Creativity is reflection of thought-Biyot Projna Tripathy

By Sanjeev Shekhar

She was perhaps meant for creativity. Despite being a law graduate, she never had the leaning to pursue the career in it. "I don't know, why? But my inner instinct drew towards films and creativity," she says.

The love for cinema fulfills her yearning to remain an artist. Having successfully carved a niche for herself as a professional filmmaker, the national award winner, Biyot Projna Tripathy has punched the celluloid yet again.

A 30-minute documentary, Coffee House, marvelously airs the sentiments of the young and vibrant minds of contemporary youth. A classy depiction of lifestyle in any metro, the film is not bound to any place or time.Shot in the commercial capital of the state, Jamshedpur, Coffee House is an adaptation of a short story by a noted Oriya author, Devdas Chottoray, the scriptwriter of the film Indra Dhanush Chayee that was screened at Cannes Film Festival, a few years ago.

“I believe in reality and try to pick up subjects that is happening and authentic,” says Biyot Projana, who has 23 documentaries and short films up her sleeve. Projna, after completing her law, wanted to pursue the legal profession but soon realized that it was not the right place for her. She preferred to do something of her own and responded to the spontaneous instinct to get into the films.

Coffee House is an English film that revolves around a young man. Secluded, and has no friend, rather girlfriend to be precise. This young man fails to attract the attention of even the waiter, who is busy serving the group of young boys and girls flocking in the cafeterias. It typically brings out the discussion among the young boys about their girl friends and the girls in short skirt sashaying their seductive conduct to charm young boys. Some discussing their sexual escapades with their paramour, while another girl giving excuses to her teacher, who has apparently caught her having an intrinsic relationship with her cousin, thereby leaving the lonely character embarrassed, who ultimately steps out of the cafeteria.This documentary brought accolades from viewers much to the satisfaction of Biyot, who is now planning to step into the feature film arena. Having won the national award for best documentary in 2004 for “Ladakh, the Land of Mystery”, she has prepared several documentaries depicting the tribal lifestyle of Jharkhand and Manipur.

While “Hawaimithai” deals with tribal children of Jharkhand, their dreams and the knowledge of their sorrow and lost identity, Manipur Cocktail deals with the sociological change in the culture that was aired on Doordarshan. Another documentary, “Light in the Wilderness,” depicts the life of tribal women of Jharkhand whereas the documentary, “A Different Civilization”, is the strong depiction of the famous folk dance, Chhau.

Biyot has made promotional films for Doordarshan and several business houses. She candidly says that she loves Jamshedpur and has no plans to go out of this place. “After all, this place has given me so much,” she brims.Owner of the Hand Held Productions, Biyot is offering variety of recipe to the film lovers. Majority of her films has brought out the character so well that it has created a desire among viewers to have something new next time.

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Dassam Falls in Ranchi reminds of Niagara Falls of Canada

Dassam Falls-pride of nature

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Ranchi-

Dr. Rajeev Khera and his family were here from Patna before shifting to Delhi for three-day sojourn. Dr. Rajeev is highly placed with a global organisation and is presently posted in Delhi. As we sat at the dining table having breakfast, my friend Dr. Rajeev suggested, “Why don’t we go to Dassam Falls? I’ve heard a lot about the place,” he said. His and mine family are friends for nearly four years now, and when I’m in Delhi, I too never miss an opportunity to see him.

Immediately plans were chalked out for Dassam and we headed for the spot, 45 kms from Ranchi on Tata road. As we drove down, my wife asked, “Is that place naxal infested? I hope everything will be fine.” The tremor in her voice was an indication as to how the naxalsim has gripped this beautiful Jharkhand, the land of forests.

I preferred to remain mum. Finally traversing the criss-cross roads through the villages, we reached the entrance of the falls. A big signboard painted in red warns the visitor with a list of dozen of people who died in the deep waters. The 13th place in the signboard has been left blank with a question mark, warning the visitor that if you are not careful enough, your name too will figure here.

“This list includes the name of Abhishek Mishra,” read out Rajeev making it clear about his knowledge that how the Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) student was drowned last year. Before we could debate the point we came across another big signboard cautioning, “blue waters of fall are synonymous with death. There is a tunnel in which a person sucked in would never come back,” the bold letters read.

