Mumbai Daily

KIDS
Yoga teacher Nilufer Patel will use unique techniques to make yoga fun for toddlers and children. For instance, yoga through the journey of a caterpillar to a butterfly. She will narrate the facts and act accordingly at every step. The learning will be multidimensional as students will learn fun facts while practising yoga. The workshop also extends itself into art. Every workshop ends with the kids colouring using their imagination. Classes start from Thursday onwards and will be conducted in two batches. The cost is Rs1,800 per child for 4 sessions
When: Thursday, January 5 onwards
Where: The Art Loft, first floor, above Patel Store, Mehboob Studio, Bandra
Timing: Batch 1 — 4pm to 4.45pm (3 to 6-year-olds) and Batch 2 — 5pm to 5.45pm (7 to 10-year-olds)
Contact: To register, call 99304 83966 or email contact@theartloft.co.in

Epson’s Creative Imaging Contest is open for children aged between 8 and 16 years. Participants can explore art in various forms across photography, painting, sketching, digital graphics, miniature models, paper craft, collages and any other form of paper work. Contestants only need to ensure that all art works are made using Inkjet or Laser prints. The First Prize winner of the contest will be awarded an Epson Wi-Fi All-in-one printer plus an all-expenses paid trip to Taipei to attend the award ceremony. The last date to receive entries is January 15 Contact: For more information, call 080 30105000 or email creativeimagingcontest@eid.epson.co.in

Jumping Genius Day Care and Activity Centre is conducting special workshops for children on reading, writing, yoga, gym, and boot camps which include physical, creative and mind stimulation. The workshops are suitable for kids aged between 1.5 and 6 years. Jumping Genius is located at Tardeo, Prabhadevi, Bandra and Sion
Contact: Call 98207 51811 for further details

Active
BNHS is organising a bird watching trip at Nilje Lake in Dombivli. Nilje is a small village about 8km from Dombivli. The small village pond hosts the winter migrants — several water birds like Teals, Brahminy Duck, Pheasant tailed Jacanas and Moorhens can be sighted at the pond. The surrounding area is a mixture of cultivated land or dry fallow land and scrub country. The charges are Rs60 per person
When: Sunday, January 8
Timing: 7.30am to 10.30am
Contact: AmandeepKaur Giran, education officer at 95949 29107/53425, or email cecbnhs@gmail.com

Participate in Run for Pink of Health, a social initiative organised by Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital. Register and run with thousands of athletes, running enthusiasts and fitness-conscious Mumbaikars. This event will provide a unique running experience at the Heritage Gardens in Powai. Entry on a first come, first served basis, and by prior registration only. Last date for registration is January 4
When: Sunday, January 8
Where: Heritage Gardens, Powai
Timing: 6am
Contact: To register, call 98701 76113 or visit www.rotarylakers.org

Workshops
Give your home a festive touch with the traditional rangoli adorning your doorstep. Learn how to make different types of rangoli in a one-day workshop on Traditional, Designer and Decorative rangolis, Khassida work, Magic rangolis and more by Sneha Sawant
Where: Vile Parle (West)
Contact: 98204 41219 or 2670 6273

Attend an eggless cake workshop. Learn the professional way to make tasty and easy eggless cakes, brownies, cookies and assorted chocolates in a practical workshop
When: Ongoing
Where: Andheri (West)
Timing: 2pm to 5.30pm
Contact: 98203 28740

Adopt
Urban Dogs is a one-day fun fest presented by www.urbanbrat.com and World For All Animal Care and Adoptions in association with Mark — the pet shop and Eureka Forbes. Take advantage of discounts, offers and sales, and participate in games, fun music and on-the-spot contests. Prizes for different categories like the best dressed dogs, dogs with the maximum accessories etc. will be given out. Little puppies and kittens will also be up for adoption at the event. Photography kiosks and game stalls will be the major attraction at the event where pet parents can get a chance to click professional photographs with their pets and play exciting stall games
When: January 15
Where: Bandra Hindu Association Hall, Linking Road, Bandra (West)
Timing: 11am to 6pm
Contact: Call Apeksha Harihar on 98924 00579
or email apeksha.wmb@gmail.com

