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CHIEF MINISTER’S US VISIT  BEACHES OF  PANDHARPUR WARI  GHOLVAD CHIKOO

VOL.4 ISSUE 8  AUGUST 2015  ` 50  PAGES 52

Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan Towards Drought-Free Villages (From left) Chief Minister with his wife Amruta Fadnavis, warkari couple Raghoji Narayan Dhande and Sangeeta Dhande from Kalamnuri taluka, Hingoli district and Minister for Revenue and Agriculture, Eknath Khadse at Lord Vitthal—Rukmini shrine in Pandharpur A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis offered salutations at the Lord Vitthal—Rukmini shrine as part of Wari celebrations at Pandharpur while praying for a drought-free State

hief Minister Devendra the first pooja at the shrine early Ekadashi (11th day) during the (palanquin) of various saints to Fadnavis and his wife in the morning. Raghoji Narayan waxing phase of moon in the the holy city from different CAmruta Fadnavis in the Dhande and his wife Sangeeta month. Every year, millions of quarters of the State in this wee hours offered prayers at the Dhande from Kalamnuri taluka devotees walk along the 450-km journey, which lasts for around shrine of Vitthal–Rukmini as part of Hingoli district, participated route from (near ) to 20 days. A total of over 40 palkhis of Wari, a spiritual and perhaps in the Wari pooja. Every year, Pandharpur (near ) in of Saint Dnyaneshwar and Saint the world’s longest pilgrimage one warkari couple gets the Western Maharashtra. They walk Tukaram meet in Pune and travel to the holy city of Pandharpur in honour of participating in with one focus and that is to together further to Pandharpur. Maharashtra. The Chief Minister the first pooja along with the reach Pandharpur and offer their Each palkhi contains a set of prayed for the well-being of Chief Minister and his wife. respects to Lord Vitthal. silver images of the padukas farmers and wished for better Wari, one of the most coveted The tradition has been (sandals) of the saint. The group . In keeping with the traditions in , is undertaken preserved by the pilgrims called is divided into dindi,whichisa tradition, Chief Minister annually in the month of warkaris for hundreds of years small group. All dindis combined Devendra Fadnavis performed Ashadha and culminates on the now. The warkaris carry palkhis is called Wari. CONTENTS WHAT’S INSIDE

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COVER STORY ,THE REAL SAVIOUR The economic prosperity of a depends on the water it holds. The fact laid the foundation of Maharashtra’s flagship scheme, Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan, which aims to bring prosperity to its land and farmers through . The latest on the scheme

13 20 24 26 FOREIGN VISIT IN PERSON FACE-TO-FACE FESTIVAL CHIEF MINISTER SUDHIR GIRISH BAPAT MARCH OF VISITS THE US MUNGANTIWAR Minister for , CivilSupplies THE PILGRIMS The prime reason behind Chief Minister for says protection and Consumer Protection, Food A first-hand account of Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ and development of forests is now and Drugs Administration and Pandharpur Wari, one of the visit to the United States a priority of the State Government Parliamentary Affairs says his longest pilgrimages in the was to attract foreign investments and one must believe that department ensures that abundant world and proves to be in the State forests belong to each one of us food grains is available to all an out-of-the-world experience

30 32 34 40 NUMBER ONE CULTURE CURRY WANDERLUST FORTS LAND OF THE SAPOTA OF HERITAGE A LOW-TIDE WALK GEMS OF MARATHA Apart from being an ideal AND GLORY THAT STAYED EMPIRE The traditionalSawantwadi hideout, Gholvad has the secret Just a stone’s throw away from A series of annexations by craft is characterised by three of India’s best chikoos, the fruit is Alibaug whose Maharaj led distinct styles and widely that rules the region and has beaches make it one of the to fortification of Western given it the much-needed acclaimed for the rich repertoire best weekend and quiet getaway India, paving way for a strong recognition on the map of India of products it covers from the busy metropolis

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

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 03 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

VOL. 4 ISSUE 8  AUGUST 2015  `50  PAGES 52

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar WATER CONSERVATION MANAGING EDITOR Chandrashekhar Oak IS IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Devendra Bhujbal alyukta Shivar Abhiyan is the cover feature of the issue. The ambitious EDITOR integratedwater conservation andmanagement initiative of Maharashtra Kirti Pande Government has startedto bear fruits in various water-scarce districtsof the EXECUTIVE EDITOR J State. The flagship programme launchedby the Chief Minister Devendra Kriti Lalla Fadnavis aims to bring water empowerment to the drought-affected TEAM CO-ORDINATION villages of Maharashtra. The scheme has become a mass movement. Various EDITING schemes of water conservation have been brought under the umbrella of the Suresh Wandile scheme, which helps villages retain rainwater, create decentralised water storage (Deputy Director) units andincrease groundwaterlevel for use in . The mega welfare ADMINISTRATION programme is State’s dream to bring an end to farmers’ woes through water Digamber Palve sufficiency. The feature presents the initial achievements of the programme (Sr. Assistant Director) andsuccess stories from various villages of Maharashtra. SALES AND CIRCULATION Ashwini Pujari The recent monsoon session saw Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announcing (Assistant Director) relief measures to endthe agrarian crisis in the State. In the next five years, various welfare programmes, with fundallocation of `25,000 crore, will be MEDIA TRANSASIA implemented. These will include providing food security to 22 lakh farmers, ASSOCIATE EDITOR JyotiVerma digging of 1 lakh wells and1.5 lakh farm ponds, ASSISTANT EDITOR PallaviSingh andfree educationto children of farmers who have DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Sachin Jain committedsuicide. The Central Government CHAIRMAN under its ambitious Smart City J.S. Uberoi Mission proposes to develop PRESIDENT 100 smart cities in the country Xavier Collaco in the next five years. Ten cities from Maharashtra have Maharashtra Aheadis printed on behalf of the Directorate General been shortlistedunderthe of Information andPublic Relations, project. These cities are Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, , Pune- at KALA JYOTHI PROCESS PVT. LTD. -, Amravati, Plot No.W-17 & W-18, MIDC, Solapur, Nagpur, - Taloja Industrial Area, Dombivali, Aurangabad, Taloja-410 208, Navi Mumbai Nashik andThane. This initiative will ensure holistic developmentof these cities. Letters shouldbe addressedto Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ US tour was a great success. The visit saw Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, the State enter into several MoUs with companies like Cisco, Coca-Cola, New Administrative Building, Citibank andBlackstone. Recently, General Motors signedan MoU with 17th Floor, Opposite Mantralaya, the State Government. The agreement will help in generating large number Mumbai-400032. of employment andself-employment opportunities in the State. Email: maharashtraahead.dgipr @gmail.com This issue, we also bring to you an interview with Minister for Forests, Sudhir Please visit the website Mungantiwar on the various initiatives taken by the State Government for the http://dgipr.maharashtra.gov.in conservation anddevelopmentof Maharashtra’s forests. The other interesting Directorate General of Information features are on the annual pilgrimage of Pandharpur Wari, toys, andPublic Relations GholvadChikoo anda photo feature on the beautiful beaches of Maharashtra. A Government of Maharashtra Production The issue also pays homage to Former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. At the time of issue going to the press, the news of the demise of Former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam came. With his demise, we have lost a renowned scientist, people’s president and a teacher. Dr. Kalam always dreamt of making India a superpower by 2020. It will be a sincere tribute to him if we endeavour to transform his dream into reality. Team Maharashtra Ahead pays tribute to the great personality. We look forwardto your feedbackon the issue.

Directorate General of Information Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar and Public Relations, Editor-in-Chief, Maharashtra Ahead, DGIPR Government of Maharashtra COVER STORY JALYUKTA SHIVAR

WATER THE REAL SAVIOUR The economic prosperity of a land depends on the water it holds. The fact laid the foundation of Maharashtra’s flagship scheme, Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan, which aims to bring prosperity to its land and farmers through water conservation. The scheme has become a mass movement. Here is a first-hand account of the programme based on spot visits by Suresh Wandile, Kirti Pande and Pravin Take of Team Maharashtra Ahead

t has been three consecutive years for The key aim The flagship programme launched by Chief Maharashtra to face dry spell and drought. of Jalyukta Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Jalyukta Shivar The difficult time, especially for its farmers, Shivar Abhiyan Abhiyan aims to bring water empowerment to made the administration formulate a is to establish 25,000 drought-affected villages in Maharashtra Istrategy to address the challenge. It was realised belief in a within next five years. With the passing time, the that creation of decentralised, perennial water farmer that scheme has been going strong with villages storage bodies in the villages can solve the problem “every drop building infrastructure and making the and empower farmers. Establishing basic of rainwater is programme one of the largest Government infrastructure to hold rainwater was part of the owned by initiatives in terms of public participation. plan. These and many related ideas were put me and it should The primary objective of Jalyukta Shivar together to make a programme that could help the percolate Abhiyan is to establish the belief in a farmer that, State shift from“water scarce” to “water sufficient” in my land” “every drop of rainwater is owned by me and the in next five years. The programme was named same should percolate in my land.” The belief has Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan. led the farming community along with the

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 05 COVER STORY JALYUKTA SHIVAR

Government build decentralised water reservoirs. The Chief completely balanced. Natural streams are created Although Government’s resolve for freedom from Minister as a cumulative result of various land strata such drought for 5,000 villages every year looked identified that as hills and hillocks, slightly deeper stretches, achievable, the same needed huge funding and the works can plateaus and grounds as well as green cover and excellent planning. The Chief Minister identified be achieved fast rainfall in the area. The water bodies, in the form that the works can be achieved fast with public with public of rivers, streams, nallas and smaller streams, participation. Farmers from almost every village participation. decide the sustainability and future of the region. responded to his call with fervour and stood behind Farmers from Urbanisation in any part of the land requires him firmly with everything they had. almost every changes in the natural of the region. village The speed of urbanisation in the State too THE NEED TO CONSERVE WATER responded to adversely affected the water bodies it had. Today, Factually, Maharashtra has been bestowed his call with one cannot find a city, town or a village in with adequate rainfall, perennial rivers, lakes fervour Maharashtra where natural streams have not and large streams. However, due to concretisation been encroached. One of the major responsibilities in last few decades, natural in the undertaken through Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan is State have endured huge losses, driving it to to rejuvenate these natural water sources. situations like drought. After witnessing the tremendous works Any type of natural activity is in essence planned and carried out in drought-affected

The stream at Divthana was deepened by the villagers, who also carried out repairs to existing cement nalla bunding. The farmers around said that T the stream used to overflow during the rainy season. This year, the month of June went without rains, but the nalla had abundant water. The farmers could save the crops by pumping water from the nalla. A total of 70 cement nalla bundings were widened, deepened and repaired in the taluka alone. Another success story of Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan has been recorded at Ghusar vil- lage in . The vil- lage has 256 farm ponds. One can spot these water bodies while passing through the vil- lage. The village comes under the salt land area. There is no RIVERS DEEPENED, WATER LEVEL IN THE WELLS ENHANCED other way for wet farming here. The farmers are now tak- he results of bending near the village and there was To overcome the problem, ing up crops such as cotton, nature according to our a huge encroachment on the there was a need to deepen soybean and gram with the Twhims are best explained banks. Trees were proliferating the river bed. People joined support of these farm ponds. by the villagers of Telhara, a in the river bed and the river hands and a stretch of 10 km Sadarpur is another village, small hamlet in the foothills of had become shallow. Every was deepened and widened. where a community lake has Satpuda range. With good pre- rainy season, Telhara used to Sediment to the extent of 5.4 been built by the villagers. The cipitation, agriculture has been get waterlogged and the farm- lakh cu.m was removed. The lake has a storage capacity of flourishing here. However, ers suffered huge losses. Dur- farmers made use of the sedi- 1.9 lakh cu. m of water. The every year during the rains, ing the in 2014-15, an ment to make their fertile. 130 m x 150 m lake can now the villagers used to be on area of 383 ha around the vil- The story of Divthana vil- give a new lease of to 450 their toes. River Gautama flows lage was affected. lage in Akot taluka is similar. ha of agriculture land.

06 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M villages, people were encouraged to participate, and within seven months, a total of 99,154 works were completed in 6,202 villages. The scheme helped villagers realise what they had lost over the years. To create further awareness among people, water processions were organised in various villages. In the backdrop of a celebratory mood set by these processions, the villages keenly looked at the subject, and awareness was created. Small groups took the lead and achieved participation of other villagers. Soon, immaculate and impeccable works— deepening and widening of rivers, nallas and streams; cement check dams in series; repairs of old, small irrigation projects; joining projects of streams and nallas; maximum utilisation of medium and large project capacities; and strengthening of water supply bodies—were accomplished. When the team visited Latur and Akolato view the progress of the programme,the development was visible in almost every village. JALKUMBH, A FITTING REPLY TO UNCERTAIN RAINS One must point out that only 28 villages of he farmers finally realised that The villagers call it as Jalkumbh. Latur were selected under Jalyukta Shivar they should go for reliable The efforts of the village later got Abhiyan. However, other villages too came forward Twater storage, considering that Government’s support. The District to participate in the programme. Their driving times have changed and rains have Collector Pandurang Pole suggested force was to conserve every drop of rainwater. A become erratic. This was due to the lake to be given a plastic coating visible achievement was the faith in the Abhiyan. Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan. from inside. He also provided plas- People were now convinced that rivers, nallas, When former president of Zilla tic worth `8 lakh for the same. The Parishad, Dattatraya Bansode sanction has been received and the streams and lakes are their responsibility. expressed aspiration that the lake will now have a plastic coating. With huge diversities in geography, each of the drought period will end now, we A major work of rejuvenating village in Maharashtra had a different problem were standing on the banks of small rivers and Manjra sub-rivers related to water, and also different politics and Round Lake at Gan- was also carried out gapur. The lake is a through public partic- economics. Thus, it became imperative that the In Gangapur, a lake solutions of local water problems are devised by living example of ipation. The works what can happen of 100 feet×100 started with encour- the residents. The thought led villagers unite on through public will. feet and height 20 agement from Art of water issues, resulting in establishment of Gangapur is a vil- feet has been built Living activists, Lion infrastructure. And, as Samartha Ramdas Swami lage in Latur with in the existinglake Club members and once said, “If the river water just flows, it is around 7,000-8,000 that has an local leaders. A sub- expanse of about meaningless. If it is held by dams and canals, it can households. The vil- river of Manjra, Rena lage requires around 52 acres. The river flows through be utilised for apurpose, such asfor growing efforts of the various crops…,” Maharashtra was on the path 1 lakh litres of water Renapur village. The every day. The need village have trees proliferating in shown by the sage. has been fulfilled to received support of its river bed had some extent by a the Government almost vanished. The ECONOMIC PROSPERITY large lake in the vil- same story was that THROUGH WATER lage. However, the villagers suffer a of Jana river at Bamni and Tavarja Everyone has experienced erratic rains. Expected great deal of water shortage during river at Kavha. Jana river had, in most, the rains often do not oblige, leaving people summer months. fact, changed its course. The vil- with tearful eyes. The same happened this July. Realising the need for water and lagers has deepened the 8-km to increase the storage capacity of length of Rena and widened its river There were no rains in the first fortnight of the the lake, the villagers decided to dig bed to 40 m. The sediment coming month. Till last year, there was no solution to the another lake. A lake of area 100 feet through the deepening has been problem. Fortunately, this year, the State had x 100 feet and height of 25-30 feet used by the farmers to enhance the Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan. was built in the existing lake that fertility of their . The work was In Hingna taluka of , the has an expanse of around 52 acres. done at a cost of `1.27 crore. ambitious project, active for last few months, has

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 07 COVER STORY JALYUKTA SHIVAR

s WHAT THEY SAID...

Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan has been adjudged as the largest movement with public participation in independent India and a movement of change for creation of decentralised and perennial water storages. The programme has become a people’s movement. The sentiment that prevails among farmers is, “every drop of rainwater is owned by me and the same should percolate in my land.” The villages have created storage, irrigation and decentralised water reservoirs through public participation. WATER-FILLED DAMS, HEALTHY CROPS —Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister n Karveer taluka of Kolhapur, the around the dam were satisfied that construction of a cement nalla the water level of the wells has We cannot create a drop of water. Ibunding began in January this increased due to the dam at San- year. By July, the construction was gawade. As the village did not have However, it is in our done and the water stored in the a river nearby, the farmers were hands to save it. dam was helping in the irrigation of unable to do farming throughout Today, Jalyukta the region’s sugarcane crop. the year. The situation is much Shivar Abhiyan is Karveer today presents an different now. not just a opportunity to witness the huge As a work under Jalyukta Shivar Government change water can bring about in Abhiyan, it was decided to under- scheme, but has the life of people, especially farm- take an accelerated watershed become a movement of everyone and ers. Even after the development pro- is receiving enthusiastic response from people. The programme goes absence of in The vision of the gramme in the vil- June and before it lage. The five small beyond dams and lakes and aims to Chief Minister was maintain water throughout. started intensely, proved correct by dams near the village —Eknath Khadse, the benefits of the low-capacity were able to store a Jalyukta Shivar dams at two large amount of Minister for Agriculture Abhiyan to the vil- villages in Karveer water. With a megac- lages were very taluka of Kolhapur ity like Kolhapur The State much visible. district, as nearby, the farmers Government took The vision of they brought alive here were scared to a decision to Chief Minister the dream of take intercrops on a implement Jalyukta Devendra Fadnavis perennial irrigation large scale. Today, Shivar Abhiyan to was proved correct within just two the water storage in overcome the by the low-capacity months the dams has water scarcity dams in two villages improved and there problem in the of the taluka,as is ample water in the State permanently. these brought alive the dream of wells. Farmers have taken up new Through this, 5,000 villages every perennial irrigation within two crops such as vegetables on a large year are attaining freedom months. A large project may not scale. The second dam can be seen from drought. People are have completed in six months and at Kaneriwadi. participating zealously in the the benefits would have accrued The sound of electric pumps and campaign, and water is being made only a few years later. flowing water in the region present available for perennial agriculture The first dam on the nalla at the positive change in the rural and drinking purposes. Sangawade was overflowing even landscape. Farmers here keep talk- —Pankaja Munde, Minister for Rural after no rains for a month. Farmers ing about Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan. Development & Water Conservation

08 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M seen water conservation and water storage projects of around 18-19 departments come together. With the resultingfunds, works such as strengtheningof water bodies, removingsedimentation, dam repairs and deepeningof nallas have been undertaken. In Ukhali village, the water level in the wells has increased than last year due to deepeningof a nalla. The old cement nalla bundingwas constructed in 1994-95, but due to sedimentation, water storage and flow capacity of the dam were adversely affected. A nalla under the Agriculture Department was included in the Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan. Deputy Divisional Agriculture Officer Sanjay Bhagat showed the photographs of this 225-metre-longnalla with hugesedimentation. After the removal of sediments, the nalla is overflowingwith the June rains. With the deepeningof nalla, positive result is expected in the Rabi harvest this year, and more so next year. In Hingna up. This year beingInternational Pulses Year, the He also added emphatically that if farmers decide, taluka of Nagpur initiative will help in increasingthe production of they could enhance their income by takingup district, the pulses as well. A project of construction of equi- crops such as vegetables. ambitious level trenches has also been undertaken at a Some of the farmers have placed the displaced project has hillock nearby. There was huge soil erosion from I sediments in their fields. This worked as seen water this hillock duringthe rainy season and fertilisers. A large-scale tree plantation is also conservation sedimentation used to block the nalla. Now, at beingundertaken in some villages to avoid soil and water many places on the hillock, local stone walls have erosion. The Agriculture Department has also storage projects been constructed. These walls will halt the soil linked integrated watershed development of around 18-19 goingdownto the nalla. Wearinga barren look programme with Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan. While departments now, the hillock will soon present a green cover. these works have been undertaken, the come together The objective of Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan is to agricultural bunding has also being carried out make available perennial water supply to State’s and crops from species such as pigeon peas taken drought-affected villages. Perennial water can

AN ALL district. Through public par- WEATHER RIVER ticipation, the 141 villages taken up in the first phase of grani river flows through the programme will attain Khalapur, Tasgaon and freedom from water scarcity. AKavathe Mahankal Dongarwadi village from taluka of Maharashtra and Miraj taluka is one of these directly helps 21 villages on its villages. The work under- banks. Efforts are now under taken here and the efforts of way to restore the flow of the farmers have led to a rise in 55-km-long river and to make region’s level. it all weather. The work has Now, Sangli has prepared a been undertaken in association draft plan, with a dedicated with NGOs and public support. fund of `358 crore, for the programme. Dongarwadi residents This year, the fund happier with Jalyukta allocated to the region is Shivar Abhiyan Dongarwadi, a village in Miraj taluka of Sangli district, `78.54crore. With the The flagship water conserva- has been selected under Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan. amount, the 141 selected tion initiative of the State The work done here with public participation has led villages will become drought Government has received a to a rise in the groundwater level free by March 2016. positive response in Sangli —S R Mane

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 09 COVER STORY JALYUKTA SHIVAR

provide regular water for agriculture, enhance the Only 28 been consideredadrought-affectedarea. Its water level in the vicinity andmaintain the soil villages of Latur residents have always been looking for water. For moisture. The integratedeffect of all these will were selected for solving the problem, it was decided to enhance the reflect on agriculture production. Jalyukta Shivar the scheme, but groundwater level. A village was selected under Abhiyan has a latent capacity of ushering in other villages the Abhiyan and two dams were constructed. Soon, economic prosperity through water prosperity. came forward to the water level in the dams changed. Now, the participate, as wells here have water level as high as 30-40 feet. BEED people were With other such works going on, 17 villages in the Out of the 1,403 villages in Beed, 333 villages have convinced that taluka standto benefit from the programme. been selectedunderJalyukta Shivar Abhiyan for water bodies 2014-15 and2015-16. Underthe scheme, 1,074 are their HINGOLI works by Government departments in 271 villages responsibility In the first stage of Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan, have been completed; 1,309 works are in progress; 124 villages from Hingoli district were selected andthe approximate spendon these works has andvarious water conservation works were been `30.02 crore. taken up. Today, in most of these villages, water Motala taluka in Buldhana district has always conservation andwatersheddevelopment works

agricultural land, most of which is now under irrigation. The water level in the wells has also increased. Village Sarpanch Indrapal Dahane said that this is the first year when the villagers do not require water tankers. Large- scale Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan works are being carried out in Yavatmal. During the first year, a total of 16,258 works in 413 villages were pro- posed. Through these works, 1,02,000 ha will be brought under perennial irrigation. —Mangesh Warkad

NANDED PATTERN Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan is being implemented in a specialised way in Nanded. The water needs of the district is being linked to public partic- ipation and novel initiatives. Exactly 261 villages in Nanded were selected for the JALYUKTA BRINGS DROUGHT FREEDOM TO KITA VILLAGE Abhiyan, and various systems proposed a total of 12,389 ita village is just 14 km tion facilities and become and the rest flowed away. small and large works. Out of from Yavatmal. It has a tanker free. After implementation of these, 3,121 works are already Kpopulation of 800 and In 1996-97, a cement nalla the water conservation complete, and 471 works are suffers from water scarcity. As bunding was done in Kita. scheme, all the nalla bundings in progress. Besides, District there were no facilities for irri- Thirteen mud nalla bundings were deepened and widened Collector Suresh Kakani gation and , the were also built. However, as and sediments removed. With insisted on works related to farmers depended on dry land these bundings did not have the work, in the first monsoon water recharging. He encour- farming. A support came from the required capacity to store downpour itself, all the nallas aged systems to go for public Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan, water due to inadequate in the village were overflow- water sources that can be used which, within a short time, depth and width, a small ing with water. as drinking water sources and helped the hamlet get irriga- quantum of water was held Kita village has 140 ha of for recharging of wells.

10 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M IMPETUS TO JALYUKTA SHIVAR ABHIYAN Under Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan works of compart- ment bunding, desiltation, mud nalla bunding, cement check dams, repairs of bunding, KT weirs, farm ponds and village talao, refilling of wells, recharge shaft, drip irrigation and sprinkle irrigation have been brought together. District-wise details of works till July 10, 2015, is as follows:

District Villages Works Estimated Selected started with cost public of works participation (in crore) Ahmednagar 279 279 2.59 Dhule 129 26 4.56 Jalgaon 232 71 5.47 Nandurbar 72 70 1.4 Nashik 229 128 11.89 EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF RAINWATER Amravati 253 22 1.59 Akola 200 117 26.64 he taluka of Khed, Ambegaon started using sprinklers to opti- and are hilly and inac- mise the use of water stored in the Buldhana 330 206 15.24 Tcessible. The precipitation nalla. Khed Agriculture Officer Washim 200 68 3.33 here is quite good, but, as there are Laxman Hotkar said that the work Yavatmal 413 46 5.46 no ways to store rainwater, the has enabled the farmers to take up region faces water scarcity. An maximum crops. Nagpur 313 134 0.06 excellent remedial measure is now Besides Vafgaon nalla deepen- Bhandara 86 86 0 set to change the situation. ing, around 12-13 works under Gondia 94 52 5.03 In Khed and Ambegaon, the Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan are in Jalyukta Shivar Committees of progress at various villages in Chandrapur 218 30 0 administration have Khed. Sub-divisional Officer Him- Gadchiroli 152 58 0.69 planned to store every drop of matrao Kharade said that eight Wardha 214 24 0.57 rainwater. One of the works is the works are in progress through cor- Pune 198 159 21.31 cement nalla bund- porate social ing on a stream at responsibility funds In Khed and Satara 215 153 4.81 Vafgaon in Khed. from various com- Ambegaon taluka Sangli 141 93 1.78 Earlier, the height of panies. ofPune, Jalyukta the dam was 1 m, Solapur 280 280 27.3 Shivar Committees but with deepening Staff adopts ofthe district Kolhapur 69 69 0.0005 and widening, it has a village; donates administration 26 0 0 become 3 m deep a day’s salary have planned and around 160 m Following State’s Palghar 50 25 0.0528 to store every drop wide. The work has vision of a drought- ofrainwater Raigad 45 1 0.5943 increased the capac- free Maharashtra, and enable the Ratnagiri 47 47 0.0003 ity of the dam to Jalyukta Shivar farmers to take up store water tremen- Abhiyan has got Sindhudurg 35 9 0.0705 more crops dously. support from vari- Aurangabad 228 135 18.11 The water level ous sections of soci- Jalna 209 90 3.8 in the wells nearby has increased ety. All the Government Beed 271 22 5.66 and the moisture in the soil has officers and staff of Baramati divi- Parbhani 170 115 7.4 been maintained. The water level sion have adopted Sonawadi–Supe in the adjoining agricultural village under the flagship pro- Hingoli 124 34 4.22 has also been enhanced. gramme. The officials have Nanded 261 85 15.97 With the new work done under deposited a day’s salary for under- Latur 202 162 47.85 Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan, even if taking water conservation works in rains are absent, the farmers will the village. The initiative has Osmanabad 217 130 10.48 be able to sustain their crops. proved to be an example of the Total 6202 3993 253.9311 Some of the farmers have already social commitment of the officials.

1 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 11 COVER STORY JALYUKTA SHIVAR

RAJASTHAN TO EMULATE JALYUKTA SHIVAR alyukta Shivar Abhiyan has become a peo- MADANI BECOMES WATER ENDOWED AND FERTILE ple’s movement in Maharashtra, and it is Jproving to be useful for irrigation and fter years of continued done through the Abhiyan. enhancement of groundwater level. The State of scarcity of drinking water, There is another success story Rajasthan will also make efforts to take up the AMadani village has finally from Madani village. Under the scheme for its drought-prone areas. The move- been endowed with a huge water Abhiyan and through the medium ment started by Maharashtra Chief Minister source due to Jalyukta Shivar of dry land farming, two cement Devendra Fadnavis with slogan, ‘Use water from Abhiyan. With the cement nalla dams have been constructed here at your village for yourself,’ is definitely going to bunding, the question of drinking a cost of `12.87 lakh and `8.40 pave the way for perennial irrigation,” said water has been resolved. Perennial lakh, respectively. The dams have Rajasthan Chief Minister, Vasundhara Raje. water is available for agriculture. helped percolation of water and Speaking at a State-level workshop on over- Even when there is no rain, water increased the water levels in farms coming water scarcity in Rajasthan, the for the crops is being made avail- nearby. Both these dams will help Rajasthan Chief Minister praised Maharashtra’s able through drip irrigation. store water to the extent of 13.05 Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan. A presentation of the Dry land farming has received a TCM and 9.01 TCM, respectively. programme was made at the event under the boon in terms of perennial irriga- Mandar Deshpande, owner of a leadership of EGS and Water Conservation tion. The villagers, who otherwise 6-acre farm, says, “Ours has always Secretary, Prabhakar Deshmukh. Osmanabad had to depend on the dam 7 km been a scarcity-affected village. District Collector Dr. Prashant Narnavare and away, now have a solution to make Acute shortage of water was a con- Collector Ashwin their village fertile. The Abhiyan has stant issue. We had to depend on presented the success stories of their districts. helped the groundwater table rise. the Borkhedi Dam nearby. With the Impressed by the presentation, Vasundhara The district has 74 farm ponds, cement nalla bunding, the water is Raje announced the decision to implement , slope dams on stored. We, the farmers, are going Maharashtra’s pattern of Jalyukta Shivar 12,360 ha, 77 dams, 97 km of nalla to be the beneficiaries.” Abhiyan in Rajasthan as well. deepening and other works being —Shyam Tarke, Wardha are complete. With 164 mm rainfall in the district Perennial Abhiyan, as Kivalwas considered drought prone. in June, the works have collected lakhs of litres of water helps in The average precipitation here is 615 mm. With a water, solving the problems of irrigation and irrigation, geographical area of 1,704 hectares, the village drinking water permanently. This shows the enhances does not have any large irrigation scheme. success of Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan. groundwater level and JALNA SATARA maintains soil Jalna district has found Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan Kival village, located in the east of Karad taluka in moisture. The quite usefulfor overcoming the problemof Satara district, has achieved freedom from integrated inadequate rain by bringing in maximum land drought. A beneficiary of the Jalyukta Shivar effect of these under irrigation. A total of 212 villages were Abhiyan, its main stream and Lendori stream lead to better selected from the district in the first phase and a were joined under the programme, benefitting 180 production large number of works were undertaken. About hectares of land. It is a huge success for the 2,000 works were completed.

