Election to PARWA EC on 23 May 2010

A circular has been issued on 20 April 2010 by Shri Nafe Singh (Flat No. 273) as CHief Election Officer for next election to PARWA EC. As per the circular, PARWA EC in its meeting on 11.04.2010 had nominated Shri Nafe Singh (Flat No. 273) as Chief Election Officer who, in his work, will be assisted by Dr. B S Rao (Flat No.95), Dr. V P Aggarwal (Flat No. 133) and Shri T D Soni (Flat No. 255). The election to PARWA EC has been scheduled to be held on 23 May 2010.

Eligibility to vote and contest

All residents (alotees, POA holders, tenants)who have paid subscription and other dues up to quarter ending on 31 March 2010 by/before 30 April 2010.
Note 1 - What are other dues ? I have no idea.
Note 2 - If a member has paid above subscription and other dues after 30 April 2010, will he/she be eligble to vote and/or contest?

Election schedule

a) Receipt of nominations - 04 May - 07 May (7 PM to 8.30 PM)
b) Scrutiny of nominations - 09 May (Sunday - 8 PM)
c) Display of list of contestants - 10 May (Monday - 8 PM)
d) Withdrawal of nominations - 14 May (Friday - 8 PM)
e) Final list displayed - 15 May (Saturday - 8 PM)
f) Voting, if required - 23 May (Sunday - 9 AM to 1 PM)
g) Declaration of results - 23 May (5 PM)

Use this election as a Change Agent.
Nominate only first/second timers.
Those who have served for two or more terms, do not disturb them and let them take rest.
Nominate younger people.
Do not encourage any groupism.
Elect your representatives to serve you.
Do not elect those who think that they are elected to rule.

Visitors’ cars will not be allowed inside Pragati Apartments – PARWA EC

This is yet another decision of PARWA EC taken without considering all related aspects and has not been properly communicated to residents and security personnel. The decision as such is a sweeping one. It should have been further qualified. It should have been appropriately documented. It should have been properly communicated to security personnel to prevent any unpleasant situations.

I have discussed it with PARWA EC officer bearers and even offered to organize a training programme for security personnel, but as I said earlier they have a closed mind to any suggestion or opinion which does not suit to their stale mind set. I have also written a post on this issue on this blog. CLICK TO READ.

This issue should have been carefully handled as it involves friends and relatives of the residents. Present PARWA EC handled it in their familiar casual manner. Numbers of unpleasant situations have developed which could have been avoided if only PARWA EC office bearers have a pro-active mind set. They have been in PARWA EC for too long. It is time they take a rest and let new thoughts and energy come and manage the affairs of PARWA.

Now, coming to the point of qualifying this decision further, the term ‘visitor’ should have been clearly defined. One such definition could have been – A visitor is a person who is not a resident of Pragati Apartments - a very simple definition by any standard. Then EC should have defined what is a visitors’ car is? Any car or any other vehicle not owned by the residents of Pragati Apartments will be treated as a visitor’s car.

Next step should have been to define which visitor and which visitor car will be covered by the above EC decision? Let me give some examples:
a) Car coming to pick up and/or drop a resident. Will it be allowed in?
b) A friend/relative comes in a car to meet a resident but will not stay overnight. Will the car be allowed in?
c) A friend/relative comes in a car to meet a resident and will stay overnight. Will the car be allowed in and parked overnight?
d) School vans to pick up and drop kids. Will these be allowed in?
e) Car owned by friends/relatives of residents. Will these be allowed to enter and parked in the apartments for longer durations?

There can be many more such examples.

Pragati Apartments is a residential complex of educated people. Let there be professionalism in PARWA EC to manage its affairs. Let us use coming elections as Change Agent to bring in this professionalism.

Does President PARWA own Pragati Apartments?

Today I had a heated discussion. It was 1:5. I,one on one side and they were five on the pther side. I shouted at them and they shouted at me. Some serious issues emerged out of the heated discussion.

A resident said that President PARWA is owner of the Pragati Apartments (प्रधानजी मालिक हैं प्रगति अपार्टमेन्ट के). I said no, he is a representative of the residents. The resident further said that President is the Sarkar of Pragati Apartments (प्रधानजी सरकार हैं प्रगति अपार्टमेन्ट की). I again said no, he is the representative of the residents.

Another point came out - security gaurds are owned by Vice-president (सुरक्षा कर्मचारी उपप्रधान के आदमी हैं). I said no, they are the employees of PARWA.

This is a dangerous mind set. If representatives start thinking that they are the owners or sarkar of the apartments then it is not a good sign for PARWA.

Let us discuss it. President, Vice-president and Secretary should come out what they think about it. Do they consider themselves as representatives of the residents or owners of the apartments?

You can not have your cake and eat it too!!!

