January 2021 > A MonthlyNewsletter > For private circulation only

Action for good Governance & Networking in

Forward This To All - And All Forward - Together MIYAWAKI PLANTATIONS AT POWAI Editorial Pamela Cheema 2020 WORST YEAR EVER! u m b a i h a s b e e n identified by reliable hat a year 2020 was! A global pandemic, a ferocious M Wcyclone, earthquakes, floods, fires, farmers' protests, sources as the least green CAA protests, protests over racial injustice and a contentious metro in India whose green presidential election in the US have dominated the news this c o v e r h a s d e c l i n e d year. Education, the world over, has suffered. precipitately by 42.5% over the The silver lining is that the pandemic has made the internet last thirty years. This loss of Saplings planted at proactive and many learnt the use of the net for their education green cover has led to an Nature Park, Powai and work. Corporates began work from home which has helped appreciable increase in land p l a nt i n g u r b a n fo re st s both companies as well as their employees. To an extent, life has surface temperature and according to the Miyawaki continued with elections being held in Bihar and Jammu and underscores the reason for the Kashmir etc. method on degraded land or climate changes in the city and The pandemic cost millions of lives. The global economy has limited urban spaces within the the fact that the city is growing also collapsed and unemployment has reached an city. As AGNI's Coordinator in hotter by the day. Some of the unprecedented peak. Powai I asked him to visit the At the close of the year, we still cannot be complacent as it will areas of the city which have suburb and include it in his take a while to vaccinate all our citizens. Thus even in 2021 we witnessed a substantial plans for afforestation in need to take utmost precautions and follow the SOPs that the reduction in its green cover are . Early on a grey rain- government stipulates. We only pray that the pandemic does not the Sanjay Gandhi National soaked morning in July 2019, spread but remains in control as it now is. In fact, the biggest Park, Aarey, Mulund, Bhandup Mr Pardeshi inspected the slum in the world, , reported zero infections on and Powai besides various banks of with its Christmas day. Probably Baby Jesus helped them and we hope it parts of the city in south and will continue like this. MMJ t h i n n i n g v e g e t a t i o n central Mumbai. (indiscriminate felling of trees In 2019 the former Municipal due to the widening of the Commissioner, Mr Pravin Take the Bull by the Horns Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road) Pardeshi, floated the idea of How to make the Governing and agreed to Contd. on Page 3 System work for Citizens - 3 Shrikant Soman Housing Society Wins State Energy aking the bull of the measures he can take to Conservation Award Tgoverning system by the enforce these rights. M K Pande, Chairman, Symphony CHS horns means asserting our AGNI is in the forefront of he Symphony Cooperative rights as a citizen within the ensuring good governance Housing Society Ltd at system. This appears to be less through assertive citizen T Chandivali in L ward received impressive than the dramatic action, true to its name 'Action th the 14 State Level Award for manner in which our filmi for Good Governance and E x c e l l e n c e i n E n e r g y heroes in Bollywood films Networking in India'. There are C o n s e r v a t i o n a n d achieve quick justice. However, also other organisations like M a n a g e m e n t f r o m t h e it is to be noted here that the PRAJA, Mahiti Adhikar Manch, M a h a r a s h t r a E n e r g y only practical way which works NAGAR, UDRI, ADR as well as Development Agency (MEDA) in the long run is by working RTI crusaders like Mr Shailesh for 'Residential Complexes & within the system, without G a n d h i , G a u ra n g Vo ra , s o c i e t i e s w a s t h e “ Societies Sector' for the year having to use any muscle S.K.Nangia (AGNI coordinator) Consumption of 10,000 Units 2018-19. power. Every common man Krishnaraj Rao and many others per annum as per the M E D A h a d i n v i t e d compels the system to work by who passionately work in this Electricity Bill”. The society was applications for the award using a citizen by using an array direction. required to submit a duly filled s c h e m e t o g i v e “ S ta t e of legal weapons like RTI etc. In our earlier notes we have in 'Award Questionnaire' along Recognition to facilities/units There is a high level of illiteracy seen the salient features of RTI with the Audited Financial who have taken extra efforts for among the people about the Act. We have seen that even a Report for the year 2018-19. e f f i c i e n t u t i l i z a t i o n , full understanding of these deaf or blind person can Symphony was short listed in management and conservation legal avenues. We need to start enforce his rights under the the first round of selection and of energy during the year 2018- a new 'literacy campaign' to Act. If a PIO (Public Information asked to submit