Will mini-Japan wade in deep waters?

Vijaysinh Parmar Finds Special Investment Region In Gujarat, Where Japanese Auto Majors Are Likely To Set Up Shop Following Nano, Is A Severe Flood-Prone Zone.
When the Japanese follow the Nano into Gujarat, will it be in deep waters, literally? That is what appears if condition of proposed Ahmedabad-Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) — where a mini Japan is likely to come up — is studied during monsoons over last four years. The entire region is prone to severe flooding. According to rough estimates, nearly 40 per cent of SIR is vulnerable to floods. Severity of floods is such that even railway tracks and roads go under water for a stretch of seven to eight days. Locally known as ‘bhal’, this region is a low-lying area and has seen floods to such an extent that people had to be evacuated and even air-lifted. However, many early birds have already put their money in this region, expecting more investments to follow. “Since last four years, villages from Vataman to Dholera are affected by floods. This year too, farmers have lost their crops as well as houses across this region. This happens frequently as more than 50 per cent of this area gets flooded,” says Dholka MLA Kanji Talpada. Many villages along the Vataman-Dholera road get disconnected due to floods. “Most-affected villages are Ganol, Ganesar, Vataman, Varna, Bholad, Samani, Saragvala, Burhanpura, Navagam, Gogla, Mingalpur, Bhangadh, Zankhi, among others,” says Mingalpur village sarpanch Meghji Bariya. “Around 150 houses collapsed during the floods this year in our village alone,’’ adds Bariya. “The region is often hit by water draining from Surendranagar district which is hit by heavy rains and high tide in rivers like Bhogavo, Utavali, Bhadar and Lilka. It is a double whammy that leaves the region flooded. During floods in September this year, road connecting Vataman to Pipali and Dholera was blocked for six days,” says Rajubha Chudasama, resident of Dholera. Another state highway, connecting Bagodra and Fedra, was also under water for about 10 days. Even villages like Laxmipura near Lothal which never had a history of flooding, got affected this time.
WHEN JAPAN COMES CALLING
Japanese government is keen on setting up a mini-Japan township in Gujarat, possibly in SIR It will be spread over 100 sq km Mini-Japan will be a self-contained township, complete with Japanese schools A Gujarat government delegation to visit Japan in mid-November to woo Japanese auto majors Talks lined up with Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Suzuki
WHAT IS SIR?
Ahmedabad-Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) is being developed as a self-sustained region Will have world-class infrastructure to attract foreign investment. Will be spread over 360 sq km Will be located in the eastern part of Dhandhuka taluka along the Gulf of Khambat SIR is well connected to Ahmedabad through state highways. (Times of India)

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Vijaysinh Parmar TNN/For classical music enthusiasts, Saturday night was a treat, when a week-long festival organised by Saptak kicked off. They got to hear talented, teen tabla exponent, Kabirdan Gadhavi. Kabirdan’s solo at Gajjar Hall mesmerised listeners. He is a disciple of Banarasi gharana. “The 13th Sangeet Sankalp Saptah-2008 is dedicated to the memory of Padma Vibhushan, late Pt Kishan Maharaj, maestro of the same gharana. Kabirdan is the youngest star of this gharana,” says HC Kapasi, convenor of the festival. The 17-year-old lad belongs to Virvadarka village in Maliya taluka, 200 km from Ahmedabad. He lost his mother a year ago and his father Bapubhai, a proof-reader with a Gujarati publication, is battling cancer. In fact, father and son live at his office, at present. The tabla prodigy has been commuting to Ahmedabad as he’s been training at Saptak for the past eight years. Bapubhai’s only hope is his talented son, who performed twice at Saptak’s annual festival as a child artiste in 2004 and 2006. It was a memorable occasion for the duo when, after listening to Kabirdan, Pt Jasraj told the audience. “A few days ago, a journalist asked me about future of classical music in India. It was tough to answer the question. But, after this performance, I can definitely say that Banarasi gharana doesn’t have to worry for 60 years.” Kabirdan bagged first prize (junior category) at Pt Omkarnath Sangeet Spardha’ organised by Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy in 2006. He has also been awarded a scholarship by Tatas. “The scholarship is important, not because of the money, but the recognition. It will help establish my son in the profession,” says a proud Bapubhai, who is himself a poet.