Are we moving in the right direction? asked Rajeev’s wife with obvious apprehensions in her voice.

“Yes”, I said briefly while crossing few more boards having words of caution about the vulnerability of adventure. A little bit of negligence and you meet your watery grave, the message was by now inscribed in everybody minds.

As we finally reached the site of falls, a mysterious silence welcomed us amidst the noise of the fall that echoed at this isolated place.

We all walked down the rocks a little bit to have the full view of this enchanting fall. I was reminded of my father’s words, who had once said that when some foreign visitors had come here, they had compared the place with the Niagara Falls of Canada. They had declared that this place would bring rich dividends to the state and the place. How right they were, I thought while the droplets of the fall touched my face after hitting the hard rocks beneath mercilessly.

The site of the fall could allure any visitor to feel it closely. My friend was doing the same. He went on clicking the photographs continuously capturing every bit and angle of Dassam, as if he was capturing the movements of some beautiful model on the ramp. The water of Kanchi River falling from the height of 144 feet made a captivating sight.

After sometime, we wanted to have tea. There were few kiosks that sold out chips, cold drinks, biscuits and mineral water. The existence of small shops bore testimony to the fact that the flow of the tourists was less to this place.

“We wanted to purchase some artifacts, associated to this place,” said Rajiv’s wife. I had no explanation to this, as they being outsiders had perceived that tourist spots like this have some market nearby displaying local work of art.

As we returned, we saw there was no police post despite the fact that this forlorn place had so many deaths reported at the site of the fall. The government had made a series of announcements to depute divers and spend crores for making the place secure after repeated deaths at the site on and off. Apparently, things are on paper and far from reality even today.

The entire stretch from Dassam to Taimara road was completely cut off, incase any emergency arose. There was hardly any vehicle visible. It’s advisable to visit the place in groups and preferably two vehicles should accompany each other so that any crisis arise resulting in the breakdown of one vehicle, the other could be of help to bail everybody out.

As we drove down back, Rajeev and his wife were full of praises for Dassam, thereby making it clear how the outsiders loved the beauty of Jharkhand, wherein we have abandoned the place showing scant regard for the same. Thanks to the lack of will power on the part of powers that be who have done precious little for the betterment of the state.

Sanjeev Shekhar,
Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Dish TV dons the Jharkhand villages

Local made DTH-villagers delight

DTH installed on rooftop of the house

By Sanjeev Shekhar
Manoharpur (West Singhbhum)-
While the King Khan of Bollywood, Shaarukh, advertise in his peppy style regarding the dish TV to boost its sale in the market, the concept of the direct to home (DTH) has already reached the far-flung and secluded areas of the state of Jharkhand. Government might have bereft them of drinking water, power and proper civic amenities but the fact of the matter is that the concept of entertainment is well settled in the minds of the reticent villagers, if the number of DTH available on the hutments roof top is any indication.

It may sound ridiculous but entertainment is coming handy to all those who have desired for the same. “One household in a cluster of four is having the ‘disc TV’ (as the villagers call the DTH) and we’re enjoying all the free to air channels,” claims Mukesh Razak of Ghaghra village.

As one drives down the sleepy hamlets on a narrow lane in a criss-cross manner, one can easily locate the small rounded dish either planted on ground or being fixed on the thatched rooftops of the houses. Local companies are doing a brisk business here. “We have Calvin, PHX and Beston dishes here that are available at a very cheap rate ranging between Rs.1800 to Rs.2200. Once the installations are done, we’re watching all free to air channels providing us the series of entertainment,” informs the villagers.

Companies selling their dish in these villages of Ghagra and Barposh have articulately done their marketing on the pretext of their being a national, and for some it being ‘videshi’ (multinational) product. There is absolute clarity of sound and picture, asserts Shyam.

The villagers take pride of owning the ‘disc TV’ and do not fail to mention that even Tata Sky has found place in the house of one Dashrath Purty of the Dhipa village. “Days are not far when few more people will have more Tata Sky (DTH) in their homes, as we all love variety of entertainment,” Amitraj claims.

What the villagers resent is the non-availability of power in the village that hardly gives them time to enjoy any programme to the full. They complained that out of 24 hours, the power is available hardly two to three hours that proves a major hurdle on their way to entertainment.

