Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

Kothari family, whose members were held hostage on knife point and robbed of Rs 6.20 lakh at their house in Civil Lines here, can heave a sigh of relief as the crime branch achieved a major breakthrough in the case on Thursday. The officials have arrested two people allegedly involved in the daring act. One of the accused Nanbabu alias Bachchulal Mourya, 30, was picked up from Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh and brought here on Thursday while the other Mushtaq Ahmed alias Bhaijaan was arrested from Mominpura. Both the accused were handed over to Sitabuldi police who were investigating the case. No recovery was reported from either of the two.

Police sources informed that Mourya is suspected mastermind of the entire plot weaved to commit the crime. Interestingly, Mourya was also the prime accused in the dreaded shootout of Lakhotia brothers at their office here some years back. He was on bail since then and went ahead with another crime in the meantime.

Confirming the arrests, crime branch PI Madhav Giri told Nagpur Today that following the leads, the police team had gone to Chitrakoot (UP) and nabbed Mourya from there. Meanwhile, it surfaced that Mushtaq kept watch on Kothari family’s bungalow and updated their routine to other members of the notorious group. He said that hunt for six more accused was still on.

When quizzed further, Giri refused to divulge details. He however hinted that the cops were close to cracking the case and remaining accused would be also arrested anytime soon. The officials were trying to extract more information from the arrested men about other absconding accused.

On February 26, six people in their youth entered the bungalow of beetle nut trader Ujjwal Lalit Kothari, 36 years on Temple Road in Civil Lines here. The youth allegedly struck the house when the wife and daughter of Ujjwal Kothari were alone in the house. The youth rung the door-bell and hid in such a manner that Kothari’s wife could not locate them from the peep-hole.  The moment she opened the door to check out, one of the thieves trained a knife at her throat and warned her against making any noise. All of them took the members inside the house and locked it from inside. They also threatened both the women against shouting or making any noise. The men reportedly possessed sharp edged weapons and fire-arms. While two youths huddled the mother-daughter duo to one corner of the house, the other youths went searching for cash, jewellery and easily saleable goods in the house. They tracked out gold and silver ornaments from the bedroom almirah, Rs 3.45 cash and a wrist watch collectively worth Rs 6.20 lakh.

At around 8 pm same day, Ujjwal returned home along with his friend after closing his establishment. Sensing danger, the thieves immediately drew a trick inspired from the Bollywood movie. Taking the daughter on knife point, they asked her mother to open the door and let the men in without sounding any alert to them.

Two youths hid behind the door. As soon as the door opened, Ujjwal and his friend too were taken at the knife point.

After  looting  all the goods, the thieves, bolted  the  door  from  outside  and  fled the  scene  on  their  motorcycles.  So shaken up were the family members that they ventured out only after an hour of the incident. Later, they called up their friends and relatives. Ujjwal  then reported  the  incident  at  Sitabuldi  police.

- By Ravikant Kamble

Mastermind from UP among two arrested in hostage drama, robbery at Kothari’s bungalow

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur Today: A notice on the wall adjoining the footpath says that the footpath is for walking and not for parking two-wheelers of vehicles. However, the footpath is either broken or strewn with boulders and construction material, in such a case, where are the pedestrians supposed to walk?

Such is the maintenance of our roads and footpaths by the local civic body that the pedestrians are forced to come onto the road.

Lakhs of rupees are spent in the construction and laying of the inter-lock or tiles on the footpath, however, this kind of shop-shoddy work by the civic authorities speak loudly of inefficiency and irresponsibility of the authorities who fail to check the work done.

The amount spent by NMC is astronomical for the construction of Integrated Road Development Project (IRDP) but the shop-shoddy work done is evident at many places. The road dividers are broken and condition of footpaths is pathetic and there are pot hole big enough to break the spring or shock-ups of any vehicle, yet the civic authorities are totally blind to all these problems. Who is to be blamed for these problems faced by the denizens.

Littered footpaths, filth everywhere; Citizens in despair

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

THE CHIEF OF AIR STAFF AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ARUP RAHA, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC BEING INTRODUCED TO SENIOR MOST JCO OF 118 TA BN BY COL VINEET MITTAL, COMMANDING OFFICER, 118 TA BN AT SITABULDI DURING HIS VISIT ON 05 MAR 14.

Nagpur News : Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, Chief of the Air Staff alongwith Mrs Lily Raha, President  of the Air Force  Wives Welfare Association (Central) visited the Historic Sitabuldi Fort.  The Air Chief was accompanied by Air Marshal P Kanakraj, AVSM, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command and Mrs Usha Kanakraj, President AFWWA (Regional).

During the visit Air chief was given a detailed account of the “Battle of Sitabuldi” by Colonel Vineet Mittal, Commanding Officer, 118 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) GRENADIERS and was shown the Sitabuldi Fort.  The Chief evinced keen interest and was very inquisitive all through his visit.

THE CHIEF OF AIR STAFF DONNING “NAGPUR TERRIERS“ CAP IS BEING PRESENTED REPLICA OF PAINTING DEPICTING THE BATTLE OF SEETABULDEE.

  He also complimented the unit for excellent upkeep of the Fort and unit area.  It was for the first time that a service chief visited the ”NAGPUR TERRIERS” and this visit would get enshrined in the glorious history of the unit which celebrates its 75^th  Anniversary in August this year.

Chief of AIR staff visits “NAGPUR TERRIERS”

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News : Panic and fear gripped the busy market area of Sitabuldi when fire broke out into a cloth shop on Friday afternoon.

