A 60-year-old business man who was allegedly inserting a candle inside a 25 year old woman’s private part was arrested recently. As per the Bandra police, the accused was identified as Salim Qureshi, a resident of Bandra area.
Police said that the victim who hails from Uttar Pradesh had come to Mumbai after she had an argument with his husband. Meanwhile she met the accused in Mumbai who offered her a job as a housemaid. Prima facie of the case says that the accused raped the woman repeatedly at his flat in Bandra over a period of the last 15 days. On December 28, when the woman was sleeping in the hall after finishing her chores, Qureshi took a candle and forcibly inserted the same in her private part. This caused bleeding.
After that, he took the victim to Bhabha hospital in Bandra. During the check upon Monday, the victim told the doctor about the incident following which an FIR was lodged against the accused. Police said Qureshi was produced before a Court on Tuesday.
New Year to me is a time for new beginnings. It means fresh starts, the beginning of something new and being able to change something with yourself. This New Year, I would like to spend more time with my family and devote more time in prayer. I would also like to glorify my God much more than the previous years and give more tithes to the Church. I would also like to help the poor and the needy just like Mother Teresa when she was living on this earth.
JubelD’Cruz
MVA is making its presence felt
The long-pending expansion of MVA government took place with the surprise inclusion of Aaditya Thackeray, grandson of Balasaheb Thackeray. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar was sworn in for a record fourth time as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in the assembly. The long cherished ambition of Aaditya and Ajit Pawar are fullfilled in the ministry expansion. After considerable delay to make all adjustments now a settlement has been reached among the coalition partners. It is more or less fulfilling personal ambitions rather than working for the welfare of the people. At last, MVA is making its presence felt not for the good work but for picking up plum posts and thus revealing their personal interest and revealing vendetta politics on BJP.
Nickhil Mani
Standardize consumables in car-industry
Too many variants of any car-model confuse customers. There may be just two variants apart from the third with automatic gears, one basic Lx for economy customers and the other Vx with all company-fitted extra accessories and luxuries for affording customers. There is no sense in having too many confusing variants like Lx, Lxi, Vx, Vxi for same model. India being biggest consumer-market amongst nations with free economy, it has certainly power to dictate its consumer-friendly terms for global market-leaders collaborating car-manufacture in India.
Union government should induce standardization of common accessories like tyres and batteries so that same parts may be used in different models of cars produced by various car-manufacturers. It will heavily bring down cost of consumables through their bumper production in extra large numbers in some limited sizes and specifications. It can be achieved by merging some nearing sizes and specifications. Such guidelines though also mentioned in auto-policy of Union government, are never followed in actual practice.
Madhu Agrawal
Tinkering with GST rates is poor governance
GST revamp committee has come up with a two-tier GST scheme that would raise rates from 5% to 10 % and 18% to 20% which clearly indicates that the GST estimated targets are not being achieved by the govt. Top economists of the country too have voiced their concern and raising rates doesn’t necessarily mean rise in revenue. The tribe of tax evaders would only rise if rates are increased and government needs to think on practical terms for a permanent solution to raise revenues.
Loopholes in the system needs to be plugged so that evading taxes becomes impossible. Keep rates reasonable and business friendly so that nobody wants to evade taxes. Business opportunities should be improved so that increase in turnover means establishments can survive on lower margins as well. A tax structure needs to be simple, reasonable and stable for longevity as demands for tax cuts rise when government is willing to oblige!
S.N. Kabra
Nothing political in Army Chief’s statement
It refers to unnecessary criticism by opposition parties of statement of Army Chief General Bipin Rawat wherein he has questioned, and rightly so, on usual violence in University-campuses to protest on various issues more recently on Citizenship (Amendment) Act. There is no politics in the statement. Opposition is crying foul only because opposition parties are supporting students (may be provoking also) on the issue.
Statement of Army Chief is also based on practical aspects where at times army has to be called to control situation when it becomes alarming and beyond control of police. Otherwise also Army Chief like all other right-thinking citizens is pained on large scale damage to public property and resources in violent incidents including in university-campuses.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
FDI of upto 100% in Indian Aviation is a welcome step
The recent announcement to allow FDI off upto 100% in Indian Aviation is welcome. The move comes at a time when two popular airlines Jet Airways and Air India are struggling to get out of its noose of debt owing to lack of interest from potential bidders and tougher regulatory framework otherwise hampering sale process. The FDI move will evince more interest from potential foreign players to invest heavily in aviation infrastructure.
