Dinesh Kamath's column on Inside Navi Mumbai (6) (Sandeep Naik) that was published in Newsband

-->

Inside Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

MLA Sandeep Naik is a big name in Navi Mumbai. He is occupying the post of MLA owing to the excellent service he rendered to the people of his constituency which is Airoli. He has not ceased to contribute towards developing his constituency even after he has become MLA. There are some MLAs who after winning the election forget all the promises that they had made before the election. But Sandeep Naik is not one of those types. He is honest, ambitious and very enterprising. He always has the development of Navi Mumbai in mind when he is addressing at the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.  He comes up with some problem or the other that Navi Mumbai, and particularly his constituency, faces.

Just recently he was having a discussion with Town Planning Department and he grabbed this opportunity to appeal to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to grant a loan of Rs 750 crore to lay a foundation to the industrial belts located within Navi Mumbai. This was indeed a great move on the part of Naik.

MMRDA appears to be partial. It is showing a step motherly attitude towards Navi Mumbai. I say this because when it comes to providing loans, MMRDA goes out of the way to grant loans to municipal corporations of Mumbai and Pune but it coolly singles out or sidelines Navi Mumbai. Why? Why is MMRDA treating Navi Mumbai like that? Navi Mumbai is in fact always in need of a loan which could help Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to lay a strong foundation to the vast industrial belts that it possesses. Industrial regions like I.T., Pharmacity, MIDC and others will benefit enormously if only MMRDA cares to grant a decent loan to NMMC. NMMC requires the amount stipulated by MLA Sandeep Naik to provide the above-mentioned regions facilities like concrete roads, power, utility service duct, footpath, street lamps etc. Hence MMRDA should not hesitate to offer a loan of Rs 750 crore to NMMC authorities since they have a genuine need of that amount.

The thing is Sandeep Naik had been making this demand since last two and a half years. Yet MMRDA has not cared to fulfill this demand. Who are the sufferers because of MMRDA’s we-don’t-care attitude? Naturally it is the people of Navi Mumbai who have to pay the price owing to MMRDA’s negligent attitude. NMMC is badly in need of funds to develop the industries in the city. This lack of fund has resulted in the industrial belts not possessing strong foundation and owing to this both the businesses and daily revenue are badly affected. Sandeep Naik was bold enough to make an appeal directly to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan whom he requested that MMRDA be directed to provide a loan of Rs 750 crore to NMMC. Since the demand is made directly to CM himself there are lots of chances of MMRDA fulfilling this long-pending demand and that too urgently.

The thing is residents living near the city's industrial zone, especially the Sanpada, Turbhe, Koparkhairane and Airoli areas, get disturbed by pungent breezes wafting into their homes. The air pollution becomes rather unbearable late at night when some of the chemical units emit gases. Most of the time the residents are forced to keep their windows totally shut at night, even if it gets suffocating. The option is to inhale hazardous gases. In the winter season the air gets particularly noxious as pollutants take longer to disperse in that season. This causes children's eyes to burn.

There are close to 4,500 industrial units in an area of 25.4 sq km in the MIDC TTC (Trans Thane Creek) zone. Many of these units deal with hazardous chemicals like ammonia, sulphur and nitrous oxides. There was a time when there was a dangerous leak of ammonia gas in the Pawane region at Turbhe, which affected 55 locals who were rushed to hospital. Since these regions fall within or in the vicinity of the constituency of MLA Sandeep Naik, the pathetic plight of the people over there must have prompted him to make an appeal for loan.

 People of Navi Mumbai tend to blame NMMC for neglecting the industrial regions. But NMMC has its own problems. If organizations like MMRDA don’t cooperate with NMMC, what can NMMC do? For any development work, the basic thing that is needed is the funds. From where can NMMC produce the funds required to give tremendous boost to city’s industries? Either the state government or organizations like MMRDA should come forward to provide the required funds to NMMC. Unless and until that happens NMMC cannot proceed in the matter of laying a strong foundation to the industrial belts lying within its jurisdiction.

