Programme details of 25th December.

Dear Members
We are approaching the D Day – when your children will be the stars of La Habitat – showcasing excellent talents they have. Dances, skits and various other programme awaits you.

Please note some important points
1.    On 25th of December 2010, we start the programme at 7.10. Be seated at 7 PM. Do not shift chairs from its designated place. Please ensure your toddlers do not get hurt anywhere in between. Hold them tight, they need your warmth.
2.    Plans to wind up the programme by 10 PM. But please be patient if it gets prolonged a little.
3.    Give maximum appreciation to the toddlers. You can be a miser in your spending but ensure you give a good round of applause to each performance.
4.    Snacks/Refreshments will be served at the end of the programme. Please use dustbin for trash post refreshments.
5.    Coupons are made on the basis of your attendance data (remember the kids were at your door asking for number of members. If you were lethargic in giving info, nothing can be done). We have limited number of coupons and hence it may not be possible to accommodate guests. Please don’t make an issue of coupon distribution.
6.    We need volunteers. Healthy members of La Habitat may please be present at the venue at least 1 hour before the programme begins.
7.    The programme is held at the main gate. Traffic will be closed for five hours through main gate. Please park your vehicle outside for the said period or take a detour through the service gate.
8.    Many of your neighbours may not be reading this mail. If you have read, please make them understand or ask them to join the group. 

9.    Any special requests during the programme may be made to the organizing committee or any LAAC member.

You may be aware that the expenses and event management of this programme is borne by Pacifica Group. We are thankful to this wonderful opportunity they have given to the kids. We hope to continue this relation forever.

Have a happy Year end and enjoy the event.

Navratri - Full and Final settlement of Accounts

Dear Members
In continuation to the earlier mail regarding Navratri expenses, here is the full and final settlement as forwarded by Mrs. Shobha Varma, Chairperson of the Organising Committee.

We were short of Rs 10,140 In response to the mail to contribute generously to clear the shortfall, we received contributions from following members:

Mr.J K Baid-1000
Mr.Rakesh Bhattacharya-600
Mr.Ramesh Chaudhri-600
Mr.Kunal Khanduja-600
Mr.Ambrish Chaudhri-600
Mr.Dhawan Desai-600
Mr.Binu Alex-600
Mr.C K Yagnik-600
Mr.Ravi Koshti-600
Mr.Sunil Koshti-600
Mr.Anil Koshti-600
Mr.Bhagyesh Patel-600
Mr.Sumit Sethi-600
Mr.Sanjay Verma-600
Mr.Vinod Dutta-600
Mr. Vinay singhal-500
Mr.Vivek Padmavar-500
Mr.Ramanujam-300
Mr.C Arvindan-300

So Total money collected : 11,000
1200 /- came from Aarti.  So Total- 12,200/- Rs.
Expenses incurred as mentioned above -10,140 /- Rs.
Balance of Rs. 2060 is in safe custody for future use.

Thank you all for responding.

Adani Gas Bill

Dear Members
Most of you have noticed that your Adani Bill has come in the name of Mr. La Habitat. This is not because you have won a pageant but because Adani guys doesn’t know your name since all connections were booked by Pacifica en masse.

To change your name, please get a Name Transfer Form from Adani outlets, fill it up, attach your Index Copy or Property document, Electricity Bill, and one photo ID proof and submit it to Adani. You need not pay Rs 250 transfer fee with the form.

You may have got another bill of Rs 2500. Please do not pay since the builder has to make the payment. We just got confirmed from Adani that this amount has not reached Adani so far and hence they are raising the bills. But Adani has said orally that they are in the knowhow that this has to be paid by the builder and so no action will be taken.

Bike Showroom and Dadagiri

Now, La Habitat has a new problem - Dadagiri. There are a series of brand new bikes kept at the basement - which is brought in by a tenant - whom we have no idea of. When the Facility Management asked the person concerned to remove it, his answer was “ jisko jo bhi karna hai kar lo, I will not remove the bikes “.

The first and the foremost thing is how did it enter the premises and how did it got offloaded? At times, the Facility Management Team also have their limitations. They cannot be policing and they are no law enforcement agencies. They are as human as we all are. Unless we co-operate, they cannot function. These type of arguements, and that too from a tenant, is untenable and uncalled for.

While we welcome tenants, please be assured that they cannot take LH to ransom. LH is becoming a tenant's paradise at the cost of owners. Should the owners suffer like this? Should this dadagiri be tolerated? Owners of the flats, please take note of this.

In most of the appartments, quarells are common. These quarells then escalate to major issues and in most case police are called to intervene. At least we should ensure, our place doesnt have such a bunch of people.

Beware of people posing as Servicing Technicians

Please be aware that people posing as AC technicians, RO water servicing etc are prowling in our area. One such incident happened yesterday as a couple of young guys with a brief case came to a flat at LH saying they were asked to service the Air Conditioner by the manufacturer - the routine maintenance. Please do not entertain such people unless you know for sure they are from the authorised source. Inform the security urgently if they are not.

Since we do not have the system to check unauthorized entries - this will continue to happen unless members themselves doesn't understand the value of self discipline. It is noticed that all sundry are allowed to bring their vehicles inside. When security stops the guests, members make hue and cry over it. Please ask your guests to park their vehicles outside and inform the security which flat they are intended to. There is no harm or insult in doing so. Please co-operate for a better and secured La Habitat.

NEW YEAR PROGRAMME

2010 is nearing its end and we will have a new year in less than a month. It is time we get together again before the year passes by. On 25th of December evening, we will have a fun and frolic programme where we will say a big grand Good Bye to the old year and welcome New Year. (Since 31st of December will be busy for people to go out, this date is convenient)

This time the programme comes with a welcome change. The entire programme will be planned, managed, performed and conducted by the La Habitat children. Elders will only supervise from the outer ring. LAAC members will act as workers taking orders from children. There will be dance, skit and every possible fun programme and of course followed by cake and snacks.

Venue, programme details etc will follow once it is finalised by the Programme Committee consisting of children.

The committee members will be visiting your home to update details of your family members and seeking info on your kids participation. Please help them fill up the necessary details so that they can arrange the programme in the best manner.

LAHABITAT IN SOCIAL NETWORK
La Habitat now comes with a new address. Yes, it is located at Thaltej, no doubt about it but we are now among the millions of Facebook users. You can find LH on facebook.com/lahabitat – very easy to remember. If you are on facebook# do visit and post your memories of LH here.