The FDI move also comes at a time when the Aviation industry in India is witnessing challenges amidst competition between Low Cost Carriers and Full Service Carriers. While FDI in Aviation will otherwise throw open door to many players keen to operate in a robust manner in the Indian aviation market. It needs to be seen as to how well and quickly will the Government roll the red carpet to foreign investors to enable them to fly in the Indian skies.
Varun Dambal
Anger management in schools
The CBSE’s initiative asking all its affiliated schools to make schools ‘anger free zones and requesting all the stakeholders of these institutions to be part of this novel campaign is truly wonderful and will be beneficial in many ways. The CBSE has asked teachers, parents and administration staff to manage their anger and thereby set an example for children and teach them the value of “freedom from anger”. As the board says this would undoubtedly help students become mentally active and emotionally healthy.
The initiative is part of the board’s thrust on “joyful education and holistic fitness”. The board has put forward a list of positive activities to follow to keep anger away. Some of these being breathing exercises, yoga, adhering to good hobbies, habits and other joyful physical exercises. The board has advised the children not to be full time addicts to cell phones. It has also asked its schools to record their experience and announce on social media their endeavour to become an anger-free zone, using the hashtag “#cbsenoanger”.
According to the board’s secretary in the anger-free zone everyone will try to manage his or her anger, whether it is the school educators, parents, school personnel or other stakeholders and the best way to teach children the value of ‘freedom from anger’ is by the adults setting themselves as examples. Emotions like fear, disrespect, humiliation, negative thoughts, tension, frustration are all the by-products of anger. An anger free society will have an air of happiness and joyfulness lingering in the environment we live in.
Overcoming anger helps to build good relationship and thereby results in a society sans unwanted clashes, conflicts and violence. Children being taught to manage anger can help make them grow as responsible and compassionate adults. This good initiative must be emulated by other educational boards.
M Pradyu
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Mumbaikars are enthusiastically planning celebrations to ring in the new year on 31st December. Along with, the city’s infrastructure too is gearing up to ensure that the festivities are not marred by any untoward incidents. With the public sentiment still strong against the CAA and the NRC, the Mumbai Police will keep a close watch on the cyberspace for any indications of an impromptu protest. Senior police officers have informed that no permissions have been granted for any protests on Tuesday and action will be taken against attempts of unauthorised protests. The city as well as the Traffic police will also be out in full force to prevent incidents of eve teasing, theft, robbery, drug consumption and drunk driving.
As many as 20 extra buses were pressed into service for the revelers at popular spots like Colaba, Marine Drive and Juhu Beach. However, those planning to fly out for their year-end break may have to brace for delays in view of heavy fog in Delhi playing havoc with the flight schedules. If we look at the overall picture of the city, there is celebration, fun, security controls and foreign drug peddlers and parties that keep Mumbai police on their toes. Because we mumbaikars people are very tolerant to migrants; let it be Bangladeshis or Africans. From fraud mail, fishing, drugs, flesh trading and terror which is the hub right next door of Mumbai residents. They have localities and huge places allotted in their name. They have restaurants and trades in Mumbai. They are the representatives of fortune in faraway lands but the fount of those beckoning fraud emails that promise a lottery win in, all these scammers live in Mumbai’s very own backyard like Mira Road, Pila house, Nagpada and Byculla.
‘Nigerianwadi’ at a 20-minute walk from the Mira Road railway station is evidence they say, the IP addresses of almost all the computers from where these fraud emails originate are traced to Mira Road. Mira Road provides the fraudsters a perfect camouflage. A fast-growing suburb, Mira Road affords them the anonymity they desperately need and the inexpensive one-room rented flats that go for as little as Rs 3,000 a month. The word Nigerianwadi was coined by policemen who on several occasions were roughed up while trying to pick up a suspect in a scam or a drug case. Many of these Nigerians migrated to other areas including Nalasopara. But some of them stayed back. The two internet parlours near Nigerianwadi, as a result, are still doing reasonable business. Because the owners get atleast Rs 100 from each of these guys compared to the paltry Rs 10 the others pay. They sit here from morning to night. These Nigerians are not only drug addicts but violent much of the time. That is the reason why some policemen openly admit that they are scared to detain Nigerian suspects from the locality. There were times when we lured them as recipients of Nigerian scam mails and arrested them when they came out of the area. They are physically strong and go to any length to resist the cops.
