2/2013

I N S I D E

! 7 golden rules to live longer

! The costliest hyphen ever

! Free CFLs

! Metro Updates

! Is Jaipur a World Class City?

In this edit, let me address some fundamental issues which are vitalfor us to think about, rather than just deal with micro governance

issues which affect all our lives as citizens of Jaipur.Many are celebrating P. Chidambaram�s one year in the Finance

Ministry. Indeed, he is one of the performing minister and is trying to putthe economy back on track but it is a Herculean task. We are in adownslide, and it is not only the Finance Minister who can do it, but allbranches of the government need to work together.

The situation in the country is quite confusing if not alarming, both in the area ofeconomics and politics. In the area of economics, we continue to grow in spite of thegovernment. Alas, we are not growing sufficiently to be able to create more jobs, while afutile debate goes on about the poverty line. One politician says that one can get a mealfor M5 and another says that it can be got for M12. As if eating a meal is the onlyyardstick for the poverty line. On the other hand, well meaning policymakers are speakingof �inclusive growth�, but as Sam Pitroda said, inclusive growth is happening for the richand not the deserving poor.

Everyone complains of delays in decision making in the government, and policyimplementation is paralysed. Investors are shying away and big projects have beenscrapped. Many Indian companies are now investing abroad. The rupee value is fallingfaster than water at the Niagara Falls. Government coffers are getting repleted, and thefiscal deficit is rising to alarming levels. Civil servants are not taking risks after manytainted ones, included retirees, are facing enquiries for the large number of scams whichhave happened under the UPA government: 2G, CWG, Adarsh housing, helicopterspurchase, coalgate and what not. As one senior civil servants told me: �we are watchingour backs, instead of files�.

On the other hand, with politics in mind the government is pursuing entitlementschemes without bothering about the wherewithal to fund grandiose schemes, while theissues get lost in the Bhagwati-Sen slugfest on whether growth is more important thansocial welfare or is it the reverse. Indeed, growth is important to expand the cake andonly then can we share it for doing other things. If the government decides only toinvest in entitlement schemes like the food security law without having the adequateresources, let me assure you that we will go back to pre-1991 situation when we had toborrow from the IMF to save our skins.

In any event most of our social welfare schemes leak hugely. What Rajeev Gandhisaid many years ago that only 15 paise of every rupee actually reaches the beneficiariesis a fact. Our own research has confirmed this. There is a pernicious political patronagedesign of running these social welfare schemes and thus every political party finds itconvenient to maintain it.

In the sphere of politics, there is more confusion. Opinion polls conducted by TheHindu and others predict a hung parliament, if the elections were held today, and neitherthe NDA or the UPA will be able to form a government. The other alternative is a thirdfront, which will be a khichdi sarkar, supported by either the UPA or the NDA fromoutside and it is unlikely that they will last a full term as we have seen in our history.

In this scenario economics will get trumped by politics and we will be far frombecoming a super power, as we are dreaming.

�We are watching our backs, instead of files�

www.google.com

Pradeep S Mehta, Secretary General

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Scientists to design computers for dogsUK scientists are designing

computers that can be used by dogs toplay, operate household appliances andeven communicate with their owners.Researchers at the Open University areworking with several dog charities totrain animals and build �smart kennels�that will have computers installedinside.

The project is aimed at helping thedisabled in their homes by making iteasier for dogs to perform tasks for theirowners, such as turning on lights,switching on washing machines andanswering the phone.

Unlike humans, who have learned touse keyboards and mice to controlcomputers, the scientists are trying tofind solutions that are easier for animalsto understand. This includes using largebright buttons and touch screentechnology. (BL, 12.05.13)

7 golden rules to live longerA few simple

changes to dietand lifestyle canprotect youagainst a string ofkiller diseases andadd years to yourlife, a landmark

study has shown. Following seven goldenrules not only cut the risk of dying fromcancer by 20 percent, it also slashes risksof lung disease by half and heart attacksby 44 percent, the study of nearly380,000 people by scientists at ImperialCollege London found.

The rules were drawn up six yearsago by the World Cancer Research Fundand American Institute for CancerResearch. The seven rules are:� Be as lean as possible without

becoming underweight.� Be physically active for at least 30

minutes every day.� Limit consumption of energy-dense

foods and avoid sugary drinks.� Eat a variety of vegetables, fruit,

wholegrains and pulses such as

beans. As well as five portions of fruitand veg a day, try to eat wholegrainswith each meal.

� Limit consumption of red meat suchas beef, pork and lamb to 500gcooked weight a week and avoidprocessed meats such as ham, salamiand bacon.

� Limit alcoholic drinks to two for menand one for women a day.

� It is best for mothers to breast feedexclusively for up to six months.

