Chalo Taluke - Gujarat Information Bureau
Chalo Taluke - Gujarat Information Bureau
Chalo Taluke - Gujarat Information Bureau
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“ <strong>Chalo</strong> <strong>Taluke</strong>”<br />
Collective Efforts,<br />
Inclusive Growth<br />
VOL-I, ISSUE-4, October, 2011<br />
thegujaratmagazine@gmail.com
October, 2011<br />
An English Quarterly Magazine<br />
VOL-1, ISSUE-4 October,2011<br />
CHIEF EDITOR<br />
V. Thiruppugazh<br />
MANAGING EDITOR<br />
Arvind Patel<br />
Dy. CHIEF EDITOR<br />
Pulak Trivedi<br />
TEAM CHIEF<br />
V.N. Balakrishna<br />
TEAM 'THE GUJARAT'<br />
Abhisar Gaur<br />
Akshaya Karanth<br />
Ankita Biswas<br />
Indrani Mantripragada<br />
Madhurima Mallik<br />
Mihir Shah<br />
Nitasha Nair<br />
Sahit Chirutapudi<br />
Vasant Iyer<br />
Vineet Kanabar<br />
DESIGN & LAYOUT<br />
Grey Orange Brand Pvt. Ltd.<br />
DISTRIBUTION<br />
Sharad Bumbadiya<br />
Jayesh Dave<br />
______________________<br />
Letters should be addressed to<br />
Commissionerate of <strong>Information</strong><br />
Floor no 2, Block no 7, Old Sachivalaya,<br />
Gandhinagar, <strong>Gujarat</strong>, India- 382010<br />
All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this<br />
publication's contents, in whole or in part,<br />
without written permission, is prohibited.<br />
The <strong>Gujarat</strong> does not necessarily agree with<br />
the views of the writers/contributors.<br />
Printed by<br />
Sahitya Mudranalya Pvt.Ltd.<br />
Published by<br />
Commissionerate of <strong>Information</strong>,<br />
Government of <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
Printed at<br />
Sahitya Mudranalya Pvt.Ltd.<br />
City mill Compound, Kankaria Road,<br />
Amdavad-380022<br />
Published at<br />
Commissioner of <strong>Information</strong>,<br />
7/2. Dr. Jivraj Mehta Bhavan,<br />
Gandhinagar-382010<br />
E-mail: thegujaratmagazine@gmail.com<br />
Message from the CM<br />
Dear readers,<br />
We are proud to bring you the 4th issue of the <strong>Gujarat</strong> government’s<br />
quarterly English magazine - The <strong>Gujarat</strong>.<br />
The Cover Story for the current issue is “<strong>Chalo</strong> Taluka”. We launched the<br />
“<strong>Chalo</strong> Taluka'' campaign in all 225 talukas of the state from July 22 to<br />
September 10. It was a memorable experience for all of us interacting with local<br />
office-bearers and the people of different talukas. We had already launched the<br />
'Apno Taluko Vibrant Taluko' scheme to rejuvenate taluka level administration<br />
earlier in the state and I am sure that the <strong>Chalo</strong> Taluka campaign will further<br />
help us to streamline administrative activities at the grassroots.<br />
I cannot help realizing the true spirit of people power when I, my Cabinet<br />
colleagues and senior officials visit talukas to know firsthand what prevails in<br />
places far from the Secretariat. True democracy involves the government<br />
reaching out to the people and knowing their problems as the people do have an<br />
equal say in the decisions that affect their lives.<br />
In the recently concluded quarter , the 9th Kanya Kelavani and Shala<br />
Praveshotsav was launched on June 16 from Bhavnagar district and had an<br />
overwhelming response. The taluka oriented 7th Krishi Mahotsav launched<br />
earlier on the auspicious occasion of 'Akhatrij' on May 6 saw around one lakh<br />
government officers, employees and agricultural scientists accompanying<br />
'krish raths' covering over 18,000 villages in more than 225 talukas under the<br />
scorching sun. We saw how our farmers were doing from the scientific inputs<br />
they were getting from us.<br />
The twin campaigns have given me much hope and resolve that illiteracy<br />
and malnutrition will be eradicated from our beloved state. We pray to the<br />
almighty to bless us with continued success in all our future endeavors at<br />
achieving inclusive growth and streamlining administration across all levels.<br />
Jai Jai Garvi <strong>Gujarat</strong>, Jai Hind<br />
Narendra Modi<br />
Chief Minister, <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
1
2<br />
<strong>Chalo</strong> <strong>Taluke</strong> - 2011<br />
Collective Efforts Inclusive Growth<br />
Page 22 - 27<br />
3 Quick Bytes<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> this Quarter<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
6 Agriculture<br />
Be like <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
8 E Governance<br />
Enabling 360 degree<br />
inclusion in <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
10 BISAG<br />
Index<br />
Bhaskaracharya Institute for<br />
Space Applications and Geo-<br />
Informatics<br />
13 Sadbhavna<br />
Together, <strong>Gujarat</strong> marches<br />
forward<br />
14 Tribal Development<br />
Livelihood through PPP<br />
model<br />
16 Teacher Recruitment<br />
Creating equal opportunities<br />
Business<br />
18 Business this Quarter<br />
A snapshot of the business<br />
news in <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
20 Automobile<br />
Turning the wheels of fortune<br />
22 <strong>Chalo</strong> <strong>Taluke</strong><br />
Decentralizing Governance<br />
28 <strong>Gujarat</strong> Luminaries<br />
Eminent personalities<br />
who shaped <strong>Gujarat</strong>-<br />
Mahatma Gandhi<br />
29 Sardar Sarovar Project on<br />
River Narmada<br />
30 Vaave <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
32 IITE<br />
Cover Story<br />
On a lighter note<br />
Book Review<br />
Environment<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> goes green<br />
In Focus<br />
Teacher training institute<br />
34 Sabarmati Riverfront<br />
Rejuvenating Ahmedabad<br />
Arts & Culture<br />
37 Tarnetar Mela<br />
Celebrating colours of rural<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
40 Photo Feature<br />
October, 2011<br />
In Conversation With<br />
42 Dharini Pancham’da<br />
A candid chat with <strong>Gujarat</strong>’s<br />
classical music maestro<br />
Travel<br />
44 Dunni Point<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>'s own Marine<br />
Paradise<br />
Special Feature<br />
46 Sabarmati Ashram<br />
Paying homage to the<br />
Mahatma<br />
48 Upcoming Events<br />
The Temple of Mahatma<br />
Page 29
October, 2011<br />
Quick Bytes<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> this quarter<br />
The construction near Sanand begins processing plant begins production<br />
later this year and is expected to be The third milk processing plant of<br />
Peugeot signs pact for Rs.4,000- commissioned by 2013. Banas District Cooperative Milk<br />
crore plant near Sanand Producers Union Ltd, popularly known<br />
Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Ford comes calling with Rs.4,000- as Banas Dairy, was inaugurated by<br />
(PCA) will be setting up an automobile crore plant Chief Minister Narendra Modi on June<br />
manufacturing plant near Sanand at a Ford Motor Company is setting up a 28, 2011. Built by National Dairy<br />
cost of Rs.4,000 crore with an motor vehicle manufacturing and Development Board (NDDB) at an<br />
agreement being signed with the engineering plant near Sanand at a cost estimated cost of Rs 100 crore, the plant<br />
Government of <strong>Gujarat</strong> (GoG) in the of Rs.4,000-crore. An MoU was signed will process 8 lakh litres per day, 40<br />
presence of Chief Minister Narendra on July 28 between Ford India metric tonnes of liquid milk, 40 metric<br />
Modi on September 1, 2011. President & Managing Director tonne butter per day and manufacture<br />
The fully integrated manufacturing Michael Boneham and <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s 50 kilo litre ice cream per day. The<br />
Industries Principal Secretary M. Sahu liquid milk processing plant, butter<br />
in the presence of Chief Minister manufacturing plant and ice cream<br />
Narendra Modi. “The State is capable manufacturing plants have the best<br />
of becoming a 'global auto hub',” said equipment with fully automated<br />
the chief minister welcoming the entry PLC/DCS control system for safe,<br />
of Ford Motor in <strong>Gujarat</strong>. The two efficient, reliable operations and<br />
plants to be set up on 460-acre plot are<br />
projected to be the company's biggest<br />
consistent quality.<br />
facility outside America. The 'Robodoc' brand new surgeon at<br />
Government of <strong>Gujarat</strong> has reserved Civil Hospital<br />
unit will be set up on a 584-acre plot<br />
with cutting edge technology. The<br />
vehicle manufacturing facility will be<br />
integrated with stamping, body paint<br />
and assembly operations with an initial<br />
capacity of 165,000 vehicles per year.<br />
An engine and gearbox plant will also<br />
be added to constitute a full-fledged<br />
modern industrial automotive facility.<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> Industrial Development<br />
Corporation (GIDC) will provide<br />
another 25-acre land for ancillary<br />
industry. PCA envisages exporting 25<br />
per cent of the production paving the<br />
way for <strong>Gujarat</strong> emerging as an<br />
automobile export hub.<br />
The plant, agreements for which<br />
were signed by <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s Principal<br />
Secretary for Industry Maheshwar<br />
Sahu and Vice President of Emerging<br />
Market Programs & India of Peugeot<br />
Citroen Automobiles Frédéric Fabre,<br />
would provide direct employment to<br />
5,000 and indirect to 25,000 persons.<br />
another 150-acre adjoining land for<br />
ancillary industry. The plants will<br />
provide direct employment to 5,000<br />
and indirect employment to 25,000<br />
people, besides another 6,000 youth<br />
getting jobs in the ancillary engineering<br />
industry, totaling 36,000 jobs.<br />
Ford Motor President Joe Hinrichs<br />
described the investment in <strong>Gujarat</strong> as<br />
the company's global future policy to<br />
increase its global sales target by 50 per<br />
cent to 8-million vehicles by mid-<br />
2010s. It is because of <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s overall<br />
competence and competitiveness,<br />
industry-friendly environment,<br />
nearness to seaport, availability of<br />
skilled technical personnel and<br />
requisite infrastructure in place, that a<br />
top vehicles manufacturer like Ford has<br />
chosen the state for setting up its plants,<br />
he said. The construction on the two<br />
plants near Sanand is scheduled to<br />
begin this year-end and production by<br />
2014.<br />
B a n a s D a i r y ' s 3 r d m i l k<br />
' R o b o d o c , ' a n e w a g e ,<br />
technologically advanced surgical<br />
instrument costing Rs 10 crore was<br />
unveiled by Health Minister<br />
Jaynarayan Vyas at the Ahmedabad<br />
Civil Hospital on July 15, 2011. "This<br />
instrument, the first-of-its-kind in<br />
India, will carry out surgeries with<br />
precision and accuracy for knee and hip<br />
joint replacements," Vyas said. It will<br />
help doctors in pre-surgical planning,<br />
control of bone movement, robot to CT<br />
registration and the likes in pre, during<br />
and post surgery procedures. "Since a<br />
3
Quick Bytes<br />
October, 2011<br />
three degree misalignment occur when took part in the event. The <strong>Gujarat</strong> the state. The gifts deposited include<br />
surgeries are carried out manually, chapter of India's Special Olympics silver bracelets, golden and silver<br />
'Robodoc' will help doctors achieve Institute coach talented young mentally statutes and figurines, artistic chariots,<br />
100% alignment thereby leading to a retarded athletes of above 8 years. The watches, mementos and medals,<br />
successful surgery", he said. institute has so far registered 84,562 shawls, turbans, artistic umbrellas,<br />
athletes after talent search. It has 5,232 coins, photo frames, swords, bows and<br />
11 mentally challenged kids win coaches and 441 trainers, backed by arrows, traditional cloths of tribes and<br />
at Special Olympics held in Greece 19,831 volunteers and 16,400 families other communities and more. Some 48<br />
Chief Minister Narendra Modi on of the less privileged children. items among these are of gold and silver<br />
which alone are worth Rs.10-lakh. So<br />
CM deposits 521 gifts in far the Chief Minister has deposited<br />
toshakhana items worth more than Rs. 287.37 lakhs<br />
Chief Minister Narendra Modi in toshakhana.<br />
deposited about 521 valuables, worth<br />
Rs.14 lakhs, as gifts during the current <strong>Gujarat</strong> plans centre of excellence<br />
year in the government toshakhana <strong>Gujarat</strong> has roped in Chairman and<br />
(treasury). The proceeds will go to Chief Mentor of Infosys, N R Narayana<br />
Kanya Kelavani Nidhi - a special fund Murthy, to guide a proposed<br />
for financing education of girl child in international centre of excellence near<br />
Ahmedabad.<br />
July 22 honoured 11 mentally The state government has initiated<br />
challenged children from <strong>Gujarat</strong>, the process of setting up a special<br />
including seven girls, who had won purpose vehicle (SPV) – <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
gold and silver medals in different Foundation for Entrepreneurship<br />
e v e n t s a t S p e c i a l O l y m p i c s Excellence (GFEE) – with a 50:50<br />
International Athletic event held at equity partnership of Rs 5 lakh each<br />
Athens in Greece from June 25 to July between <strong>Gujarat</strong> Mineral Development<br />
4. Nearly 7,500 children from 180 Corporation Ltd (GMDC) and a private<br />
countries, including 140 from India, company, <strong>Gujarat</strong> Entrepreneurship<br />
Awards Galore<br />
leadership covering five years. Till June Commerce and Industries (GCCI). The<br />
2006, AMC had just two awards. Under awards for three best MSME units were<br />
AMC gets Nagar Ratna<br />
Municipal commissioner I P<br />
Gautam, in early July, received the 'All<br />
India Institute of Local Self-<br />
Government Nagar Ratna Award for the<br />
Best Performing City' in the country<br />
from President Pratibha Patil when his<br />
transfer orders came as principal<br />
secretary in the urban development and<br />
urban housing department where he<br />
will preside over all municipal<br />
Gautam's tenure the city saw its first<br />
mass rapid transit system in Janmarg's<br />
BRTS built at Rs 981 crore under the<br />
Centre's Jawaharlal Nehru National<br />
Urban Renewal Mission programme.<br />
Other Nagar Ratna awards went to<br />
Vadodara Municipal Corporation for<br />
basic amenities to urban poor, Rajkot<br />
Municipal Corporation for complaints<br />
redressal system and Surat Municipal<br />
Corporation for innovation.<br />
given to Jyantibhai Ukani – Vasu<br />
Healthcare, Vadodara; Rafi Abdul<br />
Rahim Maniyar – Maniyar group and<br />
corporations and municipalities and<br />
other bodies related to urban affairs,<br />
urban development and urban housing<br />
department. This award was just one<br />
among the 14 national and international<br />
awards that Ahmedabad Municipal<br />
Corporation won under Gautam's<br />
CM gives awards to small &<br />
medium industries<br />
Chief Minister Narendra Modi on<br />
Monday gave away GCCI MSME<br />
award to small and medium scale<br />
entrepreneurs at a function organized in<br />
Ahmedabad by <strong>Gujarat</strong> Chamber of<br />
Bhanuprasad Patel – Omni Lease Ltd.<br />
The 150th birth anniversary year of<br />
Swami Vivekananda will be celebrated<br />
as Yuva Shakti year to provide skill-<br />
development opportunities to the youth<br />
4
October, 2011<br />
Quick Bytes<br />
Venture Promotion Foundation Enterpreneurship and Technology) the world with their barbaric terrorist<br />