12 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 FOREIGN VISIT USA “NO RED TAPE, BUT RED CARPET FOR INVESTORS IN MAHARASHTRA” “In the United States, I found a lot of enthusiasm about India’s growth story. It is a matter of great pride that a large number of people from Maharashtra head several big US companies. We managed to secure investments worth `8,000 crorethat would generate70,000 jobs in our State,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while speaking to Lokmat after returning from his US tour. He explained the purpose of the visit and the gains it brought the State. Excerpts from his interview to Dinkar Raikar, Group Editor, Lokmat:

(From left)Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with Mike Manley, President and CEO, Jeep Brand, FCA-Global in Detroit and Raymond Conner, CEO, Boeing, and at the Google facility in San Francisco with Minister for Industries, Subhash Desai

Q. Please share with us the objective of your Our objective Q. What efforts have you made to recent visit to the United States. is that attract foreign investors to the Maharashtra A. Prime Minister has created an must bethefirst State? atmosphere of curiosity and enthusiasm about choicefor investors A. In a State with 11 crore population, India throughout the world. During his overseas when they come to there are 5 crore tech-savvy youth below tours, he has been telling the world how great an India. I went to the US the age of 25. Agriculture cannot be investment destination India is. This has had a as a brand ambass- their means of livelihood, and there is positive impact, as now industrialists and ador of theState,and no indication that they will turn to entrepreneurs from all over the world are desirous have succeeded farming. They need value-added work. in achieving the goal” of investing in India. Our objective is that when My aim is to secure jobs for them. For they come to India, Maharashtra must be their that, I believe that foreign investment is first choice. To achieve this, I undertookthe US the best way. Large-scale employment would be generated through such trip as a brand ambassador of the State, and I have an investment. I am confident that the MoUs signed with the US succeeded greatly in achieving the goal. companies would create more than 70,000 jobs.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 13 FOREIGN VISIT USA

(Clockwise from top) Devendra Fadnavis with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at Microsoft office in Seattle, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in New York, Operations and Technology Head of Citibank, P. Jagdish Rao, and with Minister for Industries Subhash Desai at 17th biennial convention of Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal

Q. Share your experience of the US visit. We want overhauling the administrative set-up What kind of atmosphere prevails there? to usher in a and reducing red tapism. A. In the United States, I found a lot of enthusiasm culture of about India’s growth story. The one-party rule in rolling out the red Q. Which US companiesare keen to carpet for investors India has raised the hopes of Indians there, in the State. We have invest in Maharashtra? particularly people from Maharashtra, who want done away with A. American company Blackstone alone the country to progress. I tried to capitalise on license and permit raj has signed an MoUwith us worth `4,500 their positive feelings for the progress of the State. for industries and crore. This will include an investment of It is a matter of pride that a large number of people many in the UShave `750 crore in EON Free Zone SEZ, C from Maharashtra head several big US companies. appreciated that” `1,200 crore in Hinjewadi Pune, `1,500 They support our efforts and are Maharashtra’s crore in IT Park in Central Mumbai and brand ambassadors. We have introduced the `1,050 crore in other IT parks in Mumbai. This in turn would help in concept of Make in Maharashtra as part of Make in creating approximately 50,000 jobs. Coca Cola would invest `500 crore India campaign and have successfully projected in Lote Parshuram (Chiplun). Managing Director of Citibank, Jagdish the State as the powerhouse and a great Rao said the bank would expand its network in the State and thereby investment destination of India. create 4,000 jobs for youth. Chrysler plans to double its production capacity Make in India is not just a slogan, but a wider at its Rajangaon facility by 2018. General Motors too plans to make a huge public movement. There is a huge shortage of investment. With the commencement of Digital India programme in the skilled manpower globally, and we need to impart country, the State has taken an initiative to make Maharashtra, especially quality education and training to make our youth Nagpur, a smart city. For that, the State Government has signed an MoU eligible for skilled jobs all across the globe. We are with well-known networking company, Cisco.

14 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M DISCUSSIONS AND DEALS  SUBHASH DESAI Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promoted Minister for Industries Maharashtra as an investment destination and various initiatives taken by the State “The objective Government for ease of doing business at a was to bring in meeting with US-India Business Council (USIBC) in New York. comprehensive  The meet saw the presence of Taj Hotels, industrial HSBC, Caterpillar, Cargill, Johnson & Johnson, development in KPMG, Baker & McKenzie, Citibank, New Silk Route and Pfizer. the State”  Operations & Technology Head of Citibank, P. Jagdish Rao met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The bank has 11,000 employees in he agenda for the recent tour to has decided to help us in the Smart India with branches across Maharashtra. The United States of America was to City project. Microsoft has two data company is planning another 4,000 employ- Tincrease the foreign investment centres. They have developed a spe- ment opportunities in Mumbai and Pune. in the State and thereby acceleration cialsystem for security in the State  Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met of employment generation. The and have promised to make the Mike Manley, President and CEO of Jeep Brand, efforts in this connection have been same available. FCA-Global, in Detroit. Chrysler India is successful and many multinationals The industrialists in the USA have present in Maharashtra through FIAT are eager to invest in Maharashtra. welcomed the new IT Policy Chrysler Automobiles and plans to double During the tour, meetings with announced by the State Government the production to 2.45 lakh units by 2018. various industrialists were held. An recently. Maharashtra can become  In California, Chief Minister Devendra Fad- industry conference was held with an excellent industrial State in India. navis visited technology giants, Cisco, Apple business representatives from New US has taken a lead in the IT sec- and Google. Maharashtra signed an MoU with York. The industry leaders opined tor. An important factor behind the Cisco to make Nagpur a smart city. that the start-ups should be encour- same is that youth from Maharash-  The Chief Minister encouraged start-ups aged. We explained to them that our tra are frontrunners in this field. with incubator promoters in San Francisco. new policy is set to encourage those Another factor is that USA finds it  Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis associated with start-ups. more convenient to invest in India addressed, Invest Maharashtra Roundtable Internationalcar makers, General and in Maharashtra, as the Indian in San Francisco. Motors and Chrysler have promised GDP is stable. With the steps taken to expand their operations in Maha- by the State Government for indus- rashtra. Cisco, a prominent US- trialacceleration,an environment of based multinational company confidence has been created in the dedicated to research, production American industrialexpanse. and sales of networking products, — As told to Thorat (

Q. Was there any discussion about cyber crime during the trip? A. Cyber crimes would see a spurt in future, even in Maharashtra. In fact, white collar crimes would overtake street crimes in the next ten years. Statistics say that, as on date, 40 lakh cyber attacks have been reported across the world. The situation will worsen if we do not train our Police CHIEF MINISTER SPEAKS AT BRUHAN force to trace and nab cyber criminals. Taking steps in that direction, we MAHARASHTRA MANDAL CONVENTION have secured an assurance from Microsoft Corporation for setting up a hief Minister Devendra Fadnavis smart industrial colony in the State and a cyber security centre in Pune. addressed Maharashtra Trade Besides, the company has assured all help for Maharashtra Government’s CDevelopment Conference organised by Maharashtra Mandal of Detroit and Bruhan Digital Village project. The company has also decided to adopt a tribal Maharashtra Mandal. Over 4,000 people village in district in order to provide tertiary health services. packed the Anaheim Convention Center, Cali- fornia, to attend the 17th biennial convention of the Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal, which Q. Have you made any effortsto prevent Boeing from shutting was inaugurated by the Maharashtra Chief down itsunit in Nagpur’sMIHAN project? Minister. Urging Indian Americans in the A. Boeing began a maintenance, repairs and operations (MRO) unit in audience to invest in Maharashtra, he spoke MIHAN, but faced some difficulties. Now with the work been taken over of how “India is young” and that it can provide by Air India, its marketing will be done by Boeing for which the company human to the entire world, adding that the average age of India’s population is in talks with Singapore Airlines. They are trying to involve other is only 25. “There will be a red carpet for airlines too. They are going to start a training institute in Nagpur to build investors,” he emphasised, “not red tape.” trained manpower and have started preparing courses for the programme. The spare parts required by Boeing will also be bought from India.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 15 COVER MAHARASHTRA

IN THE SHADE OF FORESTS Over 12,000 Joint Committees active under State’s afforestation programme are helping villages co-exist with forests, says Dr. Surekha Mulay

n the blissful words, “Trees and herbs from forests are of women self-help groups in JFMCs, a special action plan has our true relatives,” Sant Tukaram not only spoke about been announced and women are being given work. Through a A a human’s close relationship with the forests, but also memorandum of understanding, the work is delegated to the emphasised their unique importance in our . We groups registered with the JFMCs based on their capabilities. Ihave an ancient relationship with the forests, as well as the responsibility to protect and conserve them to maintain THE BENEFITS OF JFMC environmental balance. The same sentiment of protecting the The JFMCs are activated under Section 49 of the Mumbai forests is expected from the Joint Forest Management Gram Panchayat Act, 1958 and amendments therein. A Committees (JFMCs) established by the Government of committee is constituted in tribal habitats and padas through Maharashtra around State’s forests. Gram Sabha and the locals and padas work as members. According to the National and State Forest Policy, 33 per Generally, an area in the periphery of 3 km from Gaothan cent of the entire geographical area of the Nation should be (village site) is selected for the committee. After completion of under forest and tree cover. Maharashtra has a geographical the duties related to forest protection and conservation for area of 3,07,713 sq. km and a forest area of 61,652 sq. km, consecutive five years, a committee becomes eligible for the which makes 20.04 per cent of its total area. benefits from the forest produce. It can only receive benefit of For a successful afforestation programme, the State has bamboo production after it protects and preserves bamboo for undertaken Joint Forest Management Committees in three years on degraded land and elevated ground. cooperation with the villages in the vicinity of the forests.Atotal Out of the funds generated from the auction of construction of 12,661 JFMCs are already active in the State and 27,91,024 materials and bamboo forest products, 20 per cent of the ha of area has been transferred to them. With 25 per cent of the receipts in case of good forests and 50 per cent in case of grown members being women, the total number of the members of on degraded land and elevated ground goes to the account of these committees exceeds 26 lakh. To enhance the contribution the JFMC. The rest of the amount goes to the Government

16 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M exchequer. From the fund received, two-third is sanctioned for scientific management of forests such as fire prevention, water conservation, tree plantation and cooking gas. If an eco-tourism destination falls in the area of the committee, fee such as entrance and camera goes to the committee. Committee members and villagers are selected for facilities such as LPG connection, biogas, milk animals and nursery protection. Accordingly, LPG has been provided at concession to 26,360 beneficiaries in 2012-13 and 8,873 beneficiaries in 2013-14 under the State tribal remedial measures. Every family dependent on firewood from forests requires around 1 tonne fuel in a year. Under the LPG scheme, 35,233 tribal families have been provided connections, reducing the burden on forests. The JFMCs have been recognised under the Maharashtra Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. To improve their working and develop a competitive spirit among them, Sant Tukaram Vanagram scheme has been initiated. materials are carried out through these funds. The fund is also being used to provide employment to local population. The FRIENDS OF THE FORESTS committee in Kurkheda is creating awareness about forests The JFMC at Gothangaon, taluka Kurkheda, district through concepts such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj era Gadchiroli, was established in 2008. Under the Maharashtra water storage systems, computer cell and library in the school, Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, it undertook the work rope making, creation of a garden and others. of recreation of a nursery in 2012. With the funds received, the committee implemented the recreation and comprehensive PROHIBITION OF GRAZING, AXE AND POACHING afforestation in the area of 35 ha. It was successful in keeping The JFMC at Dhawadewadi, district Ahmednagar was alive more than 75 per cent of the . established in 2008. The forest area under the committee is The committee also undertook works of nalla bunding 39.84 ha. In this area, various works have been undertaken. and creation of a new forest lake under the EGS. It created The Gram Sabha has passed a resolution for grazing, axe and groups of men and women, who kept a vigil on the forests poaching prohibition and is implementing the same vigorously. to prohibit illegal tree cutting. Besides protection While undertaking works such as soil and water from fire, prohibition of encroachments on forest conservation, protection of forest from fires and lands and illegal grazing were given prohibiting encroachments, the committee has preference. A vigilance team regularly About 25 per cent protected the as well. It undertook inspects the water bodies in the forests, of 26 lakh JCMF cleanliness of the village and construction which has helped in prohibiting wildlife members in the of water bodies for animals. Tree poaching. The committee has created State are women. To plantation has been carried out on both two lakes, one each for wildlife and enhance the sides of the road from Dhawadewadi to birds. Two cement tanks have been contribution of women Shidoleshwar Temple. There is built in the forest through shramdaan self-help groups in cooperation from villagers in all these committees, (contribution of the people), and a special action plan these efforts, and people have locals make water available in these has been announced increased use of non-forest fuels. for animals. and women are being The village now has a number of biogas Extending the area of the forest lake, given work plants and people use cow-dung flakes as repairs of old lakes, counting of gum and optional fuel. The roads in the village are lit by fruit trees, water reservoirs at the base of Moh CFL lamps and 95 per cent of the villagers have tree and other works have been undertaken by the their own toilets. JFMCs. People participate in large numbers in general meetings, shramdaan, forest protection, awareness campaign A BAMBOO FOREST IN NIMJI and during visits of dignitaries. People now prefer non-forest Nimji village, in Kalmeshwar taluka, district Nagpur, got a fuel options. JFMC in 2002. With the help of the villagers, to date, it has Funds have been made available for agarbatti project, planted 27,500 trees on 25 ha. It has been successful in Palas Plate project, fly ash project and minor forest produce. keeping 80 per cent of the plants alive. Out of these, the Works such as repairs, construction and purchase of raw percentage of bamboo plants is around 60-70 per cent.

1 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 17 FOREST COVER MAHARASHTRA

large number of students and villagers participate in the same. R With the emerging possibility of horticulture, the villagers collect funds according to the produce and use the same for the development of the village.

GREEN SHIVAJINAGAR An absolutely green village, Shivajinagar is located in Madangad taluka of Ratnagiri. The JFMC here has 86.55 ha of forest land under its control. Under natural recycling, in 2013- 14, a nursery was established here on 25 ha. Out of the trees planted, 85 per cent are still alive. The villagers have con- structed stone and mud dams on nallas and streams. This has stopped soil erosion. Water storage has also been created. As the joint vigilance teams of committee members, forest staff and villagers patrol the area, cases of encroachments and illegal tree cutting have reduced. A fire- resistant strip around the forest area has been created with The committee has carried out soil and water conservation shramdaan. Illegal grazing is totally prohibited here. To activities at the nalla flowing through the nursery by reduce the stress on the forest, measures such as biogas, construction of a drain. During summer, trenches are taken in LPG and use of non-conventional sources have been the nalla so that water is available for wildlife. Due to grazing taken. Various competitions for forest protection and and axe prohibition, illegal tree cutting has been stopped. The conservation are arranged. With enhanced employment sand theft has also come to a halt for the last six-seven years opportunities through Bachat Gat, the committee is on the and the number of wild animals has also increased. Due to path of village development. regular remedial measures undertaken for prohibition of fire, there has not been a single incidence of fire in last few years. OPPORTUNITIES FORESTS GIVE There is also no encroachment in the forest. A village is with people, people come with animals, with A unique feature in the village is the permission for animals comes the need of fodder, and this fodder becomes a grazing, which is allowed in the reserved forest area. The stress for the forest. The usual scene was changed by village villagers construct three to four water bodies during summer Tidka in Morgaon Arjuni taluka in Gondia district. The JFMC for wild animals. The committee and locals also carry here has 50 ha reserve forest. It has a bamboo nursery, out the work of watering the nursery. Two forest built 100 stone dams and undertaken repairs dams have been built with shramdaan. through shramdaan. There has not been a There is a total ban on manufacturing and The committees single forest crime or case of illegal tree sale of liquor in the village. The carry out soil cutting. The committee has carried out committee and people participate in and water conservation the work of fire line of 8 km. events such as Forest Festival, World activities throughout As the committee instructed Environment Day, Vasundhara Day, the villages. Due villagers to cut grass from 50 ha of Wildlife Week and others. to prohibition of nursery, the danger of fire has grazing and axe, illegal reduced. There has been no STONE DAM FACILITATES tree cutting has encroachment in the forest Set up in 2003, the JFMC at Buchkewadi been stopped. The sand during last eight years. Instead of in Junnar taluka, district Pune, has theft has also come to depending on the forest, fodder is being resolved the issue of drinking water and a halt in many of produced on the periphery of the fields and the areas agriculture by constructing stone dams. The barren lands. With plantation of other grass committee has been successful in keeping 70 varieties, the grazing stress on the forest has per cent of trees in the nursery alive. To protect the reduced. The committee has also built water bodies forest from illegal cutting of trees, the farmers have taken and planted various species of trees along both sides of the responsibility of the forest areas connected to their fields. the road. The work of their upkeep is being carried out The committee has a fire prevention team in readiness. Its through shramdaan. Public participation has been members and villagers use mobile phones for information on impressive, and 19 families in the villages have biogas, 57 forest fire. Thirteen people from the village have been given families have electric stoves, and other families use cow dung milk-yielding animals. The committee arranges comprehensive flakes as fuel. The committee now intends to prepare the awareness programme for prohibition of wildlife poaching and saplings through women self-help groups.