# Everything comes with tags attached. A survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found Facebook was by far the biggest offender, with 66 per cent of lawyers citing it as the primary source of evidence in a divorce case. MySpace followed with 15 per cent, Twitter at 5 per cent and other choices lumped together at 14 per cent. We certainly do not want this among ourselves.

Ironically we are also on twitter. Find it out twitter.com/lahabitat

Happy Diwali to all LH Members and well wishers

Hello Folks

Diwali is round the corner and fun and frolic time has begun. Starting next week kids will have their routine holidays. While a few have already planned their trip, a few will remain at LH to enjoy the cool atmosphere.

Some measures we should take during Diwali

While keeping Diyas, please ensure that the oil or its residues do not percolate to the walls.

Do not burst crackers inside the premises. If you have a large quantity to burst, ask the security to open the service gate behind Block B4 and enjoy the fireworks there. Please ensure the rocket fireworks do not end in some one’s bedroom.

Never encourage children to lighten tablet spread which blackens the concrete roads and it will be beyond repairs once it is done.

The festival of Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil since on this particular day lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after destroying the demon Ravana, thereby eliminating the malicious forces dominant in the form of the demon.

The best Diwali you can enjoy is to donate the money you spend on crackers to someone needy. Remember there are millions of our own people who go to sleep without a morsel. Think about them during this Diwali. Eliminate the malicious force called poverty.

Have a great time and enjoy the festivities.

What’s cooking at La Habitat : Sep 2010 Chapter

Diseases that have little cure
By Anonymous

At La Habitat, we have found many diseases out of which many have cure while some have little hope. Here they are.

Parkingsons: This is rare and unique to La Habitat. It is a degenerative disorder of the central parking system that often impairs the sufferer's driving and parking skills. The disease is caused by a special virus that gets infected into the body from the Parking allotment. Almost all the residents are suffering from this. While a few have upper level Parkingson others have basement Parkingson both of which are dangerous in nature but not life threatening. B2B Parkingson and Narrow Body Parkingson are contradictory to each other. The former have too much in bounty while the later searches for blood vessels to squeeze out their carrier. Common symptom to this disease is anger and frustration. Please consult the Facility Management Doctors for treatment.

Facilityrial Menengitis : This is mainly caused by slow opening of Facilities at Lahabitat. Bacterials infections like Gym, Sproom, Splash, Libry form major part of this disease. This is mainly found in those people who have come to La Habitat for a better living and found all the Facilities locked. Gradually the Menengitis is disappearing but the Symptoms still remain. The TreadMill bacterium has bitten the area again and residents are requested to stay away from this for a short period. This disease has no cure. It disappears slowly and steadily.

Chronic Absence Syndrome: This is common to those who wants all facilities but doesn’t move out of their drawing room for any common meetings. Symptoms include criticism, leveling charges, betterment suggestions etc. Dr. Edmund Burke, a financial analyst with no medical connection once said ‘There is a boundary to men's passions when they act from feelings; but none when they are under the influence of imagination. This disease is cured by big anti-biotic bangs and personal counseling.

Dogtospirosis : This disease is related to dogs. When human thinks of banging stray or domestic dogs roaming around outside the dog owner’s jurisdiction, this disease gets activated immediately. The infection is commonly transmitted to humans by allowing debates on dogs and the membranes starts pumping blood to brain causing huge disappointment of having left the chance to bang the dog. This disease catches even animal lovers. The best way to avoid is to keep dogs at home and not to leave it in the open.

Pelvic inflammatory disease: This is rare and is limited to those who gets their heels inflamed at around 9.30 PM. The main symptom is to come out of the home and sit on any wooden bench and cool their heels. They stick to this routine for an hour and then takes a walk around the building finding out fault with the watchmen. Symptoms include laughing, scolding, cleaning premises, complaining, taking fights with residents for common cause etc.

More surprises to come. Wait for more “What’s cooking at La Habitat?” series in future.

Navratri Committee Formation

First the belated reminder. We had a meeting last evening (a meeting which we postponed once owing to poor attendance) and you will be pleased to know that the attendance was a little more encouraging. We had 12 people in the first meeting and last evening we had 16. Out of 82 residents, you can give your own ranking to this attendance. We are thankful for those who attended.

Now comes the event news. Navratri celebrations will be held from 8th to 16th of Oct. An all women committee is formed to organize this event – a unique step that you will not find anywhere in Ahmedabd. As the Indian parliament is debating on 33% reservation for women, we have taken a step ahead in giving cent percent.

Here is the team composition. If anyone of you want to be part of this, please contact Mrs. Shobha Verma.
                                 
1.Mrs. Shobha Verma A-2/203 - Chairperson
2.Mrs. Sonal Yagnik A-4/202 – Member Secretary
3.Mrs.Falguni Koshti B-5/ 203 - Member
4.Dr.Smita Dheer  B-4/ 303 - Member
5 Mrs.Malwika Dutta B-4/204 - Member
6.Mrs.Shefali Bhattacharya A-7/101 – Member

Your support is very essential.

We will use our internal music system for arti daily at around 9.30 PM. Please attend for the arti in large numbers.

A mega night grand event will be held on 15 Oct i.e. Friday with DJ Harsh who will play 'dhamekedar' music and make you groove followed by refreshments.

Three short and sweet requests

Three short and sweet requests

1. Please dont pluck flowers from the garden. For those who need flowers for their morning puja, there is a flower guy who comes every morning. Garden flowers are as much as yours as much as they are for others. So you dont have a right to pluck it. Flowers looks beautiful in the garden, not in your pooja room. If anyone found plucking, dont be mute spectators to this sin. Just ask them to desist.

2. Please stick to your own parking. Also spread this good word to your neighbours. One wrong parking can lead to a series of wrong parkings. This can lead to small fights between neighbours.

3. The more cloths get small and lean, the more it should be hidden. Not clear? As far as possible do not make the front balcony a dhobi ghat - especially cloths that needs background space. (yes we do have a problem of where to dry the cloths in this extended rainy season. The objective of this request is to utilise the kitchen balcony first)

Should we have a seperate place for holding our functions?

Dear Members
Over a period of time we have seen new members adding to La Habitat. We welcome the new members but one thing must have noticed is lack of facilities to conduct functions. While it is a sin to conduct functions at the lawns since it will destroy the beauty of the landscape, it is also a tough choice to conduct it in the parking spaces.

In all the functions so far the facility staff faced nightmares cleaning up the premises and in some cases cleaning the oil stained floors have become impossible.