(GEVPF) to develop the centre. website during a youth convention at act in America on 9/11. And with icreate<br />
According to government officials, Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar on launched on 9/11, <strong>Gujarat</strong> government<br />
an agreement between the two September 9. desires to give the youth an opportunity<br />
companies has been inked and the SPV 'icreate' is a world-class incubation to carve a new and prosperous future for<br />
will be formed within the next couple of centre taking shape on the outskirts of the world,' Chief Minister Narendra<br />
months. “The formation of this Ahmedabad on a sprawling 34 acres Modi said.<br />
company is aimed at supporting campus to provide a congenial<br />
i n n o v a t i o n a n d i n c u b a t e s environment to young entrepreneurs Kenyans for mutual development<br />
entrepreneurs. A center of excellence coming up with new innovative ideas projects<br />
will be set up near Ahmedabad to A four-member delegation of<br />
facilitate new age innovations, nurture Kenya Parliamentary Committee led by<br />
and protect them. GMDC will take a Dan Mawanzo called on <strong>Gujarat</strong> Chief<br />
lead role in developing this center Minister Narendra Modi on August 25<br />
expected to come up on 30-32 acre to discuss mutual development<br />
plot,” said V S Gadhvi, IAS, Managing projects, besides the state's long<br />
Director, GMDC. The premium bilateral relations in traditional and<br />
offered to NHAI in year one is Rs 309.6 cultural affairs. The projects included<br />
crore, which will increase by 5% year- power generation, hydel projects,<br />
on-year. The capitalised cost of the petroleum refinery, oil and gas sector,<br />
project is approximately Rs 4,920 crore<br />
CM launches 'icreate' to nurture<br />
young talents<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> has given a new 'creative'<br />
meaning to '9/11' when Chief Minister<br />
Narendra Modi launched the state<br />
government's ambitious project<br />
'icreate' (International Centre for<br />
and products in the skillful use of<br />
technology. The project will be guided<br />
by an advisory board led by the<br />
founder-chairman of Infosys Narayan<br />
Murthy and stalwarts from academia<br />
and industry.<br />
'Swami Vivekananda delivered his<br />
famous speech in America 118 years<br />
back on 9/11. Anti-human forces shook<br />
solar parks, 24x7 Jyoti Gram<br />
uninterrupted power supply in rural<br />
areas, Narmada Canal. Essar Group has<br />
undertaken a refinery project at<br />
Mombassa. Among the present were<br />
Principal Secretary for Energy and<br />
Petroleum D.J. Pandian and Chief<br />
Minister's Additional Principal<br />
Secretary G.C. Murmu.<br />
of <strong>Gujarat</strong>, Chief Minister Narendra teachers giving away awards on Dr said Dr Kamlaji speaking on the<br />
Modi said while speaking on the Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan's 133rd birth occasion.<br />
occasion. anniversary being celebrated as Chief Minister Narendra Modi,<br />
There are about three lakh small and Teacher's Day on September 5 at the congratulating the award winning<br />
medium scale industries in <strong>Gujarat</strong>, Gandhinagar Town Hall. teachers, said that they have a big role to<br />
employing more than 20 lakh people. play in lending speed to the state's<br />
These industries have become the progress. The <strong>Gujarat</strong> Government is<br />
growth engine of the state and the ever conscious of its duty of respecting<br />
nation. Former Director of IIM and the entire teaching community and their<br />
jury member for the awards Bakul contribution to the society, he said.<br />
Dholakiya said with a favorable The award ceremony was telecast<br />
atmosphere for business in <strong>Gujarat</strong>, live and was meant to ensure that one<br />
micro industries are turning into crore people can take part in the<br />
medium scale industries and medium felicitation, the chief minister said<br />
scale ones into large scale industries. adding it will perhaps go down as one of<br />
the world's biggest programmes to<br />
29 best teachers of <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
felicitated on Teachers' Day<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> Governor Dr. Shrimati<br />
Kamlaji and Chief Minister Narendra<br />
Modi felicitated <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s 29 best<br />
A teachers' role is to create curiosity<br />
among the students so that they spend<br />
their lifetime in the pursuit of<br />
knowledge and contribute to the<br />
nation's progress and people's welfare,<br />
inspire people.<br />
5
In the 60 years since 1950,<br />
Indian agriculture has recorded<br />
an average growth rate of 2.7<br />
per cent per year. In the past 30 years, more<br />
the rate has crept slightly above 3 per<br />
cent, well short of the 4 per cent target<br />
set in successive recent Five-Year<br />
Plans. Most analysts infer that only a<br />
great amount of good luck (with<br />
weather) or a sweeping revolution in<br />
policy design and implementation to<br />
achieve and sustain 4per cent growth. Is<br />
that really so?<br />
For a more optimistic answer let's<br />
look at the variation in agricultural<br />
performance across India's 20 largest<br />
states (by population) in the last decade<br />
(see Table). It's striking that agriculture<br />
6<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
October, 2011<br />
Agriculture<br />
be like <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
By Shankar Acharya<br />
honorary professor (Icrier)<br />
former chief economic adviser<br />
(Government of India)<br />
in seven sizeable states (<strong>Gujarat</strong>, Institute of Management, Ahmedabad,<br />
Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, professors Ravindra Dholakia and<br />
Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Samar Datta: High Growth Trajectory<br />
Orissa) grew faster than 4 per cent and Structural Changes in <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
between 2000-01 and 2007-08. And Agriculture (Macmillan, 2010).<br />
that fact doesn't change when the Broadly speaking, professors Dholakia,<br />
relatively bad agricultural years of Datta et al (henceforth, DDEA) identify<br />
2008-09 and 2009-10 are included. six factors that were given a concerted<br />
What's more, most of these states are push by the <strong>Gujarat</strong> government from<br />
water-stressed than average. The 2002-03 onwards:<br />
star performer is semi-arid <strong>Gujarat</strong>, 1)sustained programme of water<br />
clocking 8 per cent (nearly triple the conservation and management<br />
national average) agricultural growth 2)massive well-coordinated<br />
over the decade. extension effort<br />
So let's dig into the reasons behind 3)successful overhaul of rural<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>'s stellar agrarian success, electricity distribution<br />
especially as it comes after the decade 4)strong emphasis on non-food<br />
of the nineties when growth averaged<br />
less than 5 per cent. The story is<br />
persuasively documented in the recent<br />
monograph compiled by Indian<br />
crops like horticulture, Bt cotton, castor
October, 2011<br />
and isabgol<br />
5)sustained and comprehensive<br />
support to livestock development and<br />
6)major revamping of agriculturesupporting<br />
infrastructure, including<br />
roads, electricity and ports.<br />
With only a quarter of its<br />
agricultural land irrigated, efficient<br />
conservation and management of water<br />
have been a continuing challenge for<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>'s agriculture. The government<br />
is adding about 100,000 hectares per<br />
year. By 2009, nearly 2,000 projects<br />
covering 2 million hectares had been<br />
completed and another 900,000<br />
hectares were under execution.<br />
Second, the Jal Kranti programme<br />
for constructing check dams,<br />
recharging wells and reviving village<br />
ponds/tanks was vigorously pursued.<br />
By the end of 2008, a total of 113,738<br />
checkdams, 55,917 bori bandhs and<br />
240,199 farm ponds were constructed<br />
by the Water Resources Department.<br />
During 2006 to 2010 nearly 2 lakh<br />
hectares were covered, benefiting a<br />
similar number of farmers.<br />
Unlike in the rest of India, a massive<br />
renewal of agricultural extension<br />
systems was carried out under the<br />
Krishi Mahotsav programme by issuing<br />
soil health cards and kisan credit cards<br />
for each farmer and micro level<br />
planning for each block and village for<br />
profitable alternative crop patterns…”<br />
(page 27, DDEA book). The<br />
programme required a month-long<br />
deployment of about 100,000 personnel<br />
f r o m a c r o s s 1 8 g o v e r n m e n t<br />
departments which is being carried out<br />
each year since 2005. There was also a<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
AGRICULTURE GROWTH (GROSS VALUE ADDED) ACROSS INDIAN STATE<br />
(Percentage)<br />
2000-01-<br />
2007-081<br />
2000-01-<br />
2009-102<br />
Sectoral share of<br />
agriculture in state<br />
GSDP* (2007-08)1<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> 11.7 8.0 16.0<br />
Chhattisgarh 9.4 6.7 17.0<br />
Rajasthan 5.8 3.5 23.9<br />
Maharashtra 5.6 4.0 13.0<br />
Andhra Pradesh 5.6 4.7 22.4<br />
Madhya Pradesh 5.5 6.2 24.2<br />
Orisa 4.6 4.8 23.3<br />
Himachal Pradesh 4.0 1.6 19.4<br />
Jammu and Kashmir 3.6 3.1 24.1<br />
Haryana 3.6 3.4 21.0<br />
Uttarakhand 2.5 2.2 16.1<br />
Tamil Nadu 2.5 2.0 12.2<br />
Panjab 2.4 2.2 31.7<br />
West Bengal 2.1 2.0 18.5<br />
Uttar Pradesh 1.7 1.8 27.3<br />
Bihar 1.5 1.1 23.0<br />
Karnataka 1.2 0.6 15.4<br />
Kerala 0.7 0.9 12.4<br />
Assam 0.5 1.6 24.6<br />
Jharkhand - 0.7 1.1 8.6<br />
(1) Based on national income data at 1999-2000 prices<br />
(2) 1999-2000 prices data up to 2007-08 and 2004-05 base data for growth<br />
in 2008-09 and 2009-10<br />
*Gross state domestic product Source : Central Statistical Organisation<br />
m a j o r b r e a k t h r o u g h i n r u r a l and it was an early and successful population has gradually lessened.<br />
electrification with Jyotigram Yojana, adopter of Bt cotton, which fuelled Besides, cross-border sales have also<br />
launched in 2003, ensuring 100 per cent rapid growth in cotton production. The grown.<br />
electrification of the villages. The production of both fruit and vegetables Can other states replicate <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s<br />
scheme included a crucial component was about four times higher in 2008-09 success story? In preface to their book<br />
of power supply for groundwater compared to 1991-92 and the output of professors Dholakia and Datta claim<br />
management with eight hours a day of spices was almost five times greater. that “this story is certainly replicable by<br />
full voltage power made available on a A g r i c u l t u r a l p o l i c i e s a l s o other states if there is a long-term<br />
pre-announced schedule. encouraged rapid expansion of vision and and political will to pursue<br />
These major initiatives on the livestock sector. During the past market-oriented reforms of policies and<br />
supply side facilitated a robust response decade, milk production grew at 5 per institutions….” Well, in much of<br />
of the agriculture sector as <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s cent per year, egg production at 19 per today's India that doesn't sound too<br />
overall economy grew at double-digit cent and meat output at 10 per cent. “endogenous”; it seems closer to an<br />
rates during the decade. The state With rapidly rising incomes, the mainly “exogenous” miracle!<br />
quickly diversified into non-food crops vegetarian orientation of the state's<br />
7
y Ravi S Saxena,<br />
8<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
ICT Enabling 360º Inclusion in <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
e-Health<br />
October, 2011<br />
In just 60 days we have made requirement of services and meet with<br />
Janseva Kendra operational in all 225 the ever increasing aspirations of the<br />
Talukas for 110 citizen centric services common people. In <strong>Gujarat</strong>, we have<br />
to be delivered through those. Under strengthened our state backbone –<br />
ATVT, every Taluka in <strong>Gujarat</strong> is GSWAN (<strong>Gujarat</strong> State Wide Area<br />
he story of IT & e- empowered and made self sustained to Network) to reach the last person<br />
Governance in <strong>Gujarat</strong> offer a local platform. Such an effectively.<br />
Addl. Chief Secretary<br />
Department of Science & Technology<br />
e-Governance e-Agriculture<br />
& Environment<br />
ICT<br />
e-Revenue<br />
e-Education<br />
Tinitiated back in 1999. With innovative & unique concept of From only two years back,<br />
continuous improvements and new decentralizing administration up to bandwidth has been increased from 4<br />
experiences throughout the e-journey, taluka level will make governance MBPS to 71 Mbps. <strong>Gujarat</strong> is the first<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> has rolled out various speedier, effective, transparent and state to go live for the State Data Centre<br />
applications year on year for improving citizen centric. project in Oct 2010 along with 3 mini<br />
administration with a view to achieve We believe that bandwidth is data centre setups. Today data centers<br />
digital inclusion to transform a closely associated with people's lives. act as a convergence point between<br />
common man's life. In recent years, we In the last decade of the ICT revolution open unsecured domain and sensitive<br />
have rolled out various effective in India, we have seen dramatic government environment. Moreover,<br />
projects through ICT for better increase in bandwidth demand & they enable departments to host their<br />
Governance in the state. supply in all segments ranging from services/applications on common<br />
Chief Minister Narendra Modi has a retail to government sector to deliver infrastructure which ensures efficient<br />
vision for e-Governance as he mentions services effectively to the end user. We management and optimum resource<br />
that “e-Governance to me is an easy, are attempting to enhance the utilization.<br />
effective and efficient Government”. bandwidth which can facilitate future Another important initiative is e-<br />
“Effective service delivery to the Gram. It is implemented in 13000+<br />
citizens” has been the focal point of Gram Panchayats equipped with VSAT<br />
every ICT initiatives in <strong>Gujarat</strong>. On the<br />
occasion of the concluding ceremony of<br />
Swarnim <strong>Gujarat</strong>, we launched Apno<br />
Taluko, Vibrant Taluko (ATVT) in<br />
order to empower people locally to<br />
guide the growth process through<br />
SWAGAT - State Wide<br />
Attention on Grievances by<br />
Application of Technology is<br />
an innovative concept that<br />
linked personal computers to provide<br />
basic e-services and information<br />
dissemination. The concept of e-Gram<br />
came into existence in year of 2006.In<br />
the absence of a data network footprint<br />
of service providers through all the<br />
Taluka Sarkar – a sub district citizencentric<br />
approach where the unit of<br />
governance and development is shifted<br />
enables direct communication<br />
between the citizens and the<br />
villages in the country, <strong>Gujarat</strong> decided<br />
to create one of its own through VSAT<br />
technology, and pumped the bandwidth<br />
from the district to the taluka level. directly from a mobile service provider.<br />
chief minister.
