City duo undertake community greening task- a weekend feature

At a time when the threat of global warming looms heavily over the city, there are a few residents who have done their bit to conserve nature and maintain the green zone in the city. Meet Maruti Nana Kadam and Sripad Ganpatrao Patki, two residents of Sanpada who have with their will and determination made their vicinity a clean and green zone.

Four years ago when Maruti Naya Kadam planted a few saplings outside his home in Sanpada, his neighbours were skeptical about his intention. Water was in short supply during those days and he used to fill bottles of water to ensure that the plants were well fed. Now, four years later Kadam and the organisation he founded Hariyali Lok Kalyan Seva Samiti have transformed the 50 ft wide and one-and-a-half kilometer long stretch of barren land outside their housing society into the greenest patch not just in Sanpada but in Navi Mumbai with over 6,000 trees. While the tall trees give the area a nice green cover, below their cool shade, you would find patches of medicinal plants. To the visitor, they look like any other foliage, but Kadam will tell you the numerous benefits they have and how people have battled ailments using the right plant. These plants are given free of charge to patients provided the cause is genuine and they know how to use it. And yes, if you want a sapling for your home, Kadam will only be too happy to provide you with one.

Kadam along with his friends stated that everyone should make their surroundings clean and green. Shripad Ganpatrao Patki, an ardent nature lover is not only inspiration for people of his age, but also for youths. The retired assistant general manager from BSNL spends three to fours hours daily watering and nurturing the trees, which he planted in the past five years near his residence after he shifted to Sanpada from Santacruz. The resident of Bhumiraj Abode has developed green belt adjacent to his building by planting as many as 250 trees. Even during summer, Patki ensured that his plants did not dry and die. Patki uses the storm water from nearby drainage to water the trees and uses vermiculture as fertiliser. Patki says he wants to grow as many trees as possible to give it as a gift to the next generation. Today, both the stretch are a fine example of how something barren and bare can be turned into something healthy.

MLA Ganesh Naik announced , “Practice examination for Marathi medium SSC students”

With an objective to eliminate the examination fear among students appearing for the forthcoming SSC board examination and to develop confidence within them, Navi Mumbai Shikshan Sankul, in coordination with the NCP, conducted a practice examination in the month of December, especially for the Marathi medium schools.
The innovative practice examination concept of NCP corporator Anant Sutar received an overwhelming response from 48 schools and more than 8,000 students had appeared for the exam, which were conducted at 10 centres across the city.
The results were declared on January 30, and meritorious students from each of the 10 centres were felicitated by the hands of MP and Rajya Sabha member Supriya Sule at a grand function held at Vishnudas Bhave auditorium in Vashi.
The top three students in the city were Nilima Khaire of Vivekanand High School, Sanpada, who topped the merit list by scoring 92.30 percent, Harshal Ahire of MGM High School, Nerul, stood second with 91.53 percent and Reshma Hussain Shaikh made it to the third position by securing 91.15 percent.
The other students were bestowed with a trophy and an appreciation certificate. The other first rankers were Akhil Bhavaskar and Shweta Dabetwar, both from Radhikabai Meghe Vidyalay, Airoli, Anamika Bhalerao of Ghansoli High School, Rahul Sawant of R F Naik Vidyalay, Bonkode, Shweta Bargode of Dnyan Vikas Vidyalay, Kopar Khairane, Maynak Mhatre of Navi Mumbai High School, Vashi, Prajakta Gunjal of Vidyabhavan, Nerul, and Avinash Bivalkar of Peoples Education Society, CBD.
The dignitaries present at the felicitation function were Thane Guardian Minister and MLA Ganesh Naik, Mayor Anjani Bhoir, Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Board, Mumbai Division chairperson Gurunath Kanthe, former Mayor Sanjeev Naik, NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik, Education Committee chairman Ravindra Ithape and other NCP corporators.
Speaking on the occasion, MP Supriya Sule said, “SSC board examination is the base of every student’s career. To make the most of the opportunity, it is important to take useful tips from experts. A teacher’s utmost dedication and selfless efforts in imparting quality education can mould the future of a student and guide them in the direction of prosperity.”
Addressing the gathering, MLA Ganesh Naik announced, “The practice examination was conducted for the first time in the city and it has received a tremendous response. The students have benefited a lot. This year, the practice exam was conducted for Marathi medium students. Next year onwards, the practice exam will be conducted for SSC as well as HSC students, belonging to both, Marathi and English mediums.”
The president of Navi Mumbai Shikshan Sankul and the Standing Committee chairman Sandeep Naik said, “This year’s SSC board examination is based on a new syllabus. Hence, it was necessary to conduct such practice examinations.”