Baby is a 5-6-week-old kitten waiting to be adopted by a loving family. She is playful, healthy, sweet, bubbly and absolutely adorable. She is also kitty-litter-toilet-trained. Many more kittens are up for adoption. We are looking for loving homes for them and people who will care for them throughout their lives. Kittens are best adopted in pairs and provide love, entertainment and happiness to every home
Contact: 99870 85350

Seven pups, about two-months-old each, are looking for homes. They are gentle, playful and adorable. Indian breeds are the best breed and are sturdier than other foreign breeds. They easily adjust to our weather, are less susceptible to diseases and ailments, and age does not show on them easily. You also save a life when you adopt an Indian rescued pup
Contact: To adopt, call 98205 28869

ART
Attend “Passageway — Overgoing” by Wolfgang Laib, a German artist.
Working with collected pollen, beeswax and other organic material, Laib has created an exhibition contemplating on the relation of nature and humankind
When: Ongoing, till Jan 13
Where: Gallery Chemould Prescott Road, 3rd Floor, Queens Mansion, G. Talwatkar Marg, Fort) and Gallery Mirchandani Steinrücke (2 Sunny House, Mereweather Road, Colaba)

Condemn violence on Christians too

The Russian government did not protest when right wing Hindu terror groups in 2008 were burning Bibles, vandalising churches, breaking the idols of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary and targeting Christians in Orissa, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Look at how the Indian government has gone full throttle in protesting over an issue of the Russian translation of the Gita being banned in Russia even before a local junior court could deliver the judgement on the ban.

—Jorge Monteiro, Mumbai

II

A petition has been made in court in another country asking for a ban on the Bhagawad Gita and here we are talking as if the book has been banned. And if the court rules in favour of the petitioner, why should we ask the Executive to over rule the court? It would be much better if we followed our religious texts faithfully instead of fighting over them.

—Anthony Henriques, via email



Bharat Ratna row

Though the chairman of the Press Council of India justice Markandey Katju’s remark that a cricketer or a Bollywood star does not deserve the most prestigious civilian award of the country Bharat Ratna is debatable, many like me believe that the award should only be given to those who made a real difference to the nation and not to those who earn a living by entertaining others. Whether Mirza Ghalib or Sarat Chandra Chatterjee should be given the award posthumously, as has been done in the past, or not may depend upon the selection committee but there are several deserving candidates who are alive.

—Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad



A year of losses

Barring the hopes raised by Anna Hazare through his agitation against rampant corruption, 2011 was pretty ordinary as we witnessed depressing events, which demoralised everybody (‘Individuals sparkle in unremarkable year for India,’ December 22). Also, the deaths of stalwarts in the field of arts and entertainment such as Shammi Kapoor, Jagjit Singh, Dev Anand, Sultan Khan, Bhupen Hazarika and Bhimsen Joshi who had us spellbound with their performances, have left a void, which is almost impossible to fill. It is the performances of such artistes that every Indian looks forward to for a brief relief from the tribulations in a life that is becoming very hectic and difficult.

—Ketan Meher, via email
The editor welcomes your views and feedback: inbox@dnaindia.net

Adopt a school
DNA’s report, ‘Adopted municipal school fights odds, sets example’ (Dec 26), augurs well in the present context of the Right of Education for all. More than anything else, the growth of the school will speak volumes for the efforts taken by members of Nagrik Satta Ward 63, a citizens’ association, which adopted the school in 2008, following which 180 students were enrolled. Now, the school has 500 students. Incidentally, this should be a wake-up call for citizens of other posh areas in Mumbai. Just imagine the effect this can have in the next five years.
—PM Gopalan, Mumbai

Last rally of the year
Anna Hazare’s fast-cum-rally will take place on December 27 at the MMRDA Grounds, Bandra Kurla Complex. Like every citizen of our nation, even Anna wants transparency in government. But Team Anna is misleading our country because of which the Lokpal Bill is in limbo, with MPs on one side against the fast and the protest rallies and Team Anna on the other, fighting day and night for the bill. Then there are the common people in the middle. Team Anna also plans a jail bharo andolan on December 30. Anna’s last 12-day fast in August didn’t help in passing the Lokpal Bill. I wonder if this one will help.
—Simrin Manwani, Mumbai