October, 2011<br />
Today, <strong>Gujarat</strong> has been able to create a<br />
strong network and state-of-the-art<br />
infrastructure for ICT spreading across<br />
all its villages through which services<br />
can be delivered right at the doorstep of<br />
the common man in the village, thus<br />
fulfilling the vision of the e-<br />
Governance spelt out by CM Narendra<br />
Modi.<br />
IFMS (Integrated Financial<br />
Management System) provides real<br />
time availability of the State Financial<br />
Position, Comparison of Expenditure<br />
against Budget Estimates and Grant<br />
Distributed with Analytical View.<br />
IFMS is operational in all 25 District<br />
Treasuries, 17 LF Offices and DPPF<br />
Office. Through VATIS (VAT<br />
<strong>Information</strong> System) more than 85,000<br />
tax payers submitted more than 1<br />
Million e-Returns. The Government of<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> received more than Rs. 6<br />
Billion of e-payments because of<br />
VATIS.<br />
SWAGAT - State Wide Attention on<br />
Grievances by Application of<br />
Technology is an innovative concept<br />
that enables direct communication<br />
between the citizens and the chief<br />
minister.<br />
In Gandhinagar, the fourth<br />
Thursday of every month is a SWAGAT<br />
day wherein the highest office in<br />
administration attends to the grievances<br />
of the common man from any corner of<br />
the State. Grievances are logged in,<br />
transmitted and made available online<br />
to the officers concerned who have to<br />
reply within 3 to 4 hours.<br />
Almost 8500 government offices<br />
have been connected on the network.<br />
The departments concerned then have<br />
to be ready with the replies by noon,<br />
when the Chief Minister holds video<br />
conferences with all the districts<br />
concerned. Applicants are called one by<br />
one and the chief minister examines<br />
each complaint in detail. The<br />
information sent by the department is<br />
also reviewed online in the presence of<br />
t h e c o m p l a i n a n t a n d t h e<br />
Collector/District Development<br />
Officer/Superintendent of Police and<br />
other officials concerned. Attempts are<br />
made to offer a fair and acceptable<br />
solution on the same day and no<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
Video conferencing with<br />
District & sub District<br />
Secretariat Level<br />
Senior Officer<br />
Applicant<br />
Case <strong>Information</strong><br />
on screen<br />
Senior Officers and SWAGAT<br />
Administration Team<br />
Hon Chief Minister<br />
Integrated governance : A photo of an IFMS session in progress<br />
depicting various functions<br />
applicant has ever left without any firm facilitates Territorial Mapping of data<br />
reply to his grievance. up to the village and Aanganwari level.<br />
The record is then preserved in the HMIS is a Computer-based medical<br />
'SWAGAT' database and a separate log information system for patient care and<br />
is maintained for each case. Moreover, hospital management. It computerizes<br />
the Government of <strong>Gujarat</strong> provides financial, administrative, patient care,<br />
unique facility of Video Conferencing activities of hospital & generates<br />
and Web Casting since 2008 which extensive management reports,<br />
enables faster administration and operational statistics. Today it is<br />
quicker solution of pending issues & functioning in 29 Government<br />
cases in a big way. So far more than 350 Hospitals.<br />
such VC/WCs have been carried out. <strong>Gujarat</strong> with all such recent ICT<br />
Human development has always initiatives in all segments has<br />
been a central focus for <strong>Gujarat</strong> in all established a unique paradigm for<br />
initiatives. e-Mamta and HMIS Digital Inclusion. The Department of<br />
(Hospital Management <strong>Information</strong> Science & Technology has committed<br />
System) are major applications in itself to serve all the departments to<br />
Health Sector. e-Mamta – A Mother- actualize the unique potential of ICT<br />
child tracking system provides and explore more opportunities for<br />
management tool which aims at better public service delivery and<br />
providing comprehensive Maternal & reaching maximum digital inclusion of<br />
Child Health services via the unique<br />
feature of name based tracking and<br />
the people of this state.<br />
9
y T P Singh<br />
Director, BISAG<br />
Background:<br />
he applications of space<br />
technologies (satellite<br />
Tcommunication and remote<br />
sensing) and Geo-informatics have<br />
contributed significantly towards<br />
socio-economic development. Taking<br />
cognizance of geo-spatial information<br />
for developmental planning and<br />
management of resources, the<br />
D e p a r t m e n t o f S c i e n c e a n d<br />
Technology, Government of <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
established Bhaskaracharya Institute<br />
for Space Applications and Geo-<br />
informatics (BISAG) (formerly<br />
Remote Sensing and Communication<br />
Centre), an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO<br />
27001:2005 certified institute to utilize<br />
space technology and Geo-informatics<br />
for developmental activities in <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
State.<br />
BISAG which was initially set up to<br />
carryout space technology applications,<br />
has evolved into a Centre of<br />
10<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
October, 2011<br />
BISAG<br />
Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics<br />
(Department of Science and Technology, Government of <strong>Gujarat</strong>)<br />
Excellence, where research and analytical tools. The activities of this<br />
innovations are combined with the unit are executed by a well trained team<br />
requirements of users and thus acts as a of multi-disciplinary scientists. The<br />
value added service provider, a Government has provided a modern<br />
technology developer and as a infrastructure along with state-of-the-<br />
facilitator for providing direct benefits art hardware and software. To study the<br />
of space technologies to the grass root land transformation and development<br />
level functions/functionaries. over the years, a satellite digital data<br />
library of multiple sensors of last<br />
The Institute:<br />
twenty years has been established and<br />
The Government has established a conventional data sets of departments<br />
well equipped state-of-the-art campus have been co-registered with satellite<br />
of BISAG. The activities are facilitated data.<br />
through four technology groups related The geo-spatial databases have<br />
to satellite communication, geo- been created using conventional maps,<br />
informatics applications, geo- high resolution satellite 2D & 3D<br />
informatics research and training. The imagery and official datasets<br />
unit-wise details are provided below: (attributes). The geo-spatial databases<br />
include terrain characteristics, natural<br />
(i) Centre for Geo-informatics a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e s y s t e m s ,<br />
Applications:<br />
agriculture, water resources, city<br />
The objective of this technology survey maps, village maps with survey<br />
group is to provide decision support to numbers, water harvesting structures,<br />
the sectoral stake holders through water supply, irrigation, power,<br />
s c i e n t i f i c a l l y o r g a n i z e d , communications, ports, land utilization<br />
comprehensive, multi-purpose, pattern etc. They also include social<br />
compatible, & large scale (village level) infrastructure like the locations of<br />
geo-spatial databases and supporting schools, health centers, institutions,
October, 2011<br />
anganwadis, local government<br />
infrastructure etc. The geospatial<br />
database of nagar-palikas includes<br />
properties and amenities captured on<br />
city and town planning maps with more<br />
than 100 GIS layers. Similar work for<br />
villages has been initiated as a pilot<br />
project.<br />
The applications of space<br />
technology and Geo-informatics have<br />
become operational in almost all the<br />
developmental sectors of the State.<br />
(ii) <strong>Gujarat</strong> SATCOM Network<br />
(GUJSAT):<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> SATCOM Network<br />
provides a facility for interactive<br />
distance education, training, awareness<br />
and extension. It operates through<br />
ISRO's Edusat and Training and<br />
D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m u n i c a t i o n<br />
channels (TDCC). The central facility<br />
of modern studios, digital uplink<br />
facility for extended C-band and Ku-<br />
band TV broadcast and two way video<br />
has been established and is operational<br />
since a decade. The receiving network<br />
for one way video and two way audio<br />
has been established by user<br />
departments. This includes educational<br />
institutes, primary, secondary and<br />
higher secondary schools, colleges of<br />
higher education, medical and technical<br />
colleges, ITIs and departmental<br />
networks.<br />
Augmentation in terms of studio,<br />
channels, technology is done on regular<br />
basis to meet with the increasing<br />
demands of the user community.<br />
Government departments, agencies,<br />
organizations are being approached<br />
proactively to enhance the utilization of<br />
SATCOM network. During this period,<br />
channels, out-reach, beneficiaries,<br />
connectivities has increased manifold.<br />
During the current year, there are plans<br />
to take up virtual education up-to<br />
homes through increase in number of<br />
Direct to home Ku band channels.<br />
This has enabled a link between<br />
government and the people. for the<br />
execution of education and extension<br />
programmes which may not have been<br />
conducted due to limited space, time<br />
and money. Experts, Government<br />
functionaries, specialists and<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
Control room : Engineers at work at one of the Labs at BISAG<br />
professionals can conduct their guidance of eminent scientists. Various<br />
programs from a central location and innovative methodologies/models<br />
reach out to remote areas. With the developed through the research process<br />
implementation of return audio channel have helped in development of various<br />
the programme has become interactive applications. There are plans to enhance<br />
and more useful.<br />
(iii) Academy of Geo-informatics<br />
these activities manifold during coming<br />
years.<br />
for Sustainable Development: (iv) Centre of Informatics &<br />
Considering the requirement of Training:<br />
high end research and development in Recognizing the importance and<br />
the areas having relevance of geo- relevance of Institute's activity in IT<br />
informatics technology for sustainable sector and its future potential, the<br />
development, a separate infrastructure Government decided to initiate<br />
has been established for this unit. In research and development in this area<br />
collaboration with different institutes in through a focused research activity<br />
the state as well as in the country, R&D along with simultaneous programme of<br />
activities are being carried out in the human resources development. This<br />
areas of climate change, environment, unit provides in-house developed ERP<br />
disaster management, natural resources solutions on GIS platform by<br />
m a n a g e m e n t , i n f r a s t r u c t u r e integrating various technologies such<br />
development, resources planning, as remote sensing, GIS, MIS, Mobile,<br />
coastal zone studies, etc. under the Web etc. As this product provides,<br />
11
simple, single window IT solutions to launched by discussing its relevance at though integration is achieved.<br />
user community, it has become highly the highest level in government. · Development of indigenous<br />
acceptable to the users, In addition, • Positioning of space data as an software to make the technology widely<br />
various other in-house products are asset available, customizable in local<br />
being developed through this unit on • I n s t i t u t i o n a l i z i n g s p a c e language, low cost and compatible with<br />
regular basis. In the process, this unit is applications through government the existing system of government.<br />
in the process of establishing “<strong>Gujarat</strong> resolution and directives<br />
Spatial Data Infrastructure” by utilizing • E n s u r ing a c ceptance o f (iii) Promotional strategies (top to<br />
the strength of already established IT stakeholders.<br />
grass root level):<br />
Network infrastructure of the State • Bringing awareness from top<br />
(GSWAN). (ii) Involving Stakeholders in level to bottom level functionaries of<br />
This unit also provides training to applications & innovations:<br />
user departments has led to directives<br />
more than 600 students every year in • Decision support systems from top level being successfully<br />
the field of Geo-informatics to the developed as per stakeholders' implemented.<br />
students from various backgrounds like specifications and requirements • Training courses for middle<br />
Water resources, Urban Planning, t h r o u g h p a r t n e r s h i p s a n d level functionaries of user department,<br />
Computer Engineering, IT, Agriculture collaborations. which led to articulation of their needs<br />
in the areas of Remote sensing, GIS and • Government department's staff and problems.<br />
their applications. trained to use spatial information for • Sharing success stories among<br />
Institutional Mechanism:<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
October, 2011<br />
Power meet : CM Modi with officials at a forum for empowering Sakhi Mandals through Micro-finance<br />
decision-making independently. all departments.<br />
• Creating a pool of trained • Providing solutions through<br />
The Government proactively manpower within government partnerships (ensuring credit to the<br />
decided to utilize this technology for departments. user) and on the job training.<br />
the benefit of the people of <strong>Gujarat</strong>. For • Creating a sense of ownership in<br />
this purpose, a well defined stakeholders through partnerships. Government is proactively using<br />
i n s t i t u t i o n a l m e c h a n i s m w a s the inputs of space applications for<br />
established, which is depicted in the (III) Process of institutionalization: rational, quicker, transparent decisionenclosed<br />
diagram and briefly described · Initiation of user interaction making on regular basis. These efforts<br />
below: with officials at BISAG. have been recognized and appreciated<br />
· Undertaking a pilot study of a at National and International level.<br />
(i) Creating environment for particular area as per user requirement Government has planned to further<br />
utilization of space applications at in joint collaboration. Thus a enhance and augment these efforts for<br />
large:<br />
standardized solution through Domain the benefit of the people of <strong>Gujarat</strong>.<br />
• Initiatives for space applications knowledge and Technical expertise<br />
12
October, 2011<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
Sadbhavna<br />
Together, <strong>Gujarat</strong> marches forward<br />
“We wish to take Sadbhavna amid the thousands flocking to meet example of peace and brotherhood and<br />
spirit to every village ... every<br />
house. <strong>Gujarat</strong> wants to move<br />
forward. We want to be in service<br />
of India," said Chief Minister<br />
him. The cyber space went abuzz with<br />
scores of people actively participating<br />
in the movement through Facebook and<br />
Twitter.<br />
The fast evoked unprecedented<br />
in charting a path of development.<br />
Today <strong>Gujarat</strong> is a shining example<br />
of peace and harmony in the decade<br />
gone by for the rest of the country to<br />
follow. <strong>Gujarat</strong> in the last 10 years has<br />
Narendra Modi as he began his three- support from different quarters seen no curfew because people of<br />
day fast Sadbhavna Mission for "peace including, politicians, spiritual leaders, <strong>Gujarat</strong> have understood the true value<br />
and communal harmony" on the artists, eminent film personalities and of harmony, peace and unity. “I would<br />
morning of September 17th.<br />
the people all religions. Top party like to say with responsibility seeing the<br />
"We want to move together and leaders and hundreds of dignitaries communal amity of the past decade that<br />
Sadbhavna (harmony) will be our were also present at the occasion. the day is not far when <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s model<br />
strength. Development is our motto. We Speaking on the occasion the Chief of peace and harmony would be<br />
will be a model to the world on how Minister said, <strong>Gujarat</strong> was devastated discussed across the country and the<br />
development can be achieved with during the 2001 earthquake and many world," Modi said.<br />
peace, harmony and brotherhood," the thought it would never rise again. Even On the evening of the third day, the<br />
chief minister said echoing Gandhiji's the World Bank had said if a nation CM's 72-hour fast concluded with<br />
sentiments “a complete fast being faces disaster like the 2001 earthquake religious leaders of different faiths<br />
complete and literal denial of self and a it would take them at least seven years offering him a glass of juice. He also<br />
truest prayer” addressing the huge to rebuild, but <strong>Gujarat</strong> did this in three announced a day's fast in each district to<br />
gathering at <strong>Gujarat</strong> University years which is a big achievement, chief be held soon to give momentum to<br />
convention centre in Ahmedabad, the minister pointed out. Sadbhavna Mission turning it into a<br />
venue of his fast.<br />
In the very next year, <strong>Gujarat</strong> people's movement. Indeed a new<br />
The first day began amid chants of witnessed communal riots. Yet the state decade of peace has begun in <strong>Gujarat</strong>.<br />
Allahu Akbar and slokas being recited. managed to overcome its trials and<br />
There were political leaders galore tribulations by setting a shining<br />
13
By Nilesh Shukla<br />
Tribal families still live<br />
outside the circle of<br />
development in many parts<br />
of India. They do not have access to G<br />
basic needs like water, land,<br />
employment, education etc and it<br />
therefore, comes as no surprise that<br />
people inhabiting the tribal regions<br />
14<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
October, 2011<br />
Tribal livelihoods through PPP model<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> shows the path for creating sustainable livelihoods through Integrated<br />
Dairy Development Project via the Public-Private-Partnership model in tribal regions<br />
constitute some of the most tribal population in <strong>Gujarat</strong> was around<br />
marginalized segments of our society in 15 % of the state's population which is<br />
the country. no small number. The entire tribal<br />
The situation in <strong>Gujarat</strong>, however, is population in <strong>Gujarat</strong> is concentrated in<br />
quite different with the efforts of nine districts ranging from Ahwa<br />
u j a r a t G o v e r n m e n t t h r o u g h (Dang) to Ambaji (Banaskantha), what<br />
implementing various innovative is commonly described as eastern belt<br />
schemes in tribal regions bearing of <strong>Gujarat</strong> (Purva Patti). However, the<br />
remarkable results. heavy concentration of the tribal<br />
As per the census report 1991, the population is in districts of Dahod,
October, 2011<br />
Dang, Narmada (carved from<br />
Bharuch), Surat, Valsad and Vadodara.<br />
Though the highest percentage of the<br />
tribal population is in Dang district,<br />