(ANI, 29.04.13)

WHO to curb childhood obesityThe marketing of unhealthy foods for

children has proven �disastrouslyeffective�, driving obesity by using cheapsocial media channels to promote fat,

salt and sugar-laden foods, the WorldHealth Organisation�s (WHO) Europeoffice said.

The United Nations health agencycalled for tighter controls on suchmarketing, saying tougher regulationswere crucial to winning the fight againstchildhood obesity.

The promotion of foods high insaturated and trans-fats, sugars and salthas for years been recognised as asignificant risk factor for obesity inchildren and for diet-related chronicdiseases such as heart disease and somecancers later in life.

WHO Europe said the food industryincreasingly uses cheap new marketingchannels, such as social media and smartphone apps to target children. Televisionremains the dominant form of advertisingand a large majority of children andadolescents watch TV on average formore than two hours a day.

(Reuters, 18.06.13)

New diet craze: Feast 5 & fast 2 daysForget abandoning carbohydrates or

detoxing. The new dieting craze sweepingBritain and taking off in the US letspeople eat whatever they like � but onlyfive days a week.

�The FastDiet�, also knownas the 5:2 diet, isthe brainchild ofTV medicalj o u r n a l i s t sMichael Mosleyand Mimi Spencerand allows peopleto eat what theywant for five daysbut only eat 600calories a day on the other two.

Their book, �The Fast Diet�, hastopped bestselling book lists in Britainand the US in 2013 and been reprintedmore than a dozen times. Mosley saidthe diet is based on work by British andUS scientists who found intermittentfasting helped people lose more fat,increase insulin sensitivity and cutcholesterol which should mean reducedrisk of heart disease and diabetes.

(Reuters, 13.06.13)

Beetles & Locusts on menuTasty dragonfly and grilled cricket

accompanied by roast beetle orbarbecued cicada: all of this and morecould be on the menu of the future, inthe view of the Food and AgricultureOrganisation (FAO) in Rome.

Insects are already part of the dailydiet for many in Africa, Asia and LatinAmerica, particularly when meat andfish are scarce and expensive. TheUnited Nations agency is now callingfor people in the West to get over their

disgust at the thought of eating theseprotein-rich creatures and for thecreation of more �insect farms� insouth-east Asia among other places.

Until now the international tradein edible insects has been insignificant.With hundreds of millions of peoplegoing hungry around the world, andfor various other reasons, the FAO issupervising research into the almost2000 edible insects known on Earth.

(BL, 04.06.13)

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Summer jacket is an AC on the moveA jacket that promises to serve as a

mobile air-conditioner is headed for themarket. The Personal Cooling Garmentis set for field trials after 17 years of

research and development, and theNational Institute of OccupationalHealth, Ahmedabad, which has appliedfor a patent, expects to make the productavailable in a year, at an estimated pricearound M3,000.

Dr Sunil Kumar, Director in-chargeof the Institute said, �It enables what isknown as a microfinance auxillarycooling system.�

The jacket weighs about 750 gms. Ithas three layers, the coolant circulatingbetween the two inner ones, which areof cotton, and a 2mm latex tubeseparating the middle and the outermostones. The reservoir attachable to the belthas an immersed, battery-operated pumpaccessory that helps in continuousrecirculation of the coolant.

After field trials, the jacket will becustomised and made available invarious body sizes and shapes.

(IE, 15.04.13)

Vegetables get a new statusThanks to a sustained rise in food

inflation over the past two years,vegetables have become something akinto precious commodities. So valuable, infact, that a gifting firm in Bangalore hasdeemed itappropriate toconsider itan optionfor itsclients.

S o ,insteadof the usualchocolates andwines, this company�s clients are nowbeing given baskets of fresh vegetables.

(BS,14.06.13)

�Hero dog� returns after face surgeryA mongrel is set for a hero�s welcome

when she returns to the Philippinesfollowing surgery in the US toreconstruct her face after apparentlysaving two girls from being hit by amotorcycle.

Kabang was released from theUniversity of California�s Davis VeterinaryHospital after eight months of treatmentin which her face was partially rebuiltand she was cured of cancer andheartworm.

In 2011, Kabang, then aged two andpregnant, became a hero in thePhilippines after running in front of amotorcycle in what her owner said wasa deliberate act to save her daughter andniece who were crossing a busy road. Inthe accident Kabang�s snout and part ofher jaw were torn off when themotorcycle flipped over, also damagingan eyelid.

A website, Facebook page and Twitteraccount were set up in an online

fundraising drive, spearheaded by NewYork nurse Karen Kenngott, which raisedmore than US$20,000 for Kabang to betreated in the US. (BL, 04.06.13)

Is green tea better for you?All teas contain antioxidant

compounds called catechins. Black teainvolves oxidising theleaves more thangreen, and henceblack tea is slightlyless antioxidant.