The commuters and nearby shop owners noticed flames coming out from Chandak Cut-piece and Saree Centre situated at Vidarbha Kapda Bazaar building, near Indian Training Institute. They shouted for help and immediately informed the fire brigade department. The department swung into action and sent two fire tenders to control the fire. However, two tenders were unable to control the fire and thus, three more tenders were sent to control the fire. According to the witnesses, the fire broke out at around 12.30 pm on Friday. Officials said that the owner of the shop is Gulabchand Chandak (70).

हिंदी मे न्यूज़ के लिय यहाँ  क्लिक करे 

Till filing of the report ( 13:36 pm ), Fire Brigade officials were still trying to control the fire. Officials said that material worth lakhs of rupees was destroyed in the fire but proper figures for the loss would be informed only after getting control over the fire. Officials suspected that short circuit might be the reason behind the devastating fire but reason would be decided only after the investigations into the matter.

हिंदी मे न्यूज़ के लिय यहाँ  क्लिक करे 

Sources said that the fire created panic and anxiety into the busy Sitabuldi market area and working came to a standstill in the area. Fire brigade officials were trying to control the fire till filing the report.

Cloth shop in Sitabuldi goes up in flames; Goods worth lakhs gutted

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

Tension fused into the atmosphere at Kamptee following the recovery of dead body of 12^th standard girl in the bushes, 30 metres off her house. A pall of protests coupled with severe agitation marred the routine life in the area. With the bandh call given by Kamptee Vikas Sangharsh Samiti led by Sulekha Kumbhare, the anguished residents kept the shutters down while resorting to road blockade on Thursday.

हिंदी मे न्यूज़ के लिय यहाँ  क्लिक करे 

Meanwhile, the police claimed to have arrived at an important lead that could help them crack the case. The circumstances in which the girl’s body was found hinted at the rape and murder. However the doctors at Government Medical College and Hospital and the regional hospital have claimed no symptoms of sexual harassment were observed in the post-mortem. Superintendent of Police Dr Aarti Singh has assured to put the culprits behind bars as soon as possible.

However disapproving the police claims, irate mob took to streets and even exercised violence as they pelted stones on the shops which were found opened.

Kamptee Vikas Sangharsh Samiti members took cognizance of the ongoing board examinations and made sure the students did not face any inconvenience. One of the samiti members informed however holiday has been declared in schools but the students appearing for examinations would not be affected with the ongoing protests and morchas.

हिंदी मे न्यूज़ के लिय यहाँ  क्लिक करे 

It is to be noted that a girl student was murdered and her body was thrown in the bushes in Kamptee. Strong protests erupted after the incidence in the city. However, relatives and family members of the deceased have demanded immediate arrest of the killers and said they would not perform the last rites until the culprits are brought to book.

Case escalated to Home Minister

Earlier, MLA Chandrashekhar Bawankule phoned Home Minister R R Patil and informed him about the incident demanding immediate arrest of the ill doers. He also sought CID enquiry into the matter. Former MLA Sulekha Kumbhare, Maya Chawre, Shakur Nagani and other social workers have also demanded immediate action from the cops. When contacted the police officials, they informed that strict police bandobast has been put up in the area to avoid any untoward eventuality.

हिंदी मे न्यूज़ के लिय यहाँ  क्लिक करे 

Cops get a clue

Police said, the deceased’s mother informed that three youths had barged into their house three days ago and started a quarrel with her daughter on some locket issue. The youths were repeatedly asking her daughter about the locket. When she demanded as answer from her daughter, she kept mum on the issue and the youths left the house. The police are investigating into this angle and they are searching for the youths who came to the house. However, cops had earlier taken 6-7 youths for questioning in the case.

Tense Kamptee comes up with total bandh; postmortem rules out sexual assault on girl

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur Today: Sameer Joshi had to spend the night with the main accused of Lakhotia murder case in lock-up of Sitabuldi Police Station. The notorious accused of the Lakhotia murder case and the mastermind of Kothari loot case include Mustaq Ahmed and Nanbabu alias Bachchulal Mourya.

The Kingpin of Shreesurya Scam, Chairman of Shreesurya Group Sameer Joshi who was lodged in Nagpur Central Jail for alleged fraud was required by the Economic Offenses Wing of Pune.

Sameer Joshi who has been languishing in Nagpur Central Jail for his alleged involvement in investment fraud to the tune of over Rs 250 crores has been facing tough time dealing with jail authorities.

The Maharashtra government which is going to prosecute Shreesurya promoters Sameer and Pallavi Joshi under Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act, 1999. The Joshi couple, who were arrested as per the provisions of the Act, was languishing in Nagpur Central Jail till March 6, 2014. Nagpur Today was the first in the Media to reveal and disclose the scam of Shreesurya Promoters. Many complainants have started appearing from all over the State after people saw and read the news put on the Nagpur based news portal Nagpur Today.

According to information, the Joshi couple had defrauded many investors in Pune too. One of the complainants named Gopal Dharmadhikari aged 80 years, who is a Retired Engineer of PWD and a resident of Sinhagad in Pune lodged a complaint with the Economic Offenses Wing of Pune Police on December 9, 2013. He had complained that he had invested Rs 4,50,000 in the Shreesurya business in his Pune branch.

After the news appeared in Nagpur Today, as many as 71 investors have appeared and have complained to Economic Offenses Wing of Pune Crime Branch.