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

A woman of substance carving a niche in social service

Courage extra-ordinaire-Bijli Rani Mahato at the medical camp

~A story of determination and self belief that was nurtured by Tata Steel Rural Development Services ~

Hailing from a poor family of Boram village in Patamda, Bijli Rani Mahato has created name and niche for herself in her village. This is an exemplary case of self determination and commitment to society that was with the support from Tata Steel Rural Development Society.

Now a 45 year old woman, Bijli Rani Mahato was burdened with the responsibility of running her poor family of 8 siblings at the age of 18. Being the eldest in the lot, this determined lady had to take up the challenge at an early age of 18. As she had an inclination towards social work since childhood, Tata Steel Rural Development Services (TSRDS) medical team gave her an opportunity to work with them when they started their operations in Patamda in 1984.

Post associating herself with TSRDS, initially she used to attend the mobile medical units at Dimudih, Nowadih, and Jalla clinic. Gradually she started counseling villagers about Family Welfare Programme and motivated the patients for regular checkups. She also counseled young couples having two / three children for adopting permanent as well as temporary methods of Family planning. As per records since 1986 to 2007, she has motivated about 15000 cases with full assistance from Tata Steel’s Corporate Sustainability Services department.

Bijli Rani’s contribution towards Eye Care Services and towards treatment of tuberculosis is also appreciable. She has motivated patients for cataract operations in 165 villages of Patamda block. It is because of her efforts that vision of nearly 200 people has been restored. Bijli voluntarily attached herself with the CARE funded Child Survival Project of Tata Steel Rural Development Services which was implemented in 162 villages of Patamda block (1998- 2003) that brought an improvement in the health status of mother and child.

Bijli Rani has selflessly contributed towards the society. She has not only given her best to her family but has extended her compassion and good work to many families. “It would have been very difficult for me to sustain my family if Tata Steel’s TSRDS would not have come to my help. The life of respect and dignity that I am leading today is all with the help TSRDS. It gives me immense satisfaction when people in my village recognise and acknowledge my work and look up to me for help.”

Shimla-picturesque beauty-Potters Hill

Bonfire and Dancing Platform







Cottages at Potters Hill-equipped with all amenities

Potters Hill-SHIMLA
Seven kilometres from the main city, the cinematic beauty of nature dotted with thick forest including majestic pine trees gives fresh leash of life. The ultimate resort privately managed is one of the heavenly place for picnics, corporate retreat programmes, holidaying for three- to-eight days that unwinds one of all stress and burden. The place is apt for Honey-Mooning couples and also for the family outing during summers. The long trek up and down the hills helps you get rid of your metabollic waste. And once you have hot bath, you feel like having good food couple with two-three pegs that get easily sozzled. Whatever you eat at that time, its simply delicious, the only thing is the dish should be prepared well.

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Reduce costs-improve quality, steel industry told

By Sanjeev Shekhar

The rate of technology innovation in steel industry has been high, as steel makers are motivated to reduce costs and improve quality. While steel producers continue to undertake research in areas of product development and operational improvements, equipment suppliers have been driving force behind radical process advances, stated the Director (Technical), Steel Authority of India, V.K.Gulhati during his visit to Ranchi recently.

Gulhati was speaking as the chief guest on international technical meet of “Sino-Indian Steel Plant Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers (SIEMS-2008)” at Ispat Bhawan, SAIL. Organised under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Metals, Ranchi Chapter, in association with Centre for Engineering & Technology (CET), SAIL, R&D Centre for Iron & Steel (RDCIS), SAIL and MECON Ltd, the meet was inaugurated to hold interaction between Indian and Chinese equipment manufacturers, suppliers and users at one forum for better understanding of each other's requirement.

In the keynote address the ex-managing director, Durgapur Steel Pant, Dr. S. K. Bhattacharya, expressed his concern and said the steel companies today does not have enough equipment manufacturers, suppliers and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors who can meet the strict deadlines that have been set. Inadequate availability of EPC contractors has been a major constraint over the last few years in this sector, stated Bhattacharya.

He asserted that there has been no major capacity addition in the equipment manufacturing sector in recent years as the steel industry went through a period of hibernation. In Europe and USA capacity addition in steel making mostly took place in sixties and seventies.

