Dy Chief Minister held the Home Ministry for some time in 2008; served as and Home Minister January 2003 to December 2003; Minister for Rural Development from November 2009-Oc- PWD Minister (except public undertakings)-November tober 2014; State Chief, NCP; re-elected to Maharashtra 2004 October 2009; November 2009 to November 2010 Legislative Assembly in October 2019. - Dy Chief Minister for the second time and PWD Minister (except public undertakings); PWD Minister (except public undertakings) from November 2010 to September 2014; Re-elected to Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in Octo- ber 2019.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 15 Vijay alias Balasaheb Bhausaheb Thorat Dr. Nitin Kashinath Raut

Born : 7th February, 1953 Born : 9th October 1952 Place of Birth : Jorve, , Place of Birth : , district Nagpur Education : B. A. LL.B. Education : M. A., F. B.M., C.P.L., M.F.A. Languages known : Marathi, Hindi and English (Drama), Ph. D. Marital status : Married, wife Smt. Kanchan Languages known : Marathi, Hindi and English Children : Four (One son and three daughters) Marital status : Married, wife Smt. Sumedha Profession : Agriculture Children : Two (one son and one daughter) Party : (I) Profession : Industry/Business Constituency : 217 – Sangamner, Ahmednagar Party : Indian National Congress (I) Other information : During his college education years at Constituency : 57 – Nagpur (North) Fergusson and Law College, he took part in Pani Panchayat Other information : Working for weaker sections of Movement; 1980: active participation in beedi workers and society through Sankalp Sanstha, active assistance in provid- farmers’ issues, jailed ing basic facilities to for nine days; active devotees arriving at participation in Dr. Deekshabhoomi on the Babasaheb Ambedkar Dhamma Chakra Pra- Marathwada Namantar vartan Din ceremony; Andolan; participation organisation of free in educational develop- health check-up camps, ment of Sangamner ta- Sankalpratna and Bheem- luka; leader at the agita- jyot Yatra organised tion for re-organisation during 1988 and 1989, of water distribution respectively; a huge rally from Bhandardara at Kasturchand Park, Dam; movement for Nagpur on the 100th completion of Nilwande Birth Anniversary of Dr. Dam; 1989: Chairman, State Beedi Workers Minimum Babasaheb Ambedkar; active participation in Marathwada Wage Committee, report was submitted to the Govern- University Namantar Andolan, participation in the 1989 Dalit ment with recommendation for wage increase as per Sahitya Sammelan at Chandrapur and 1991 Vidarbha Sahitya dearness index; help for drought-affected people; 1998- Sammelan; organisation of Asmitadarsh Silver Jubilee Festival 2000: General Secretary, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress and Sahitya Sammelan, helped affected people at Makard- Committee; 2008: Social Gratitude award from Deshbhakt hokda, Nagpur, in communal riots during 1990, help to flood- Kisan Veer Social Institution; 2014: Yashwant–Venu Award affected people from Movad and Nagpur in 1991, Sanvidhan from Yashwant Pratishthan, Pune; 2015: Efficient MLA Bachao Rally on 19 April 2000; working in the political field Award from Madhavrao Limaye Foundation; Member, since 1970, participated in Jail Bharo agitation when Late Maharashtra Legislative Assembly—1985-90, 1990-95, was arrested; in-charge of Nagpur North 1995-99, 1999-2004, 2004-2009, 2009-2014, 2014- Parliamentary Constituency since 1991; participation at the 2019; Member for Employment Guarantee, Assurances, open session of the All India Indian National Congress Com- Public Undertakings and Panchayat Samiti Committees mittee held in Kolkata, Bengaluru and New ; Member of the Legislature; Minister of State for Catchment Area of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 1999-2004, Irrigation (Excluding Krishna Valley and Konkan Irriga- 2004-2009, 2009-2014; Member, Scheduled Castes Welfare tion Board), October 1999-July 2004, Minister for Water Committee; Member, Statutory Committee, Reservation Conservation and Mangroves, November 2004-October Act; Member, Statutory Committee for Thefts of Forest 2009, Minister for Agriculture, Water Conservation, EGS, Produce; Member, Statutory Committee, Employment and and School Education (additional charge) from November Self-Employment of Legislature; Minister of State for Home, 2009-November 2010, Minister for Revenue and Man- Prisons, State Excise and Labour; Minister for EGS and Water groves from November 2010-September 2014; introduced Conservation, 2014; held Animal Husbandry, Dairy Develop- the programme of making the Revenue Department online, ment and Fisheries Departments; re-elected to Maharashtra decision to measure again the agricultural lands in the Legislative Assembly in October 2019. State, re-elected as Member of the Maharashtra Legisla- (Ref: Brief introduction to Life of 13th Maharashtra Legislative tive Assembly in October 2019. Assembly Members)

16 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 ROADMAP OF NEW MAHARASHTRA The roadmap of a new Maharashtra has the farming and common labour class at its centre. It ensures a clean, transparent and decisive leadership. The new roadmap will not only present the economic situation of the State before the people, but will also be committed to improve it. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari stressed on this point in his address at the joint sitting of the State Legislature.

n Maharashtra, 70 per cent of the hance the underlying facilities for de- SECURITY population is dependent on agri- velopmental programmes and ensure All the police stations will be connected culture and allied activities for sus- conservation of envi- to the National Cyber Crime complaint Itenance. Keeping this in mind, the ronmental resources. registering portal. Police officers and Government has decided to lay empha- Within this spectrum, other police personnel will be imparted sis on taking necessary steps to lead the the progress of the training for making them more capable State on the path of sustainable devel- lowest common de- in investigation of cyber-crimes. opment. The Gov- nominator of soci- ernment will take all ety—economically—will be given pri- CULTURAL steps to ensure that ority. Special centres will be set up to The headquarter of the farmers are free provide meals at `10 to economically Marathi Bhasha Bha- from crop loans and weaker sections. van will be established anxities. It will initi- in Mumbai and the ate action to redress EMPLOYMENT GENERATION sub-centre of Marathi the situation of the rural credit sector New policies will be formulated for Bhasha will be estab- and give immediate relief to farmers. attracting investment in the informa- lished in Airoli in Navi Mumbai. Sustainable water supply schemes will tion technology field for generating be implemented in the drought-affect- employment op- OTHER ed areas of Marathwada and Vidarbha portunities for local Provisions for strengthening the social for ensuring remunerative prices for educated youth. Edu- security to senior citizens will be under- the produce of farmers. cated unemployed taken. Strict action will be taken against youth will be given those violating the food and drugs laws. RESERVATION TO SONS OF SOIL scholarships. Hos- People’s participation in the plastic ban Law will be enacted ensuring 80 per tels will be constructed in all district drive will be increased and implement- cent reservation in private sector jobs headquarters and prime cities in the ed successfully. Integrated shore line for the ‘sons of the soil’. The process of State for working women. Facilities field management project for disaster filling of the vacancies in the State will to Anganwadi Sevika and Asha workers management under the National Clean be initiated. The security of women will be improved. The Government will Air Programme will be implemented. will be given top priority and they will strengthen eight lakh self-help groups Strict actions will be taken against ille- be provided equal opportunities. Ef- in the State. gal and non-scientific fishing in coastal forts will be made to see that girls from areas, and traditional fishermen will be economically backward families get HEALTH FACILITIES given protection. free higher education. Emphasis will be One Rupee Clinic at taluka level for Various State-wide programmes laid on improving quality of education diagnosis and medical tests will be will be organised for propagating at the primary and secondary levels. started. Super-specialty hospitals the thoughts and ideals of Mahatma To ensure human development of the and medical colleges will be set up in Gandhi among the youth on the oc- comparatively backward sections of a phased manner in all districts. Citi- casion of his 150th birth anniversary. society, special funds will be provided. zens will be provided health insurance It has been reiterated that the people Emphasis will be laid on health, educa- cover, hence various health insurance of 865 Marathi-speaking villages on tion and subsistence sectors. programmes will be integrated. Facili- the border of Maharashtra– ties and better licensing services will will be given justice and their rights EMPHASIS ON INFRASTRUCTURE be given to attract more investment in will be protected. This issue will be Special attention will be paid to en- the industrial sectors. fought vigorously in the court. 