It is common for the cooking team to dump waste food in the water lane adjoining the walls or at any common place. When the function is on, it is also not possible for the hosts to supervise these issues.

Even in our own common functions like Ganesh Chaturthi dinner, we had great difficulty in putting the place clean and despite our best efforts and instructions to cooking team not to put oil on the floor, it has invariably got into the tiles. We have cleaned it twice and today there will be a third time cleaning.

So we will end up spoiling the beauty of La Habitat with such functions. At the same time the right to hold a function cant be denied to a member since occasions like house warming ceremonies cant be held on a party plot elsewhere.

In short the situation is between devil and deep sea. To make things easier, LAAC proposes a suggestion. Please note this is just a suggestion and we are soliciting feedback from members on this. Once we get a positive feedback we will approach the Facility Management with this idea for implementation. Otherwise, we will not go ahead with this.

An easier and no nonsense way is to have ready made food packets. But for a few, food packs becomes a tough choice as traditionally they would like to have a full serving.

For the full serving, we should create a platform, washbasin and a wash area somewhere on the parking area underground (area to be identified). All members will be allowed to have functions only at this designated place. Members will have to take prior permission for this and pay Rs 1000 as a token for using the space and thereafter cleaning up the place. Functions with more than 200 guests should not be allowed at the premises. Beyond this number, the members have to find another alternative.

An elevated platform (temporary) should be provided for cooking and a iron sheet cover will be provided to the cooks so that the oil and other cooking materials doesn’t spill over to the ground. There should be thick papers on the ground to avoid all oil spills. Waste food should compulsorily be collected in a plastic bag and kept at the place where AMC van picks it up. While leaving the place, host should ensure there are no napkin papers, plastic glasses, food sewn all over and the place is neat and clean.

Please let us know your feedback.

Ganesh Chaurthi Celebration Pictures

View the La Habitat Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration Pictures here

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24223&id=131164236917922&ref=mf

Enjoy being different being part of Lahabitat

La Habitat Buzz for the day 11 Sep 2010

We will be having a demo of two brands of Gas Geysers today, 11th of Sep near the A7 Block at 7 PM (evening). You can book it right during the demo or later and depending on the volume of booking, we will be negotiating with the dealer for prices.

Ahmedabad to get heavy rains in next 2 days

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO PLAN TO SPEND THE WEEKEND SOMEWHERE AROUND AHMEDABAD, PLEASE BE A LITTLE CAREFUL.
STAY PUT AT LA HABITAT AND ENJOY THE RAINS FROM THE BALCONIES. ENJOY THE LUSH GREEN LAWNS AND HAVE SOME PAKORAS ALONG.

A few spells of rains, at times heavy, are likely in the city and other parts of the state over the next two days, the Indian meteorological department (IMD) has forecast.

IMD said that spells of rain or thundershowers, at times heavy, are likely in Ahmedabad in the next two days. It has forecast 66 mm (2.5 inch) and 33 mm (1.3 inch) rainfall in the city on Thursday and Friday respectively.

The department said that slightly over 18 mm rainfall was received in Ahmedabad between Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening. With this, season's total rainfall in the city increased to 41.7 inch, almost 15 inch more than the normal rainfall till date.

IMD also said that monsoon was vigorous over Saurashtra-Kutch and active over Gujarat region during the day. Heavy rainfall was recorded at many places in South Gujarat during the past 24 hours, and medium to heavy rains are likely at many places in the coming hours.

The IMD forecast moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers occurring at most places in all districts of the state. The IMD also warned that heavy to very heavy rains would occur at isolated places over the state during the next 36 hours.

Source : DNA

La Habitat Buzz for the day 9 Sep 2010

Torrent Power is carrying out maintenance work near La Habitat and hence there will be no power till evening (around 5 PM) today. Please inform your homes accordingly

Phone and Broadband at La Habitat

We will finally be having phone and broadband at our facility. Reliance Communication will provide these services at the following package. You are free to change the plan according to your need along with installation now or at a later stage

Telephone
Monthly Rental : Rs 299
Unlimited calling anywhere in Gujarat for any landline network and Reliance Mobile network
Any other network in Gujarat  : 50 paise per 60 seconds
STD : 1 Re per 60 seconds
Installation  : Rs.  500 ( One Time Charge )
You will be given single  Landline  Instrument  with  various  Facility ( Caller  ID, 2 nd Call Pick Up,100 Phone Book  Memory , 30 Call List, Direct  Call  Centre  Number )
Additional  Facility  of  Intercom  free within  the  Users.

Broadband
Monthly Rental : Rs 299
Usage : 1 GB per month
Surfing Speed: 2 MBPS
Additional usage : .90 paise per MB
Installation  Charges  : Rs. 300 ( No  Modem  Rental; No  Security  Deposit )
Attractive  Scheme  for  6 Month Advance  Broadband Rental  Plan ( Pay  only  5  month Rent &  Get  Benefit of  Installation  & 1 Month  Absolutely  Free )
Attractive  Scheme  for 12 Month Advance  Broadband Rental  Plan ( Pay only 10 months Rent & get  Benefit of Installation & 2 Months Absolutely Free )
UNLIMITED Plans  of  Broadband  Plans  are  also  Available  just  for  450 /-  only.

We will inform you about the timing and place where you can register for these services in our next mail.

What's new at La Habitat?

Dear Members
LAAC had its second round of meeting with Pacifica Team last Friday and you will be glad to know that many of our common problems are being addressed to on a war footing. The gravest of all – leakages/seepages – are being plugged and we can hopefully see a seepage free La Habitat next monsoon.

The good news is that PNG will be in your kitchen by next weekend(this is the word by Adani guys and even if they get this deadline pass, we can expect it in another 15 days).

Parking allotment is finished in all blocks and letters handed over to all members with parking plan. Hope you have received them.

Request you to stick to your own parking area with immediate effect. Please do not park your vehicles in others parking, common areas like roads, washing area, linking road between two blocks and most importantly the area between Block B4 and B5. If you have any grievance related to parking please contact Facility Manager, Namrata Shah and try to solve it amicably.

Pacifica Team will visit each of you soon with a welcome kit which will have all the warranty cards, contact numbers ranging from pest control to sanitary fittings.