Last year, forty policemen in three teams formed by the anti-narcotics cell hunted down drug peddlers. They took the help of local cabbies to catch nine Nigerian drug peddlers in Byculla and other areas. This is the first time the police have nabbed so many Nigerian drug peddlers at one go. Cocaine worth Rs 5 lakh and MD worth Rs 18,000 was recovered from them. After three years of chasing African drug peddlers, it was supposed to be a great victory for the police when they arrested nine of them this year, a few months ago. But now, it looks like the criminals may be the real winners after all. The Africans have either destroyed or hidden their passports and refuse to disclose their country of origin leaving the cops no way to know where to deport them. The African drug network has been notoriously difficult to tackle and more often than not, the dealers manage to give cops the slip. But running away from the police is not the only way the criminals have managed to hold on to the drug trade in Mumbai for so long. Following the example of illegal immigrants across the world, the African drug pushers tear up their passport as soon as they arrive in India to avoid deportation. The interrogation of the recently arrested nine dealers indicates that they too might have done something similar. The peddlers at a time refuse to disclose their nationality and despite searching their homes, mobile phones and other belongings, the cops hardly find any clues. The peddlers have even figured out that getting arrested can help them stay on longer in the country. Many of them try to get arrested on purpose since they cannot be deported until the investigation and the Court case ends. This could take several months or even years.
Most of the Nigerians even prefer to stay in a brothel, the sex workers find it safe keeping them around as they are physically strong and can protect these women against any nonsense. Loosing at these men and their violent approach the customers try to be grounded. The cost of keeping them is just a space in the corner and two time meals. These Nigerians pay a better amount than the local customers, the sex workers in Mumbai play crucial role in sheltering these drug peddlers.
Nigerians in India form one of the largest African communities in the country. As of now, there are about 70,000 Nigerians living and working in India. These Nigerians have a negative public image in Indian society as some of them are involved in illegal activities in India such as drug trafficking, drug abuse, prostitution trafficking, fraud and forgery of travel documents such as passports and visas, trafficking in stolen documents. There are also more than 500 known Nigerians in various jails across India. Nigeria itself treats its own people very poorly. They do not care for their people; why should other people care for them?
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
Mumbai is all prepared to celebrate the New Year with parties, drudges, dopes and babes. Party organisers, peddlers and call girls are all prepared to rock the event while the police is all prepared to hunt down such celebrations.
Shano (name changed) travelling from Mumbai to Bahrain with other girls told Afternoon Voice, as dance bars are partially shut, so many in the profession are heading to Dubai and other middle east countries whereas many girls from Bangladesh and Kazakhstan are coming to India as Indian men have a craze for white skin. Through social media and mobile, these bookings are done as agents are hyperactive in supply and demand.
In 2019 police raided many suspected drug peddlers who were caught with high quality Cocaine. The Investigation is still on and this being a sensitive matter, no other details can be revealed at this stage.
Though the police have strengthened their vigilance on social networking sites to crack down on the consumption and sale of drugs at New Year parties, Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) officials have informed that they are keeping a close watch on online websites especially on Facebook events’ pages, Twitter, WhatsApp groups and event sites. The police said organisers create a private event page on such sites where a select group of people are invited. They use code words and even spread misleading information such as ‘celebrities’ attending the event. An organiser of Rave party told AV that they have a huge data of earlier party attenders and they reach to their party birds through private sms services, spread word among groups to avoid police interference. Organisers don’t announce that a rave party is being held or drugs are up for sale. They use different terms which are known to group members. Some event pages ask invited guests to pay before the party or register via e-mail after which they will receive a code number that they have to display at the party to avail of services. Also, peddlers having a closed network do not widen it easily by involving unknown people.
Senior PI of Narcotics cell told AV that most of the time, Mumbai police is busy on patrolling, many are busy at high profile parties and events. Actually reaching to such events is not possible for the police unless until there is a tip. In some cases, police are aware but they don’t take action and you should know why. These days pubs and open spaces are never hotspots for such activities. They happen at private parties in hotels, rented bungalows by the beach or in apartments in the suburbs.
Apart from drugs and girls, the Mumbai police say that their main focus is on anti-terror operations. The Mumbai police aver that they have devised three-pronged strategy to avoid any untoward incident during the upcoming New Year celebrations.
DCP (Detection), Dhananjay Kulkarni said, “To loop in the new year, a large number of Mumbaikars gather at public places like the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Chowpatty among others. We have deployed police at these places.” He said that the focus would be on women’s security, drunken driving and terrorist activities.”