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 17 OUR REPRESENTATIVES Winners of Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2019 from 288 Constituencies

Adv. K. C. Padavi Rajesh Udesing Padvi Vijaykumar Gavit Shirishkumar Naik Indian National Congress Bharatiya Indian National Congress 1 - Akkalkuwa (ST) 2 - Shahada (ST) 3 - Nandurbar (ST) 4 - Nawapur (ST)

Manjula Tulshiram Gavit Kunalbaba R. Patil Shah Faruk Anwar Jaykumar Rawal Independent Indian National Congress AIMIM Bharatiya Janata Party 5 - Sakri (ST) 6 - Dhule Rural 7 - Dhule City 8 - Sindkheda

Kashiram V. Pawara Latabai C. Sonawane Shirish M. Chaudhari Sanjay W. Sawkare Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party 9 - Shirpur (ST) 10 - Chopda (ST) 11 - Raver 12 - Bhusawal (SC)

Suresh D. Bhole Gulabrao R. Patil Anil B. Patil Chimanrao R. Patil Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena Nationalist Congress Party Shiv Sena 13 - Jalgaon City 14 - Jalgaon Rural 15 - Amalner 16 - Erandol

18 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 Winners of Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2019 from 288 Constituencies

Mangesh R. Chavan Kishor Patil Girish D. Mahajan Chandrakant N. Patil Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Independent 17 - Chalisgaon 18 - Pachora 19 - Jamner 20 - Muktainagar

Rajesh P. Ekade Sanjay R. Gaikwad Shweta Vidyadhar Mahale Dr. Rajendra B. Shingane Indian National Congress Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party 21 - Malkapur 22 - Buldhana 23 - Chikhli 24 - Sindkhed Raja

Sanjay Raymulkar Akash Fundkar Dr. Sanjay S. Kute Prakash Bharsakale Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party 25 - Mehkar (SC) 26 - Khamgaon 27 - Jalgaon (Jamod) 28 - Akot

Nitinkumar Tale Govardhan M. Sharma Randhir Sawarkar Harish Pimpale Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party 29 - Balapur 30 - Akola West 31 - Akola East 32 - Murtizapur (SC)

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 19 Amit S. Zanak Lakhan S. Malik Rajendra S. Patni Pratap Adsad Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party 33 - Risod 34 - Washim (SC) 35 - Karanja 36 - Dhamangaon Railway

Ravi Rana Sulbha Sanjay Khodke Adv. Yashomati C. Thakur Balwant Wankhade Independent Indian National Congress Indian National Congress Indian National Congress 37 - Badnera 38 - 39 - Teosa 40 - Daryapur (SC)

Rajkumar Patel Bachchu B. Kadu Devendra Bhuyar Dadarao Yadaorao Keche Prahar Janshakti Party Prahar Janshakti Party Swabhimani Paksha Bharatiya Janata Party 41 - Melghat (ST) 42 - Achalpur 43 - Morshi 44 - Arvi

Ranjit Kamble Samir Trimbakrao Kunawar Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party 45 - Deoli 46 - Hinganghat 47 - Wardha 48 - Katol

20 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 Sunil Kedar Sameer Meghe Raju Parwe Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party 49 - Savner 50 - Hingna 51 - Umred (SC) 52 - Nagpur South West

Mohan Mate Krushna Khopde Vikas Thakre Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Indian National Congress 53 - Nagpur South 54 - Nagpur East 55 - Nagpur Central 56 - Nagpur West

Dr. Nitin Raut Tekchand Sawarkar Ashish Jaiswal Raju Karemore Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Independent Nationalist Congress Party 57 - Nagpur North (SC) 58 - Kamthi 59 - Ramtek 60 - Tumsar

Narendra B. Bhondekar Nanabhau F. Patole Manohar G. Chandrikapure Vijay B. Rahangdale Independent Indian National Congress Nationalist Congress Party Bharatiya Janata Party 61 - Bhandara (SC) 62 - Sakoli 63 - Arjuni Morgaon (SC) 64 - Tirora

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 21 Vinod S. Agrawal Sahasram M. Korote Krushna D. Gajbe Dr. Deorao M. Holi Independent Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party 65 - Gondia 66 - Amgaon (ST) 67 - Armori (ST) 68 - Gadchiroli (ST)

Dharamraobaba Aatram Subhash Dhote Kishor Jorgewar Nationalist Congress Party Indian National Congress Independent Bharatiya Janata Party 69 - Aheri (ST) 70 - Rajura 71 - Chandrapur (SC) 72 - Ballarpur

Vijay Wadettiwar Bunty Bhangdiya Pratibha Dhanorkar Sanjivreddy Bodkurwar Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party 73 - Brahmapuri 74 - Chimur 75 - Warora 76 - Wani

Dr. Ashok R. Wooike Madan M. Yerawar Sanjay D. Rathod Dr. Sandeep P. Dhurve Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party 77 - Ralegaon (ST) 78 - Yavatmal 79 - Digras 80 - Arni (ST)

22 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 Indranil M. Naik Namdev J. Sasane Bhimrao R. Keram Madhavrao Patil-Jawalgaonkar Nationalist Congress Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Indian National Congress 81 - Pusad 82 - Umarkhed (SC) 83 - Kinwat 84 - Hadgaon

Ashokrao S. Chavan Balaji Kalyankar Mohanrao M. Hambarde Shyamsundar Shinde Indian National Congress Shiv Sena Indian National Congress PWPI 85 - Bhokar 86 - Nanded North 87 - Nanded South 88 - Loha

Rajesh Pawar Raosaheb Antapurkar Tushar G. Rathod Chandrakant R. Nawghare Bharatiya Janata Party Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party 89 - Naigaon 90 - Deglur (SC) 91 - Mukhed 92 - Basmath

Santosh Laxmanrao Bangar Tanhaji Mutkule Meghna Sakore-Bordikar Dr. Rahul Patil Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena 93 - Kalamnuri 94 - Hingoli 95 - Jintur 96 - Parbhani

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 23 Ratnakar Manikrao Gutte Suresh Warpudkar Babanrao Dattatrya Lonikar Rashtriya Samaj Paksha Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party 97 - Gangakhed 98 - Pathri 99 - Partur 100 - Ghansawangi

Kailas Gorantyal Narayan Kuche Santosh Abdul Sattar Abdul Nabi Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena 101 - Jalna 102 - Badnapur (SC) 103 - Bhokardan 104 - Sillod

Udaysing Rajput Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde Pradeep Jaiswal Sanjay Pandurang Shirsat Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena Shiv Sena 105 - Kannad 106 - Phulambri 107 - Central 108 - Aurangabad West (SC)

Atul Moreshwar Save Sandipanrao Bhumare Prashant Bansilal Bamb Ramesh Bornare Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena 109 - Aurangbad East 110 - Paithan 111 - Gangapur 112 - Vaijapur

24 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 Suhas Kande Mohmmed Ismail Abdul Khalique Dilip Manglu Borse Shiv Sena AIMIM Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party 113 - Nandgaon 114 - Central 115 - Malegaon 116 - Baglan (ST)

Nitin Arjun Pawar Dr. Rahul Aher Chhagan Bhujbal Adv. Manikrao Kokate Nationalist Congress Party Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party Nationalist Congress Party 117 - Kalwan (ST) 118 - Chandvad 119 - Yevla 120 - Sinnar

Diliprao Bankar Narhari S. Zirwal Adv. Rahul Dhikle Devyani Pharande Nationalist Congress Party Nationalist Congress Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party 121 - Niphad 122 - Dindori (ST) 123 - Nashik East 124 - Nashik Central

Seema Hiray Saroj Ahire Hiraman Khoskar Vinod Nikole Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party Indian National Congress CPI (Marxist) 125 - Nashik West 126 - Deolali (SC) 127 - (ST) 128 - Dahanu (ST)

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 25 Sunil Chandrakant Bhusara Shrinivas Vanga Rajesh Patil Kshitij Thakur Nationalist Congress Party Shiv Sena Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi 129 - Vikramgad (ST) 130 - Palghar (ST) 131 - Boisar (ST) 132 - Nalasopara

Hitendra Thakur Shantaram Tukaram More Daulat Daroda Mahesh Prabhakar Chaughule Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi Shiv Sena Nationalist Congress Party Bharatiya Janata Party 133 - Vasai 134 - Bhiwandi Rural (ST) 135 - Shahapur (ST) 136 - Bhiwandi West

Rais Kasam Shaikh Vishwanath Bhoir Kisan Kathore Dr. Balaji Kinikar Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena 137 - Bhiwandi East 138 - Kalyan West 139 - Murbad 140 - Ambarnath (SC) )

Kumar Ailani Ganpat Kalu Gaikwad Ravindra Dattatray Chavan Pramod R. Patil Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena 141 - Ulhasnagar 142 - Kalyan East 143 - Dombivali 144 - Kalyan Rural

26 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 Geeta Jain Pratap Baburao Sarnaik Eknath Shinde Sanjay Kelkar Independent Shiv Sena Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party 145 - Mira-Bhayandar 146 - Ovala-Majiwada 147 - Kopri-Pachpakhadi 148 - Thane

Jitendra Awhad Manda Vijay Mhatre Sunil Dattatraya Rane Nationalist Congress Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party 149 - Mumbra-Kalwa 150 - Airoli 151 - Belapur 152 - Borivali

Manisha Ashok Chaudhary Prakash Rajaram Surve Mihir Chadrakant Kotecha Sunil Rajaram Raut Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena 153 - Dahisar 154 - Magathane 155 - 156 - Vikhroli