which is around 94 % (Census 1991),<br />
when it comes down to numbers it is not<br />
so high, in the sense, that the entire<br />
population of Dang in 1991 was only<br />
1,44,000. Percentage wise, Dahod<br />
district has very high tribal population<br />
of around 73 % which comes to 16 lakhs<br />
(Census 1991).<br />
In <strong>Gujarat</strong>, Integrated Dairy<br />
Development Project has become very<br />
popular in tribal regions. With a project<br />
cost of Rs. 656 crore, the scheme is set<br />
to cover 78,616 Scheduled Tribe (ST)<br />
families living below poverty line<br />
(BPL). This project is unique as it is not<br />
only Government funded but the ST<br />
families and district dairy unions are<br />
also active partners in the project. In<br />
many sectors like power, water<br />
harvesting, education, agriculture,<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>'s growth and human<br />
development index (HDI) have<br />
produced excellent results through<br />
Public- Private Partnership (PPP). Now<br />
the PPP concept is being successfully<br />
implemented by the State Government<br />
in tribal regions.<br />
Out of total project cost of<br />
Integrated Dairy Development, Rs. 370<br />
crore will be borne by Government,<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
Project Highlights<br />
Every BPL Scheduled Tribe<br />
farmer will get 2 cattle units<br />
worth Rs. 30,000 each and<br />
will have another 2 cattle<br />
through heifer development<br />
by project end.<br />
Monthly income of Rs.700<br />
per cattle guaranteed by<br />
dairies.<br />
Coverage of every perceived<br />
risk, and strengthening of<br />
forward and backward<br />
linkages.<br />
Subsidy component on cattle<br />
reduced.<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
Together we can : A successful implementation of the PPP model<br />
while participating ST families will Development Department envisaged<br />
contribute Rs. 219 crore and the doubling the income of these families<br />
remaining amount will be borne by the and bringing them permanently out of<br />
seven district dairy unions. The seven poverty.<br />
year phased project was launched in <strong>Gujarat</strong> Tribal Development<br />
2007-08 and 31,600 BPL ST families Corporation has disbursed loans worth<br />
have already been covered. of Rs. 24 crore to ST farmers under<br />
According to studies conducted by project. The recovery rate of loan is<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> Institute for Development nearly 95%. This shows the successful<br />
Research (GIDR) and Tribal Research implementation of the project in the<br />
and Training Institute, Integrated Dairy tribal regions.<br />
Development Project , dairy has <strong>Gujarat</strong> is perhaps the first state in<br />
become the mainstay of more than half country to have implemented Publicthe<br />
participating families, with P r i v a t e - P a r t n e r s h i p s c h e m e s<br />
Sabarkantha district having as many as successfully for the upliftment of tribal<br />
78% of ST families, most of them families, slowly moving away from the<br />
illiterate, who depend primarily on culture of doling out subsidies.<br />
dairying for their livelihood.<br />
A senior officer from Tribal<br />
Development Department says that<br />
various development initiatives have<br />
hitherto treated animal husbandry and<br />
dairy farming as a part-time and<br />
auxiliary income activity. In majority of<br />
cases, such initiatives have only been<br />
able to facilitate supplementary income<br />
to the poor without making any vital<br />
impact on tribal poverty.<br />
The vision behind the integrated<br />
Dairy Development Project was to<br />
transform dairying into dynamic<br />
income-generating enterprise for BPL<br />
tribal household. The Tribal<br />
15
Creating<br />
by Indrani Mantripragada,<br />
air and Transparent<br />
faculty recruitment in<br />
F<strong>Gujarat</strong> Schools<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
equal opportunities<br />
Employment is a sensitive issue in transparent once we mechanise it.<br />
India. In such a scenario, government Taking advantage of the technological<br />
October, 2011<br />
process of recruiting its teachers as fair department has implemented the<br />
and transparent as possible. Most “Online Vidhyasahayaks Recruitment”<br />
processes become speedier and portal.<br />
Transparent, Speedy & Unbiased<br />
jobs are given to select people causing prowess <strong>Gujarat</strong> has, its Education The Director of Primary Education,<br />
cases of indiscipline and injustice. The Mr. R.P.Gupta emphasised, “This<br />
recruitment procedures also get recruitment process is aimed to be kept<br />
embroiled in a lot of red tape and<br />
bureaucratic obstacles. Education is<br />
like a Human Development Index for<br />
Moin Musa, a parent from<br />
Godhra said, “I think this is a<br />
extremely transparent and speedy with<br />
no hint of corruption seeping through in<br />
any part.” The merit list is prepared and<br />
countries like India where there are<br />
more people and fewer jobs. In a<br />
scenario where every individual needs<br />
to be educated, the very lesson a teacher<br />
very good system. I am sure my<br />
son will benefit from this. I just<br />
hope and appeal to the<br />
released online, exterminating red-<br />
tape. Also, since the entire process has<br />
been divided into various stages at the<br />
central and district levels, appointments<br />
teaches is the need to be honest and fair.<br />
In this vein, the Education Department<br />
(primary) of the <strong>Gujarat</strong> Government<br />
has taken an initiative to make the<br />
government that such practices<br />
should be there in every<br />
sphere.”<br />
can be handled efficiently.<br />
More than 13,000 'Vidhyasahayaks'<br />
or teaching assistants (T.A.) are to be<br />
appointed through these online<br />
16<br />
Transparency in teacher recruitments
October, 2011<br />
Government Initiatives<br />
registrations, setting new benchmarks the 16th of August. The process ran up roll number in the site which<br />
in the field of education. The teachers to the 26th of August 2011. Modern automatically retrieves the other details<br />
are being screened and recruited for LED displays kept the waiting (date of birth, name, photograph etc.)<br />
Maths, Science, <strong>Gujarat</strong>i, Hindi, candidates informed about the ongoing which have been entered at the time of<br />
Sanskrit and English. <strong>Gujarat</strong> has as applying for TET. The online portal<br />
many as 33,000 primary schools. thus benefits both sides by reducing<br />
Around 1.99 lakh teachers are already<br />
working in them and after this year's<br />
recruitment, the numbers will rise<br />
Pragya Patel from Palampur<br />
has 10 years of experience in<br />
paper work and data entry work. The<br />
only details which are to be verified are<br />
the mark sheets and degrees etc.<br />
above the 2 lakh mark. Last year over<br />
10,000 such appointments were granted<br />
through similar registrations. Next<br />
year too, they plan to recruit another 10teaching.<br />
She said, “I did not<br />
apply for a government<br />
position earlier since the<br />
A provisional merit list is published<br />
on the website, which can be seen by<br />
anyone. Each candidate can see his/her<br />
results and fill in or edit some of their<br />
12, 000 T.A.'s. Mr. R.P.Gupta added,<br />
“We may not have such bulk figures but<br />
we will definitely have around 6-7<br />
thousand recruitments every year after<br />
system was not transparent.<br />
But since the inception of this<br />
new system, I think I stand a<br />
personal details and re-check their<br />
grades. They are allowed to select their<br />
preferred district according to their<br />
merit. In cases where the candidates<br />
2012. Moreover, we will also start chance based on my merit.”<br />
have any grievances, there is an online<br />
recruiting for other posts apart from objection form that can be filled and<br />
T.A's” sent. According to Mr. Gupta, a fee of<br />
Teacher's eligibility Test (TET) is<br />
the new addition in the recruitment appointments.<br />
Rs.1000 has been incorporated to rule<br />
out frivolous complaints and<br />
drive this year. It was launched in June<br />
and is an OMR based written test. The<br />
application and the results of this test<br />
are again published on the “Online<br />
Vidhyasahayaks Recruitment”<br />
The recruitment process was<br />
conducted at the Primary Teachers<br />
Training Centre (PTC) office in sector<br />
19, Gandhinagar. Around 2500<br />
candidates were called everyday from<br />
End to end<br />
The candidates first appear for a<br />
TET. The Graduation marks constitute<br />
20 %, BEd marks constitute 25 % and<br />
the TET results constitute 50% of the<br />
final grade awarded to a candidate. The<br />
remaining 5 % is reserved for a Masters<br />
Degree or/and professional experience.<br />
In the second stage of the process, the<br />
objections.<br />
The candidates are called for an<br />
interview according to the merit list, to<br />
the Gandhinagar centre. At this centre,<br />
the applicants are called out as per their<br />
merit roll calls and given acceptance<br />
letters for relevant districts. Though<br />
there is an interview at this stage, it's<br />
only for verification purposes and does<br />
not carry any marks; thus, eliminating<br />
Setting sights : Prospective candidates await recruitment results<br />
candidate just has to enter his/her TET any malpractice by any individual.<br />
The next stage of recruitment takes<br />
place at the respective district where<br />
candidates are allowed to select schools<br />
based on the no. of vacancies and the<br />
candidate's merit. About 8-10 persons<br />
handle the process at the centre each<br />
day. At the district level, each centre<br />
assigns around 4-5 persons to handle<br />
the proceedings. Mr. Gupta remarked<br />
that he is looking forward to many more<br />
such recruitments to make teaching a<br />
viable and attractive career option.<br />
During the launch of this year's<br />
recruitment drive, Education Minister,<br />
Mr. Ramanlal Vora requested all the<br />
teachers and teaching assistants to<br />
provide children with not just<br />
knowledge derived from books but also<br />
inculcate in them, a sense of a value<br />
based system of learning.<br />
17
FMCGs join Auto rush to set up<br />
units in <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s Sanand<br />
Sanand, the emerging auto hub of<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> is all set to get the reputation as<br />
the industrial hub as well with<br />
companies from FMCG, consumer<br />
electronics, electrical equipments and<br />
minerals eyeing their facilities in the<br />
industrial estate coming up over 1,600<br />
acres.<br />
The state industries department has<br />
recently given the nod to the projects of<br />
Colgate Palmolive, Hitachi, Tbea,<br />
Corning, Allied Minerals and Bosch.<br />
These companies will together pump in<br />
Rs 3,000 crore, said officials of state<br />
industries department<br />
Sun Borne Energy pools funds for<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> solar plant<br />
Sun Borne Energy has tied up for<br />
funds to the tune of Rs 140 crore from<br />
domestic banks for its 15 megawatt<br />
(MW) solar photovoltaic plant in<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>. The total project cost is<br />
estimated in the range of Rs 200-240<br />
crore.<br />
State Bank of Patiala, the lead bank,<br />
with three other banks, Export-Import<br />
Bank of India, Canara Bank and State<br />
Bank of Travancore, participated in the<br />
debt program.<br />
CEA eyes <strong>Gujarat</strong> for second<br />
mega power project<br />
Central Electricity Authority is<br />
likely to decide soon on a second UMPP<br />
in the State, to be set up with the<br />
estimated investment of Rs 20,000<br />
crore.<br />
CEA officials have inspected a few<br />
sites in <strong>Gujarat</strong> and zeroed in on<br />
Lodhava village in Kodinar taluka of<br />
Junagarh district, but they are yet to<br />
take a final decision.<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> is expected to get 40 per<br />
cent of the power generated at the<br />
UMPP while the rest would be allocated<br />
to other states through the national grid.<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> May See Disneyland-<br />
Style Theme Park<br />
The world's leading theme park<br />
18<br />
Business<br />
&BUSINESS<br />
NEWS<br />
October, 2011<br />
operators—Disney World, Canada's studios, forest villas, beach villas,<br />
Wonderland, Sentosa of Singapore and studio lagoon and apartments and villas<br />
Genting of Malaysia—are in<br />
talks to set up a Disneyland-style<br />
among others.<br />
park in <strong>Gujarat</strong> that could be bigger than IRB Infra co bags <strong>Gujarat</strong> NHAI<br />
the Disneylands in California, Paris or project<br />
Tokyo. IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd's<br />
The $2.1 billion project is being wholly-owned subsidiary IRB<br />
d e v e l o p e d b y M u m b a i - b a s e d Ahmedabad Vadodara Super Express<br />
infrastructure and real estate firm Tollway Pvt Ltd has executed the<br />
Atlanta, and has already been cleared concession agreement with NHAI for<br />
by the <strong>Gujarat</strong> Tourism Department. six-laning of Ahmedabad-Vadodara<br />
Spread over 13 square kilometers, section of NH-8 for a length of 102.3<br />
the site—Suvali Beach— has a 3.3 km km and improvement to the existing<br />
stretch along the Arabian Sea coast. The Ahmedabad- Vadodara Expressway in<br />
beach is located around 20 km from <strong>Gujarat</strong> for a length of 93.3 km under<br />
Surat and will have five theme parks, Phase V on design, build finance<br />
such as a nature park, amusement park, operate transfer toll basis.The project<br />
water park, beach park, ice skating and has a concession period of 25 years.<br />
skiing dome, restaurants, hotels, Estimated construction cost is
October, 2011<br />
Business<br />
grads. The Ahmedabad Chapter of the<br />
alumni of IIM-A have decided to extend<br />
a helping hand to start-up companies in<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>.<br />
The 500-member strong alumni<br />
association will join hands with IIM-<br />
A's Centre for Innovation Incubation<br />
and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) to lend<br />
their support to the start-up companies.<br />
Learning from <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s port-led<br />
development<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> is taking the initiative in<br />
bringing port-led development to the<br />
state.<br />
Impressed by this Western state's<br />
success story in ports, many coastal<br />
states have also started looking to<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> to help them chalk-out a road<br />
map for port-led growth.<br />
Coastal states including Orissa,<br />
Kerala and Karnataka have already<br />
initiated talks with the <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
government to formulate a maritime<br />
authority for their respective states.<br />
approximately Rs. 3,600 crore and the<br />
construction is to be completed within<br />
Pradesh and Karnataka as a wind farm<br />
developer.<br />
Chemtrols solar plant in <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
Chemtrols Solar, part of the<br />
Mumbai-based Chemtrols group<br />
bagged a turnkey EPC contract for a<br />
one megawatt solar photo-voltaic<br />
power plant in <strong>Gujarat</strong>, which will be<br />
commissioned by November this year.<br />
The project, part of second phase of the<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
policy for development of solar<br />
energy, is located in Patdi, 90 km from<br />
Ahmedabad.<br />
three years from the appointed date.<br />
The SPV will get tolling rights on<br />
Ahmedabad Vadodara expressway<br />
from the appointed date and on NH8<br />
post-completion of construction.<br />
Gamesa Wind Turbine forays<br />
into <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
Gamesa Wind Turbine, the Indian<br />
arm of the Spain-based wind turbine<br />
manufacturer Gamesa forays into<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>.<br />
In 2011, the company had planned<br />
an installation capacity of 25 MW in<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>, of which 16 MW has already<br />
Edelweiss-Tokio to invest Rs. 550<br />
crore in <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
Edelweiss-Tokio Life Insurance has<br />
started its operations in <strong>Gujarat</strong> from<br />
the diamond city of Surat. The<br />
company has plans to invest Rs. 550<br />
crore in the state till 2013 in a phased<br />
manner. They will increase the<br />
investment with respect to the increase<br />
in business in the state.<br />
IIM-A alumni to support<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>'s start-ups<br />
Young entrepreneurs in the state<br />
Tata BP Solar bags three solar<br />
projects in <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
Tata BP Solar India Ltd, a joint<br />
venture of Tata Power and BP Solar, has<br />
three solar power projects totalling<br />
more than 30 MW in the state of<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>.<br />
The projects are located in the<br />
Patan, Kutch and Mithapur areas of the<br />
state. Each solar power project will<br />
comprise an array of solar photovoltaic<br />
modules of 230W and above, laid out in<br />
a modular combination to generate<br />
power from solar radiation.<br />
been installed and commissioned. will now get financial support and<br />
Along with this the firm is also tapping mentoring from the Institute of<br />
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) ( Source : iNDEXTb, October 2011 )<br />
19
By Vasant Iyer<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
Turning the wheels<br />
Turning the wheels<br />
of fortune of fortune through<br />
the Automobile the Automobile sector<br />
he state of <strong>Gujarat</strong> has in a<br />
short time, become known<br />
Tas an investor-friendly<br />
up of the General Motors plant in Halol<br />
over two decades ago, although it<br />
received widespread acclaim for the<br />
etc. that aid in the easy supply of<br />
components to such automobile<br />
manufacturing majors.<br />
destination. The last decade has been speed with which it allowed for Tata Recently, Ford has announced its<br />
witness to MNCs and corporate Motors's Nano plant to be shifted from plan to invest close to $ 1 billion for a<br />
bigwigs vying for an opportunity to set Singur, West Bengal to Sanand in similar plant as that of Tata Nano but<br />
up their businesses in the state as a <strong>Gujarat</strong>. The Nano plant was planned at one that also has a massive capacity to<br />
result of specifically customized SEZs, Rs.2,000 crores and is set to generate cater to its demands of exports to Asia<br />
investor friendly government policies, direct and indirect employment to over Pacific and some of Middle East and<br />
human capital as well as speed of 10,000 people. Europe. Maruti has also decided to<br />
project execution. Following the success of the set-up invest in setting up a manufacturing<br />
With over 15,000 factories and commission of the plant within plant in <strong>Gujarat</strong> to meet its ever<br />
excluding more than 3,45,000 SMEs, record breaking time, more investments increasing demand. Maruti managing<br />
together employing more than a million are now lined up not only in the field of director Shinzo Nakanishi and<br />
strong work force and having a fixed setting up units to manufacture chairman R C Bhargava had met Chief<br />
