Leader of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghatan (MKSS) and RTI Activist, Smt. Aruna Roy on Friday addressed a press conference that raised a demand for universal pension rights for the elderly.

The press conference was organised by the Pension Parishad which has planned an agitation from the 7th to the 11th of May at Jantar Mantar.

In her opening remarks, Smt. Aruna Roy said that “There has been a large debate about poverty and about the disenfranchised. Longevity has increased, lives are longer but the bodies of the old are unable to cope with the hard physical work that is required to sustain them. Farm laborers, waste pickers and domestic workers all suffer from the same ailments that the elderly middle classes face. Nuclear families are becoming common even in rural areas and the elderly are unable to manage. It is the obligation of the state to provide pensions to people who are no longer able to work. There are strong and progressive international precedents in lower and middle income countries in respect of pension.”

The agitation will take place in Delhi from 7 to 11 May 2012. Three thousand working poor from 20 states of India will participate in the dharna at Jantar Mantar. The dharna will focus on the problems of aging workers who will be able to live out their lives with dignity if the government accepts the demand for universal pension.

The other members who addressed the press included Veteran leader of unorganised workers in Maharashtra, Dr Baba Adhav, who along with Aruna Roy is the co- convenor of the Pension Parishad; Prof Prabhat Patnaik, former member of the Kerala State Planning Board and member of the UN Commission; Prof Ravi Srivastava, former member of the National Commission on Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector; Annie Raja, Secretary of the National Federation of Indian Women and SubhashLomte of the Maharashtra Labour Union.

Dr Adhav spoke about the plight of unorganised workers who wait in vain for the implementation of the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act. “The Act provides for pensions to unorganised workers and since they constitute 93% of the workforce, we are arguing for universalization of pension” he said.

Prof. Prabhat Patnaik said that “the demand for pensions is a global demand. The demand is not linked to per capita incomes. The demand is for an absolute amount. About 8 crores of people will have to be covered. It is not a big demand. GDP is growing at 8%.” He ended with “The state of civilisation must be judged by the way it treats its elderly.”

Annie Raja spoke about how the elderly were considered a burden and therefore abandoned under bridges and at railway stations. She said that “pension amount given by the Delhi government was better than many other states, but the elaborate procedure and the delays eventually exclude the most needy.”

Pension for the aging working poor is not a freebie. It is a sign of gratitude towards those in their twilight years. The working poor were not treated fairly during their working years. They did not get regular work, and were not entitled to minimum wages and they did not get any employment benefits. Pension is a right that the aging working poor have earned by virtue of having given the best years of their lives to contribute to the economy. They have grown food for the country’s population, built houses and highways, cleaned streets, collected materials for recycling, cooked food and looked after households, and assembled electronic goods. They were able to feed and clothe themselves and their families because they worked. Society must provide for them when they are no longer able to work.

Government employees enjoy pension benefits. Even elected representatives enjoy pension benefits. The most vulnerable sections of society, the working poor do not. Waste pickers, head loaders, domestic workers and many other unorganised workers assembled at a Pension Parishad in Pune on 25th February to demand the right to care and protection in old age, in the form of pension. The demand for universal pension was raised at that Convention. The demand resonated in several states among the working poor to coalesce into a 5 day dharna demanding universal pension.

It is not as if the problem of pensions is only that of the poor. Thousands of government and private sector employees have grievances about their pensions or provident funds not being paid to them or being so delayed that it is almost worthless. The problem is therefore not only of the working poor but of the aging. The elderly are among the most vulnerable in society and deserve to live out their lives with dignity.

Almost every Indian bends down to seek the blessings of the elders at different points in their lives.  Indians pride themselves on their respect for the elderly. It is time for that respect to be translated into something more tangible in the form of pension. The elderly need food, health care, clothes, medicines and the Government can help the aging pay for them through universal pensions.

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,

Into that heaven of freedom, my father,

Let my country awaken.

THE NIGHTMARE OF A GROWING GIRL is the benignly smiling relative – the great man whose reputation is beyond questioning. No matter what he does with you in his private moments, nobody believes a word against him — not even your mother.

THE NIGHTMARE OF A MARRIED WOMAN is the family guru – the great man with credentials that cannot be dented. What he says becomes the law. For decades he exploits your family, but his every word is regarded as golden truth.