Studies haveshown healthbenefits for bothkinds of tea,including reduced blood cholesterol andlower rates of cardiovascular disease.However, green tea seems to have theedge.

This may be partly because it�s drunkwithout milk. Black tea with milk has nocardiovascular benefit, according to a2006 study at Berlin University. Inaddition, a 2012 study in China foundthat green tea also repairs age-relateddamage to brain cells. (ET, 14.04.13)

Coke tries to fend off obesity criticismCoca-Cola has moved to head off

rising concerns that sugary drinks arecontributing to an obesity epidemic byadopting clearer calorie-count labels,promoting diet drinks and renewing apledge not to market to children under12.

The policycomes as the world�slargest beveragecompany and its rivalsdraw fire from health experts andlawmakers over the high calorie contentof their flagship products.

Coke would encourage consumersto adopt more active lifestyles and applyall the measures in the 200 countrieswhere it operates. The company has triedto take a lead in the war on obesity,running ads that encourage consumersto burn more calories and highlightingits low-calorie and no-calorie drinks.

(FT, 09.05.13)

The costliest hyphen everGrammar Nazis are often screamed

down by those who think a misplacedhyphen or semi-colon is no big deal, butthese examples of the costliest typosever made can send a shiver up thespines of even the most hardened of badwriters.

In 1962, the lack of a single hyphenled to the failure of NASAs Mariner 1,America�s first interplanetary probe. Itwas all set to approach Venus, but a singlemissing hyphen in the coding used toset trajectory and speed caused the craftto explode minutes after take-off.

Arthur C Clarke called it the mostexpensive hyphen in history and withgood reason: NASA lost aboutUS$80mn.

And very recently, some subscribersof department store Macys mailer got agreat bargain when the retaileradvertised a US$1,500 necklace for justUS$47 (it should have read US$497).

(ToI, 14.04.13)

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Ramniwas Set for FaceliftRamniwas Bagh is expected to get

a facelift soon. Following directions ofthe Empowered Committeeconstituted to develop the Pink Cityas a world-class one, the JaipurDevelopment Authority (JDA) hasdrawn up a proposal to develop apiece of vacant land in the garden.

As ample land is available in thebagh, many special features have beendesigned to give it a facelift. A smallamusement park for children has alsobeen proposed for the residents. Forthe safety of pedestrians near the zoo,situated inside the bagh has beenproposed in the area.

Officials informed that in phase-IIof the development, a mini train is alsoproposed which would ferry visitorsfrom the parking area to Albert Hallmuseum and to the amusement park.

(RP, 04.05.13)

Waste Management to Private FirmsThe Jaipur Municipal Corporation

(JMC) is once again all set to awardwork to private firms to maintain thesanitation of the city. After the failureof A2Z Company, which was given the

responsibility for door-to-doorgarbage collection, JMC has nowcompleted the planning of anothermodel for an integrated wastemanagement system.

As per the new plan, garbagecollection and sanitation work wouldbe outsourced to 10 companies inseven zones. The new model will

ensure proper sanitation as this kindof arrangement is running successfullyin cities like Ahmedabad, Surat andVadodara. The city will be divided intoseven zones for garbage collection andeach will have a dedicated garbagecollector. In case one company isunable to meet the expectations,another company will come intoaction. (DB, 11.06.13)

Monorail for Short RoutesAfter the Jaipur Metro rail project,

the Urban Development and Housing(UDH) Department is contemplatinga monorail project on a short route inthe city. In a recent meeting, directionswere given by the UDH Departmentto Engineering Project India Limited(EPIL), a company interested to joinon the public-private partnership(PPP) model, to prepare the feasibilityreport.

Sourcesin theDepartmentopined thatin 2012, aMalaysian firm, M Rail International,was roped in to conduct a survey forthe monorail project for the cities ofJodhpur and Kota. However, theofficials of the firm never showed upfor the survey.

(ToI, 27.05.13 & RP, 25.05.13)

Automation TechniqueLanding and take-off from the

Jaipur airport will be facilitated as alatest Airport Transit System wasinaugurated by VP Agarwal, Chairman,Airports Authority of India. Thistechnique will enable Air TrafficControl to see the location andposition of flights within a radius of450 km on a screen. This technique isconnected to automatic flight display,situational data display, control andmonitoring display.

The new system will minimise thechances of human errors, save fueland reduce emissions. The biggestbenefit is that it will reduce thedistance between two flights from 80nautical miles in the previous systemto 40 nautical miles. (ToI, 05.06.13)

Jaipur yet to be Smoke-freeAfter failing to declare Jaipur as a

smoke-free city due to improper

compliance of Cigarette and OtherTobacco Product Act (COTPA) 2003,the Medical Health & Family WelfareDepartment in cooperation with othergovernment departments launched acampaign against advertisements oftobacco products.