capital investment of Rs. 1,45,000 Completely Built Units (CBUs) but Minister Narendra Modi in May this<br />
crores, <strong>Gujarat</strong> contributes over 21% of a l s o t h o s e t o m a n u f a c t u r e year and explored the possibilities of<br />
the national exports. <strong>Gujarat</strong> allows for complementary products such as setting up a plant in <strong>Gujarat</strong>.<br />
flexible Foreign Direct Investment bearings, gears, transmission systems Global auto major Hyundai has also<br />
(FDI) under which the engineering expressed interest in setting up a<br />
sector contributes about 15% of the manufacturing facility at Dholera in<br />
total number of foreign technology<br />
transfer approvals. <strong>Gujarat</strong> is also one<br />
of the top 3 states in terms of the number<br />
of foreign technology transfer<br />
approvals in the country.<br />
With over 15,000 factories<br />
excluding more than 3,45,000<br />
SMEs, together employing more<br />
than a million strong work force<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>. A delegation of about 10<br />
personnel from the company had<br />
visited a site in Dholera last year, to<br />
study feasibility and other factors.<br />
French automobile manufacturer,<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> has always been at the<br />
forefront of creating ecosystems<br />
f a v o r a b l e f o r t e c h n o l o g i c a l<br />
developments in the field of automotive<br />
and having a fixed capital<br />
investment of Rs. 1,45,000 crores,<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> contributes over 21% of<br />
PSA Peugeot Citroen) has also signed<br />
an agreement with the Government of<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> (GoG) to set up an automobile<br />
manufacturing plant near Sanand at a<br />
research and manufacturing with the set the national exports.<br />
cost of Rs.4,000/- Crore in the presence<br />
20<br />
Sector Analysis<br />
October, 2011
October, 2011<br />
of Chief Minister Narendra Modi very<br />
recently. Welcoming Peugeot's entry in<br />
the development of the State the Chief<br />
Minister expressed confidence that<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> is moving towards becoming a<br />
global automobile manufacturing hub.<br />
All these factors and developments<br />
have led to <strong>Gujarat</strong> earning the<br />
nickname 'The Detroit of India'.<br />
So what is it that makes <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
such a lucrative destination for industry<br />
and auto majors to set up shop? Some of<br />
the factors that draw decision making<br />
positively towards the state are listed<br />
below:<br />
Sector Analysis<br />
STRATEGIC LOCATION: The<br />
state is in close proximity to some new<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>- the new Detroit : CM Modi meets with a delegation to discuss<br />
future automobile prospects in the state<br />
and old ports along the coast line and is<br />
aided by excellent rail networks and<br />
roads.<br />
of overloading laws helps keep the<br />
roads better and to last longer<br />
INCENTIVES: SEZs, SMEs, financial<br />
assistance, 13 SIR (Special Investment<br />
regions, Income tax incentives, 10 year<br />
Q U A L I T Y O F L I F E F O R<br />
MANAGEMENT CADRE-LEVEL<br />
PEOPLE: No extortion threats from<br />
anti social elements, clean and hygienic<br />
standard of living with all modern<br />
amenities<br />
VIBRANT GUJARAT: Over Rs.<br />
42316 crores worth MOUs signed in the<br />
year 2009<br />
S T R O N G B A S E O F<br />
ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES:<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> is home to around 30 clusters of<br />
exemption of electricity duty etc.<br />
STRONG ECONOMY: Highly<br />
industrialized state with more than 38%<br />
of GDP contributed by the secondary<br />
sector, around 22% of Indian exports<br />
contributed by <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
O N LY P O W E R S U R P L U S<br />
STATE: <strong>Gujarat</strong> is the only state having<br />
'power surplus' status in the country<br />
casting and machine tools, brass parts,<br />
diesel engines, electric motors,<br />
bearings etc. <strong>Gujarat</strong> Apollo is the<br />
largest producer of earth moving<br />
HUMAN CAPITAL : Availability<br />
of a large pool of high quality human<br />
resource, home to some world<br />
STATE ROAD NETWORK: The equipment in the country.<br />
state road network is about the best in<br />
the country and strict implementation P O L I C Y S U P P O RT A N D<br />
Gearing up : Engineers and workers at the Nano plant at Sanand<br />
renowned institutions of management,<br />
engineering and design<br />
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES:<br />
Awarded best state in e-governance<br />
initiatives and employment category in<br />
2008, incentives for environment<br />
protection, international campaigns for<br />
investment promotion across sectors<br />
These and a lot more similar<br />
proactive initiatives by the state<br />
government have ensured that <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
remains at the forefront of innovation<br />
and advancement in the domain of<br />
automotive engineering.<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> is not satisfied at merely<br />
being branded as the 'Detroit of the<br />
country'; it dreams of becoming the new<br />
Detroit of the modern world and is<br />
working steadily towards realizing this<br />
dream.<br />
21
22<br />
Cover Story<br />
October, 2011
October, 2011<br />
or any nation or state to<br />
prosper, it needs to ensure<br />
Fthat the progress includes<br />
every single citizen, irrespective of<br />
their class, caste, age, sex or region. In<br />
order to attain this, it becomes essential<br />
to ensure the effects of good<br />
governance are felt by each and every<br />
citizen. The current government of<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> realized the importance of this<br />
inclusive growth knowing well that it<br />
wouldn't be an easy task to achieve<br />
inclusive growth; even when there is a<br />
pro people government making<br />
policies. There are two major<br />
challenges that present themselves<br />
while aiming to achieve inclusive<br />
growth.<br />
Cover Story<br />
Decentralized Governance<br />
The Next Step to Inclusive Growth<br />
“<strong>Chalo</strong> <strong>Taluke</strong>”<br />
By Ankita Biswas<br />
On a grassroot level we say a man can<br />
touch much more than he can grasp<br />
~ Gabriel Marcel, 19th century French philosopher<br />
First, all policies, schemes and avail the benefit, he will go apply at the<br />
benefits that the government needs to local Taluka level office.<br />
reach each and every citizen of the state. From there it would move to the<br />
Like all forms of energy and even district level administration and from<br />
information, even government policies there to the state level. Once the<br />
face loss during transference, directly application is approved at the top, the<br />
proportional to the level of hierarchy benefits will again have to travel all the<br />
(levels of administration here). In case way back to the man. Even when at each<br />
of government initiatives the loss is of level the application is dealt with<br />
efficacy. This brings out a dilemma. efficiently there will be a delay due to<br />
The most marginalized people, the the cumulative time taken, reducing<br />
most deserving of the beneficiaries, are efficacy of the initiative.<br />
likely to face the maximum loss in Second is the fact that, in a country<br />
efficacy due to their separation from the such as ours, even in a single state, there<br />
government by the numerous are various diverse groups of people.<br />
intermediary levels of administration. Blanket initiatives by the government<br />
For any interaction with the are unlikely to be successful. Different<br />
government, a man might have to go groups of people have different kinds of<br />
through multiple levels of governance. n e e d s , h a b i t s a n d e x t e r n a l<br />
For example if he is eligible for some environments and they need to be<br />
government scheme and would like to engaged in dialogue and progress<br />
23
Cover Story<br />
October, 2011<br />
accordingly. A coastal village with its<br />
livelihood dependant for a greater part<br />
on fishing would need different kinds of<br />
attention and help than a village that<br />
The <strong>Chalo</strong> Taluka Campaign<br />
was launched on July 22, 2011<br />
to initiate the decentralization<br />
his thoughts on the same at the<br />
Gandhinagar Town Hall thus, “All<br />
these talks have happened for a long<br />
time. Unless all this is put into a<br />
bases its livelihood on agriculture. And<br />
there again it would depend on what<br />
kinds of crops are grown.<br />
T h e G o v e r n m e n t , h a v i n g<br />
of governance at taluka levels<br />
across the 225 talukas in the<br />
state<br />
systematic framework, it is useless. The<br />
state does not progress on a base of files<br />
and papers; it happens only through<br />
meticulous planning”.<br />
understood the hurdles it faces on its Thus was launched the <strong>Chalo</strong><br />
long road to progress, came up with just Taluka Campaign on July 22, 2011 to<br />
the right solution – decentralized<br />
governance. Instead of all the power<br />
resting with the State Government,<br />
some of it was distributed to the Taluka<br />
level governance making them more<br />
self dependant and autonomous,<br />
thereby acting as a catalyst for the<br />
State's progress. This initiative<br />
endeavours to ensure that the<br />
marginalized and people living in the<br />
interiors are also able take control of<br />
their lifestyle and conditions whilst<br />
getting access to all facilities.<br />
The concept aims to achieve speedy,<br />
effective results and aims to act as a<br />
driving force for the people. It wishes<br />
for people to debate, present their<br />
problems and get an easy solution to<br />
implement from the Government.<br />
While it is a great thing to know the<br />
hurdles in ones path and the means of<br />
overcoming them, it is of little<br />
consequence until actual actions are<br />
taken. The same applies to the<br />
i n t e n t i o n s o f d e c e n t r a l i z e d<br />
Governance. The Government knows<br />
this and CM Narendra Modi expressed<br />
initiate the decentralization of<br />
governance at taluka levels across the<br />
225 talukas in the state. The Campaign<br />
is said to run until September 10, 2011.<br />
During the campaign, Chief Minister<br />
Narendra Modi and his Cabinet<br />
colleagues along with senior officials<br />
will visit each taluka and discuss long-<br />
pending development issues with local<br />
office-bearers and the people.<br />
The first and the most crucial step in<br />
successfully empowering people at a<br />
taluka level is to have proper<br />
background research done. To<br />
Ensuring smiles : Jan Seva kendras have been commissioned across all Talukas of the state<br />
24
October, 2011<br />
understand what gets each of the<br />
talukas frustrated, what gets them<br />
hassled, what are their needs and what<br />
are their wants, surveys were<br />
conducted. These taluka level surveys<br />
have been conducted by the state<br />
government with the help of the<br />
geographic information system based<br />
BISAG. These surveys are intended to<br />
help profiling all villages as well as<br />
garner data for analytical tools that<br />
would enable officials better to come up<br />
with customized plans and frameworks<br />
for each taluka's development<br />
individually. These tools include the<br />
likes of gap analysis and SWOT<br />
analysis to find out each taluka's<br />
s t r e n g t h s , w e a k n e s s e s a n d<br />
requirements. Along with this planning<br />
of management information system for<br />
equal dispersion of information<br />
amongst the people at the grassroots has<br />
also been meticulously done. An ASAT<br />
directory has also been designed.<br />
Having got the plans in place, the<br />
next obvious step is to get in place the<br />
infrastructure. Infrastructure here<br />
would imply to both the physical and<br />
the social. With the likes of e<br />
governance, an award winning<br />
initiative, which has permeated to the<br />
grassroots level, proper equipment<br />
becomes a necessity. Thus, each taluka<br />
has been given adequate numbers of<br />
proper computer systems and other<br />
equipments, along with training the<br />
administrative staff in the use of these.<br />
Further, for ease of accessibility, all<br />
records have been made online.<br />
A l o n g w i t h t h i s , Ta l u k a<br />
Organizational Committees have also<br />
been set up with Jan Seva Kendras set<br />
up all across the state as points of<br />
contact between the citizens and the<br />
administration.<br />
These Jan Seva Kendras were set up<br />
with the aspiration to make all<br />
government services accessible to the<br />
common man in his locality, through<br />
common service delivery outlets and<br />
ensure efficiency, transparency, and<br />
reliability of such services at affordable<br />
costs to help him realize his basic needs.<br />
More new Jan Seva Kendras are being<br />
set up so as to ensure easy accessibility<br />
to even those people without access to<br />
Cover Story<br />
Reaching out : Farmers and labor force have been important<br />
beneficiaries of decentralized governance<br />
the already existing ones. Jan Seva solvency certificates, residence<br />
Kendras have evolved as a centre for certificates, creamy layer certificates<br />
providing over 137 kinds of citizen for OBC and other certificates etc.<br />
services under these three categories, Approximately 40 per cent cases fall<br />
namely the, The 'Tatkal services', the under this category.<br />
'One Day Services' and the 'Non One SMS intimations are sent to the<br />
Day services'. applicant on completion of one-day<br />
The Tatkal services are the 'While- services. For 'Non One-Day Services'<br />
U-Wait' services which usually take the prescribed time limit is from three to<br />
between twenty minutes to two hours to ninety days. Some issues related to land<br />
be completed. Such services include allotment, use of land for non-<br />
issuing of affidavits, ration-card agriculture purposes, arms licenses,<br />
alterations, and land-revenue payments hotel licenses etc, are dealt under this<br />
etc. among other things. Almost 20 per category. For these services, Jan Seva<br />
cent of all applications fall under this Kendras complete all the follow-ups<br />
category of services. The next category with related departments like procuring<br />
of services is the 'One Day Services' No Objection Certificate (NOC) from<br />
which takes around twelve hours to Police, Roads & Buildings department,<br />
complete. These get delivered on the etc, while the applicant does not have to<br />
same day (if submitted before 1 p.m.) or personally visit different offices.<br />
the next day. Such services include Approximately 40 per cent of the cases<br />
caste certificates, income certificates, fall under this category.<br />
birth certificates, death certificates, SMS intimation is automatically<br />
sent to the applicants on completion of<br />
their desired services. Apart from that,<br />
Jan Seva Kendras complete<br />
all the other associated services are also<br />
made available at the Jan Seva Kendra<br />
all the follow-ups with related<br />
departments like procuring No<br />
Objection Certificate (NOC)<br />
e.g. webcam for instant photos, pre-<br />
formatted affidavits of 44 types,<br />
franking machines, photocopiers, coin<br />
phones, attested copies, lamination etc.<br />
from Police, Roads & Buildings<br />
department, etc, while the<br />
applicant does not have to<br />
The immediate effect of such a<br />
transparent system is the changed mind<br />
set of the citizens.<br />
By investing only a marginal<br />
personally visit different offices<br />
amount of money and one hour of one's<br />
25
26<br />
Cover Story<br />
October, 2011<br />
busy schedule usually ensures work operators and other such staff are being comes under the ambit of the regional<br />
getting done at Jan Seva Kendras. The added to the work force under two year head (taluka chief) or the talati, making<br />
same work could earlier take anywhere contracts from outsourced agencies. him the chief administrator. His<br />
between 1-4 days. E governance and The Science and technology functions include ensuring that<br />
M.I.S systems are made available at department is designing the model everything is functioning smoothly and<br />
each department of the Sachivalaya to software for integration of data and it continues to do so. This becomes an<br />
decide the time frame for the other such functions. An IWDMS important task, as for the taluka<br />
implementation of all services. In this system is to be designed for the empowerment initiative, and in fact<br />
manner, Jan Seva Kendras are saving interface etcetera. even any other initiative it is important<br />
more than 500,000 hours per annum of Jan Seva Kendras, in order to be to constantly monitor progress.<br />
manpower as almost 500 people are easily recognizable, have special logos This is where other monitoring<br />
visiting daily. A small service charge of and signs. Clear signages informing the systems also come into place. These<br />
Rs. 20 is payable for every application. various services and the time they will include the cluster committee, the<br />
The revenue department takes care of take are put up. To make the taluka complaint committee and the<br />
the money transactions are presided experiences comfortable, seating common information management<br />
over by the district collector at each arrangements have been put up at the system. The Taluka Chief is expected to<br />
level. 60% fees recovered per request Jan Seva Kendras. give guidance, address grievances and<br />
are meant to be used for outsourcing Once the basic infrastructure has ensure overall smooth functioning of<br />
activities. Rest of the money goes to the been set up, the next thing is the taluka governance. Further, in order to<br />
e-seva society. All necessary hardware commission of governance at the facilitate ease of implementation of<br />
for the Jan Seva Kendras is furnished by grassroots level. The localized schemes, schemes will be converged.<br />
the Revenue department. Data governance at the grassroots level Restructuring of such programs is also<br />
At your service : Citizens availing the services of a Taluka Janseva Kendra centre at Mehsana
October, 2011<br />
• Taluka level surveys by<br />
BISAG<br />
• SWOT and GAP analysis<br />
for different districts<br />
• Customised for each<br />
taluka<br />
Cover Story<br />
on the anvil so that they can be justice committee. These meetings are T h e i n t e n t i o n b e h i n d t h e<br />
customized into aiding the specific set to be monthly. Attendance by pre empowering of Talukas is to make them<br />
needs of the people in the taluka. decided members of the committee has self sufficient, allowing for indigenous<br />
Feedback and redressal also form been made compulsory. A day progress at the grassroots level. As CM<br />
important components in the success of convenient to both the Taluka Narendra Modi envisages, the situation<br />
any initiative. They help figure out if committee and the complaint as gauged by officials sitting in<br />
there is a glitch in the plan's execution committees has been set upon, such as Gandhinagar is hardly ever close to the<br />
or if there are problems with its smooth for example, the third Saturday of every reality. One has to be at the scene to<br />
implementation. Then the problem can month. The agenda at these meetings, know the real conditions. Only by being<br />