Stickers for cars are ready. Please read carefully the procedure for sticking stickers to the car:

1.    Stickers will be on the left bottom corner of all cars for better visibility for security staff.
2.    Members will not be given stickers and instead the Facility staff will stick it in your presence(please co-operate in this)
3.    If you have two or more parking but now have only one car, you will not be given the extra sticker but wait for your new car to arrive for the sticker to get pasted. Your extra sticker will be safely kept in Facility Office.
4.    Only those cars with the stickers will be allowed entry into La Habitat. Please do not argue with the security staff for entry since they are only following instructions. This step is for better security and management of members and do not take any other angle into this step. All guest vehicles will have to be strictly parked outside.
5.    Your car registration number will be noted with all sticker pasting. This will help the Facility Management Team to track vehicles.

All members who have kept plant pots on the balcony may please remove it and keep it inside or put a tray below the pot so that the water do not seep on the walls. There are general complaints from members themselves that the water in the pots pilferages to the bottom floor or the ground. ALSO ASK YOUR DOMESTIC HELP NOT TO PUT WATER SOAKED CLOTHES ONTO THE KITCHEN BALCONY PARFAIT.

It is compulsory for all tenants to produce their rent agreement copy to Facility Staff along with their police registration details. Please inform all your neighbours regarding this since many of them are not in this mailing list. If they have not got registered with police, they can produce the rent agreement copy and produce the police registration details later.

We have started campaign to get all domestic help and other regular entrants registered. We have got close to 25 registrations. Cost per card is Rs 60 but the registrant need to pay only Rs 20 as a token. If your domestic help is still left behind, please collect the form from the Security and fill it up along with a passport size photo and any proof of identity and residence. For those who doesn’t have these proof can submit it later.

Some other points that were discussed and which will be addressed soon are:

1. Polishing and finishing in stairs and common areas
2. Barbed wire fencing for which the design approval is awaited
3. All the facilities like Gym,Sports room etc will be open by next week end or whenever Torrent Power puts its meters whichever is earlier.
4. A Common notice board at a common vicinity will be placed this week itself
5. Post boxes will be installed in another ten days.
6. Housekeeping staff will be given proper garbage disposal bins. The current system of bringing plastic bags to collect garbage will then be stopped.
7. We will soon be seeking sponsors for putting signages all around the campus especially the roads. This will be a great learning experience for children to know the traffic signs(details of this will be sent separately. If you have sponsors, please let us know. We will give them space below the signage to display their products)

Registration of Domestic Help

Please pass on the message to all your domestic help/ drivers/ car cleaners/ cooks/ milk man/ newspaper boy or any one who comes to your home for any work on a regular basis to be present at the entry gate sharp at 8 AM(morning) this Saturday 28th of August to fill up a mandatory form and for getting photographed. They will get a laminated ID card with a unique number for their entry into La Habitat.

Each card holder will have to pay Rs 20 and the rest of the expenses will be borne by us. For those who fail to make it will have to pay Rs 100 and bring their own photographs for getting their ID cards.

Please inform them that they need to bring a copy of any valid proof of their residence and any government issues photo ID card.

Under law, it is compulsory to do this exercise. Better to do this now than to repent later.

Since your domestic help doesn’t have a Blackberry or PC to read mail (although many of them have latest gadgets and talk nothing less than 23 hours a day), we request you to inform them so as to enable them to continue their work at La Habitat and do not face expulsion on account of non-compliance of legal procedures.

Dangers of mushrooming Guest Houses in Residential Colonies

Dear Members
La Habitat is less than one year old and if the residents of La Habitat don’t take care of its discipline and welfare, it will get converted into another barrack of all type of illegal activities.

Just give a glimpse of how safe you and your children are within the four walls of La Habitat. Do you want this peace to be shattered? Commercial value of La Habitat is reaching Rs 4000 and with mushrooming guest houses, leave alone the appreciation, it will be reduced to less than 3000.

Members recently passed a resolution banning all Guest Houses and Transit homes and PG accommodation at La Habitat. In response, Mr Israni has expressed his opinion – absolutely valid and legitimate points – for which we are thankful. But he is not realizing the impending peril ahead.

Consider the colonies where it is running – from Delhi to Bangalore to Mumbai to Pune – with all the problems intact. These problems have become irreversible now. It ranges from immoral activities to terrorist cover. Do you want to get into this mess?

This doesn’t mean all guest houses or people staying at these guest houses are not law abiding citizens. With all due respect to them, we must take the precaution now before it is too late.

The government has put all guesthouses under “commercial activities”, which cannot take place in residential colonies. So it is purely illegal by law. All existing guesthouses in La Habitat, therefore, must cease to exist with immediate effect. Accordingly this will be notified to Competent Authority if this is not done within the next two months.

Read some of the recent articles on Guest Houses and PG accommodation and you will realize the danger.


Illegal guesthouses dot residential colonies
Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Services
Gurgaon, March 14
The ‘guesthouse culture’ appears to be gaining ground in the posh residential pockets of the city, violating all the legal provisions. Even though the officials concerned term the mushrooming guesthouses in the residential colonies as illegal, the broad view is that the anomalous development could not take place without the connivance of the authorities.
According to a general estimate, there are more than 100 illegal guesthouses functioning in the private residential colonies of new Gurgaon city area alone. According to the Enforcement Wing of the District Town and Country Planning, notices have been issued to the owners of the properties, which are being used as guesthouses.
The department has categorised these guesthouses under “commercial activities”, which cannot take place in residential colonies.
The residents of the private colonies, like the DLF and Sushant Lok, allege that when the authorities cannot stop the construction of these guesthouses, how can they ensure that the activities in these guesthouses are legal.
The Resident Welfare Association of DLF complained to the authorities recently about the increasing commercial activities in the residential areas. The residents feel that the guesthouses culture was damaging the concept of “community living in peace” and having adverse affect on the process of socialisation on the children.
The officials’ modus operandi seems to be to first allow the construction of the guesthouses and then serve notices and allow the issue to be taken to the court. The general feeling is that this is just an excuse to keep up the facade of an administrative action.
The departmental officials then simply wash their hands of the issue on the ground that it is subjudice.

Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050315/delhi.htm#11




No check on illegally running guest houses

KANPUR: The sealing drive by the Kanpur Development Authority  (KDA), which started with much fanfare last month to seal guest houses in residential areas flouting norms, proved to be yet another eye-wash. The enforcement officials of KDA  have so far managed to seal only a limited number of guest houses and 'Baratshaalas' in the city, while a majority of the unauthorised guest houses are operational in posh residential colonies creating problems for the residents.

Besides, the 5,000 watt music played on loudspeakers during the wedding parties held at these guest houses past midnight is making a mockery of the the Supreme Court ruling and declaration by the Central Ministry for Environment and Forestry prohibiting the use of loudspeakers in residential areas after 10 pm.