THE NIGHTMARE OF AN HONEST WORKER is the charismatic boss – the great man to whom all credit gravitates. He takes credit for your work, while you carry the blame for his failings. And you hide your rage behind words of praise for his astute management, and smile when your colleagues smile.

THE NIGHTMARE OF A JUSTICE-SEEKER is the judge whose mask of unquestionable authority hides a haughty and unreasoning mind. When we stand before judges who have forgotten that their work is a humble service to society, we all are victims whether we win or lose.

THE NIGHTMARE OF A CITIZEN is the emperor who wears no clothes, but acts as though he wears robes of spun gold. Nay, the nightmare of a citizen is his own neighbours who will not speak the truth. If you should dare to say, “Your majesty, you are naked”, you will be a village fool and an outcast. But behind everybody’s back, they will come to you one by one and say, “Well done, well said, you are right. The emperor is indeed naked, and he knows it full well.”

SAVE US, LORD, FROM THE TYRANNY OF GREATNESS.  Save us from those who have greatness conferred upon them by slavish, unquestioning people.

SAVE US FROM THE TYRANNY OF SYCOPHANTS who surround and poison all leaders with their convincing lies. Like a poisonous slime, they corrode the body and soul of our nation.

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit,

Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awaken.

LET IT BE, LORD, THAT EACH OF US MUST EARN OUR REPUTATIONS EVERY DAY BY GENUINE ACTIONS. Let no man’s reputation stand like a fortress on the glories of yesteryears. Let each of us stand scrutiny in the questioning eyes of our fellow man. Give us the humility to be called to answer for our actions every day.

IF WE ERR, WE MUST FALL; BY OUR ACTIONS ALONE, WE MUST RISE AGAIN. Bless us, Lord, that there are no exceptions; no one is too mighty to fall; no one is too condemned to rise again.

LET NO ONE BE MISLED BY GREAT PEOPLE whose love of gold, comfort and power hides behind genteel mannerisms, carefully practiced expressions and the fortresses of reputations built by slavish followers. Give us the eyes to see beyond.

LET NOT THE UGLINESS OF POVERTY HIDE ANYONE’S ESSENTIAL GOODNESS. Give us the eyes to see beyond. Let every man, woman and child get from us what they deserve; bless us Lord, that our hands do not withhold what must be given, and our tongues do not withhold the truth.

WHEN WE LOOK IN THE MIRROR, LORD, BLESS US THAT WE SEE OUR TRUE FACES. Give us the eyes to see what we do not wish to see. Help us recognize our own subtle lies and duplicity.

GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO WOUND OURSELVES. Steady our hands and help us cut the falsehood from our beating hearts. And help us, Lord, to heal and become whole again. Help us to love and accept ourselves again.

WE – EACH ONE OF US — ARE THE WORST AND THE BEST IN THIS NATION. I am the worst, the most downtrodden, the sickest of them all. And I am the best, the most glorious. I am all of it, my nation beats with a living heart within my body of flesh and blood. My father, help me heal my body. Make me whole again.

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,

Into that heaven of freedom, my father,

Let my nation awaken.

(Krishnaraj Rao is a prominent Right-to-Information activist and journalist based in Mumbai. He can be reached at thebravepedestrian@gmail.com)

Bollywood Actor and Jayant Mhalagi have allegedly encroached around 650 Acres of Forest and Agricultural land and have developed a private hill station without obtaining required permission from Authorities. The duo has not only cheated the farmers and NRI’s from America, Dubai, Singapore, Goa, Kerala and Nagpur but have also caused very serious damage to the environment.

The proper investigation into alleged misdeeds of the two can uncover one of the biggest land scams in India. The Accused have Named their Porject ‘Mini Mahabaleshwar’. The Girivan a private hill station is situated at Hotale village near Kolvan of Mulshi taluka of Pune district. Approximately at 2400 feet above sea level and 400 feet above the Lonavala hill station.

The visit to the place (Girivan) last week revealed rampand dadagiri of security guards.

According to plot owners the Jayant Mhalagi who is the son of very reputed former BJP Member of Parliament (MP) Rambhau Mhalagi and film actor Vikram Gokhale started project in year 1989-1990. The Mhalagi is the managing director (MD) and Gokhale Chairman of the Girivan Group of Industries. The Mhalagi did these activities under banner of “Sujata Farms private limited”.

