SMRUTI IRANI LAUNCHES COFFEE TABLE BOOK ON NARENDRA MODI AT ONE OF THE LARGEST EVER CONGREGATIONS OF GUJARATIS IN MUMBAI

Record Breaking Book Launch Marks Revival Of Mumbai BJP Gujrati Cell 

Mumbai: On the eve of ‘Mathrubhasha Divas’ Mumbai BJP Gujrati Cell has launched a coffee table book on Indian Prime Minister and fellow Gujrati, Shri Narendra Modi in one of the largest ever congregations of the community in the country. The coffee table book titled ‘Narendra Modi – A Visionary Prime Minister’ contains over 300 rare pictures compiled over a period of thirty years. Edited by renowned Gujrati writer, Shri Aashu Patel and photographed by ace lensman, Shri Dilip Thaker, the book was released bilingually in English and Gujrati.

“Attended by over fifteen thousand Gujratis, this is one of the largest book launches in the annals of Indian history,” says Shri Bhargav Patel, President, Mumbai Gujarati Cell, BJP. “What makes it doubly significant is that Gujrati community is usually disinterested in politics. But the taking of office of the Prime Minister by Shri Narendra Modi has enthused the community. This is a welcome change in their mindset,” he added.

Union Minister for Human Resources Development (HRD), Smt Smruti Irani launched the book at NSE Ground at a function packed to capacity in the presence of BJP National Vice President, Shri Purushottam Rupala and Members of Parliament (MPs) Shri Paresh Rawal, Shri Kirit Somaiyya, Shri Gopal Shetty, Smt Poonam Mahajan and other dignitaries from the field of politics, business, entertainment and glamour.

The launch was accompanied by grand musicals by singing superstar Falguni Pathak, Preeti-Pinki, Parthiv Gohil and others alongside entertainment programmes by Dilip Joshi and cast of Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chasma and other performances.

“I can say confidently that this book is a class apart. Narendrabhai himself will be surprised with many of the photographs clicked by Dilip Thaker. Photographs of ribbon cutting and speeches have been published many times. But the moods, temperaments, activities and settings showcased in the book are stunning. Even if we keep aside the photographic skills, the range of pictures by itself astonish the senses,” says Aashu Patel who has edited the book besides having written twenty four other books in Gujarati including the bestseller ‘Madam X’ which is being made into a movie by Tigmanshu Dhulia and Anurag Kashyap.

 “The project has been very close to our hearts, especially because we have trailed Mr. Modi’s colorful journey in politics until eventually, his appointment as the PM of India. So we thought it’d be a great idea to share some of the little known and lighter shades of our PM’s life and times with everyone. Hopefully, people will love this book as much as we’ve enjoyed working on it,” says Mr. Dilip Thaker. “This coffee-table book is by far my greatest achievement. It has some rare photographs of Narendrabhai depicting his journey from Vadnagar, a small village in Gujarat to 7 Race Course in New Delhi.”

The English version of the book is published by the leading publishing house - Pentagon Press and the Gujarati version, by Navbharat Sahitya Mandir, one of the largest publishers in Gujrati. The coffee table book is the 25^th book of writer-journalist, Aashu Patel and the first of photo-journalist, Dilip Thaker.

“We are glad that we have been able to launch the book in such a grand manner as is deserved by the subject of the book and the painstaking detailing provided by the author and photographer while conceiving the book,” concludes Shri Bhargav Patel.

COFFEE TABLE BOOK TO UNVEIL RARE & CANDID PICTURES OF PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI

Journalist Tales

Mumbai: India will soon get a first hand preview of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s candid moments and memorable occasions. A coffee table book titled ‘Narendra Modi – A Visionary Prime Minister’ containing over 300 rare pictures compiled over a period of thirty years will be released in Mumbai on August 23. Edited by renowned Gujrati writer, Shri Aashu Patel and photographed by ace lensman, Shri Dilip Thaker, the book will be released bilingually in English and Gujrati.