This has already evoked strong resentment among residents who have been demanding the closure or shifting of these guest houses to commercial areas. However, despite continuous complaints to local police station and KDA authorities, no action has been taken so far.

One such unauthorised guest house is being run on plot number 7/131 of the residential area in Swaroop Nagar. Earlier, under the Right to Information (RTI), one of the residents Deepak Singh Chauhan had sought what norms were required to run a guest house in Swaroop Nagar from the KDA.

The KDA in its reply to RTI application clearly mentioned that a notice was served to the owner of the house for illegally using the residential land for running a guest house and that the house on the given address was being used as residence at present. A declaration from the owner of the house had been taken and that KDA would initiate action against the house owner under section 27 of the UP Urban Scheme and Development Act 1973 if at all it was again found to be used against the resident land-use.

In yet another complaint letter by Deepak Singh to Join Secretary (Enforcement), it was mentioned that the information provided by KDA was not based on facts as the guest house was still functioning. "Neither was any reply received nor any action taken so much so that the guest house owner started illegal construction on the second floor," said the complainant.

As per KDA norms, a guest house in residential area should have a minimum area of 400 square metre and it should be located on road with available road width of at least 24 metre and having proper parking space.

Those opposing the guest house in Swaroop Nagar claimed: "The said premises are being used as a guest house following which long queues of vehicles are parked on a mere 20-ft road outside the guest house, thus causing traffic jams. Apart from inconvenience to commuters, use of generators on footpath causes intolerable sound pollution, causing mental trauma to residents."

"In the absence of any stringent action by authorities, two more guest houses have mushroomed in the residential area-- one at plot number 7/121 and the other at plot number 7/134. They are openly flouting the norms," claimed another Swaroop Nagar resident, Narendra Agarwal.

"This, when the circle rates by KDA have been the highest for Swaroop Nagar in the name of posh residential area and that Kanpur Nagar Nigam has been charging highest house tax," he pointed out.

Officials are just not aware

The three guest houses running in Swaroop Nagar are not the lone examples of illegal land-use, but several other unauthorised guest houses are operational in various posh residential areas including Arya Nagar, Govind Nagar, Gumti, Pandu Nagar and Lal Bungalow.

However, despite innumerable complaints, KDA authorities feigned ignorance about the problems being faced by residents.

"Although we started the drive of sealing houses in residential areas being used commercially, a few guest houses managed to get a stay from the high court and the sealing drive had to be stopped midway," said secretary, KDA, RV Singh, when contacted.

Such is the apathy that higher authorities, including the enforcement officials, were themselves found unaware of the total count of guest houses sealed and wasted no time in passing the buck on their colleagues.

"Notices have been served on illegal guest house owners and we have been waiting for their reply. But the exact count of the sealed guest houses is not confirmed," admitted Singh and proceeded to advice the TOI team to contact joint secretary (enforcement). He, however, admitted that a stern step- like the one taken in Delhi- had to be taken to stop illegal land use.

A similar response was received by the enforcement officials, including CP Tripathi, Urmila Sonkar and Lalita Ram, who were caught unaware of the number of guest houses sealed and the notices served on those running illegally.

Noise pollution norms also flouted

While these guest houses continue to mint money in the absence of serious inquiry, a serious and continuous cause of concern for the residents has been the loud music which is played at these places even during examination time.

Amidst the blaring music of DJ during the wedding parties hosted here, students have to manage to concentrate on studies. Besides, the ailing and the old also have to bear the brunt as music keeps playing even after midnight.

The worst sufferers are the Board students. "It has become a routine for me every night to study and learn lessons amidst loud noise (music) which is enough to turn anyone deaf. There is no solution, as the owners are not concerned about us. They just want their money," complained Ravi Awasthi, a Board student and resident of Lal Bungalow. He has been continuously facing problems following the wedding parties hostel at a guest house situated adjacent to his residence. What is more shocking is the fact that the two guest houses in Lal Bungalow are at a stone's throw from Chakeri police chowki.

As per the Supreme Court ruling, music on loudspeakers is prohibited after 10 pm. Even Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on January 14 declared that under the Environment Protection Act 1986 and Sound Regulation Rule 2000, music more than the permissible limit would not be aloud between 10 pm and 6 am in residential and silence zones. Those not adhering to norms would have to pay up to Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment of seven years. The Minister had also said police can act suo moto to curb the noise pollution under the act.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has also washed off its hands by claiming to be a monitoring authority. "We can just monitor noise pollution level, but action has to be taken by local administration after a complaint by residents," claimed regional officer, UPPCB, Radhey Shyam.

While police were found unaware of the announcement, DIG BP Jogdand said: "We would confirm about such notification and definitely question the local police whether any complaint had been made and what action was taken. If there is any such ruling, we will see that action is taken immediately."

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/No-check-on-illegally-running-guest-houses/articleshow/5570079.cms





Paying guest accommodation in residential areas creating nuisance

With the increasing number of universities and colleges in Faridabad the number of paying guests has also increased in some of the posh sectors of the city, mostly in Sector 37, 21, 14 and 15. Houses that run as paying guests in the residential area of these sectors are a cause of big nuisance.
Gurjeet Kapoor general secretary of Residents and Plot Holders Welfare Association in Sector 37 said, "There are around 5000 students who are staying as paying guests and 50 houses that are accommodating a minimum of 40 to 50 students as paying guests. These houses conduct commercial activities and in turn we have to suffer. Some time back we put up high capacity transformers as the earlier transformer could not take the load of the electricity being consumed. With the coming of these paying guests the load on the usage of water, electricity and other basic amenities required for daily living has increased."
Gurjeet Kapoor said, "We complained to the HUDA administrator Dr Abhay Singh Yadav and that time he said that the commercial activities are not allowed in the residential area and we will resume the plots where the commercial activities are going on but till date nothing has been done. Students as usual make nuisance as both girls and boys stay here. They sit in the parks and come late at night. The authority should follow the example of Delhi. Anybody running a paying guest in Delhi needs to have a license first."
Commercial activities are going on in the residential area but there is no check on them. RWA general secretary of Sector 21-A Amita Singh faces the same problem in her sector. She says, "There is one house in this area where 50-60 students stay and in rest of the paying guest 5-10 students reside. We have to face difficulty because of them as they also use the basic amenities. It is also not safe as young boys ride bikes at high speed in the area. MCF has surveyed the area but has done nothing and when we complained to HUDA administrator eight months back, he said that he is not aware of the problem. But now he knows about it still nothing has been done." AS Gulati, secretary general of Confederation of Residents Welfare Association said, "No steps have been taken by the district administration to check it. Commercial activities in residential areas eat up on civic services particularly parking lots.
It is also a serious security hazard. The agreement for sale of a property clearly includes one affidavit that the property shall be used only and exclusively for residential purpose and the purchaser shall not use the said property for any other purpose. Despite submitting such an affidavit, people are using residential premises for commercial use. Authorities are requested to take stringent measures against the erring offenders so that commercial activities stop functioning in residential areas."  Junior engineer NK Madan said, "Notice has been given to the people running paying guests in the residential area in Sector 37 and the copy of it has been send to allotment section but the action will take time as some of the officers have been changed."

