a woman of true mettle and resolve

August, 2014 | Vol. 5
www.babasiddique.com
“ Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. ”
A WOMAN OF TRUE METTLE AND RESOLVE
Think of development in Pali Hill and the one name that comes to mind is that of Madhu
Poplai. This dynamic woman, who is not only the secretary of the Pali Hill Residents Association
but also the secretary of the Khar-Bandra-Santacruz Foundation (KBS Foundation), has been
a resident of Bandra since the past 23 years and has always been at the forefront of any
developmental activity that has taken place in the Pali Hill area.
Says Madhu, “We had formed the Pali Hill Residents Association in 1998 to tackle issues
like cleanliness, potholes, getting rid of beggars, rag-pickers and hawkers. One of the main
issues we faced was the bad condition of roads. Around 2003, the tar roads were in pathetic
condition for nearly about 15-20 years. We finally decided to do something about it and Baba
Siddique helped us with the necessary approvals and other sanctions from the BMC. We
decided to get the roads made and hired our own engineer when the roads were being made
to ensure that the roads are made in the correct manner as per the BMC norms.”
The Pali Hill resident reveals that during the road improvement work, MLA Baba Siddique
would always be available with his support. “At times, he used to be there even at nights with
the locals to see to it that the work was happening properly, something that no other political
leader would have done! Around 2009-10, the roads were made with paver blocks and the
roads now have certainly improved the traffic situation in the locality and has made the
area a better and safer place for vehicles,” claims Madhu. She also adds that the Residents
Association coordinated with the necessary utility providers to ensure that whatever work
needed to be done was completed before the improvement of roads started.
MADHU POPLAI
Madhu adds that apart from the improvement of roads, they also took the initiative of
beautifying the areas near the roads. “We decided to install flower beds so that the hawkers
we had gotten rid of would not come back and also to specifically beautify the area. With the
help of resources from the MLA Fund, we were the pioneers in getting the flower beds made
beside the roads. These flower beds are being maintained by us and we are making sure they
are looked after,” she adds.
Madhu is also one of those, who has ensured that the Pali Hill area is under CCTV
surveillance to prevent crimes. It seems that till a few years back, the area was plagued by
car thefts and chain-snatchings and Madhu approached Baba Siddique and with his help,
managed to get 12 CCTV cameras installed across Pali Hill, which was the first locality in
Bandra to be equipped with CCTV cameras. These cameras have helped the police solve
chain-snatching cases worth Rs. 44 lakhs!
One of the driving forces behind the beautification of the Carter Road Extension promenade.
Madhu and her KBS Foundation members got together to see to it that the promenade became
a beautiful place to spend a few blissful moments. “We also are the first to have solar panels
installed for electricity. All this was possible due to the help provided by Baba Siddique,
who assisted us in our efforts to get the promenade extended to Danda. We have to thank
Baba for having pushed us, encouraged us and helped us with all the formalities that the
government requires regarding our development plans. This serves as a classic example of
how effective work can be done to achieve better results when resident associations and
elected representatives work together to achieve their common goals,” concludes Madhu.
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6 WAYS TO
HAVE AN
ECO-FRIENDLY
GANPATI
Opt for Ganpati idols made of
natural bio-degradable materials
like clay and papier mache instead
of plaster of paris or plastic, as
biodegradable materials do not
pollute the water or the surroundings
after immersion.
Big idols occupy a lot of space
and take a lot of time to dissolve in
water. So don’t keep an idol more than
5 feet tall in your society.
INAUGURATION OF
MOUNT CARMEL CHOWK
Mount Carmel Church is located on the junction of Veronica
Road, Chapel Road Extension and Mount Carmel Road since
more than 110 years.
As the church has been rendering valuable service to the
citizens of BandraKruz including running a night school for
the needy and imparting education to thousands of residents,
it was proposed that the junction of Veronica Road, Mount
Carmel Road and Chapel Road Extension be renamed as ‘Mount
Carmel Chowk’.
After proposing the same and getting the necessary
sanctions, Mount Carmel Chowk was inaugurated in March this
year in the presence of Most Reverend Bishop John Rodrigues,
Reverend Father William Athaide and Former MP Priya Dutt,
along with local residents.
Replace fairy lights and bright
incandescent bulbs with compact
fluorescent lights (CFL) as they save
electricity and money.
Skip plastic plates and serve
food in natural plates such as banana
leaves instead. You can also use
cloth bags to carry ‘prasad’ and other
offerings as they can be reused later.
Instead of celebrating Ganesh
Chaturthi separately at different
pandals, make one big pandal in your
area for the entire neighbourhood as
it curbs wastage of electricity and
other resources.
Using rivers, ponds, lakes or seas
to immerse Ganesha idols can cause
health hazards and is bad for the
environment. Instead, use an artificial
immersion tank to immerse the idol.
FREE BUS SERVICE TO KONKAN VILLAGES
DURING GANESH CHATURTHI
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the biggest festivals for
Mumbaikars and every year, hundreds of devotees travel to
their native places in rural Maharashtra and the Konkan region
to celebrate the festival.
With a view to provide a special complimentary service to
such devotees in the BandraKruz region, a free bus service is
organized every year to around 16 villages in rural Maharashtra.
