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Ad factor: Congress is the newest Modi fan |
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Written by priyank
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Saturday, 28 January 2012 03:32 |
Ad factor: Congress is the newest Modi fan
Praise comes in form of a two-page advertisement by the Gujarat Congress that describes Modi as an organiser and astute strategist
Ahmedabad Mirror Bureau
Posted On Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:16:48 AM
More space for CM than Congress’s Chhabildas Mehta, Shankarsinh Vaghela
In an example that reflects the miserable state of the Congress in Gujarat, the party came out with an advert that actually praised their rival number one, Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The imagination-starved Gujarat Congress actually planned an advertisement aimed at highlighting the “uniqueness of Gujarat” and the Congress contribution. But the final product that was published on Republic Day came as a shocker. It gave more weightage to Narendra Modi and his contribution to Gujarat.
In fact, Modi has been given much more prominence than several former Congress chief ministers like Amarsinh Chaudhry and Chhabildas Mehta. Senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela, who then headed the RJP and became the CM with outside support from the Congress, also pales in comparison with Modi who has been prominently displayed with a box highlighting his contribution to Gujarat.
The two-page advert describes Modi as a successful organiser and an astute strategist. A strip at the bottom salutes Gujarat’s asmita (pride) — words oft used by Modi.
Though the Congress got defensive, claiming “the advertisement is a subtle sarcasm on Modi”, party leaders, off the record, admitted it was a big blunder. “If Modi’s presence had to be taken note of, the box could have listed fake encounters in his tenure, how he scuttled lokayukta appointment and corruption allegations. If the party intended to be sarcastic, they should have highlighted Gujarat HC judgement on lokayukta which used harsh words for Modi. This is like a progress certificate for Modi by the Congress and it is very embarrassing,” a senior Congress leader said.
“This is a crucial year. The party should be readying its arsenal for an electoral battle to put Modi government on the mat. But here we are praising him and offering him accolades on the platter,” another leader said.
The Congress has listed the achievements by past CMs including that of BJP CM Keshubhai Patel, but with special display for Modi, it seems the latter has had the last laugh.
While Mirror has found out that the person in charge of this advert happens to be Siddharth Patel, chairman of the publicity and media wing of GPCC, the blame is being passed over. He had passed it on to GPCC president Arjun Modhwadia who cleared it.
The Congress was making calls urging media to “understand the satire” and view the ad in a larger perspective but its efforts appeared pointless. Siddharth Patel said the advert is a satire on claims by Modi that Gujarat has progressed just because of him. “The advertisement lists the achievements of all chief ministers and rebuts claims that Modi solely developed the state.”
GPCC spokesman Manish Doshi reiterated Patel’s claim that the advertisement was an honest appraisal of the work done by all CMs without criticism or comment. “It emphasises that only 10 metres were raised during Modi’s reign and mocks at the festivals and utsavs started by the CM. Please look at the ad in the right perspective,” he claimed.
A BJP leader said, “Congress has no option but to acknowledge the contribution of Chief Minister Narendra Modi. It is praiseworthy that for the first time the Congress has been honest.” |
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Open university gives former convict a New chance at life |
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Written by priyank
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Saturday, 28 January 2012 03:31 |
Open university gives former convict a New chance at life
Dr Bhanubhai Patel will join Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University on February 2 as consultant for study centres they run in 23 jails across the state
Hemington James
Posted On Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:22:21 AM
Dr Bhanubhai Nanjibhai Patel says, ‘I am starting from zero’
To reform prisoners and enable them to earn and live with dignity, authorities at Sabarmati Central Jail have instituted several professional courses. And Dr Bhanubhai Nanjibhai Patel made them proud after an open university appointed him as a consultant. He is perhaps the first inmate from a Gujarat jail to have secured a semi-government job.
Dr Patel, who was sentenced to seven years in jail after being found guilty of sexual offences, was released on December 2. Appointed by Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU) on S G Highway, he will work among prisoners in all state jails where the university runs its study centres.
