Security beefed up at RCF, no entry for people taking a shortcut to Mahul

By Kamiya Mohan Jani 

Security Officials at Rashtriya Chemical Fertilizers (RCF) colony in Chembur have restricted entry for commuters who prefer to escape the traffic in Chembur Colony to reach Ashish Theatre or Mahul by using their private road.

Although the road is a private one and entry has always been restricted people did use this road as a shortcut many times in the past. However, lately this is a thing of the past as security officials have started checking almost every vehicle using the road, restricting entry to residents of the colony and to those working or studying there. People are now asked to turn back if security officials at the gate find that the road is being used to go to the other side.

“At least three-four times in the year, they beef up the security and prevent outsiders from using their road,” says Kishore Lala, resident of Navjeevan Society, who goes there for morning walks and exercise. According to Sapna Shahri, resident of Nityanand Baug, who has been using the RCF road for years now, security is generally beefed up during the summer vacations for some reason.

When this correspondent spoke to a security guard stationed at the gate, he clarified that RCF is not a public property and they could not allow anyone and everyone to use their private road. “All the RCF employees have a pass and on showing up that pass, we let them in,” he said on the condition of anonymity.

Another security guard, who has been working there for the past few years, informed that there were cases of theft near the water tank in RCF. “We have been instructed to keep a tab on miscreants entering the area and so we do not allow outside vehicles in this premises. Many people use RCF as a short cut to reach at the other end to get rid of the two signals placed at the main road,” he reveals.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) also averred that RCF was not a public property. “The security has always been strict and will remain so in the future also,” she said. People do agree that RCF is not a public property and must not be open to all. But at the same time, they even appreciate its beauty and want to enjoy the greenery around. “People should behave in a civilized manner and should not take undue advantage if they are given access to this road. Not everyone gains entry for a shortcut. People come to enjoy the beauty of the parks too,” asserts Lala.

 By Kamiya Mohan Jani

Commuter’s woes never seem to get over and this time it is passengers traveling by Bus No. 93 Ltd who are upset with the BEST authorities.

This bus, which takes Govandi-Mantralaya route, has been the topic of discussions ever since the authorities decided to change its route. The bus coming from Chembur Colony use to take a route to Mantralaya via Shivaji Park but from March 1, a small diversion in the route has taken place and now it goes via Bhavani Shankar road (Dadar), leaving commuters planning to go towards Shivaji park in the lurch. The bus route has been the same but this sudden diversion took passengers by surprise.

“I was quite surprised when the bus took a right turn at Dadar. First I thought I might have boarded the wrong bus but then I realised that the bus has changed its route. I was wondering why?” says Kishore Lala, a resident of Navjeevan Society.

Passengers, whose destination is Shivaji Park, now have to get down at Dadar or take a cab up till Shivaji Park. “It is very inconvenient for us, since no bus from Chembur colony goes straight to Shivaji Park. We either have to go the Eastern Express Highway for another bus or spend an extra amount on taxi,” says a commuter.

Not only this, passengers traveling to Mantralaya have been complaining that because of the diversion, the bus takes an extra time of about 15-20 minutes since that area is choc-a-bloc with traffic. “I go in the bus that comes prior to the one I generally use to take, so that I can reach my office on time,” says Nisha Vazirani, an employee of Films Division at Tardeo.

When contacted the BEST PRO, Meena Dabholkar, says that it is a very small diversion and needed to be taken for passenger’s convenience. “According to the traffic survey, there use to be a lot of passenger traffic at the bus stop opposite Plaza theatre. We have diverted the route so that these passengers could get into a bus, which was not too crowded. As it is the capacity of the bus was not utilized properly,” she explained.

Link: http://www.chemburghatkoparplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=CGP8ART5142006

 Kamiya Jani visits Bal Anand orphanage at Ghatla Village and gives you an insight of the celebrations held at their centre this year

They were glowing with happiness and joy, the pitch of their vocal cords shot up with excitement and the claps became louder every time their friends performed on stage. This was the scene at Bal Anand-World Children Welfare Trust, an orphanage, which celebrated its 22nd Anniversary incidentally on February 22.

When the children were asked how they would want to celebrate this special day, the spontaneous reply was, “fun and games”. The kids had a lot of fun as the participated in various activities like sports, dance, art and watched movies. “The kids had an art session in the morning, then they watched the movie ‘Finding Nemo’ and at the end they danced and participated in sports,” informs Geeta Eashwaran, representative of Bal Anand.

“We have a lot of fun here. We learn drawing, dancing, making candles, bags, and artificial flowers,” says 16-year-old Pooja, who has been staying at Bal Anand ever since she was born. Most of her childhood friends have been adopted, but she is still waiting for a right family to adopt her. They don’t really miss having parents as they are given all the love and affection at this center. For them, the orphanage becomes their home and the other children and the staff becomes their family.

