Know your PMC meet 15th Oct05

Citizen activists of the National Society of Clean Cities mohalla committees met for a one day workshop on the 15th October 2005 to learn more about the Pune Municipal Corporation PMC and its functioning. The workshop began with the PMC municipal commissioner Dr. Nitin Kareer who exhorted the activists to participate in the buget making in the corporation . He said that one crore is available for each ward and that citizens must suggest how it is to be spent for their wards. Officers from different departments of the PMC explained the working of their deparments and gave tips on how citizens could work with them. Delia Maria of FOGM attended the workshop and has become an invidual member of NSCC. Though there is no branch of NSCC in Lohegaon at present, Maria hopes to take up some civic issues along with friends in the neighbourhood. Amongst the issues will be widening of the airport road and construction of storm drains by the PMC.

For more information about the PMCs go to its website at www.punemahapalika.org.

Yerawada Central Jail’s prisoners learn Ahimsa

Pune Oct 1, 2005

Thirty five jailbirds at the Yerawada Central Prison received certificates for having passed the 2004 Gandhi Vichar Pariksha which was conducted by the Gujarat Vidyapeeth. The Sahyog Trust which holds the exams in prisons all over Maharashtra, along with volunteers of the Friends of the Gandhi Museum had prepared the prisoners for the exams, one month before the exam. Simple texts on Gandhi’s life, teachings and moral values were distributed for study and preparation to the male prisoners. The certificate distribution programme was also held to commemorate the 136th birth anniversary of the Mahatma. There was laughter and inspiration as veteran Gandhians addressed the prisoners narrating anecdotes from Gandhi’s life. Asim Sarode, a young Gandhian and human rights lawyer co-ordinate the programme. Delia Maria, Jeff Knaebel and Thankamma of FOGM also participated in the programme. See the programme snaps on our website photo gallery.

Walking the Mahatma’s path

Pune, October 2, 2005: AN 80-year-old working for women’s empowerment and a doctor striving for a drug-free society received the Ba-Bapu awards, while a social worker fighting against dowry and a man working for Hindu-Muslim unity, became recipients of young workers awards for constructive activity.

On Gandhi Jayanti on Sunday, the awards were presented to Ramaben Ruia, Dr HV Sardesai, Abdul Aziz Rajan and Asha Kulkarni. “Gandhian principles inspire hundreds everyday. These awards are given to those who follow and practice those principles,” stated Shobhna Ranade, chairperson, Gandhi National Memorial Society.

“Gandhi’s thoughts still exist in the Sabarmati Ashram, but during the riots, when a frightened mob tried to enter, the doors were shut. At that time I felt that Gandhi died once more,” said Abdul Rajan. “Gandhiji doesn’t stay in ashram but in acharan. It is necessary for us all to practice what Gandhiji believed in — non-violence.”

Asha Kulkarni works against dowry and drugs. Both Abdul Rajan and Kulkarni received the young workers award for constructive activity.

For the recipients, the path shown by Gandhi remains the only way to lead their lives.

Courtesy Express News Service