be fixed making the system better than made mandatory include various, locally present can one gauge the exact<br />
before. Here, within the fabric of diverse points. problems and the required solution.<br />
grassroots level governance of taluka The first and the foremost action on Also, at a grassroot level, the numbers<br />
sarkar is SWAGAT, an award winning the agenda would be to check on the are lesser, and thus, the attention given<br />
redressal system. SWAGAT in itself progress of decisions taken in the to them can be far greater.<br />
exists at two levels – Taluka SWAGAT previous meeting and see whether they This attention and initiative will<br />
and Gram SWAGAT. have been executed or not, and to what enable greater improvement in general<br />
In further planned initiatives, extent. It is also their responsibility to standards of living over time. The<br />
complaints and resolutions are also to look into disputes that have been Grade C schools will slowly turn to<br />
be taken up on a larger and much more received at the Jan Seva Kendras. Every Grade B schools and from there into<br />
organized scale. Opinion leaders are to department of the Government has its Grade A schools. By bringing<br />
be invited in order to have discussions own schemes, programs and initiatives. governance to a grassroot level more<br />
with the members of the complaint The effective implementation of these people are being made responsible for<br />
committee. These will include MLAs initiatives will also be brought under the state's progress thereby reducing the<br />
from the region, Taluka chiefs and discussion. Further information efforts and increasing the pace. The best<br />
Panchayant heads as well as the social regarding the State Government's part, however, remains the fact, that<br />
various schemes such as Vanbandhu, none of the people will be left behind.<br />
By bringing governance to a<br />
grassroot level more people are<br />
being made responsible for the<br />
state's progress thereby<br />
reducing the efforts and<br />
increasing the pace.<br />
STEPS TO EMPOWER TALUKAS<br />
Setting up<br />
infrastructure<br />
• e governance platforms<br />
set up<br />
• All records made online<br />
• Workers trained to use<br />
new system<br />
• Jan seva Kendras set up<br />
• Regional head or Talati,<br />
the chief administrator<br />
• Reponsible for running of<br />
the Taluka Sarkar<br />
• Other monitoring<br />
systems include the<br />
cluster committee and<br />
taluka complaint<br />
committee<br />
Planning Monitoring<br />
Redressal of<br />
grievances<br />
• SWAGAT acts as the<br />
redressal system at a<br />
grassroot level<br />
• SWAGAT has two<br />
components - Taluka<br />
SWAGAT and Gram<br />
SWAGAT<br />
Shala Praveshotsav, Shala Aarogya, By spreading the onus of<br />
Krushi Mohatsav, Garib Kalyan Mela governance on 225 talukas instead of<br />
and the likes, is decimated here along the 26 districts, development will<br />
with bringing attention to these increase manifolds. The march to<br />
schemes. Going by the adage that progress will quicken pace with every<br />
prevention is better than cure, these citizen included. As the CM puts it,<br />
meetings also put in thought discussing <strong>Chalo</strong> Taluka will soon translate into<br />
and planning for natural disasters and Taluka Chale and thereby into Taluka<br />
disaster management. Daude.<br />
27
y Nirmish Thaker<br />
Mahatma Gandhi<br />
Born in the port town of Porbandar on<br />
October 2nd 1869, Mohandas Karamchand<br />
Gandhi inspired the whole world and demon-<br />
strated the true power of peace and non violence.<br />
Everybody knows him as the Father of the Nation<br />
and as one of the main architects of the Indian<br />
Freedom Struggle. But what is truly great about<br />
this man is the philosophy he developed and<br />
strictly adhered to – the philosophy of peace, non<br />
violence and truth. He lived in a world that was<br />
ravaged by wars and revolution, but his firm<br />
belief in the power of Truth and Non violence<br />
demonstrated to the whole world that wars and<br />
bloodshed are not required to achieve freedom.<br />
We are proud to commemorate this great man in<br />
this issue for teaching the whole world to be<br />
human beings again. We wish you all a Happy<br />
Gandhi Jayanti on the 2nd of October.<br />
28<br />
On a Lighter Note<br />
October, 2011
October, 2011<br />
by V N Bala<br />
Book Review<br />
of <strong>Gujarat</strong> state, it is documented that<br />
several policy reforms securing the<br />
water future of <strong>Gujarat</strong> state were<br />
ardar Sarovar Project on considered. Introduction of <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
River Narmada edited by R participatory irrigation management<br />
SP a r t h a s a r t h y a n d R H<br />
act<br />
Sardar Sarovar Project<br />
on River Narmada<br />
(2007) can be considered as a<br />
Dholakia has been written in 3-volumes unique initiative. Further, authors are of<br />
and published by CEPT University the opinion that modernisation of water<br />
Press Ahmedabad in March 2011. infrastructures and public-private<br />
These volumes are culmination of partnership in project cost sharing<br />
papers on Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) could be possible future goals of SSP.<br />
presented during 3-workshops held at Since agriculture will remain a major<br />
Ahmedabad during year's mid-2010 water user, successful strategies and<br />
and early 2011. These papers cover a methods on efficient water use,<br />
long-long journey that the SSP has including field micro-irrigation<br />
undergone during 65 years of project techniques are also being introduced<br />
implementation from project design, slowly.<br />
planning and appraisal (vol 1); to A significant rise in farmer's income<br />
rehabilitation efforts and project has been reported during field based<br />
implementation (vol 2); to socio- surveys with the analysis of parameters<br />
economic impacts for state of <strong>Gujarat</strong> such as irrigation efficiency and water<br />
(vol 3) so far. This book aims to availability. SSP water is being used for<br />
highlight the economic benefits that the domestic drinking water supply in<br />
SSP has offered till now, learning from ULBs while it still faces challenges in<br />
the mistakes committed and the way the future due to high amount of nonforward<br />
in realizing future potential in revenue water. Public Private<br />
contributing to growth of <strong>Gujarat</strong> state. Partnership (PPP) model holds future<br />
This book has been written from the potential not only on canal construction<br />
view point on creating awareness but also for water distribution, network<br />
among public and practitioners, laying and operation & maintenance.<br />
documenting innovative engineering Although a few hiccups have been<br />
structures and sharing personal reported, SSP remains an innovative<br />
experiences during various stages of experimental turf to test either the<br />
project implementation. SSP has been a controlled volume concept (CVC) or<br />
mega-project, as is evident with remote monitoring and control system<br />
gigantic engineering structures as well to meet operational requirements.<br />
enormous financial challenges during In spite of its enormous challenges,<br />
implementation. Authors have nicely publication. The R&R aspect, as per my SSP has proved to be a boon to several<br />
described those challenges leading opinion, was dealt much in scientific water scarce areas of <strong>Gujarat</strong>. This book<br />
t o w a r d s n o t j u s t e c o n o m i c manner. I think it may be first time in is a must read, since it has an economist<br />
liberalisation, but also allowing private India that a compensation principle writing on water issues with a<br />
participation in engineering designs. based on Kaldor-Hicks theory was used management perspective.<br />
The book aims to clarify on some of as basis for R&R of the project affected<br />
the apprehensions that have surrounded people.<br />
some of the R&R issues through this Since SSP is considered the lifeline<br />
29
By Indrani Mantritragada<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> has made its mark in<br />
social forestry by its<br />
sustained and focused<br />
campaigns. It now boasts of a 4.3 % the<br />
tree cover outside a forest spread of the<br />
8,390 sq.km as against India's average<br />
of 2.8%. Tree density outside forest<br />
areas for a traditionally semi-arid<br />
region like <strong>Gujarat</strong> is ranked second<br />
highest among the Indian states. Trees<br />
have increased by over 2 crores in non-<br />
forest areas (both rural & urban) from<br />
2003-09 and by 2020, an additional 9<br />
crore trees are expected to be added<br />
which shall push up the total tree count<br />
to 35 crore in just one decade.<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> has seen a rapid rise in tree<br />
30<br />
Environment<br />
October, 2011<br />
Vaave <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> goes green<br />
forest cover in the last decade and industrial houses have been roped<br />
culminating in Chief Minister Narendra in for the 'Vaave <strong>Gujarat</strong>' drive. The<br />
Modi launching 'Vaave <strong>Gujarat</strong>' from campaign is additionally significant<br />
the foothills of the famous Pavagadh- since the United Nations has declared<br />
Champaner world heritage site marking 2011 as the International Year of<br />
62nd Van Mahotsav on July 31, Forestry.<br />
2011. The event had begun well with <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s social forestry campaign<br />
9,660 saplings of 30 varieties of trees had commenced in 1969-70 without<br />
planted near Pavagadh Mahakali external support. From 1980-85<br />
Shaktipeeth and it aims for a massive onwards, the World Bank aided<br />
9.80 crore saplings to be planted on "Community Forestry project" was<br />
13,200 hectares during the current implemented. An Integrated Forestry<br />
monsoon season across the state with Development Project (IFDP) with<br />
saplings to be supplied through more assistance from OECF (Japan) was also<br />
than 5,000 nurseries. Various launched in 1996-97 to 2001-02. But it<br />
government departments, local self- never took to the public and this is why<br />
government bodies, agricultural and “Vaave <strong>Gujarat</strong>” has been launched.<br />
c o - o p e r a t i v e b o d i e s , s o c i a l 'Van Mahotsav', celebrated annually<br />
organizations, educational institutes for the last 62 years reaches a larger
October, 2011<br />
audience at district, taluka and village<br />
level with a view to spread awareness.<br />
Free seedlings are given to farmers to<br />
promote Green <strong>Gujarat</strong> and to pursue<br />
viable agrarian business options like<br />
Clone and Tissue culture. The Anand-<br />
Kheda model of agro-forestry<br />
appreciated world over is being<br />
considered for districts with canal<br />
irrigation. Seedlings of trees facing<br />
extinction, for instance deshi mango,<br />
Rayan & Mahuda, are distributed free.<br />
Van Mahotsav pays special attention to<br />
urban areas by increasing tree count as<br />
these areas are hit by rapid<br />
infrastructural expansions and growing<br />
pollution.<br />
School nurseries which instil the<br />
“green-notion” in children have been<br />
set-up. Kisan nurseries and Shibirs<br />
(training camps) are being organised to<br />
inculcate a habit of nurturing plants and<br />
farmers are also encouraged to plant<br />
fruit-bearing-trees. Planting<br />
medicinally valuable plants too has<br />
created awareness of ayurveda and<br />
homeopathy remedies. Additionally,<br />
several Van Chetana Kendras (help<br />
centres) and shibirs (training camps)<br />
have been set for those who wish to<br />
know about plant health, gardening,<br />
Table<br />
Environment<br />
Achievements (cumulative for all the years) Land in Lakh ha.<br />
Strip Plantations 0.96 lakh ha.<br />
Panchayat lands (Village Forests) 1.22 lakh ha.<br />
Private Degrade Lands 1.65 lakh ha.<br />
Seeding Distribution(Van Mahotsav) 443.84 lakh ha.<br />
Source: http://gujenvfor.gswan.gov.in/socialforestry/socialforestry, Forest Environment Department| Social Forestry| Success Stories<br />
agro-farming, etc. increase tree cover in educational<br />
Land allocated for agricultural institutions, government and semi-<br />
purposes cannot be allocated for government organisations and private<br />
forestry. Hence, the concept of Social compounds. Community and cremation<br />
Forestry and Vaave <strong>Gujarat</strong> motivates grounds are also being developed under<br />
people to plant more trees on low this scheme. Individual schemes, which<br />
productivity land, personal premises benefit farmers and agricultural<br />
and unused land. Many associated labourers, are being facilitated through<br />
schemes have been taken up such as various plantation programmes<br />
Gram Vans (forests in villages) for conducted at various de-forested areas.<br />
development of gauchar (grazing) Chachariya village in Mehsana<br />
lands, grasslands, and lands along district saw a splendid Van Mahotsav<br />
roads, canals, ponds, railways, ravines being celebrated on 26th of August. The<br />
and barren hills. There are several Revenue Minister, Mrs. Anandiben<br />
community benefit schemes as well. Patel was present for the inauguration<br />
Sapling plantation drives seek to of Chachariya's Gram Van – “Anand<br />
Upvan”. Speaking about a clean<br />
Vaave <strong>Gujarat</strong> : The CM plants the seeds for a greener planet<br />
environment she said, “None of us<br />
wants to live in a soiled house, so we<br />
clean it. So why should it be different<br />
with the environment or the air we<br />
breathe; the first step towards a clean<br />
environment, is planting trees”<br />
Vaave <strong>Gujarat</strong> indicates the state<br />
government's unrelenting efforts in<br />
ensuring that urbanization and<br />
environment protection takes place<br />
hand-in-hand. The fact that forestation<br />
drives are an absolute imperative for the<br />
overall protection and health of our<br />
planet has been accepted by the state<br />
wholeheartedly and the state<br />
government is leaving no stone<br />
unturned in ensuring its effective<br />
implementation.<br />
It's about time the entire nation joins<br />
hands together and adopts similar<br />
methods and techniques in order to<br />
provide its current and forthcoming<br />
generations with a clean and green<br />
future.<br />
31
In Focus<br />
October, 2011<br />
By Vineet Kanabar disseminators of information stored in the future, recently undertook<br />
textbooks as well as groom students important and relevant initiatives to<br />
with values with an aim to enable them emphasize its efforts in revamping and<br />
ith the turn of the century<br />
now a decade behind us,<br />
Wthe youth of India is<br />
firmly established as the country's<br />
greatest wealth and to nurture the<br />
ambitions of 60 million and more<br />
people into an age of sustained socio-<br />
economic growth and maturity; the role<br />
played by the teacher takes centre-stage<br />
in the development of this vast cultural<br />
capital. The profession teachers has<br />
always been one that requires them to<br />
go beyond the call of duty as the<br />
to successfully conquer the world. In<br />
today's knowledge and informationrich<br />
age, the teacher is the vanguard of<br />
important aspects of holistic education,<br />
namely, value & moral education and<br />
skill-orientation, and can no longer be<br />
confined to the realms of domain<br />
related knowledge.<br />
With these tenets of quality teaching<br />
in mind, the Indian Institute of Teacher<br />
Education was founded in Gandhinagar<br />
by the government. The state of<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>, awake and alert to the needs of<br />
reforming education. In February 2009,<br />
the <strong>Gujarat</strong> Educational Innovations<br />
Act was passed by the <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
Legislative Assembly; this Act<br />
underlines the necessity of a drastic<br />
change needed in the education system<br />
as a whole as it contributes to the<br />
development of an innovative concept<br />
of education for children, that takes its<br />
final form in the Children's University,<br />
in cognizance of which an Act was<br />
passed by the <strong>Gujarat</strong> Legislative<br />
Assembly last June. The problems of<br />
32
October, 2011<br />
In Focus<br />
teacher's education are the next steps The curriculum, apart from catering objectives of the institute. These<br />
that have been taken up by the to the technical and domain based needs officers form the core group of staff<br />
Government of <strong>Gujarat</strong> with the Indian of educators, also incorporates a variety responsible for the facilitation and<br />
Institute of Teacher Education Act of good-living principles. The teachers execution of the programmes that the<br />
passed in March 2010. are expected to realize from the course a institute runs, forming the key interface<br />
Recognising that the need of the solid structure to base their teaching between the various stakeholders of the<br />
hour was to produce en masse a group skills around, including having a desire institute, both internally and externally.<br />
of individuals capable of handling the to continuously learn and improve. The <strong>Information</strong> about the selection and<br />
responsibilities of nurturing the youth course also concentrates on improving appointment of nurturance officers is<br />
of today in a manner that is wholesome the candidates' general knowledge and available on the IITE website,<br />
as well as focussed, the Indian Institute is aimed at nurturing a contemporary www.iite.ac.in.<br />
of Teacher Education offers a four year global learning outlook among them. In The institute, like the fabled<br />
integrated course consisting of BA/BSc the current day and age where everyday 'gurukuls' in ancient times, lays special<br />
and BEd spread over 8 semesters, and a happenings around the world and in our emphasis on discipline and daily rigour.<br />
six year integrated course comprising country shape the thoughts and actions The day at the institute begins at 6AM,<br />
MA/MSc and Med spread over 12 of students, the teacher is expected to be with the offering of prayers, followed<br />
Semesters. on top of these current affairs and offer by yoga and exercise. Following the<br />
The course for the teachers is aimed a significant perspective about them to 'early to bed, early to rise' tenet, the<br />
at honing their skills in the respective encourage similar learning habits in campus life offers a well designed<br />
domains, with the candidate asked to their students. experience aimed at the creation of<br />
choose from core/content courses Hand in hand with the dual aims of responsible teachers, who will take the<br />
spread over Science & Mathematics, imparting skill and value oriented youth of the future under their wings,<br />
Social Sciences or Humanities & education, the course also encourages aiding in their quest for knowledge and<br />
Languages. Furthermore, they are also the candidates to know and understand a good life. The institute offers its<br />
required to select a 'Professional the important principles of Indian students a rich and intellectually<br />
Course' and a course on 'General culture and its philosophies for stimulating environment to live in,<br />
Studies'. The institute makes it education and life, and inculcating providing them with ample ways and<br />
mandatory for their students to undergo those principles for personal means to constructively spend their<br />
a bridge course in English and <strong>Gujarat</strong>i development and growth. time and energies, with sports and<br />
before the studies of the first semester To help impart the wholesome sports education also playing a<br />