University Registrar Piyush Shah said, “We run study centres in 23 jails to educate prisoners so they can earn an honest and decent livelihood when they get out. We have seen inmates criticise fellow prisoners who enrol for the courses. When we received the doctor’s application, we thought hiring him would be a great opportunity to practise what we preach and set an example among prisoners.”
Explaining Patel’s job profile, Shah said, “Dr Patel will visit the jails and tell prisoners about the courses run by BAOU. He will enrol their names and issue receipts. We are still working out details of his role.”
Pay and perks
Dr Patel, who is currently living with his sister in Bapunagar, will start work from February 2 and be paid Rs 10,000 per month. The university will also allot him a vehicle so that he can travel across the state.
In the time he has been inside, Patel cleared 32 diploma and certificate courses offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and BAOU. Patel, who completed his MBBS from B J Medical College in 1983 and received certification by Education Commissioner for Foreign Medical Graduates from the US, is studying for seven more courses.
Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) P C Thakur, Director of Human Resources Management (Gujarat Vidyapith) Sandhya Thakar and Co-ordinator (Brahma Kumaris) B K Nandini wrote references, requesting university authorities to give Dr Patel a job.
Said Thakur, “Dr Patel is very sincere and his behaviour in jail was commendable. After being released, he came to us seeking support. So I wrote a reference for him.”
Sandhya said, “We spoke to the university. They considered his application as he is qualified for the job. If an inmate is not absorbed by the mainstream society, he will go back to the world of crime.”
B K Nandini said, “We are happy that Patel got the job. We have promised him help in future whenever he needs it.”
‘I’ve been reborn’
Dr Patel is glad he used the time in jail constructively. He holds a postgraduate diploma in intellectual property rights, diplomas in insurance, financial management, operation research, cost accounting, advance accounting and human rights. He also completed certificate courses in functional English, personal computer software, teacher’s training in yoga, computer assembling, Gandhi vichar parichay, food and nutrition and food safety.
Dr Patel said, “Being released from jail is being reborn. I am starting from zero. I have no driving licence and no PAN card. I will restart my life in every sense. In jail, I spent my life meditating and reading books. Initially, it was tough to accept my life behind bars till I decided to use the time positively. I read a lot and was given charge of the library. I enrolled with IGNOU and BAOU. I am glad all those certificates will help me build a good life again.”
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Sardar bridge is #1 suicide point |
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Written by priyank
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Saturday, 28 January 2012 03:26 |
Sardar bridge is #1 suicide point
Fire brigade figures show that 498 men compared to 95 women have plunged into the Sabarmati since April 1, 2007; of these 141 jumped off Sardar Bridge; experts call for fencing all the bridges
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:23:00 AM
More people jump to death from Sardar Bridge than any other place and a majority of them are young men, in the age group 20-30. While fire brigade personnel have been able to save 91 people in the last five years they are yet to receive any accolade officially. These are some of the figures that have emerged following a query under Right to Information Act with Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES).
As many as 141 people jumped off Sardar Bridge and 103 off Vivekanand (Ellis) Bridge in the last five years, the figures show. The numbers have shot up ever since entry to Kankaria has got restricted due to the development of the lakefront.
The figures made available by AFES show that more Amdavadi men throw in towel, or life, than women as 498 men have jumped in the Sabarmati since April 1, 2007 compared to only 95 women in the same period. Of these, 412 men died while the AFES personnel saved 57. Interestingly, more than one third women attempting suicide — 37 to be precise — were saved.
While fire brigade personnel stretched themselves and sometimes even risked their lives to save many of those who attempted suicide, they are yet to get any official commendation. “We don’t strive for it, either. It (saving lives) has become part of our job though we would like to focus on other emergencies,” says a senior fire officer, requesting anonymity.