Ramesh Korgaonkar Ravindra Waikar Atul Bhatkhalkar Shiv Sena Shiv Sena Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party 157 - Bhandup West 158 - Jogeshwari East 159 - Dindoshi 160 - Kandivali East

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 27 Yogesh Sagar Aslam Ramzanali Shaikh Vidya Jaiprakash Thakur Dr. Bharati Lavekar Bharatiya Janata Party Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party 161 - Charkop 162 - Malad West 163 - Goregaon 164 - Varsova

Ameet Bhaskar Satam Ramesh Latke Adv. Parag Alavani Dilip Bhausaheb Lande Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena 165 - Andheri West 166 - Andheri East 167 - Vile Parle 168 - Chandivali

Ram Kadam Parag Shah Abu Asim Azmi Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Samajwadi Party Nationalist Congress Party 169 - Ghatkopar West 170 - Ghatkopar Eastt 171 - Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar 172 - Anushakti Nagar

Prakash V. Phaterpekar Mangesh Anant Kudalkar Sanjay Govind Potnis Zeeshan Baba Siddique Shiv Sena Shiv Sena Shiv Sena Indian National Congress 173 - Chembur 174 - Kurla (SC) 175 - Kalina 176 - Vandre East

28 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 Adv. Ashish Shelar Varsha Gaikwad Captain R Tamil Selvan Kalidas Kolambkar Bharatiya Janata Party Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party 177 - Vandre West 178 - Dharavi (SC) 179 - Sion Koliwada 180 - Wadala

Sada Sarvankar Aaditya Uddhav Thackeray Ajay Vinayak Choudhari Yamini Yashwant Jadhav Shiv Sena Shiv Sena Shiv Sena Shiv Sena 181 - Mahim 182 - Worli 183 - Shivadi 184 - Byculla

Mangal Prabhat Lodha Amin Patel Adv. Rahul Narwekar Prashant Ramsheth Thakur Bharatiya Janata Party Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party 185 - Malabar Hill 186 - Mumbadevi 187 - Colaba 188 - Panvel

Mahendra Thorve Mahesh Baldi Ravisheth Patil Mahendra Dalvi Shiv Sena Independent Bharatiya Janata Party Shiv Sena 189 - Karjat 190 - Uran 191 - Pen 192 - Alibag

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 29 Kumari Aditi Bharat Gogawale Atul Vallabh Benke Dilip Dattatray Walse-Patil Nationalist Congress Party Shiv Sena Nationalist Congress Party Nationalist Congress Party 193 - Shrivardhan 194 - Mahad 195 - Junnar 196 - Ambegaon

Dilip Dattatray Mohite Ashok Raosaheb Pawar Adv. Rahul Subhashrao Kul Dattatray Vithoba Bharane Nationalist Congress Party Nationalist Congress Party Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party 197 - Khed, Alandi 198 - Shirur 199 - Daund 200 - Indapur

Ajit Anantrao Pawar Sanjay Jagtap Sangram Anantrao Thopte Sunil Shankarrao Shelke Nationalist Congress Party Indian National Congress Indian National Congress Nationalist Congress Party 201 - Baramati 202 - Purandar 203 - Bhor 204 - Maval

Laxman Pandurang Jagtap Anna Dadu Bansode Mahesh Kisan Landge Sunil Vijay Tingre Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party 205 - Chinchwad 206 - Pimpri (SC) 207 - Bhosari 208 - Vadgaon

30 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 Siddharth Anil Shirole Chandrakant (Dada) Patil Bhimrao Dhondiba Tapkir Madhuri Satish Misal Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party 209 - Shivajinagar 210 - Kothrud 211 - Khadakwasala 212 - Parvati

Chetan Vitthal Tupe Sunil Dnyandev Kamble Mukta Shailesh Tilak Dr. Kiran Yamaji Lahamate Nationalist Congress Party Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party 213 - Hadapsar 214 - Pune Cantonment (SC) 215 - Kasba Petha 216 - (ST)

Vijay Alias Balasaheb Thorat Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil Aashutosh Ashokrao Kale Lahu Natha Kanade Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party Indian National Congress 217 - Sangamner 218 - 219 - 220 - (SC)

Shankarrao Y. Gadakh Monica Rajeev Rajale Prajakt Prasadrao Tanpure Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke Shetkari Party Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party Nationalist Congress Party 221 - Nevasa 222 - Shevgaon 223 - Rahuri 224 -

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Dhananjay Panditrao Munde Dhiraj Amit Vilasrao Deshmukh Babasaheb Patil Nationalist Congress Party Indian National Congress Indian National Congress Nationalist Congress Party 233 - Parli 234 - Latur (Rural) 235 - Latur (City) 236 - Ahmadpur

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Adv. Shahajibapu Patil Ram Vitthal Satpute Dipak Pralhad Chavan Makrand Laxmanrao Jadhav Shiv Sena Bharatiya Janata Party Nationalist Congress Party Nationalist Congress Party 253 - Sangole 254 - Malshiras (SC) 255 - Phaltan (SC) 256 - Wai

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34 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 Hasan Miyalal Mushrif Ruturaj Sanjay Patil P. N. Patil Chandrakant Pandit Jadhav Nationalist Congress Party Indian National Congress Indian National Congress Indian National Congress 273 - Kagal 274 - Kolhapur (South) 275 - Karvir 276 - Kolhapur (North)

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MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 35 THE BEACON OF KNOWLEDGE Love for books of some of the great personalities is a known fact. It is common knowledge that many great souls were passionate about books and the written word. The legendary Cicero is said to have been ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of books. Macaulay once said that if someone were to make him a king and then ban him from reading books, he would choose to abdicate the throne. Walter Scott is said to have wept bitterly at the idea of having to separate from his book cupboard at the time of death. Sane Guruji would often say, “He who touches my books, touches my heart.” Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s thoughts were on the same lines, for he believed that books brought meaning to life. He had to suffer and overcome acute sorrow and face infinite obstacles on the path of acquiring knowledge. Such obstacles Bharat Ratna have rarely been faced by other epoch-making men, and this Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is what makes Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s success far more glorious than theirs.

MAHAPARINIRVAN DAY SPECIAL

36 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 r Babasaheb Ambedkar was a voracious reader I will not be able to live for too long.” right from his childhood. He would save the money Regarding his bibliophilic nature, Dr Ambedkar would al- given to him by his father for sweets (food) and buy ways say, “There is no joy equal to spending a lifetime in the Dold books to read. He would not remain away from company of books. Books teach me, show me a new path. They books even for a minute. He began his reading in true earnest in bring me happiness.” Once, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya the campus of his college. He was more inclined to read books asked for a rare book from Dr Ambedkar for the Benares Hin- that were not a part of his set curriculum. His father would ex- du University and was willing to pay `5 lakh for it. Dr Ambed- press his strong dislike about this, with the constant refrain of kar refused him saying, “If you take my books away from me, it “Study now, read the others later”. Bhimrao would counter him will be like taking my life away from me.” with, “Baba, I never fail in my exams and pass every year. Then In America, Dr Ambedkar fell slightly ill. At that time, its why do you constantly taunt me about my studies?” principal from Mumbai wrote to him, enquiring about his In America, Dr Ambedkar allowed himself to get swept illness. A newly printed batch of books had just arrived in away in the diligent pursuit of knowledge. There he resolved, “I Mumbai. Dr Ambedkar promptly wrote back, saying, “I will shall spend the rest of my life studying with dedication.” With this impactful objective, his future life charted out its course. A HOME FOR BOOKS At Columbia University, he studied sociology, economics, an- In Mumbai, Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar con- thropology, history and, particularly, public finance. He subse- structed a house for his favourite books. It was called quently earned his MA and PhD degrees. A scholarly American Raja Griha. This place was home to 25,000 books. Acha- professor once said, “The voracity which Ambedkar showed as rya M. V. Donde said, “Dr Ambedkar considers books he went about acquiring knowledge was even more impressive to be his lifeline. He cares for them the way one would than his array of degrees, and it has no parallel in America.” An- care for one’s life. It is worth paying attention to the fact other professor had this to say, “I have not seen a brilliant stu- that he has dedicated an entire floor of his house for his dent like Ambedkar in my entire life.” private library and reading room. He designed his house For his future course of study, Bharat Ratna Dr Babasa- with the singular thought of ensuring that his books would stay systematic. The house has a large hall with heb Ambedkar secured admission to London University and a gallery as big as an assembly zone. Its cupboards are decided to write a thesis for his D.Sc. He got himself into the full of books and are surrounded with chairs. One finds London School of Economics and Political Science, and regu- stools and small tables dotting the lanes between the larly went to the library. In the library, where he would pull out shelves lined endlessly with books. In addition to own- a preferred volume for himself and sit down to read. Until the ing this vast collection, I have personally observed how library closed, he would be seated with single-minded concen- Babasaheb was unerringly able to remember where a tration, often clocking 18 hours of unbroken consideration and particular book was kept, its colour, its cover specifica- contemplation. In the morning, he would eat what the mess tions and the cupboard where it belonged.” Babasaheb served. Since money was scarce, he would travel miles on foot. would purchase books from the main depots and librar- In the afternoon, he would seek contentment in books instead ies in addition to old volumes from market. His favourite of lunch. He would politely but persistently ask for rare books shop was the Bhandarkar Depot of Pune. In fact, during at the library. To find his favourite books, he would wander his tenure in Pune, he often studied at the library of the Servants of India Society, founded by Gopal Krishna through bookstores and peek through open bookstores. He Gokhale. When he was at Ratnagiri, he paid a visit to the would knock at the doors of closed stores and at night, go back Tilak Dnyan Mandir. to his studies after eating a small meal. Such was the asceticism of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar! He worshipped knowledge with all his heart and thereby acquired his D.Sc. degree.