Source: http://www.jagrancityplus.com/storydetail.aspx?articleid=21331&catgid=6&cityid=5&Bool=h

Tenant Registration Form

It is mandatory for all house owners wishing to rent out their property to furnish this information u/s 144 Cr.P.C. by order of district Magistrate of concerned area and withholding the same is an offence u/s 188 Cr.P.C.


Fill the following proforma form and enclose the photocopy of rent deed (if any) submit/sent the same to the concerned Police Station along with the copy of same to the Gujrat, Commissioner of Police through Speed Post or by Hand and get the proper acknowledgment for the same


LANDLOARD/TENANT INFORMATION
( Filled the same in capital letters only)
1. Landlord/Owner Information
House No. ___________________________________Sector/Village ___________________________
Name of Owner________________________________Since________ ___Phone No.______________
Father/Husband Name______________________________________________ ___________________
Permanent Address___________________________________________ ________________________
________________________________________ Distt. ___________________State_______________
Police Station ______________________Phone No. _____________Occupation__________________
Whether landlord residing in the House Yes/No
If yes, furnish the following information.
(A) PARTICULARS OF FAMILY MEMBERS RESIDING WITH THE OWNER
Sr.
No.
Name Age Sex Relation Occupation Voter I-Card No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
(B) PARTICULARS OF VEHICLES OWNED BY LANDLOARD OR HIS/HER
FAMILY MEMBERS
Sr.
No.
Registration No. Registered owner Type Make Model
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
(C) WEPON DETAILS
Sr.
No.
Type/Make of
Weapon
Bore Valid Up to License
No,
Name of License
Holder
Issue
authority
1.
2.
3.
(D) PASSPORT DETAIL
Sr.
No.
Passport No. Name of Passport
Holder
Date of Issue Issuing
Authority
Nationality
1.
2.
3.
Having any servant or not ________________________________(if yes, fill up Servant information
form also)
Having tenants _________________________________(if yes, fill up Tenant information form also)
Certified that the information given above is correct to my knowledge and belief and nothing has been
concealed therein.
Name_______________________________Signature______ ________________Date_____________
FOR KIND ATTENTION OF THE RESIDENTS OF CITY............../STATE of Gujrat
This form can be used by the Gujrat Police to collect information from the residents of
Gujrat to help/check crimes and it is mandatory to furnish this information u/s 144 Cr.P.C. by
order of district Magistrate of concerned area and withholding the same is an offence u/s 188 Cr.P.C.

__________________________________________________ ________________________________
FOR USE OF POLICE STATION
Received on ___________________________________________
PS Dairy No. __________________________________________
Authorized Signatory
Name _______________________________________________
Rank ________________________________________________
No. _________________________________________________
STATEMENT REGARDING TENANTS, FLOOR -1
Address_________________________________ Tenants Name______________________
S/o, D/o, W/o ____________________________ Tenants since_______________________
Occupation_______________________________ Tel. No.___________________________
Vehicle No.______________________________ Licensed Weapon (detail)_____________
Originally from (permanent address), R/o Vill.__________________________________________
Police Station_____________________________Distt.________ ________State_______________
Both husband wife serving Yes/No. Husband Wife
Place of work______________________________________________ _______________________
Time of day/Night house in unoccupied________________________________________ __
PRTICULARS OF MAIL FAMILY MEMBER’S
Sr.
No.
Name Age Sex Relation Occupation
STATEMENT REGARDING TENANTS, FLOOR -2
Address_________________________________ Tenants Name______________________
S/o, D/o, W/o ____________________________ Tenants since_______________________
Occupation_______________________________ Tel. No.___________________________
Vehicle No.______________________________ Licensed Weapon (detail)_____________
Originally from (permanent address), R/o Vill.__________________________________________
Police Station_____________________________Distt.________ ________State_______________
Both husband wife serving Yes/No. Husband Wife
Place of work______________________________________________ _______________________
Time of day/Night house in unoccupied________________________________________ __
PRTICULARS OF MAIL FAMILY MEMBER’S
Sr.
No.
Name Age Sex Relation Occupation

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 21ST AUGUST

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 21ST AUGUST 2010 AT LA HABITAT
VENUE : CENTRAL LAWNS
TIME : 9 PM

Attendance was taken on arrival and the first agenda came up for discussion was to decide whether to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi. While some said yes, a majority said if at all we need to celebrate, it should be in full faith. Some members said we should wait for more members to move in and then start the celebration from next year. Other few opined that such celebrations with very short intervals in between would be a burden on the members since Navratri is also around the corner. Already we had an Independence Day celebrations.

Before we go to the festivities, let’s also see another important point that was debated vigorously.  As you may know there are mushrooming Guest Houses and PG Accommodation facilities coming up at La Habitat. While in some areas it is very common where there are independent entries (independent bungalows facing main road etc) but not the case at La Habitat. There were heated discussions on this and a resolution was passed unanimously to ban this practice from La Habitat. The following are the exceptions:

1.    The flat can be leased/rented to any corporate house/company or individuals. While in case of individuals, only families allowed. In case of single bachelors, please prove their employment details. PG accommodation and group of bachelors/students are strictly not allowed.
2.    In case of corporate, the flat can be used for their employee and their family. But it cannot be used as a transit home where every morning or every week there is a new person coming in and going out. La Habitat cannot be another transit home or a Hotel. All such plans or future plans will have to shelved with immediate effect.
3.    In all cases, police registration is a must. The house owners should submit a copy of the rent agreement and police registration details before the tenant moves in.