“Many misfortunes occur in the city during the night of December 31. To curb such incidents, we would barricade various places. Drivers would be checked with the help of breath analysers and action would be taken against the offenders,” the DCP said. “Our focus is on anti-terror operations. Mumbai is always a target of terrorists. Keeping this in mind, we have not given permission for boat parties in the sea this year,” he added.
They are also giving priority to women’s security and have formed anti-eve teasing squad at every police station. They would be in civil dress and would patrol public places regularly to keep a tab on trouble mongers. Mumbaikars would be under CCTV surveillance during the New Year celebration. The CCTV project in South Mumbai is underway and the command center is in the control room of police headquarters. With its help, the police would keep an eye on anti-social elements and take action against the culprits.
Yet another year is coming to an end. In many places around the world, New Year’s celebrations begin on December 31 and continue into the early hours of January 1. Before we ring in 2020, let’s get some facts about New Year’s Day.
New Year wasn’t always celebrated on January 1. The earliest New Year festivities date back about 4,000 years ago. At that time, the people of ancient Babylon began their New Year in March. They would have an 11-day festival to celebrate the beginning of spring and the fact that crops were being planted for the coming year.
The calendar that we use today, which is known as the Gregorian calendar, was introduced 437 years ago by Pope Gregory XIII in the year, 1582. He declared once and for all that January 1 should be New Year’s Day. And since that time, people have been celebrating New Year’s Day on January 1.
Many of us make resolutions for the coming year. We promise ourselves that we’ll do something differently or better after January 1, whether it is quitting a bad habit or getting better grades in school. But where did we get this idea of making resolutions for the New Year? It is believed that the ancient Babylonians were the first ones to make New Year’s resolutions. They made promises to begin the year off right and to earn the approval of their gods.
On New Year’s Eve, in some places, a figure resembling an old man is made. The figure signifies all that should be dispensed with, such as evil thoughts, bad behaviour, and so on. The figure stands on a road or in lanes and passersby often drop money into the box that is kept beside it. The effigy is set on fire at the stroke of midnight. The burning of the effigy signifies the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one. The money collected is used for partying by the people who have made the effigy. Most of us have forgotten that the New Year is not only a time for revelry but also for reflection.
Everybody looks forward to begin a new year with great fun and enjoyment and wish that the year ahead brings them in, all goods. I too celebrate this great day with all the blast that I can.
Two days before the New Year could begin, we start our preparations. We clean our house, get things in order and buy crackers to burst them at midnight.
On New Year’s Eve, we enjoy ourselves to the maximum by playing practical jokes on others. So much of fun is involved that we totally forget the passing time. New Year is a time when many people around the world make promises; however, many of the promises made by people are rarely completed.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Happy New Year, Afternoon Voice. It’s my immense pleasure, indeed, to greet and complement all the readers, contributors and the entire editorial team. While I abundantly enjoyed the last 12 months in my reading and writing interactive experience with your informed publication, I fondly look forward to the next 12.
Though I have not made any resolutions to “write”, the habit has been embedded in to me, thanks to the support and encouragement given by publications like Afternoon Voice. This is a clear, win-win-win situation. Yes, the reader, the writer and the publication! Remember, in the process, such publications have also copiously upheld the freedom of speech and expression.
Civilisations around the world have been celebrating the start of each year for at least four millennia. Common traditions include attending parties, eating special New Year’s foods, making resolutions for the New Year and watching firework displays.
At the strike of the midnight, a big thunderous cheer goes up, bottles are uncorked and the wine gushes out and some people drink like crabs, only to return home in a drowsy state. Next morning, instead of starting the first day of the New Year happily and with bubbling enthusiasm, one gets up with hangover only to find that nothing changed outside except his/her physical and mental state due to overindulging in stupid revelry.
Will 2020 be different from 2019? A section of the humanity believes that frenzied celebrations would not suffice. The lives of people do not change with the New Year dawn which already dawned and faded 2019 times. The truth of the matter: Be the change you wish to see.
Why big resolutions? Why not resolve to be kind with everyone? Charity begins at home, let the first beneficiary of your resolve be your family members, wife, children… Begin exercise, practice meditation or encourage greenery. These acts look small, but they have lasting impact and liven up people around you.
Keep the smile, leave the tear, Happy New year.
C.S. Krishnamurthy
Looking forward to New Year with lot of hope and promise
The year was eventful in more sense than one. Our cricket Team not winning the ODI world cup in England was the biggest disappointment of the year as we were favourites to win the tournament. Hitting Pakistan where it hurts was the biggest victory for our nation and lethal strikes by entering their territory did silence our hostile neighbours which today has been destroyed both economically, financially and on every parameter as they beg for survival. Abolishing Triple Talaq and removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir was victory of humanity as all citizens of the country now enjoy equal rights which is noteworthy.