THE KARMAYOGI OF KNOWLEDGE When it came to knowledge, Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was a true karmayogi (the one who performs ac- tion without attachment to the result thereof). Before he submitted a research paper on “Who were the Shudras and how they came to be the Fourth Varna,” he read the Rigveda ten times. He had a great desire to become accomplished at Sanskrit. He mastered the language with diligence. He had an unusually good command over English. Once, his eyes de- veloped some infection and the doctor advised him to stop reading. He was so sad that his eyes filled with tears. He said, “As long as I am reading, I am alive. If my reading stops,

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 37 DILIGENCE FOR READING Years ago, Nepal had been destroyed by a massive earthquake. So, on 20th November 1956, a Global Buddhist Forum was organised at Kathmandu. Babasaheb was specifically invited to that conference. V R Ranpise, the erstwhile Editor of Bodhisattva, recalls the event and says, “It was early morning. You can imagine how cold it must have been in Nepal in November! We were surrounded by the tow- ering white peaks of the Himalayas, in whose valley Kathmandu lays. It was a lovely sight! On one such cold morning, we paid a visit to the vihara along with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Next to the vihara were many sculptures. Amongst those, the sculptures of the Tathagata stood out, grand and splendid! Dr Ambedkar spent a lot of time here and collected information about every gesture of those sculptures from the guides. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was seated for a while on the chair in the sunlight. Meanwhile, the car that had dropped us got delayed on its return journey. We were stepping out of the vihara and to our left we spotted the Paramita library for tourists. We went there without fail. Upon seeing the rich literature of Buddhist knowledge in Nepali and Newari languages, Dr Ambedkar was overjoyed. He was very keen to bring Buddhist literature written in the Newari language to India, but unfortunately that was not to happen. Even while drafting the constitution of the country and working extensively in the areas of politics, socialisation and uplift of untouchables, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar continued to read with diligence. He was aware of the fact that work- ing extensively in the social and political domains could distort one’s humanitarian values over time, so he would resort to books in order to keep his thoughts and ideas under control. He embraced books that enriched his knowledge level. He breathed his last while slowly caressing a volume of Buddha and His Dhamma. return to India soon. I have to read those books. Please bring with such excellent gifts that I sometimes feel you have some them to my study, that’s all.” He didn’t mention a single word divine power backing you.” To this, Babasaheb laughed heartily about his illness, which goes to show how single-minded he and replied, “Oh Rohini, there is no divine power backing me. was in his love for books. I have studied extensively with single-minded dedication. The charisma you see springs from that study. If you study with the RAILWAY SALOON single-mindedness as I did, you will also become clever. You The one place which Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was most read only to induce sleep! Sit reading until midnight today, fond of was the Railway Saloon. The underlying objective then pull on till 2 am tomorrow. I can guarantee you that you behind it was “Reading books with coherence”. On 25 April will not feel sleepy at all.” 1948, Dr Ambedkar went to for a session of SKF. Then, Sarojini Naidu was the Governor of the State. UNBRIDLED DEDICATION TO BOOKS AND TEXTS She went to receive him at the railway station. She said to This incident dates back to the times when Dr Babasaheb him, “Doctor, I have come to take you to the Raj Bhavan. Ambedkar was the member of the drafting committee of the Please accept my invitation.” To this, Babasaheb humbly . The then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Ne- replied, “Sister, when I travel, I stay at the Railway Saloon. hru, sent a list of books to Babasaheb with the idea that having That is also where I read and write. My books, which are as a valuable set of books in English close at hand would benefit dear to me as life itself, also live there. I cannot leave them Babasaheb. They were rare indeed, but steeply priced as well. and go anywhere. I cannot sit in peace without these dear Panditji had sent a cheque along with the set. There was a friends. How can I come with so many friends to your guest blank portion on the paper that had the list of books written room?” Naidu replied, “This is true, Babasaheb. Wherever I on it. On that portion, Babasaheb wrote, “Thank you, Panditji, look, I can see your friends crowding around you. Your study for specifically sending me the list of books and the amount to is indeed comparable to that of a stalwart. Mother India is purchase them. However, I already have these books. Having proud to have a knowledgeable son like you.” understood the importance of these books, I had purchased Rohini Kabir, the sister-in-law of Babasaheb’s wife, once these long back.” The list and the cheque were returned to told him, “You are so good looking and charismatic. Your face Panditji. The small incident highlights Babasaheb’s unbridled shines with the light of intelligence. You have been bestowed dedication to books and texts. 

38 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 AN UNPARALLELED JURIST Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was an accomplished lawyer. He had earned name and fame as an advising barrister at the Mumbai High Court. With his erudite thoughts and arguments, he helped light up many lives with prosperity and joy. Here are some touching incidents from his life, says Milind Nagpurkar.

r Babasaheb Ambedkar, a great revo- lutionary and Bharat Ratna, is very well-known for being the architect of Dthe Constitution of India and the life- line of the disadvantaged downtrodden sections. The world-renowned universities of England and America have been his think tanks. There is a place called Madurankulia in Sri Lanka, which has a 'Dr Ambedkar Community Centre' that propa- gates his thoughts and values. In Japan, there is a place called Koyasan, which is considered to be the birthplace of ancient Japanese Buddhist phi- losophies. Koyasan has honoured Dr Ambedkar by erecting his statue. Dr Ambedkar was a lawyer par excellence. He would stun people with his flawless capabilities of cross-examination. He revealed the truth in court, case after case, and brought justice to many needy people. Without studying the intricacies of a case, he would never fight it in the court. He would hap- pily spend his nights studying the same, much to the boredom of his team. Due to his rigorous study and application, many judges would pass appre- ciative remarks about him in the copies of their verdicts. He was an unusually sharp-minded man with an impressive command over English, and the judges would be awed by his arguments. He had become a part of the Mumbai High Court as an ad- vising barrister.

BITTER EXPERIENCE Many courts have become holy and pure just be- cause Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar stepped into their premises. He fought many cases out of a sense of social duty. In London, while studying for his Bar exam, he endured extreme hardships. After be- coming a barrister, he returned to Mumbai. When he began practising in the High Court, he was at the receiving trapati Shahu Maharaj organised a grand procession for end of untouchability. That was a bitter experience for him. him in the city. Those days, Dr Ambedkar was living in the If he was seated at a particular table in the Bar library, that Dabak chawl of Parel. Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj table would be avoided by the lawyers of the upper castes. even visited the place to congratulate Dr Ambedkar. It’s no If we examine Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s life, we get to surprise that Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was taken aback see many aspects of this towering personality. When he to see an accomplished lawyer like him living in such modest went to Kolhapur after passing his Bar exam, Rajarshi Chha- conditions. He began to speak about it. He said, “Babasaheb,

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 39 AUSPICIOUS START TO JUDICIAL FIGHT In one instance, there was a First-Class Sub-Judge named Pandit in Nashik. He said, “Today, in my Mumbai court, there was a young barrister, who examined the witnesses and cross examined them with unusually good skill while sticking to the issue at hand. He seemed to be a very hardworking, scholarly man of high calibre.” In the future, it was in Nashik that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar got his first case (the 1923 case of Laxman Jadhav, Adgaon). It was from here that his judi- cial career started. Laxman Jadhav had mortgaged his farms with a Marwari. Babasaheb ensured that Laxman Jadhav’s farms were returned to him. by living in this small house, you have become a big man in- with his cross examination. While answering the questions, deed! Please accept my congratulations.” To this, Babasaheb Bhopatkar broke into a sweat and was abjectly humiliated. replied, “I have lived in this chawl for years and studied in a His cross examination was incomplete and a new date was house bustling with family members and children. However, announced. However, the scholastic Bhopatkar was re- they were no obstacle to me. Once I concentrate on my stud- duced to such dregs that he withdrew the case before the ies, my ears do not register anyone’s words.” second hearing. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution had fought four cases in Thane court. In particular, he represented the convicted Brahmin who had been jailed for the satyagraha at Chirner in the Panvel region of Thane. In another instance, he fought for eight murder convicts and ensured that they were de- clared free of all charges.