II
This refers to your report ‘Agent Anna is all people can talk of’ (Dec 26). The Congress party’s smear campaign led by Digvijay Singh is an attempt to divert attention from the main issue. By calling Anna an RSS agent, Digvijay Singh is deliberately trying to politicise the matter. Whether Anna has worked as Nanaji Deshmukh’s assistant in the past is not the question. The Congress must respond to the demands for a Lokpal which has been endorsed by the majority of the opposition parties and civil society representatives. Whether the demand comes from any political outfit or person should not matter. It is high time the government stopped playing hide-and-seek and addressed the issue of a strong legislation to check corruption without further delay.
—Ashok Goswami, Mumbai

III
The Congress deserves to be complimented for calling Hazare’s agitation “an experiment with lies” (Dec 26) which it undoubtedly is, as against the Mahatma’s “experiments with truth”. Take, for instance, Hazare’s denial of the presence of volunteers from the Sangh Parivar manning some stalls at the Ramlila Grounds during his fast in August when Digivijay Singh commented on it, only to be confirmed unequivocally by the chief of the Sangh who said that they have always been involved in Hazare’s agitation. What takes the cake, however, is Hazare’s initial claim that his movement is non-political, which proved to be false with leaders from a few political parties sharing his dais at Jantar Mantar the other day, besides his wooing Mamata Didi to support him.
—Dr V Subramanyan, Mumbai

Pending railway projects
I need to ask the railway authorities questions about all their pending projects. They have failed to deliver what they promised us over the years. What happened to the fast trains that would run on the Harbour line and the Panvel-Kurla, CBD-Belapur-Kurla and Vashi-Kurla locals? Why haven’t all the Navi Mumbai stations been painted? It has been over a decade and they are in such bad shape. Why haven’t the Navi Mumbai stations been extended in the stipulated period as promised? Why are there no ticket collectors or railway policemen at the Navi Mumbai platforms and in trains?
—Fabain Edward Misquitta, Navi Mumbai

II
I am very happy to note that Central Railway is going to spend Rs4 crore on upgrading its stations (‘Rs4 crore mega plan to upgrade CR stations’ Dec 24). Thane station has immense historical importance and, as such, requires its due share. Mamata Banerjee re-evaluated its importance and gave several recommendations. But the project is still in the planning stage. What we urgently need is more ticket counters to avoid serpentine queues, another foot overbridge with escalator facility to avoid stampedes, facilities for the aged and those with special needs, more water coolers and toilets, more seating, lighting and fans on all platforms. The railways can stop issue of coupons and platform tickets from ticket counters by entrusting the task to book-stalls and telephone booths in the vicinity.
—V Venkitasubramanian, Thane

Mill occupation justified
The remark made by the Bombay high court, when judges compared the protesters demanding an Ambedkar memorial with the 26/11 terrorists, is unfortunate. This is unjustified. Have the Indu Mill agitators occupied anyone’s mandir or private property or demolished a temple? Building Ambedkar’s memorial on Indu Mill land is a 20-year-old demand. Ambedkar followers demanded the land from the government as the land is owned by the central government. The government is not serious about allotting land, so the people went ahead and seized possession of it.
—Sanjay Gaikwad, via email

Is this growth?
This refers to DNA’s comment piece titled, ‘India needs high GDP growth, not Lokpal’ (Dec 26). It was an interesting article. What India needs is good governance and reduction in corruption. GDP growth will follow. Bihar is a case in point. I have seen reverse migration of my community folks to Kutch, which surprisingly has better living conditions (24x7 power supply and potable water) than what Kalyan residents have.
—Shailesh Chheda, Mumbai

Support Anna
The agitation led by Anna Hazare against corruption deserves full support. There seems to be national support for his agitation going by the crowds waiting to hear him and the support he enjoys across states. Many politicians have taken the people of this country for granted. They have always seen elected office as an opportunity for financial aggrandisement. In the last few years, corruption had reached shameful levels. Some elected officials and government employees had destroyed the hopes of a common citizen to get any work done without having to pay some gratuity. Hopefully, politicians will now wake up from their slumber and start solving the country’s problems.
—Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Won’t vote for Sena
Looking at the rampant corruption in BMC projects, it is no wonder that Shiv Sena leaders are opposing a strong Lokpal Bill as they don’t want to shoot themselves in the foot. My family has been a strong supporter of the Sena from its inception, but the mishandling of important projects and rampant corruption in filling potholes and cleaning nullahs and gutters before the monsoon has made us think again. This time we will not be voting for the Sena during the civic poll. These leaders should know that they cannot fool all the people all the time.
—Vanita Shenoy, Mumbai