commence, to ensure those studying to nature of training that is the mission of significant role in the curriculum.<br />
be the teachers of tomorrow are well IITE, the institute has created the The Indian Institute of Teacher<br />
equipped to handle the media of position of a 'Nurturance Officer' – a Education has well-meaning trainers &<br />
instruction at the institute. group of individuals committed to the guides and has set out well-equipped to<br />
attain the goals of improving the crop of<br />
Temple of learning : A session in progress at the institute<br />
teachers that don the mantle of<br />
educating the Indian youth in the future.<br />
With 100 students in the first batch<br />
already at the institute and with plans to<br />
increase intake to 200 from the next<br />
batch, the words from the founding Act:<br />
“to promote teachers' development of<br />
integral personality; wide vision of<br />
nationalism and internationalism; and<br />
to fulfil their role as exemplars, as<br />
friends, philosophers, and guides; as<br />
scientists, psychologists, artists and<br />
technologists; and above all as ideal<br />
communicators who can spread<br />
uplifting influence by the processes of<br />
awakening, inspiration and contagious<br />
enthusiasm; also to promote new trends<br />
of syntheses of the East and West and<br />
agents of change from old to the new”,<br />
seem on their way to being fulfilled, on<br />
a journey well begun.<br />
33
Development Project in the heart of region led to urban growth on both sides<br />
Ahmedabad city is a model of such of the river. The river banks became<br />
ambitious planning and vision. The sites for squatter settlements and slums<br />
n ancient times, rivers were vital project seeks to develop the riverfront and the river bed became an outlet for<br />
for transport, trade, and on either side of Sabarmati by the cities overflowing sewage.<br />
by Madhurima Mallik<br />
In Focus<br />
October, 2011<br />
Idefence. Rivers like the Thames constructing embankments and roads, The Ahmedabad Municipal<br />
and Seine in Europe gave the Romans a laying water supply lines and trunk Corporation (AMC) set up the<br />
sheltered inland port with quick access sewers, building pumping stations, and Sabarmati River Front Development<br />
to the open sea. Therefore, people developing gardens and promenades, Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) in<br />
started settling along river banks. These thus reconnecting the city to its river. May 1997 and charged it with the<br />
settlements were the commercial Ahmedabad is the largest city in responsibility of developing the<br />
centres which gradually grew into <strong>Gujarat</strong> and the eighth largest Sabarmati riverfront. The aim was to<br />
major cities of the world. The rivers, metropolitan area of India. It was transform the river from being an<br />
over time became an integral part of the founded as a walled city on the eastern environmental and social problem into<br />
city and apart from assuming banks of the Sabarmati River in 1411. a city asset. The SRFDCL appointed the<br />
commercial significance also started Today, it is the fastest growing city of Environment Planning Collaborative<br />
playing important cultural roles. But, the country with a metropolitan (EPC), an urban planning consultancy<br />
the dynamic relationship of man with population of approximately 6.58 firm headed by Berkeley-educated<br />
the environment gradually made this million. architect, Bimal Patel to prepare a<br />
absolute necessity for a riverfront In the later part of the nineteenth master plan.<br />
location almost obsolete, in many century about a dozen textile mills were<br />
instances making it unsightly and established in Ahmedabad and the first Flood and Sewer Management<br />
neglected. In an attempt to avoid this span across the Sabarmati River, Ellis T h e S a b a r m a t i R i v e r f r o n t<br />
menace, engineers and architects Bridge, was constructed. By the first D e v e l o p m e n t P r o j e c t i s a n<br />
started bringing about structural half of the Twentieth Century, two more environmental improvement, social<br />
changes which would revive the bridges were constructed across the uplift and urban rejuvenation Project<br />
relationship of cities with their rivers. river and post-Partition in 1947, a huge that will renew the face of Ahmedabad.<br />
The multi-crore Sabarmati Riverfront influx of population from the Sindh Talking about the project Mr. Bimal<br />
The Sabarmati Riverfront Project<br />
34<br />
Rejuvenating Ahmedabad
October, 2011<br />
In Focus<br />
Patel said, “By the end of the 20th<br />
Century the Sabarmati had become<br />
polluted and inaccessible. Untreated<br />
sewage flowed into the river from storm<br />
AMC is giving the beneficiaries<br />
houses with all facilities<br />
including water and electricity.<br />
plants.<br />
Rehabilitation of the Slum<br />
dwellers<br />
water drains. Sewage from slum<br />
pockets on both banks of the river<br />
added to the pollution. This was of<br />
concern because Ahmedabad continued<br />
The societies where the<br />
families are being re-located to<br />
are in places like Vatva, Vasana,<br />
Slum dwellers living previously on<br />
the riverbed, are being relocated and<br />
provided with 'pucca' housing with<br />
secure tenure. On the 25th of August,<br />
to depend on wells dug into the river for<br />
a significant portion of its drinking<br />
water. In spite of a dam up-river (Dharoi<br />
Saraspur, Rakhiyal and Vadaj<br />
among others.<br />
the Mayor of Ahmedabad, Shree Asit<br />
Vohra along with others announced that<br />
Ahmedabad Urban Development<br />
Dam) and a barrage (Vasna Barrage) Authority (AUDA) has sanctioned<br />
down-river, it had become difficult to money for constructing 8000 homes for<br />
manage floods and to retain water in the<br />
river because the river bed was<br />
occupied by the slums.” Therefore, as<br />
the Chief engineer for the project, Mr.<br />
Jagdish Patel reaffirms that the project<br />
is primarily a flood protection project.<br />
The Sabarmati is a 450 km long<br />
river flowing from the Aravallis to<br />
Cambay. Mr. Jagdish Patel told us, “It is<br />
not a perennial river and runs for hardly<br />
four to five days during the monsoons.<br />
The river bed was uneven and<br />
consequently the resistance to flow was<br />
uneven. We studied the last 100 year's<br />
flood data and discovered two peaks in<br />
1925 and 1973. In confirmation with<br />
the findings of the study, the river bed<br />
was given a constant slope so that the<br />
flow could be maintained throughout<br />
the year and the flood-risk would be<br />
reduced to a bare minimum”<br />
For this, the project reclaimed<br />
approximately 200 hectares of land<br />
from the riverbed. Retaining walls were<br />
built on both sides of the river to protect<br />
low lying areas from floods and to<br />
prevent erosion of the river banks.<br />
These walls channelize the water and<br />
rise up to a height above the highest<br />
flood level.<br />
Water can be periodically released<br />
into the river from the Narmada Canal,<br />
which intersects the river up from<br />
Ahmedabad. The Vasna Barrage which<br />
is located downstream can be used to<br />
retain water in the river throughout the<br />
year.<br />
Mr. Jagdish Patel added that, “In<br />
order to keep the river clean, more than<br />
40 outlets for rainwater diversion have<br />
been created.” Two sewage interceptor<br />
lines running along both reclaimed<br />
banks will carry untreated sewage,<br />
which used to flow into the river, to the<br />
Vasana and Pirana sewage treatment<br />
4319 families. These families were<br />
identified as beneficiaries under the<br />
JnNURM policy for rehabilitation of<br />
the slum-dwellers on the banks of the<br />
river. The AMC is giving the<br />
beneficiaries houses with all facilities<br />
including water and electricity. The<br />
societies where the families are being<br />
re-located to are in places like Vatva,<br />
Vasana, Saraspur, Rakhiyal and Vadaj<br />
among others. 3281 families have<br />
already been allotted homes. It is<br />
heartwarming to witness the<br />
contentment in these societies, which<br />
are well- equipped with facilities like a<br />
health center and a primary school<br />
within their premises.<br />
Gangaben Rameshbhai Bhajaniya,<br />
who has been allotted a home in<br />
Saraspur said, “My children get mid-<br />
day meals at the school in the society<br />
.The women and young girls get a<br />
protein-rich dietary supplement<br />
35
In Focus<br />
A peep into the future : An artist’s impression of the proposed river-front<br />
October, 2011<br />
weekly, under the provisions of E- impossible to walk along its length!” the Sunday market which was<br />
Mamata. The government has been exclaimed Mr. Bimal Patel. To better previously held on the riverbed. The<br />
generous and had we been somewhere access the riverfront, a number of promenades will have space for street<br />
else, we might not have been so well- streets leading up to the river are being vendors and hawkers, in order to<br />
taken- care of.” The Sabarmati River planned. Streets running parallel to the preserve the essence of the old city<br />
Front Development Project and the river will weave in and out along the culture.<br />
initiatives for social housing project stretches of reclaimed land on both It is common phenomena that any<br />
bagged two national awards for the banks. These streets will also augment innovation is received with a lot of<br />
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation the cities road network. The project will apprehension; the Sabarmati Riverfront<br />
(AMC). They were given to SRFDCL provide Ahmedabad with 11.5 km long Project has been no different. Referring<br />
in recognition of innovative pedestrian promenades at the water's to the time the project will take for<br />
infrastructure development and AMC edge along both banks of the river. In completion, Mr.Jagdish Patel said,<br />
in recognition of initiatives for social addition to the promenades, many parks “Projects of such magnitude bring<br />
housing project. and gardens will be built on the along great social responsibility and<br />
reclaimed land which will provide the because the scale is so massive, it would<br />
Making the Riverfront a Public city with the much needed green space not be sensible to wrap up the project<br />
Asset and a respite from the sweltering just for the sake of it.” Mr. Bimal Patel<br />
“Earlier, the entire edge of the river summers. Other facilities like cultural further explained that, “It is necessary<br />
was privately owned making it centers, museums, sports facilities, to make the people aware of how the<br />
trade fair grounds and open air markets project would benefit the city to avoid<br />
will also be built on the reclaimed land. tell-tale stories from spreading. Since<br />
While fostering growth, the<br />
cultural significance of the river<br />
has not been tampered with.<br />
The project would provide the<br />
Gandhi Ashram a better edifice<br />
while also providing organised<br />
space for the age old Gurjari<br />
market or the Sunday market<br />
which was previously held on<br />
the riverbed.<br />
36<br />
A small portion of the reclaimed land the project claims to change the<br />
would be sold for private commercial character of the city, people are curious.<br />
and residential development and the It is important that they are kept<br />
money would be used to finance the informed at every stage of the evolution<br />
project. All of these developments of the project.”<br />
would add to Ahmedabad's many To sum it up, as Mr. Narendra Modi<br />
attractions and also renew the center of put it, “The Sabarmati Riverfront<br />
the city. Development Project will transform<br />
While fostering growth, the cultural Ahmedabad's historic but neglected<br />
significance of the river has not been riverfront into a vibrant and vital focus<br />
tampered with. The project would for the city. The research it has spurred<br />
provide the Gandhi Ashram a better will change the Ahmedabad landscape<br />
edifice. It shall also provide organised for many years to come.”<br />
space for the age old Gurjari market or
October, 2011<br />
By Vasant Iyer<br />
Art and culture<br />
highland out of which, over thousands of<br />
years, the land formed from the<br />
surrounding seas gave birth to what is now<br />
n a remote land far away in rural described as a 'Panchali' region. Panchali<br />
Saurashtra, lies a village named is not a widely spread region but it holds<br />
ITrineteshwar. Every year, the immense cultural, historical and<br />
locals of the area gather and organize religious importance. Panchali- in<br />
one of the biggest rural cultural <strong>Gujarat</strong>i means 'Draupadi'.<br />
extravaganzas in <strong>Gujarat</strong>: The Tarnetar “There are still people here in the<br />
fair, attended by thousands of people over region who believe that the great archer<br />
the course of the usually three days from Arjun won Draupadi's hand in marriage<br />
the first week of September. Legend has it during the legendary 'Swayamvar”<br />
that this fair has been held here performing the difficult task of piercing<br />
A few decades ago, Mansukh<br />
Pandya, a famous <strong>Gujarat</strong>i<br />
author has described the<br />
Tarnetar fair as a symbol of<br />
equality and brotherhood. He<br />
has mentioned that there were<br />
over 15,000 people visiting the<br />
Tarnetar fair even in those days<br />
every year for more than 250 years. the eye of a rotating fish with an arrow of the Tarnetar fair for many years now.<br />
Tarnetar was originally called just by only looking at its reflection in Panchali stands on the bank of a<br />
Trineteshwar- home of the one with 3 eyes the water,” says Ramkubhai Khachar rivulet and opens into a beautiful 'kund'.<br />
(Lord Shiv). Saurashtra was historically a who is associated with the organization It is locally believed that this site used to<br />
Tarne t ar<br />
An annual ethnic fair celebrating<br />
the colours of rural <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
37
e the original course of the Ganga river<br />
at some point in history, so a dip in the<br />
temple tank is considered by pilgrims to<br />
be as auspicious as a swim in the holy<br />
Ganga.<br />
A few decades ago, Mansukh<br />
Pandya, a famous <strong>Gujarat</strong>i author has<br />
described the Tarnetar fair as a symbol<br />
of equality and brotherhood. He has<br />
mentioned that there were over 15,000<br />
people visiting the Tarnetar fair even in<br />
those days with both- men and women<br />
taking baths in the kund, all the while<br />
preserving the sanctity of the area by<br />
automatically choosing different<br />
sections and not interfering.<br />
Such disciplined social and<br />
community behaviour exemplified the<br />
mindsets of the people of <strong>Gujarat</strong> in<br />
those days itself. Being the most<br />
important fair of Saurashtra, Tarnetar is<br />
now attended by more than 50,000<br />
people. The main castes that have been<br />
participating both traditionally and<br />
recently are the Kolis, Rabaris,<br />
Bharwads, Khants, Kanbis, Kathis,<br />
Charans, the Harijans and the Desh-<br />
rabaris. With its growing reputation,<br />
visitors from rest of India and many<br />
different parts of the world are also seen<br />
38<br />
Art and culture<br />
October, 2011<br />
Helping Hand : The CM presents a cheque at Tarnetar fair, 2011<br />
here. waistcoats and a head-cloth twisted at<br />
The Tarnetar fair is the most famous an angle, and glide Tarnetar with eyein<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong> for its myriad hues of colours catching umbrellas, marketing the<br />
that don the festivities. People from all bachelorhood they are eager to<br />
over the state and even beyond the state renounce!<br />
boundaries visit this fair to submerge The fair has been known to teach<br />
themselves in this colourful youngsters the art of bargaining<br />
extravaganza. through trading with customers who<br />
The locals are conspicuous by their flock the fair. Another eye catching<br />
presence due to their attire which characteristic of Tarnetar is the<br />
includes colourful turbans, dhotis and establishment of colourful and circular<br />
locally handcrafted ornaments. Among tents called 'Ravtis'. Within these<br />
the various folk dances that are 'Ravtis', people participate in reciting<br />
performed, the most popular is the chants and 'Bhajans'.<br />
'raas', in which dancers hold sticks to<br />
clack against those of other dancers. As<br />
many as one to two hundred women<br />
perform 'rasadas' in a single circle,<br />
Horse traders and enthusiasts have<br />
while some circles around this could<br />
break into an impulsive 'hudo'.<br />
This year, <strong>Gujarat</strong> Chief<br />
Minister Mr. Narendra Modi<br />
Rabari women of nearby 'Zalawad' joined a plethora of people in<br />
perform the famous circular folk dance<br />
called 'rahado'. Their marital status is<br />
indicated clearly by their costumes; a<br />
black zimi (skirt) means that a woman<br />
sharing their joy and zest at the<br />
famous Tarnetar fair. He also<br />
t a l k e d a b o u t t h e s t a t e<br />
is married. But if a woman is wearing a<br />
red zimi, it would mean that a suitable<br />
groom is sought. Potential husbands<br />
seeking brides are elegantly dressed in<br />
colourful dhotis, artistically designed<br />
government's novel initiative of<br />
c r e a t i n g s p e c i a l t y p e o f<br />
woodlands along the pilgrim<br />
places of the state
October, 2011<br />
Art and culture<br />
come to be a common sight and one of and government officials of the region While handing out prizes to the<br />
the major draws at the Tarnetar fair. A to improve the standards of the fair and winners of various competitions and<br />
community of people called the 'Kathi organize well planned and people greeting the artists of the cultural<br />
Darbars' are known to take immense centric steps in order to make the fair programmes held during the course of<br />
pride in displaying their thoroughbreds more accessible to the common man. three days of the fair, he described the<br />
to the world. The state animal welfare This year, <strong>Gujarat</strong> Chief Minister rural Olympics which are being<br />
department initiated animal exhibitions Mr. Narendra Modi joined the people in organized every year at Tarnetar fair as<br />
and competitions in the year 2008. This their joy and zest at the famous Tarnetar the 'Rural Khel Mahakumbh'.<br />
led to people attaining knowledge of fair while offering prayers to Lord These are only some of the reasons<br />
hybrid variety of cattle and information Trinetreshwar. Greeting people due to which Tarnetar is now an<br />
on raising cattle in order to obtain the gathered at the place he said that in folk- internationally recognized fair of<br />
best possible remuneration from cattle culture, every fair has its own unique culture, animal livestock and<br />
produce. message behind it. “These fairs give us craftsmanship.<br />
Such self motivated initiatives from the glimpses of social oneness and the If you think you are prepared to<br />
the state government have led to a stage strength of people. And, in addition to walk out of the everyday mundane<br />
where even common people now strive this, if the rain-god bestows his experience of live and dive freely into a<br />
and aspire to own cattle of the highest blessings during the times of fair, we whirlwind of colours, romance and<br />
pedigree and hence an overall can see an overflowing of life among music, then head for the Tarnetar Fair. It<br />
improvement in the quality of livestock the people”, he said. is the only place in the country where<br />
