‘My Dream Colaba’

Is Now Possible!

Dear Neighbours,

As you know, I have been elected Corporator of Ward 227, - with the Residents’ mandate to make Colaba the first Safe, Clean, Peaceful, Pedestrian-Friendly locality in the city.

I humbly take this opportunity, to thank you for supporting this mandate, and for encouraging me in this nation-building quest.

My Team and I are grateful for the manner in which you indulged us on this campaign, - even going to the extent of serving us snacks and tea!

Most of all, we were touched by the way in which you spent PERSONAL TIME, to share our enthusiasm of transforming Colaba into the most charming and peaceful locality in the city.

THANK YOU!

I now have a lot of work ahead of me, to make the Residents’ initiative ‘My Dream Colaba’ a reality.

As I had mentioned to you during campaigning, my Team will take into account ALL suggestions from Residents, and then try to implement the most equitable and sustainable solutions.

As your Corporator, I will ensure the maximum cooperation from the BMC, and communicate BMC work in your area.

In order to make this a reality, please do make it a point to:

ü      Meet me on a regular monthly basis via your Building Society or Area Association

ü      Send me your suggestions, on HOW WE CAN BEST UTILISE THE CORPORATOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND.

Warm regards,

Makarand Narwekar

Corporator, Ward 227/ ‘A’ Ward

The time has come to stand up & be counted

Dear Friends;

As I write this post, we are just a day away from the voting day i.e. Feb 16, 2012. The State government has done its bit by declaring holiday to facilitate people vote. Its now for us to ensure that not only each one of us vote but we bring along 10 other neighbours and friends to vote. Lets get rid of the dubious distinction of being the ward with lowest voter turnout (23% in the last elections). I have made a beginning by deciding to be a part of the system to change it. I urge each one of you to make a beginning by voting and reposing faith in the democracy. Indifference is not going to be of help. Only action matters. Together we can change.

I am overwhelmed by the support I am receiving both, from the members of civilian and defense sections of the society. This time around I am assured of greater participation by the members of defense section. The political parties are a worried lot. They have taken to maligning our movement by frivolously linking me to political parties. I reiterate that I am not with any political party and neither I intend to join a political party. I am sure you agree, each one of us has a right to have his her our own identity and make his her own choices. It would not be fair to judge my intentions and that of every one who is associated with this movement by drawing inference from political affiliations of few of my family members. The negative propaganda is not going to discourage me to abandon what we have started in the right earnest. My Dream Colaba was never associated with any political parties and it will never associate itself with political parties.

Without wasting our energies on dealing with desperate acts of a political party, I would like to focus on taking up our priorities post February 16, 2012. Please write to us on your thoughts on this. Before signing off, few important details;

Your Destination for voting on February 16, 2012 for ward no. 227

For the voters living in civilian buildings
Jackson House
Recreation Hall A, B, C and D
BPT Colony (left after Sasson Dock), Colaba

For the voters living in defense buildings

St. Joseph's School
Near R.C. Church
Colaba

Voting Timings- 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Our volunteers would be happy to assist you should you need any at the polling booth.

See you at the polling booth.

Warm regards;
Makarand Narwekar

Colaba, Its now or never !

Dear Friends;

I write this to you with great deal of humility and gratitude for all the love and support that each one of you has shown during my visit to your building. It has only strengthened my resolve to participate in the democratic process to realize the dreams of thousands of people from Colaba. During this process when we visited several households in ward 227, we realized that all of us share the same feeling of resentment and betrayal for years by the political parties. We have not received anything except unfulfilled promises.

We undertook an extensive exercise to consult the citizens of the areas on the problems that they have been facing to set priorities for ourselves. The priorities for Colaba ward 227 emerging out of this consultative process are listed below;

}        Adequate Water

}        Roads

}        Effective waste management

}        Reclaim encroached public space

}        Public-Private Partnership

}        Accountability and Transparency in public expenditure in the ward

}        Parking 

}        Safety of senior citizens and vulnerable

}        Dedicated helpline

}        Effective management of stray animals

}        Periodic trimming and effective management of road side trees

}        Noise pollution reduction

Do write to us in case we have missed something. We have now embarked on the mission to find ways and means as to how we can achieve the priorities for Colaba ward 227. Will share more on this in the days to come.

We have continued our emphasis on creating awareness amongst the people for the need to participate in electoral process. We can not regress by 5 more years by not voting and thereby not choosing the most eligible candidate to represent us in BMC.

I urge each one of you to block your calendar for February 16, 2012 being the date of voting and take it upon yourself to ensure that not only you and your family votes but ensure that you motivate 10 other people to vote. This is the only we can increase the shameful voting percentage of 23% seen in 2007 elections.

Political parties will once again be at your doorsteps making the same promises they made 5 years back. I am confident that they can not fool us this time around. Now it’s for us to stand up and take the rein in our hands.

I look forward to your continued support and involvement in this movement of participative governance. The idea is to bring BMC closer to the people!

Let’s empower each one of us…

Warm regards;

Makarand Narwekar

Independent Citizens’ Candidate- Ward 227

 

My Dream Colaba Organises walkabout on Garden Road..Citizen's come down in great numbers to get their voice heard...

Dear Friends.

It gives me great pleasure to share with you that My Dream Colaba successfully facilitated one more initiative where people came down on the streets to get their voice heard.

Yesterday at Garden Road in Colaba several citizens (including senior citizens) came down to protest against many of their civic issues which have fallen on deaf ears inspite of several complaints made to the local Corporator of Ward No.225 and the BMC officials. The following problems have been plaguing Garden Road residents perennially;

1. unofficial rag storage on the footpath creating nuisance for the residents;
2. unattended motor bike, boxes and timber stored on footpath literally occupying the entire footpath and also posing security threat;
3. tree branches piled on footpath and trees not pruned potentially creating a breeding place for mosquitoes and rendering the footpaths absolutely unfit for the citizens;
4. nuisance of drug peddlers operating in this area posing great risk to the young kids of the area;
5. taxies unofficially parked in the area marked for private cars;
6. one unattended taxi which is parked for several months. 

This locality is one of the most expensive areas of Mumbai. However, the pathetic civic conditions which prevail here highlights the lax attitude of BMC. By this march we intend to attract the attention of BMC to all the above issues. An official representation is made post the march to BMC. This marks the increasing trend of society members getting down on the streets to seek attention of the local authorities.

This event was attended by several citizens of the area and organised by Ghanashyam Hegde, Atul Zaveri, Cynthia D'mello and Makarand Narwekar of My Dream Colaba. The event also received adequate media attention (http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Citizen-groups-highlight-BMC-s-inefficiency/Article1-800561.aspx) I thank each one of you who participated in this walkabout and the media.  This is the wayforward. Lets join hands to make a difference together.

Warm regards;

Makarand Narwekar  

Senior Counsel of Hon'ble Bombay High Court Mr. S.G. Aney recommends Makarand Narwekar !

Justice V.G. Palshikar (Retd) recommends Makarand Narwekar !