18 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 RETENTION OF MOISTURE A FOREST PROTECTION FORCE This is the story of Dongargaon in Sindewahi taluka, district The JFMC at Shekapur village in taluka and district Buldana Chandrapur. The JFMC here was established in 2001. It organised planned cutting of trees during tree recycling at 50 undertook loose boulder structure works on 196.26 ha of forest ha. The trees thus blossomed beautifully and the landscape is area. Due to stone dams, the moisture was retained and now green. Its groundwater level has increased with six mud villagers were able to go for Rabbi harvesting. Through Zilla nalla bunding in the forest area. The water level in wells and Parishad School and villagers, 300 trees were planted in the bore wells has also increased, helping agriculture. Prohibition village, out of which 91 per cent are alive. Groups of seven to of illegal tree cutting and grazing has improved the growth of eight people from the village patrol the forest area. forest plants. There is regular patrolling by villagers This has been useful in controlling tree cutting, and committee members and there has not been poaching, fire, encroachments and illegal any incident of encroachment on forest land. activities. There are two lakes and four To recognise The three natural water bodies in the forest streams along the village. The lakes have conservation area have been repaired through water throughout the year, which measures such as tree shramdaan, making water available for benefits the wildlife and birds. Beauti- plantation and wildlife and birds. fication of squares and patrolling individuals and The specialty of the village is the forests through shramdaan are novel institutions carrying participation of every villager in ideas implemented here. out meritorious the protection of the forest. The work, Chhatrapati women tour the village to PENDHARI GETS RECOGNITION Shivaji Maharaj spread awareness about smoke- The JFMC at Pendhari in Murbad taluka Vanashree Award is less stoves and help construct one for in was established in 2011. given every year every family. For reducing the stress on The forest area under this committee is forests, the committee members have made 213.32 ha. A nursery has been created in 30 ha. available optional equipment. The funds With excellent work carried out from top to bottom received for prohibition of forest fire was in terms of nalla bunding, forest lake and chain dams, transferred to the village development department, the ground and well water levels have increased in the village. which then created the grazing area and custard apple There has not been a single forest crime reported in the village. farm. The committee has helped bring new concepts such as The village has undertaken the fire line around the forest blood donation camps, custard apple seed plantation, management area of the committee through shramdaan. There horticulture and sericulture to the village. has not been any encroachment on the forest land since 2007. There is prohibition of grazing and poaching in the area. The A NURSERY ACCELERATES AFFORESTATION wildlife is provided water through water bodies. There is a Mauje Chorjavala is a village in taluka and district Hingoli. T forest dam in the area of the village. Through shramdaan,the The JFMC here was established in 2013. Its total forest area committee has also cleaned a drinking water well. A curved is 61.512 ha. During the rainy season of 2011, a total of dam has been built so that do not enter the village. 22,460 saplings were planted on 20.40 ha. In 2012, through Gram Panchayat, three nurseries were made. A total of 1.5 lakh saplings were distributed to 73 Gram Panchayats. Under the soil and water conservation programme, a total of five forest dams were constructed and a fire line was taken around the area. There is no encroachment on the forest lands. Grazing is prohibited. Dams have been built through shramdaan for making water available to animals. A tree plantation drive was also undertaken and 115 tree guards were fitted. The trees here are being watered through drip irrigation.

THE VANASHREE AWARD To recognise conservation measures such as tree plantation and individuals and institutions carrying out the meritorious environment-friendly work, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vanashree Award is given every year. Another category of awards, Vrikshmitra, are bestowed to encourage private institutions to take part in tree plantation.

1 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 19 IN PERSON STATE CABINET MINISTER

“We need Protection and development of forests in the State is now a priority of the Government of Maharashtra, says Minister for Forests, to believe that Sudhir Mungantiwar. The senior minister, who also has the charge of departments of Finance and Planning, underlines the importance of Joint Forest Management Committees forests in the complete development of forests. In an interview with Dr. Surekha Mulay, he talks belong to about the various initiatives taken by his department for the forest cover each one of us” in Maharashtra. Excerpts:

Q. One can estimate your dedication to forest develop- mentthrough your words. Whatwould you say? A. According to the National and State Forest Policy, 33 per cent of the entire geographical area of the Nation should be under forests. We have about 13-14 per cent dense forest and the total forest area with us is around 20 per cent. Therefore, I, as the State Forest Minister, have taken steps that are needed. As the Revenue Minister, I saw to it that substantial financial provisions were made to the forests through the State budget. The provision will be to the tune of `550 crore— more than double the usual provision. Around 27,000-28,000 forest officials and Indian Forest Service officers protect these forests. We are now providing scientific training in forest conservation and expansion. We are also opening a new forest academy at Chandrapur. We have established Joint Forest Management Committees in

death due to an attack by a wild animal, the compensation to “A HUGE EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL IS AVAILABLE IN THE the family is `8 lakh. This is highest in India. We have also STATE THROUGH BAMBOO. increased the compensation for losses incurred due to wild SHYAMAPRASAD MUKHERJEE JAN animal attacks on agriculture and horticulture. VAN SCHEME WILL GENERATE Considering that people go to forests to collect firewood EMPLOYMENT IN VILLAGES ON THE and get attacked by wild animals, we have provided 64,609 PERIPHERY OF FORESTS” gas connections with subsidy.Another important decision is Bamboo Mission. A huge employment potential is available in Maharashtra through bamboo. To accomplish this, we around 12,556 villages. These committees work for the brought in Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Jan Van Scheme protection of forests near the village. At some places, we have in the Budget. The scheme will encourage employment provided ownership rights of bamboo and tendu leaves to generation in villages on the periphery of forests, making tribal people. Now, we are setting up a federation, which will them Vanagrams (forest villages). Tendu leaves bring collect and sell forest products. revenue of around `150 crore to the State exchequer. We distribute the entire amount to tribal people and tendu Q. What are the steps taken for wildlife protection? leaves collectors. Part of this is paid as labour charges and A. Protection of wildlife and stopping illegal hunting are the rest as bonus. important issues for us. We have provided weapon licenses to Forest Officers and wireless sets to tiger projects. Special Q. Tell us aboutthe forestacademy and Bamboo Police Force has been created in some tiger projects. The Research and Training Centre. compensation provided to the wounded or dead person in case A. Bamboo is a fast-growth grass species. Around 160-167 of a man—animal conflict also have been increased. In case of products can be produced from bamboo; 40 per cent of

20 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M “WITH 1,500 SPECIES OF TREES, 800 SPECIES OF FLOWERING TREES, 170 SPECIES OF BUTTERFLIES AND 45 SPECIES OF MAMMALS, SANJAY GANDHI NATIONAL PARK HAS A HUGE DIVERSITY ON SHOW”

population of around 3.5 crore. With 1,500 species of trees, e 800 species of flowering trees, 170 species of butterflies, 45 species of mammals and 43 species of crawling animals, this park has a huge diversity on show. However, we have not been able to provide an international identity to this precious forest estate. Mumbai International Airport receives 40 per cent of tourists from world over and 32 per cent of them move further to other tourist destinations within 24 hours. We have not been able to entice them to the nearest Sanjay Gandhi National Park. We have made a Budget provision of `191 crore for the National Park, Tadoba and Gorewada Zoo. We are going to work with zeal to provide these three destinations their legitimate international status.

Q. You plan to develop a botanical garden at Ballarpur and are interested in developing Sindhudurg as a tourist destination. A. The botanical garden at Ballarpur will be developed on the lines of Bengaluru, as we have 97 ha land available there. Students must know about species, their uses and importance of forest wealth. At Sindhudurg, we are developing a sea world. Forest and Revenue departments have lands in d building materials can be created from bamboo; and bamboo every district. We are going to implement the concept of provides excellent wood. However, we did not have a bamboo Nakshtra Garden in Sindhudurg. Directorate of Social policy. We sanctioned the same in December 2014. Under Forestry is now merged with the Forest Department. Through this, we will offer scientific training for bamboo plantation. this, we are creating a high-tech nursery in every district. About 90 per cent of the bamboo production in Maha- rashtra is concentrated at Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Q. What precautions have been taken to stop wildlife Melghat. We are setting up a centre at Chichpalli, a village in poaching? Chandrapur. With financial assistance from the Union A. The struggle between man and wildlife is on the rise due Government, the centre will provide training on scientific to increasing urbanisation. To address this, we thought to plantation of bamboo, creative product design, machine have an authority similar to that of Indian Board of operation and skills for marketing bamboo products. The Wildlife. The body will enable proper care of animals. Joint registration of bamboo workers, which was closed since 1997, Forest Management Committees are proving effective in has begun, and we have also exempted the workers from avoiding tiger poaching. If these report any suspicious taxes. Except two species of bamboo, the farmers will not need activities to the Forest Department, we award them. We any transit pass for bamboo transportation now. have surveillance cameras at some places. We have established a special Tiger Protection Force. This takes care Q. What efforts are being made to encourage young of tiger poaching. We are making efforts to improve green generation for nature tourism? belts not only in the forests, but also in other areas. Nature A. We plan to establish Nisarg Paryatan Vikas Mandal, to paths and footpaths are being considered. I wish to approach promote tourism in forest areas, conservation of biodiversity corporate houses for CSRfunds for this initiative. But the and improve livelihood of locals. Sanjay Gandhi National most important factor to make the mission successful is Park is the only park, located in the midst of an urban public participation.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 21 AGRARIAN CRISIS RELIEF MEASURES “Loan waiver is not a solution” Committed to bring relief to the farmers of drought-affected districts, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shares the key steps planned by the Government

nvestment in agriculture is essential for the perennial development of the sector in the State, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while addressing the Maharashtra LegislativeI Assembly recently. For this, the State Government has planned to spend `5,000 crore each year for the next five years. The fund, only to be spent on agriculture, will be raised through additional taxes, if necessary, he added. In the new initiatives launched to bring relief to the farmers going through agrarian crisis in Maharashtra, the State Government plans to provide food security to the suicide-affected districts and farmers of Vidarbha and Marath- wada. The districts are Wardha, Amravati, Yavat- mal, Akola, Buldhana, Washim, Aurangabad, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli, Latur and Osmanabad. The farmers will be provided wheat at the rate of `2 per kg and rice at the rate of `3 per kg. The Government has also decided to bear the total cost of education for the children of farmers, who been provided connections since November 2014. a have committed suicide. The farmers will be Target for other deferred connections will be The four provided medical benefits under Rajiv Gandhi completed by March 2016. Out of 1.66 lakh paid committees Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana, for which all the pending pumps in the State, 93,216 are from appointed to find requirements will be relaxed and additional Vidarbha and Marathwada. This is adding to reasons and premium will be paid by the Government. More farmers’ difficulties, and there is a demand for 1 remedial measures in connection with hospitals in these districts will be brought under lakh more pumps. To fulfill this, the State farmer suicides the purview of the welfare scheme; medical Government plans to organise special campaign suggest loan specialists will be appointed on contract basis in the for electrification. availability, district hospitals and free treatment will be given As irrigation facilities in dry land farming areas irrigation facilities, to the farmer families. are limited, services will be provided on rental basis health services, These new initiatives also cover the important to small farmer groups registered under Jalyukta food security, allied businesses aspect of irrigation, as the State Government plans Shivar Abhiyan in the selected 5,000 villages. and marketing to to build 1.5 lakh farm ponds in the next three years Under this, five diesel pumps complete with be provided to across the drought-affected districts. One lakh wells pipelines and portable sprinklers will be provided farmers to will be created at the rate of 35,000 per year. Under in each village. This will provide employment overcome the assured irrigation facilities, 8,000 Dhadak/ opportunities to 25,000 youth and help in increased the ongoing Jawahar wells will be completed. The fund allocated agriculture production on 17.50 lakh ha of land in agrarian crisis to water conservation has been increased from `800 a month. This will be achieved with an expenditure crore to `2,200 crore. More than 47,000 agricultural of `138 crore for 5,000 villages. pumps of the farmers in these 14 districts have In case there is not enough rainfall in these

22 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M needs self-evaluation,” he added. The Chief Minister underlined that loan waivers also lead to wrongdoings, with cases reported of eligible beneficiaries being deprived of waivers, debt-ridden institutes benefitted instead of eligible beneficiaries, wrong methods of loan waiver adopted, and banks gaining dual benefits out of the waiver. “The four committees appointed to find reasons and remedial measures in connection with farmer suicides suggest loan availability, irrigation facilities, health services, food security, allied businesses and marketing as essential services to be provided to farmers,” he added. In order to provide farmers freedom from the debt trap, Maharashtra Government has already taken a decision of conversion of crop loans to the tune of `6,000 crore to 20 lakh farmers from 25,064 villages. All the banks have been instructed to disburse loan to farmers immediately. Post these instructions, loan disbursement to the extent of `17,317 crore to 30 lakh farmers by June 2015 was done. The institutional loans available to State’s farmers from cooperative sector have been adversely affected. The Government aims to strengthen the network of cooperative societies so that farmers get institutional loans. Freedom from loans will be considered after the farmer becomes empowered. To provide appropriate price for agriculture produce, a strong marketing system will be put in place. Efforts will also be made to get guaranteed rates for milk. The State Government is following up the matter with the areas, farmers will be helped with repeat sowing Government of India. SALIENT POINTS assistance at the rate of `1,500 per ha. For this, the The State Government plans to make efforts to  A programme State Government is expected to spend 360 crore. establish agriculture-based industries on a large ` worth `25,000 Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, an crore announced scale. Textile parks will be established at the nine amount of `25 crore has been provided for fodder for agriculture cotton-producing districts of the State. Efforts will development in next crops. A contingency plan has been prepared five years also be made to build an international standard, considering the anxiety among people about rains export-oriented mango processing plant in  Food security in the State. The Government will also encourage to be provided collaboration with Jain Irrigation and Konkan ancillaries, and aims to spend `100 crore for poultry to 22 lakh farmers Krishi Vidyapeeth. in 14 suicide-prone farming on contract basis in the 14 districts. districts Sugar Mills will be provided a loan of `2,000 In his address, the Chief Minister made it clear crore, as per Union Government’s package for  Free education that the Government does not see loan waiver as a for the children sugarcane fair and remunerative price (FRP). The solution to the ongoing agrarian crisis in the State. of farmers who have State Government will bear the interest of “There is no history of farmers being benefited on committed suicide the loan for next four years to the extent of a large scale through loan waivers, as farmer  Substantial `400 crore. Six products have been brought to provision for medical suicides have increased in the State despite loan treatment of farmers the value chain so far to do away with the waivers. Even if given, the benefits can only go  Crash programme uncertainties of agriculture. In the last eight to one-third of the farmers in Vidarbha and half for 1.5 lakh farm months, the Government has helped 1.03 crore of the farmers in Marathwada. Once there is ponds and 1 lakh farmers to the extent of more than `7,000 crore. wells in the drought freedom from the loan, the farmer again gets debt- affected districts Out of this, `4,785 crore has been transferred to ridden within six years. The concept of loan waiver them directly through banks.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 23 FACE-TO-FACE STATE CABINET MINISTER “Abundant food u grains for everyone is our objective”

The State Government has taken proactive steps that are in the Government has taken decisions that are in the interest of people. Girish Bapat, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies interest of people, especially farmers, contributing and Consumer Protection, Food and Drugs Administration and to development and enhanced productivity. In connection with food and civil supplies, I can Parliamentary Affairs, in an interview with Surendra Pataskar, share that my Department has taken total care to senior journalist, Daily Sakal, Pune, shares his views on the see that no one in the State is deprived of food. We Government’s journey so far and the direction it plans to take have taken up works such as threshold delivery in next five years. Excerpts from the interview: system, biometric system, tracking of food grain transport, updated lists of beneficiaries, computeri- sation of ration cards, construction of warehouses Q. The State Government has initiated plans and others. All these will be streamlined during the for the people. You are at the helm of affairs at next seven to eight months. important departments suchas food and civil supplies. What has been your experience? Q. What are the measures taken for taking A. After forming the government, we initiated ration food grains to needy people? policies, and have adhered to them in the journey A. All warehouses—from Food Corporation of we began late last year. There are obstacles on the India to taluka-level entities—will be connected path, but we are sure to overcome them. The State through computerisation. GPSsystem will also be

24 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 used. This will, in turn, control the wrongdoings Central laws governing pharmaceuticals, Para 272 during transportation of food grains. The process to 276 convey the rights to modify them to the of computerisation of ration cards is also going on. States. Such modifications will be carried out and f Hence, all double entries will be deleted and a placed before the Legislature. A modified version of proper list will be available. With computerisation the same will then be sent to the Centre for of all the offices involved in distribution, food ratification. This will ensure proper imple- grains will reach the beneficiaries. mentation of prohibition of gutkha sales.