There were minor setbacks as violence was witnessed on CAA, NRC as well as NPR but I am sure the fire will die down in 2020 as people understand their importance. Economy has slowed down, inflation is on the rise and so is unemployment but the New Year 2020 brings in hope and here is wishing all esteemed readers of your publication a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!
S.N.Kabra
Celebrate Children’s Day on December 26
It refers to logical idea given to Prime Minister by Parliamentarian Manoj Tiwari to celebrate 26th December rather than 14th November as Children Day in memory of minor sons Fathe singh and Jorawar Singh of tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh ji. These two brave boys were martyred on 26th December in Sirhind (Punjab) while defending the religion.
Remembering sacrifices of these brave children by observing Bal Diwas on the day of their martyrdom will be a source of inspiration for children across the country. Already there is a flood of institutions, events and awards named after Nehru-Gandhi family. It is for Congress to come forward to favour the idea in interest of children of country so that they may also be motivated by great sacrifice done by two minors Fateh Singh and Jorawar Singh.
Madhu Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
After more than a month of forming the alliance government of the Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress namely ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ government, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray finally expanded his Cabinet on monday. The cabinet expansion that took place at the Vidhan Bhavan(state legislature complex) saw as many as 36 cabinet members(nine from Shiv Sena, fourteen from NCP, ten from Congress and three from an Independent party) taking oath. The oath was administered by the State Governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
Shiv Sena cabinet ministers took oath
Shiv Sena members who took the oath were Aaditya Thackeray, Anil Parab, Uday Samant, Sanjay Rathod, Gulabrao Patil, Dada Bhuse and Sandipan Bhumre. They were all sworn in as ministers. Incidentally, it was Aaditya who became the first person from his family to taste electoral success.
NCP cabinet minister took oath
NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister. This was the second time that he took oath as the deputy Chief Minister in two months. While earlier on November 23, he was sworn in as Deputy CM with former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, however, this time he took oath as part of the coalition government. Apart from him, those who were inducted in the cabinet were Dilip Walse Patil, Dhananjay Munde, Anil Deshmukh, Hassan Mushrif, Rajendra Shingne, Nawab Malik, Rajesh Tope, Balasaheb Patil and Jitendra Awhad.
Cabinet ministers of the Congress
Those Congress men who took oath as cabinet ministers were Ashok Chavan, Vijay Wadettiwar, Varsha Gaikwad, Sunil Kedar, Amit Deshmukh, Yashomati Thakur, Aslam Shaikh and KC Padvi. Three members who were sworn in from the independent party were Bacchu Kadu, Shankarrao Gadakhand and Rajendra Yedravkar.
Here, it may be remembered that Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray had taken oath as a Chief Minister of the State on November 28 at the historic Shivaji Park in Dadar along with Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut of the Congress, Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai of the Shiv Sena and Jayant Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal of NCP.
The cabinet expansion which was likely to take place earlier this week was delayed because that entire state administration was in Nagpur for the winter session of the legislature till last week. The total strength of the ministry of the Maharashtra cabinet can be a maximum of 42 including the chief minister.
While the collation party is happy after taking oath; others are upset for some reason or the other. It has been reported that some MLAs were upset for not being invited for Maharashtra cabinet expansion function.
It is being said that Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena senior leader Sanjay Raut and his brother Sunil Raut are upset with their party and angry too for not giving Sunil Raut a cabinet berth. Both the brothers were conspicuous by their absence from the swearing in ceremony. Incidentally, Sanjay Raut had played a key role in the Sena’s government formation when he persuaded the NCP to rope in the Congress to support such a coalition.
According to sources, Sunil Raut is planning to bid the party a goodbye because of him not being inducted in the Uddhav cabinet. A few Sena MLA’s from Western Vidarbha are also upset as they were not given ministerial berths in the cabinet. All of them skipped the oath taking ceremony.
Also some supporters of Congress MLA Sangram Thopte from Bhor in Pune district staged a protest on Monday after he failed to find a berth in the newly-expanded cabinet. It is said that Thopte son of former minister Anantrao Thopte and 20 corporators of the Congress have resigned from the party in support of the former.
This kind of happenings always happens after a good thing is done. Resultantly, while some are happy that their dreams have finally come true, others are sad thinking why were they not made a part of it.