Today in the morning I saw that tents are being eracted in the Central Park. It reminded me of the above saying. Now how can you have a lush green park and also let is out for holding functions?

All residents are aware that this park is in the process of development. Truck loads of mitti has been put in the park to provide a new bed for grass to grow. Lot of fetilizer has been put. The grass has started growing. It is observed that the growth is not even. There are some patches where little grass has grown. There are even some patches where no grass has grown. More care is needed to ensure even growth of grass across the park. Holding a function in the park is not a wise idea. It will kill whatever grass has grown and the entire effort to develop the park will go waste.

PARWA EC/GB should have a re-think on letting out parks for holding functions. Children are discouraged from playing in the park to avoid any damage to the grass. How such functions are allowed in the park which will damage the grass much more?

Another issue has disturbed me for long. Is PARWA EC authorized to let out the parks for holding functions by charging a fee? Does PARWA EC has ownership rights on the parks or it has entered in to some agreement with MCD for letting out these parks for holding functions and charge a fee? This is an issue on which PARWA EC should issue a clarification.

इस हमाम में सब नंगे हैं

आज जब में पार्क से वापिस आ रहा था, मैंने यह देखा:

पढ़े-लिखे समझदार लोग रहते हैं प्रगति अपार्टमेंट्स में. अपने कर्तव्यों की जानकारी है उन्हें. जब जानकार लोग ऐसा अनुचित कार्य करते हैं तब उन्हें समझाना मुश्किल है, केवल दण्डित ही किया जा सकता है. पर दण्डित कौन किसे करेगा. इस हमाम में तो सब नंगे हैं.

PARWA Parks re-visited

Grass in the parks has started growing but the growth is irregular. On some portions grass has grown and on some portions no grass is seen. This needs immediate attention. PARWA EC should discuss this un-even grwoth of grass in the parks with concerned persons in horticulture department.

Agenda for Annual General Body meeting

Next PARWA Annual General Body meeting has been fixed on 16.05.2010. PARWA EC has circulated a Notice in which two points have been listed for discussion:
1. Report of General Secretary.
2. Financial matters and balance sheet.

Some more issues should have been listed for discussion:
1. Paying minimum wages and providing other facilities to PARWA employees as per law.
2. Restricting tenure of PARWA officer bearers to two terms.
3. Is PARWA EC authorized by law to collect car parking fee from residents?

Report of General Secretary and balance sheet should be circulated at least one week in advance so that residents can study them and a meaningful dihoulscussion can take place in the meeting.

Breakfast in Central Park

Today was Sunday. Resident were in a holiday mood. A business promotion event was organized by a Bangalore based company MTR marketing Rava Idli, Sambar and Badam juice. To attract residents, company offered idli, sambar free.

Tree plantation in Pragati Apartments

Saturday was the day of tree plantation in Pragati Apartments. This was not the first time but this time peoples' representatives were also present - MLA Shri Malaram Gangwal and Municipal Councilor Shri Harish.

CLICK to see two earlier posts:
DEVELOPMENT OF PARKS
PARWA PLANTS TREES

I will once again impress upon the residents that each resident is duty bound to protect the parks and trees planted in the parks. They should ensure that no harm is done to parks.

For more photos contact me at 9810073862.

Don’t waste natural resources

Residents of Pragati Apartments are educated people. It will not be proper for me to advise them that it is the duty of each citizen to conserve natural resources, and to ensure that no resource is wasted. But I will like to give some suggestions.

Residents switch on lights in staircases. As they are not being charged for power consumed in this, many lights are kept on even after there is sufficient day light. I suggest that the lights should be switched off as soon as daylight is there. Also, if lights are switched on only in first and top floor, there will be sufficient light in ground and second floor. This way we can save 50% power.

Switch off lights and fans inside the rooms when no one is in the rooms. Replace bulbs and TFL with CFL. Water heaters should not be kept switched on for longer periods. Same should be for ACs. Remember power saved is power generated.

Water is another natural resource which is being wasted. Leaking water tanks should be repaired. Water pumps should not be kept running for longer periods. Some residents wash their cars and water their plants with running water. This is wrong.

My next suggestion is for PARWA EC. An awareness week should be organized by PARWA EC on conservation of natural resources. Competitions for children – painting, poems and small stories. Competition for younger people – debate on conservation of natural resources. Kids marching inside Pragati Apartments displaying banners.

Slideshow - Roses

There are many parks in Pragati Apartments but no flowers. Enjoy the flowers in my slideshow.

Recent decision of PARWA EC lacks logic

A resident told me that one of his relatives came to visit him and brought a package weighing 21 Kg. His car was stopped at the gate and was not allowed in by security guards under instructions from PARWA EC. A doctor was also stopped at the gate who came to attent a patient in the apartments. When I asked the guard in the morning I was told that they have been instructed to stop the residents also at the gate if they are travelling in a car not having PARWA sticker. I wanted to see these instruction but only oral instructions have been given. Now the questions arise:
a) Who in PARWA EC gave these instructions to security guards?
b) Why these instructions were not given in writing?
c) In which EC meeting these instructions were finalized and do these instructions form a part of recorded minutes?