Now back to where we began. Ganesh Chaturthi has never been associated with any particular religion when the idea was initially floated. It later got monopolized by certain sections/state/religion. Most of the members agreed with this and decided to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi this year on a low profile. Contribution will be intimated to you once the budget is fixed. The following is the structure of the Organising Committee:

MR.RAKESH BHATTACHARJEE      A/8 -101     CHAIRPERSON
MR.SUMIT SETHI                          A/6 -302     COMMITTEE MEMBER
MR.SANDIP SUTHAR                         B/3-  301     -          "          -
MR.AMBRISH CHOWDHARY           A/9 - 201     -           "          -
MR.SHISHIR MEHTA                          A/9 - 302     -           "          -

Navratri celebrations are also being planned. However, a new OC will run and its formation will be intimated in due course.

Some of the members who have not attended this meeting will question the validity of this resolution. Please note that this is a resolution passed by a simple majority and LAAC is only communicating to the members. From the sublime to the ridiculous is only one step. Let's discipline ourselves before someone else does.

Pictures of LH I Day Celebrations and calling for Slogan

On 15th August this year, we found many talents within us.

Ambrish Chaudhary made a great anchor as he unleashed a series of problems we face in a very poetic and humorous manner. His witty satire on our issues made everyone think how we can find good sense of humor within chaotic problems and diverse issues. So dont forget to smile at each other.

We found the block captains very enthusiastically on the field. These captains will run in future LAAC.

We found Mukesh Panchal, our Guest of Honour at the ceremony extending his full co-operation to give a good road, lighting and clean area.

We found talent in our children who were creative in the fields given to them.

We found Pidilite Industries very helpful and spending a Sunday with us by helping the children taking part in the competition.

We found that security guards are agile and can salute the way constitution has taught us.

We found that Fafda Jalebi is far better than a 6 course full meal.

We also found we can organize any event at any short notice – if we have the co-operation from all members.

And last but not the least, we disappointingly found some members missing from the event despite their presence within La Habitat. Please don’t forget that this is your forum and not any one’s personal fiefdom. If you stay away, you are hurting the common cause.

So it was a day of discovery. You can find some of the moments immortalized as pictures in the following Facebook Profile link.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=18265&id=131164236917922

Now we want further talents to come out. We will unfurl the La Habitat Flag very soon at the same venue where we had the national flag. It will be in white background with LH Logo at the centre. We want good slogans to go with the logo.

Calling for all children and adults to coin a good slogan (something like Peace of Mind. Guaranteed. – this is a Binani cement owned stuff and so don’t copy any brand slogans) and send it to us on or before 31st of August. The best slogan will be selected and its creator will be rewarded. So start using your creative skills.

Thanks one and all for Grand I Day celebrations

Hello Members
At the first outset, please allow LAAC to thank each and everyone for their participation in our grand Independence Day celebration. Serious things first. The contribution for each family is Rs 400(not each person but each family) irrespective of whether any one attended the function or not. We arranged the function considering each and every one who dwells currently at La Habitat and if anyone has opted out of such a patriotic and emotional function, they missed one of the best moments that everyone will cherish forever.

The Block Captains will approach you tomorrow or day after. Please keep Rs 400 ready.

The joy and enthusiasm of independence has not faded even an inch despite 63 years behind us. We still cherish the same spirit as our heroes of independence cherished when they actually got it in their hands. From a fractured, divided and poverty sticken country, we are now a united, culturally rich, intellectually loaded nation. We are ourselves to blame for all the problems that we face today. Our forefathers gave us peace and unity and we ended up nurturing hatred and divide.

But La Habitat is a different ballgame altogether. We have shown that our great heritage is still rocking and our diversity is the strength that we ride on. You will be glad to know that such unity is what drives a collective society. We are already on the verge of reaching Rs 4000 per Sq.Ft, an appreciation that you have long sought for. Our aim is to make this as high as possible not merely by inflating artificially but by showing great participation and inclusiveness.

We cannot forget the contribution by volunteers who was on the ground at 6 in the morning. This includes Arun Mudaliar, Bijal Shah, Bhagyesh Patel, Sunil Koshti and the Block Captains apart from the LAAC team. The security staff, cleaning staff and Facility Team were at their toes giving us all the help. Thank you all for making this programme a great success.

Block captains of La Habitat

Hello
The following are the block captains LAAC requested to be in and you will be happy to note that we have got consent from them. Any of you who can shoulder their responsibilities are welcome.

Since some blocks have too less occupancy, one single person is nominated for multiple blocks. They will be responsible for collection of money, communication with LAAC etc. They will be the people who will take social activities of La Habitat forward.

Mrs. SHOBHA VERMA Ext No: 02203
Block Captain for Block Nos A1, A2, A3, A4

Mrs HARITA MUDALIAR Ext No: 05204
Block Captain for Block Nos A5, A6

Mrs PREETI KHANDUJA Ext No: 07104
Block Captain for Block No A7

Mrs SHIELA VARMA Ext No: 08102
Block Captain for Block No A8, A9, A10

Mrs FALGUNI SUTHAR Ext No: 13301
Block Captain for Block No B1, B2, B3

Mrs PALLAVI ARORA Ext No: 14103
Block Captain for Block No B4, B5, B6

Dos and Donts of La Habitat Part I

Dear Beloved Members

We have arrived at La Habitat for a better living. At LAAC, we believe this is possible. But there are certain dos and donts we have to follow. At times people think such dos and donts intrude into their freedom and privacy. “We have paid for our home and who are you to reprimand us?” this is what a common man would say in any apartment.

But a La Habitian would say “Good that we have some audit process in all spheres of life We just love it.”

Those colonies which have self restraint and discipline are the best places to stay. Some of the rules may sound like a life in military barrack but you are very well aware of the disciplines Jawans have.

So taking this in letter and spirit, LAAC has framed certain recommendations. Most of these points are to be implemented by members themselves. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and we are taking this step now. So your cooperation and support is very much necessary. These are the first set of points we plan to implement. Please remember that execution of these points can only be done with good cooperation from members in synchronization with Facility Management Team.