a power point 19 in the State of .” educate the common man Officer) unreasonably denies presentation by e-mail. The eligibility criteria for about his rights and the legal information Contd. on Page 4 Thereafter Contd. on Page 4 2 Mumbai Meri Jaan January 2021 SWACHATA - IN WARD 69 K(W) UNDP appreciates Mario Fishery Zahida Banatwala ario Fishery, a volunteer s soon as our Councillor, Mfrom the H (West) of AMs Renu Hansraj, won the AGNI received a Certificate of mandate of the people her first Appreciation in recognition of project was to declare the ward his commitment towards 'Zero Garbage'. The PM's source segregation and the Swach Abhiyaan scheme gave home. A visit to the Irla responsible disposal of plastic program so here is the Video I her a shot in the arm and she pumping station was a created for segregation with started creating awareness complete shock as it was feedback for those already a b o u t choking with floating garbage d o i n g s e g r e g a t i o n : t h e and untreated sewage was https://bit.ly/MumbaiWasteSe s a m e . being dumped into it by the gregation (More information Overflo slum dwellers residing on the shared in the description of the w i n g banks of the nallah. It was not video). o p e n surprising then to see all the Step 2 - Data driven decisions commun garbage washed on to Juhu to create an impact ity bins beach during the monsoon. waste under the UNDP-HUL- Connect with the BMC and its were an After much deliberation and M C G M ' s P l a s t i c Wa s t e u g l y research and by bringing in a Management initiative. s i g h t private player, it was decided to Mario wishes to share with plaguing the ward. Her first put trash booms to harness the citizens how this success can be step was to close these and floating garbage and prevent it replicated across all the wards rearrange clearing schedules i from entering the sea. of Mumbai: vendors and collect data on the e. restaurant The ban on the use of plastic Step 1 - Creat a Video to collection points and visualize a n d h o t e l was another important educate everyone Education is the data so people can see the waste to be scheme. The “Plastic bhagao impact. The MAP will show c l e a r e d a t Dharti bachao " andolan was organic waste converter was people the FREE services in the midnight as launched, 10,000 cloth bags installed. This was sponsored locations provided by the BMC a l s o t h e sponsored by DE 'Decor were by the Rotary Club of Juhu and g a o t h a n freely distributed and many inaugurated by actress Hema a r e a s . more people came on board to Malini, MP, on a BMC owned R e s u l t — a n sponsor such bags. The plot of land. ugly sight did segregation of garbage, the Pursuant to the Zero Garbage n o t g r e e t wet and dry waste scheme mission, the 'Adopt a Street' citizens in the morning. Hence were taken-door-to door with scheme was introduced where team. Juhu Church road, A. B. Nair the help of Solid Waste local residents could monitor H/W MAP Collection Points Road and Juhu Police station Management department even garbage collection, street with BMC Contact and Timings: bins to name a few are now in the slums and gaothans. sweeping and cleaning and Here is the link to all Dry Waste practically non-existent. Citizens were encouraged to other aspects of the area. On a c o l l e c t i o n p o i n t s w i t h Schools were roped in to compost wet waste and regular basis SWM meetings approximate timings in H/West create awareness about the demonstrations of the same are held along with citizens and w a r d protection of the environment, were given by Shri Subhash this has created a healthy https://bit.ly/HWDryWasteCol saving marine life and working relationship. Today l e c t i o n M A P controlling pollution. Students roads are not only swept but Here is the Data Sheet with of Jamnabai Narsee school brushed clean and debris collection points and contacts came up with brilliant MMJ cleared giving way to clear d e t a i l s : solutions. Vendors were footpaths for pedestrian space. https://bit.ly/HWDryWasteCol invited to showcase various The BMC does have the facility lection environment friendly waste of brushing streets both STEP 3 - Is repeat step 1 and 2 to disposal methods. The children m a n u a l l y a s w e l l a s Rajveer 16 of St. Joseph's school displayed Dalvi Officer On Special duty. mechanically. It must be immense knowledge and He manages the Cooper mentioned here that the SWM w i l l i n g n e s s to p ra c t i c e Hospital nursery where department has been working flowers, fruits and vegetables tirelessly to achieve these are cultivated using compost results. Dry waste is cleared from kitchen waste. It was thrice a week even through the observed that commercial lockdown. This is a success establishments like gymkhanas story for every ward to bring in continuous changes and clubs generate a huge emulate. and updates on what works quantity of waste, hence an Zahida Banatwala is AGNI's segregation in school and at coordinator in K (W) MMJ best for the community. MMJ Mumbai Meri Jaan January 2021 