the traffic super-woman for bandra kruz

August, 2014 | Vol. 2
www.babasiddique.com
“ Only selfless service can encourage a person to reach a higher state of humanity. ”
THE TRAFFIC SUPER-WOMAN FOR BANDRA KRUZ
Every Mumbaikar, whether it be a corporate head honcho or a taxi-driver, has struggled
with the issue of traffic congestion. However, there are a few who decide to do something
about it instead of just grumbling. Anita Lobo, Mumbai’s greatest female traffic warden, is one
such person.
A Bandra resident, Anita Lobo is a grocery shop owner, who decided to take matters in
her own hand when she saw the traffic snarls in front of her store and decided to be a traffic
warden- a voluntary duty which does not attract any salary or even a stipend.
However, this has not deterred Lobo, who has been a traffic warden since the past
15 years. Says Anita “I found that there was too much of chaos and worse, zero discipline
when it came to traffic. People did not think twice before breaking the signal, entering in the
No Entry zone or violating other traffic rules. So I took this challenge and went ahead.”
Managing traffic in a city like Mumbai is something many would call a thankless as well as
a herculean task. But for Lobo, the gratitude of motorists and pedestrians is payment enough.
Though Anita faces difficulties on a daily basis as many motorists tend to disregard
a woman policing traffic, the dauntless warden says, “In the beginning, yes, there were
difficulties. But with the support of the Mumbai Police, I have managed to do my job and I am
very happy about it. People respect me now and it feels nice.”
When asked about MLA Baba Siddique, Lobo said, “He is an MLA but he follows traffic
rules and does not throw his weight around, which is something that other motorists should
learn from as an example.”
ANITA LOBO
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SIMPLE TIPS
TO CONSERVE
WATER
WATER CRISIS
One of the biggest ironies of the modern world is that though water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface, one of
the biggest crisis faced by the planet today is the shortage of drinking water… and it gets worse every passing
year.
• Fix a dripping tap. A dripping tap can
waste 15 litres of water a day, or
5,500 litres of water a year.
•
Educate your family members
and house-help and enlist their
assistance in saving water.
• Turn off the tap when you brush your
teeth, shave or wash hands - this
can save 6 litres of water per minute.
• Rinse vegetables in a full sink or pan
of water.
•Check your plumbing for hidden
leaks, specially toilets and faucets.
A silent toilet leak can waste 10 to
150 litres of water per day.
•Use minimum amount of water to
bathe.
• Rinse dishes in a full sink or pan of
water.
According to a study focusing on four different case studies in France, US, China and India, if the current
state of affairs persist, there will not be enough water in the world to quench the thirst of the global population
by 2040!
According to the United Nations, water use has grown at more than twice the rate of population increase in
the last century. By 2025, an estimated 1.8 billion people will live in areas plagued by water scarcity, with twothirds of the world’s population living in water-stressed regions as a result of use, growth, and climate change.
This year, Maharashtra faced the worst water crisis in the last one-and-a-half decades due to delayed
rainfall. Government sources claim that because of delayed monsoon, the usable water stock across all dams in
Maharashtra has gone down to 19% compared to 22% in 2013.
As a result, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is contemplating applying water cuts by 10%
to battle water scarcity. Water being one of the main necessities of life, such a water cut is sure to affect
everyone in the city. It is high time that we Mumbaikars realize the significance of this issue and take relevant
steps to face this challenge.
The adage - ‘Desperate times call for desperate measures’ perfectly reflects the water crisis that the city is
facing today and strong measures are advised to keep the crisis at bay.
IMPROVING WATER SUPPLY IN BANDRA KRUZ
SAVE 9 LITRES OF WATER WHEN YOU
DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
REDUCE SHOWER TIME
BY 1 MINUTE
WASH VEGETABLES IN
A CONTAINER AND NOT
UNDER A RUNNING TAP
USE A TUMBLER WHEN
BRUSHING YOUR TEETH
WASH CLOTHES ON
A FULL LOAD
Water shortage is a problem which is faced by many areas of Mumbai city. In BandraKruz, these problems
are usually averted by taking pre-emptive actions. During the monsoon season, often there is a threat of facing
acute water shortage if there isn’t adequate rainfall. Due to issues like this, a 30,000 litre tank was provided at
Ram Krishna Nagar and a 10,000 litre tank was given to B.M.C Colony. In addition to this, 3 suction tanks with
a pumping facility and a 2-inch communication line were installed at Pimpleshwar Wadi and DeenDayal Chawl.