offspring is easily noticeable. The Chief Minister also talked such vivid hues of folk and ethnic<br />
As the fair obtained mainstream about the state government's novel culture combine to give one an<br />
prominence, the influx of foreign initiative of creating special type of experience of a lifetime.<br />
tourists and attained prominence. It was woodlands along the pilgrim places of<br />
then decided by the district collector the state.<br />
39
Photo Feature<br />
Independence Day<br />
Celebration<br />
40<br />
October, 2011
October, 2011<br />
Photo Feature<br />
Tarnetar mela<br />
41
In Conversation with<br />
October, 2011<br />
Dharini Pancham' Da<br />
ith four Guinness World Records in her kitty, Ahmadabad's Dharini Prabhakar Bhatt aka Swaradhika Dhari<br />
Pancham'Da is the first woman in the world to have achieved the longest singing Marathon. She stunned the<br />
Wworld with 101 hours of non-stop classical singing breaking her own previous records of 62 and 82 hours.<br />
She also achieved the longest Santoor playing marathon for a record time of 26 hours and 26 mins. She currently teaches<br />
music at the Pancham Music Academy in Ahmedabad where Madhurima Mallik met her for an exclusive tête-à-tête.<br />
Congratulations! You have done long hours? Were you put on a vegetable juices, soups, tea and coffee. I<br />
your state and your people extremely specific diet?<br />
had swelling in my vocal chords during<br />
proud. When did you decide to take It does not happen in a day. I sang the performance and the doctor asked<br />
up Indian Classical Music?<br />
for four hours at first, then six and then me to sing at a low pitch.<br />
Thank you so much. I liked Indian gradually went up to 101 hours. You<br />
classical music since childhood though need a lot of stamina. I do yoga on a Do you plan to do playback<br />
music in any form appealed to me. I regular basis. Six months prior to the singing in the future?<br />
used to sing for college events; but it performances, I had to do yoga every No. Never! Gandharvas used<br />
was only eleven years back, in 2000, hour. I was put on a liquid diet during Margiya Sangeet for worship and sang<br />
that I started training. I was immensely the performance. I was advised to have Desi Sangeet for the audience. Like,<br />
inspired by my Guruji Shree Bhupendra Swami Haridas was totally devoted to<br />
Pandit and came to the Academy for Margiya Sangeet and Tansen used to<br />
learning Santoor. My grandfather sing Desi Sangeet for an audience. I<br />
wanted me to record the Narmada have dedicated my life to Margiya<br />
Ashtakam for him, and this is when Sangeet. I try and make classical music<br />
Guruji advised me to take up singing non-boring for the audience, because<br />
seriously. you do not get an audience for classical<br />
music everywhere. For instance, in<br />
You must have had to undergo<br />
rigorous training. What does one<br />
have to do in order to sustain for such<br />
Vadnagar, two of my most famous<br />
42
October, 2011<br />
'Bhajans' Om Namo Bhagate<br />
Vasudevaye and Sur ke ghungroo were<br />
based on classical ragas, but I modified<br />
them a little to make them appealing to<br />
the public.<br />
Isn't it ironical then, that your<br />
pseudonym is Pancham'Da?<br />
Oh it has got nothing to do with Shri<br />
R.D Burman. Since my Guruji's<br />
academy is called Pancham Music<br />
Academy, I was named after it by<br />
Guruji. Guruji used to call me Dhari and<br />
when he heard me sing for the first time<br />
he named me Dhari Pancham'Da<br />
(laughs)<br />
In Conversation with<br />
Are there any records yet to be<br />
set? What next?<br />
Hall of fame : Dharini’s glittering showcase of her record breaking feats<br />
H'ble Chief Minister Shri Narendra<br />
Modi told me that people in Vadnagar<br />
have no exposure to classical music. I<br />
am training 109 girls, so that they can<br />
perform at the Tana Riri festival in the<br />
coming years. Since the village became<br />
very dear to me I took it up as a<br />
challenge to train girls from the village<br />
who showed a serious interest in music.<br />
I want to make sure that they are trained<br />
in Margiya Classical Sangeet and they<br />
perform for at least 20 mins at the Tana<br />
Riri festival. Also, the record of 109<br />
ragas that I sung are scheduled to be<br />
released in two months.<br />
We have heard that you are the<br />
pioneer of music therapy in <strong>Gujarat</strong>.<br />
I offer a certificate course in Music<br />
Therapy which is a beautiful blend of<br />
science and art. Indian Classical music<br />
and its ragas have the potential to<br />
connect to the heart and the soul and be<br />
a particular kind of yogasan. Music<br />
sharpens the brain and relieves it of<br />
tension and fatigue.<br />
The effects of music therapy could<br />
be slow or temporary because there are<br />
a lot of intricacies involved like the<br />
subject, the state of mind and the<br />
selection of music which is supposed to<br />
Give us a peek into a day in Dhari<br />
Panchamda's life.<br />
I get up at 3.30 in the morning, the<br />
Brahma Mahurat. I believe that this is<br />
the best time for offering prayers. I pray<br />
for 2 hours and then I do Riaz. I finish<br />
Riaz by 7.30 because my classes start at<br />
8.30 and go on till 12.30. Then I go<br />
home, carry out the chores and get back<br />
by 4.30 again for classes which go on<br />
till 7.30 After that, till 8.30 I do Riaz,<br />
then I like to read books on music and<br />
music therapy and on Sundays and<br />
other holidays, I treat my patients at the<br />
yield the desired results. Music therapy Academy.<br />
H e r l o n g e s t s i n g i n g<br />
marathon which lasted for 101<br />
is largely dependent on the personal<br />
needs and interests of an individual.<br />
Scientific knowledge of rhythm and<br />
This speaks volumes about your<br />
commitment! What motivates you?<br />
hours and 23 minutes was ragas is required to be able to use music My Guruji is to be given more than<br />
achieved at Vadnagar in<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>, dedicated to the<br />
Swarnim Tana Riri Mahotsav<br />
of November 2010 .According<br />
to legend, the great musical duo<br />
as therapy. Each raga has its own<br />
individual nature. It is not possible to<br />
assign any particular raga to any<br />
ailment.<br />
First world nations have already<br />
recognised the positive effects of music<br />
half of the credit for my achievements.<br />
He encouraged me at every step and<br />
motivated me to take up the toughest of<br />
challenges. Also, I feel lucky to be a<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>i, the state's cultural heritage<br />
inspired me at every step of my life,<br />
of the 16th century of sisters as therapy, but people in our country people here appreciate art and the<br />
Tana and Riri who refused to<br />
sing at Emperor Akbar's court,<br />
took Jal Samadhi in Vadnagar<br />
.The Government has built a<br />
huge amphitheatre to honour<br />
have not fully woken up to the positive<br />
effects of music as therapy because of<br />
w h i c h t h e r e a r e s t i l l s o m e<br />
apprehensions that exist regarding the<br />
adoption of this technique. Thus, I want<br />
to educate people on the advantages of<br />
Government supported me financially<br />
and otherwise in all my endeavours.<br />
The Government of <strong>Gujarat</strong><br />
funded her performance at Vadnagar<br />
and also supported her during her<br />
the memory of the two sisters this process. I also want the degree that marathon playing the Santoor, in<br />
and each year a musical festival<br />
is organised here.<br />
I give to be recognised by the<br />
Government so that it has more<br />
credibility.<br />
Ahmedabad.<br />
43
44<br />
Travel<br />
October, 2011
October, 2011<br />
Travel<br />
Dunni Point<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>'s own Marine Paradise<br />
Explore the fascinating marine life at Dunni Point at <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s doorstep without the hassles of<br />
passports and visas in going to far off Australia and New Zealand. All you have to do is pack your bag and go!<br />
by Tushar Prabune<br />
dventurous and free- winged beauties, i.e migratory birds authorities as per their resources. Even<br />
spirited <strong>Gujarat</strong>is travel all that can be seen in the area. smaller groups and families are<br />
Around the globe to get a S u n d a r v a n ' s n a t u r e c a m p s entertained at special rates.<br />
slice of life. Little do they know that emphasize and promote environmental With the help of such camps any one<br />
right under their noses, there are lots of education through field activities. It can explore depths of the fascinating<br />
small islands tucked away in the coastal provides practical experience in living marine without the hassles of passports<br />
areas of their own state waiting to be in natural surroundings and promotes and visas and in going to far off places<br />
explored. One such place is Dunni interaction with elemental nature. like Australia and New Zealand. All<br />
Point, an ideal tourist destination in The maximum number of campers you have to do is pack your bag and go!<br />
search of marine life. is 50, which is adjudged by the<br />
No Indian is new to the holy place<br />
called Dwarka. Just round the old<br />
Dwarka's archaeological site lies Dunni<br />
Point, Sundarvan's marine camp.<br />
The camp is for a duration of three<br />
nights and four days and is ideal for a<br />
tourist who wants to live in the heart of<br />
nature and experience the wonders of<br />
marine life. The campers have jute<br />
shelters for accommodation and<br />
explore the beaches and marine pools<br />
for corals and aquatic life. A few lucky<br />
ones have even had glimpses of<br />
dolphins gambolling in the high seas.<br />
The sea surrounding the campsite<br />
itself has rich algal beds where over a<br />
hundred species of algae have been<br />
recorded. Red algae are spotted the<br />
most. The other aquatic life that can be<br />
spotted during the camp is sponges,<br />
jelly fish, sea feathers, sea anemone,<br />
bristle worms, corals, molluscs,<br />
barnacles, crabs, starfish, sea<br />
cucumbers, marine turtles, sea snakes<br />
and of course dolphins. An added<br />
attraction in winters is the influx of<br />
Coastal beauty : Dunni Point marked out on <strong>Gujarat</strong>’s map<br />
Dunni Point<br />
D<br />
45
Special Feature<br />
October, 2011<br />
By Mihir Shah<br />
On his return to India, Gandhiji of Dandi along with his companions in<br />
sought to revive the cottage industry of what came to be one of the most<br />
ight in the heart of<br />
Ahmedabad, <strong>Gujarat</strong>'s<br />
Rhistoric city and financial<br />
hand spinning and chose Ahmedabad,<br />
an ancient centre of handloom weaving.<br />
Along with it, he also wanted to try<br />
farming and other such experiments<br />
important historic moments in the<br />
world- the 'Dandi March'. Here, he<br />
revolted against the draconian British<br />
laws by picking up a pinch of salt.<br />
capital, lies a place which still and hence wanted to set base away from Over the course of India's<br />
embodies the spirit of one of the the city. The site of the Ashram on the independence struggle, the ashram<br />
greatest human beings to have walked banks of the River Sabarmati was apt continued to play an important part and<br />
this land, a man whose words and deeds for this purpose and on his first visit to served as a platform to bring together a<br />
changed the course of world history and the place he said, “This is the right place group of workers committed to nonwhose<br />
actions till date continue to for our activities to carry on the search violence to help secure freedom for<br />
inspire countless nations, movements for Truth and develop Fearlessness- for India. The ashram did not lose its<br />
and individuals across the world. on one side, are the iron bolts of the spiritual focus either and continued to<br />
Mahatma Gandhi is undoubtedly one of foreigners, and on the other, lay emphasis on carrying on a search for<br />
the greatest leaders the world has ever thunderbolts of Mother Nature.” Over a truth.<br />
seen and the Sabarmati Ashram is an period of time, he learnt the art of Today, the ashram no longer<br />
integral part of his rich legacy. spinning and weaving in the ashram, functions as a working ashram but as a<br />
In today's times of global terror and and soon the ashram began to buzz with museum and an institution. The ashram<br />
uncertainty, Sabarmati Ashram is a the word 'khadi'. has retained its simplicity and paints a<br />
beacon of light to the world as it stands Embodying the spirit of the freedom picture of the times gone by. A peek at<br />
testament to the way Mahatma Gandhi struggle, the ashram was also an the entrance from outside the gate,<br />
lived his life, spread the message of important centre and spiritual home of where a giant replica of the charkha is<br />
peace and harmony and guided India to one of the greatest non violent placed, aptly sets the mood for what one<br />
complete independence from the movements that history has ever seen. can expect from a visit to this historical<br />
British. It was also here that Gandhiji In 1930, Gandhiji initiated the Salt place.<br />
made the journey from Mohandas to Satyagraha from the Sabarmati Ashram Replete with artifacts and<br />
Mahatma. and marched towards the small village memorabilia, a walk around the campus<br />
46<br />
Sabarmati<br />
Ashram<br />
Be the change you want<br />
to see in the world<br />
– Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
October, 2011<br />
Special Feature<br />
is both an enthralling and enriching<br />
experience. The Gandhian spirit is still<br />
deeply rooted in the ethos of the ashram<br />
and is especially seen in the people who<br />
run the institution with utmost<br />
dedication and facilitate visitors to<br />
imbibe the teachings of Mahatma<br />
Gandhi.<br />
Upon entering the ashram premises,<br />
one can witness history unfolding in<br />
front of one’s eyes as one wanders<br />
through a museum containing pictorial<br />
and written documentation on the<br />
Mahatma's life. A library is also<br />
dedicated to Gandhian literature and<br />
paintings while an excellent and<br />
spellbinding archive of letters written<br />
by Gandhiji is maintained alongside.<br />
The archives contain a mindboggling<br />
collection of 34,066 letters by Gandhiji,<br />
manuscripts of his 8,633 articles,<br />
negatives of 6,367 photographs, 134<br />
reels of microfilm of his writings and<br />
210 films on Gandhiji and the freedom<br />
struggle. Also on display, are works of<br />
various artists who have paid a tribute<br />
to the Mahatma and his contribution to<br />
A letter to humanity : The Mahatma’s letter at an exhibit in Sabarmati Ashram<br />
humanity in their own special way.<br />
The ashram also houses Hridaykunj<br />
(Gandhiji's sparse living quarters),<br />
Vinoba-Mira Kutir, where Vinoba and<br />
Mira each stayed on separate visits,<br />
Prarthana Bhumi (prayer grounds),<br />
Nandini ( guest house) and Udyog<br />
Mandir (training center for small<br />
industries), all preserved as part of the<br />
museum. Behind Udyog Mandir stands<br />
the non-profit organization Manav<br />
Sadhna, which exemplifies the essence<br />
of Gandhiji's teachings and works with<br />
people from the margins of the society.<br />
Gandhiji's house, Hridaykunj, is a<br />
virtue of minimalism and openness.<br />
Amongst the priceless items kept here,<br />
is a charkha (the spinning wheel) with<br />
which he used to weave khadi and the<br />
writing table he used to write letters.<br />
The charkha, symbolizing a spirit of<br />
self entrepreneurship, inspired<br />
thousands to join the Indian freedom<br />
struggle against the British. Hridaykunj<br />
serves as an inspiration to today's<br />
generation and reminds us to be simple,<br />
self sufficient and strive to lead a<br />
meaningful life.<br />
The Sabarmati Ashram is just one<br />
amongst a series of indelible footprints<br />
that Mahatma Gandhi has left on<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>'s landscape. Today, it is easy to<br />
rewind back to those times and<br />
memories and immerse oneself in<br />
Gandhiji's philosophies, values and<br />
teachings by taking a trip through the<br />
Gandhi Circuit and visiting other places<br />
in <strong>Gujarat</strong> such as Porbandar, Dandi,<br />
Bardoli, etc. as well.<br />
Over the years, the Sabarmati<br />
Ashram has continued to attract hordes<br />
of followers and tourists who come in<br />
search of exploring the concepts of<br />
truth, non violence, tolerance and<br />
equality and leave feeling stimulated<br />
and enlightened.<br />
Sabarmati Ashram is and will<br />
continue to be a guiding light for future<br />
generations who wish to tread the path<br />
of holistic development, the Gandhian<br />
way.<br />
47
At a Glance<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
48<br />
October, 2011<br />
Khel Mahakumbh<br />
hief Minister Narendra Modi will flag off a baton rally of state's second sports carnival 'Khel Mahakumbh' on November<br />
11, 2011. The rally will cover 2,550 km moving around in all the 26 districts of the state and will end on November 21,<br />
C2011 with the handing over of the baton to the Chief Minister who will then announce the beginning of the Khel<br />
Mahakumbh–2011.<br />
Various competitions of village to state level will be held with separate competitions for the boys and girls below age 16,<br />
male and female groups above 16 and for people in the age group of 45 to 60. Separate competitions for the male and females of the<br />
age above 60 and for differently-abled will also be held.<br />
Chief Minister said that<br />
Khel Mahakubh has become<br />
instrumental in making Indian<br />
games popular among youth.<br />
Considering that, new games<br />
such as seaside volleyball,<br />
shuttle ball and others will be<br />
added along with regular<br />
games. Competitions will be<br />
held between November 23 to<br />
2 8 a t p a n c h a y a t a n d<br />
municipality ward level and<br />
f r o m N o v e m b e r 3 0 t o<br />
December 3 at taluka level.<br />
District-level competitions<br />
will be held during November<br />
23 to December 12. Semifinals<br />
will be on December 16 to 21<br />
while finals on December 22<br />
and 23.<br />
Rann Utsav<br />
ome December, a cornucopia of colours, culture and heritage is let<br />
loose in the Kutch District of <strong>Gujarat</strong> as it plays host to the Rann<br />
CUtsav. A three to four day carnival organized across various locales<br />
within Kutch, the Rann Utsav takes one around the natural grandiose while<br />
introducing the visitor to the indigenous cultural and ethnical flavor of the<br />
people. The semi parched Grasslands of the Banni is known to host the most<br />
magnificent display of vernacular architecture as the exhibition platform for<br />
the varied range of arts and crafts of the region, while an array of folk music<br />
and dance performances organized in the shimmering moonlit landscape<br />
provides the most enchanting experience. Colourful fairs held near the beach<br />
or the banks of a lake inspire in one the spirit of festivity, fervour and<br />
flamboyancy. The Rann Utsav this year will be held from December 9, 2011 to<br />
January 8, 2012. For more information or bookings do log on to<br />
http://www.gujarattourism.com
Explore & Experience <strong>Gujarat</strong>’s<br />
Spectacular Wildlife<br />
World<br />
Wildlife<br />
Week<br />
2011<br />
(October 1-7)
Book packet containing printed books only<br />
Our Dreams.<br />
Our State. Our Country.<br />
<strong>Gujarat</strong>, Where Dreams are Realized<br />
Commissionerate of <strong>Information</strong>, Block No. 7/2, Dr. Jivraj Mehta Bhavan, Gandhinagar-382010<br />
To,