DECLARATION OF INNOCENCE The Thane court started in Janu- ary 1803. In Mahad, for Chavdar Talao, a satyagraha took place. The Alibaug court declared five people guilty and sentenced them to four months of rigor- ous imprisonment. The appeal in that case went to the Thane court. To argue that case, Dr Ambedkar first came to Thane on 24th September 1927. The Zilla court had stuck to the de- cision of the lower court. In the Manikpur village of Vasai, some farmers died. A court case against Alep DiPrete, Shukriya alias Francis, Baskio Damel PIERCING CROSS EXAMINATION and a teacher named Jesulusa was going on in the Shankar Rao More and Shankar Rao Jedhe were two senior Thane court. On 13th October 1928, Dr Ambedkar freedom fighters. In one of their speeches in Pune, they had came to argue the case on their behalf. They were all de- criticised the renowned thinker, Anna Saheb Bhopatkar. clared innocent. Bhopatkar filed a case against them in the Pune court. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was a fierce political adversary of CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WAS AVOIDED both More and Jedhe, yet they asked him to represent them. Due to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Shiv Appa Patil from On the day of the hearing, Dr Ambedkar grilled Bhopatkar the Hotagi area of Kolhapur district was spared of

40 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 capital punishment. This incident dates back to 1936. Guru Nath Patil was a former MLA at the time. His brother, Siddhamappa Patil, said, “The British announced that my father was to be hanged until death in connection with a murder case. It was only due to Dr Babasa- heb Ambedkar that my father could walk away free. That is why, even today, we worship Dr Ambedkar before worshipping the family dei- ties. We have diligently followed this tradition since the past 72 years. “There was a lot of talk about the fact that Dr Ambedkar would be fighting the case. A very large crowd of people had thronged the Bijapur court precincts to see Babasaheb and hear him argue the case. After my father’s ac- quittal, my brother Guru Nath, sister Hirabai and I were born. Without Babasaheb’s inter- vention, we may not have been born to see this world. The Patil family’s success in the political sphere can be attributed solely to Babasaheb. We will always remain indebted to him. It seems as though God came to our rescue in the form of Babasaheb and saved our family. We regard him as our God. On 14th April (his birth anniversary) we come together as a family and pray before his image.”

ERUDITION OF ARGUMENTS In 1940, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar went to Nagpur to fight the case of a man named Baba Mukta Van Das. He was to be hanged. When the hearing was on, the entire precinct of the court was filled with people. They wanted to see Dr Ambedkar and hear his erudite argu- ments and cross examination. The court was packed beyond A HELPING HAND capacity. Upon witnessing the enormous gathering, Babasa- In south Satara district, there is a village called heb said, “This is a court, not a political rally.” He was success- Nangole in the Miraj taluka. An unsupported widow fully able to get Baba Mukta Van Das acquitted. The decision named Lingobai lived there. While she was living to hang him to death was overruled. in Mumbai, her husband, Maruti Landge, suddenly Probably this next event dates back to 1950. A man named passed away. She went to Babasaheb to see him at Raja Griha. Babasaheb lent her a helping hand by Bansi Lal Ramteke had been appointed as the ticket col- filing a case against the company where her husband lector at Mumbai station, presently known as Chhatrapati was employed. On the day of the hearing, Lingobai’s Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Ramteke hailed from the village innocent son, aged two and a half years, fell seri- of Rajnandgaon. He had been jailed on some charges. Ba- ously ill. She placed the child at Babasaheb’s feet and basaheb took up the case and went to see Ramteke in jail. He beseeched him to cure the child, saying, “Please save said to Ramteke, “I can get you acquitted, but my fee is high. my child, he is the light of our family.” Babasaheb said What can you give?” Bansi Lal replied, “Babasaheb, I can give to her, “He is not only the light of your family, but also my life for you if it comes to that.” Babasaheb said, “I don’t the seed of our downtrodden society.” Babasaheb want your life. Use this life to spread the teachings of Bud- lovingly patted and caressed the child and ran his dha.” Subsequently, Ramteke left his job as a ticket collector hand over the child’s head while bottle feeding him. and began spreading the word of the all over. On Babasaheb put everything on the line to win this case dhamma and secure justice for Lingobai. Dr Ambedkar’s Jayanti and Buddha Jayanti, he would organise spectacular processions giving rich tributes to the legends. 

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 41 GURU NANAK 550th Anniversary

tween water and dihydrogen monox-

ide (H2O), which only the scientists or learned can understand. Scientists study in depth. They con- duct several experiments. Through their studies, they have concluded that water is not a single entity, but made of two elements. It is because water is a mix- ture of two gases, namely, hydrogen and oxygen. When these two gases combine, water is formed. Satya and Sat are essentially the same and cannot be analysed, but if we try to understand them in depth, the differ- ences between the two can be under- stood. Sat is something that is present in existence, of which, we can have an ex- perience. At the same time, one cannot touch Satya or truth. It cannot be physi- cally experienced. Let us understand this better with an example. Stand in front of a mirror. Your reflec- tion will appear in the mirror. However, you are not that reflection. That reflec- THE MESSAGE tion and you are separate. The reflection is real, but cannot be experienced. On OF ONENESS the other hand, you are Sat (truth), and your experience can be felt. When saying the name of Guru Nanak, a spiritual light and Similarly, numbers in mathematics messenger of God, Sikh brothers and sisters express their utmost are real. Yet, they do not provide an ex- respect and call him Sri Guru Nanak Devji. For centuries, scholars istential experience. We cannot touch and historians have been studying his teachings, as the path shown them. Again, you are Sat. Your existence can be experienced. This makes those by him suggests direct access to God with no need of rituals or numbers and us different entities. priests, says Paramjot Singh Chahel. We see a dream in our sleep. It is real, but we cannot experience it. Once, you aith in God is necessary to build an efficient society are awake, the dream is over. It means that even though a and nation. It is understood that if there are several dream is real, then too, it cannot be experienced. You are Sat, Gods, then there ought to be multiple ways to wor- you can be experienced. Fship them. Conversely, if there is only one divine A painter paints a painting. The painting is different God, then there can be multiple paths to understand and at- and the painter is different! After creating a painting, even tain Him. Great men have shown us these different ways. It though the painter becomes separate, then too, the painting is said that one must realise the soul through spirituality and remains. It does not disappear. An experience of the painting God through worship. There are several ways to find out the can be felt; similarly, an experience of the painter can also relation between the soul and Super Soul (God). The founder be felt. and first guru of Sikhism, Sri Guru Nanakji searched God in A sculptor creates a sculpture. The sculpture is different humans. He said that God is present in this very cosmos. and so is the sculptor. However, having created the sculp- ture, the sculptor becomes separate from the sculpture; SATYA AND SAT even then, the sculpture is not destroyed. An experience Sri Guru Nanak Devji gave the message of Satnaam—the holy of the sculpture can be felt and that of the sculptor too! name of the Lord. The word is based on Sat, which is similar The same is not true in the case of the dancer. As soon to Satya (truth). If one analyze the two words, one can spot as the dance stops, that dance is over. It becomes past. As a minor difference. The difference is similar to the one be- long as the dance is going on, till that time, the dance and the