3 MIYAWAKI PLANTATIONS AT POWAI Corporator collaborates with Contd. from Page 1 include We will be responsible for citizens in Wadala Powai in his plans for executing the Miyawaki mey Gole, the corporator Gole said afforestation of the city. method of tree plantation over Aof ward 178 in Wadala has c i v i c In March 2020 before Covid- the entire by formed a 'Team Corporator' to p ro b l e m s 19 ravaged the world on an planting 2,25,000 native and solve various civic issues in the l i k e unprecedented scale, the BMC indigenous species of trees.” ward. Mr Gole is known to drainage, water supply, illegal planted a small urban forest His firm, Madhani Corporation, promptly solve problems that parking, poor roads etc. can according to Miyawaki's have been put forth by the e a s i l y b e s o l v e d b y methods in a municipal garden whatsapp group of the Wadala participatory governance, at the Hiranandani Gardens West Citizens Forum of his where the citizen too will feel a complex in Powai. After Covid- ward. The objective of 'Team sense of responsibility. He 19 struck the country, doubts Corporator' is to take part added that even suggestions arose about the financial actively in the civic and social for improvement are welcome Issues of the ward to help which he would forward to the strength of the state to afford Plantations at Powai lake such urban forests. citizens in coordination with appropriate ward, thus However, the BMC has the corporator. In response to increasing the efficiency of the decided to pursue its original has collaborated with Essbee his appeal in the WhatsApp ward. Mr Gole is living the plans and an urban forest has Enterprises for the project. group, over 150 members have concept of the ALM, a favoured been planted on 700 sq.mts in Some of the suburbs in which already joined the team. project of the BMC. MMJ the Nature Park on the banks of they have worked are Bhakti Powai lake. The consultant of Park, Wadala, where saplings Winter delights Komal Lala, Nutritionist the project is Prabhat Raman, have been planted on 13,500 to keep the skin supple as Director, Kesari Infrabuild sq. mtrs of land, the Wadhwa hen in harmony with winter is synonymous with dry Private Ltd, plot at N ward and the Abdul Wnature's abundant skin and allergies. a n Kalam garden at T ward where supply of seasonally grown Team up strawberries, environmen 2700 sq.mtrs and 3800 sq. mtrs food, one can maintain a yoghurt and soaked chia seeds t a l re spectively have been sustainable diet and an or add strawberries to your consultancy greened. improved healthy lifestyle. oatmeal. Toss up a salad with a n d AGNI and other activists of Winter provides a storehouse greens, avocados and orange engineering Powai have suggested other of the most varied, vibrant and slices. firm, which significant areas on the banks nutrient rich fruits and vegetables for that extra burst B e e t r o o t s : Plantations at h a s of Powai lake which could have of energy, warmth and Rich in folate, Bhakti Park, successfully similar green cover including nourishment. nitrates. Make Wadala developed parcels of land close to a a b e e t r o o t a n u r b a n municipal school. Plenty of hummus or add it to a salad. f o r e s t i n Despite some skepticism V i t a m i n C Beet, carrots, amla and ginger Colaba Woods in south about such urban forests, I urge e n r i c h e d make a refreshing juice. Mumbai. Apart from Powai, the the city to take a fresh and f r u i t s l i ke C a r r o t s : S o u r c e o f company will be a consultant unprejudiced look at these Strawberries, c a r o t e n o i d s . A g o o d for such forests in Mulund, projects which could vastly Oranges, Guava, Gooseberries component for the immune Kurla, Chandivali, Wadala, improve the biodiversity and are available at this time. These system and eye health. One can Ghatkopar, Govandi and consequently, the health and provide antioxidants to ward use this versatile food right Mahul. Kesari Infrabuild has quality of life of its citizens. off infections to make the from pickles, to soup, as a also been deeply involved in Pamela Cheema is AGNI's immune system stronger and vegetable, salad, a dessert or such projects in Gujarat, Coordinator in S ward MMJ help in production of collagen for juicing. Andhra Pradesh, Chhatishgarh, Greens: Spinach, Mustard Assam, Odisha and Kerala. An appeal for donations leaves, Goosefoot (bathua) are The expert of the firm is R K good sources of Vitamins and Nair who contacted Akira G N I i s a m o v e m e n t Bldg, 1st Floor, Plot no. 95, Minerals. In season, sarson kaa Miyawaki in 2014 in Japan and managed and run by Wadala (West), Mumbai 400 031 A saag makes a great nutrient was personally trained by his volunteers Being a voluntary Bank Details for donations team to build his knowledge of movement, AGNI needs the transferred electronically: the subject. support and contribution of Account Name: AGNI, The vendor of the project is every citizen to continue its SB A/c No.: 000710210000005 Dhruvish Madhani who work. Citizens are invited to Bank of India, Breach