Career guidance program held at VBA

The felicitation ceremony of the Navi Mumbai Shikshan Sankul was clubbed with a career guidance workshop by eminent expert Vinayak Manjarekar.
The topic of the workshop taken by eminent expert Vinayak Manjarekar was “Welcome to Engineering”. In his simple style and easy-to-comprehend-for-parents-and-students language, Vinayak Manjarekar delivered a very informative speech on the options that students have post secondary and higher secondary schools. His lecture had students and parents glued to their seats. Some of the significant insights that he gave to the audience included how to select courses to be pursued, the option of doing a diploma and then vocational course against doing a degree course, the reasons for confusion before selecting a course, the way to decide on what a student should pursue and the role of parents in guiding students.

Navi Mumbai fast becoming the garden city

Parks are required for public to relax and spend useful time relaxing there. By walking in open gardens, we get fresh air and those suffering from breathing problems get a breather, quite literally.
As a resident of Sector 17 Vashi for over a decade, I enjoyed the facilities available at the nearby park every morning.
After shifting to Millennium Towers, Sanpada I am really fortunate to have a park come ground in Sector 9, which is indeed a blessing in disguise for inmates of Millennium Towers.
Sportsmen can play football in the floodlights provided in the Sanpada Park. Adjacent to the Big Park there is one another park facing Sector 8 with walking tracks for early morning walkers.
Navi Mumbai has several parks. Kharghar is more fortunate to have the Hydel Park being constructed in a record time. With a golf course by the side of the park, residents of sector 35 are fortunate to get fresh air all the time. So, Navi Mumbai can really be called the Garden City.
With so much space at the disposal of NMMC, more and more parks should come up to cater to the needs of residents of Navi Mumbai.
Cidco should be complimented for making the satellite city a place worth living. However, it is upto NMMC to maintain these parks well to give best ambience all the time in the year. Generally, these parks are neglected during monsoons. Public parks are definitely a boon for the people of Navi Mumbai.

Third bridge hits eco hurdle

new connection across thane creek yet to get environment ministry's clearanceThe proposed third bridge across the Thane creek seems to be yet another casualty of environmental norms. Residents of Navi Mumbai who were elated to learn about the plans will now have to wait longer as Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is yet to get environmental clearance for the project.
Although MSRDC officials are optimistic and hope to get the project cleared, they admit that the procedure will take some time. In the meanwhile, even the companies who have shown interest in developing the project have asked for more time to study the feasibility of the project. Considering the present situation, officials doubt if the project will take off this year.
Managing Director of MSRDC Satish Gavai said, "We had floated the tender for the project but the interested companies need more time. They wish to undertake technical study of the project. The final bids are expected to be submitted by August or September."
S D Kulkarni, executive engineer said, "The papers have been sent to the environment ministry in Delhi. We are yet to get the clearance but the process is on. A number of studies and surveys need to be conducted before starting a huge project."
The six-lane bridge is expected to cost Rs 355 crore. The first four-lane bridge over the creek was built in 1972 and is now open only for light vehicles. The second six-lane bridge was built in 1992-93. Keeping the expected growth in traffic on this route in mind, the authorities have decided to build a third bridge across the creek. With the proposed international airport and many similar mega projects like the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) taking shape in Navi Mumbai, the city is bound to witness drastic development in foreseeable future. The third bridge will also help reduce travelling time for those heading to Pune and help reduce congestion on this route, said an official.