The fraud is said to be amount to be above Rs 5,00,000,00 (Rs five crores). Nagpur Today spoke to Senior PI Hemchandra Kshirsagar of the Crime Branch of Pune. On February 26, 2014, the police personnel of the Pune Crime Branch came to Nagpur and took the couple Sameer Joshi and Pallavi Joshi under protection warrant to Pune Court. There the couple was presented before the Judge and had taken a PCR of 7 days. After taking PCR, a thorough investigation was conducted. In order to investigate further the Pune Crime Branch brought the couple to Nagpur. After, due investigations, the Joshi couple had to spend the night of March 6, 2014 at Sitabuldi Police Station along with notorious criminal.

On March 7, 2014, the couple was taken back to Pune. Nagpur Today spoke to the Crime Branch PI Hemchandra Ksheersagar got all the information from him. He revealed the extent of all the scams that the Joshi couple committed in Pune and in other parts of the State.

By Samuel Gunasekharan & Ravikant Kamble

Sameer Joshi spends night with Kothari loot key accused at Sitabuldi police lock-up

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

A couple of months after the NMC general meeting decided to discontinue the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Programme, citing series of irregularities in the Health Department and also highlighting the fact that civic body had not yet undertaken the Memorandum of Understanding with the state government to run this programme, the NMC administration has not yet implemented the House decision. NMC Commissioner Shyam Wardhane not only carried on with the scheme but also paid salaries to the manpower employed in the scheme through its own pockets. However the cash starved civic body is now facing difficulties in paying up RCH workers. As a result the RCH workers have not been paid for over two months.

Moreover, NMC Commissioner has also raised the budget under RCH head by two and half times while significantly cutting down budget for rest of the schemes.

BJP Corporator Dayashankar Tiwari along with Sunil Agrawal and Praveen Datke had raised the issue in the civic body’s general meeting over three months ago. In the meeting nodal officer for RCH Dr. Anil Chivhane admitted the fact that MoU was not signed yet in this regard.  Later, Agrawal escalated the matter in health committee meet.

However NMC administration remained adamant on keeping RCH without signing MoU and sent the proposal twice at the general body meet. On December 4, 2013 the proposal was rejected for the second time. Then the House cited serious irregularities in the health department. At present the proposal has been lying pending with NMC Commissioner Shyam Wardhane who was reportedly reluctant to call off the scheme.

Talking to Nagpur Today Additional Commissioner Hemant Pawar informed that he had signed the proposal to withdraw RCH scheme about three months back. Citing the reason for so much delay in implementation despite the decision was done three months back, Pawar said, “We have received the file quite late and the delay was done by the health department. They took all this time in sending the file to us. Now it has been sent to NMC Commissioner who would take the final call.”

When asked about the increased budget allocation for the scheme in the light of general body meeting discarding the scheme for no MoU and other irregularities, Pawar said that the query need to be attended by NMC Commissioner who could be the right authority to reply on this matter.

This violates the Citizen Charter that strictly rules that no file should be pending with any official for more than four days. On the contrary it has been kept pending for more than three months.

However Nagpur Today made series of attempts to contact Wardhane but he remained unavailable for the comment. Even his cell was switched off for most part of the day. Wardhane’s PA Patil informed that he was not in the office..

When Nagpur Today contacted Nodal Officer for RCH Dr. Anil Chivhane he said that the decision taken in the House was yet to be implemented as the file is kept under consideration on Wardhane’s table. He informed that RCH workers were not paid their salaries for the last two months and the matter has been taken up with Commissioner.

In the budget for 2013-14, Wardhane had earmarked Rs 45 lakh under RCH head, raising it from Rs 20 lakh. Interestingly, as per the original budget only Rs 30 lakh were spent during the last NMC fiscal. As per the norms, the NMC has to bear the expense till the MoU is done. Later the implementation cost would come from the state government.

However Dr Chivhane added that once the MoU would be signed, the state government would only bear the expenditure for the activities under RCH programme. He said that there was an undertaking that the state would bear the expense from 2007 to 2010 and after that NMC would have to carry it forward. He said that revised proposal from State Government is expected in the month of March.

Chivhane informed that the RCH programme is mandatory as it is the central government’s scheme. “If it would be withdrawn then the maternal deaths would eventually rise as this scheme particularly focuses on ensuring women’s health during conception,” Chivhane told Nagpur Today.

Meanwhile, sources informed that budget was significantly raised for RCH to compensate for the workers’ salaries whereas allocations in other heads were noticeably lowered. As present there are 10 posts of health workers and 10 medical officers, of which five have already put in papers.  Around 50 additional workers were on contract, out of which 30 posts are of nurses.

Sources informed that nodal officer has always tried to skip the procedure of implementing House decision by saying that grant was provided under RCH and hence it had to be continued till March 31. Sources countered this contention saying that the nodal officer was trying to distort the facts as NMC would continue to receive grant even after withdrawal of RCH. If the said scheme is called off, then the works under the scheme would be completed through 12 other urban health schemes being aided by the central government.

:: Rajeev Khushwaha

Civic chief continues with RCH scheme against House decision; workers unpaid for 2 months

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day today, there are series of issues haunting the fairer sex and requires serious intervention for making this world the safer place for her to live. As the awareness spread, crime against women too has registered its peak. The stigma of being the women needs to be erased from their minds by changing the mindset of society.

Pointing fingers to what she wears, why remains out for late hours, her behavior and her attitude are just the routine set of agonizing questions the women are still facing, besides being subjected to embarrassing questions after she became victim of one of the evil hands of society.

This Women’s Day Nagpur Today brought few successful city women on its discussion panel to have their views on the issues pertaining to modern women.