“The technology, particularly the design and development capability need to be developed among most of the Indian equipment manufacturers. They have to bridge the gap between drawing and design. Till this is achieved the dependency in the foreign company would continue and would be a major bottleneck for prosperity of the Indian steel industry,” said Bhattacharya.

He suggested that organizations like Centre for Engineering and Technology and Research and Development Centre for Iron and Steel (RDCIS) can extend meaningful support to Indian equipment manufacturers. The Chinese experience in this regard would be quite educative, as China has built a successful infrastructure and support services for equipment design. This meet will help in bring about the possible collaboration for mutual benefit that needs exploration.

“The concept of this meet is very relevant in the present scenario. The epicenter for growth would be Asia. There is lot of optimism amongst Indian steel makers having ambitious plans. Steel majors from across the world has been attracted to India to set up steel plants for the favourable investment climate and anticipated demand,” concluded Bhattacharya.

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Jharkhand CM decision puts his government in soup

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Koda decision boomerangs in Jamshedpur bust installation matter-
This time, the Jharkhand Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, has apparently put his government in hot soup. The Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, tried his best to keep its coalition partner, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, in good humour and successfully quelled the high-voltage drama in Jamshedpur by rolling the heads of the officials over the installation of the bust of late MP, Sunil Mahato, the NDA has blown the issue to give it a new political tone on the pretext of law and order.

The government order for the removal of the deputy commissioner, East Singhbhum, Dhalbhum Sub-Divisional officer and Officer in-charge of Kadma has only precipitated the crisis further with UPA and NDA crossing swords allowing the public to give a rethink over the doings of their respective representative. The rolling of heads has proved the point crystal clear-Madhu Koda had to bow to the pressure of its ally, JMM.

Revenue Minister Order to free land from Tata lease-
While the Revenue Minister, Dulal Bhuiyan, who is acting less as Minister and more as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha activist has written buff sheet on May 10 asking the Revenue Secretary, R.S.Poddar, to order the East Singhbhum deputy commissioner, Nitin Kulkarni, to free the 10,000 square feet of land from the Tata lease, who in turn has directed the DC to do so. This land, according to the Minister, would have the bust of the late party MP, Sunil Mahato, who was gunned down by the naxals in the month of March last year.

BJP demands Judicial Probe-
Under this backdrop, the Bhartiya Janata Party has demanded a judicial probe into the entire episode and said that the government should constitute the judicial committee with the retired High Court Judge to look into the matter.

The Bhartiya Janata Party legislator from West Singhbhum, Saryu Rai, has written to the Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, demanding that with the constitution of the Inquiry Committee it should also find out “whether Jamshedpur is the steel city or the encroachment city.” He flayed the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for acquiring land illegally and said that as per law the party should have faced the music from the law protectors. But the government has done things otherwise and removed the officials who tried to protect law.

HC order restricts construction in leased land-
The High Court has already issued a directive to the East Singhbhum district administration not to allow construction of any structure at disputed site of Kadma ground in Jamshedpur. The BJP MLA further wrote that if the government frees the land from Tata lease then in that case it should also decide to free 10,000 sq.feet each for Durga Puja celebrated by Utkal Samaj and Ganesh Puja celebrated by the locals there. “The fact is that the government can acquire land in the interest of public and the installation of bust of the late leader did not justify this,” Rai alleged.

The ‘bandh’ call given by the BJP in Jamshedpur to protest the unsavoury incident has evoked positive response as the city witnessed the downing of shutters for the entire day.

CM bowed many times before his partners-
This is not the first time that the Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, has bowed before its coalition partner and transferred the officials. Before this, there were several instances when he bowed in the wake of wishes of his ministerial colleagues and supporting allies. The latest transfer of Jamshedpur DC has proved the point as to how the government is helpless before its partners. It would be wrong to expect that any official would toe the lawful line.

*The Bokaro DC, Sunil Kumar, was shifted because the Congress MP, Chandrashekhar Dubey, did not find him fit. The officer was unwilling to fulfill the desires of the MP. Dubey took a firm stand to change the DC and the CM readily obliged him.

*The former DC of Ranchi, K.K.Sone, was removed as he was not willing to play the music as per the wish of the HRD Minister, Bandhu Tirkey. Hence the latter demanded his removal and the CM did it.