The founder of Bal Anand, Sulochana Kalro, believes that Bal Anand since its inception receives, shelters and rehabilitates the abandoned and destitute children. “We do not want Bal Anand to be their permanent identity. We ultimately want them to be adopted by a good family. Adoption is the only and the right way for these orphan kids because everyone needs a family.” Every year, there are about 45- 50 adoptions that take place. The Executive of social work, Madhavi Mhatre notices that initially there were more foreigners who were open to adoption but now the trend has changed. “There are more Indian families who want to adopt a child. In the year 2005, there were around 30-40 children adopted by Indian families and about 14-15 have gone overseas.”

A couple from Holland was found capturing all the moments of the function on their camera. On enquiring about them, it was discovered that few years back they had adopted Baluka, (8) and Pradhnya (6) from Bal Anand. Now the kids speak only in Dutch and not Hindi or English, they were dressed in typical Indian clothes. Their mother, Mahelia said with pride that, “Indian people are so beautiful by heart and I want to keep my children’s culture alive.”

“It is not the right child but the right family we look for. I feel good seeing the adopted kids happy with their family,” avers Sulochana, the founder. Bal Anand is the home managed by professionally trained staff who provides the warmth, care and material comforts a child needs until ultimately a suitable family is approved. With all these qualities Bal Anand is surely a home with a difference.

Sulochana Kalro (founder)
Even I have an adopted son who is 19-years-old now. Siddhant, who is currently studying, has to know that he has been adopted because I am single.

Sulochana Kalro (founder) (Maa)
I have been taking care of these kids since 12 years. They all call me ‘mummy’ and love me more than my own children. It’s a great feeling. Once, when I was not well, they did not let me do any work and instead did all the work themselves and were sitting beside my bed through out.

Link: http://www.chemburghatkoparplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=CGP3ART2262006 

 Distance makes relations grow stronger. However pleasant as it may sound it is not always true. But, the Sindhi Punjabi Community of Mumbai have worked towards making this factually correct by bringing their people on one ground, discovers Kamiya Mohan Jani

The Sindhi Punjabi community is scattered all over Mumbai in six different units. After every two years, sometimes three years, the committee members arrange a get together of all Sindhi Punjabi brethren. “This year it has been the youth’s responsibility to organise the event in a different style and the people have really enjoyed it,” avers Anil Punjabi, a committee member. The core committee comprises of six people who have also helped the Panchayat grow technologically by registering most of the Sindhi Punjabi families on computer in a very systematic way.

The event too was a big hit and people were kept amused with dance, drama, mimicry, laughter challenge and many more. Children found pleasure in the Disneyland with moonwalkers, balloon shooting, tattoos, nail painting, and lots of other fun. “This is also a platform for prospective matrimony. After every event we arrange this function, 10-15 weddings have been finalized without dowry,” informs Amarnani. He added that in this way, people get to know each other in a better way and this will help their community reach the acme. They even gave prizes to all the participants and the merit holders to boost their confidence.

Link: http://www.chemburghatkoparplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=CGP4ART2252006

Shri Sudanshuji Maharaj also graced the occasion whereas the event was entirely sponsored by the people within the community. Approximately 2,000 people were invited. People outside the community were not allowed and the event was watched over by the police. The event went on till late evening and was followed by dinner.

 By Kamiya Mohan Jani

Pijush Chawdhary, a resident of Laxmi colony, Mahul road, leaves his house and expects to reach his workplace on time, but this he says happens once in a blue moon, due to the poor frequency of buses. Frustrated by this situation he says, “I have just missed bus no. 351, now I don’t know when the next bus will come and how crowded it’s going to be.” According to him, the buses have no fixed timings and the condition is even worse during the rainy season.

The three buses coming from B.A.R.C to Mumbai Central, Navy Nagar and Santracruz depot are 351, 6 Ltd and, 356 ltd respectively and the residents near Maroli Church stop have been facing an acute problem of overcrowded buses and poor frequency.

When contacted, Meena Dabholkar, BEST PRO, said, “This is due to the digging of roads in that area. Otherwise, the frequency is okay.” However residents are not willing to buy the theory. “I do not agree with this. The bus frequency here has always been bad here. We are sick of it,” says Rajesh Rathod, resident of Galiya Kot. Although the residents have complained about it but all that they have got from the administrations is the empty assurance.

The Assistant General Manager of traffic, Vinayak Amdekar admits that the frequency is poor but reasons that slum rehabilitation project in nearby Vasi Naka and Gadkari is the cause of this problem. “A lot of people have moved in here because of the project,” he says.

However, the number of buses will be increased from March 1 and the expected frequency would be about 12-15 minutes.
Local corporator Rajendra Mahulkar states that if people give it to him in writing that they have been facing problems due to poor frequency of buses he would meet the chairman of BEST. “It would be better if the people send me a letter mentioning about their problems,” said Mahulkar.

Commuters are now left with two options, wait till March 1 to see the results or prepare a complaint sheet and send it to the corporator.