Q. Incidents of black marketing of food grains Q. You are the Chairman of PMRDA. There are have been reported. How do you plan to All issues such as that of traffic and those related control these? warehouses, to IT sector and unauthorised construction. A. Earlier, the distribution system of food grains from Food How will you overcome these challenges? and entries for the same was manual. Hence, Corporation of We have started to draft a development plan for India to A. practices such as over-writings and changing of taluka-level Pune under the Pune Metropolitan Development registers existed. Now, the whole system is being entities, will be Authority (PMRDA). It will take around one year. computerised. With this, the entries of distributing connected I would be proposing the expansion of limits of food grains will be noted on the main office servers. through PMRDA, as the present limit was set about 15 No one will be able to change these entries. computer years ago. We have seen a setback of around 18 GPS system Kerosene tankers will be fitted with GPSsystem, years. We have to overcome this lag and plan for facilitating their tracking. Ration cards will be the next 18 years. Adequate funds will be made linked to Aadhar Cards. Now, the system has available for this. The development will be secured changed. Corruption will also be terminated and through PPP or BOT options. While doing this, we hoarders will be tried under Maharashtra Control plan to take both Pune and Pimpri–Chinchwad of Organised Crimes (MCOCA). Municipal Corporations with us. Construction regulations are being formulated Q. The laboratories for checking adulteration in a new way. All the constructions within a were made in 1980s. The Government has We have taken perimeter of 10 km of large cities must adhere to announced to improve these and to increase up works like development control (DC) rules. Only those con- their number. What is the progress on this? threshold delivery structions adhering to these rules will be permitted. A. The Union Government has launched a and biometric As a policy, we shall not tolerate unauthorised con- programme for this, and we are receiving funds as system, tracking struction on Government land. We will eliminate food grains, well. However, new recruitment exercise was not computerisation them. Pune will soon have metro and will definitely undertaken after the staff in these labs retired. of ration cards and see a planned development. New posts will have to be sanctioned for construction of establishing new labs. We have begun work on warehouses, etc Q. What is the development plan for Pune this. It takes around 18 to 24 months for setting up over next five years? a new laboratory. Inspection system and laboratory A. In next six months, we will prepare the PMRDA establishment have been prioritised. We are also plan and Pune metro will be on stream. We will looking at mobile laboratories, which will be strengthen the public transport plan to make Pune activated during the next year. Presently, there an ideal city, a self-sufficient city, a green city, a

are laboratories at Nagpur and Aurangabad. We clean city and a safe city. have a policy for a laboratory on divisional basis. This will be implemented soon. Q. There is an issue of generic drugs not All the constructions being available. What are you doing about it? Q. Even after prohibition, hidden sale of within 10 km of A. Doctors are expected to prescribe generic drugs gutkha continues. How do you plan to large cities must to their patients. This does not seem to happen Q control this? adhere to DC always. My Department plans to start 300 shops A. We are appointing flying squads for the work. Rules. Only those of generic medicines at the taluka-level. The list of Called Vigilance Squad, each of these squads will constructions generic medicines has 243 drugs at present. This adhering to have 25 members. If we act under IPC 328, hidden these rules will list will improve further. A chain of generic drug sales can be controlled. We have issued instructions be permitted stores will be set up in the State. The concept is, to the Department to register non-bailable arrests basic infrastructure for these shops will be in such cases. On the other hand, we are also provided by the Government and the shops will be strengthening the concerned State Act. Out of the run by NGOs or individuals.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 25

FESTIVAL PANDHARPUR WARI

(Clockwise from above) Drenched in devotion: Pilgrims marching with flags, women devotees walk with basil plant pots on their head, a sea of people, horses believed to be carrying Gods, Lord Vitthal–Rukmini shrine, pilgrims blowing the trumpet and chanting hymns in honour of Lord Vitthal, and a ceremony during Pandharpur Wari

MARCH OF THE PILGRIMS s One of the longest pilgrimages in the world in honour of Lord Vitthal to Pandharpur is actually an out-of-the-world experience. Text and photographs by Saurabh Chatterjee

n calendar month of Ashadha (corresponding to the holy city from different quarters of the State in the to June/July in the Gregorian calendar), the holy shrine journey, which lasts for about 20 days. A total of over 40 in Pandharpur, Western Maharashtra, hosts one of palanquins of Saint Dnyaneshwar and Saint Tukaram meet in world’s longest pilgrimages. Wari, a coveted tradition in Pune and travel together further to Pandharpur. Each India,I is undertaken on the day of Ekadashi (eleventh day) of palanquin contains a set of silver images of the paduka Ashadha, when millions of devotees walk along the 450 km (sandals) of the saint. During the course of the yatra,the route from Alandi (near Pune) to Pandarpur (near Kolhapur) warkaris lead an austere life, stick to a vegetarian diet and to offer their respects to Lord Vitthal (reincarnation of Vishnu observe fast on Ekadashi. in the form of Krishna). The tradition has been preserved by Having heard so much about the pilgrimage, we decided to the pilgrims, or warkaris, for hundreds of years now. Singing participate in the Wari this year. We began with the Ringen sacred songs, the devotees carry palanquins of various saints ceremony—an important aspect of Wari, where one of the

26 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M SOULFUL HAPPINESS onsidering the congregation at Pandharpur arrives without any Cinvitation, the district administration expects greater number of people every year. This year, planning was carried out under the supervision of National Disaster Management Authority through the Incident Response System (IRS). With Solapur District Collector Tukaram Mundhe as mentor and proper planning in place, the event was a huge success. All the systems worked under a single umbrella, resulting in excellent co-ordination. Micro planning was done at the arrival and departure points of the palanquins. Emphasis was laid on repairs of roads, cleaning of paths, maintaining palanquin parking spaces, clean drinking water, health services, toilet facilities and overall cleanliness of the city. Accommodation for devotees was arranged on 429 plots, each with an area of 1,000 sq. ft. There were drinking water taps at every 100 m, toilet blocks, electrification, 24x7 health services, ambulances, fire brigade and a police control room. A State Transport Depot was also established. A team of officers from 11 departments headed by Deputy Collector Dinesh Bhalerao helped in allotting the space. The District Collector was in constant touch with the devotees. Constructed in a record time of 99 days, Vishnupad Dam on Chandrabhaga river was meant for the sacred bath of devotees. Comprehensive cleanliness activities were undertaken within the city. Traffic congestion was reduced. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed satisfaction on the arrangements done for accommodating devotees in 65 acres of land and for bathing in the river. He promised that a time-bound programme will be made so that better facilities are available to devotees next year. —Govind S. Ahankari, District Information Officer, Solapur

sacred horses is believed to carry the soul of Saint Finally, after a long wait, the ceremony started. The horses, Dnyaneshwar. The pilgrims follow the palanquin, which is led believed to carry the gods, went galloping in circles around the by their leader in a special uniform, so that he is easily crowd of people. Each man seated on the horse carried a flag. recognisable. Many men carry saffron flags. Some women carry It was an amazing sight, and continued for about half-an-hour. pots of basil (tulsi) plant on their head for the entire course of For some, it was now time to move on to the next desti- the journey. A major attraction of the Wari is the traditional nation, Pandharpur, for the final leg of the journey. For others, folk dance, Fugdi in which both men and women participate it was time to keep singing abhangs or hymns in praise of the with enthusiasm. Lord. It was evening and we were tired after spending an We saw a few devotees singing songs in the praise of Lord entire day in the hot sun. Besides, we had to take rest and keep Vitthal. They are said to belong to a nomadic tribe of ourselves ready for the real show the next day, i.e. Ekadashi. Maharashtra and roam around temples, villages and cities After reaching Pandharpur, it is customary for the singing songs of Krishna. Their distinctive hat made of warkaris to take a dip in Chandrabhaga river and visit the Lord peacock feathers and dhoti, the traditional men’s wear, made Vitthal temple. The temple witnesses huge crowds during the them stand out of the millions gathered at the venue. I was pilgrimage, and it generally takes two full days for one to get a surprised to see a person carrying his old parents on his glimpse of the Lord. Adequate arrangements by the State shoulders, in a palanquin. Wondering as to how he was able to administration this year has led to an increase in the number carry the weight of two persons on him, I recalled the saying of visitors. For us, Wari was an experience of a lifetime. The that faith can move mountains. sounds of the dance and the music still echo in our ears.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 27 INDUSTRY UPDATES MAKE IN MAHARASHTRA

M

(From left) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addresses the gathering at the inauguration of IIM Nagpur and the first batch of students at the institute

IIM Nagpur will bring laurels to the country: Chief Minister Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Make in o India come true,” he added. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he Indian Institute of Management, Commissioner, Anup Kumar, Dean, IIM that India has a large population of youth Nagpur will emerge as one of the best Ahmedabad, Prof. Ajay Pandey, and others and the country can serve the global hunger Tinstitutes of the country, said Chief were present on the occasion. for human resource. “Our youth have Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while speaking Chief Minister said that students from IITs excelled globally; our IITs and IIMs have at the inauguration function of Indian and IIMs have made India proud and he also done wonders. India is a pool of talent. Institute institute of Management, at hoped that students from IIM Nagpur too will We need to build institutions like Indian Chitnavis Centre, Nagpur. The first batch of bring laurels not only to the State, but to the Institutes of Management.” IIM Nagpur has 60 students and its first entire country. “In the globally changing sce- The Chief Minister said that it will take two session has started. Minister for Energy, New nario, we have to create more human to three years to build the infrastructure, but to and Renewable Energy and Guardian resource. If we look back, we see that the build an institution of national repute like IIM Minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, entire manufacturing cycle was based in the or IIT is a real challenge. He also said, investors Director, IIM Ahmedabad, Ashish Nanda, USA and Europe for years. But today, India has are showing positive response for investing in Principal Secretary, Higher and Technical more viable atmosphere for trained man- the State and are willing to set up industries in Education, Sanjay Chahande, Divisional power. It is time for us to make the dream of MIHAN. “It is a proud moment for us that out

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// MoU signed with Bosch for upgrading ITIs

overnment of Maharashtra has signed a Memorandum of Understanding G(MoU) with Bosch to upgrade the standards of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the State. The MoU was signed between Plant Commercial Head of Bosch, Thontesh H. B. and Prof. M. S. Chakor, Principal, Nashik ITI, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Vinod Tawde, Minister of State for Higher and Technical Education, Ravindra Waykar, Principal Secretary, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, S. S. Sandhu, Principal Secretary, Higher and Technical Education Sanjay Chahande, Deputy Secretary Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the signing of MoU between Bosch and Nashik ITI Vocational Education, R. G. Jadhav and others were present on the occasion. employment-oriented training programme Development and Growth through During the Germany tour, the Chief at 25 ITIs in Maharashtra. The company Employability Enhancement), an Minister had held discussions with Bosch also accepted to provide employment to employment-oriented programme will now officials at Hannover, following which Bosch these trained youths. Accordingly, be conducted at the ITIs in the State. accepted the proposal to conduct BRIDGE (Bosch’s Response to India’s The programme will run at 25 ITIs under a

28 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M / / / / / / / / /

/ MSMEs, an important component of State’s growth / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

/ hile granting permission to big com- countries are coming to Maharashtra.” / / / / / / /

/ panies from abroad and other States Eknath Shinde, Minister for Public Works / / / / / /

/ to set up their units in Maharashtra, (Public Undertakings) and Guardian Minister / / / /

/ W / /

/ the State Government is asking them to of Thane; Navi Mumbai Mayor, / / / / / /

/ ensure growth of micro, small and medium Sudhakar Sonawane and Chief Executive / / / / / / /

/ enterprises (MSMEs). Officer, MIDC, Bhushan Gagrani, were also / / / / / / /

/ Speaking at the inauguration of the train- present on the occasion. / / / / / /

/ Minister for Industries / / / / / / /

/ Subhash Desai said many / / / / / /

/ companies from India and / / / / / / /

/ abroad have shown interest to / / / / / / /

/ invest and set up their plants in / / / / / /

/ Maharashtra. “As per State’s new / / / / / / /

/ industrial policy, while inviting / / / / / / /

/ big industries, we do not want to / / / / / /

/ neglect the MSMEs; in fact, we / / / / / / /

/ aim to help their growth. Hence, / / / / / /

/ some conditions are laid. These / / / / / / /

/ would enable the growth of local / / / / /

( / /

/ small industries,” he said. The / / / / / /

/ Minister also said that the new / / / / / / /

of the six approved IIMs this year, IIM Nag- / industrial policy of Maharashtra / /

I / / / /

pur is the first one to open,” he said. / is pro-industry, and by scrapping / Subhash Desai, Minister for Industries, inaugurates the training / / / / /

/ centre of MIDC at Navi Mumbai

Addressing the audience, Guardian / the River Regulatory Zone / / / / / / /

Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that / Policy, the path of a number of / / / / / /

the launch of IIM Nagpur will be followed by / ing centre of Maharashtra Industrial Develop- industries has been cleared. / / / / / / /

the foundation of Central Power Research / ment Corporation (MIDC) at Mahape in Navi Speaking about smart cities, Subhash / / / / / /

Institute in Nagpur. He hoped that the latter / Mumbai, Minister for Industries, Subhash Desai said,“Business enterprises had been / / / / / / /

will play a pivotal role in promoting / Desai said,“Industries from Maharashtra are demanding land around Mumbai, Thane, / / / / / / /

non-conventional energy sources. Director, / not moving outside. In fact, industries not Pune and Nashik, and we have persuaded / / / / / /

IIM Ahmedabad, Ashish Nanda said that IIM / only from other States, but also from other them to invest even in backward areas.” / / / / / / /

Nagpur will be developed as IIM Ahmed- / / / / / /

/ ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

abad and his team will extend full co-opera- / / / / / / / /

tion to the institute. Principal Secretary, / / / / / / / /

Higher and Technical Education, Dr. Sanjay / / / / / / /

Chahande; Divisional Commissioner / / / / / / / /

Anup Kumar and Director, VNIT, Dr. Vishram / / / / / / /

Jamdar also spoke on the occasion. / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

public–private partnership (PPP) model. / / / / / / /

The MoU aims to enhance the standard / / / / / / / /

of training in ITIs and help weaker sections / / / / / / / /

and drop-outs to get into skilled jobs. / / / / / / /

Already active at ITI, Nashik, the / / / / / / / /

programme will / / / / / / /

soon start in other / / / / /

an / BRIDGE, / /

24 ITIs. The / / / /

employment- / / / /

programme will / / /

oriented / /

/ Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the signing ceremony of the MoU with General Motors /

cost 5,000 per / /

` /

programme to / / / / /

individual, out of / be conducted by / / / / / /

which, 500 will / Bosch at 25 ITIs / ` / General Motors to invest 6,400 crore in Maharashtra /

/ ` / / /

in the State, will be paid by the / / / / / / /

run under a /

candidate and the / Memorandum of Understanding was GM will invest the amount in its existing / / / /

public–private / /

rest, 4,500 will be / recently signed between the Govern- Talegaon facility in Pune for further expan- /

` / / /

partnership / / /

made available / ment of Maharashtra and General sion and to export its various models. The / / /

model / A / /

by Bosch from / Motors in presence of Chief Minister Deven- company has contributed largely to the / / / / / / /

the bank. The / dra Fadnavis. Under the agreement, the industrial growth of the State. The plant has a / / / / / / /

company / global car maker will invest an additional capacity to manufacture 1.7 lakh units annu- / / / / / /

will provide a learning kit worth 2,500 / 6,400 crore in the State. A delegation of ally, and it has invested 4,300 crore to pro- /

` / ` ` / / / / /

free for the first six batches. / General Motors led by Chief Executive Mary duce a range of cars, including Beat, Sail and / / / / / /

