• BJP: 26
• Congress: 28
• NCP: 51
• ShivSena: 15
• MNS: 29
• Others: 2
• Independent: 1

NCP + Congress have 79 seats, which is 2 more than the required majority.

* Sudhar.in Updates on Facebook / Twitter

पुणे महानगरपालिका सार्वत्रिक निवडणूक २०१२
(प्रभागाप्रमाणे विजयी उमेदवारांची यादी)

The awards would be given away by Razia Patel who herself has done remarkable work for Muslim women.

Update: Videos from the event.

Sudhar Recommends! : I was at the awards function last year and have also heard & met Razia Patil at another event. In both instances came back a much wiser man.

Source: Facebook Page of Muktangan Rehabilitation Center

The areas under Prabhag 36 are: Deccan Gymkhana, Kamala Nehru Garden, Garware College, Ayurved Rasshala, P.Y.C. Ground, Sharada Centre, B.M.C.C. College, Balbharati, Law College, Film Institute, Amar Society, SNDT College, Symbiosis , Abhinav HighSchool, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum, etc.

Prabhag 36 candidates from the major parties are :

• Raja Balkawade (affidavit) Shiv Sena & Madhuri Sahasrabuddhe (affidavit) BJP
• Ameya Jagtap (affidavit) & Sumedha Bhosale (affidavit) – NCP
• Suresh Lande (affidavit) and Kamal Sathe (affidavit) – Congress
• Anil Rane (affidavit) and Prabahavati Borkar (affidavit) – MNS

Except for Mr. Balkawade (incumbent corporator for Deccan Gymkhana), all others were present at the event. Kamal Sathe was represented by her husband Raju Sathe. The session was chaired by Mr. Satish Khot of NSCC while Mr. Vishwas Kale was the moderator.

The candidates talked about various civic issues like garbage, traffic, encroachments, roads, footpaths and public transport. Do watch the video embedded below to know the candidates’ views and understanding of various issues and their proposed solutions.

All the candidates have signed the NSCC Pune Citizens Charter customized for local issues by the Deccan Gymkhana Parisar Samiti members.

Do share as relevant so that many more voters from the Prabhag can make an informed choice.

Below are the flyers handed out by the candidates.

Election Commission Website For Pune Elections : http://www.pmcelection.org

Prabhag 36 has a population of 29780 and the following reservations a) OBC b) General Female

Prabhag 36 consists of the earlier “Law College” & “Deccan Gymkhana” wards. The areas under Prabhag 36 are: Deccan Gymkhana, Kamala Nehru Garden, Garware College, Ayurved Rasshala, P.Y.C. Ground, Sharada Centre, B.M.C.C. College, Balbharati, Law College, Film Institute, Amar Society, SNDT College, Symbiosis , Abhinav HighSchool, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum, etc.

Prabhag 36 candidates from the major parties:

• Raja Balkavade & Madhuri Sahasrabuddhe – BJP + Shiv Sena
• Ameya Jagtap & Sumedha Bhosale – NCP
• Suresh Lande and Sathe – Congress
• Anil Rane and Borkar – MNS

The event has been organized by the Deccan Gymkhana Parisar Samiti

1. 30 Jan: Nehru’s India
   Speaker: Kumar Ketkar
2. 31 Jan: Bharat & Gandhi
   Speaker: Suresh Dwadashiwar (Editor of Lokmat)
3. 1 Feb: Babasaheb Ambedkar
   Speaker: Raju Parulekar
4. 2 Feb: Karl Marx & India
   Speaker: Ajit Abhyankar
5. 3 Feb: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
   Speaker: Vishambar Chowdhary
6. 18 Feb: Gandhiji
   Speaker: Abhay Bang

src: sakal & this blog

Anagha Pranajape Purohit contesting from Prabhag 29 Pune

We often hear appeals from senior leaders & politicians that women & the educated youth of India should enter politics. We have with us Anagha Paranjape-Purohit who fulfills both  criteria and is contesting the Pune Corporation Elections from Prabhag 29 as an independent candidate.

With her education (Architect from Pune Univ. & Masters from Arizona, USA), profession (urban planner) and her ‘ordinary’ citizen / non-political background, she seems to have the right mix of things that the educated middle class looks for in a candidate. These elections are her foray into politics.