They allegedly encroaches 650 acres farmers (agricultures) and forest lands and started selling lands claiming as they are actual owners. More than 1050 persons from America, Dubai, Singapore, Goa, Nagpur, Kerala, Mumbai and Pune have bought land till now. Among them 250 persons are from Mumbai and 400 from Pune. Politicians, bureaucrats, bankers, doctors, engineers, share brokers and retired central agencies officials have invested their money in the project.

“I bought land on name of Rambhau Mhalagi thinking his son Jayant will be honest but I was wrong. I have been cheated. The Mhalagi have no paper of the land,” said MS Joshi who bought 18 acres land and run a resort in Girivan.

The Mhalagi and Gokhale have not only encroached farmers land illegally; they have als encroached few acres of forest land and sold it to investors. Keeping environmental norms aside, the have also cut down down more then Hundred trees. 18 kilometers of road were also constructed after cutting down trees and greenery of forest. Interestingly, Mhalagi constructed this road on lands of plot owners but takes “road tax” Rs 6000 per year.

“Mhalagi constructed road in my land and demands “road tax” to me,” said Arun Deshmukh, a plot owner.

The scam came in light in 2005 when a farmer Ganesh Jauhari smell something fishy and demarcated his land. He was shocked to know that his land was sold. The other farmers started demarcation of their lands and then Mhalagi and Gokhale (who fights against corruption in reel life) showed their real face.

In Typical Bollywood style the reel life heros turned Gunda’s in real life and hired personal security guards to threaten farmers. The guards posted on the entrance started threatening farmers and stopped their entry to their lands. The farmers have their Kuldevi (Bhairavnath and Waghjai) temples inside Girivan. In October 2010 the farmers tried to perform special pooja but security guards did not allowed them. After brief altercations the farmers registered a complaint in Paud police station 11 security guards were arrested.

Sources told this reporter that Mhalagi and Gokhale divided their roles to manage farmers and government machinery. The Mhalagi managed farmers, sarpanch, tehsildar, district collector and police and Gokhale uses his influence in Ministry of Maharashtra. The whole government machinery knows about this scam but did not dare to take action. The local officials did something but on papers.

What did government authorities?

1- Slowly- slowly investors came to know about illegality of Girivan. More than 17 farmers complained in writing to the Tehsildar against Girivan. The farmers had complained that A- Girivan management had changed the route of natural water so they are losing their agriculture. B- The management had encroached their lands and rounded by iron wire and C- the management have constructed road on their land and also not allowing using it.

On October 31, 2006 Tehsildar wrote a letter (copy available with Author) to the farmers that he visited the place (Girivan) and found correct their complaints. For this Tehsildar have given warning in writing (copy available with Author) to the Girivan.

2- On August 30, 2007, a plot owner Smita Joshi demanded information through right to information (RTI) to the district collector asking provide papers of the Girivan. On September 28, 2007, collector office replied (copy available with Author) that he have no papers related Girivan.

3- On December 10, 2007, Member of Parliament (MP) Shivaji Adhalrao Patil

wrote a letter (copy available with Author) to the Hotale village “Sarpanch” informing that he has written a letter to then district collector Prabhakar Deshmukh demanding inquiry in to the matter. Patil had asked that if anyone found guilty take necessary action on them.

4- On January 25, 2008 Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sharad Bajirao Dhamale also written a letter (copy available with Author) to the Tehsildar complaining Girivan illegally has constructed a gate and not giving permission to enter the farmers inside. Look in to the matter and take action but Tehsildar did nothing.

5-On April 30, 2008 plot owners and farmers met then superintendent of police (SP) Vishwas Nangre Patil and gave a complaint in writing (copy available with Author) demanding inquiry and action in to the matter but Patil also did nothing.

6- On December 18, 2008 revenue department fined Rs 75 lakh to the Girivan as he illegally dogged a mine. The Tehsildar warned (copy available with Author) that this last warning to stop the illegal activities in Girivan.

7- On July 2, 2009 development officer, Panchayat committee, wrote a letter (copy available with Author) to the Mhalagi that he has constructed 493 square meter land illegally on name of Sujata forms private limited. Mhalagi had forged the documents but not submitted the original papers. The Panchayat asked to produce original papers neither construction will be declare illegal.

8- On December 18, 2009 the forest department informed (copy available with Author) to Smita Joshi that he has registered offence against Girivan for illegally encroaching on forest land.