After more than a month since forming the government in Maharashtra, a total of 36 ministers were inducted in Maharashtra cabinet as part of the much-delayed expansion. While NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as deputy CM, Aaditya Thackeray became the first member of the Thackeray family to take oath as a minister in the cabinet. The Sena-NCP-Congress coalition which is termed as Maha Vikas Aghadi that came to power after weeks of negotiations between the ideologically incompatible parties, expanded their Cabinet. Aaditya Thackeray is Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s son and the first member of the Thackeray clan to have contested and entered the Assembly. Ajit Pawar is the nephew of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and had briefly broken away to join hands with the BJP to form the short-lived Devendra Fadnavis government. This Cabinet expansion comes 32 days after Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in as Chief Minister. Currently the ministry comprises of seven members besides the Chief Minister.
Earlier, when the Shiv Sena and BJP had been allies and fought the assembly elections together, Aaditya Thackeray had been projected as the Deputy Chief Minister. However, when the alliance broke and Shiv Sena tied up with the NCP and Congress to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, his father Uddhav Thackeray became the Chief Minister. Ajit Pawar, a senior leader of Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, was sworn in as Uddhav Thackeray’s deputy. Sena chief’s son Aaditya took an oath and is also a part of his cabinet. The delay in the Maharashtra government formation was due to a dispute over sharing the portfolios in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (NCP-Shiv Sena-Congress alliance). While the ministerial portfolios are yet to be announced, there is speculation that Aaditya Thackeray will be offered the environment or the education portfolio.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan is likely to get the public works department. The Maha Vikas Aghadi had framed a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and a seat-share formula in which Shiv Sena would get 15 ministers apart from the chief minister, NCP 14 and Congress 12. At present, the Maharashtra government has six MLAs-two each from Shiv Sena, National Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress. From the NCP, state unit chief Jayant Patil and senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal took the oath on November 28 in the state’s cabinet ministry. From the Congress and the Shiv Sena Balasaheb Thorat, Nitin Raut, Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai became the ministers.
The other Cabinet ministers would be Dilip Walse Patil-NCP, Dhananjay Munde-NCP, Vijay Waddettiwar- Congress, Anil Deshmukh-NCP, Hasan Mushrif- NCP, Varsha Gaikwad-Congress, Rajendra Shingane-NCP, Nawab Malik-NCP, Rajesh Tope-NCP, Sunil Kedar- Congress, Sanjay Rathod-Shiv Sena, Gulabrao Patil- Shiv Sena, Amit Deshmukh-Congress, Dada Bhuse-Shiv Sena, Jitendra Awhad- NCP, Sandippan Bhumre-Shiv Sena, Balasaheb Patil- NCP, Yashomati Thakur-Congress, Anil Parab- Shiv Sena, Uday Samant-Shiv Sena, KC Padvi-Congress, Shankar Rao Gadakh, Independent (Shiv Sena quota), Aslam Shaikh-Congress, and Ministers of State would be Abdul Sattar of Shiv Sena, Satej Patil of Congress, Shambhuraj Desai of Shiv Sena, Bacchu Kadu, Independent (Shiv Sena quota), Vishwajeet Kadam of Congress, Dattatray Bharne- NCP, Aditi Tatkare- NCP, Sanjay Bansode-NCP, Prajakt Tanpure-NCP, Rajendra Patil Yedravkar-Independent (Shiv Sena quota).
Uddhav Thackeray who never contested in any of the elections and doesn’t have any administrative experience is trying his level best to control the government fully by taking important decisions independently in the capacity of a CM. The Head for this Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance is Sharad Pawar, sharp/experienced politician but he has given free hand and very calculatedly given the decision making independence to Uddhav Thackeray. NCP/Congress are having different plans/demands with the government though Maha Vikas Aghadi framed a common minimum programme in general it is inevitable to avoid difference of opinion among the three parties in sharing the powers while allotting ministerial portfolios. Since no Minister has been allotted portfolios, the decision if any, taken by the alliance head for the implementation, the ultimate responsibility will be with the CM who will be the answerable person; it won’t affect Sharad Pawar and his image. It is obvious, all the three parties joined together even despite having different principles/ideologies and have formed this coalition government only because they want to be in power and keep BJP out in power games. NCP doesn’t care about any agenda or ideology.