“I can say confidently that this book is a class apart. Narendrabhai himself will be surprised with many of the photographs clicked by Dilip Thaker. Photographs of ribbon cutting and speeches have been published many times. But the moods, temperaments, activities and settings showcased in the book are stunning. Even if we keep aside the photographic skills, the range of pictures by itself astonish the senses,” says Aashu Patel who has edited the book besides having written twenty four other books in Gujarati including the bestseller ‘Madam X’ which is being made into a movie by Tigmanshu Dhulia and Anurag Kashyap.

Union Minister for Human Resources Development (HRD), Smt Smriti Irani will launch the book at a grand function at NSE Ground in the presence of BJP National Vice President, Shri Parshottam Rupala and Members of Parliament (MPs) Shri Paresh Rawal, Shri Kirit Somaiya, Shri Gopal Shetty, Smt Poonam Mahajan and other dignitaries.

“Attended by over ten thousand Gujratis from the city, this will be one of the largest book launches in the annals of Indian history. Photographs from the book will be put up for display at an exhibition at the venue. In addition the programme will have musicals by Falguni Pathak, Preeti-Pinki, Parthiv Gohil and others alongside entertainment programmes by Dilip Joshi and cast of Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chasma,” says Shri Bhargav Patel, President, Mumbai Gujarati Cell, BJP who has organized the launch. “The event will reflect every bit the grandioseness of the subject and the painstaking detailing provided by the author and photographer while conceiving the book.”

“The project has been very close to our hearts, especially because we have trailed Mr. Modi’s colorful journey in politics until eventually, his appointment as the PM of India. So we thought it’d be a great idea to share some of the little known and lighter shades of our PM’s life and times with everyone. Hopefully, people will love this book as much as we’ve enjoyed working on it,” says Mr. Dilip Thaker. “This coffee-table book is by far my greatest achievement. It has some rare photographs of Narendrabhai depicting his journey from Vadnagar, a small village in Gujarat to 7 Race Course in New Delhi,” concludes Mr. Thaker.

The English version of the book is published by the leading publishing house - Pentagon Press and the Gujarati version, by Navbharat Sahitya Mandir, one of the largest publishers in Gujrati. The coffee table book is the 25^th book of writer-journalist, Aashu Patel and the first of photo-journalist, Dilip Thaker.

ACTING THROUGH A GARLANDED PHOTOGRAPH

It’s Entertainment

Mumbai: When Akshay Kumar starrer ‘It’s Entertainment’ hit the theatres last weekend, it was not just the handsome golden retriever – Junior, the wonder dog– that captured audience attention. Uncannily, (pun intendedJ) its master, Johari Sheth, also maintained a striking presence right through the film. And that too, as a garlanded photograph.

“Literally, I am present in one solitary scene. After that I am visible only through my photograph and references made to me by live characters,” says Dalip Tahil, who plays the role of Bangkok’s Indian origin diamond king Pannalal Johari. “It was a challenging role. How many people do you know who can act through a photograph? Emoting through the confines of a frame is not everybody’s cup of tea,” quips the actor light heartedly.

Tahil plays Akshay Kumar’s father who bequeaths his huge inheritance not to his son, but to his faithful dog, after he passes away. “My chemistry with the dog in the film was wonderful. Didn’t I after all make him the richest dog in the world,” teases the actor.

Known for portraying powerful characters, Dalip Tahil had stood out for his performances in Quyamat Se Qayamat Tak, Baazigar and Kaho Na Pyar Hai, among others. He is also credited with giving stand out performances in the 80s’ teleserial Buniyaad and the BBC classic East Enders. Lately he has been seen essaying the role of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in movies and TV shows that include Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Shyam Benegal’s magnum opus Samvidhan.

“When Ramesh Taurani approached me for ‘It’s Entertainment’, I was a bit skeptical. The cameo didn’t seem appealing at the first instance. Then I thought why not. It would be interesting to maintain presence purely through a garlanded picture. As it turned out, I am glad I took up this project,” concludes Dalip Tahil.