Approximately 3,000 water connections have been installed/replaced in the entire Assembly Constituency to
continue supplying pure and safe water to more than approximately 1,20,000 people. Ensuring that residents in
the BandraKruz area have access to safe water is a priority and we continue with our efforts to improve water
supply in the area year after year.
“ Save water today... For a better tomorrow. ”
IMPROVING EDUCATION FACILITIES
IN BANDRA KRUZ
Education continues to remain one of our main priorities and a continuous effort is made not only to
improve existing infrastructure but also to construct new institutions to promote the cause of learning. At
Durello Convent and Auxilium Convent School, the drainage system was fixed in addition to leveling the
ground.
Extra attention has been paid to the infrastructural needs of municipal schools. The Bandra Municipal
School was facing a scarcity of space and hence the old structure was demolished and 3 wings of around
8500 sq ft each were constructed with modern amenities. Several amenities have been added to B.P.E
Marathi Municipal School, Mount Mary Convent High School and St. Elias High School as well. A compound
wall, a stage, PSC blocks and a gymnasium have been constructed. In addition to this, the school ground has
been leveled and computers were provided to the students.
IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS
AAKARSHAN
2013
A college festival is the perfect time
for students to meet, celebrate and
showcase various talents on a huge
platform. From technical events to sports
and dance, college fests are an integral
part of every college student’s life.
Recognizing the value of this event, we
have sponsored ‘Aakarshan’, an annual
festival at Bandra’s MMK College for
the last 10 years, and continue to do so.
Along with academics, extra-curricular
activities play a very important role in
every youth’s life, and we believe in
boosting this aspect for them.
The festival had some stellar events
and stars like Salman Khan, Aditya
Panscholi, John Abraham, Bipasha
Basu, Sonakshi Sinha, Zarine Khan in
the past and Arjun Kapoor last year had
graced the festival much to the students’
delight. Supporting the talent of today’s
youth is a very important cause, and
efforts are made to give impetus to their
development in every way.
Everyone in Mumbai city has faced the perpetual problem of dealing with bad roads. This situation
often gets worse during the monsoons with pot-holes and uneven surfaces. Bad roads are not only a public
inconvenience but can also result in accidents. BandraKruz too, had many such roads which posed a daily
threat to the citizens living in this area. Hence, efforts have been made and with continuous follow-ups
almost all the roads in BandraKruz have been improved in the past several years. It is surely a matter of pride
that the roads in BandraKruz are comparatively in a much better condition as compared to the other parts
of the city. In the recent past, some of the roads improved are 3rd Road, 32nd Road (National College lane),
36th Road, St. Dominic Road, 33rd Road (work in progress), Waroda Road (work in progress), to name a few.
“ School is a building which has four walls and tomorrow inside. ”
BATTLING DISEASES WITH FOGGING
AT YOUR DOORSTEP
In a fast city like Mumbai, staying healthy is of paramount importance and this is not possible
when diseases like malaria and dengue can affect anyone in areas where mosquitoes thrive.
With the intention to provide a healthy atmosphere, a helpline number 9664567890 has been
set up in the Bandra-Khar-Santacruz region where people can call up between 11 am to 6 pm for
fogging in their localities.
Though the BMC does provide this service periodically, the regular fogging service provided
has proved to be a major relief for people living in areas plagued by mosquitoes.
“ The principle of true art is not to portray, but to evoke. ”
ART AND SOCIAL AWARENESS COME TOGETHER
AT RANGOLI COMPETITION
With a view to promote harmony and unity
in the community, a rangoli competition is
organised every year at various areas in the
Bandra-Khar-Santacruz ares around Diwali.
The rangoli competition seeks to target
youngsters in the area so that their talent
can be identified and appreciated, and after
the competition, deserving candidates are
presented with awards.
This competition is unique in the sense
that it not only encourages the participants to
showcase their talent, but also motivates them
to come out with a social message with their
art. The prizes are awarded on the basis of
talent as well as the social message that the
participant sends across.
The rangoli competition is one of the
most anticipated events in the Bandra-KharSantacruz region.
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