42 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 dancer, both, are seen. But, the moment the dance stops, the dancer remains and the dance vanishes. In reality, dance and dancer, both, are one! DEVOTIONAL SERVICE Painter and his painting are separate. Sculptor and sculp- The world automatically lags behind in performing ture are different and so are numbers in math and man. worship like a realised one or a Buddha (The En- lightened One). Lord Buddha realised that the ego in God is the dancer and this world is his dance. Both are the mind of a human being is the biggest roadblock one. Design and the designer, both, are one. The creation on one’s path. It is possible to attain God only after and the creator are one. Sri Guru Nanak Devji says that destroying this ego. Hence, Lord Buddha ordered to if these two are actually one, then there is no need to re- ask for alms by holding a bowl in the hand. If you ask nounce the world to seek it. There is no need to renounce for alms, then your ego is destroyed. It is to let go of the throne. There is no need to renounce wife and children. ‘I, me, myself’. This ‘I’ is an obstacle in your path. The There is no need to maintain the vow of celibacy. There is day your ego vanishes, you attain God. Understand no requirement for any rule, fast or roza (fasting). There is this from the example of a coin. One side of this coin no need to perform penance by standing in a river on one has your image, while the other side has the God’s im- leg. There is no need to live in the forest. There is no need age. The coin is one, but it is the only obstacle on the to torment the body by performing abstinence from food. path between you and the Almighty. The coin means wealth, power and ego. If it is destroyed, then, you and God will become one. Guruji constantly urges us GOD AND MAN to destroy our ego. Guru put emphasis on establishing a relationship between ji The path of Lord Buddha and Guruji is but God and human being. He simplified and clarified the relation- one. Both of them talk about destroying our ego. ship between the two. He said that God and humans are one; Guruji provides guidance to destroy the ego in an easy and since they are one, a human being can establish a relation- and simple manner. Like, by donating food instead of ship with Him, even while staying in this world. asking for alms, providing food to the people, organ- That which has existence is Sat. This world is Sat. Sat can ising langar and bhandara, serving the animals, and be experienced. On the contrary, Satya (truth) can be seen, serving the Guru. Do all this by staying in this world. but, it cannot be experienced! Live in society. Stay in good company. When providing Guru Nanakji travelled around the world and after sitting service in a langar, destroy the ego that discriminates between castes. Quit the discrimination between in the river water for three nights, he attained Him. When he superior and inferior. Bridge the gap between lan- came out of that water, he began to look at this world from guages. Nobody is untouchable. Nobody is inferior. His eyes. Nobody is rich and nobody is poor. Everyone is equal. Further, when Guruji uttered the mantra after God’s or- Nobody is an emperor, nobody is a king and nobody is der, he began it with the number ‘1’ of maths, and the first rich. As these differences and your ego being better word that he spoke was Satnaam! than the rest disappear, you will move closer to Him. On the one hand, people walk on the path of devotion. They even perform devotion or penance by retreating to the forest. They renounce their family. They abdicate the Even in Guruji’s langar, big donors give donations and ex- throne. They seek ‘soul-realisation’ through penance by go- pect that their names will be written in golden words. Their ing away from the world and worldly matters. They torment names will be glorified. Their photos will get published in the body. They get absorbed in devotion by giving up food a book. The impact of Guruji’s words is on a decline. Be it and starve. Thinking that this world is a temptation and an bhandara or langar, we have to give up our egos. Then, there illusion, they look for ways to be free. On the other hand, will be satisfaction and peace. When your ego is destroyed, some people perform penance by standing in the waters of then you will experience Him closer to you. Guruji used to a river on one leg. Applying ash on the body, they chant on a say, “Do service, become a servant, become a slave, become string of beads. Some seek God by renouncing clothes. They a worker, and fall at the feet of the Guru. Accept his orders perform worship and rituals. Worship and devotion have and do not keep any doubt in your mind. Everything is de- become the path to attain soul as well as the Super Soul. pendent upon his will and order. You are nothing. Destroy your ego. Destroy this ego that comes between you and SATISFACTION AND PEACE God. This ego can be reduced with the help of a Guru. It is Be it Gorakhnathji’s prasad (food offered to God) or Guru because of this ego that you think you are everything and Nanakji’s langar (community kitchen), both talk about the path God is nothing. Once this ego is destroyed, you realise that of liberation from ego. You have to raise your hand and ask for God is everything and you are nothing! food inside a langar, as it is a prasad. The food cooked in the Satnaam is the holy name of the Lord. Shri Guru Nanak house is a meal, but, if the same food is offered to God in wor- Devji gave us the name of the Lord and the path to attain Him. ship, then it becomes prasad. The food remains the same! –Retired Judge; Member, Gurudwara Board, Nanded

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 43 The stall of Maharashtra Tourism at the World Travel Market 2019, London. MAHARASHTRA TOURISM IMPRESSES LONDON Maharashtra Tourism participated in the recent World Travel Market exhibition in London. A platform to meet the world, the event helped the Department reach out to tourists and tourism-related professionals and inform them about the tourism attractions and facilities the State has, says Irshad Bagwan.

aharashtra Tourism was than 50 tourism institutions, profes- Paulo Costa, Business Development in London for the World sional companies and media agencies Director, F1H20; Sudhir Patil, Director, Travel Market (WTM) ex- through the medium of B2B meetings. Veena World; Tapani Kowhanin, Man- Mhibition, 4-6 November The State Tourism Secretary had a ager, Tobago Tourism Agency; Ruchit 2019. Many countries participated in dialogue with global travel companies, Thakkar, Managing Director, Saffron the exhibition with the objective of at- tour operators, experts from tourism- Dreams; Hasmukh Gohil, Chairman, Sun tracting tourists, scholars and profes- archaeology-heritage areas, trekkers, Trading Europe Limited; Rahul Laud, As- sionals by spreading awareness about wildlife enthusiasts, professionals from sociate Editor, Asian Light; Julian Mat- their tourist attractions and services jungle safari and cruise tourism field, thews, Chairman, TOFTigers Initiative; available in the destinations. Maha- tourists and journalists alike. Rakesh Patel, CEO, and Akshay Loomba, rashtra opened a vista of tourism The B2B meetings were held with Head of Sales, Bharat Army Travel; Anna wealth for tourists and tourism profes- representatives of tourism companies Au Yeung, Global Head, Destination sionals across the world. Smt. Vinita such as Yvonne Peach from Iceland Trav- Marketing, Travelport; Lokesh Bagga, Ved-Singhal, Tourism Secretary, Maha- eller; Sasha Aaru from Snap Production; Assistant Vice President, Le Passage To rashtra, Ramdas Khedkar, Deputy Di- Keith Jenkins, CEO, iambassador Travel India; Ruchit Uppal from Twitter; Karan rector, Tourism and others represented Network and CMO Nicholas Montmag- Surti, Ontime Hospitality Services; Sahu Maharashtra in the exhibition. ny; Alexander Kolis from World Show Namita and Rachna Gulati from Media- Media; David Keej, archaeology expert scope; Rishi Jain from Jain Aviation Con- B2B MEETINGS WITH COMPANIES from Heritage News Media; Ravi Shar- sultants; Vinod Nalawade from Reed AND OPERATORS ma, Editor, Sampan Media; Emanuel Far- Exhibitions; and other tourism company A dialogue was established with more rugia, Tour Leader, Villager Tour Malta; representatives.

44 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 MEDICAL AND SOCIAL TOURISM Panigrahi, Tourism Minister, Odisha, Comprehensive efforts were made to Sachin Jadhav, Director of Tourism, MAHARASHTRA @ WTM promote religious/spiritual tourism by Odisha, Smt. Rashmi Verma, Tourism B2B meetings with more than providing information to foreign tour- Secretary, Delhi, and others. • 50 tourism institutions and ists about various mosques, churches, companies Buddhist caves, and other places of faith. LADOO AND CHAKLI • Discussions with various travel Presentations about Ramayan Circuit Tourists, amateur traveller compa- companies and groups and Buddha Circuit from Maharashtra nies as well as higher-ups from various Display of tourism wealth of • Maharashtra were made for foreign tourists. Various countries were given video pen drives Thousands of foreign tourists tourism professionals and institutions with information about various tourist • and professionals visited showed willingness for further discus- locations of Maharashtra as a souve- the stall sions, which are now being pursued nir at the Maharashtra Tourism stall. A Presentations of cultural through the Tourism Department. tourism map of the State and informa- • programme in front of the stall tive brochures were also distributed. Presentation of Maharashtra MAHARASHTRA TOURISM STALL Delicacies such as ladoo and chakli • cuisine Union Tourism Secretary Yogendra from Maharashtra placed at the stall • Visit to other stalls to gain Tripathi inaugurated the Maharash- were relished by the visitors. Maha- information about some of their tra Tourism Stall on the first day of the rashtra’s food culture was explained experiments event. During the three-day event, to tourists, who also responded well Pen drives with English lan • guage videos distributed to thousands of tourists, tourism profes- to the culture programme organised in amateur tourists, traveller com sionals and tourist companies visited front of the stall. The tourism profes- panies and senior officers from the stall. Among many Indian officers sionals also responded enthusiastically various countries who visited the stall were Jyoti Prakash to these programmes. Distribution of Maharashtra • tourism map and brochures

GLOBAL BOOST FOR MAHARASHTRA TOURISM While speaking about the exhibition, Maharashtra State Tourism Secretary, Press conferences were organised Vinita Ved-Singhal said that tourists world over are attracted to India, and for media reporters from London and the State of Maharashtra has a variety to offer. “We have tried to seize this other parts of the world. very attraction through the WTM Exhibition in London,” she said. The topic of tourism development in Maharashtra was discussed with STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL STALLS eminent traveller companies, tour operators, adventure groups, wildlife Maharashtra team visited stalls of other tourism organisations, cruise professionals, publicity institutions, Indo- philes, club owners and student associations. All of them have shown a huge countries that participated in the exhi- interest in Maharashtra Tourism. Smt. Vinita Ved-Singhal said that this will bition and gathered information about provide a huge acceleration to Maharashtra Tourism. “We shall project their various experiments. These includ- Maharashtra tourism on a global platform through such media and foreign ed tourism leaders such as Maldives, Sri tourist initiatives to attract tourists in large proportion,” she said. Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Tai- wan, Egypt, Russia, Malta, Switzerland, France, Greece, Finland, Norway, USA, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Gulf countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar, and others. Besides, the exhibitions from countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Cam- bodia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Cana- da, South Africa, Kenya and others were visited to study their specialities. In addi- tion, various stalls such as Incredible In- dia from the Government of India, Mad- hya Pradesh, , , Odisha and others were visited to note Maharashtra Tourism Secretary, Vinita Ved-Singhal meeting the visitors at the their exceptional points. WTM 2019 exhibition in London. —Departmental Liaison Officer (Tourism), DGIPR