About Dalip Tahil: An Indian film, television and theatre actor Dalip Tahil did his schooling from the elite Sherwood College in Nainital, India. During his senior years at school, he won the prestigious 'Kendall Cup' for the best actor two years in succession. He was declared the best actor for a record third Time in 1969, his final year at Sherwood College. After moving along with his Family to Mumbai in 1968, Dalip Tahil joined the Theatre Group Bombay, and trained under Alyque & Pearl Padamsee. During one of the plays, film Director Shyam Benegal noticed him and offered him his first ever role in the film Ankur. Since then, he has played principal character roles, demonstrating his versatility and unique talent in over 100 Bollywood films.

CITY BARS TO SERVE LIQUOR UP TO 1:30 AM; DISCOTHEQUES IN 4-STAR HOTELS OPEN TILL 3 AM; LODGING HOUSES TO OPERATE 24 HOURS

HRAWI Applauds Police Commissioner’s Quick Resolution

Mumbai: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has welcomed the new directives given by the Commissioner of Police (CP) to his officers, providing major reliefs to the hotel and restaurant industry in Mumbai. As per a special police order, restaurants in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane can now serve food and beverages till 1:30 am; discotheques in 4-star hotels can operate till 3 am; lodging house licenses to be open 24 hours; and managers’ names can be included in the entertainment licenses.

The order comes in the wake of a meeting between an HRAWI delegation led by its Member of Honour, Mr. Vivek Nair and the Mumbai Commissioner of Police on these and other key issues faced by the hotel industry.

“Prior to the issuance of the police order, many local police stations in Mumbai would ask bars and restaurants to close at 12:30 am, so that the premises could be vacant by 1.30 am, since that was an assumed deadline. Almost all restaurants complied with this deadline even though it was in contradiction to the government resolutions issued on June 5, 1999 and December 3, 2011, which allowed establishments to serve liquor till 1:30 am. For many years we have been petitioning the police to allow bars and restaurants to stay open till the official deadline. We are glad that the current Police Commissioner has finally accepted our petition and given a clear directive to all police stations that they should not enter any premises on this pretext before 1.30 am” says Mr. Kamlesh Barot, immediate past-President, HRAWI, who had made the representation to the CP along with Joint CP Mr. Vivek Phansalkar and two officers Mr. Doley and Mr. Girmal.

At the meeting, the CP patiently gave explanations for each slide having precincts and directives instantaneously for resolvable deterrents that were vexing the hoteliers. “On some of the points the CP clearly said that owing to jurisdictional and other limitations he could not intervene. But overall, the meeting was very positive. He said he would be issuing instructions that police should not accompany excise officials visiting hotels and restaurants; police officers need not insist that licensees should be physically present at all hours at the establishment; and on the issue of delay in renewal of premises licenses, he issued instructions forthright to cut the delay from the current seven - eight months to one month,” added Mr. Barot.

“It is not about one action or one directive, but we are seeing a refreshing change of attitude and intent. The approach is to solve problems and seek clarity. We are certain that going forward, the new Police Commissioner will be able to streamline a lot of procedures related to police permission, licensing and other issues. We, as hoteliers are not seeking any special favours, but a healthy business atmosphere to grow in,” says Mr. D.S. Advani, President, HRAWI.

The CP has also promised to simplify the procedure for change in the name of the manager in licenses through an owner’s affidavit by the HRAWI member and would look at affecting the change upon a mere submission of Form 32 in case of a Director’s change in a company, without stalling any operations of the hotel or restaurant member. In the meeting, he also was positive about accepting alternate parking arrangements like Valet and Pay & Park and has assured that he would discuss it with his officers.

“The hotel industry is simply awestruck with the decisions and the quick action of the new Police Commissioner. Within twenty four hours of the meeting, the CP has issued official orders giving out clear cut guidelines and clarity to directives,” says Mr. Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice-President, HRAWI.

“On the issue of closing time of restaurants the CP was very positive about extending the time from 1:30 am to 3 am, but said that it was not within his powers and we should approach the Government of Maharashtra for extension of timings. He was also forthcoming about our proposal for Special Tourism Zones at Powai, BKC and Kala Ghoda and conveyed that he would readily give his consent to it if the Government of Maharashtra was expecting his approval. Overall, the meeting was very positive and we are looking towards a productive future,” concludes Mr. Kohli.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 64 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories like the Taj, Trident, Hyatt, J.W. Marriott and The Leela who are some of the prominent members of our Association. With around 1300 members across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu &Silvassa is considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr. J.R.D. Tata.