Under the MoU, a two-day soft skill / Barra met the Chief Minister. Minister for Spark. The company, after catering to the / / / / / / /

training programme will also be / Industries Subhash Desai, Minister of State domestic market, commenced export in / / / / / / /

implemented for the trainees, who will be / for Industries Pravin Pote, Principal Secretary, 2014with a shipment to Chile. The facility, / / / / / /

given 15 days on-the-job training and / Industries, Apurva Chandra and CEO, MIDC, built over 300 acres, had generated initial / / / / / / /

internship in various companies. / Bhushan Gagrani were also present. employment for 1,000 people.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 29 NUMBER ONE GHOLVAD CHIKOO

s

fruit and vegetable markets and goes up for sale. LAND OF THE SAPOTA Earlier, the Gholvad and Dahanu chikoo farmers had three crops of the fruit every year, in November, Besides being an ideal hideout, Gholvad has the secret April and September. Now, with environmental of India’s best chikoos, says Sameer K changes, which many blame upon the BSES’ thermal plant on the Dahanu coastline, the chikoo t is just a three-hour train ride away from season has become unpredictable. Mumbai—quiet, unassuming with its spraw- Navigator Elsewhere in the world, the chikoo is known as ling Parsi–Irani bungalows and vast chikoo Gholvad and Bordi are sapodilla. The drab, oval fruit traces its origin to orchards. The Parsis have since long gone, a located in Dahanu tehsil Central America. India is said to have got the fruit of Thane district. few settling abroad and a few giving into the bustle from Spain. The ripe fruit has rough, light-brown I GETTING THERE of cities. Gholvad, however, continues to retain its skin outside, a honey-coloured, sweet and luscious old-world charm, a place where you would want to By Air: The nearest core inside with inedible, hard-black seeds. airport is Chhatrapati get away when you need peace and of course give Shivaji Airport, Mumbai. It takes up to 12 years before a chikoo tree is into the succulent temptation of chikoos, the fruit There are no regular ready to bear fruit that can be commercially sold. that rules the region and has given it the much- flights from other major The fruit starts growing from the third year of the needed recognition on the Indian map. Indian cities to Gholvad. tree’s life, but is not fit for the table. The chikoo By Train: Gholvad is a These chikoo orchards were planted by the small station on tree is sturdy and rugged and can survive in the Iranis, many of whom cleared the grass-covered Western Railways and harshest conditions without any special care. At tracts with their bare hands when they arrived here is well connected one time, the economy of Dahanu and Gholvad a hundred or so years ago. Gholvad is on the road to to major Indian cities survived on the chikoo. Despite the environmental By Road: Gholvad is Bordi, on the coastal highway after you turn left three-hour away from changes, soil, climate and proximity to sea and from Kasa Khurd towards Dahanu. Every evening Mumbai, at 154.8 km, and mountains have favoured the growth of chikoos during the season, trainloads of chikoos depart from about five-hour away in the area. the station for Mumbai, from where it enters the from Pune, at 285.6 km Gholvad region has about 1,350 ha under

30 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M chikoo plantation. This area produces chikoo of suffered loss,” he added. At present, most of the the sapota variety, an all-season fruit. The fruits are sent individually by farmers to Vashi. production is over about 12,000 tonnes of fruits per Gholvad Right now three private companies in Dahanu year, giving a yield of 9.20 tonnes/hectare. Farmers region has about are in chikoo trading. These companies and some here receive an average rate of `12 per kg, says 1,350 ha under individual traders collect fruits and sent to Prabhakar Save, one of the founder members of chikoo plantation. Mumbai and other cities or States. Maharashtra Rajya Chikoo Utpadak Sangh This area produces Chikoo is a delicious and nutritious fruit. Rich (MRCUS) and Chikoo Utpadak Sahakari Panan chikoo of the in fructose and fibers, it is considered an instant sapota variety, an Sanstha, Bordi. all-season fruit. energy fruit. “Unfortunately, we have not Most of the farmers practice organic farming. The production is preserved it properly in the market. We need Some follow mixed practice. Pesticide spraying is over about 12,000 collective and professional approach in this almost negligible, he says. tonnes of fruits regard,” says Save. There is also a need to work on Although chikoo tolerates varied climate, it per year, giving a consumer packaging. Almost all the produce is thrives in the warm and humid climate of Gholvad. yield of 9.20 packed in bulk packages, farmers say. The rainfall is moderate and soil is well drained tonnes/hectare. Recently, small quantities of fruits were and rich in available calcium contents. And, processed as dry fruits. Consumer response has therefore, the fruit here has a special flavour. been excellent, say the farmers. Chikoo in the form Gholvad chikoo is mainly exported to Gulf of dry fruit, powder, pickle, jam, milk shake, countries, as a part of a mixed consignment, by cream are preferred by consumers. “If we market it exporters from Vashi APMC market. At present, as a health product, chikoo has bright future,” says there is a cooperative society, Gholvad–Bordi a farmer. There is a need to develop technology for Chikoo Utpadak Sahakari Panan Sanstha. bulk processing and packaging. Good sugar content Farmers here market chikoo in consumer pack of and flavour also make it ideal for wine making but 2 kg through Pune Grahak Peth. it has not been attempted so far. Chikoos have a Farmers have also tried to deliver to Delhi very short shelf life and hence, there are limitations market, but could not get good rate, he said. “We in marketing it in remote areas. tried auction, but traders took advantage and we Gholvad chikoo industry has been facing problems due to increasing production (From facing page) cost. Mechanised operations, f A chikoo tree, a establishing pruning and crate full of chikoos, Chikoo density plantation techniques/ Utsav at Bordi, models along with product chikoo delicacies, and the delicious development and processing can and nutritious fruit bring back the fading glory of on display Gholvad chikoo, say experts. Since the last three years, the Kokan Bhumi Krushi Paryatan Sahakari Sanstha with assistance of MTDC has been organising Chikoo Utsav event at Bordi. This is an attempt to promote chikoo tourism and create direct marketing opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs for marketing fruits and processed products, interact with consumers and understand their expectations. The festival is also a forum to establish contacts with consumers and retailers. From a turnover of `5 lakh in the first year, the turnover has now gone up to `28 lakh. Farmers are expecting more revenues next year. Visitors are on the rise since they get to experience farm life, while getting to relax on the sprawling beaches here. Bordi is an idyllic beachfront. With the region hopeful of obtaining the Geographical Indication (GI) status soon, Gholvad is slowly but surely on its way to establishing itself as India’s chikoo destination.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 31 CULTURE CURRY SAWANTWADI CRAFT

and Ofglory heritage

The traditional Sawantwadi craft is characterised by three distinct styles and widely acclaimed for its rich repertoire of products, says Aaryanshi Mohan

n a day and age where children are occupied THE ART IS wherein coloured lacquer is applied on an object, with their tablets and smartphones, IN THE DETAILS which is turning on a lathe, and then polishing and one wonders about the toys the yester  The craft is marked buffing it by means of a kewda leaf. Second is of generations played with. Led by this by three distinct styles, painting floral borders and motifs on objects. This namely Chitrakatha, curiosity,I I grilled my mother about the toys she Temple and Ganjifa is done withwater-based moderate colours, after had as a child. After much pursuing, she finally which the object is given a finish to preserve and  The wood is coated shared her childhood stories built around the with priming made of enhance the colour. Third is painting of mytho- neatly carved, colourful horses and elephants set tamarind seed powder logical figures on the surface in the styles of in wood. The toys were bright, attractive and came for long-lasting appeal Chitrakatha, Temple and Ganjifa. The images in in a variety of shapes and sizes, she said. Much  A coating of shado (a the Chitrakatha style are bold, with a few depicting white mud paste) is different from the Chinese toys that we see on applied five times to action. The Temple style shows deities in a sitting retail shelves these days, the wooden toys were raw wood items along position. Ganjifa is more stylishand depicts the sturdy. The description was enough to drive me to with turmeric powder incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This style is especially know more about them. and then sandpapered seen in the famous Ganjifa cards made during the ( Sawantwadi, a small town in Konkan is well to rub off the bumps. 18thand 19thcenturies. Thecreativity and safety  The best-selling known for its handcrafted wooden toys. The craft toys are chess of Sawantwadi toys have made it popular both in has been in India for centuries. Sawantwadi, a sets, board games, homes as well as schools, as the art can be seen on quaint town located in the southern-most point of candlesticks, fruits and vegetables and fruits decorating the living rooms in Maharashtra, welcomed vegetables, and dolls and visual aids helping children learn. lacquerware around the late 17th and early 18thcenturies. It is actually about applying WHAT IT TAKES lacquer on wood in pleasant colours to create The technique of lacquer painting is a distinctive appeal. This craft and the quite sound. The surface of the object, community of artisans, flourished under the which is to be decorated with paintings, is patronage of the rulers of Sawantwadi. prepared by the chitaries (painters). First, they The art can be divided into three cover the object with a layer of stucco (chalk or zinc categories. First, turned lacquerware, oxide mixed with gum), which they would smoothen

32 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015

out. In the case of articles made of bamboo strips, (Clockwise from top left) A then sandpapered to rub off the bumps. Then come low wooden table with they would first cover the surface with a cotton cloth, Sawantwadi craftwork, water colouring and lacquering for sheen. sticking it down carefully and then applying the children’s toys, a home decor Alternatively, spray painting is also done. piece, foreign tourists at stucco paste. This way the painters even out the Shilpgram, an artisan at the The art of lacquer painting of Sawantwadi is in surface to create impenetrable foundations on which craft fair and kitchenware the process of revival. The new generation of colours retain their richness and glow. Pangara wood chitaries is engaged in creating all traditional craft is generally used to make these toys. This wood is objects. On the other hand, Government of not locally available anymore, making it difficult for Maharashtra is trying its best to revive the craft by people to buy it as raw material. The artisans are way of setting up Shilpgram—a craft village, then compelled to buy wood for about `7,000-8,000 where local artisans can manufacture handicrafts per cubic metre. The wet wood is left untouched for and tourists are able to see them and interact with a year before the artisans take over. A coating of the artists—and fairs to give exposure to the shado (a paste of white mud) is applied five times to various art forms from the State and help artists the raw wood items along with turmeric powder and earn a living.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 33 WANDERLUST ALIBAUG

A LOW-TIDE WALK THAT STAYED Just a stone’s throw away from Mumbai is Alibaug whose beaches make it one of the best weekend and quiet getaways, says Gouri Agtey Athale

he drive to Alibaug, undertaken soon after the monsoon, was a pleasure—thick greenery, dense forests, pools of water near the town of Pen (famous for its GaneshT idols) and lotuses blooming—amidst the landscape that is otherwise rustic and idyllic. I thought this India had all but disappeared but the out to sea. There were constant references to the last w trip reassured me that it’s still there; one just needs visit—how the town and beach had become more to take the time to go and look for it. garish and clean, respectively. After all, the beach We had visited Alibaug more than a decade ago was where we wanted to be, although the town has

(Clockwise from top left) and the family wanted to revisit it, see the changes, its own little known stories and tales. Sunset at a beach in Alibaug, recall memories of beautiful beaches and of course, The first tale centres on the name of the town tourists rejoicing on the gorge on all that catch, now that the narali pour- itself. Its original name, Kulaba, morphed into beach, old cannons at the and driving nima (signalling the end of the fury of the monsoon) Alibaug, came from a rich Bene Israel Jew who had along the seashore was over, after which fishermen take their boats orchards (baugs in Marathi, so Ali’s baug became Alibaug). Bene Israeli was a vibrant community in the past and was locally called shanivar teli (Saturday being their Sabbath). There is still a synagogue here and a lane called Israel aali. Alibaug has a strong maritime tradition not merely because it is on the coast. It was home to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s fleet, the sole Indian fleet on the western coast. Kolaba Fort was built by the Maratha leader to counter the prowess of the Siddis of Murud—Janjira, in addition to the Portuguese, Dutch and English forces. In the 18th century, it was the headquarters of , the legendary admiral of the Maratha fleet. The British and Portuguese repeatedly tried to capture this port but were unsuccessful. In 1721, Kulaba

34 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M Navigator travel time from south Mumbai to their getaway GETTING THERE homes here. We had gone with the firm intention By Air: Nearest airport is of exploring the region, and adventure led us to Mumbai 140 km By Railway: Nearest discover some of Konkan’s best kept secrets—long, railway station is Panvel white isolated beaches. The long stretches of white By Road: Mumbai- sand, coconut palms waving their fronds a good Panvel-Pen-Wadkhal-Alib aug-130 km; Mumbai- 500 m or so inland, sun shining brightly and water Panvel-Pen-Wadkhal-Kar glistening made the place appealing. le Khind-125 km, At high tide you might think there is no beach in Pune-Alibaug-150 km Alibaug. The water rushes against the concrete By Sea: There are mainly three service operators embankment that separates the sea and shore. Once extending services viz the water recedes, one witnesses the stairs of the PNP, Ajanta and Maldar. embankment looking out to the ocean and the black YOU MAY ALSO VISIT sand beneath. At some beaches south of Alibaug, Check out Kihim, a like Kihim or Naigaon, we parked in lanes close to great beach just 12 the beach and walked on a pine needle-strewn path km away which makes to the beach. Sitting on the sand, watching the tide for a great day trip. It is a great place to do some come in gradually, to later, watching it ebb away was the scene of a joint Anglo-Portuguese attack bird watching and you when the real owners of the place, the crabs and on the Marathas, being also the first-ever major can even spot some other natives crept out was a visual delight. The rare butterflies. The battle of the great , Bajirao I. The Peshwa coconut groves all along beach came alive with shells, clams and sea animals. earned his spurs here under the tutelage of Sardar the beach make for a If you are really keen on history, it’s not a very Pilaji Jadhav combined with the naval prowess of welcome respite from long journey to Janjira, where the near-impreg- Kanhoji Angre and this effectively routed the the sun. Visit Varsoli nable sea fort of the Siddis is located. Enroute, Beach, a quiet beach on Europeans. It took the British a century to venture the outskirts of Alibaug. there are other sights to be taken in. It might be another attempt on this historic fort, leaving much The sands are silvery best to go without a fixed plan, as some of the for history buffs to explore. white and the shaded lesser known, but beautiful places can make you The Kolaba Fort is located just across the casurina groves give it stop and spend some time there. Of course, it an idyllic setting. Alibaug beach on a rock jutting out into the sea, and cannot be only about the beach and the sea. There completely dominates the landscape. While the are temples and restaurants too. The cuisine here town has come down close to the black-coloured The long is distinct, with most items having coconut base. sand on the beach, the fort is accessible in low tide stretches On demand, one can get the steamed coconut- of white sand, by just walking across the sands or taking horse coconut palms jaggery stuffed dumplings, called ukadiche rides to the fort. The edifice of the fort is 900 ft long waving their modak, drowning in ghee (remember to ask for and 350 ft wide. It has 25-foot walls with 17 bastions fronds a good the ghee!) at most eateries. The best eateries are and many shrines such as the 18th-century temple 500 m or so often the small ones tucked away in homes. Ganesh Panchayatan. The low-tide walk to reach inland, sun There is a variety of options for staying here, the fort is the most memorable part of Alibaug. shining brightly depending on an individual’s budget and deals one The prospect of coming to Alibaug from south and water can swing. The one we had chosen was a cottage Mumbai is still alluring, and we took a boat trip to glistening attached to a bungalow and where we could get all Bhaucha Dhakka, the pier in south Mumbai. I make the place our meals if we gave advance notice. It was basic, have friends who travel this way cutting down appealing but clean and hospitable.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 35 WANDERLUST BEACHES KONKAN CALLING Konkan, the coastal part of Maharashtra till Goa border, boasts of many beautiful beaches. Perfect places to be with family and friends, Ganpatipule, Diveagar, Tarkarli, Harihareshwar, Sagareshwar and Shriwardhan are ideal spots for one to unwind, says Pallavi Singh

Navigator GETTING THERE By Air: The nearest airport is Kolhapur, connected to all major cities of the State By Rail: The nearest railhead is Bhoke, on the Konkan Railway, though Ratnagiri is a more convenient station. By Road: Distance between Mumbai and Ganapatipule (via Mahad) is 375 km, Pune and Ganpatipule (via Satara) is 331 km, and Kolhapur and Ganaptipule is 144 km

Ganpatipule about 400 years ago. This idol of Magh (January/February in the (thin pancakes of crushed and AN IDYLLIC GETAWAY faces towards the west unlike the Gregorian calendar) on the dried mango) and phanspoli (thin rest that face towards the east, occasion of Gauri Ganpati and pancakes of dried and crushed pproximately 375 km from establishing Ganpati as the Magh Chaturthi and in September jackfruit). Try the fish curry and south of Mumbai, in the protector of . for Ganesh Chaturthi. About 35 km kokam kadi (pink coloured ARatnagiri district along the Ganpatipule has abundant away from Ganpatipule is Jaigad digestive drink). Vegetarians can Konkan coast, lies the beautiful flora. The clean beach and golden Fort that rests on a cliff and is at the feast on a tasty fare of dal, beach of Ganpatipule. The beach sand makes it a perfect place to entrance of river Sangameshwar. vegetables made with a coconut is famous for the Ganpati idol that relax. People throng the place Ganpatipule offers a variety of base and modak—a sweetmeat sprung up from the soil here during the Hindu calendar month local delicacies such as ambapoli favoured by Lord Ganesh.