*Similarly, the DC, Palamu, Vinay Kumar Chowbey, was removed as the RJD MLA Videsh Singh wanted had crossed sword with him. The SP, Chatra was removed as the RJD MP, Dhirendra Agarwal, wanted him to go. Agarwal had threatened to resign from his post of the SP was not removed from the post. Later the MP also got the DC, Chatra, Prakash Narayan, removed from the post.

*JMM MLA Suffal Marandi got the DC, Pakur, Puja Singhal Purwar removed. Again in Simdega, the then DC, Sunil Kumar was removed from the post on the pressure of Congress MLA, Neil Tirkey. Agriculture Minister, Nalin Soren, got the secretary, Raj Bala removed. The Congress MLA, Pradeep Balmuchu had created lot of pressure on the Chief Minister to unseat Sukhdev Singh from the post of principal secretary but in vain.

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Jharkhand Academic Council-constructed without any government grant

Jharkhand Academic Council-imposing structure

A classic example of wealth creation without any government grant or help from the education department of Jharkhand
By Sanjeev Shekhar

With the inaguration of the new building of Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) at Namkom in Ranchi, the Council has created a history of sorts of becoming the lone education intitution to have its building constructed with its own internal resources.

The new building of the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has been inaugurated by the Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha, Alamgir Alam, while the HRD Minister, Bandhu Tirkey, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The speaker, Alamgir Alam, appreciated the work of the JAC for conducting the examinations of the Matriculation, Intermediate, Netarhat etc on time and subsequent publication of results. He said the newly constructed building has marked the beginning of new dawn in the state that has not taken help from the government education department nor it has got any government grant to construct the building with the expenditure of Rs.15 crore.

The Speaker said he would like that the council should set new goals for itself and should introduce such courses so that the students from here do not go out of the state for pursuing their career. He also lauded the efforts of the architect and people associated with the construction of the building for accomplishing the task on time. The building spread in the area of 4.5 acres of land was constructed in the span of two and a half years following the allotment of land by the state government in Namkom.

“The JAC being the autonomous body conducts 10 examinations in the state including that of Madarsa and Sanskrit Board mobilized its resources by means of examination fees and other similar means and constructed its own building,” said the official of the council on the occasion.

The Human Resources Minister, Bandhu Tirkey, spelled out various plans of the education department and said that the building was completed in the record time. “We will be constructing the school in the line of Netarhat at Bero and upgrade the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya at Ranchi by providing additional grant to them for the construction of the building,” he said.

The Health Minister, Bhanu Pratap Sahi, was full of praises for the HRD minister and urged the Speaker Alam to bestow the best minister award on Bandhu Tirkey for his commendable work in the field of education. However, the speaker did not elaborate on it during his speech.

Several other dignitaries including the legislators, Annapurna Devi, former MP, Ramtahal Choudhary, Sawna Lakra, Karia Munda and others were present on the occasion. The foundation of the building was laid by the BJP led Arjun Munda government in 2005, but the actual work started in the year 2006.

The Chairman of the Council, Dr. Shaligram Yadav, gave the actual break-up of the construction and said that the Council invested Rs1366 per square feet on the construction, furnishing and preparing the audio-visual system in the building. On the construction side, the JAC invested Rs 986 per square feet, which is less than the CPWD rate. Others present on the occasion included the vice-Chairman of the JAC, Abul Subbani, Secretary, P. Tirkey, local leaders and schoolchildren.

Sanjeev Shekhar

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

EMPOWERING WOMEN OF STEEL

Woman at Work-Tejaswani

By Sanjeev Shekhar
~A Case Study of Tata Steel~

EMPOWERING WOMEN IS EMPOWERING NATION

A History of Empowering Women in Tata Steel

With liberalization, globalization and consequent growth in industries, the aspirations of women have been raised. Tata Steel has been quick to anticipate their emerging needs and provide all facilities and support that fulfill their professional ambitions and motivate them to take on assignments that will put them on an equal footing with their male counterpart.

Tata steel was the pioneer in initiating many empowering programs for the women employees. Tejaswini Programme launched in Tata Steel in 2002, was a small step but a giant leap for womankind for it signaled the beginning of empowering women on the shop floor at jobs considered till then as the bastion of the male.