Sharad Pawar is a seasoned veteran politician with a huge fan base in the State (four time chief minister) and now he is the head for Maha Vikas Aghadi too. Congress has maintained its agenda and ideology as the 4th largest party. People thought it will be very difficult for this coalition government to lead Maharashtra to a better position because of several reasons but so far they seem to have proved everyone wrong at this point of time. It is quite clear that the role of Sharad Pawar is leading and impressive to manage CM post for Uddhav Thackeray. It is also proved, regarding the distribution of portfolios, speaker, common minimum programme or whatever needed in giving the shape of government, Sharad Pawar has played a powerful stroke. So, I think, Uddhav Thackeray is more obliged towards NCP or Sharad Pawar and much more committed to give his best as first time chief minister. The most important reason why this government will be stable for five years or rather they have to be stable is to prove BJP wrong. BJP assumed that this government will collapse very soon. So, in order to prove them wrong, the ruling coalition will have to adjust with each other or at least pretend to people as everything is going well.
Already Shiv Sena’s image has been damaged due to the fight for the CM post. If the government collapses, then it will be a tough time for them. I have no hard feeling against Shiv Sena but if we see the reality then the success which they got in State elections, was due to the BJP only. So, Shiv Sena has to struggle to complete the five years without any steeplechases. This alliance needs to sustain if they want to rejuvenate their fading images and political existence. Moreover, Uddhav Thackeray has all the qualities of CM, he receives a lot of support from his coalition partners, he is treated like God by his own party leaders and he has a battalion of speakers to present their parties and leaders views across the social media. Above all, he has one Sanjay Raut inside the party to bend and mend things for him and outside the party, he has Sharad Pawar who can make it happen for him. So, without judging much, let us accept this new government and wait for changes they have promised to us.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
How India can become a developed nation in the coming years
Not sure if I can fulfill this promise but my New Year Resolution is to be off social media apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter which though entertaining are a waste of time as meaningless messages gets forwarded all the time across the country. It consumes a lot of precious time which otherwise could be utilised for productive purposes in a more meaningful manner that is beneficial both mentally, physically and financially which ultimately leads to peace and happiness.
Community events are mostly for popularity purposes and hope they are done anonymously for the welfare of the people than for propaganda. My city of Mumbai is dug up for one purpose or the other throughout the year be it for metro or other infrastructure projects and I hope there is better coordination in the coming year where agencies work in tandem to finish projects in the set timeline. The controversy on CAA, NRC, NPR has sidelined real issues facing the country like unemployment, inflation, increasing crime and one hopes better sense prevail and economic development is back on top of the agenda which would ultimately determine the prosperity of not just the citizens but the progress of our nation!
The world is going through recession as well as economic slowdown and India is no exception. Starvation deaths and crimes are on the rise and government needs to concentrate on the burning issues facing the country than diverting people’s attention by bringing controversial bills like CAA, NCR and NPR in the forefront. Wishing the readers of Afternoon Voice and the entire desk at the publication house a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
S.N. Kabra.
The New Year celebration in India
The New Year signifies that the time has arrived to bid farewell to the by-gone year and to welcome the New Year. Traditionally, the New Year was celebrated on the first of March every year. However, this day was switched to January 1st as it is considered to have more religious significance. With the growth of the western culture across the globe, New Year’s Day on January 1st in the Gregorian calendar has been one of India’s many celebrations. There are different opinions as to when New Year’s Day that falls on January 1st in the Gregorian calendar was first celebrated in India. Some say that it was observed when the British colonized India while others say that its popularity bloomed only after the 1940s.
It is important to note that different calendars are used among different groups in India so the New Year is celebrated at different times, based when it is marked in these calendars. This article is about New Year’s Day in the Gregorian calendar, which is celebrated worldwide and falls on January 1st.
People in all parts of India dress colorfully and indulge in fun filled activities such as singing, playing games, dancing, and attending parties. Night clubs, movie theatres, resorts, restaurants and amusement parks are filled with people of all ages.
People greet and wish each other Happy New Year. Exchanging messages, greeting cards and gifts are part and parcel of the New Year celebration. The media covers many New Year events which are showcased on prime channels for most of the day. People who decide to stay indoors resort to these New Year shows for entertainment and fun. The age-old tradition of planning new resolutions for the coming year is a common sight. A few of the most popular resolutions include losing weight, developing good habits, and working hard.
Larger cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai organise live concerts which are attended by Bollywood stars and other well-known personalities. Large crowds gather to attend such shows, while some individuals prefer to celebrate with their close friends and family members. The fun filled occasion is considered a great opportunity to get closer to the loved ones in your life and to revive contact with lost friends.
