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One more life lost to a leopard in Mumbai

44 km stretch of National Park is still being fenced; man-animal conflict continues with construction, hutments encroaching on forest cover.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

A little after 9.30 pm on November 2, Seeta Pange (50) stepped out of her house at Sai Bangurda at Maroshi Pada, Aarey Milk colony, to answer nature’s call. She did not return for a long while. Her worried family members then went out to look for her with torches and flashlights, and for a while, their search in the wooded area yielded nothing. Then they found her body in the bushes. Seeta had been mauled to death by a leopard.

This is the fourth case of a death arising from a leopard attack since August this year. As per a report in the Indian Express recently, ‘Attacks on humans peaked in the three years from 2002 to 2004 when 50 people were killed by leopards in Mumbai, 20 of them outside the park. There appeared to be a lull from December 2006 till last month, with no such deaths officially reported. There were reports that Sunny Soni, 5, who died in Aarey Milk Colony in May, had been attacked by a leopard but this was not officially confirmed. Beyond Mumbai, however, leopards have killed in rural Thane not only during this period but also after the latest confirmed death in Mumbai.’

The man-animal conflict at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), at the southern tip of which is the Aarey Milk colony area, has not abated since the year 2000. Leopards have been increasingly moving into human settlements as well, what with construction activities in the last decade steadily eating into the forest cover. Said Krishna Tewari, founder of the Forest and Wildlife Conservation Centre, with the green cover reducing in size, leopards strayed into areas that now house human settlements, and they were particularly prone to attack small children and people who fall in the animal’s line of vision, such as those crouching or squatting to answer nature’s call.

The SGNP has Mumbai suburbs on three sides and a Thane suburb on the fourth. There are 21 leopards in the Park area.

The solution

Barring access to animals straying into human settlements is the action plan being worked on at the moment. Forest officials say that the SGNP needs to be fully secured on all sides by a boundary wall or fence. At the moment, said an official, there is a natural boundary along at least 22 kilometres of the Park’s total 92 km periphery, hence the remaining 70 km needs to be fenced in two phases. Phase I is already underway,  with 40 km taken up under its scope of work, but the last 14 km is still in progress. Phase II has not begun yet.

Meanwhile, forest officials also put up cages at sites where leopard attacks occur. Two cages have been installed at the site where Seeta’s body was found.

 

 

 

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‘Why do they ignore my daughter?’

Upset by India No 2 Kyra Shroff’s non-inclusion in upcoming tourney, father Firdaus slams AITA and questions their selection process.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

The current No 2-ranked tennis player in the country, Kyra Shroff, will not play at a November 6 WTA tournament in Pune. Her angry father has taken things into his own hands, questioning why Kyra was not given a wildcard to the event.

The upcoming event at Balewadi, Pune, will feature four players – nationals winner and runner-up Prerna Bhambri and Rishika Sunkara, and the other two supported by the USD 1,25,000 event’s sponsors, the Lakshya Group – who have been selected as wildcard entries by the Pune WTA to the main draw. Kyra has been “left out again,” says her angry father Firdaus.

Speaking to The Metrognome, Firdaus said, “The AITA (All India Tennis Association) needs to decide if they want to pick players based on whether they play at state-level Maharashtra games, or their rankings. I was dumbfounded when the names for the tournament were announced and Kyra was left out. They don’t realise that Kyra has won the Nationals three years ago. She does not need to play any more, but she needs to focus on her ranking.”

Firdaus pointed out other examples of his daughter being repeatedly passed over for other players in the past as well. “When she was ranked no 3 or 4, the AITA gave an excuse (for not including her) that she was not ranked 1 or 2. Another ironical thing is that the Central Sports Ministry gives Rs 5,00,000 if one wins the Nationals. When I applied for Kyra, who had won the previous year, I was told that she was not eligible for the grant because she was not the current national champion. Why does the AITA not guide the players through these things?”