I have number of times discussed this issue with President and Secretary but they seem to have closed minds. Every action taken by PARWA EC should have some reasons and a result of the problem solving. What are the reasons for this action and what is the problem PARWA EC is trying to solve. If I remember correctly the problem was that some cars are kept parked inside Pragati Apartments for longer periods extending to few days and weeks and some even for months. But the action taken by PARWA EC as described above is not the solution for this problem. These cars are still parked inside but other residents and their guests are being inconvenienced or even being insulted.

I have number of times proposed that any instruction given to security guards and any other employee should be in writing after being authorized by PARWA EC. I have even volunteered to give proper training to security guards and other other employees on the instructions, but as I said earlier both President and Secretary seem to have closed minds on this.

I am afraid that this illogical decision of PARWA EC might result in some untoward incident some day. President and Secretary should immediately document proper instructions, get them approved by PARWA EC, organize training of security guards on these instructions and display the instructions prominently at the gate.

Elders should learn from children

Few days back large scale trimming of trees was done in the park in Group 'C' of Pragati Apartments. A child has been hurt by this intentional harm done to the trees. To express his/her hurt and to register a protest, the child has drawn a painting and pasted it on the feeder piller. Today morning I saw that painting. Child says - "Save trees" and "Please do not cut trees". Elder residents of the apartments should learn from this child. The child has not given his/her name but the hurt is visible. I took a photo and sharing it with you. HAS THE MESSAGE GONE ACROSS !!!

Few months back I pasted a notice on the same feeder piller requesting residents not to throw garbage near thec piller. But no resident took any notice of the notice. They continue throwing garbage near the piller, in the park and wherever they like. It is a free country for them. Who will know their rights more then them as they are all educated people.

ADDED ON 29.03.2010

A child asks people "not to pollute" and "save water".

सुन्दर काण्ड का पाठ - कुछ वीडियो

श्री राम नवमी - सुन्दर काण्ड पाठ एवं संकीर्तन

आज श्री राम नवमी के पावन दिवस पर प्रगति अपार्टमेंट्स में सुन्दर काण्ड पाठ और भगवन्नाम संकीर्तन का आयोजन किया गया. यह आयोजन महिला संकीर्तन मंडल ने किया. सेन्ट्रल पार्क में बना यह रंगों का पंडाल अद्भुत लग रहा था. सारा आयोजन बहुत ही कुशल रूप से ब्यवस्थित था. मैंने प्रगति अपार्टमेंट्स में अनेक इस प्रकार के आयोजन देखे हैं, जिन में कोई न कोई कमी रहती ही है. लेकिन महिलाओं द्वारा आयोजित इस आयोजन में किसी प्रकार की कोई कमी नहीं थी. सब कुछ बहुत प्रोफेशनल तरीके से किया गया था. मैं तो बहुत ही प्रभावित हुआ.

पार्वा कार्यकारिणी के सदस्यों को इन महिलाओं से ट्रेनिंग लेनी चाहिए. उन के द्वारा आयोजित कार्यक्रमों में काम करने वाले कम और गलतियां निकालने वाले ज्यादा होते हैं. इस आयोजन में सब से महत्वपूर्ण बात यह थी की यह आयोजन ठीक समय पर प्राताम्भ हो गया था. सब महिलाएं अपनी जिम्मेदारियां पूरी तरह निभा रही थीं. एक महिला सबको पानी पिला रही थीं और साफ़-सफाई का ध्यान रख रही थीं. एक महिला हर आगंतुक को तिलक लगा रही थीं, कलाबा बाँध रही थीं और प्रसाद दे रही थीं. सुन्दर काण्ड का पाठ बहुत ही मधुर और मन को प्रसन्न करने वाला था. बीच में कुछ भजन भी गाये जा रहे थे. इन भजनों को लिखित रूप में महिलाओं को दिया गया था.

सुन्दर काण्ड का पाठ समाप्त होने पर भजन कार्यक्रम प्रारम्भ हुआ. कुछ महिलायें प्रसाद वितरण की तैयारी करने लगीं. सारांश में मैं यही कहूँगा कि इतना व्यवस्थित और सुचारू रूप से किया गया आयोजन मैंने प्रगति अपार्टमेंट्स में पहली बार देखा. बहुत अच्छा लगा.

Development of parks in Pragati Apartments

Horticulture Department is developing three parks in Paragati Apartments. PARWA is playing an important role in this development project. Mitti and fertilizer has been brought and is being spread in the parks. Some saplings and flower pots have also been brought for planting in the parks. If every thing goes OK then soon the resident of Pragati Apartments will enjoy the green environment within the complex.