A part of these celebrations, events, and happiness the New Year brings a lot of responsibilities for every one as it becomes importants to recognise the special symbolism this holiday brings with it. It is a time of new beginning and fresh starts because a lot can happen in a year and between the good, the bad and the ugly, this time seem like an understatement for most.
Faheem Usmani Qasmi
NewYeargiftingtradition
The tradition of giving and receiving gifts is an integral part of every festival. And so it is with New Year’s Day. New Year’s Day is an occasion when we give gifts to our family members, friends and relatives and make their New Year begin on a sweet note.
But do you know how the tradition of gift-giving became associated with the New Year celebrations? The tradition has its roots from earlier times. Today, every country has adopted this tradition of gifting. It is believed that this tradition is the best way to heal up our sour relationships with people and develop a feeling of togetherness and love for people whom we care.
The Magi were wise men and their gifts were emblematic of tribute, worship and death — of Christ considered as king, God and the sacrificial victim. The Magi was regarded as the pioneer in gift-giving tradition following the birth of Jesus. But in Europe it is sometimes said to have been prevalent even before Jesus was born. In France, Switzerland, Russia and Greece, bartering of presents was in vogue even before Jesus’ birth. However, it can certainly be said that the tradition got a new significance and that too a religious one with the Magi who presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ Child at his stable in Bethlehem 2019 years ago.
JubelD’Cruz
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
The survival of the newspaper in Mumbai is challenged with people browsing through net to go through daily news. Slowly and steadily the number of newspaper offices shut their doors as they could not catch up with mass readership in the wake of high competition in print media. Afternoon Voice did make an impression among the news readers in the print media. The efforts taken by Editor Dr Vaidehi Taman is to be complimented for her whole hearted effort to bring out the daily issues in time. As a regular, I used to browse through the net at night and get epaper on a regular basis and get two copies of hard copies in the early morning.
From wide range of classified advertisements to detailed coverage of movie world by it is worth reading. We get the right view of the movies on release in theatres and that helps the readers to pick and choose as per their choice. Sports coverage is a treat as we sit at home and get a glimpse of the various matches played all over the world in detail and with colour pictures. Regular columns add to the repertoire of the news coverage. Apart from this Music, Dance and other cultural activities are covered with full descriptions.
The team works wonders from collecting the news and then sending it to the press late in the night. We are really proud to have such a versatile news daily to read and know the news all over the city. The accuracy with which news is reported carry more weight to the popularity in the print media. It is indeed a great combination of artists, photographers, writers, designers all work in unison to bring out the daily issue. Most newspapers are businesses, and they pay their expenses with a mixture of subscription revenue, newsstand sales, and advertising revenue. The journalism organisations that publish newspapers are themselves often metonymically called newspapers. Afternoon Voice is definitely the news maker of Mumbai and acknowledged very well by the majority of the people.
I am personally grateful to each one of you for your tremendous efforts, and I wish everyone a rewarding, joyous new year. I look forward to working with you in 2020 as well with maximum coverage for Voices column, Book Reviews, Beauty tips for Homes and tit bit news. Since New Year’s Day falls on Wednesday my greetings will still be on time. Happy New Year to the team of Afternoon Voice and happy reading for the readers.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
New Year: A time for new beginnings
Mumbai is all prepared to celebrate the New Year with parties, drudges, dopes and babes. Party organisers, peddlers and call girls are all prepared to rock the event while the police is all prepared to hunt down such celebrations.
Yet another year is coming to an end. In many places around the world, New Year’s celebrations begin on December 31 and continue into the early hours of January 1. Before we ring in 2020, let’s get some facts about New Year’s Day.
After more than a month of forming the alliance government of the Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress namely ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ government, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray finally expanded his Cabinet on monday. The cabinet expansion that took place at the Vidhan Bhavan(state legislature complex) saw as many as 36 cabinet members(nine from Shiv Sena, fourteen from NCP, ten from Congress and three from an Independent party) taking oath. The oath was administered by the State Governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
The survival of the newspaper in Mumbai is challenged with people browsing through net to go through daily news. Slowly and steadily the number of newspaper offices shut their doors as they could not catch up with mass readership in the wake of high competition in print media. Afternoon Voice did make an impression among the news readers in the print media. The efforts taken by Editor Dr Vaidehi Taman is to be complimented for her whole hearted effort to bring out the daily issues in time. As a regular, I used to browse through the net at night and get epaper on a regular basis and get two copies of hard copies in the early morning.