Fracas with the AITA

Firdaus has already written a strongly-worded letter to the AITA, alleging that Kyra had been overlooked by both the AITA and the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) “several times over in the past few years for no reason…When a wildcard in our own country, where Kyra is ranked No 2, is not given, what more can one expect from you all? You have given me talks about 2014 Asian Games, 2016 Olympics and the Fed Cup next year. But do you really think it will happen?”

He said, “I got a call from the AITA at 7.30 pm on Thursday, asking if I would like to give Kyra entry in the Thai Asian Circuit, where if she wins, she will get a direct entry into the main draw. I refused, because it is not possible – the best 100 will be playing there.” He added, “If she ever gets the chance to play in the Olympics 2016…it’s a question mark. She has to be in the top 50, which is not possible.”

Firdaus says that since his letter to the AITA, he has had only an SMS interaction with tournament director Sundar Aiyer. “He sent me a text at 2 pm on Thursday, asking, ‘Do you still want a wild card?’ I simply replied, ‘No, thank you.’” But why did he pass up the chance to get Kyra a wild card? “They’ve already announced the players. I just want to tell them that I am not going to beg any more. We’ll see what happens next,” Firdaus said.

He says that he is looking for financial help from the government because it is taking approximately Rs 75 lakh every year for Kyra to keep playing. “I cannot bear the expense. I had written to (Asian Tennis Federation President) Anil Khanna a year ago, asking him to support us. But they don’t even have the courtesy to reply,” he fumes.

‘Injustice in Indian sport’

“The injustice in Indian sport is so blatant…you spend more time and energy getting the system to back you, than actually playing. There are no norms, no rules, no set guidelines…all is done as per the convenience and decisions of a few people and it always goes against my daughter. Speak to anybody – Mahesh Bhupathi, Kyra’s coach Shrinath, Akhtar Ali, all of them will tell you what they have been through,” Firdaus says.

“Kyra has been very mature and understanding, but all of this does affect the child. Despite being No 2, they took Rushmi Chakravarthy to the Olympics with four others, and that time too, they had announced their four players but a fifth, Rushmi, got through at the last moment. I really have no answer why Kyra is repeatedly treated this way. When it comes to her, there seems to be some ulterior reason, but we don’t know what it is, because they are quick to say that they do not ignore Kyra, but what is this if not ignoring?” he sighs.

(Pictures courtesy www.photodivision.gov.in and Firdaus Shroff) 

 

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Cult classic: At a PVR near you

Digitally restored Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron opens for the public today at PVR Cinemas in 10 cities. Go watch it!
by The Diarist | thediarist@themetrognome.in

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron is the classic. You remember most of its dialogues, you chortle at all the jokes you’ve already replayed in your head, and you just can’t get that iconic Mahabharata play (and what really happens to it) scene out of your head, ever. But most of us have watched this film on TV. If you want to relive this gem of a film on the big screen, today’s your big chance.

The Worli-based National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has re-released this film in association with PVR Cinemas in 10 cities in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Surat, Chandigarh, Vadodara and Ahmedabad. The film – directed by Kundan Shah and starring Naseeruddin Shah, Vivek Baswani, Bhakti Barve, Om Puri, Satish Kaushik, Neena Gupta, and Pankaj Kapur in his first film role – has been digitally restored and can be played on a 2K projection. This is NFDC’s first film restoration project for a theatrical release – previously, the organisation has only restored home videos.

“It took about six months to restore the film entirely, and this included cleaning up the sound, colour and picture quality, too,” said a member of the team that worked on the project. The entire restoration work was done in-house. “We had to be careful to select the film – it had to have a mass appeal, it had to have a connect with today’s audiences, and it had to be entertaining. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron ticks all these boxes.”

However, NFDC is only testing the waters with the release of this film, and will wait to see audience response to the experiment before turning to other, equally important films. “The thing about these films is, and especially with Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, is that the current generation has not seen it and don’t know what it is about. It is important for the youth to watch this film in the present time – not only have they missed out on a fantastic film, but they must see it because it is so relevant in today’s times as well,” the official said.

