Quake takes a bow before Gujarati spirit Wednesday, October 17, 2001
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD/VADODARA: Bin Laden can take the back seat for a while. The dark memories of the quake can fade away. It is time for 'night strikes' of a different kind, the sound of 'dandiyas' striking and eardrum-piercing music with the power to drown the rumblings of the quake and the deafening roar of US bombers raining bombs over the Afghan skies.
The war and the quake may cast their shadow on the Navratri festivities which begin on Wednesday night, but the never-say-die spirit of Gujaratis is set to emerge triumphant. Recession is passe because 'chania-cholis' are already out of the closet, lush green lawns of clubs neatly trimmed and watered and beauty parlours brimming over with girls who want a last-minute change to the hair-colour; one which Amdavadi model Karishma.
If people in Gujarat need a mood elevator after all the depressing news about the quake and the terrorist attacks, it is finally here. Try telling Parul Patel, who is rushing to buy a backless 'choli' at Law Garden that this is not really the time to celebrate, and she shoots back, "This is the best diversion that I could have. Besides, the money that I am spending on this new dress would help the Kutchi craftsmen devastated by the quake."
Sound logic, and there are many who feel the festival's religious and cultural undertones are the best way to fight the blues away. Mona Sanghvi, who lost her parents when Mansi apartments collapsed on January 26, says, "Navratri is bound to be a healing experience, a celebration of life. I plan to go to celebrate Navratri in its chaste form with my relatives and friends. The experience, I hope, will help me and my brother come out of our grief."
According to secretary of Rajpath Club, Shyam Mehta, "There is a problem with sponsorships this year but there is also a huge demand for tickets. The gate collection will be good because people in general want to come out and enjoy."
The diamond industry may be in the dumps but Surat is also gearing up for the festivities. The main 'garba' will be organised at the indoor stadium which will, perhaps, draw the biggest crowds. Explains organiser Himanshu Bhatt, who works for the organiser 'My TV', "The entire cost of organising the show will come to Rs 1 crore for the nine evenings including the stadium rent of Rs 25 lakh. We may not make any profit, but we are doing this for the people of Surat."
In Vadodara, which takes pride in its status as the 'garba' capital of Gujarat, the air is thick with the impending festivities. Businessmen are making the most of 'garba mahotsavs' either through sponsorships or sale of Navratri-related accessories. Restaurants, too, have announced special Navratri fare. Many major 'garba' organisers reveal that participant and viewers passes have been sold out. And the rush for passes was unprecedented this year.
Amit Shah, who runs Anmol Club near Maninagar, claims he has lined up many celebrities to draw more crowds. Among those who have agreed to come are Malaika Arora, Aditi Govitrikar, Shweta Kalatra (Ghar Ghar ki Kahani) and Jaya Bhattacharya (Kyunki Saas...).
"Recession is okay but this is the best time of the year in Gujarat to showcase the culture of Gujarat , and we are also trying to give people a welcome break," he remarks.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
Quake takes a bow before Gujarati spirit Wednesday, October 17, 2001
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD/VADODARA: Bin Laden can take the back seat for a while. The dark memories of the quake can fade away. It is time for 'night strikes' of a different kind, the sound of 'dandiyas' striking and eardrum-piercing music with the power to drown the rumblings of the quake and the deafening roar of US bombers raining bombs over the Afghan skies.
The war and the quake may cast their shadow on the Navratri festivities which begin on Wednesday night, but the never-say-die spirit of Gujaratis is set to emerge triumphant. Recession is passe because 'chania-cholis' are already out of the closet, lush green lawns of clubs neatly trimmed and watered and beauty parlours brimming over with girls who want a last-minute change to the hair-colour; one which Amdavadi model Karishma.
If people in Gujarat need a mood elevator after all the depressing news about the quake and the terrorist attacks, it is finally here. Try telling Parul Patel, who is rushing to buy a backless 'choli' at Law Garden that this is not really the time to celebrate, and she shoots back, "This is the best diversion that I could have. Besides, the money that I am spending on this new dress would help the Kutchi craftsmen devastated by the quake."
Sound logic, and there are many who feel the festival's religious and cultural undertones are the best way to fight the blues away. Mona Sanghvi, who lost her parents when Mansi apartments collapsed on January 26, says, "Navratri is bound to be a healing experience, a celebration of life. I plan to go to celebrate Navratri in its chaste form with my relatives and friends. The experience, I hope, will help me and my brother come out of our grief."
According to secretary of Rajpath Club, Shyam Mehta, "There is a problem with sponsorships this year but there is also a huge demand for tickets. The gate collection will be good because people in general want to come out and enjoy."
The diamond industry may be in the dumps but Surat is also gearing up for the festivities. The main 'garba' will be organised at the indoor stadium which will, perhaps, draw the biggest crowds. Explains organiser Himanshu Bhatt, who works for the organiser 'My TV', "The entire cost of organising the show will come to Rs 1 crore for the nine evenings including the stadium rent of Rs 25 lakh. We may not make any profit, but we are doing this for the people of Surat."
