Whose LIGHT is it anyway

Today morning (15th November 2009) while passing by Sankesar Bazar, Near Saroornagar Lake, I have noticed that the streetlights are still on even at 8-15 am. I checked up with the priest of local Hanuman temple as to who controls the streetlight switch, but he was not aware of the same. But, he asked me to check with some resident in the next lane. Thus began my journey in quest of locating who controls the streetlight switch. The locals were mentioning that sometimes the lights could be found on even till 1 pm ! After several house visits and kirana shop visits lasting more than 20 minutes and criss crossing through the lanes and bylanes of Sankesar Bazar Colony, I could finally trace the person who was entrusted with the job of switching on the streetlights. He was relaxing near his house, but when I asked him the reason for not switching off the streetlights promptly with sunrise, he said that he was too busy with other works ! I made him switch off the main which controls around 20 streetlights (halogen). Already 150 minutes of power was wasted on each of these 20 streetlights and you can imagine the tax payer's money that was wasted in the bargain. I impressed upon the locals to take responsibility of switching off the streetlights when they are no longer needed. Otherwise we all have to bear with powercuts and wasting the public money that could otherwise have gone for infrastructure development, education, health, etc

In the evening when I participated in a rally organised by SOCH at KBR Park to draw attention to safe driving, I noticed that the streetlights on KBR Park to Jubilee Hills road were switched on as early as 5 pm today. Each pole has two lamps here. It is a criminal wastage of public money as well as electricity. Time for GHMC to tighen the leakages in power sector. It can learn from Tuni Municipality in East Godavari district, which could save as much as 25% every month (a saving of Rs. one lakh per month) on their power bills by streamlining the management of streetlights.

Raghuveer
15-11-2009

Life is Too Wonderful To Be Spent Worrying

Iam concerned with the increasing number of suicides in our state, especially amongst the youth. The reasons are mostly depression arising out of fear of failure - in academics or love . The tolerance limit to reprimands by elders - be the parents or teacher or coach in case of sports persons - has apparently reached its nadir. Most decisions appear to be quite impulsive as well - as could be seen in the instances involving domestic discord. Financial trouble is another key driving factor in the suicides in the state.

Media has been highlighting instances of suicides, be it farmers, weavers, NRIs, housewives or students on a day to day basis. Sometimes analytical reports on the issue are also filed in the print media and panel discussions held in the electronic media. In almost all these cases, especially where the family of the deceased comprises of young children, we notice some action only after the event had taken place.

Whenver the media highlights stories of people in distress, we find a plethora of philanthropists - individuals as well as organisations - coming forward to render a helping hand. Iam sure there are quite a large number of well meaning people and organisations out there who can play a key role in improving our society. Just imagine had someone who committed suicide for want of say Rs.5,000 or for not being able to appear in an exam or withstand verbal abuse ,etc are made to get in touch with such individuals or organisations BEFORE they commit suicide we would have saved precious lives. How nice it would be if we can proactively enable some volunteers (say of Bhumi Foundation or Teach India, etc) to give special tuitions to those youngsters who fail (or fear that they will fail) the exam in a particular subject. For this we need to provide a mechanism to connect the needy seeker and the philanthropic provider.

A pertinent quesiton in this context would, therefore be, why can we not publicise on a regular basis (as we do the train timings, air timings, tv programs, etc) information about such individuals or organisations who are willing to help others (phone numbers, email ids to be provided). Even in a given case they are not able to immediately provide the needed help, atleast they can suggest other individuals / agencies that can help. Sometimes even a patient and empathetic hearing can do a lot of wonders to the depressed.

I consider it is a privilege to have been born as a human being and earnestly believe that there is tremendous potential in our ability to contribute to the betterment of society. We need to provide an enabling environment for all people to be able to do this. On 11th November 2009, I spent sometime with an organisation called ROSHNI which is totally dedicated for the past 12 years to the cause of supporting the depressed and those with suicidal tendencies. It is all a voluntary work and they in their little way could contribute to some extent in dissuading prospective suicide victims to make a U turn and find a new purpose of life.