Dalits vs Anna
This refers to the report ‘Dalits join anti-Anna chorus, dub fast anti-constitutional’ (Dec 27). I read what Namdeo Dhasal, founder-president of the Dalit Panther, said, that “Anna’s agitation and his demands are a threat to our Constitution” and the government should control Anna. I would like to tell Dhasal that the RPI capturing Indu Mill land in Dadar is already proving a threat to the Constitution, but the government has been very defensive against the encroachers. Anna is doing everything in a proper manner. He has not encroached upon the BKC ground. The rent for the ground has been paid and permissions have been obtained for the fast as per the law. Also, Anna’s demands are for the nation and not for any particular community.
—Akhil Thakur, via email

II
Noble Indian citizens like Dadabhoy Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Jamshetji Jeejeebhoy and Jamshedji Tata have played at least as pivotal a role in shaping and developing our country as any other, and have made personal contributions towards the establishment of numerous institutions for the benefit of all communities. Yet, the Parsi community has never demanded — leave alone usurped — acres of land to commemorate anyone of them. Meaningful adulation of heroes within one’s community lies not in building memorials for them through dubious means, but in the exposition of worthy character in one’s self.
—Phiroze B Javeri, Mumbai

Era ends with Bangarappa
This refers to the report (Dec 27) titled ‘Ex-CM Bangarappa passes away’. The death of the veteran politician marks the end of an era. S Bangarappa was among the few politicians who have left an indelible imprint in politics. He had an eventful political career spanning five decades. He loved Hindustani classical music and sports and was a popular leader who could mobilise large crowds with his charisma and win elections irrespective of party affiliation. Baptised in politics as a Socialist, he was a known party-hopper who left the Congress many times only to rejoin. His death spells an irreparable loss to Karnataka.
—Ramesh G Jethwani Bangalore

Cold wave deaths
Over 100 poor, helpless people have died recently owing to a severe cold wave in some states, mainly Uttar Pradesh. It seems that neither the UPA government nor the state government nor the media is worried about them. Mayawati, who never forgets to call herself a Dalit leader, is busy consolidating her vote bank. She has spent crores of rupees immortalising herself, Kanshi Ram and Dr BR Ambedkar. What has she done for the poor who died as they did not have even a blanket to protect them from the cold? Where was the media’s darling Rahul Gandhi? He should have spent a few nights with these poor people under the open sky without a blanket. For the last 60 years, we have been hearing the Congress slogan ‘’5 saal mein garibi mita denge”. But everyone knows that garibi is not dying, only the garib are.
—Pratap Singh, Mumbai

High cost of medicine
The Planning Commission’s suggestion that prices of medicines be decided by the Union health ministry rather than the Union ministry of chemicals and fertilisers is welcome. It is better to shift the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority to the Union health ministry. There are many medicines on which manufacturers cash in on their name and earn huge profits. The same medicines are available at much lower prices when bought in bulk. Fancy packaging is another way of charging heavily for medicines. Drug companies bribe medical practitioners with expensive cars, junkets and other gifts for recommending their products. A normal discount of 10-11% given on medicines by retail chemists reveals the huge margin between wholesale and retail prices. Any price-deciding authority should consider all these aspects.
—Subhash Chandra Agrawal, Delhi

BEST should intervene
There is no BEST bus service for commuters from Turbhe Naka to Mahape Circle. Every day thousands of industrial workers and office staff have to face difficulties as a result. Commuters have to pay additional fares for different bus services. BEST authorities should take note of this and start services at the earliest.
—Sanjivkumar Alate, Kharghar

The editor welcomes your views and feedback: inbox@dnaindia.net
Think before you act

Your report ‘Anna fever on wane, only 5,000’ and the reasons for the poor turnout in DNA (December 28) was logical and interesting. I wish Team Anna, particularly the vociferous Arvind Kejriwal, considered all this before embarking on this fast in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi (in this weather).