Ambedkar Bridge is comparatively new, yet it, too, has become a favourite suicide stretch as 61 people have plunged from there as compared to 82 from Gandhi Bridge.
NO KIDS SAVED
There have been several cases of couples tying themselves before plunging to death or women jumping with kids. Sadly, the fire brigade personnel have not been able to save kids while many women have been rescued, says Chief Fire Officer M F Dastoor.
“Often they are in such a rage that they don’t even check if there is enough water where they are jumping. We have come across cases when people have landed in mud or on land and instead of drowning broken their limbs. All we can do in such cases is to pull them out and send them for medical treatment.
“We don’t give up easily. There are occasions when we spend three or even four days to trace a body and extricate it from unlikeliest of the places... but it all comes in the package. A life saved is our award,” Dastoor said.
PUT FENCE ON BRIDGES
Sociologists, psychologist as well as the fire brigade personnel think that some of these suicides could have been prevented.
Says leading psychologist Bhalchandra Joshi, “Figures are stunning. You have looked at only the suicides committed by plunge in the river. If you take into account other suicides the situation is alarming. We talk of growth and are proud of it, but we do not talk of human development.”
Dr Joshi favoured putting up fence on the bridges on the Sabarmati so that people will not be able to jump off them easily. “Put nets on the bridges on the river the way they have been installed along the Narmada canal. Though this is not the real solution, it can definitely bring down the numbers as passersby will spot anyone trying to climb up the net and hence prevent him or her from jumping into the river,” he said.
Anju Sheth, founder member of Saath, an NGO that works on suicide prevention, echoed the idea. “Fencing at these prime spots is needed. Usually, those who come to jump off these bridges, look around for opportunities and they jump off when nobody is around. It is easy due to their (bridges’) accessibility. Security must be deployed at the four corners,” she said.
‘PERSONAL LIFE IN TURMOIL’
Sociologist Gaurang Jani said the trend of more men killing themselves was not surprising. “The situation is the same all over the state except in Saurashtra where more women commit suicide than men.”
Dr Jani attributed the higher percentage of younger people committing suicide to the stress in personal life. “In most of the cases, they already suffer from communication gap with their families. Frustration in love, education, career or joblessness only complicates the matter for them. It puts a lot of pressure on them and makes them take the extreme step,” he said.
Education institutes should make the youth understand the importance of human life and repercussions of suicide on the surviving family members and friends. Even religious and political leaders have a role to play here as youth look at them as role model, Dr Jani said.
‘COUNSELLING NEEDED’
Counselling of the individuals as well as families is important. Elder should try to understand other members of the family and not always impose their will on them, Dr Joshi added.
Sheth strongly advocated message boards with positive lines at vantage points to help someone see hope. She said, “All this happens in just a few second. If there are some motivating posters, people may rethink and decide not to take such a drastic step. Whoever commits suicide, has a wish to die and also a wish to live. It is the government’s job to ensure that they think about the latter.”
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Traffic cops fail to breathe easy |
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Written by priyank
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Friday, 27 January 2012 03:40 |
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Traffic cops fail to breathe easy The rising vehicular pollution is taking a toll on health of traffic police. A lung function test confirms that 45 per cent of those tested suffer from breathing and other related problems Posted On Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 02:43:51 AM | | | GS_googleAddAdSenseService("ca-pub-8048660860005691"); GS_googleEnableAllServices(); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-8048660860005691", "MM_ROS_468x60_Top"); GA_googleFetchAds(); They have withstood the vagaries of the weather, our abuses and blows at times, but they are slowly and steadily falling victims to the rising pollution levels in the city. Vehicular pollution is taking a toll on the lungs of traffic police.
A lung function test conducted by the Traffic Department on more than a hundred personnel has revealed that 45 per cent of them have respiratory problems.
 | | DCP Traffic has decided to shift those suffering from serious lung ailments to less polluted areas | The Spirometry test was carried out at Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic) Siddharth Khatri’s office on January 18 and 19. As many as 150 personnel, including constables, head constables, assistant sub inspectors and police sub inspectors underwent the test. Of these, 66 were found to be suffering from breathing problems, including six who had definite abnormalities.