Q) Hi Anagha, Thanks a lot for taking the time. First up the most obvious question: Why politics, something that most of the educated middle class stay well away from?

Why not politics? We have all grown up where our families have told us to become professionals and businessmen and women, yet no one seems to have guided us so that at least some of us will work towards running and making policies for our cities and our nation.

“Why Not Politics?”

For the past few years I dabbled with the prospects of working with alternative systems like pressure groups and NGOs, citizen lobbies etc, but I found that the most effective and most influential strategy to bring about a change is to get in the ‘Mainstream’ – the democracy of our country, which we have thought to be hopeless and in disrepair, can be the only way to bring about the change that we all feel and talk about. So I thought, let us get into this to really understand what is working, what is not and why is it keeping educated and intellectual citizens away.

Q) It is likely that many readers would not be aware of what exactly are the ‘Prabhags’ introduced in this election & which areas come under your Prabhag 29. Could you tell us more on that?

"Yes, I Will Vote" Campaign

Prabhags are basically conglomerations of two wards in Municipal Corporation areas. So it is a larger electoral unit. Currently, there are two incumbent corporators, one for each ward, hence in the Prabhag system, we will elect again two corporators, this time One Male and One Woman (with the 50% women reservation being brought in)

Prabhag 29 consists of Bawdhan Khurd, Ranwara, Bhusari Colony, Vedbhavan, Mahatma Society, Sahajanand Society, Eklavya Polytechnic,Gananjay Society, Kumar Parisar etc.

Q) The recent Parivartan NagarSevak report showed disturbing figures on how our corporators are using public funds. Considering the nature of work of a corporator, what do you think would be an ideal spending mix that a corporator should target?

That’s a tough question as I have not really worked within the system to understand its budgetary provisions. However, I feel that the Nagarsevak report cards should be viewed in a comparative manner rather than in absolute. What has been the contribution of all the spending on actually improving the quality of life of the citizens? These are some of the questions that need to be asked than just talking about money figures. Also, I personally think that the way citizens view the duties and responsibilities of a nagarsevak are slightly skewed.

“Nagarsevak’s role is more as a policy maker than a liaison between citizens and PMC…”

The nagarsevak should be more your representative at the policy making at city level than a person who directs the Municipal Corporation and gets administrative works done for the citizens. His role is more as a policy maker than a liaison between citizens and PMC. However, for getting votes and being in the limelight, nagarsevaks have been spending money on developmental works within the wards and hence citizens further expect them to spend more, leading to more and more corrupt practices at that level.

Q) I suppose your qualifications & background would appeal to the educated segment but how are you reaching & connecting with the rest? Do you see people from different segments of society respond differently to you?

Yes, definitely. I think today more than the educated middle and upper middle class people, the other segments of society are even more fed up with the corrupt systems. People with money can buy their way out of corruption, but the common man is left floundering. Somewhere, everyone is looking for honest individuals who they hope will bring about a change in the way systems are being run.

Q) Do you think it’s fair to think of your lack of political experience as a disadvantage? For things like knowing how to work the bureaucracy, tackling red tape, getting support across party lines, or knowing the processes to get projects approved…

I am contesting the elections for the first time, but under Pune Janhit Aghadi. Nagarsevak Ujwal Keskar leading us is known as one of the most influential and also effective corporators in Pune. His experience will certainly be a guiding light for us. However, let’s not be conservative when it comes to tackling the bureaucracy.

“Fresh ideas, fresh insights and fresh approaches…”

Fresh ideas, fresh insights and fresh approaches will definitely make a change in the way the bureaucracy has been looking at politics as well. So I am quite confident that new entrants may end up becoming more successful .

Q) What’s your vision for your Prabhag & Pune city as a whole?

Click to view her "Prabhag 29 Issues" Video

We have launched the ‘Kruti Sankalp’ – a manifesto for the city. At the same time, I have taken an initiative to form committees of architects and planners in my prabhag to come together and think about a ‘vision’ for the prabhag. I received good response and through the discussions many issues have emerged. This I have turned into a vision document for the prabhag, which will be launched soon and circulated to the citizens of Prabhag 29. But generally, the highlights of the work include citizen participatory governance as an administrative mechanism and full focus on urban sustainability.

