Getting authorities to hear citizen voices is difficult, time-consuming and hard work. But if citizens understand the rules and laws, it may not be impossible.
Well-thought out initiatives and some mindful steps can ensure that the physical and emotional needs of seniors living in cities are taken care of. Some examples from Pune
Plogging as a practice gained momentum across the world in 2018; now, several youth volunteers in Pune have taken to it to keep plastic waste from landfills
Fruits and vegetables do not fall under the list of items procured by the government at minimum support price. And efforts to bring farmer and buyer together have had limited success.
Hailing from different backgrounds, these three social entrepreneurs are creating awareness about the threats from plastic and offering sustainable alternatives.
As active cases increase in Pune and neighbouring districts, the state is diverting industrial oxygen to hospitals. But demand in Pune alone has risen three times!
With no hope of the pandemic situation improving anytime soon, most of the trading community in Pune’s traditional markets are amenable to the idea of moving to the city’s outskirts.
Some housing societies in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area, which has seen a spurt, are setting up quarantine zones within the premises. A jumbo COVID care centre with 1600 beds has also been set up.
The Smart City corporation, headed by Rubal Agarwal, is using data analytics and technology to track cases and project future needs. It has also launched a couple of apps to enable coordination among stakeholders.
The COVID lockdown, restrictions on public gatherings, and even on the kind of idols that may be worshipped have cast a shadow over Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations this year. Idol-makers are among the worst hit.
Pune municipal authorities cite lack of infrastructure and geographical constraints to justify the need for tankers. But citizens claim there is a nexus between local politicians, bureaucrats and the tanker lobby.
These astounding captures by photographer Abhay Kanvinde during the lockdown urges us to reconsider the need for clean urban rivers and open riverfronts.
Citizen groups have strongly opposed the proposed 2.1 km Bal Bharati-Paud Phata link road through Vetal Tekadi and the slopes of Law College Tekadi, home to rare flora and fauna species.