The first of its kind, Tejaswini a women empowerment programme was undertaken for the Rejas and the Office Girls that were willing to operate heavy motor equipment. Being the role model of corporate citizenship and believer of equal opportunities and providing growth prospects without considering caste, creed, religion or gender, Tejaswini was designed to transform the female employees into proficient operators of heavy mobile equipment like tractors and locomotives. The project brought together Tejaswini women who could manage both household and career.

Since its inception, a total of five batches and around 50 female employees have been trained. Seven out of these ladies, have been awarded with Prime Minister’s Shram Devi awards.

Company’s Initiatives under Women Empowerment that are FIRSTS in India…

1. The Company provides with Maternity Benefits, started in 1928 which later was adapted as law by the government of India too. The benefit was of 45 days before and after delivery, later revised to be of 90 days at one time. An Additional 15 days PL was provided for young mothers

2. Since the early 1970s Tata Steel has been taking in Lady Graduate Trainees. To give an opportunity to non-engineers and absorb women in the production field in the works, the Company has taken initiatives to train women in required mechanical skills through the Tejaswini and Female Trade Apprentice courses

3. For the empowerment of its women employees, the company has set up a Women Empowerment Cell, a special wing at the IR Division, comprising of members from management as well as unionized category women employees, which looks after women’s issues and organize need based training for the underprivileged women employees

4. Tata Steel is concerned about protection of female employees from Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, which is a part of the Code of Conduct Clause of Equal Opportunity employer. The Sexual Harassment Redressal Committee that was constituted on the guidelines of Hon. Supreme Court has been helpful in developing confidence in management’s intention of empowering women employees

5. The Legal Awareness Programme for Women is another initiative of Tata Steel towards women empowerment. Aimed at the working women of Tata Steel, the program, as the name suggests, aims to create legal awareness for the working woman on the home-front and in the work place. Sessions are also held on Financial Investments, Consumer Rights, Environment Laws and Crime – by the women and against the women

6. The company has also initiated the Adult Literacy Programme through the Tata Consultative Services (TCS) inside the works

7. Managing Director holds a dialogue with the lady officers once in every three months. To retain ladies in the organization, husbands with adequate qualifications are given employment. For 100 % lady employees, a Special Women Empowerment Programme has been initiated

8. Under SA-8000, Tata Steel has initiated an awareness programme for the welfare of the women employed in the contractors’ cell. These women are generally illiterate in terms of education as well as their rights and duties. The aim of this program is to make these women aware of their legal rights and duties so as to protect them at work with full dignity. The program also trains them in terms of health and hygiene, safety – both at the work place and at home, AIDS awareness, awareness about drugs, legal aspects, domestic budget and inter-personal skills.

Women Empowerment Programmes for Wives and Daughters of Employees:

Believing in the adage that a good worker has a happy family or home environment, the Company has set up ‘Basera’ - a Trust for Women Empowerment which is targeted at the wives and daughters of employees.

The Domestic Management Programme (DMP), run by Basera, is by far the most successful program under the company’s women’s empowerment initiative. The DMP, as it is better known, was started in the year 1997 after India was ushered into the world of globalization and Tata Steel and its employees were affected by the changes taking place in the global economy.

Another initiative taken by Tata Steel in its centenary year is its pledge to spread safety awareness in the city of Jamshedpur through SAFE (Safety Awareness for Everyone), a woman organization set up for the purpose. The SAFE committee members are wives of the senior executives of Tata Steel & local Tata Group companies.

Sanjeev Shekhar

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Filmmaker Iqbal Durrani in quest of political platform

Iqbal Durrani-politics, my new game

By Sanjeev Shekhar

After carving a niche in Bollywood successfully for more than two decades in the script writing and direction, the ace filmmaker, Iqbal Durrani, has expressed his willingness to join politics and work for the betterment of state.

“I’m willing to join politics but only if people of this state want me there. Being the son of the soil, I want to do something for the state of Jharkhand and its people,” Durrani said without revealing about the choice of party he will be willing to join or the place from where he would like to become the representative.

Born near the village in Deoghar of Jharkhand, Iqbal Durrani, has come a long way to don the mantle of success, with subsequent hiccups of sweetness and bitterness of life, ever since he started his career in Mumbai in the early 80s. The maker of Kaalchakra, Khuddar, Benaam Badhsah, Kohram, Phool aur Khante, Dhartiputra, Betaaj Badhshah so on and so forth, the noted filmmaker has created a history of sorts by doing more than 80-90 films in the form of writer-director.