Let’s begin liberation at home

Preeti Bajaj, Director at G H Raisoni College of Engineering said that though many parents give freedom to girl child to pursue the stream of education or career, it does not and should not halt at that alone. Right from the childhood, the children should be considered as human beings and not as a boy or a girl as far as upbringing is considered. She felt that stereotyping of roles has to be stopped right from the childhood by the family. She said that if this attitude gets ingrained from one’s house itself, there will be no need for advertisements and street plays to be enacted on the streets. She added that people in our society have dual stands on these issues. One stand to speak from stages, dais and podiums and yet another completely contradicting stand when it comes to their own house or family. Dr Preeti Bajaj said that one has to believe in real emancipation from one’s heart. This also, necessarily means the kind of “Sanskars” (socio-religious-cultural inputs) that the family members impart to the child.

Heading for great start…

Dr Warsha Dhawle, President of Indian Medical Association said that in the urban areas, with the growing influence of westernization, women’s liberation and emancipation can be seen. However, in rural areas, the freedom is still restricted. Though the rural women work harder, they are not accorded the same freedom as their urban counterparts. In the urban areas, a lot of understanding is shown to the women. A lot of adjustments are also permitted by the nuclear families. However, even in the urban areas, in joint families where elderly in-laws and parents are present, right from the attire to food, adjustments are still problematic. Though the women work as equally as their husbands, as soon as she comes home she has to do many chores to please her in-laws who are the old school of thought.

However, Warsha Dhawle said that we are heading to a great start. Many positive changes are seen and are coming into being. As far as the atrocities on women are concerned, girls and women are still considered as a commodity in the market. After the Nirbhaya’s case came to limelight, many cases came to limelight. However, more than 1 lakh rape cases are still pending and the men somehow are led to believe that nothing can happen to them. She said that education and awareness of law need not be the only solution, since many rapes are committed by educated people and people who know law. They have money and use it to escape from the clutches of law by using some or the other loopholes in the law.

If attire of young girls is the point of contention, she opined that in the western culture and countries, the men or people are used to seeing their women and girls in those attire. However, in India, any western attire is not necessarily accepted and so men ogle or if they get opportunity they rape them since the men assume that the girl is wearing such revealing clothes only to seduce them or attract them. It is the mentality of the male domain that has to change. We need to change the psyche of men. She went on to add that education only buys more misunderstanding. It is outlook and the mindset that has to change.

Society is opening up…

Superintendent of Police, Nagpur Rural Aarti Singh said that as far as emancipation of women is concerned, the situation is changing. More and women are aware of their rights and the provisions in the law for them. Slowly the society is accepting the women’s liberalization, their rights and their emancipation. However in many areas, drastic changes are required. She opined that even in rural areas, the girls are slowly allowed to go to school and study. She said that the literacy rate in rural areas has definitely improved a lot.

She agreed that in semi-urban areas and in rural areas, the issue of parents insisting on getting the daughters married off as soon as she finishes her graduation instead of allowing her to pursue her higher education or career needs to be addressed.

More and more girls and women need to be made aware of their legal rights and physical self-defense techniques so that they can fight back against the offenders or possible rapists and molesters.

Compiled by Samuel Gunasekharan 

Today’s Special : Let’s liberate women in real terms, appeals leading ladies of Nagpur

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

Nagpur police are on their toes with the increasing cases of thefts, robbery, waylaying in the city. Two cases of waylaying were registered in Ambazari and Imambada areas on Friday.
In the first case, three youths, on Friday night, stopped a businessman and looted Rs 1 lakh cash and his bag containing important documents. According to sources, Vivekanand Haridas Ronge (39), a resident of Gandhi Nagar locked his shop and was returning home with his assistant Rameshwar Singhwe on his Activa scooterette (MH 31 DU 7419) at 9.45 pm on Friday. Three youths came from behind on a bike and threw some powder on Haridas’ face due to which he lost balance of the vehicle. The waylayers then snatched his bag which contained shop keys, important documents, bank cheques and the collected income of the day Rs 1 lakh cash.
Hardas Ronge reached Ambazari police station and lodged a complaint against the waylayers. Cops registered an offence under Sections 394 and 34 of the IPC.

हिंदी मे न्यूज़ के लिय यहाँ  क्लिक करे

In another case, two drunken men thrashed another man who refused to give them money. Police said, the incidence occurred between 6.30 pm and 7 pm on Friday.

Rahul Shyamrao Raghorte (30), a native of Bhiwapur, walked out of Sangam Hotel in Imambada area and was heading home when two drunken men stopped him in front of a Country Liquor shop. The demanded money from Rahul but he refused to budged. Angered over refusal from Rahul, they thrashed him. They attacked him with a knife. Rahul sustained injuries from his chest, and thighs.
Rahul has been admitted to Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment. On the basis of Rahul’s complaint, Imambada police registered an offence under 393, 394 and 34 of the IPC.

हिंदी मे न्यूज़ के लिय यहाँ  क्लिक करे

Waylayers attack men in Ambazari, Imambada areas

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

Mala Chembath, Principal at one of the city’s most prestigious institutes Narayana Vidyalayam at Chinch Bhuvan here believes in her power as a woman and sees it as the guiding force of every women walking on the professional path.

On the occasion of World Women’s Day Ms Chembath took time out to share her views on how women can make the better world for themselves and also for their male counterparts. Excerpts.

Where do you see women in the professional world as compared to their male counterparts?

-Every day is a new challenge, more so if you are a woman. Though, male bastions have been conquered by women, there are lots that still need to be taken care of. Women in the professional world are outshining men due to their sincerity and commitment to the trust placed in them.

-What are the challenges you being a woman have to face while leading the educational institute of this repute?

I take every situation as a challenge and deal with it amicably and tactfully.