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 45 MAHA PLANTATION DRIVE GETS RECOGNITION Maharashtra Forest Department has been awarded the JSW-Times of India Earth Care Award for the Plantation Management Information System for making optimum use of Information Technology for its 50-Crore Plantation Drive. It recognises the Department’s efforts to solve complex climate change challenges. The digital forest gov- ernance project of the Department adopted an integrated approach to afforestation with IT interventions, from plantation planning to post-plantation survival monitoring, says Dr Surekha Mulay.

n Maharashtra, a plantation manage- ment information system (PMIS) was developed exclusively for the 50-crore Iplantation drive that recognised the efforts of the Maharashtra Forest Depart- ment to implement climate-friendly prac- tices. Both, people’s participation and PMIS played a crucial role in the success of the drive. Former Forest Minister Sudhir Mun- gantiwar made a valuable contribution to the success of the campaign. Efforts were made to involve ev- ery section of society, from sarpanch, gram sevaks, Zilla Parishad CEOs, Mu- nicipal Commissioners, Divisional Com- missioners, Mayors, District Collectors, all departments of Government to the representatives of social organisations, Principal Secretary, Forests, Vikas Kharge accepting the award alongwith entrepreneur-business groups, construc- Principal Chief Conservators Umesh Kumar Agrawal and M.K. Rao. tion companies and celebrities from film and theatre industry. PERFECT IMPLEMENTATION People were appealed to plant and nurture trees through The Forest Department Tree plantation and afforestation various cultural programmes; the campaign received an accepted the prestigious is a key element to reduce the overwhelming response. award on behalf of each risk of global warming. Changes and every contributor of in seasons, frequent droughts, APPRECIATION BY THE PRIME MINISTER the campaign. With their global warming, dry and polluted During the mega drive, people from cities as well as villages participation, the people rivers, reduction in water table planted trees in large numbers to make the campaign a suc- of Maharashtra made level are some of the challenges cess. The Forest Department’s computerised system, PMIS, the project a big social that are affecting humankind and ensured near real-time monitoring of the massive planta- movement. Societies like posing a threat to our future. The tion drive and of the survival rate and vegetation condition. NIC and KPMG too gave their tree plantation drive is an ambi- According to data of PMIS, more than 1.5 crore partici- valuable contribution. tious step taken by the State Gov- pants planted 58 crore trees at some 5.81 lakh plantation ernment towards environment- sites. The notable thing about the drive was that more than friendly practices. 27 crore saplings were planted on land other than forest As per GR dated the 15th August 2015 every school and sectors. These included the campuses of schools and col- college should plant at least 20 saplings, resulting in planta- leges, vacant places in cities and villages, and parallel sides tion of 30 lakh trees on one day. On 1st July 2016, the pledges of roads, lands belonging to railways and alongside rivers of planting two crore trees was made. About six lakh people and canals, places under Defence Ministry and farms, and participated in this mission. others. The Prime Minister appreciated the Following the success of these earlier missions, the Maha- initiative in Mann Ki Baat programme. rashtra Forest Department next prepared a working plan to

46 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 plant 50 crore trees in the next three years. The Department decided to implement the campaign in three steps, i.e. plan- ABOUT THE AWARD tation of 4 crore, 13 crore and 33 crore trees in the State. The Maharashtra Forest Department is honoured with The State Forest Department wanted to implement the Earth Care Award 2019 under the category of this campaign on a very large scale; and utilising only for- Innovation in Climate Change. The award is a joint ini- est land would not be enough to ensure the success of the tiative of JSW and Group. The de- task. Therefore, the Department decided to implement tree partment bagged the award for the digital plantation on other than forest lands as well, like forest governance for the 50 Crore Tree the areas surrounding rivers, roads, farms, and Plantation drive. The award included `3 water conservation projects like Jalyukta Shivar lakh, a memento and a certificate. Abhiyan. The Department signed memorandum For the selection of the winner, there of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of De- was a committee of 11 members under fence, and Railways, Urban Development and Road the president-ship of noted scientist Dr. Transport Departments. As part of this MoU, the Raghunath Mashelkar. The committee respective Departments gave consent to plant sap- paid a visit to the tree plantation site lings on the vacant land under their sectors. Besides, and observed the work. The forest tree plantation was conducted simultaneously on department answered queries raised national highways. As part of the mission, attempts by the committee members and were made to increase green cover near river beds, gave detailed representation of the vacant places, and infertile and fodder lands. campaign. The committee verified All Departments of the State Government and their the work of the department, such branch offices, school and college students, social- organ as replicable initiatives and interventions on the isations, people from business and film industry united to make greenhouse gases (GHG) emission reduction, natural this campaign a grand success. The most remarkable aspect resource conservation, reduction in the intensity of about the campaign was that it saw participation and response climate change influence, and large involvement of of people from every section of society. people from every level of society.

MISSION TREE PLANTATION MOTIVATIONAL SCHEMES The resolution to plant four crore trees in 2017 was accom- The resolution of tree plantation alone could not have made plished with actual plantation of 5.43 crore trees. In 2018, this mission possible. There was a need to involve a large the target of 13 crore trees was completed with the planta- number of people for its success. Hence, the Forest Depart- tion of 15.88 crore trees. About 16 and 36 lakh people partic- ment implemented schemes like Vanyukta Shivar, Rop Aplya ipated in these missions, respectively. As mentioned earlier, Dari, Kanya Van Samruddhi Yojana, Vansheti, Bhausaheb the Forest Department implemented the campaign in three Fundkar Falbag Lagwad Yojana, Atal Bamboo Samriddhi steps: first by planting two crore trees, second by planting Yojana, and many fruit production programmes to motivate four crore trees, and third by planting 13 crore trees, respec- people. The Department planted fruit-bearing trees in large tively. The Limca Book of Records too appreciated the Maha- numbers under the campaign to aid the farmers. rashtra Government’s mission and honoured the Forest De- partment with a certificate three times. AUGMENTATION IN GREEN COVER The Forest Department next passed a resolution to plant The Earth Care Award is an honour not only for the Forest 33 crore trees during July-September 2019. Under this drive, Department, but also for the people of Maharashtra, who 35,13,76,361 saplings were planted through the participation celebrated tree plantation as a festival in the last three of 95,19,635 people. The Maharashtra Forest Department years. According to the forest survey, there is a consider- made optimum use of information technology (IT), which able increment that took place in green (tree) cover in the helped to create faster, efficient and people-oriented admin- State. The green cover increased by 273 sq. km on other istration, under a unique initiative to digitally record the trees than forest land. The water-rich areas in forest and bam- planted. These developments and ease in work culture led to boo sector have increased by 432 sq km and 4462 sq km, higher success rate and better public participation. The use of respectively. At present, Maharashtra has 20 per cent of IT gave transparency and reliability to the campaign. An app, forest cover. To increase it to 33 per cent, there’s an urgent My Plant was developed by the Department to register the ex- need to plant more than 400 crore trees. Hence, people act number of planted saplings. Information about more than in the State should voluntarily cooperate and actively five lakh saplings planted has been registered in this app. An participate in the tree plantation mission with more energy independent command room has been developed at the Nag- and efforts. pur office of the Forest Department for this task. —Senior Assistant Director

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 47 CLIMATE CHANGE CALLS FOR AGRICULTURE MANAGEMENT When the temperature of air increases, the air pressure reduces and the winds flow from areas of high pressure to low pressure bringing moisture-laden air. Water molecules are formed in areas with lower pressure, thus, bringing rain. In cases where the temperature remains less than average, the air pressure increases and leads to a drought-like situation. Such a shift in climate is termed as climate change. Unseasonal rains in some areas of the State and the resulting agricultural losses are now a regular feature. Hailstorms and unpredictable rainfall during the months of February, March, April and May also bring losses, says Prof. Deepali Mutkule.