But now that MLA Sandeep Naik has made a direct appeal to CM and also told MMRDA in many words about NMMC’s urgent need of funds, it appears that MMRDA will certainly do the needful. So, let’s hope for the best!  

Photographs of Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Newsband, clicked by Anil Sharma on 20 December 2012

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Need of job security) that was published in Newsband

Need of job security

Everyone today needs job security. The job security is not something that only 50-somethings care about. Even many younger people find the need of job security.

The moment a youngster comes out from the university, he or she is in need of a job. Many youngsters who have just finished their degree course begin to realize the fact that it is difficult to get a really secure job. Some take up whichever job they get first. Others are very choosy. They think of the future. They want a job that will ensure bright future for them. Hence the moment they are offered a job they evaluate just how good the security blanket employers set up is. They are not bothered about the reputation of the organization. They bother about the salary they are offered in the beginning, their financial position two years later and the retirement benefits the company will offer.

Stress and anxiety about the future are common, as over half the youngsters agreed retirement security is more important today than just a few years ago. That’s a completely new trend of thinking displayed by the youngsters. That’s because they have probably seen their elders without a job just when they reach their middle-age. They know how difficult it is to get a job for one who reaches that stage of life. The experiences of their elderly ones have created such mindsets among them. They are become aware that if today they have a good post and salary, the same need not be the case when they reach their middle age. They wouldn’t like to be at the mercy of whims and fancies of their employers. They would prefer to do a job which will ensure secure future for them even if that particular job fetches them a little low income. Their logic is that it is better to do a low salaried job throughout one’s life rather than do a high salaried one just for a few years.

Many human resources experts, however, are not surprised by this kind of mindsets that the youngsters of today possess. They attribute such a mindset to the global slowdown, a listless economy and uncertain job markets.

Today the security is taking precedence over almost everything all over the world, and most employees would trade a smaller salary increase or bonus for a guaranteed retirement benefit that doesn’t rise or fall with the market (in other words, a defined benefit). More than half want to stay with their current employer until they retire. Salary and job security top the list of what people want when considering a job, followed by the opportunity to learn new skills and build a career — which are, of course, also routes to a higher salary and long-term security. This is the mindset of a typical youngster belonging to 21^st century.

Dinesh Kamath's column on 'Inside Navi Mumbai' (5) (Kudos to Fortis Hospital of Vashi) that was published in Newsband

-->

Inside Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Kudos to Fortis Hospital of Vashi

One should appreciate the idea of authorities of Fortis Hospital of Vashi to organize ‘TEAL to HEAL Together’ - India’s largest Cervical Awareness Campaign. This is indeed a laudable step taken by the hospital.

Twenty seven percent of the world’s patients who suffer from cervical cancer are in India. Hence it is very necessary that such campaigns are held all over India. It is great that a hospital in Vashi has taken the initiative.

In India such cases are prevalent more in rural areas. Hence it is very necessary that such campaigns are carried out in remote villages of India. Not only that financial aid should also be extended to the patients in rural areas so that they are able to treat successfully this dreadful ailment.

This kind of cancer can be prevented if it is detected at the earliest stage and accordingly treated. In fact every female should get herself screened from time to time to ensure that she is free from this dreadful ailment. Vaccination for young girls is also a very good option to keep cervical cancer at bay. Pap smear is very simple and painless test which can be performed in a doctor's consulting room to detect precancerous changes in cervix.

Fortis Hiranandani Hospital is doing a magnificent service to mankind by dedicating one full month to create mass awareness on this lethal disease. Through this campaign, they are extending invitation to all women to join hands with them for a social cause.

This campaign is the first of its kind in India. Nobody elsewhere in India had got the idea of initiating such a campaign. The city of Navi Mumbai will ever be remembered for initiating a campaign which, believe me, will be emulated by hospitals located in rest of India.

This campaign comprises of holding free lectures for masses all across Navi Mumbai where its eminent gynecologists and oncologists will share the same platform with the attendee to provide insight on this subject matter in depth. Not only that, through this CSR campaign, a panel of over 50 Gynecologists and Oncologists would be screening over 1000 women for cervical cancer with a test to detect cervical cancer risk, namely Pap smear test. That’s really remarkable!