36 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 Diveagar A CLEAR-WATER BEACH pproximately 170 km south of Mumbai is Diveagar Abeach, about 15 km from Shriwardhan Taluka in . Situated here is the famous Diveagar Ganpati Temple, called Suvarna Ganesh (Golden Ganesha). According to legends, Suvarna Ganpati’s idol was buried here to save it from Arab invasion. The beautiful idol, set in southern style from Shilahar with unmatched carving, suddenly appeared in 1997. Diveagar beach, facing the Arabian Sea, is approximately 4 km long, clean, lush with wild greenery and with fewer crowds, making it a perfect place to relax and soak in the nature. It is a quieter place than Shriwardhan or Harihareshwar in the Navigator neighbourhood. The pleasant, GETTING THERE clear-water beach has options of By Air: The nearest airports water sports. The coconut are at Mumbai and Pune cultivation that runs across the By Rail: The nearest rail heads beach makes it a lovely place are Mumbai and Pune By Road: At about 4-5 hours during the sunset. The Diveagar drive from Pune and Mumbai, beach is full of life in September Diveagar is about 40 km off the around Ganesh Chaturthi. One NH17 from Mangaon. There are must visit the place for its beaches regular buses from the big cities to Shriwardhan, which is and temples, fishing villages like just 6 km from Diveagar Bharadkhol, Bagmandala beach and the nearby Fort.

Shriwardhan Navigator TOWN OF THE GETTING THERE By Air: Nearest ne of the oldest towns in airport is at Mumbai Maharashtra, Shriwardhan is By Rail: Mangaon known for its amazing railway station O on Konkan Railway is beaches. Gentle winds, soft sands the nearest and inviting waters make the place By Road: Tourists irresistible for beach lovers. The can get taxis to reach Bhats of Shriwardhan—later known the place comfortably. Visitors as Peshwas—witnessed the rise and can take regular bus fall of the Maratha Empire. services from The town has the famous Mahabaleshwar, Mumbai and Pune Shri Laxminarayan Temple, which is considered the main temple of Peshwas and built in Hoysala architecture style. The other Gentle temples in the town are of winds, soft G Kusumdevi, Somjai, Bhairavnath sands and and Jivaneshwar. inviting If one enjoys seafood, there is no waters make shortage of delicacies to sample Shriwardhan here. Adventure seekers can even irresistible to A take a small boat to the north side of the Shriwardhan bay and explore beach lovers. If a land where the Peshwas originally you relish sea resided. The Peshwa Smarak is food, this is a another interesting place to visit. place to feast

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 37 WANDERLUST BEACHES

Tarkarli depth of20 ft.The lush green institute and a number ofwater w Suru trees (Casuarina) in the sport activities such as boating, The major THE QUEEN BEACH background present a panoramic scuba diving, dolphin seeing, attraction of Tarkarli long the coastline of view. The wide river, bringing it golden rocks and snorkelling. If is the long, narrow taluka of the title ofQueen Beach of one wants to swim, but don’t stretch of beach with ASindhudurg is the beautiful Sindhudurg, beautiful sailboats know how to, there are floats pristine waters. On a beach ofTarkarli. The beach is and small settlements add to the available. One can also visit the clear day you can see located at the junction ofriver beauty ofthe beach. many forts located nearby. While Karli and Arabian Sea. On a clear Tarkarli has India’s first at Tarkarli, do make a point to the sea bed through day, one can see its seabed till a international scuba diving taste the special Malvani food a depth of 20 ft

Sagareshwar (Lord ofthe Sea) is situated on IN PRISTINE SETTINGS the beach. Well-known temples such as Redi Ganesh temple and agareshwar is an exotic Vetoba temple are other beach situated near renowned places ofworship. SVengurla in Sindhudurg Travellers make it a point to visit district. is known for the beach during sunset and this beautiful beach and cashew sunrise for an amazing view. nuts. A pristine, clean beach with Ideal for swimming, Sagareshwar white sands and deep blue water, has recreational and adventurous Sagareshwar can be accessed by activities such as snorkelling, trekking. In the north ofthe swimming, diving, water surfing beach, there is a hillock with light and parasailing. Boating and house that can give you a great fishing can also be enjoyed. view ofthe sea and small islands on it. The place also has a Navigator number ofreligious points that GETTING THERE make it more enchanting. The By Air: The nearest airport is huge stretches ofshiny silvery Dabolim Airport, Goa By Rail: For Vengurla, the sand dunes get visitors to closest railhead is Kudal Sagareshwar looking for By Road: Vengurlais 522 km outstanding travel experiences. A from Mumbai small temple ofSagareshwar

38 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 Navigator GETTING THERE By Air: The nearest airport to Tarkali is Dabolim Airport, Goa. Dabolim is well connected to many Indian cities. By Rail: The nearest railhead for Tarkarli is Kankavli, on the Konkan Railway. By Road: Malvan is 514 km away from Mumbai and 200 km from Ratnagiri

Harihareshwar A PIOUS LOCALE arihareshwar, exactly 18 km away from Shriwardhan, is a prolific tourist destination in the Konkan region. HShriwardhan and Harihareshwar are called the twin cities. Located about 130 km from Pune, Harihareshwar is circumscribed by four hills named Harihar, Harshinachal, Bramhadri and Pushpadri. It is also known as Dakshin Kashi and is quite popular among tourists. Besides its beautiful beaches, Harihareshwar is known for its temples. One of the ancient temples located here is the Shankar temple that dates back to the Pandava era. Another temple located in close proximity is of Somaja Devi. Harihareshwar temple complex is a prime attraction ofthe city and a trip to this place is not complete without a visit to the temple complex. The presiding deities in the temple are Trimurti–Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, along with with a variety offishitems and Amboli, a hill station located in the T Devi Parvati. It is customary to visit the Kal Bhairav temple kombadi vada,avada served with south ofthe Sahyadri, known for before visiting any other shrine here. The Harihareshwar temple traditional chicken curry. its amazing waterfalls. A bird opens upto a long stretch ofbeach on its northern side. Just 20 km south ofTarkarli is watchers’ paradise, Vengurla Rocks Nivati, which is famous for its fort. or the Burnt Island is an island off The fort has on sides the Nivati the coast from Malvan.The island is and Bhogwe beaches. a traditional roosting and nesting is a popular point in boating site ofthe Indian Swiftlet, the circuits from Tarkarli. edible nest swiftlet, and many About 80 km from Tarkarli is more bird species.

Navigator GETTING THERE By Air: Nearest airport is Mumbai (215 km) By Rail: Nearest railhead is Mangaon (65 km on Konkan railway) By Road: Mumbai–Harihareshw ar, 230 km via Panvel- Mangaon-Goregaon Phata on Mumbai-Goa Highway; Shriwardhan- Harihareshwar, 20 km; Bangmandala- Harihareshwar, 4 km

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 39 HERITAGE FORTS

THE GEMS OF MARATHA EMPIRE A series of annexations by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj led to fortification of Western India, paving way for a strong Maratha empire, says Dr. Sachin Vidyadhar Joshi

orts played a key role in the life of Chhatrapati Before the launch of Hindavi Swarajya campaign (around Shivaji Maharaj. The Maratha leader was born and 1645–46) by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Pune, Supe, brought up in the Fort and breathed his last Chakan and regions were the jagirs of in his capital fort of Raigad. His association with Maharaj. About 12 small river basins in the Pune region were fortsF during his lifetime brought him the title of Man of Forts. commonly called as 12 maval (a Marathi word that means However, it is to be noted that a majority of the forts he ruled west). A very small part of these was under the hold of Shahaji over once belonged to Adil Shah dynasty of Bijapur (from Maharaj. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj began annexing the 1490-1686) and Nizam Shah dynasty of Ahmednagar (from region and the forts located here. His first aggression came at 1490-1636), who were ruling over most parts of the Deccan at the age of 16, when he seized the of Bijapur. By that time. The Maratha ruler not only took possession of forts 1647, he had gained control over Kondana and Rajgad forts from these rulers, but also reconstructed many forts in the and Pune region. The Rajgad Fort that falls in the Gunjan region. Historians share that Shivaji carved out an enclave maval (Gunjavani river basin) was chosen as the first capital from the declining Adil Shahi Sultanate to found the Maratha of Maratha Empire because of its arduousness. Empire. In 1674, he was formally crowned as Chhatrapati During his reign, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj constructed (meaning monarch) of his realm at Raigad. forts in the Sahyadri main range, Konkan region and nearby The hills of Maharashtra offered excellent sites for islands. The difficult terrain suited the guerilla techniques of constructing forts. Under Shivaji’s rule, the entire region was Maratha fighters and enabled them to outsmart the mighty secured by a network of forts. Forts such as Lohgad, Tung and generals of and Bijapur. were built during the period of Nizam Shahi and Adil Post the defeat of Chandrarao More, the chief of Shahi dynasties. After the end of the Nizam Shahi rule, some Mahabaleshwar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj decided to forts were taken over by the . Many of construct a strong fort in the region. A high hill, locally named these forts were later captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji as Bhorapya was selected for the construction. Shivaji’s Chief Maharaj during the rise of the Maratha power. Forts that were Minister, Moropant Pingale started construction of a new fort, in dilapidated state were the first ones to be annexed. . One of the most important forts to get

40 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M

(Clockwise from top) Rajgad Fort, Kalyan Darwaja on Sinhgad Fort, , Shivneri Fort near Junnar, Pratapgad Fort, and an inscription on Raigad Fort

reconstructed was Raigad. It was here that Shivaji was forts of Mughals and Bijapur in the region. In January 1670, crowned king on June 6, 1674. It was a safe residence, as the he launched an attack on Mughal garrisons and within six natural defence it offered by way of ramparts and bastions months, he won back most of his lost empire. During 1670- were further strengthened by vertical scarps. Chief architect 1674, he expanded his empire and constructed new forts. and engineer, Hiroji Indulkar was entrusted with the Sabhasad bakhar puts the number of these new forts at 187. responsibility of constructing many structures on the Raigad According to some original letters, chronicles, English and Fort. The fort had water cisterns, tanks, towers, gateways, Dutch records, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj constructed administrative offices, residential structures and roads. approximately 100 new forts. He changed the concept of Marathas built seven island defence architecture in the Sahyadris. forts on the western coast of India. Gateways at fort Raigad, The gateways seen prominently in Small islands such as Kurate, Kansa Torna, Padmadurg and Sindhudurg Islamic architecture were not part of and were chosen for cannot be seen from outside. the Maratha architecture. building Sindhudurg, Padmadurg Semicircular paths and hidden The end of 1676 saw Chhatrapati and Khanderi forts, respectively. gateways were important features Shivaji Maharaj launching attacks in Sabhasad bakhar, a chronicle of Maratha architecture southern India. He constructed forts written nearly 15 years after the in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Goa demise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, mentions that the during his southern sojourn. According to Sabhasad bakhar, 79 Maratha leader captured 49 forts. Few forts in Pune, namely forts were built during this campaign. Some of these were Sinhgad, , Purandar, Ghanagad together with Sajara, Gojara, Madonmattagad and Krushnagiri. It is said Rasalgad, and Jaigad forts in Konkan come under this that, the Maratha leader conquered 130 forts and built 111. At list. However, by 1663, he had lost most of his conquests to the the time of his death in 1680, he possessed about 240 forts across Mughal army and handed over 23 forts as per the terms of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Goa. Treaty of Purandar. —The writer is a Researcher at Department of Archaeology, In the next few years, Shivaji Maharaj again began seizing Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 41 PHOTOFEATURE SIMHASTHA KUMBH

Holy flag, hymns and prayers

t the crack of dawn on July 14, at 6:16 am to be precise, the Atwin temple cities of Nashik and Trimbak reverberated with chants and prayers of thousands of sadhus, who took a holy dip in river Godavari, as part of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh Mela was inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who hoisted the holy flag in Nashik amid the sounds of conch shells, recitation of hymns and flowers showered from a helicopter.The scene was equally enchanting at Trimbakeshwar, with the entire crowd celebrating the hoisting of the holy flag, Dharma Dhwaja, at Kushavarta Teerth. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh launched the congregation at Trimbakeshwar.Simhastha Kumbh will go on till September with three auspicious dips to be held at each of the holy cities.

42 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M “This Simhastha will be remembered as Harit Kumbh. The citizens and devotees should maintain the sacredness of the event. They should vow not to litter and keep river Godavari clean” −Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 43 INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STREAMS OF KNOWLEDGE e Maharashtra in the recent months has bagged a lot of achievements. Paying special heed to education, and literature, it moves forward with a vision that has something in store for everyone

(From left) State Election Commissioner J.S. Saharia, Abhimanyu Kale, Dr. Kanchan Jagtapand Amit Kumar Banerjee

DILKHULAS Bhandara, Gondia, Sangli and Beed. On August 4, elections will be conducted in 22 districts, including Ahmednagar, M Treasures and achievements Jalgaon, Pune, Satara, Aurangabad, Parbhani, Osmanabad, n the backdrop of Gram Panchayat elections in the Hingoli, Buldana and Chandrapur. The Election Commission State, an interview with J. S. Saharia, State Election has started the online nomination process and is Commissioner, Maharashtra, was organised in undertaking Constitutional responsibility for fearless and DilkhulasO . Elections in the 15,000 Gram Panchayats will be transparent voting. The amendments to the voter list will be conducted in two phases. The State has 15,000 Gram carried out through online changes. Panchayats, out of which 9,000 go for elections during July- Abhimanyu Kale, Chief Executive Officer, Nanded Zilla August, while 3,000 Gram Panchayats will go for elections Parishad spoke to Dilkhulas about Nanded taking a lead in during October-November. On July 25, general and bye- construction of toilets under the Swachh Maharashtra elections took place in Kolhapur, Nanded, Yavatmal, campaign. At the same time, in order to enhance quality of

JAI MAHARASHTRA Wide spectrum of topics reviewed ai Maharashtra reviewed a wide spectrum oftopics from politics, education, literature and cleanliness during the month JofJuly. This month’s invitees were Minister for , Girish Mahajan; Chairman Bharat Vikas Group, Hanumantrao Gaikwad; Vice Chancellor, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Dr. Manikrao Salunkhe; author and winner ofYuva Sahitya Academy award, Veera Rathod and others. A spiritual celebration ofIndian culture and traditions, Kumbh Mela is held every four years at Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik– Trimbakeshwar and Ujjain. This year, Kumbh Mela is being held in from July to September, where lakhs of devotees are arriving. On the auspicious occasion, development works to the tune ofcrores ofrupees have been undertaken. Minister for Water Resources and Guardian Minister ofNashik, Girish Mahajan provided information about the mega event and an overview of the preparation and planning done by the State administration.