-What are the changes you are looking forward to?

As the Principal, the change I am looking forward to in the society and generations to come is more tolerance towards each other, co–existence and better inter–personal relations. Women have the power of tolerance and can handle situations in a more positive manner.

-How education can make better women of tomorrow?

Education of a girl child even today is not taken seriously in many places, little realizing that not only boys but girls also form an integral part of our society hence are nation – builders.

-Are any practices followed in your institution to promote a girl child?

No discrimination of any kind is tolerated in our institution.

Women have power of tolerance, asserts Narayana Vidyalayam Principal Mala Chembath

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Dr Vishal Sahni

Nagpur News.

City based orthopaedics Dr Vishal Sahni has secured nomination in NRI of the Year Award – UK in its professional category. Sahni has received the nomination for performing the world’s first ever robot assisted key hole surgery of shoulder joint. The surgery was performed with perfection and yielded excellent results.

Keyhole surgery is performed by passing a very thin long telescope like device called arthroscope in the joint which is connected to a large TV monitor through high quality optics. The surgery is performed by tiny incisions called portals often just 2-3 mm.

Keyhole surgery requires minimal invasion which means tiny cuts which result into almost invisible scars, minimal blood loss. There is no need to cut muscles so minimum pain, very little bleeding so no need to transfuse blood, quick recovery from surgery and patient goes home the same day. The advantage of robot assisted surgery is better precision, more accuracy, no issue of human fatigue etc. Dr Sahni combined both to come out with an innovative procedure.

Alumni of Bishop Cotton School and Hislop College here, Sahni had pursued his higher education at GMC and IGMC. He has appealed the people to cast online vote so as to enable him to win the coveted award.

To vote for Dr Sahni log on to www.nrioftheyear.com

First vote for any one like Mittal or Nooyi on the first screen, then quickly register just with your name, email and telephone no, then click on UK and you will see Dr Vishal Sahni’s name.

Surgeon from city nominated for UK’s NRI of the Year Award; appeals for vote in his favour

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

And the day it is, when the well wishers and the so called leaders would be discussing women rights, handing out their readily available comments and suggestions on how to let women secure their identity. Some would make tall claims to unleash a wave of difference in the society and paint the picture pink. But is the situation really improving?

“No”, says a father who daughter is currently under mental trauma as she tries to get over the nightmare she faced a couple of days ago in the form of eve-teasing.

This father took this opportunity to open his heart out on the day when the words of exaggeration are freely flowing in favour of women. Her girl was recently molested and hit by a son of an influential father who a city’s renowned hotelier.

Though Hardeep Singh Arora who was recently arrested for the crime was let off in a go, the incident has raised numerous questions about women’s safety in Nagpur. The agony of the victim’s father against the accused from a ‘so called civilized family’ of city expressed his apprehension regarding the problems faced by his daughter and this entire episode.

Here’s what this worried father narrated to Nagpur Today,

“It was one regular day when my daughter went to college, and from there on proceeded towards her friend’s place to complete some pending work from college. She ran out of stationary, and went to the Mangalwari market to purchase the same. It was the time when she encountered Hardeep (the accused), who came and asked her to slide down the left seat window of the car she was travelling in. As soon as she rolled down the window glass, he unlocked the door and got into the car. He forced her to take it in front of his showroom (Bar Shopee). He started touching her and forcefully tried to kiss her. The girl pushed him back and rushed out of the car. The accused then slapped her in front of the onlookers. He her specs fell down.

The girl immediately went inside the car again and left, when she overheard Hardeep calling her name and saying, ‘College aa dekh lunga, aajkal muh par acid fekne ke cases toh hote hi rehte hai!’ (Come to college, I will see you…Cases of acid attack have become quite common these days). She somehow reached home, narrated the entire incident to us, when we immediately left for the police station to lodge the complaint.”

Police did not cooperate

When asked about whether he was satisfied with the police action, he said, “The police did not cooperate, and they took the incident very lightly. After creating pressure, finally PI Mahadi lodged the complaint, but did not make any arrest immediately. They should have at least taken a PCR immediately. When the system is behaving in such a manner, how do girls live fearlessly in the society after all?

We provided the police with all the proofs, Hardeep’s abusive and indecent messages, which were being received on my daughter’s cell phone even at the time when we were in the police station. But no concrete action was taken! He got the bail the very next day! Is it not obvious that my girl is not safe, after receiving threats and warnings from a guy who is freely roaming about?”

The father himself now is taking care of her safety, dropping and receiving her from the college, making her stay with some trusted person or the other. But is this how the things should be? How do a girl walk and independently then?

Women’s day it is! But does this society really deserve to celebrate this day? When daughters can’t walk fearlessly, fathers can’t sleep in peace! ‘Are the daughters really safe in Nagpur?’, a father precisely raises an apprehension.

Father of girl who was molested and hit by hotelier’s son opens up, narrates sorry tale

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

In an exclusive interview with two commercial sex workers, Nagpur Today came to know the horrifying, dreadful, degrading and pitiable vicious circle that the flesh trade takes poor, innocent young women.

While the entire world is talking about women empowerment, girl-child-education, women’s rights etc, a very vital and irremovable part of our society is omitted with no other option but to live in a degrading atmosphere and pitiable conditions which are not meant for human beings. We are referring about the “Commercial Sex Workers” often called with very vile and foul language, who experience hell on earth every day of their life.