Substantiating about his decision to join politics, Durrani explained that he was hurt and thoroughly upset the way Raj Thackeray has spitted venom against the Biharis and Jharkhandis recently.

“Mumbai does not belong to Maharashtrians only, but it belongs to those outsiders who have actually made Mumbai what it is today. Outsiders like me have given sweat, blood and tears to build Mumbai and the statement of Raj Thackeray only invoke bad blood and hatred among others, which is not correct. Hence I’ve decided that if Maharashtrians feel proud in saying “Jai Maharashtra” then I will do whatever little contribution possible for my state and make people here feel proud by saying “Jai Jharkhand”, the filmmaker candidly said.

Unlike Dharmendra, Govinda and Hema Malini, who never went back to their constituency after winning election, Durrani was apparently prepared to answer the spontaneous query fired by the scribe, “My idol is late Sunil Dutt Saheb and I want to follow his footsteps to do the best for my people,” he clarified.

Having the hounour of directing great heros like Raj Kumar and Shatrughan Sinha, the down to earth film writer-director has mesmerizing words to put things straight. He said politics demand good people from the intellect class and proper selection of words, which should reflect modesty, softness, love and respect for all.

Durrani castigated Raj Thackeray for using unsavory words to get popular overnight and appealed to media to retrain from giving such hype that serves the vested interest of leaders like Raj.

Sanjeev Shekhar
Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Femina Miss Earth-Tanvi Vyas-takes life as it comes

Femina-Miss Earth-Tanvi
By Sanjeev Shekhar

There are certain things that come your way in life. This exactly happened with Tanvi Vyas, who needs no introduction today after winning the Femina Miss Earth Contest-2008.

“After completing the four year degree course in Graphic Designing from Maharaja Sayaji Rao University (MSU), I had gone to get the post graduation form. I came across the audition going on at Pantaloons showroom and I participated in it. That was the turning point in my life from where I made an entry into the world of modeling,” says the five feet nine inches tall, Tanvi, who was in Jamshedpur to attend the fashion show.

Unlike young girls who aspire for glamour, Tanvi Vyas never thought to become the model. But now she is enjoying. “After all, one becomes important overnight from ordinary, and things just happened in my life,” explains the beautiful model from Baroda, who will set the stage on fire in the month of November this year when the “Miss Earth” contest will take place in Philippines.

Hard work, dedication and sincerity seem to be the ‘mantra’ of Tanvi, who has already started preparing for the international event, where she will be hogging the limelight of her lifetime. A simple girl from Gujarat has all the ingredients of becoming extraordinaire. Her grit, confidence and lovely smile keeps her out of crowd but the most important part is that she is still on ground even after winning the coveted position at Femina Miss India.

Like any other model the ultimate destination is Bollywood. Tanvi does not want to ‘de-focus’ herself and candidly clarifies, “I’ve only one goal, as of now, to reach the top and become the ambassador for my country at Miss Earth contest.” Her statement has neither hiccups nor she wait to continue her conversation. She speaks straight from her heart and feels proud to ‘become a role model for younger generation’ who can draw inspiration from her.

Unlike the famous Bollywood stars who love cricket, Tanvi is fond of adventure sports and loves to do rock climbing. She loves adventure and wants to be a part of it. Bachendri Pal, the first lady to make it to Mount Everest, inspires her to achieve greater heights with each passing day.

“I’ve been traveling for past several days and even my stay in Jamshedpur is very short. But I would like to meet Bachendri Pal, the legend and source of inspiration for women in the contemporary world,” Tanvi asserts.

About the similarity between Baroda and Jamshedpur, the Baroda girl smilingly puts it’. “This place is peaceful and green as like mine.”

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist

Femina Miss World dream of becoming a top-notch model fulfilled

Parvati Omanakuttam-
left, with Tanvi at Jamshedpur

Sanjeev Shekhar


Her smile is enough to kill a man. Tall, willowy with apt statistics and curves compels the heads to turn to have a look. Yes, she is Parvati Omanakuttam, the winner of Femina Miss World contest presently hogging the limelight and all attention at every nook and corner wherever she goes.