limate change experts from the global organisation, In- tergovernmental Panel on CClimate Change (IPCC), Al Gore and Rajendra K. Pachauri had mentioned in their special report on Global Warming that the tem- perature around the Earth has increased by 0.5 degrees Celsius after 1955. The report suggested 1998 to be the hottest year in the 20th century and proved that the tempera- ture on the planet has been rising fast. Climate change, an increasing number of vehicles on the road, ris- ing industries and air-conditioned buildings emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane that warm the planet. Methane gas is also emitted through ruminating animals. Excessive use of nitrogen fertilisers leads to the increase of nitrous oxide. While on the one hand air pollution is constantly increasing, on the other the forests and plants that use car- bon dioxide are being decimated on a large scale. Humans have so far destroyed 60 ing. When the temperature of the air falls under climate change. Unsea- million hectare of forests in Asia. This increases, the air pressure reduces sonal rains in some areas and the means that a potent, natural way of and the winds flow from higher pres- resulting agricultural losses are decreasing carbon dioxide by convert- sure areas to lower pressure areas, now a regular feature. Unpredict- ing it into oxygen has been wasted. bringing moisture-laden air with it. able hailstorms and rains during the This has led to a rise in the proportion Water molecules are created at loca- months of February, March, April and of carbon dioxide in the air. The carbon tions with lower pressure, resulting in May also bring agricultural losses. dioxide gas traps the energy and heat rain and heavy rain. of sunlight, and is believed to be the In areas where the temperature ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE reason for the rise in Earth’s tempera- remains less than average, the air MANAGEMENT ture. That is the reason its increase in pressure increases and leads to wa- Change in crop system: Reducing the the atmosphere is called global warm- ter scarcity. This phenomenon also area of cotton crop and replacing it

48 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 with pigeon pea, soybean, maize, beans Increasing area under gram for and chilli may help in addressing cli- MICRO IRRIGATION rabi harvest: Gram crop can be taken mate change. If drip irrigation is used, water up in areas where rainfall is low and The area under cotton cultivation up to 50 per cent can be saved. water is scarce. Horticultural gram has been rapidly increasing in Maha- It will then be possible to double should be sown where 2 waters are rashtra. This is largely due to Bt cotton the present area under horti- available. Dry farming gram should be seed. Farmers have been told that the culture. For this, it is necessary sown in October and water channels yield of this genetically-altered vari- to implement a water supply should be prepared. The rainwater will ety of cotton would be higher. Hence, system through a closed pipe. penetrate the ground through these the area under its cultivation is on in- If liquid fertilisers are used in channels and productivity of the vil- water-scarce areas through drip crease. In practice, the cotton cultiva- lage will increase. irrigation, it will be possible to tion takes about 7 to 7.5 months. The reap higher production and at- monsoon period lasts for around four tain savings of up to 50 per cent. Following Intercrop system: In- months. Thus, the period of rains and tercrop system is definitely better cotton do not match, and creates a than the single crop method. The in- serious issue with the increase in the tercrop provides a bonus production. area under cotton crop. In dry farming areas, it is beneficial to About 94 per cent of the area under take up crops such as millet + pigeon cotton is dry farming type. Due to the pea (2:1); soybean + pigeon pea + lack of adequate water supply during green gram or black gram in the hor- its cultivation, the average productiv- ticultural areas; sugarcane + potato/ ity of the crop in the State is just 2.93 peanut, sugarcane + gram, sugarcane quintals per hectare. As the expenses + onion, and sugarcane + cabbage on production are higher and the pro- are other possible combinations of ductivity is meagre, the income is less intercrops. than the expenditure, thereby placing cotton farmers under financial stress Using covers: Under dry farming and severe financial debt. It is, there- conditions, it is possible to reduce the fore, necessary to reduce 40 lakh speed of evaporation. Similarly, covers hectares of area under cotton to 20- are necessary during the summer har- 30 lakh hectares. Cultivating crops vest in fruit farming. such as pigeon pea, soybean, maize, Emphasis should be laid on cultivation beans, chilli on this land is thus impor- of crops such as capsicum, gerbera, Use of light reflectors: With spray- tant to bring about perennial agricul- carnation, rose, tomato and others ing of eight per cent kaolin and re- tural production. in a poly-house. Every farmer should sorting to light reflection, the speed establish a poly-house on a minimum of of evaporation can be reduced. The Using soil separator and water 10 guntha or 1,000 sq. metres of land, with method should be used for horticultur- channel system: As a remedial mea- a drip water supply and liquid fertilisers al crops during water scarcity periods. sure, it is necessary to increase the bringing out the best quality of use of soil separator and water chan- agricultural produce. This will increase Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan, a boon: nel systems and train the farmers both production and productivity. The Government of Maharashtra has in the seeding of both soybean and started to resolve its water shortage beans on the wide soil separators. challenge by constructing link dams This is likely to result in higher pro- and lakes in 5,000 villages per year duction per hectare. by a plough, keeping an appropriate under the Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan. distance. In this way, the beds can be This will create huge water conserva- Closed beds for rabi crops and prepared at a lower cost. As the rain- tion and water storage, resulting in jowar: Large-sized beds should be water percolates in the soil, it proves an increase in groundwater level, prepared to store rainwater. The size to be useful for the growth of jowar. which will then resolve drinking of the bed should be according to The production increases by 30 per water and animal fodder issues in dry the slope of the soil. While prepar- cent per hectare. It is essential to farming areas. ing beds, levelling should be carried use this method of water conser- —Assistant Professor, Agricultural out by machine and separators, and vation at the source for rabi crops Meteorology, Smt. K. S. K. (Kaku) College water channels should be prepared- and jowar. of Agriculture, Beed.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 49 OBSERVANCE OF MAHAPARINIRVAN DAY

People should maintain queues in a disciplined manner and peacefully. Any black threads on arm, neck and hands should be removed. Disciples arriving from other cities or faraway places • should be given priority in the queue. Please follow the instructions of volunteers, activists, • and Municipal Corporation and Police. It is possible that children, senior citizens and women • may lose their way in the crowd. Please ensure that the family’s complete contact information is available with them. Disciples should follow the peaceful way of Gautam • Buddha, beginning with the tradition of reciting community prayers. No one should push others, as even a small such incidence could lead to a gruesome stampede. Visiting women disciples should not wear flowers in • their hair. It is advised not to purchase items of entertainment at • Shivaji Park ground. Literature related to Buddha–Ambedkar, books, CDs, • dhamma dhwaj, badges and dhamma calendars based on scientific thoughts may be purchased. Any type of musical instruments should not be played. • There should not be any sloganeering. Old clothes should not be purchased from hawkers selling these in an unauthorised way. Do not touch any unidentified object. Police should be • immediately informed if you see any such object. Beware of people spreading superstitions or fake news. • Do not smoke. Do not create obstructions for people and • traffic by standing in groups on a traffic route. No food should be cooked in any stall. Use of inflamma- • ble substances should be avoided completely. Dial 101 for fire-fighting system in case of an emergency. he Coordination Committee for Mahaparinirvan Day Fire for cooking or heating should not be lit at night. Care has appealed to the disciples arriving for the 63rd • should be taken that the sparks do not spread to TMahaparinirvan Day of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb nearby areas. Ambedkar (5-6 December 2019) to follow the below-men- Every disciple should stay alert. If any suspicious person tioned measures. • or thing is found, keep a watch on the person and imme- As Mahaparinirvan Day is a sad day, everyone should diately call the police. • observe the same with seriousness. For any assistance, contact the Police Control Room, Visitors should meditate on the thoughts of Dr. Babasa- • Municipal Corporation Cell or volunteers of the • heb Ambedkar and carry out self-examination. Mahaparinirvan Day Coordination Committee. While paying homage to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, The areas reserved for movement of disciples, Chaityab • one should wear white clothes and resolve to lead a • hoomi and Shivaji Park should be kept clean. Waste virtuous life and remember the 22 Vows. should not be thrown in the open. Anyone arriving at Chaityabhoomi to pay respects to —Nagsen Kamble, General Secretary, Dr. Babasaheb • Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar should use the arrival and Ambedkar Mahaparinirvan Day Coordination departure routes decided by the Municipal Corporation. Committee, Mumbai

50 MAHAR ASHTRA AHEAD NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 A huge memorial has been built at Mhow, the birthplace of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

The residence of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in New Delhi at 26, Alipore Road is an important and historic memorial. R.N.I No. MAHENG/2011/75502 Date of Publication : 10th of Every Month Maharashtra Ahead, Always Ahead Magazine with HIGHEST CIRCULATION in INDIA… Know about India’s leading State and the opportunities it offers in five languages LOKRAJYA Authorised and accurate information

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MaharashtraPrinted at KalaAhead Jyothi magazine Process is printed Pvt. andLtd., published Plot No. onW-17 behalf & W-18,of Government MIDC, Talojaof Maharashtra Industrial by Area, Anil Aloorkar, Taloja-410 Deputy 208, Director Navi Mumbai. (Publications), Directorate GeneralPublished of Information by Directorate and Public General Relations, of Infromation Mantralaya, & Mumbai. Public RelationsPrinted at KalaMantralaya Jyothi Processes Mumbai Pvt.400 Ltd. 032 Plot on No.behalf W-17 of and Government W-18, MIDC, of Taloja Industrial Area,Maharashtra. Taloja- 410208. Managing Published Editor at Directorate BriJesh General singh of, DirectorInformation General and Public of Information Relations, Mantralaya, and Public Mumbai- Relations. 400032 Editor-in-chief:52 MAHAR ASHTRA BRIJESH AHEAD SINGH NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019