There are various NGOs and other allied organizations who are continuously working to make the life of these commercial sex workers bearable. However, this is not an easy task at all, since there are many factors not conducive to ensure prevention of smooth and bearable life for these women. Pimps for example always want them to be subjected to their whims and fancies and don’t want them to have a safety-net or a support system which will come to their rescue in time of need. This will ensure that they are continuously dependent on them for their livelihood. Lack of a proper family support, proper education or some art or skill which would have provided them with an alternate and decent means of livelihood, resulted them to continue in this trade. These commercial sex workers don’t have acceptance from the society hence they are forced to live in the way that they are. The attempts of various NGOs are exemplary yet there is a whole lot of work yet to be achieved.

When asked how she came into this trade, Sheela (Name changed to protect her identity) said that she had no other option. she didn’t have any other source of livelihood. She said that she had only passed her IXth class and since she came from a poor family was married off at an early age (14-years-old). Her husband who was very violent and often had got into violent encounters with gangsters or goons. This caused him to land in jail. With her husband going to jail, neither her in-laws accepted her as their daughter-in-law, not could their own parents provide shelter and food to her. With nowhere to go and practically broke, she was sitting in the Nagpur Railway Station (Main). One Auto-rickshaw driver saw her and after finding out her state of affairs, asked her if she was willing to do a job, which he knew. He assured her that her food and stay will be taken care of at the place of work itself. The Auto-rickshaw driver then took her to a lady. Only after reaching the “place of work” did she realize where she was and what work did she have to perform. However, according to Sheela, and to her good fortune, nobody forced her to become a commercial sex worker. Since she was left with no other option, she voluntarily opted to get into the age-old profession. She has been there since the last 17 years and today, she has a son of 5 years too. She is proud of her son who is studying in KG-1. Her only motive to continue to live is the son. He is her sole responsibility and she wants to give him the best that she can. However, one saddening and dreadful fact came to fore. She is HIV positive and is taking ART medications regularly. She claimed that she goes regularly to the testing centers to get the blood tests done. When asked if she tells her customers that she is HIV positive, she said that we usually don’t tell our customers that we are HIV positive instead insist on use of contraceptives. They refuse condom-less intercourse even if the customers are willing to pay more.

She gave credit to the Red-Cross Society for taking care of more than 50 per cent of commercial sex workers. It is only because of Red Cross Society that they are now able to get themselves tested and treated for HIV.

Nagpur Today spoke to another commercial sex worker called Jyothi (Name changed to protect her identity), who also said that she too chose this flesh trade for her livelihood because she too was not educated and lacked self-employment skills. She too got married at the age of 14.5 and within a year of her marriage her husband died. She was left with no other option and no one to support her and provide food clothing and shelter. She claimed that nobody brought her to this place or forced her into the flesh trade. She herself chose this most viable and only means of livelihood available at that time. Since, she was left with no other options but to enter into the flesh trade to fulfill her needs. She said when she entered this trade she was already a mother of a 6-month-old baby. She had the responsibility of the baby and therefore she decided to do undertake the age old profession even if this was degrading and pitiable. Jyothi told Nagpur Today that she is 31-years old and her son is now 14-years-old and with the help of an NGO, who are working to educate the children of sex workers, her child is getting a decent education. Her child is her only hope and she wants to live only for him. She said that once, he is able to stand on his own legs and earn a decent living that she can even think of leaving this place.

By Puja Singh

Lack of education, self-employment skills and poverty forces many women into the flesh trade

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

The seven-time Member of Parliament, Muttemwar’s name figures in the first list of 194 Congress candidates announced in Delhi on Saturday.

Vilas Muttemwar

Nagpur News: The curious wait of citizens over the probable Congress candidate for Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency got over on Saturday (March 8) when the party High Command announced name of present MP Vilas Muttemwar for Nagpur seat. The seven-time Member of Parliament, Muttemwar’s name figures in the first list of 194 Congress candidates announced in Delhi on Saturday.

With the veteran warrior of Congress Muttemwar in the field again, the contest for Nagpur Lok Sabha will be a cliff-hanger with triangular fight on the cards. BJP has already announced name of senior party leader Nitin Gadkari for Nagpur seat and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded its firebrand leader Anjali Damania.

Traditionally, Nagpur seat has been a Congress fortress and this time also, Vilas Muttemwar is likely to enter the Lok Sabha for record 8th time. Of course, the contest will be electrifying, no doubt about it.

Born on March 22, 1949, Vilas Muttemwar is a member of the 15th Lok Sabha. He was Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.  This is his 7th term and had been elected to 7th, 8th, 10th 12th, 13th and 14th Lok Sabha.

Vilas Muttemwar is considered as pioneer of the MIHAN Project in Nagpur. He has been constantly following up the project. Former Chief Minister ofMaharashtra, the late Vilasrao Deshmukh had acknowledged, by saying Vilas Muttemwar has written almost 5000 letters to the Civil Aviation Ministry, Government of Maharashtra and the Prime Minister’s Office.

After positive action in December 2009, on part of the Central Government regarding Telangana State in Andhra Pradesh, Vilas Muttemwar is now leading the statehood movement for a separateVidarbha state.

Similarly, Congress has announced the candidature of Mukul Wasnik for Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency. It will be second time the present MP will contest from Ramtek.

Congress fields Vilas Muttemwar for Nagpur LS seat again, exciting contest on the cards

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

As the election battle has drawn closer with loads of uncertainty over who would lead the nation’s top post of Prime Minister in the 16^th Lok Sabha, the fight for Nagpur seat too is not any exception. In its first list of 194 Congress candidates, Vilas Muttemwar, seven time  MP, has become the party’s obvious choice for Nagpur seat along with Mukul Wasnik for Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency. BJP has already pitched Nitin Gadkari with an aim to demolish Congress bastion and the new entrant AAP has fielded Anjali Damania to make the fight the interesting ever in Nagpur.