SEAFARERS SEEK FINAL CLOSURE TO EXPLOITATION

Union Asks Members to be prepared

Mumbai: With over ninety thousand seafarers, India is home to the second largest number of seafarers in the world – a record, according to Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), maintained by near total exploitation and violation of basic rights of seamen. In a circular issued to its members, FSUI has asked seafarers, belonging to both Indian and foreign flag ships, to be prepared for a long agitation to achieve their basic rights, which, in the recent past had been seeing consistent erosion. The circular has also asked seafarers, in an extreme eventuality, to be prepared for a strike.

“We will not call for a strike, except as the last resort,” clarifies Mr. Naresh Birwadkar, General Secretary, FSUI. “But the ground reality is that the ship owners have started blatantly taking advantage of seafarers. Laws enacted to protect seafarers are being disregarded, circumvented and violated, and benefits that exist in all shore based industries are being denied to sea men.”

The circular further points out that allowances like dearness allowance and house rent allowance, which are paid to even contract workers in shore based jobs are denied to seafarers. The basic wages paid to Seafarers is less than the basic wages paid to class four employees in shore-based industries. In direct violation of the Merchant Shipping Act, ship owners have started employing seafarers only on contract basis through manning agents.

“To provision for the cyclical nature of employment in shipping business, exposure to rough weather and working conditions, impact of sea life on health and other aspects specific to the industry, the Merchant Shipping Act was enacted. Violations of these provisions make the seafarers vulnerable and unprotected, making their service contract equivalent to bonded labour,” adds Mr. Birwadkar.

“The sea farers are fighting for their very survival. The practice of illegal recruitment of seafarers is becoming widespread. Employers take advantage of poverty and desperation of seafarers and recruit them without proper agreement, insurance or paper work. This puts them at the mercy of the employers. It is also being observed that whenever any accident or causality occurs, the family members are not adequately compensated,” says Mr. P. G. A. Joseph, President, FSUI.

The FSUI has further contended that Seafarers Welfare Fund Society – the only welfare body for seafarers, and something that is equivalent to Provident Fund in onshore jobs – covers only foreign going registered seamen. This keeps seafarers working in all other sectors including offshore and home trade outside the ambit of any welfare.

“Ship owners and trade unions entering into agreements that do not protect the interests of the seafarers further compound the problems. The wage agreement that is currently in force and signed by Indian National Shipowners Association (INSA) and National Union of Seafarers Association of India (NUSI) give the seafarers a meager 0% increment in the first year and thereafter another 2%. In this day and age when inflation, dearness allowance, housing costs, travelling costs, cooking fuel, and other basic items grew by ten, twenty and in some cases even hundred percent, this kind of agreement is a joke. The case is now awaiting judgment in Supreme Court and we are sure the judgmentwill be favorable to us. In the meantime, we will continue to explore all avenues to end the exploitation of seafarers. And to achieve this we are willing to adopt any extreme measure so long as they are legal and ethical,” concludes Mr. Birwadkar.

About FSUI: Forward Seaman's Union of India (FSUI), formerly known as Forward Block was founded by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and was established on the 30th of May, 1954. In 1970 the constitution was amended and the outfit was then renamed FSUI. With over 32,000 members today, FSUI has been relentlessly working for seamen’s rights and has always been in the forefront to champion their cause since the last 60 years. It has branches in Mumbai, Kochi, Port Blair, and other Ports in India and has strong relationship with a number of fraternal panel trade unions in India and outside. It is an organization dedicated to safeguard and take care of the interests of the seafarers. It has also constituted the Offshore and Home Trade Seamen’s Welfare Trust (OHTSWT) that will offer a bevy of benefits and welfare measures for seamen and their families. The trust runs a hospital that provides free treatment to its members and families and is in the process of constructing an old age home that will accommodate one hundred and fifty inmates.