Go the ECO friendly immersion way this Ganesh Utsav with artificial ponds

MCGM and NMMC has created many artificial ponds across the city in an effort to curb the pollution that its caused to the water bodies post every Ganesh Chathurthi. But how many people are aware of the ways that they can follow to go all the way for an eco-friendly Ganpati celebration.
This year in Mumbai alone, the Ganpati celebrations is seeing over a 100,000 sarvajanik and household idols of Lord Ganesha immersed in the sea and lakes. This means an ever increasing rise in the faith and devotion of His believers. Unfortunately, this also means is that water bodies all over India will get another annual dose of thousands of tones of plaster of Paris, polythene bags, thermocol, plastics, and toxic chemical dyes. In the early days, idols were made of clay and painted with natural colors. But with rising costs and increasing demand, the manufacturing process has become more commercialised. Manufacturers have been using plaster of paris and artificial colors in lieu of the biodegradable materials used earlier causing a lot of harm. For instance after the idols are immersed, they’re found washed up all over the beach as Plaster of Paris is insoluble in water. The chemicals in the colors dissolve in the water, making it toxic and killing several aquatic animals. The festival in its present form has not only been harming the environment but also showing disrespect to India’s favorite deity. But in the NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik, the city has found strong voices urging to promote artificial pond to celebrate Ganeshutsav the green way.
On the other hand, Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik has also reiterated during meetings the need to promote artificial ponds. Artificial ponds have been made in both Mumbai and in Navi Mumbai at three places at Vashi, Kopri and Nerul. So if you are going to be a part of immersion rituals soon, here’s your chance of joining the mission of your bit for environment by celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi the eco-friendly way at artificial ponds.
DNA News

Election code of conduct makes it a pre-poll extravaganza in NMMC

In order to ensure that no public work gets hampered after the code of conduct comes under effect, the NMMC Standing Committee approved proposals worth Rs. 15 Crores 50 lacs in back to back two meetings held this week. Take a look at where all your taxes are being spent with a report from the NMMC Standing Committee meet.

With the election code of conduct looming large, the ruling front of NMMC is in the rush to clear pending proposals. This was evident as back to back to Standing Committee meetings were held this week on two consecutive days. The Standing Committee cleared over 60 proposals on the agenda, sanctioning civic projects worth over Rs 15.5 Crore.
Besides this the Standing Committee approved 28 administrative proposals that show an estimated budget of Rs. 5 Crore 80 Lacs 13 Thousand 948 for various public work. After this approval, the administration will now call for tenders for these proposals. In totality over 60 proposals were approved to execute civic projects worth over Rs 15 Crore 49 lacs 76 thousand 905. After the two marathon meetings and evident rush to clear proposals of corporators before the election code of conduct, Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik said that they just want to ensure that public work is not hampered during election period.
NMTV News

Swine flu scare makes independence day celebrations a low key affair

Under the cover of the swine flu scare, Independence Day 2009 became a rather low-key affair in the city. Nonetheless every celebration was full of fervor, ardent devotion and immense patriotism.

COLLECTOR EVENTS
At the Thane Collector’s Office, Thane Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik hoisted the flag in the presence of Thane Collector A Jharhad and Thane CP Anil Dhere. Civilians, students, freedom fighters were honored at the hands of Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik for their noteworthy contributions.
NMMC KK WARD OFFICE
NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik hoisted the national flag at the KK ward office.
Unfortunately, the state’s continuous directives on swine flu scare ended up in robbing the spirit of Independence Day celebrations especially for city schools that remained shut on the day. However, despite the swine flu scare, one did see many acknowledging the sacrifices of freedom fighters by participating with patriotic fervor in ID celebrations across the city.
NMTV News

Standing Committee takes up dissussion of Swine Flu

Soon after NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik took charge of the meeting, the issue of swine flu and the steps needed to tackle the same at NMMC level were taken up for discussion. As soon as Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik walked in the standing committee meeting hall. Chairman Sandeep Naik shared with members why he and the Commissioner called late by 15 minutes. He acknowledged the fact that Chairman Sandeep Naik proposed discussions on swine flu first. Chairman Sandeep Naik addressed the criticality of swine flu and the need to impart the right information to the corporators and citizens to ensure that fear was not created but at the same time precautions were taken. He said that it was needed that the corporation should have its own stock of medicines and masks for swine flu for any emergency.He added that they would call for a special meeting for corporators so that they were educated on the disease and its precautions. Chairman Sandeep Naik informed that corporators have to play mediators between NMMC administration and citizens. He added that the NMMC had a system to take any critical case for test and diagnosis to Kasturba Hospital. The Chairman has also advised the administration to begin a help desk at the NMMC hospitals and medical center with toll free numbers for ensuring the right communication of the disease to citizens.
NMTV News

Water mgmt award for NMMC

For the second consecutive year, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has bagged the National Urban Water Award 2009 for excellence in water management and service to urban poor. The award was conferred upon by President Pratibha Patil at a ceremony held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on Thursday. NMMC won the award for providing round-the-clock water supply to the city, even in slums and gaothan areas at lower rate and curbing wastage of the precious resource. Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nahata and Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik accepted the award on behalf of the civic body.Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Minister of State for Urban Development Saugata Roy, Secretary of Urban Development Ministry Dr M Ramchandran and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.Over 90 nominations from various cities across the country were received for the award this year. Nahata made a detailed presentation before a team of 13 experts of NMMC's achievements in water management and waste management while answering queries raised by them. The award was instituted by the Government of India in 2008. The award, instituted by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), is aimed at honouring urban local governments and water boards that had taken significant steps towards effective water management and improvement in service delivery.It was only befitting that Sandeep Naik received the award, since he was instrumental in getting the pipelines laid to bring the water to the city, the dam for which was envisioned by his father Ganesh Naik in early 2000 and the plan was executed by his older brother Sanjeev Naik, who was then the Mayor of Navi Mumbai, despite much opposition from all quarters.