Link: http://www.chemburghatkoparplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=CGP5ART2192006 

The crossroad near Ashish Theatre, Mahul is a busy one due to the presence of a theatre and the two schools nearby. There is a signal at this crossroad but drivers presume that the signal does not work or rather prefer to deduce the same. They only time they follow traffic rules at this junction is when there is a traffic constable stationed at this signal, which too is a rare sight, claim local residents.

“There is a lot of chaos, when the constable is not posted here. Most of the people don’t even bother to look at the signal, despite four signals being installed at this point. It becomes quite risky when cars come from all the sides and almost ram into each other”, complains J Tarun, a local resident. Adds, Mohammad Siraj, a rickshaw driver, “If one breaks the signal, everyone else follows suit. It is obvious that if the constable is not there, nobody is going to follow the signal.” Imtiaz Khan, a hawker near Ashish theatre, has been selling nimbu-paani for the past 15 years. According to him, in case if there is a naka-bandi, there is a strict watch over the vehicles passing this area otherwise nobody really cares to wait at the signal in the absence of the constable.

When contacted constable Vasudev Gawli of the Suman Nagar Traffic chowki stated that this area does not come under their jurisdiction. “You need to contact the Trombay traffic police,” he said. When contacted the response from the Trombay traffic police chowki was that they have a shortage of men. Says Constable Ramesh Jawle from the chowki, “There might have been shortage of men and that’s why there is no constable there. But generally we do have constables that side. I would however forward this complaint to my superior.”

It is observed that during the school going hours at morning seven, there are many cases of traffic violations at the signal near Chembur Naka. There are many school buses and cars, which violate the instructions given on the signal. When this complaint was made to the Suman Nagar police chowki the constable there had this to say; “Our duty starts at eight in the morning and ends late. But if there is a lot of chaos on that particular signal during school going hours, I will talk to my superior about this.”

Until these officials don’t inform their superiors traffic will be violated, left right and centre at the crossroads.

Link: http://www.chemburghatkoparplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=CGP2ART352006

 Kamiya Mohan Jani, Basant Theatre

The Brihanmumbai Mumbai Corporation (BMC) can never satisfy locals. The residents of Sterling apartment, Vikas Apartment and Maitri-Vijay society, Chembur have been plagued by severe water shortage for the past few months.

Maitri-Vijay Society has been having this problem from many years but since the last two years even the neighbouring society like Sterling Apartments has started facing an acute water shortage. “BMC provides us water for three hours a day but most of the times it goes off within two hours and the pressure is so low that we cannot even fill up the bottom tank,” says Sunil Khunte, the secretary of Sterling apartment.

Residents state that they have been complaining about it ever since but all what they have got from the BMC are assurances. The previous secretary of Sterling apartment, Himanshu Verma said, “Every time we used to complain, the flow used to be okay for three- four days but after that, again the same old story.”

When contacted S M Shah, sub engineer, BMC says, “There is no water shortage problem from here. If there are only one or two societies facing water shortage, then it has to be some local problem.” He then added that he would send road diggers and plumbers to solve the problem. “Many residents have joined the gyms close by, so that they can have a good shower bath there,” says Madhuri Khunte, resident of Sterling Apartment.

A nearby society called Vikas apartment is having a similar problem from the last 25 days, informs Indu Krishnan.

“The pressure of the water is very low and is not sufficient for the society.” To which Shah said, “I had send the plumber at Vikas Apartment, the BMC water supplied there is adequate but there is some pipeline problem.”

Link: http://www.chemburghatkoparplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=CGP4ART2262006

 Kamiya Mohan Jani/ Nityanand baug

Lights and cameras were on, the seating arrangements were made, the audience was all geared up, but sadly they did not get a chance to speak. Is this reason less for a talk show to turn into a fight show?

Sadly, yes, as this is precisely what was witness at the Nityanand Baug society in Chembur on February 13. A television channel had invited local residents to discuss their problems with local politicians in a talk show. Local residents allege that the discussions went on as planned but only between the politicians, their supporters and the anchor. “The public view was not taken into consideration. It was an insult to us. They were just pampering the MLA. They used the society’s premises but none of us were given a chance to ask any questions,” complains the Joint Secretary of Nityanand Baug, Vijay Ahuja.

According to Roma Uttamani, a resident of Nityanand Baug, the conversation was all about the pollution in Chembur and the gas fertilizers, which cannot be treated in a short term. “We wanted to talk about the roads and the water logging but the microphone was just not passed on to us. We were simply ignored,” she says adding that the people who got a chance to speak were strangers.

The producer of the show had a tough time tackling the angry residents of Nityanand Baug. Although the show was planned for 18 minutes, the fight went on for about one and a half hour. The producer reportedly told residents that they should have snatched the mic. “Why didn’t you all do that? We cannot pass the mic to everyone,” she averred.

After the heated argument the television unit stated that they might conduct this public view talk show again in this week to satisfy the locals. “If they don’t come this week, we would call some other channel and badmouth them. All their concern was superficial, they just wanted to fill up their 18 minute slot,” avers the Joint Secretary of Nityanand Baug.

Link: http://www.chemburghatkoparplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=CGP6ART2192006