The urban people should have control over their life style since the cause of this cancer is connected with life style changes. Rural people should also shed some of their blind beliefs which directly or indirectly give birth to this cancer. In urban areas promiscuous behavior, multiple sexual partners, overcrowding bad hygiene and in rural, early marriage (so early start to sexual activity), poor socio- economic conditions and poorer health and health care facilities lead to cervical cancer. Lack of knowledge and awareness only makes the matter worse.

So hat’s off to the authorities of Fortis Hiranandani Hospital for initiating such kind of campaign. One wonders as to how nobody else in India ever thought of starting such an awareness campaign. Anyway, someone has at last given the lead!

Stop this evil practice

Another remarkable thing is not that Oriental Education Society’s Sanpada College of Commerce & Technology had organised a Flash mob to promote the college fest "ORIENS 2012" this year. The best thing is that the college has dedicated the fest to the orphan (girl child) and physically handicapped.

At Vashi station, the students of the college performed a street play to create awareness about female foeticide. They carried banners and posters made by them portraying their motives to stop female foeticide.

Female foeticide is one of the worst crimes. In the olden times, the girl was considered as inferior to boys. This rule was not passed down by God. This rule was made by some so-called elderly people of the past.

Now why should a girl be looked at as a weak creature? Is it because of her biological make up? Some men are of the opinion that God or Mother Nature has made females weaker than males and hence everyone should accept the fact that males are superior to females. These men don’t realize that when they give a tag called ‘the weak one’ to woman, they are insulting their own mothers and sisters. It is this tag that makes many men perpetrate worst crimes on women. How long will women continue to carry this tag? The birth of this crime called ‘female foeticide’ is owing to this tag. There are men who refuse to entertain the thought of having a daughter. They prefer a son. The modern technology has made their work easier. They are now able to detect in advance whether their wives are carrying male or female foetus in their wombs. In case the foetus is feminine they force their wives to undergo abortion. Now, this is neither ethical nor moral nor advisable. Such a practice is an act of cruelty and should be condemned and stopped.   

In the past, a woman who would give birth to girl after girl would be abused and considered as a bad omen. Those days there were men who would leave their wives who could not give them a boy and go for other women with the hope that they would give birth to a boy. But in modern times the girl child is straightway murdered the moment she makes her appearance in the womb.

The invention of sonography is a great leap in the world of technology. It is a great feat by mankind. No doubt about that! But making use of this advanced technology to pursue an evil belief is a shame for mankind.   

Female foeticide is an extremely cruel practice and should be stopped immediately. It is not enough to make laws to stop this crime. Those laws should be implemented. In fact, the law should be such that perpetrator of this crime should undergo extremely stringent punishments. After all female foeticide is a kind of murder and any murderous act deserves very harsh penalty.  Life imprisonment, if not death penalty, should be the punishment for those who commit female foeticide. Such a move on the part of law makers will certainly mitigate, if not totally eliminate, such a crime.

Video: Dinesh Kamath displays some of his cartoons on 'Alooramji' that were published in Newsband

Dinesh Kamath's another column on 'Dabangg 2' that was published in Newsband

Today I’ll pass on to you more information about the film Dabangg 2. I’ll focus on the music of the film.

It is clear that the makers of Dabangg 2 are out to woo Bollywood aficionado music listeners. Dabangg had apt songs as per the script, they were not memorable musically. With Dabangg 2, it’s a different matter altogether as it needs to match or surpass the original Munni and Tere Mast Mast Do Nain which became the highlight scores for the year 2010. Producer Arbaaz Khan has acknowledged that and has kept the sure-shot hit duo of Sajid Wajid that has been responsible for most of the blockbusters by Salman in recent times.

It is Sajid-Wajid who is in charge of music of the film Dabangg 2. Lyricists are Sameer, Jalees Sherwani, Ashraf Ali and Irfan Kamal.