“This medical check-up was held to find out the pulmonary problems our personnel suffer from. They stand on the road amid pollution in all seasons.
Primary tests have been conducted on them, now we will go for advanced tests,” said DCP Khatri.
Looking at the condition of those with serious lung problem, the traffic chief has decided to shift them from the high-polluting areas to less-polluting places. “We are planning to shift the duty spots of those with definite abnormalities. We will be shifting them to a place where they won’t have to face high pollution,” Khatri said, and added, “It’s people’s call. They should keep their vehicles pollution-free so that not only the policemen, but also their loved ones don’t get affected.”
Dr Jignesh Prajapati, MD, medicine, who verified the reports said, “The reports definitely point to the traffic cops having respiratory problems. But we will go in for further investigations to confirm it and provide those affected with proper treatment.”
 | | 150 traffic cops took the Spirometry test | A 43-year-old traffic cop who has been detected with severe obstruction in his lungs on condition of anonymity said, “I don’t smoke and have no bad habits. But reports have shown that my lungs are blocked. The reason being we are on the road all day long in the midst of heavy pollution. Be it two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws or cars, every vehicle emits carbon and we inhale that without a pause, which creates breathing problems.”
Another 39-year-old traffic cop who has been part of the Interceptor vehicles said, “Be it summer, winter or monsoon we have our jobs cut out. People don’t like us because we stop them and charge them for violation of traffic laws. But if they keep their vehicles pollution-free, our lives will be saved which they cannot fathom.”
What is a spirometer and spirometry?
Spirometry is the most common of the lung function tests. It measures the volume and speed of inhalation and exhalation by using Spirometer. Spirometry shows how well you breathe in and out. Breathing in and out can be affected by lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis.
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Amit Shah seeks SC nod to return to Gujarat |
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Written by priyank
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Friday, 27 January 2012 03:37 |
Amit Shah seeks SC nod to return to Gujarat
Supreme Court had on October 30, 2010, directed the former minister to leave the state and ordered him to stay out till further order
PTI
Posted On Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 02:45:33 AM
Shah was arrested on July 25, 2010, in the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh
Former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah, who was forced to leave the state during the pendency of his trial in Sohrabuddin fake encounter killing case, on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking its permission to return.
In an application filed before the apex court, he submitted that living outside his home state for the last 16 months has caused “irreparable hardship” to him and his family members.
Out of state for 16 months
“The applicant is 47 years of age and his entire family stays in Gujarat. In the facts and circumstances of the present case, a person in public life remaining out of his home state for 16 long months is nothing less than punishment more particularly when he is deprived of the warmth, support and co-operation of his family members and close relatives,” he said in his 11-page application. The apex court had on October 30, 2010, directed Shah to leave the state and ordered him to stay out till further order.
‘Irreparable hardship’
Pleading with the apex court to modify its order, Shah said, “He will suffer irreparable injury and hardship if an appropriate order to the effect of modification of order of October 30, 2010, is not made.”
“The applicant has remained outside his own state for approximately 16 months resulting into a situation where one of the largest assembly constituencies in the country, which has reposed faith in the applicant since four consecutive terms, is deprived of its representatives,” he said.
Shah, a close aide of chief minister Narendra Modi, was arrested by CBI on July 25, 2010, and he had spent over three months in Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad. Shah had to quit the Modi government after being slapped with charges of murder and kidnapping in the fake encounter of alleged gangster Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kauser Bi in 2005.
Budget session to begin on February 23
The budget session of Gujarat Assembly will begin on February 23, announced Governor Kamla on Tuesday. The 28-day session will commence in the last week of March. The state government will introduce several bills along with the state budget for the year 2012-13 during the session, she added.
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