In Vadodara, which takes pride in its status as the 'garba' capital of Gujarat, the air is thick with the impending festivities. Businessmen are making the most of 'garba mahotsavs' either through sponsorships or sale of Navratri-related accessories. Restaurants, too, have announced special Navratri fare. Many major 'garba' organisers reveal that participant and viewers passes have been sold out. And the rush for passes was unprecedented this year.
Amit Shah, who runs Anmol Club near Maninagar, claims he has lined up many celebrities to draw more crowds. Among those who have agreed to come are Malaika Arora, Aditi Govitrikar, Shweta Kalatra (Ghar Ghar ki Kahani) and Jaya Bhattacharya (Kyunki Saas...).
"Recession is okay but this is the best time of the year in Gujarat to showcase the culture of Gujarat , and we are also trying to give people a welcome break," he remarks.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
CM's kin to pay Rs 6 lakh penalty to Customs Wednesday, October 17, 2001
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD: Chief Minister Narendra Modi's brother Prahlad Modi, the proprietor of Swaminarayan Enterprise who was slapped with a fine of Rs 6 lakh by the Customs for having imported second-hand diesel engines instead of new ones, has withdrawn his application challenging the penalty from the Gujarat High Court.
He had pleaded that a fraud was committed and he was cheated. Instead of new engines, for which he had placed orders, he was supplied with old ones. However, during earlier trials, the court had felt that there was a prima facie case.
A penalty of Rs 10 lakh has also been imposed on Arvind P Patel, who was the agent of the Japanese company from which the engines were imported, but was later disowned by them.
Earlier, a stay was granted by the Gujarat High Court on further proceedings. When the matter came up for hearing before Justice M H Kadri, the application was withdrawn as the court was not inclined to admit the matter.
The transaction had taken place in 1991, when the goods were received by Kandla Customs in November 1992 and in 1993 a case was lodged in Kandla. A penalty of Rs 6 lakh was imposed under Section 112(1) of the Act on Modi and Rs 10 lakh on Arvind Patel by the Customs and Gold Control Tribunal.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
Vaghela rules out rejoining BJP Wednesday, October 17, 2001
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD: Congress leader and Lok Sabha member Shankersinh Vaghela said on Tuesday that there were absolutely no chances of his going back to the Bharatiya Janata Party because the party has failed as an instrument to serve the public.
"BJP is now an aimless, hopeless and a party without principles," Vaghela said while delivering a lecture here organised by Ahmedabad Rotary Club on 'Public life and citizen'.
Commenting on dethroning of Keshubhai Patel from state's chief ministership by the BJP, Vaghela said that his stand was vindicated by the decision though it was three and half years late.
Earlier speaking on the topic Vaghela urged the intelligentsia to come forward and join politics to do away with 'useless' politicians without any concept of public service.
He said the country was paying for the indifference shown by the intelligentsia towards politics as a career, resulting in unqualified people without any concept of public life managing the affairs.
A belligerent Vaghela also took pot-shots at the bureaucracy blaming it for spoiling the politicians and 'drifting' them away from serving the public.
"But this happens when a person who had never seen a fridge in his life was made a minister or given an important position," he remarked adding that intelligentsia should come forward to join politics.
Good politicians were less in number and 'useless' politicians were steering the wheel, he said adding that intellectuals of the society were responsible for the present state of affairs.
"Today politicians are synonymous to uselessness," Vaghela remarked urging people from all walks of life to join politics to make it more meaningful.
Sharing his vision of Gujarat with the audience, Vaghela said he desires a Gujarat comparable to European and Western countries rather than states within the country.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
No need for panic on anthrax, says health minister Wednesday, October 17, 2001
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
GANDHINAGAR: The state government has undertaken various precautionary measures to combat any anthrax outbreak as per the advice given by a team of doctors, who had undergone a study on the possible threat posed by biological and chemical weapons at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune.
Health minister I K Jadeja told mediapersons that all primary and community health centres in rural areas and government hospitals have been alerted against a possible anthrax attack. Though the disease was endemic to India it could be treated effectively by the use of commonly available antibiotics.
He said a team of doctors headed by Bharat Kazi has returned after undergoing necessary study and training to deal with a possible anthrax onslaught, and the health commissionerate has taken the necessary steps including storage of antibiotics in all hospitals and health centres across the state.
"There was no need for any panic, but at the same time the government has taken adequate precautionary measures to deal with any eventuality."
India has already developed an anti-anthrax vaccine, but it is available only for the armed forces. He appealed the people to take medical assistance in case of symptoms like fever, acute headache and coughing. The anthrax bacteria could enter the human
body through breathing, skin or through the consumption of infected meat.
To a question on whether the government has opened any special cell to monitor and check any possible anthrax attack, he said, "We are closely monitoring the situation and at this stage there was no need for any special cell."
The minister said no case of the disease has been reported from any place so far, but senior officials have been asked to review the measures on a regular basis.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
