Dear Friends;
A very happy Christmas to you and family and warm wishes for a happy, peaceful and progressive new year !
I write this with a great degree of enthusiasm and positivity to share developments since my last communication to you.
We have been meeting people from all walks of life by going door to door in Colaba. The response has been great. We now realize, that every one feels more or less the same way about their locality. There is an element of apathy over the state of affairs. However, the positive side is everyone is willing to play a role in contributing to a better society. They just need a direction. People have great ideas for development of Colaba. They need some one to channelize their efforts so that the little precious time they are willing to spare does not go waste. Meetings with the members of CALM core team have been very encouraging. CALM has some very progressive ideas. Needs committed people to participate in implementation.
The beauty of the democratic set up is seen in our cooperative housing society model. The committees of the societies we met have been very forthcoming and share the same vision as us for Colaba. Everyone is willing to come and work together by pooling resources than waiting for the government machinery to solve our problems overnight.
The responses we have been receiving every time we meet people have reinforced our belief in the model of public-private partnership, where every building representative works in close coordination with elected representative (corporator) in resolution of local issues. Moreover, we are of the opinion that this model will ensure that great ideas of improvement will get channelized, discussed, deliberated and implemented on merits.
The infrastructure issues bothering Colaba continue to be the same. Insufficient water supply, bad roads, safety of senior citizens, lack of proper footpaths (which result in unintended jay walking and traffic problems), bad management of trees etc. None of these issues seem to be rocket science if we have committed people with positive mind for solution.
In our meetings, we have been stressing on people to come and vote in the forthcoming BMC elections irrespective of whom they vote. We are also requesting people to evaluate the candidates in fray before they exercise their franchise. Its important that one knows for whom she is casting her vote and realizes it’s the candidate she elects who will make the difference and not the party which the candidate represents.
Lastly, our team size has been growing exponentially. Like minded people are joining the movement. We now have active volunteers in most of the buildings we have visited. We believe the only way we can become a force is by word of mouth. I request you to kindly spread the word amongst your friends and relatives to join and support this movement.
Looking forward to meeting you in the near future.
Warm regards,
Makarand Narwekar