“Citizen participatory governance & a focus on urban sustainability…”

Q) Could you share why you chose to join the Pune Janhit Aghadi (PJA) and not go on your own? I am asking this because aligning with long time politicians comes with it benefits but also a lot of political baggage.

Pune Janhit Aghadi

Baggages are often as heavy or as light as we perceive them. Particularly, in case of politicians. Also, democracy will always demand numbers. More isolated you are more and more difficult it is to make a Change. While I speak about change, I also speak about the mainstream and aligning with the mainstream to bring about a change. So experiences of politicians will go a long way in my journey and I am determined to question things before actually following them or anyone for that matter. Isn’t that healthy democracy?

“I am determined to question things before actually following them or anyone…”

Q) If I am not mistaken, Mr. Keskar was a strong advocate of building roads in the river bed & on the old canals in the city. This didn’t go down well with many environment conscious citizens. These people I suppose would be anxious to know the PJA stand on these matters. Could you share your thoughts on ecologically sensitive issues, especially roads in the river bed, over old canals, roads / tunnels through the hills & the Pune Bio-Diversity Park (BDP)?

We have to understand that in all community/city level decisions, there is always a compromise. While we may all aspire to have the ‘greenest city’, other factors like need for roads, water supply etc contradicts these. There needs to be a balanced way in which these decisions are taken. Neither NGOs, activists nor political parties have been balanced about these issues. I personally feel that any kind of ‘blanket policies’ regarding the environment and the city are bound to be failures.

“Blanket policies regarding the environment and the city are bound to be failures…”

Each stakeholder needs to be considered when we are making policies about the city. Why not make stakeholder specific policies? But no one has been talking about this. Its either one end or the other. Shouldn’t there be a ‘balance point’ for decision making?

Q) I suppose both, the BRTS & Metro are to enter your Prabhag if things go as per plan. What’s your take on public transit in the city & particularly these two projects.

I completely support any proposals that will promote Public Transport, however, only if they are planned meticulously and diligently. BRTS was one of the most terrifying non-planned projects in Pune leading to a disaster. Here again I reiterate that a blanket rule does not and cannot apply. Where, when, how are all valid questions that need consideration before any planning projects are launched.

“I completely support any proposals that will promote Public Transport…”

Secondly, the focus of all our development is through ‘PROJECTS’. Why? If quality of life of citizens is the final target, then perhaps, better management of existing resources can become a valid, cost effective short term option, instead of again just looking at long term and expensive projects and pulling peoples’ opinions one any one side.

Click to view her "Why Politics" Video

Q) What is your sense of the top 3 concerns for Punekars and what are your proposed solutions?

1. Lack of Public Transport –
   Pune is a compact city yet and good transport with pedestrian facilities can go a long way in not just reducing traffic related issue, but also cleaning up the air in our city.
2. Waste Management – decentralized waste management projects, including recycling at prabhag level should be the key in resolving the ‘monster’ of waste management. Its like this. Would you wait for an infection to accumulate before you treat it, or would you nip it at the source?
3. Lack of basic housing for all sections of society –
   No schemes for low renters/new migrants are launched by the city. At the same time, the city is not allowed to spread due to planning rules. Where will new people coming into the city stay? We need all kinds of people to service our lifestyles in a city and there should be a proper way in which migrants are absorbed. Simple schemes like short term rentals, boarding accommodations can also be very useful in checking slum growth.

Q) Should voters think of you as a career politician or as someone who primarily wants to improve the place where she lives?

Hmm. Interesting question and not necessarily mutually exclusive. I may begin by working for my neighborhood, but I cant remain away from the politics of the city and even further. This is definitely a beginning for my work towards a CHANGE and I hope to continue this stream.

Q) Most political parties seem to think of caste, religion & regional pride as important factors in any election. Are you getting the sense that these issues matter in these elections?

Yes. Surprisingly these things matter is what I have heard. They are not readily seen outwardly, but I read a lot on the issue of voter preferences and found that these preferences are often manifested through voting. Primarily this may be because Indians are caste driven and now these feelings are subdued, which come out while voting, as your vote remains undisclosed and confidential. But I am yet to understand these things in detail. My campaign today just speaks about CHANGE and the need of the educated people to get into politics.

Q) Our prime minister had famously said that independent candidates are spoilers and implied that people should only vote for the large parties. So I suppose there could be many who might think of you as a great candidate but fear wasting their vote. Could you tell us why you have a good shot at winning and so a vote in your favour will be well utilized?