“I have received complaint. Matter is under investigation,” said P Bhalekar, forest officer.

9- On September 6, 2011 farmers (land owners) complained in general meeting (Lok Shahi Din) of district collector. The collector ordered (copy available with Author) to the revenue department to inquire in to the matter and take action on Girivan.

The cheated plot owners formed Girivan plot owners association five years back and now have 250 members.

The plot owners said…

1- “I have filed a case in consumer court. Shocking, Mhalagi told the court that I have never bought the land and have encroaches on the land. Mhalagi took money of total 18 guntha but registered only 13 guntha. He have no documents of one guntha land,” said Dr RN Chaturvedi, president of association.

2-Mhalagi and Gokhale have cheated to us with collaboration of government officials. Now we want justice,” said Arun Deshmukh, vice president of association. Seven years back Deshmukh bought 14,000 square fit lands, in which Mhalagi encroaches 1000 square fit land and constructed the road.

3- “I collected all documents that prove that Girivan is illegal. I will show on time,” said a plot owner, retired from central investigative agency.

4- “I feel like prison inside Girvan. If I try to walk in morning or evening the security guards objects that why I am roaming? I am shocked to know that Girvan is illegal,” said a woman plot owner who did not want to publish her name as Girivan management will harass her.

5- “If project falls in agriculture land then how Mhalagi and Gokhale developed him. Why not they have demarcated their land till now. They are qualified gunda,” said a plot holder who is also member of Girvan management.

Author visited farmer Ganesh Jauhri’s residence. His mother Sita Bai told that he is out of city for a week.

The other side

The management of Girivan replied to our query that, “our Project is absolutely legal. In our project there is no forest land. The land in project (Girivan) falls in Agriculture category. We have not cut trees. We have planted thousands of trees in the project with the help and assistance of the forest department. The revenue department has claimed an amount from us towards royalty. The matter is pending in the Court.”

“Everything is legal in our project. Some persons are defaming our project. They are creating nuisance. I challenge that if any person prove that we have encroaches forest land we will pay the double land. The some plot holders have illegally developed their plots,” said Vikram Gokhale,” chairman of the Girivan.

(Akela is working with MID DAY as Principle Correspondent)

New Delhi: Civil rights groups, students, teachers and activists have come together to stage protests in different parts of the country against “arbitrary and unconstitutional arrest” of suspended DIG Sanjeev Bhatt by the Gujarat Police. According to Shabnam Hashmi of Delhi-based NGO Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD), protests were organised in over 40 cities across the country. The protesters demanded immediate release of Bhatt.

In the national capital, a protest was organized at Gujarat Bhawan on Monday afternoon. “It is a clear case of intimidation of whistle-blowers and shows totalitarian character of the Modi regime,” said Delhi-based activist Mahtab Alam, adding that “we are here to express our solidarity with Mr Bhatt and his family.”

[cincopa AEGA7vqgtiMp]

The activists also submitted a memorandum to the resident commissioner for governor of Gujarat at the Gujarat Bhawan seeking immediate and unconditional release of the IPS officer.

Addressing the protest meeting, filmmaker and activist Mahesh Bhatt said, “Sanjiv Bhatt’s fault is that he dared to reveal the truth behind the 2002 carnage as also the murder of Haren Pandya.”

Referring to his conversation with Sanjeev Bhatt, he said, “I spoke to Sanjiv the evening he was arrested, asking that since the worst had happened, what he needed to tell the world outside. He replied that it was now for the courts to ensure that the rule of law was imposed in Gujarat and the nation.”

Mahesh Bhatt also appealed, “We as a civil society should come together and fight this trend of communal and fascist mentality.”

Retired DIG and colleague of Sanjeev Bhatt, R B Shreekumar alleged, “The arrest of Sanjeev Bhatt is the peak of the policy followed by the Modi government since the conception, organisation, mobilisation and perpetration of an anti-Muslim carnage in 2002. Of all the actions, this is the most atrocious.”

Shreekumar, who himself is a victim of Modi, further said, “After the 2002 carnage, the Modi government started terrorising the bureaucracy, including the senior police officer who dared to speak the truth.

“If electoral victory is the license for violating the constitution, the rule of law, our freedom and democracy are under serious threat,” he added.