Agreed…that politics is the game of uncertainty and elections are the high points that drive this game to blind turn, but this year it’s getting rather difficult for analysts to derive poll perfect equation. The situation at the Centre is like now-here-then-there. Congress’ favorite child Rahul Gandhi appears to be competing for the PM’s post with BJP’s star power Narendra Modi, but the fight has been further escalated with regional power makers Mamata Banerjee, Jayalalitha and more recently Nitish Kumar putting up their claims for the top job. Back in Nagpur, the appearance of AAP has somewhat distorted the already framed picture of polls.

However the picture will get crystal clear by the end of May this year, the speculation continues to mount high on the heads of not only poll pundits and political leaders, especially those in the fray, but also on the minds of voters who appear bit uncertain this time around. So we have another set of equation.

After series of brain storming session and constant interaction with the voters and poll experts our team worked on stretch to present a close picture of what the political game fetched in the last general elections and how it could differ this time.

Here’s a brief account of Nagpur Today’s in-depth observation,

Recap of last polls :

General elections 2009 – Turnout 7,55,369

Votes Shared

During last Lok Sabha elections when Aam Aadmi Party was nowhere in the scene, BSP appeared as the key dent maker in the BJP’s vote bank. This led to division of votes in BJP, leading it to fetch approximately 10% less than what it expected. A total of 7,55,369 votes were polled in Nagpur parliamentary constituency during last elections which accounted for 43.43% voting, remarkably far less than expected turnout. At that time Congress candidate Vilas Muttemwar secured 3,15,148 votes which is 41.59% of the total votes polled. BJP’s Purohit drew 2,90,749 (38.37%) votes in his favour while BSP took away 1,18,741 votes (15.67%) cracking BJP’s aspirations. Had the things lived up to BJP’s expectations, its candidate Banwarilal Purohit would have made it to the Parliament in the last last elections. Soon after the poll results, it was alleged that some BJP workers played deterrent to Purohit’s win and the key post bearers indulged in backbiting.

This time, AAP may prove deterrent to BJP

Unlike last general elections, poll percentage is expected to move up to 45-50% this year. A detailed study on the votes’ distribution predicts that it is going to be the final fight between Congress and BJP while AAP would play major role in turning sour BSP’s hopes for better performance. BSP has not yet announced its candidate but the party is likely to bank on the caste based equation. A poll expert on condition of anonymity predicted if the BSP picks up its candidate keeping the caste in mind, then it might be restricted to around 1.25 lakh votes. He said whatever support AAP would enjoy, the party could not go beyond 1 lakh votes or even low. “So the ultimate battle would be fought between BJP and Congress,” he added. Another long time political writer said that Delhi Assembly elections proved to be major loss for Congress, thanks to AAP. He added, “In Nagpur, AAP could serve blow to BJP on the basis of its young voters. If the total votes polled in favour of both BSP and AAP combined to shed BJP by 10 percent, then the BJP might end up getting 2.5 lakh votes in its favour.”

Tough fight for Muttemwar

As the BJP has fielded Nitin Gadkari, his poll mechanism may slightly benefit the party. An analyst said that Gadkari could attract mixed votes that could add 1 lakh votes to the party’s usual count. So this makes the scene a bit challenging for Congress which attracted 3,15,148 votes in its favour with support of its non-Congress allies in 2009 elections. This time, Vilas Muttemwar has to take it to 10 percent more to secure over 3.5 votes in order to make it for the 8^th consecutive term.

Parties focus on caste equation

Various party candidates are eyeing Dalit, Muslim and Christian votes this Lok Sabha elections while OBC candidates are understood to act as the deciding factor. While these votes have been usual take away of Congress, the division of votes this time could benefit the BJP. The figures and political equations clearly indicate the fight between Gadkari and Muttemwar and experts feel both have to overcome the infighting and backbiting within their respective parties.

Poll prediction (Based on voters’ survey and changed political equations)

Based on the above analysis, this year 8 to 8.5 lakh voters are expected to turn out for voting in Nagpur Lok Sabha seat. While Congress can get somewhere around 3.5 lakh votes, BJP could get about 3.25 lakh votes. The votes polled in favour of AAP and BSP could total upto 1 lakh. With month to go to Poll this political equations may .

However, it’s the voters who would take the final call anyway. Till then keep speculating…

Nagpur Today Poll Watch: Final battle between Congress-BJP; AAP-BSP to play spoilsport

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

Sagar Meghe, son of present Wardha MP and Congress stalwart Datta Meghe, has been officially declared Congress candidate for Wardha Lok Sabha constituency.

Sagar Meghe and Charulata Tokas, daughter of the late Prabha Rau, former Rajasthan Governor, had emerged as major contenders for Lok Sabha ticket in Wardha in the primary held on Sunday (March 9).

The voting for the primary started at 11 am. The number of voters stood at 1303 including office-bearers of block and district Youth Congress, NSUI, Zilla Parishad and Municipal Council members of the party. However, 1180 members cast their votes. After counting, Sagar Meghe bagged 600 votes and Charulata Tokas received 554 votes and thus Sagar emerged winner by 46 votes. 26 votes were found invalid. Subsequently, Sagar Meghe will now be official Congress candidate for Wardha Lok Sabha seat. As per the schedule announced recently by the Election Commission, Wardha will go to poll on April 10.