There is an immense need to give Roshni service more visibility. It would be a great service to the society if the media can mandatorily give a small note (or box item) along with the news on suicides already committed mentioning that there is hope for others to live on and they can call up ROSHNI on 040-66202000 and 040-27848584 in case they feel depressed. Some suggested messages are given below for adoption by the media or even by civil society who can send SMSes or emails accordingly in their friend / relatives circle

1. Are you worried, depressed, Suicidal? call Roshni at 040 66202000, 27848584
2. Feeling depressed, suicidal? call 040 66202000, 27848584
3. Are you confused, worried, suicidal? call 040 66202000, 27848584

This small gesture of ours would go a long way in more people getting benefitted from this free service being offerred by over 60 volunteers of ROSHNI. They even offer counselling services on a one-to-one basis at their centre in Sindhi Colony, Minister Road. You may get in touch with Ms. Ranjana Haladker, Director on 9885050490 or Mr. Akheel Deputy Director on 98490 36185 for more details on the yeoman service being rendered by Roshni team.

I request everybody's support to this cause and help in saving a few lives. This is the least we can do as fellow human being who are concerned about the increased number of suicidal deaths especially amongst the youth. Let us do our little bit After all LIFE IS TOO WONDERFUL TO BE SPENT WORRYING ! There is a great purpose of living, provided you seek it !!

Raghuveer

15-11-2009

Remembering the Forest Martyrs

The Forest Martyrs Day is commemorated every year on 10th November. It is an occasion to salute the spirited foresters who laid down their lives while protecting the forest ecosystems of our country. It is on this day in the year 1991 that we lost a brave Indian Forest Service Officer Mr. P. Srinivas, who was beheaded by the notorious forest offender Veerappan in the forests of Gopinatham in Karnataka.

My day started with a visit to ITMR Blood Bank on Road No. 1 Banjara Hills, where the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ram Mohan was quite helpful in accepting donation of my blood. It is just 300 ml comprising of 20% of the total blood volume in the human body and it would be recouped within 24 hours. A healthy human being can donate blood atleast once in 3 months. This is a RENEWABLE resoure and can go a long way in saving a few lives. So let us all make this a regular habbit.

The commemoration event was held at the Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad with the Forest Minister and the PCCF being present. On my request Mr. Raghuram CEO of MOHAN Foundation was kind enough to send his team to set up a kiosk at the zoo so as to sensitise people about the need for organ donation. I signed a pledge for donating body organs - while cornea donation is quite common, it is a revealation to note that other organs can also be harvested but only in those cases where a patient is declared as BRAIN DEAD. One can take out liver, pancreas, heart, heart valves, kidneys, etc which would be literally giving a new lease of life to many other suffering people. Was surprised to note that the leading supreme court lawyer Ms. Rani Jethmalini is also a recepient of kidney and liver transplants and she survived miraculously when she was in ICU in London, as at the last minute somebody was kind enough to donate Liver to her. There is a lot that every human can still do to make this world a better place to live even after their death. This is true immortality. Let us promote organ donation in a big way. As of now hardly 0.5% of the deaths in hospitals is declared as BRAIN DEAD, as against more than 5% that happen. Doctors are reluctant to declare a patient brain dead. Probably more sensitisation programs are needed to the medical fraternity duly supported by a legal and policy framework. Iam willing to spare some of my time for this cause.

On this occasion I sent a REQUEST TO ALL NATURE LOVERS to do their bit to show solidarity to the efforts made by these brave green soldiers. Response has been pretty encouraging. I for one have gifted 3 CFL, apart from donating blood and pledging for organ donation. Sent SMS to more than 30 friends urging them to cut down their monthly electricity bills by 10% and do their bit in reducing the contribution of greenhouse gases to global warming.

My Salute to all the untiring foresters of the country who are struggling against heavy odds in protecting and preserving the green cover of this country for posterity. My special tribute to Srinivas who displayed bravery beyond call of duty before sacrificing his life on this day in the year 1991. My heart also goes to the family of Mr. Rajamouli, a brave green soldier who was discharing his duties on a sunday in July 2001 at a forest checkpost in Eturnagaram of Warangal district, when he perished in the naxalite attack on the nearby police station. I did all I can to reduce the misery of the family by ensuring that several benefits from the Government reach the family, but alas one can not really compensate for the loss of a family member.

May his soul rest in peace !!

Raghuveer
10th November 2009