In Mumbai, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron will be showcased at PVR Juhu, PVR Phoenix Mills, PVR Goregaon and PVR Mulund.

(Pictures courtesy www.boxofficeindia.co.in, NFDC)

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Free to go but nobody to take them home

Women languishing at Mankhurd shelter home despite release orders, because police personnel have not yet escorted them to their homes.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Three days ago, Mumbai Mirror broke the story of how a woman, after escaping with 35 others from the Mankhurd-based, state-run Navjeevan Mahila Vastigruh spoke of rapes and ill-treatment of inmates. While all hell broke loose at the Government level – the Chief Minister and Home Department immediately ordered inquiries into the incident – another, bigger fact came to light after Rajendra Pokharkar, Divisional Commissioner, Women and Child Development department, submitted a preliminary report of an inquiry initiated by his department.

“Let us go home”

In his report, Pokharkar said that as per his findings after the incident, “Prior to this (mass breakout on October 27), about 17 other girls had run away from the institution on September 10, 2012. That time, the girls had had one persistent demand – they kept saying that the court had ordered their release, that they were free to go, and that they should be allowed to leave because they had not committed any crime. At the time, they were told that once suitable police escorts were arranged for them after the festive season was complete, they would be sent home to the addresses they had provided in writing to the court.”

The procedure followed by shelter homes is that once the court ratifies a person’s release, that person cannot leave of their own volition, but must be escorted to their residences by police personnel. Pokharkar added in his report, “The shelter has space for 100 inmates, but on the morning of October 27, there were 212 women at the shelter. There is overcrowding of inmates at the shelter. Also, there are some inmates who have been languishing in the shelter for over a year now, despite release orders, because the police escort has still not been provided to them. This had led to a growing unease and frustration among the inmates, and with 93 additional women, a big group of old and new Bengali inmates was formed. This group then hatched the plan to escape from the shelter.”

How the women got away

On the night of October 26, he said, this group spread the rumour that there was a stranger on the building’s terrace. “Taking advantage of the feeling of insecurity among the other women, the next day this group went up to the institution’s gate and picked a fight with the security guard and the women constables posted there. A lot of confusion was caused at the gate, and about 100 of the inmates pushed the gate hard from the inside, and about 25 of them bent the gate grilles. Some other women threatened the guards and constables with pieces of broken glass, and when the inmates physically attacked the guard and constables, 36 of the women escaped outside the gates.”

However, 13 of the runaways were caught by Govandi police station cops a day after the incident, while the others are still at large.

(Pictures courtesy

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Are you taking the bus today?

A Mumbai-based NGO is asking the city to avoid taking autos or taxis today. So what’s your plan of action?
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

This protest seems better-coordinated and planned than the Meter Jam one two years ago, which was largely confined to the Internet and hence, passed most of the city by. But the Acharya Atre Katta (AAK), a Kandivli-based NGO, which has given the clarion call to Mumbaikars to not take an auto or taxi today, is backed by some major biggies.

For starters, the Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP), which has also filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court against the recent auto and taxi fare hikes, is firmly behind this initiative. Additionally, the Rajya Sarkari Karmachari Sanghatana (Maharashtra), a union of state government workers, has also pledged its support in writing, with a press release issued to all newspapers and news channels yesterday. Hence, AAK seems better-placed to make an impact on the city this time around; the call to boycott autos and taxis today has already been well-received on social networking sites.

Will we, won’t we?

Shayla Gonsalves (45), an accountant with a company in Dadar, says her office is located far from the railway station and she needs to take a cab because BEST buses are very crowded in the mornings. “But when my daughter told me about this boycott, I told my husband and sisters also to join in the protest. I will leave a little early from home tomorrow (on October 31) and one of our colleagues has promised to pick us up from Bandra station in his car.”

Homemaker Reshma Ghadi (36) keeps her Wednesdays for going vegetable shopping. The Borivli resident says, “Though I sometimes take the auto, especially if I’m carrying very heavy bags, I will wait for the BEST bus tomorrow. We should all support this initiative, because by putting pressure on errant auto and taxiwallahs, we can at least ensure that their services improve.”