Under the primary concept piloted by Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, nominees in 15 Lok Sabha constituencies across the country were to be chosen through primaries or inner party elections in a bid to strengthen “democracy” within his party.  Wardha also figured in the list of primaries. According to sources, senior Meghe is not keen to contest elections due to his age and wanted to hand over the reins to Sagar, a former BJP MLC who had joined Congress under late Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

As far as Charulata is concerned, she had staked the claim for the seat on counts of loyalty and by virtue of being a former office-bearer of local body. Both the aspirants had organized a couple of rallies for Congress in the district.

Kunal Banerjee and R Raju acted as AICC observers for the process.

Sagar, son of MP & Congress stalwart Datta Meghe, is candidate for Wardha LS seat

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Two-day International Conference on “Citrus Fruits Production Technology” inaugurated at Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Agriculture College on Sunday (March 9). The Conference is being held on the auspices of Indo-Israel Project.

Nagpur News: “The Orange City should be brought on the world map by making its oranges as a Brand at international level and the geological area producing oranges must be patented in order to enhance the quality of oranges by utilizing the present sophisticated technology. However, the farmers must be made aware of this task to achieve the success in this aspect,” said the Nagpur Divisional Commissioner Anoop Kumar. He was speaking at the inaugural programme of the two-day International Conference on “Citrus Fruits Production Technology”(Nimboo Vargiya Utpadan Taknik) organized at Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Agriculture College on Sunday (March 9). The Conference is being held on the auspices of Indo-Israel Project.

The Divisional Commissioner further said that special attention will have to be given for branding of Nagpur oranges. Branding draws significance at the international level. Even vegetables are being branded in some parts of the world which increases the quality of branded vegetables. “The industries related with the fruits and processing should be set up in the region and the help of Marketing Department of National Garden Mission must be sought for better way of branding oranges,” Anoop Kumar stressed.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR FARMERS:

“A Cargo Hub is being constructed in Nagpur that would provide a golden opportunity to the region’s farmers. The only need is special attention to maintain parameters of world standards for best quality oranges. The Government is considering orange production under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The farmers are in distress following natural calamities. We are making efforts to ease their problems by various ways and means,” the Divisional Commissioner said.

The Joint Director of Agriculture Department Vijay Ghavte said that different high technologies of the world are being brought to India through Indo-Israel Project. The technologies are being used with the coordination of Agriculture Universities. Nagpur centre is rendering an excellent service to region’s farmers, Ghavte said.

The Israeli expert Do Robbeur stressed upon high density plantations. He also shared valuable information on sapling with high technology through a presentation.

Other prominent personalities present on the occasion include Agriculture Scientists Dr P G Ingole, Dr D M Panchbhai, Dr V S Gonge, Dr Vishnukant Tekade, Public Relations Officer Dr Subhash Potdukhe, and others. Hundreds of scientists and farmers from Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and other states attended the Conference. Teachers and students of Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Agriculture College also attended the programme.

Nagpur’s oranges must become a Brand at world-level, says Divisional Commissioner

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Hundreds of cheated plot holders surround Gram Panchayat to know fate of their plots

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News : In a dramatic and filmy way, a woman along with her brother and his friend tried to kill a woman of their society to avenge themselves on Sunday morning under the jurisdiction of Nandanvan police.

Accused has been identified as Sunita Agrawal (48), a resident of Shivshakti Apartment, Indira Devi town, Wathoda Road and her brother and his friend. On Sunday, a society meeting was called in Shivshakti Apartment in which the complainant Geeta Sharma participated with her husband Dharmavir Sharma. Geeta put forward her view on an issue relating to the accused Sunita Agrawal. Geeta alleged that Sunita took lift from her son on March 5. Thus, she warned Sunita not to take lift from her son. Sunita alleged that Geeta was spreading rumours about her affairs with Geeta’s son and this sabotaged Sunita’s image in the society. She also alleged that society members were talking about her behind her back and their behaviours had changed after the rumours. Thus, enraged over Geeta’s involvement in spreading rumours about Sunita, she called her brother and his friend to take revenge from Geeta. Sunita, her brother and his friend grabbed Geeta after the meeting was over. They tried to kill Geeta with the help of nylon rope. However, Geeta somehow managed to escape from their clutches and reported the incidence to Nandanvan police.

Cops booked all the three accused after registering a case under Sections 307 and 34 of the IPC. Further investigations are in progress.

Nagpur Today contacted the investigating officer PI Datta Dhole who informed that cops have booked the accused in the case but they will be arrested only after thorough investigation in the case.

Three, including a woman, booked for trying to kill a woman

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

Today on March 10, 2014 a house bearing no.68/B in ward 39 was seized by tax collection department of NMC for non-payment of outstanding tax dues worth Rs 25,708/- The house belongs to Pramod Karodimal Agrawal the key person behind Kalamna Market Credit Urban Co-operative  Society Ltd, Nehru Putala,Itwari Nagpur.

The other properties seized by the authorities for non-payment of tax dues are house no. 1014 in ward no. 49 belonging to one Kanta Vijay Gomekar, for outstanding dues worth Rs 2,37,095/ House no. 75 belonging to Mohammad Aslam Mohd Haji Ibrahim Bano Akar in ward 49 for outstanding dues worth Rs 37,639. House no. 48 housing ICICI Bank ATM  in ward no. 44 for dues of Rs 5,23,759 but on this occasion Bank Representative Sachin Rakhade remained present and promised payment within 5 days so the seizure could  not be effected with reference to this property.

The seizure action was carried out under the guidance of  Ashok Patil,Asst Commissioner, Sataranjipura, Zone 7 by Tax Assistants Gawarle, Tax Collector Gajbhiye and Nakib Khan.

Pramod Karodimal Agrawal’s house seized for non-payment of tax dues