Parks in Delhi are a very important part of peoples' lives. We are fortunate that our apartment has 13 parks, three of them being quite spacious. Residents need not go outside the apartments for spending their mornings and evenings. This is especially important for children, ladies and senior citizens.

Once these parks are fully developed, responsibility of the residents will increase. Each resident will have to ensure that parks are properly maintained and nothing is done to harm the trees, plants, flowers, grass and boundary walls of the parks. They will have to be especially vigilant that no body throws any garbage in the parks, and children/young people do not play cricket or football which damages the grass and constitute risk for other persons and surroundings.

PARWA will be closely monitoring the progress of this development project. Suggestions of residents are welcome for coordinating with horticulture personnel.

RESTRICT TERM OF PARWA EC OFFICE BEARERS

Yesterday I received a copy of the Modified Bye-laws 2010 of PARWA.

Presently PARWA Bye-laws do not put any restriction on the number of terms a resident can become office bearer of PARWA EC. If you look at the board in PARWA office where names of office bearers are written, you will find some names repeated many times. While it may be a matter of pride for these members, it conveys a disappointing message that only few members come forward to manage the affairs of the apartments.

Over the years, this has compromised the effectiveness and efficiency PARWA EC as things become monotonous for same people being elected to PARWA EC every year. It prevents benefits of new ideas and new resources to be utilized for welfare of residents. It also creates situations where office bearers develop vested interests.

I suggest that number of terms should be restricted to TWO. No resident should be allowed to serve on the same post for more than two times. It will require an amendment in PARWA Bye-laws. As it will take lot of time, PARWA GB can take a decision and advise its members that they should not file their nomination in coming election if they have served on PARWA EC in the same post for two or more times. At the same time exercise to amend the Bye-laws can be started.

Is it ignorance or deliberate?

I have now received minutes of Security Sub-committee which met on 07 February 2010. It has surprised me because my name is not there in the list of participants. Secretary PARWA EC must explain to me as to why my name has not been mentioned in the list. IS IT IGNORANCE OR DELIBERATE?

As pointed in my post "Is PARWA EC superior to PARWA GB?" I have observed that minutes of sub-committee have been wrongly recorded. PARWA EC had also changed the decision of Security Sub-committee without recording any justification. PARWA EC decision of raising Rs. 50 to Rs 200 per month is violation of the decision of PARWA GB.
CLICK TO READ THE POST

Decision of Security Sub-committee -
"For residents having more than one vehicle (four wheelers), second slot will be allotted to them in their respective groups by lottery. The residents will have to pay Rs. 50/= per month per second car and subsequent ones for one year."

This decision is wrongly recorded. The decision was that in Group 'C' second slot will be allotted without lottery as number of second vehicles are less than the space available. But the decision as recorded has made lottery in Group 'C' also a condition.

The mistake in recording the decision should be corrected.

PARWA EC should provide justification for raising amount to be paid for second vehicle from Rs. 50/= to Rs. 200/=, and how this amount will be spent on security of the second vehicle.

PARWA EC should also explain how it has decided to raise this amount to Rs. 200/= when it was the decision of PARWA GB to charge Rs. 50/= for each additional vehicle.

Another point I will like to mention here is that PARWA EC should alson explain the authority it has for charging Rs. 50/= from car owners who will park their cars outside Pragati Apartments Gate No. 1. I am afraid that PARWA EC is collecting money from its members which it is not authorized to collect.

IS PARWA EXPLOITING SECURITY GUARDS, GARDNER & SWEEPERS?

Today there is a news in TOI about the decision of Delhi Govt for 33% hike in minimum wages. When I read this news, a thought struck me whether PARWA is ensuring that security guards, gardeners and sweepers employed by it are paid minimum wages as prescribed by the Government and are provided facilities as required by the law. In fact I have already been feeling uneasy after the heated arguments between vice-president and secretary on the issue of appointment of and alleged favourtism for some security guards by some PARWA office bearers. This incident happened immediately after the last meeting of Security Sub-cimmittee. The result of these arguments was that a security guard lost his job. This security guard had been with PARWA for last more than 15 years.

I am posting the news here and draw attention of PARWA EC members to immediately get it legally examined to ensure that the association is not caught violating the law of the land. It is also to be ensured that proper appointment letters are issued to PARWA employees in which all terms and conditions of their appointment are detailed. I would suggest that a personal file should be maintained for each employee.

PARWA employees are a part of PARWA Family. They should be be paid at least minimum wages and should be given all facilities as per concerned laws, such as, PF, medical facilities, leaves and overtime at double the rate.

I am sending a copy of this post to President PARWA in the form of a letter. I will keep informing the residents about the progress on this issue.

Holi Milan March 2010