The first song of the movie is Dagabaaz Re. Chulbul Pandey and Rajjo have moved ahead in life and the song depicts the same effortlessly while engaging the listener from the very beginning. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s singing in Sufi style adds to the song and brings it closer to being a hit. Expect the listeners to hear the song again and again for Salman as well as Rahat, both of whom have added oodles of charm to the track. Dagabaaz Re is soft, smooth and soulful. Sameer's lyrics pretty much capture the small town feel with elements around Chulbul thrown in as well. Meanwhile Shadaab Faridi's voice can be heard intermittently in the song.

Next song is Pandey jee Seeti which is rendered by Wajid, Shreya Ghosal and none other than the queen of today’s ‘desi’ item numbers, Mamta Sharma. Pandeyjee Seeti is a quintessential UP-Bihar song written by Jalees Sherwani which has Wajid letting his hair down as the voice of Salman Khan. The song (also appearing in a 'remix') is quite fast paced and hardly has a breather to offer in those four minutes of play.

Fevicol Se is another number in the film Dabangg 2. In this track, it is Kareena who shakes the whole town. Fevicol Se is the much talked about item track which is rendered by a group of singers who are led by Mamta Sharma and Wajid. Most definitely a UP/Bihar song which carters to the front row audiences, it would result in a lot of ‘seetibaazi’ and dancing in single screen theatres of the interiors. The song is raunchy and earthy.

Next number is Saanson Ne. This is a soft and romantic number. Sonu Nigam and Tulsi Kumar give their vocal to this track. The song is melodious. The track holds its own and is a soothing hear. Fevocol Se is a naughty-n-seductive song that will go a long way. With Sajid-Wajid and Ashraf Ali's lyrics perfectly in synch, the song has Mamta Sharma singing just the way only she can, especially in the way she kick-starts rather seductively. Wajid is an ideal companion as well in this song. A winner all the way, it has Keerthi Sagathia, Uvie and Shadaab Faridi being heard in the background with the 'remix version' further ensuring that this one would stay on for some good time to come. Saanson Ne is undoubtedly the best of the enterprise. Easy on ears, it is yet another wonderful rendition by Sonu Nigam. In fact this Irfan Kamal written song is the kind that can be comfortably placed in a repeat mode and enjoyed immensely. This love song is a complete package that demonstrates once again the kind of hold that Sajid-Wajid have over Indian music.

Next we get to hear Dabangg Reloaded. Beginning of the track touches upon the theme. However it takes a different turn post that. Sukhvinder Singh renders his voice to this power packed track and accentuates the overall effect. Lyrics are expressive and the track turns out to be a definite winner from Sajid-Wajid’s repertoire. The title track Hud Hud Dabangg is great. Life pretty much comes back full circle for the entire team of Dabangg with the song appearing in its new avtar. Jalees Sherwani is the lyricist for Dabangg Reloaded which is all the more ferocious with a Western element added to the musical arrangements as well. This title song (along with the 'remix') is the kind that should set the tone of Dabangg 2.

There are ‘remixes’ of Dabangg Reloaded as well as Fevicol Sa and Pandeyjee Seeti.

The songs of Dabangg 2 try to match the numbers of Dabangg. It does succeed in quite a few places though for some the songs as heard in Dabangg may still remain favourite. People won’t be disappointed as Sajid-Wajid achieve similar magic. They have made sure that there is one corresponding track to the each hit one from the previous movie and Salman has done the rest by bringing on his own magic.

When it comes to songs, Salman Khan and Sajid-Wajid combination carries its unique identity. You know the genre it would belong to, the audience it would target, the winning formula it would try to replicate and the element of fun that would be at the core of it all. The strong fan-base of Salman, which is especially strong in the interiors, is expected to be content with Dabangg 2 aiming at that very segment.

Thus Dabangg 2 delivers as promised. Saanson Ne, Dagabaaz R and Fevicol Se are the songs which are really worth listening to. Do watch the movie for the songs. 

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about the film 'Dabangg 2'