Young girls and boys make a beeline for her autograph and she gracefully stops, greets and signs in with a small message that leaves the fans spellbound. Parvati is still pristine and is yet to take on the ‘airs of a star', though she has already accomplished the feat in the nation's top platform of 'beauty and brain', no matter the show will go a long way.

“I had a dream and always aspired to become the model. I’ve already put the right step forward. But this is still the beginning, as I have a great responsibility when I’ll be representing my country at the International Miss World pageant at Ukraine in October this year,” informs Parvati with a lovely smile dancing on her lips. She was the cynosure of the fashion show at Jamshedpur where she cat walked into the hearts of the cheering youngsters.

Straight hairs marvelously cut to match her look; she is firm on ground to appeal to all to pray for her at the international event. A product of Mittibai College, Mumbai, Parvati was born in Kerala but was brought up in Mumbai. She did her schooling from Cosmopolitan Education Society and participated in beauty pageants since her childhood.

“I participated in Miss Kochi and many more competitions. The Femina Miss India was the eighth competition of my life. I’m happy and lucky to have won it,” she reveals.

Parvati does not believe in apeing anybody, and does not consider having a role-model for her career. She says that she would like to become an individual and imbibe in her the qualities to become the leader. “I want to place myself as a source of inspiration and motivation for others,” she asserts.

She has no qualms about the challenges but she instead has started preparations for the international event where she would be facing more than 100 beautiful ladies from across the globe. “There is no shortcut to success. Hard work with strong conviction to win and believe in Almighty is what I feel is important,” Parvati pronounces.

The Miss India World was frank enough to admit her admiration for cricket star, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. “I love cricket and like Dhoni very much. In fact this place has the potential to give out stars in many other fields,” Parvati held while praising the state of Jharkhand. She went on to add and disclosed that after Ajay Jadeja, the current Indian skipper for Twenty-20, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been an icon for youngsters.

Sanjeev Shekhar,
Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Air of Jubiliation mesmerize villagers

Sanjeev Shekhar

Is it a dream or reality, Noren wondered to see the illumination of the bright lamp, a local villager of Bagdaha in the Madhuban panchayat of the Giridih district? Bhado too was as amazed as Noren, while an air of jubilation gripped his feelings and left him mesmerized.
Nearly sixty years of country’s independence they have seen the bulb glowing during the night in the fag end of their life. Thanks to the undaunted efforts of the all India level organization manned by Digambar Jain community, Sri Sevayatan, which made it possible in the secluded village of the district.
One of the most affected districts of Jharkhand in terms of naxal activities, Giridih, at the same time has carved a place in the world map for being the important religious place of the Jain community. Located on the top of Parasnath hills, ‘Sammed Shikar,’ has been the divine place for over five lakh Jain pilgrims, who throng the historical hills to offer prayers.
Hardly few months old, Sri Sevayatan, has been doing a yeoman service that rightly fulfill the age old adage, “service to man is service to God.” Driven by this philosophy, the organization adopted two villages, Bagdaha and Birengadda in the Madhuban panchayat of the district.
“We have distributed solar lamps to all the households in the Bagdaha village,” claimed the president of the Sri Sevayatan, M.P.Ajmera, a retired IAS officer.
With a series of benevolent activities up its sleeve, the organization has strived hard to make a difference in the lives of the poor villagers. Installation of tube wells, construction of roads, facilitation of irrigational activities, providing education to the children of villages, promoting self employment schemes like the making of ‘pattal-dona’ (plates and bowls of made out of leaves), providing good health and distribution of medical kits among the villagers have added a new chapter in the otherwise moribund life of villagers.
Completely isolated and cut off from the mainstream, the measures taken by Sevayatan has been of great help in bringing about betterment in the life of the villagers.
“The solar street lights would be installed from Birengadda stretching up to Bagdaha and from there to Dhowatand in Pirtad block,” informed the president of the organization, Ajmera.
Recently, the state government has sought the help of Sevayatan for the construction of the roads connecting six villages of the Pirtad block. “The project is in the final stage of formalities, and we will jointly give shape to it soon,” said Ajmera.
In fact these welfare activities have also helped misguided youth of the area not to resort to violence and naxalism. It might be the mission of Sevayatan to bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of the people, but the other side of the story is that the endeavour has minimized the naxal activities in the area.

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