1.    Only registered domestic help /car cleaners/ dhobis allowed in. If yours is non-registered one, please ask them to register or exit. This will help in curbing crimes/robberies in future. Gujarat Police has made this compulsory for each household. You have to then inform about these persons in the nearest police station.
2.    Rs 350 per work per household. This can only be increased only after prior approval from LAAC. Those who pay higher than this should reduce it with immediate effect. Those paying lower than this should increase it. If they wish to pay higher, it is at their discretion but their domestic help should in no way encourage others to demand for more.
3.    Rs 200 per car. One two wheeler will be cleaned free with two car cleaning. They should not clean the tyres of the cars and pour water near the car parking. Normally it is seen that the water used for cleaning the car is poured into the tyres creating a slush around the place where your car is kept. Please tell them not to do so. Those who want to wash the car should take it to the car wash facility. So instruct your car cleaners to clean the car and not to wash the car at the parking facilities. Also direct them to park their two wheelers/cycles outside and walk in.
4.    50 Paisa per pouch can be charged extra by milkmen.
5.    No plucking of flowers by any members from La Habitat campus
6.    No cycle parking near the stairs. Instruct children accordingly
7.    No guests will be allowed to bring their two-wheeler/four wheeler in. Please instruct them once they have a plan to visit you. If your guests are staying overnight, then please accompany them to the main gate, register their vehicle and park it in guests parking on the basement.
8.    La Habitat campus is a No Smoking Zone. While LAAC cannot stop you from this habbit, ensure that no spitting inside the campus. Smokers, Gutka eaters, pan eaters may please keep their habits within their mouth. If anybody (including workers or labourers) is found spitting around the campus, they will be asked to clean it instantly. If you find such offences, please report to Facility Management.
9.    La Habitat is safe but if you are on a long vacation from your home, please inform your neighbour so that any suspicious activity is noticed. Remember, your neighbours are your best friends, so for trivial matters don’t get into small quarrels with them. A spoiled relation is a sour grape forever. As the saying goes, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent
10.    Marketing personnel are allowed to display their products at a common place but door-to-door marketing is not allowed. Those who are interested in displaying their product should pay a token fee of Rs 100/- to the facility management and seek permission from them.

Not knowing English is no shame

English may be a universal language but not knowing it is not a shame. I always thought Indians are better in language command as their tongues wag in at least 4 different languages every day, every time.

As my next-door neighbour at the office jostled into the office with a request the other day, I presumed it to be something else than what he asked for. It was to draft a covering letter for his company brochure. He said he has prepared one but doubted whether he wrote the correct language. I said I could improvise if I get that letter forwarded to my email. He meekly surrendered and said he wrote none. I insisted he should write one and forward me to correct since I had no time to think of writing a letter for him – And I was not in the letter writing business at all.

Word to word correction was imminent. But what surprised me was the last line, which read something like this. “So sir, please allow us one chance to perform on you”.

I wondered whether he was in Phuket. I could not fathom what he wanted to say and called him. He said he just translated from a covering letter he received from some of his clients and it was in Gujarati. It read – “Amne sevano ek mauko aapo” or in Hindi ‘हमें सेवा का एक अवसर दे ” or in plain English “Please give us a chance to serve you”.

But I asked him where this ‘performance’ angle appeared in a letter where he had nothing to perform at all. In the meanwhile, my office boy entered carrying with him an answer for a question that I asked him in the morning about a new office being built on the ground floor. “It is a Sabarkanta sir,” he said. Huh !, What the hell is that??

I then realized he wanted to say ‘Cyber Café’ and went on to get deep into one of the districts of Gujarat. English – not being the mother tongue for Indians – has a history of goof ups in India. There is nothing wrong not to know English. We go through a phase of surviving with many languages that we learn when we are aged less than 6 years.

Compare it with an American or English kid. He only knows one language and that is English. Now if you ask an American child to write couple of sentences, he will look like Mr Beans in a beanbag.

Consider an Indian child. If the child happens to be in Gujarat, then he knows Gujarati, Hindi and English. Many also know Marathi if he happens to migrate to Mumbai and if the child is from another state settled here; he knows at least two more languages.

Now that is the richness of Indian kids. So not knowing English is no sin. But pretending to know it is certainly a problem. If you happen to do that, then some body will ‘perform’ on you that you can easily avoid for the time being.

Binu Alex

Speci’men’ signatures of Kinnars

Signatures that Kinnars leave permanently on walls

It was amazing that in two days we could collect as much as 40,000 for a get together and then had it conducted very successfully. As I went collecting contributions for this, I realized how difficult it is for the ‘Kinnars’ to reach out to prospective money givers and then keeping track of them on a regular basis.

We were certainly in a group and the members were more than happy to contribute. One of the group members suggested we should leave a mark on the doors the way Eunuchs write their names to declare that a group has visited the house and has made a major hole to the monthly earning of that particular family.

I have parted a major part of my salary to this tribe both at home and office. I tried to reason with them to produce a bill so that I can pay by cheque. She/he glanced at me as if they will take revenge by getting me admitted to their group. Last year, we tried to make them wait after having agreed to a small sum to discuss internally if we can reduce the amount further.
One of them forcibly entered our meeting room in the office and said any one could count a million by this time. We settled for the agreed amount. The new office and the new home were bigger than the previous addresses. So the amount has to be bigger. So Sonia, Maya, Pinky, Renuka, Muskan and Party entered with demand of nothing less than an IMF loan.

Their leader Pinki massi was soft on me kindling me like her/his son. Sympathetic towards my helplessness in disbursing an amount on voucher without a proper bill was nothing short of a maternal care. I asked her a basic accountancy question of how to show this in the account. “It is none of my business,” she replied loudly but with compassion.

Their departure left a permanent mark. Not in my heart or body but on the walls outside the door. They also promised to return by Holi, Diwali, New Year and other festivals. Wonder where they are going to inscribe their Fateh Nama if this series go beyond a decade. 

Binu Alex

Letter to AMC Commissioner

To
The Municipal Commissioner
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
Ahmedabad

Sir

We are members of La Habitat Apartment, located on the 100 Ft Road from SG Highway to Hebatpur. While we thank you for putting into place the sewage lines there are unresolved issues, which is harming the residents, especially children and women.

One major problem we are facing is lack of lighting on the approach road from Aayna complex, Suvarna Bungalows, Shukun Bungalows to La Habitat. Since the road was dug up, this monsoon saw heavy water logging and clubbed with darkness, two wheelers were seen slipping on the mud.

Needless to say it is virtually impossible to walk on this road without torchlight. We have some 200 families in and around the area using this road. Request you to kindly put in place lighting arrangements for greater common good. In addition to this, the road has become a dumping yard since there is no arrangement for lifting garbage. We are also taxpayers like any other Ahmedabad residents and by denying these services; we are made to suffer with no fault of ours.

Secondly the most worrying part is the denial of permission to Adani Energy Limited to complete their digging and pipeline laying work towards finishing their last mile connectivity to the residents of La Habitat. Each resident of this apartment has paid for the connection and is now struggling to get cooking LPG cylinders.

We would be grateful if you could expedite these matters at the earliest.

Thanks and warm regards

La Habitat Residents