However, Meet Mhaiskar (20), a student at a Bandra-based college said, “I would like to boycott the autos and taxis, but sometimes there is no choice. BEST buses are not always on time, and they are very crowded. If I get late for my class, I will not be allowed to attend the lectures. So I will be forced to take an auto.”

Meanwhile, AKK and MGP members are planning to target major railway stations and speak to commuters about not taking autos and taxis, but there will be no pressure on them to not do so. AAK members will also carry out a signature drive to gather support for the campaign.

They certainly will

Mumbai tweeted in favour of the ‘No Auto No Taxi’ day.

Neeta Kolhatkar @neetakolhatkar Mumbai citizens…walk, use buses, but say NO to autos tomo… plz support the NO AUTO TAXI day tomorrow 31st Oct pl RT

Renison Pereira @renison007 I liked a @Youtube video http://youtu.be/3jZLbSggr_E?a  No Auto–Taxiday on 31st October-TV9

UsCabbies @UsCabbies Mumbai citizens…walk, use buses, but say NO to autos tomo… plz support the NO AUTO TAXI day tomorrow 31st …

Kedar Paranjape @Kedar_cp “@Ganesh_Khare care to retweet.31st October-No Auto–Taxi DAYin Mumbai” Ensure u r on rite side by nt takin a rick ride.

Prasanna Kashikar @sweetstarguy Tomorrow is a No Taxi, No Auto Day !!!! Please do not travel byauto and taxi… This is a protest against unfair hike of fares.

Shweta D @shwetz8311 JAGO GRAHAK, JAGO. Lets observe 31OCT as NO TAXI/AUTO DAYto protest agnst unjust fare hike. Lets make it a habit to use BEST buses.

Akshay Redij @Akzey @meterjam you guys should also appeal to your users to support NoAuto–Taxi Day on 31st Oct. #NoAutoTaxiDay

IAC-Mumbai @IACMumbai Participate in “No Auto–Taxi Day” on October 31.

(Picture courtesy The Wall Street Journal) 

 

 

 

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Mumbai responds well to digitisation call

But some cable operators say the quality of set top boxes is inferior, prompting them to replace several units daily.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

The plan to digitise the four metros of the country – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai – is aggressively underway, with Mumbai showing the most amount of conversions from analog to digital TV. We quote a survey released by Television Street Maps for MxMIndia, which states that Mumbai has achieved about 86 per cent digitisation, as against Delhi (45 per cent), Kolkata (53 per cent) and Chennai (49 per cent). (See the article here.)

Speaking to The Metrognome, Ganesh Naidu, President of the Cable Operators and Distributors Association (CODA) said, “Mumbai has responded well to the digitisation call. The government has also aggressively driven home the point, with frequent ads on TV and in the newspapers. Naturally, nobody wants to be deprived of their favourite programmes, so people are installing the set top boxes in large numbers.”

He added that some people, however, were waiting for the October 31 deadline. “We have heard of orders for set top boxes being placed for October 31 itself, and not before – since each box costs more than Rs 1,000, people in the slum pockets, especially, are waiting for their salaries to come so that they can install the units,” he said.

Inferior quality?

A few local cable operators we spoke to told us, on condition of anonymity, that the set top boxes being installed were of an inferior quality. “We have been installing the boxes, then going back after two days to replace them with another one. Many customers are complaining that they cannot see certain channels and that the box just ‘hangs’ after a few minutes of use,” a Borivli-based operator said.

Another added, “Even though the October 31 deadline has been repeatedly flashed across the media, several consumers are still careless about getting a set top box. We have personally called up so many of our old customers and asked them to get the unit installed, but they casually say that we can come and do it on October 31, and there is no need to do it before the deadline. What they don’t realise is that we are taking orders to the tune of 50 set top boxes a day, and it is increasing daily. Once there is a confirmed order, we can give the customer a definite date for installation, as per our schedule.”

(Picture courtesy: smehorizon.sulekha.com)

 

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