At the city level, an individual and his or her capability is much more significant than party politics. Again I agree that in a democracy, its numbers that matter. So somewhere all ‘individuals’ also have to come together to be able to form a cohesive government that is stable and formed for working towards a common agenda.

“Wasting of vote is a weird concept…”

‘Wasting of vote’ is a weird concept. Just because the candidate you vote for may not end up being in government, does it mean that your vote is wasted? Its your preference that you have exercised. At the city level particularly, your voting preference towards educated candidates will mean that more and more such persons will enter the political system for the better.

“I have a definite chance of winning…”

I have a definite chance of winning. MY Prabhag is 70% educated people who want change and want a honest, hardworking and thoughtful candidate to work for the area.

Q) Wonderful. Thanks a lot for your time. Wish you the very best.

Thanks so much. Looking forward always!…

Related:

• Anagha Paranjape Purohit on Facebook
• Pune Janhit Aghadi on Facebook

Sudhar is an apolitical forum however it’s open to carrying political content only when convinced of helping a good cause. Yes, “good cause” is vague & open to interpretation, so it does come down to our judgement & the reader’s faith in Sudhar. Thanks.

Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Date: 28 January 2012, Saturday
Venue: Indradhanushya Environment Centre,Near Mhatre Bridge, Dattawadi, Pune

Dr. Narendra Dabholkar

On the backdrop of the recent family suicide in Pune because of a belief in astrology based superstition about the unfavourable positions of Shani (Saturn) and Mangal (Mars), the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti is organizing a talk by Dr Narendra Dabholkar at 6pm on 24 Jan 2012 at the Sane Guruji Hall, opposite Shaniwar Peth Police Chowki, Pune 411030. The talk will critically examine the basis of astrology as well as the various arguments given in it’s favour.

Justice Ranade

Pune Nagar Vachan Mandir has organized a talk by Dr. Narendra Dabholkar on “Justice M G Ranade & Social Reform Today”. 6.30pm on 23 Jan 2012 at the Pune Nagar Vachan Mandir, near City Post, Laxmi Road, Pune.

Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade (Marathi: महादेव गोविन्द रानडे) (16 January 1842 – 16 January 1901) was a distinguished Indian scholar, social reformer and author. He was a founding member of the Indian National Congress and owned several designations as member of the Bombay legislative council, member of the finance committee at the centre, and the judge of Bombay High Court.

A well known public figure, his personality as a calm and patient optimist would influence his attitude towards dealings with Britain as well as reform in India. During his life he helped establish the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and the Prarthana Samaj, and would edit a Bombay Anglo-Marathi daily paper, the Induprakask, founded on his ideology of social and religious reform. (src: Wikipedia)

Gopal Krishna Gokhale was greatly influenced by Justice Ranade and looked up to him as his political mentor. Gokhale in turn was the political mentor of M K Gandhi.

Ranade was like the wise Captain who knows that his duty is not to play with his ship clever and masterful tricks, just for effect and show in the midst of the ocean, but to take it safely to its appointed port. In short, Ranade was not a forged bank note and in worshiping him we have no feeling of kneeling before anything that is false.

- Ambedkar

Dr. Narendra Dabholkar

The speaker of today’s talk is Dr Narendra Dabholkar, the founder of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti & editor of the weekly Sadhana.

(Vachan वाचन means Reading, so although not aware of it first hand, I would expect Pune Nagar Vachan Mandir to not be a mandir (temple) but a place for books & reading.)

Related:

• Ambedkar’s address on 101st birth anniversary of Ranade
• Social Reformers of Maharashtra (Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) website)
• Vasant Vyakhyanmala founded by M G Ranade

Navin Chawla Election Reforms

Former Chief Election Commisioner, Navin Chawla to deliver a talk on “Electoral Reforms & Future Of Elections” on 20th Jan, 6pm at the S M Joshi Hall in Navi Peth. The event has been organized by Towards Light & the Dnyaneshwar Muley Education Foundation.

Navin Chawla is an IAS officer of the 1969 batch. He was appointed as Election Commissioner in 2005 to fill the vacancy caused by the elevation of B. B. Tandon as the Chief Election Commissioner of India. He served from 16 May 2005 to 30 July 2010.

- wikipedia