A total of 40 buses have been allotted for this free service,
which is being provided since many years.
Around 2500 residents of the area, who visit their native
places for Ganesh Chaturthi, are benefitted by this service
every year.
“ The more we share, the more we have. ”
ENHANCEMENT OF FACILITIES
AT BHABHA HOSPITAL
Established by the Municipal Corporation of Greater
Mumbai, Bhabha Hospital, which is located in Bandra West,
has been serving the public of BandraKruz since many decades.
CCTV LINK UP
AND HANDOVER
UPDATE
Recently, in an effort to enhance the medical facilities at
the hospital, which in turn would ensure quality medical care to
patients, around 3 Neo-Natal ventilators, 6 Photo-Therapy units,
6 Baby-Warmers and 10 Syringe-Pumps were made available to
the Bhabha hospital. This initiative and effort was taken by Baba
Siddique and the same was donated by actress Katrina Kaif.
The units have proved to be a shot in the arm for the Bhabha
hospital management, who were quite grateful of the gesture.
Health is wealth as they say and all efforts are taken to
ensure that future citizens of BandraKruz get the best medical
attention that they can get through such initiatives.
Installation of CCTV cameras
throughout the BandraKruz area is
an ongoing process to provide an
environment of safety and security to
the local residents.
On 23rd August, CCTV camera
link-ups of the following areas were
inaugurated in the presence of local
residents of the BandraKruz area 14th Road, 15th Road, 16th Road, (Roads
between 30th Road and 33rd Road), 24th
Road, 26th Road, Pali Village and Dr.
Ambedkar Road (part).
CELEBRITY CRICKET MATCH FOR
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
A host of popular celebrities came together to play a match in support of the BETI initiative. The foundation’s
main responsibility and aim is to create awareness and campaign about issues like female foeticide, acid
attacks and enable women empowerment. This project is the brainchild of Anu Ranjan, who is the editor of GR8!
magazine. There have been various tie-ups in the past with fashion shows and corporates to raise awareness.
This time, TV actors came together for the honourable cause. Baba Siddique was present at the match which
was held at Khar Gymkhana as this initiative remains very close to his heart.
Anu and Shashi Ranjan, Yogesh Lakhani, Rohit Roy, Varun Badola, Bhojpuri Superstar Manoj Tiwari and
Dinesh Neruva were present at the event; Aamir Ali, Vikrant Massey, Manav Gohil, Aditya Redij and Sameer
Kochhar represented the television fraternity with their presence. The event was organised by Mandeep Dialani,
Kashish Malkani, Amrita Valecha, Ajaaz Ali and supported by Baba Siddique.
It is heartening to see these actors take time out from their busy schedules to raise awareness for this
project. Due to the strong belief in the BETI initiative, our support remains unwavering for this noble cause.
On 24th August, an event was held
at Mangal Mahesh Co-Op. Housing
Society for the inauguration of CCTV
link-up of all roads between 33rd Road
and CD Marg namely-13th Road, 14th
Road, 15th Road, 16th Road, 17th Road
(Part), 21st Road and Dr. Ambedkar
Road (part).
On August 10, the CCTV camera
link ups of Bazaar Road, St. Peter’s
Road, Chapel Road, Waroda Road and
Veronica Road were handed over at
the Chapel Road police chowky in the
presence of the local residents, who
had turned up in big numbers for the
event.
We strongly believe in using
modern technology to make the locality
safer and this contributes to our vision
of bringing the entire BandraKruz area
under CCTV surveillance.
“ Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness. ”
ARE YOU A BANDRA KRUZ HERO?
Superheroes don’t necessarily wear capes and masks.
It is said that heroes are ordinary people, who rise to the occasion and do extraordinary acts for the
society and mankind.
If you have done something extraordinary for your BandraKruz area, log on to
babasiddique
facebook.com/
and mention the details of your extraordinary actions with pictures and win free
BandraKruz merchandise.
Your acts of heroism may earn you the thanks of many and some free BandraKruz merchandise.
“ Only a life lived in service to others is worth living. ”
INAUGURATIONS OF IMPROVEMENT AND
BEAUTIFICATION OF AREAS AND ROADS
1)
2)
3)
4)
Inauguration of Community Shed at Pali Pathar, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Khar West.
Inauguration of Improvement & Beautification work at BMC Colony, Khar West.
Inauguration of Improvement Work at Amtoobai Colony at National Library Road, Bandra West.
Inauguration of Beautification Work of Fixing Paver Blocks at John Paul Building, Kadeshwari Road,
Bandra West.
5) Inauguration of Aaminabai Chawl Mandir, Koliwada, Santacruz West.
6) Inauguration of Beautification Work of Fixing Paver Blocks at Lily Building, St. John Baptist Road,
Bandra West.
7) Inauguration of Beautification Work of Fixing Paver Blocks at Gul Building, St. Andrews Road,
Bandra West.
8) Inauguration of Beautification Work of Fixing Paver Blocks at Carmel Society, St. John baptist Road,
Bandra West.
9) Inauguration of Beautification Work of Fixing Paver Blocks at Rose Niketan Building, St. John
Baptist Road, Bandra West.
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