Hanumantrao Gaikwad, responsible for establishing (Clockwise from topleft) Minister for Water Resources Girish Mahajan, India’s biggest non-listed company providing jobs to 60,000 Hanumantrao Gaikwad, Veera Rathod and Dr. Manikrao Salunkhe

44 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M education in schools, it has implemented Happy School initiative. The officer shared that the district has been able to accomplish an initiative of constructing 60,000 toilets in just three months. “Under this, 84 per cent of public toilets are constructed and being used by people. As per a survey conducted in schools, 1 lakh parents had made a written request for construction of toilets. As of June 1, 82,000 toilets had been constructed in Nanded,” he said. Abhimanyu Kale also provided information on activities such as Dr. Through Babasaheb Ambedkar Educational Happy School, an Quality Enhancement, Lakshvedhi effort has been made so that Namaskar and others. The initiatives children outside have led to an increase in Zilla schools get Parishad schools. MAHANEWS interested in During her talk, Dr. Kanchan education and cultivate a habit Jagtap, Joint Director, Public Health Blend of newsand content through the shared the initiatives of the Public ahanews, a web portal ofDirectorate General of mediums of music, Health Department of the Government Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) is unique, as sports and study towards fighting and eradicating rainy Mapart from news, it also provides visitors interesting —Abhimanyu Kale season diseases. She spoke about the content on a variety oftopics through its columns. The daily activities ofthe Government are published in the form ofnews. symptoms of leptospirosis and care to The present Information Secretary, Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar be taken to avoid dengue. She can be has done excellent parenting of Mahanews in terms ofcolumns reached at 022-26684550. on various topics on the portal. Amit Kumar Banerjee, Chairman, Balgram Sanstha, Although the titles ofmany columns have changed over a , while speaking in Dilkhulas, said that children are period oftime, the work carried out still conveys the actions of worst affected in cases of accidents and calamities. Balgram the Government to the people. Success stories ofindividuals, Sanstha takes care of such children, showers them with bachat gat (self-help groups) and organisations benefitted from Government schemes are, in fact, an acknowledgement of an affection, and gives them a family atmosphere. active Government. The objective ofpublishing these success —Meera Dhas stories is to encourage others to emulate and surpass the success levels achieved by others. It is essential that we take such stories to the people. Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan can be cited as one ofthe best youth through the medium ofcleanliness, was invited examples ofsuch schemes. In its first stage, the campaign has to Jai Maharashtra. He started a mechanical housekeeping helped many villages at the State to develop water concept in 1999. Thousands ofhis workers are active storage units. The information and at various institutions. success stories related to the campaign With the slogan, Dnyanganga Gharoghari, Yashwantrao are being published on Mahanews. Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) has been active Interviews with Ministers and in building India’s human resource. Dr. Manikrao Salunkhe, Vice Secretaries through Net-Bhet, Chancellor, YCMOU shared with viewers information photographs ofspecial events through about latest courses available at the university, Photo Gallery, Video Gallery, employment opportunities listed on Job Search and a link to Lokrajya magazine are all proving to admission process, examination system and be immensely useful to the visitors. places students should contact in their district. To restrain the content from becoming monotonous, Youth Literary Awards from Sahitya Mahanews has tried to bring in some changes in recent Academy have been announced. For months. Information about the universities in the State is being Marathi, the honour was bestowed on Veera provided through the column, Vidyapeethe, and information Rathod, a poet from Marathwada, for his collection Sen Sayee about tourist destinations through Mahabhramanti. Ves, meaning to bestow welfare on everyone in Marathi. The major responsibilities ofDGIPR include publicity of Jai Maharashtra aired an interaction with the young poet. Government initiatives. Mahanews carries on this work through During the inteview, he thanked his collection, through which the medium ofMain News and News from Mantralaya and he was able to bring before the world the life and culture Maharashtra. Content from various columns is also published. Information Secretary, Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar has taken ofthe Banjara community. this on and the same is being carried on by Team Mahanews. —Atul Pande —Brijkishore Jawhar

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 45 DELHI DIARY FROM THE CENTRE

ON THE PATH OF PROGRESS Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Second Meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog I in New Delhi. The Council held consultations on the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act. Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis was in the Capital to participate and share his views on States’ role in it

(

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union Ministers, Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitely, and NITI Aayog’s Arvind Panagariya, and on the sidelines on the meeting

clause, but similar State projects were forcedto go through delayed process of SIA and consent. He added that the amended ordinance of 2015 empowers States to take up rural infrastructure anddefence andexempts them from SIA and consent, andso will speedup development. The 2013 Act states that if landremains unutilisedfor five years, it has to be returned to the land owners. Devendra Fadnavis said that every project has a life cycle, which can be more than The political five years, andhence, the landshouldbe deadlock allowedto be retainedunderacquisition over land acquisition till the full life cycle of the project. Union (From left) Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Tripura Chief Minister is impacting Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley notedthe Manik Sarkar, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Madhya Pradesh rural suggestions made by Devendra Fadnavis. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Maharashtra Chief Minister development, Devendra Fadnavis in New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi said including that Centre andStates must work building ural infrastructure and defence sector should be schools, together to endpoverty. The political exempted from Social Impact Assessment (SIA), asserted hospitals and deadlock over land acquisition is Devendra Fadnavis. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra other projects adversesly impacting rural development, wasR speaking at the second meeting of NITI Aayog chaired by the including building of schools, hospitals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi recently. Chief roadandirrigation projects. The Prime Minister also said Ministers from 16 other States were also present in the meeting. that there are no differences in the stands of the Centre and Addressing the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, Devendra States for paying enhancedcompensation. The other Fadnavis said that the original Land Acquisition Act 2013 was Chief Ministers sharedtheir views that either the Centre unjust to States, as under Section 105, Central projects like must evolve a consensus or give enough flexibility to States to highways and coal were exempt from social impact from consent frame their own landlaw.

46 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 M HR CAPITAL OF THE WORLD ndia should emerge as the ‘human resource capital’ of the world, said Prime Minister INarendra Modi, while launching the Skill India Mission in New Delhi. India has the potential to provide workforce to the world, if the capabilities of its citizens are honed through proper and dynamic training in skills, and the Government is focussed on this aspect, he added. The Prime Minister unveiled the National Skill Development Mission, National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) scheme and Skill Loan scheme on the World Youth Skill Day. He also awarded skill cards and skill certificates to trainees who completed training under the pilot phase of PMKVY. Through the mission, Centre together with the States, wants to fulfill people’s dreams, said the Prime Minister. Union Ministers Arun Jaitley, Suresh Prabhu, Manohar Parrikar, Rajiv P. Rudy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other (From left) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and State Chief Ministers also attended the event. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh at launch of National Skill Development Mission in New Delhi

( Minister for State for Water Resources, Water Conservation, Vijay Shivtare (fourth from right) during the meeting of Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers in New Delhi

MAHARASHTRA SHOULD GET WATER FROM UKAI DAM water from Ukai dam for Khandesh region, shared Vijay Shivtare. The Minister of State for Water Resources, Water Conservation, he Minister for State for Water Resources, Water Conservation, also said that the demand of the height of Pranhita irrigation scheme Vijay Shivtare said that Khandesh region from Maharashtra to be reduced to 148 m from proposed 152 m, as it may cause Tshould get 16.5 TMC water from Ukai dam in Gujarat. The submergence of 30 villages of Maharashtra (22 of Chandrapur and Minister was speaking at the fifth meeting of the Special Committee eight from Gadchiroli), has received positive response from Telengana. for Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) in New Delhi. Union Minister of State R The detailed report of Damanganga—Pinjar river link project has for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, been prepared. The State Government has suggested some changes and President of Interlinking River Project, Sanwar Lal Jat chaired to the project, which will fulfill Mumbai’s water requirement till the meeting. The discussion also addressed the Par—Tapi— Narmada, Damanganga—Pinjal and Wainganga—Gosikhurd projects. 2050, said the Minister of State for Water Resources. After the Maharashtra will get 28.5 TMC water from Par—Tapi—Narmada completion of this project, around 21 TMC of potable water will be project. Out of this, 16.5 TMC water will go into the sea. Gujarat has available. Excess water from the project should be lifted and demanded that the said quantity of water which will go into sea be diverted to Godavari irrigation project, and the project should be given to it. In return, Maharashtra has demanded equal quantity of given national status, said Vijay Shivtare.

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 47 MAHARASHTRA RECENT MOVES

time to Mumbai to just 10 hours. MUMBAI–NAGPUR It will pass through three regions SUPER EXPRESSWAY and connect four divisional TO CONNECT headquarters with Mumbai. It will FOUR CITIES primarily connect Mumbai, north Maharashtra, Marathwada oon, people from Mumbai and Vidarbha and will boost travellingto Nagpurby road development of Maharashtra by Swill be able to reach in half going beyond the Mumbai– the time as the State Government Nashik–Pune golden triangle. It will build an 800-km-longex- will have CCTVs and will be pressway between the two cities, equipped with fibre optic cables, announced Chief Minister said the Chief Minister. Devendra Fadnavis. With the The expressway would be Government planningto spend develop IT parks, smart cities and rashtra State Road Development undertaken in two phases and will `30,000 crore on the project, the education complexes alongit. Corporation as the implementing be completed in a time-bound new expressway will connect four This six-lane expressway will be agency. The expressway, which manner by 2019. The expressway major cities of Maharashtra, undertaken by the Union Ministry will traverse through Ghoti– will help in creatinganother Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad and of Highways and Surface Transport Aurangabad–Amravati and touch industrial and agro-industries Nagpur. The Government plans to and State Government with Maha- Nagpur, is expected to slash travel hub in the State.

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TREE PLANTATION DRIVE IN RAJ BHAVAN

aharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao launched Ma tree plantation drive at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai by plantinga mango sapling. Wife of the Governor, Vinodha and granddaughter Rhea also planted a mango sapling on this occasion. The tree plantation drive has been organ- ised by Dr Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan. Volunteers of the Pratishthan will be planting205 trees in the present drive. Accordingto the latest tree census conducted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, SUCCESS OF Raj Bhavan has 5,590 trees. With the CHIEF SECRETARY launch of the present tree plantation campaign, the green cover in Raj aharashtra State Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao during the tree plantation drive Bhavan is expected to grow further. Chief Secretary ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// MSwadheen Kshatriya recently completed his Bachelor of Law. At the age NEW TECHNIQUES OF of 58, when many prefer en- FILMING joyingthe fruits of life, the senior bureaucrat has showed o keep growing in the age of that if one has strongwill gadgets, and making good and determination, there is Tuse of technology in the nothingthat cannot be functioningof the Government, is achieved. It also proves that the need of the hour. Office bear- for learning, age is no bar. ers must be trained in order to The LLB adds to the list of update their knowledge. As part many degrees the Chief of this, Directorate General of Secretary has. Despite being Information and Public Relations the busiest bureaucrat of (DGIPR) recently organised a the State, his desire of knowl- State-level trainingworkshop on Chandrashekhar Oak, Director General, DGIPR, guiding at the workshop. edge led him to the course. filmingwith the latest technology Also seen are (R) Devendra Bhujbal, Director Information-Administration and An IAS officer of 1980 batch, (L) Shivaji Mankar, Director, News and Public Relations in Mantralaya. Swadheen Kshatriya has The workshop was inaugu- Deepak Sharme, Cameraman, gave useful tips for work such as handled several important rated by Chandrashekhar Oak, Doordarshan, Nagraj Revankar, the right angle for shooting, departments and varied field Director General, DGIPR in the Cameraman, Films Division, Vijay background of the function to be postings in the State. presence of Devendra Bhujbal, Deshmukh, Senior Cameraman shot, presentingan effective Gov- Determination and time Director, Information-Administra- and Amitabh Kumar, Project ernment scheme within 60 sec- management are the keys to tion and Shivaji Mankar, Director, Head, Sony India shared their onds and related information. his success. News and Public Relations. experience and guidance. They —Meenal Joglekar

48 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 PROGRAMME SMART CITIES

MUMBAI NAVI MUMBAI PUNE–PIMPRI–CHINCHWAD AMRAVATI SOLAPUR

NAGPUR KALYAN-DOMBIVALI AURANGABAD

NASHIK THANE

sections will besought. In thesecondstageof THE SMART ONES the competition, each of the potential Smart Cities will have to prepare their proposals for Ten cities of Maharashtra have been shortlisted participation in the City Challenge. For under the Union Government’s ambitious monitoring themission at Statelevel,a high Smart Cities Mission. The focus of the programme is powered steering committee under the Chair- sustainable and inclusive development manship of Chief Secretary has been constituted. The Secretary, Urban Development (2) will work as Director of theStateMission. heinnovativeSmart CitiesMission of the The development of Smart Cities Mission aims Union Government proposes to develop 100 at comprehensive development of physical, smart cities in India in next five years. The institutional, social and economic infrastructure StateT Cabinet recently gave approval to the and improving thequality of lifeand attracting implementation of the programme in Maharashtra. people and investments to the City, setting in A high-powered committee was set up under Chief motion a virtuous cycle of growth and development. Secretary Swadheen Kshatriya to select ten cities TheobjectiveoftheMission is to promotecities and prepare a detailed project report. The ten cities The objective that providecoreinfrastructureand givea decent shortlisted under the project include Mumbai, Navi of the mission quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable Mumbai, Pune–Pimpri–Chinchwad, Amravati, is to promote environment and application of ‘smart’ solutions. Solapur, Nagpur, Kalyan–Dombivali, Aurangabad, cities that Thecoreinfrastructureincludesadequatewater Nashik and Thane. provide core supply, assured electricity supply, sanitation, infrastructure The Smart Cities Mission will be implemented and give a including solid waste management, efficient urban in 100 cities with an outlay of `48,000 croreand decent quality mobility and public transport, affordablehousing each selected city would get Central assistance of of life to its especially for the poor, robust IT connectivity `100 crore per year for five years. An equal citizens, a clean and digitalisation, good governance, especially amount, on a matching basis, will haveto be and sustainable e-Governance and citizen participation, sustainable contributed by the State/Urban local bodies. environment environment, safety and security of citizens, Special Purpose Vehicle will be set up for effective and application particularly women, children and the elderly, and implementation of the scheme. By setting up of smart health and education. Smart City Forum, co-ordination of various solutions —Team Maharashtra Ahead

MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015 49 TRIBUTE DR. APJ ABDUL KALAM THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT Former President of India, renowned scientist and Bharat Ratna, Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam passed away recently. Team Maharashtra Ahead pays tribute to the legend

was a bright and hardworking student with a strong desire to learn. He spent hours studying, especially mathematics. In 1955, he moved to Madras to study aerospace engineering. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam always aspired to become a fighter pilot, but narrowly missed his dream of joining the Indian Air Force. After graduating from Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, he joined the Aeronautical Development Establish- ment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist. He started his career by designing a small helicopter for the Indian Army, but remained unconvin- ced by his choice of the job at the DRDO. Dr. Kalam was also part of the INCOSPARcommittee working under renowned space scientist Vikram Sarabhai. In 1969, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was transferred to Indian Space Research Kalam saheb Organisation (ISRO), where he was taught us to the project director of India’s first dream big and made us believe Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), that dreams can which successfully deployed the come true. He led Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in us on the path of July 1980. Dr. Kalam was considered making India the the brain of India’s missile superpower. Kalam saheb’s programme, bringing him the title of demise is a huge Missile Man of India. loss. My humble As Chief Scientific Adviser to Atal tributes to Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam” Minister of India, Dr. Kalam was —Devendra instrumental in the Pokhran nuclear Fadnavis test conducted in 1998. He played a Chief Minister major part in developing many missiles, “We should not give up and we should not allow including Agni and Prithvi. His the problem to defeat us” extensive service to India brought him Bharat Ratna, Padma —Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He also received the Von Braun Award from the National Space Society for excellence in he noble words of Former President of India, Dr. APJ management and leadership of a space-related project. Abdul Kalam are for those striving to achieve their Dr. APJ Kalam meditated, played veena, taught children and dreams, and for those scared to begin their journey. It adults, looked after plants, found enough time to write Twas his knowledge, faith in fellow Indians, openness and smile relentlessly and author 20 books. He parted his hair in the that established him as a People’s President. During his time as middle, wore simple clothes, and had a child-like smile capable the President of India, from 2002-2007, Dr. Kalam mentored enough to beat all the weapons he developed as a scientist. As India to become a global superpower. The Bharat Ratna, President, he utilised every opportunity that came his way to eminent scientist and visionary left for heavenly abode after encourage students and youth to dream big. suffering a cardiac arrest on July 27 in Shillong. The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly paid rich tributes to Son of a boat owner, Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul former President. Education Minister Vinod Tawde said the Kalam was born on October 15, 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil State Government will celebrate Dr. Kalam’s birth anniversary Nadu. He began working at an early age to supplement his on October 15, as Vaachan Prerna Diwas in schools. The family income. In his school years, he had average grades, but initiative will help inculcate reading habits among children.

50 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD  AUGUST 2015

Maharashtra Ahead, always ahead

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

O.I.G.S. Presented by The Government of India

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

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