—Yash P Verma, Pune



Divisive politics at play

This refers to ‘Cong gets its Lokpal without Rahul’s status’ (December 28). The Lokpal Bill cleared by the Lok Sabha is still to be cleared by the Rajya Sabha. The Lokpal case was a test of sincerity for the parliamentarians to show their commitment to fighting corruption and the present lot has failed that test miserably. Instead of availing a golden opportunity to create an independent and empowered corruption ombudsman and securing its place in the country’s history, the establishment has done the opposite by injecting the virus of caste and religion based reservations. Democracies thrive on politics which unites society and takes the country forward. Unfortunately, the case is just opposite in the largest democracy of the world, where politics is all about divide and rule and the country’s interests are at the bottom of each politician’s priority-list. India needs game-changers or a change in the rules of the game.

—MC Joshi, Lucknow



Low turnout at fast

The low turnout of people at Anna Hazare’s fast at the MMRDA ground at Bandra Kurla Complex can be attributed to a realisation among them that the agitation is politically motivated. This has led to this disinterest in the fast. Since the Congress-led UPA government has already presented the Lokpal Bill in the Parliament, Anna Hazare and his team have no authority to challenge the Parliament, which is supreme and the ultimate authority. It is high time Anna stops behaving like a dictator and an agent of the Sangh Parivar and end his fast and concentrate on his health which is deteriorating to ensure the Lokpal Bill is passed smoothly, failing which he and his team will be fully responsible for unrest and violence that will erupt in the country.

—Bhagwan Thadani, Mumbai



II

This is about the news in your newspaper about an abysmal number of people attending Anna’s fast in Mumbai and the apprehension regarding the waning influence of his agitation against corruption in the country. One of the reasons for the low turnout is the current examination period of schools and colleges coinciding with the fast. For standard X and XII students, this is a very crucial period with pre-board exams and the oncoming finals. For students preparing for CET exams, this is an important time too. As for offices and factories, it is closing time where financial reports have to be presented. Several others in government departments have gone on leave to avail of their excess leave. All these factors have kept most people away from the venue of the anti-graft agitation. However, this does not in any way mean that people have lost faith in the agitation or that their seriousness in fighting corruption has reduced by any measure.

—Y S Krishnamoorthy, via email



Sore throat because of pollutants

This is with reference to ‘Blame that sore throat on pollutants’ (December 27) in DNA. A change in climate is a nightmare for people suffering from respiratory ailments. Winter is a pain for asthmatic patients because they experience increased wheezing while breathing. Preventive measures like avoiding public places or construction sites may help. Due to heavy density in the atmosphere, foreign bodies stay in the air which irritates the oesophagus. Taking precautions is better than cure.

—Deepak Chikramane, Mumbai



Preventive measures

This is with reference to ‘Lock coach doors to curb misuse: RPF’ (December 28). The Railway Protection Force has warned the railway administration about the issue. The Railways’ argument that it’s the RPF’s responsibility to look after the yards by constant patrolling may be valid but is unfair. Security measures like installation of metal detectors, CCTV cameras, etc on railway platforms will be futile if coaches kept in the yards are left unlocked. It is always advisable to take corrective action beforehand instead of blaming each other when miscreants, criminals or terrorists misuse such coaches.

—Kishorkumar Ved, via email



Justice delayed

The NIA has filed an exhaustive charge sheet against nine foreign nationals (including seven Pakistanis) for their alleged involvement in the 26/11 terror. But before they could be produced at the Indian courts, they have to be extradited from their respective countries, which is a long process. The actual trial may take about a decade, even if it is held in a fast track court. Subsequent appeals to higher judicial tribunals and finally the mercy petitions can easily consume another decade and crores of rupees of the tax payers’ money. Justice is elusive.

—Arun Malankar, Mumbai

SMS, email to vote

The Election Commission of India should explore the possibility of voting through SMS or email (‘Now, polling at a society near you by Seema Kamdar, December 27, DNA). With the help of technology to ensure that the process is secure, allowing citizens to cast their votes through mobile phones can become a reality. The main advantages being that there will be a phenomenal increase in the number of people who will cast their votes from the comfort of their homes and a decrease in queues outside polling booths, thereby, reducing the pressure on security forces.

—Ketan R. Meher, Mumbai