Activists Shabnam Hashmi, Himanshu Kumar, Sanjay Sharaf, Gauhar Raza, Sandeep Kumar, Faisal Khan, Maulana Ejaz Urfi, Shakeel Ahmed, Madhuresh Kumar, Vani and others also spoke on the occasion. Earlier a similar protest was staged at Jantar Mantar by Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Jan Shakti Party.

“We want immediate release of Sanjeev Bhatt,” said Amanatullah Khan, a party functionary.  ”Our party will launch a nation-wide campaign if Mr Bhatt is not released,” he added.

New Delhi: Enthusiasm of supporters of anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare has not diminshed even as his fast enters the tenth day today. Rain, wet ground, lack of amenities, or even fear of government action have been able to deter them. BeyondHeadlines‘ Vaibhav Bhardwaj visited the Ramlila ground – the ground zero – to capture the mood of the people who turned in large number in support for a strong Lokpal (Ombudsman).

Ramadan or Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is the month of abstinence and fasting.  Participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and sexual intimacy during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God.

Fast begins with sehar or meal before the dawn each day and ends with Iftar, the breaking of fast at dusk. Over time, Iftar has grown into banquet festivals. This is a time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities, but may also occupy larger spaces at mosques or banquet halls, where a hundred or more may gather at a time.

BeyondHeadlines’ Joydeep Hazarika travelled to Old Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid for the feast.

Joydeep Hazarika, BeyondHeadlines

New Delhi: On Sunday, July 31 Delhi girls and women, and some men in solidarity, staged the Besharmai morcha, Indian version of slut walk.

The besharmi morcha could not live up to its expectations as the turnout was low and women were not dressed as provocatively.

The Slut Walk protest marches began in Canada and became a kind of protest against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman’s appearance.

(Photographs by Joydeep Hazarika)

BeyondHeadlines News Desk

New Delhi: Hina Rabbani Khar, the new foreign minister of Pakistan who was on her first official visit to India has left Delhi gushing by her look, charm and sense of dressing.  The 34 year old first female foreign minister of Pakistan has won instant fans. News papers and channels, at length, discussed her style quotient - the focus being her 7 lakh’s hand bag.

Not only media and political commentators but netizens too are floored by her look.

Sheeba Naaz, a research fellow at Pakistan Studies Programme at Jamia Millia Islamia wrote on Facebook, “Indian males are more than interested in Indo-Pak dialogue… Thanks to Hina Rabbani Khar.”

Joydeep Hazarika, Co-producer at a media house in the capital, humorously wrote: “She is Pakistan’s deadliest weapon against India till date. And we Indian men are going weak in our knees.”

Also read: Delhi Gushes Over Visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister

New Delhi: A campaign was organised in solidarity of Irom Sharmila in the national capital on June 25.

Around 100 well meaning people, rights activists and volunteers gathered at Gandhi’s Memorial, opposite Rajghat under the banner “Save Sharmila Campaign,’’ jointly organised by National Alliance of People’s Movement, Asha Parivar, Gandhi Global Family, Jagriti Mahila Samiti, Khudai Khidmatgar, and Yuva Kosish Mission Bhartiyam.

They had gathered to show their support to Irom Sharmila, also known as the “Iron Lady of Manipur” or “Menghaobi” (“the fair one”) who has been fasting since 2 November 2000.

(All photographs taken by Tanuj Bhardwaj)

[fgallery id=1 w=440 h=385 t=0 title="Save Irom Sharmila"]

Irom is on fast for more than ten years now with the sole demand of repealing of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), notorious for excesses by army personnel.

This was in clear contrast to the well organised fast of Anna Hazare that saw large turnout of people.

Faisal Khan of Khudai Khidmatgar said, “The Manipuris had been trying hard to publicize Irom Sharmila’s fight, every week, something or the other events happen in Delhi but no media gives their attention towards them. It’s time we show support to our fellow Indians”.

Slogans like, “Manipuris keep walking forward, we are behind you”, “Justice to Irom Sharmila”, “Non-Violence should not be ignored” etc. were heard.

Akhu Chingangbam from Imphal Talkies, sang “India I see Blood in Your hands” a song which decries the injustice of Indian Government in the name of democracy. Many Delhi Police personals were stationed at the spot to guard the peaceful candle light vigil at Rajghat.

After a small programme, the people were to light candle at Gandhi’s Samadhi, but the Delhi Police did not allow them to cross the road and so candles were lighted opposite to Rajghat.