Candy mentioned that he had “five contribute their indispensable Branch, Mumbai 400 026. combination. years' experience in garden ideas, time, effort and financial NEFT / IFSC: BKID0000007 support. Send Cheque / DD in Thrive on nature's bounty and development and upgradation AGNI is a Charitable Trust. favour of "AGNI" to any of our reap the benefits of em- of various plots in the Mumbai Donations are eligible for Ward Coordinators as listed on exemption under 80G of the powered nourishment, well- Metropolitan Region (MMR). Page 4 or to AGNI Office: Chadha Income Tax Act. MMJ being and good health!! MMJ 4 Mumbai Meri Jaan January 2021 Take the Bull by the Horns Housing Society Wins State Energy How to make the Governing Conservation Award System work for Citizens - 3 resulted in avoiding CO2 Contd. from Page 1 we were emissions of 66,917 Kgs. as Contd. from Page 1 or Everyone who had cleared the invited to make a presentation c o m p a r e d t o t h e r m a l purposely gives incorrect, file was gifted with a flat”. It to the Judges Committee at the generation. incomplete or misleading finally led to the resignation of MEDA office in Pune. T h e o t h e r e n e r g y information then the applicant the Chief Minister. Symphony had commissioned co n s e r vat i o n m e a s u re s can file a direct complaint to Another shining success story a grid connected solar system adopted by Symphony were t h e C e n t r a l o r S t a t e of RTI impact is '2G Telecom of 40.8 kWp capacity in April replacing tube lights by CFL Information Commission. Scam' related to the auctioning 2018 which generated 57,429 lamps and CFL by LED lamps. There is also an elaborate of the 2G Spectrum. Top units in the year ending on 31st Sy m p h o ny i n sta l l e d a n system of filing an appeal Ministers and govt officials had March 2019. This resulted in a Automatic Organic Waste against the order of the PIO to a colluded to undercharge saving of 60% of electrical Converter Machine to treat specified higher authority and c e r t a i n m o b i l e p h o n e energy consumption of wet garbage in December further appeals to still higher companies while allocating the common services of the society 2017. The society also levels. If found guilty, the PIO is frequencies. This had caused a during the year and 49.4 commissioned a 'Rain Water fined for his lapse. loss of a whopping Rs 1.76 lakh Million kCal of Thermal Saving. Harvesting System' in 2008. The most devasting example crores to the exchequer. This Solar power generation also The rain water is directed to a of the power of RTI can be massive abuse of power was bore well and this water is success stories of RTI. However found in the Adarsh Housing revealed through the RTI used for the society's garden, all said and done, there still Society scam. The information application filed by activist car washing and toilet flushing. exists a complete lack of received through RTI (by RTI Subhash Chandra Agrawal. Since then the society has knowledge of how to use RTI activists Simpreet Singh and In the Commonwealth Games never depended on tanker among the majority of the Yogacharya Anandji) revealed Scam, the Delhi Govt had water, which was earlier population. To educate and that the then Chief Minister of diverted Rs 744 crores from required in the months of April empower the ordinary man Maharashtra approved the sale funds earmarked for the to June. about the understanding and of 40 % of the houses to welfare of the Dalit community. Symphony CHS Ltd. has been use of RTI is very essential for civilians even though the The diverted funds were spent given a rebate in Property Tax ensuring good governance. building was meant for army on amenities that existed only by BMC for processing waste This is one of the many steps personnel. A shocked Bombay on paper. This scam came to and rain water harvesting for needed to bring in matured and High Court called it “a clear-cut light through an RTI filed by the the year 2019-20. The inspec- informed citizenry as an m a n i p u l a t i o n b y t h e NGO Housing and Land Rights tion of these facilities was done important pillar of our Collectorate, the Revenue Network by a team of BMC Officials. democracy. AGNI is committed Ministry and the Urban The above cases are just a few M K Pande is an AGNI to do its little bit in this respect. Development Ministry …. of the many thousands of such MMJ volunteer from L ward MMJ Patron To volunteer in AGNI or to form Advanced Locality Management D. M. Sukthankar (ALM) contact your respective Ward Coordinators below Board of Trustees AGNI Ward Coordinators

Convenor Gerson da Cunha

Trustees Capt. Joe Lobo Dinesh Ahir Sharad Kumar Shyama Kulkarni

Editorial Board Sharad Kumar [Editor] Pamela Cheema [Asstt. Editor] Gerson daCunha Shrikant Soman Shyama Kulkarni Email: [email protected] https://sites.google.com/site/ag nimumbaimerijaan/ Published by AGNI Chadha Bldg. 1st Flr, Plot No. 95, Wadala (W), Mumbai - 400031 [email protected] Ph: 2416 5956 www.agnimumbai.in

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