Biogas is this G’nagar village’s lifeline

Vijaysinh Parmar TNN Jakhora/Chala (Gandhinagar): Nathubhai Patel, farmer in Chala village, 15 km from Gandhinagar, has a peaceful night’s sleep. He is not worried about how inflation is impacting cooking gas costs. Like 75 families — 50 per cent of residents — here, he uses biogas. Villagers have managed to tackle twin terrors of inflation and global warming by using this alternative source of energy. Besides, biogas slurry is used in farms as fertiliser, cutting costs there too. “For the last four years, I have not purchased a gas cylinder. Our four-member family’s needs are met by a three-cm biogas plant. We are able to cook meals twice a day and are self-reliant in this respect,” says Nathubhai. His daughter, Kiran, chips in with, “The kitchen has become smoke-free and chances of accidents are also less.” “I was spending between Rs 500 and Rs 600 a month to get a gas cylinder in the black market. It was a big amount for us. The biogas plant has freed us of this burden,” says another villager, Nathu Patel. Apart from saving on fertiliser, biogas slurry also prevents growth of weeds. As a bonus, these plants also promote education! Says Natubhai Patel, retired teacher in Jakhora village, “Apart from its positive impact on the environment, biogas plants in our village are helping children attend school. Earlier, many families were totally dep e n d e n t on wood for fuel. So, children usually would not be able to attend school in the afternoon as they went in search of timber.” At present, family-size biogas plants are given subsidy under National Biogas and Manure Management Programme of ministry of new and renewable energy, Govt of India. Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd is implementing this scheme in the state. According to its sources, there are more than 150 villages in the state where 50 per cent of villagers uses biogas and have become self-reliant in cooking gas. During 2007-08, 8,301 biogas plants were installed in the state. Recently, an annual study of these plants found that 85 per cent of them are functioning.
Paltry subsidy
While Chief Minister Narendra Modi vociferously advocates biogas for villages, subsidy for family-size plants in the state hasn’t been increased since 1992-93. Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd (GAIC), the nodal agency to implement biogas scheme, wrote to state department of agriculture and cooperation last month asking for a subsidy hike from the paltry sum of Rs 1,100 to Rs 2,400. The letter, a copy of which is with TOI, stated that cost of biogas plant construction has almost doubled to Rs 16,000. One of the results of this has been that targets for Scheduled Castes have not been achieved for many years. GAIC sources said Central government increased its subsidy to Rs 3,500 in 2004-05. The corporation has constructed 41,555 biogas plants between 2002 and 2007.

Caste bogey still haunts safai workers

Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Gandhinagar: It’s not just villages tucked away in remote corners of the state where caste discrimination prevails. Bogey of cast prejudice haunts Valmikis (Dalits) working as safai kamdars in the state capital too. Around 80 part-time safai workers, mostly women, have been on dharna for the past 35 days here to protest the discrimination they face. These part-time workers are responsible for cleaning all public spaces in the city and are paid Rs 30 for four hours of work. Sometimes, they don’t even get work. According to information obtained under RTI, non-Dalits selected as part-time safai kamdars get to work longer hours and are paid more in the notified area in Gandhinagar. Members of upper castes are recruited as part-time safai kamdars since there are vacancies in this department. But, they are given better jobs like drivers, gardeners and watchmen and have to work for more than four hours. “Many Valmikis have been working as safai workers for the past 15 years. But, non-Valmikis are given six hours of work and paid accordingly. We came to know of this discrimination under RTI,’’ says Bharat Vaghela, a safai kamdar in Gandhinagar. Officials said there are many part-time safai kamdars who are Desais, Rajputs and Brahmins in Gandhinagar. “People who joined as safai kamdars haven’t been doing cleaning work for a long time. So, they were given other since they belong to upper castes,” says Gauri Vaadodara, a safai worker. When contacted, chief officer (notified area), KN Chavda, said government has decided to increase wages to Rs 54.70 for four hours of work as per minimum wages. He denied there was discrimination. “A driver or watchman would have to work for over four hours and so are paid accordingly.’’ Agreed. But, the question remains — why are they not given cleaning work when they have been recruited as safai kamdars?

His century has breathed life into many

Vijaysinh Parmar TNN Ahmedabad: Snehal Shah has hit a ton, that too a very quick one. Not in what the country is crazy about, that is cricket, but, in what it needs a great deal — blood. Shah has donated blood 100 times at the age of 40, making him the youngest centurion blood donor in the city so far, say Red Cross officials of Ahmedabad chapter. That’s because he started young, at 18, the minimum age. On Wednesday, on the occasion of ‘All India Voluntary Blood Donation Day’ Shah and two other centurion blood donors will be felicitated by Red Cross Society for their noble deeds over the years. Shah, working in vigilance department of Oriental Insurance Company, made his century last year. “When I was in primary school, I came to know about blood donation as members of Red Cross came to our school. In class XII, one day a friend donated blood and told me about his experience. I had always wanted to do it — so I did. Since then, it has become a routine,’’ Shah says. Till he had donated 25 times, he did not tell his parents fearing they would dissuade him. But, much to his joy, they not only appreciated his efforts, but also joined him. Many of his friends too were inspired by him. “When I donated for the 25th time, my friend Ajay Parmar started donating. Now, he has donated more than 75 times. We always go together for the purpose.” Shah is very health-conscious and avoids eating out as it’s important to stay healthy to keep donating blood. He feels one should do whatever one can for others. “I and my parents have also pledged our eyes. I will continue to donate blood as long as health permits and after my death I wish to donate my body for research to help medical students,” the compulsive do-gooder adds.