The survey conducted by theMedical Health & Family WelfareDepartment found that compliance ofCOTPA in the city was 80 percent. AHealth Department official said thecompliance of COTPA should be morethan 90 percent to declare a citysmoke free.

The Health Department hasstepped up efforts to discouragepeople from consuming tobacco byremoving advertisements from shopsand also by putting up warning boardsof no-smoking at public places.

(RP, 31.05.13)

Free CFLsResidents of Jaipur,

who consume lessthan 50 units ofelectricity in a month,will be given twoCompact FluorescentLamps (CFLs) free ofcost. All they have todo is present theelectricity bill with identity proof andtake away the CFLs.

There are nearly 60,000consumers who fall in this category.This is an effort by Rajasthangovernment to encourage people tosave electricity. Jaipur discom isorganising one week camps in everysub-division for a week to distributethe CFLs.

All domestic consumers will begiven two CFL of 20 watts. 3,000 BPLconsumers will also be able to availbenefits of these schemes. (DB, 27.06.13)

Travel in Deluxe buses to Cost MoreRajasthan Roadways has increased

passenger fare of deluxe buses plyingthe state. The fare has been increasedin the range of 3 to 5 paisa per km.The government has kept the fare ofexpress and normal busses untouchedso that common people do not suffer.

This decision was taken to partlyoffset the financial challenge arisingout of 8 percent hike in DearnessAllowance of the Roadways staff.

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Metro UpdatesMetro Junction Skywalk

Train passengers arriving at the Jaipur junctiondo not need to exit the station to reach the metro.It has been proposed to connect over-bridge onplatform number 1 to directly to the metrostation which is under construction at Hasanpura.The distance between the foot over-bridge andthe metro station is about 200-250 meters.

(RP, 07.06.13)

Special Training for Metro SecurityPolice Commissionerate of

Jaipur in in the process ofappointing a security force forthe Metro but personnel needto be trained. The process toprepare an experienced forcehas begun. The selected persons(age limit of 45 years andexperience of minimum 5 years)will be given special training formetro. A list of all policemen whofulfil these criteria is beingprepared. 300 policemen will betrained and the batch of 100 trained will be sentto Delhi to receive special training with the Delhimetro. (RP, 01.06.13)

Missing the Deadline AgainJaipur Metro has earned a dubious distinction

of missing deadlines. After missing the June andJuly deadline, the much-touted project is now setto miss the third deadline of August 2013. TheDelhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) officialsblamed price escalation and shortage of skilledlabourers for the delay in completion of theproject. The process for construction of Metroproject phase I (B), proposed from Badi Chauparto Chandpole based on an engineering-procurement-construction model, will be initiatedin August. (RP, 13.06.13)

Technology to Help Metro Chug on TimeDMRC has installed an under-slung launching gantry machine

at the Mansarovar depot. The gantry is expected to complete thecivil work a fortnight before the deadline given to complete theproject. DMRC�s Chief Project Manager Atul Gadgil said, �Thegantry machine has been installed at the Mansarovar depot andhas started launching the girders. Expert personnel have beenput in place to operate the machine.� DMRC took the decisionof installing the under-slung gantry after observing delays in theconstruction of ramps through which the Metro trains will geton and off on the track between Mansarovar and Chandpole.

(RP, 19.05.13)

ADB Discusses Loan ModalitiesThe Jaipur Metro Rail

Corporation (JMRC) will procurea loan from the AsianDevelopment Bank (ADB) forphase I-B of the on-going JaipurMetro project. A six-member teamof the ADB led by mission leaderDK Lee visited Jaipur, heldmeetings with authorities of JMRC,discussed various aspects and also

visited several sites of the project. JMRC Chairman-cum-ManagingDirector N C Goyal briefed the delegates on the progress ofthe first phase which aims to ply the first metro train in Jaipurby August/September 2013. (ToI, 16.05.13)

Wait for Half an HourIn terms of pace of construction, Jaipur�s Metro is being

described as the world�s fastest next to Mecca�s. In terms ofcommuting speed, it will possibly be the slowest when it isoperational. With a partly finished signalling andtelecommunications system, the upcoming 9.5-km corridor willbe operated as a �single train system with line side signals�. Thiswill effectively mean that only one train will do the full journeyback and forth. Passengers will get a train for either directionabout once every 30 minutes, according to estimates based onaverage speed over the 19-km back-and-forth journey.

(RP, 05.06.13)

The fare between Delhi and Ajmerhas increased by M14, for Kota byM12, for Jodhpur by M18, for Bikanerby M17, and for a journey toAhmedabad by M35. (DB, 01.05.13)

Slow Pace of BRTS workThe slow progress in the Bus Rapid

Transit System (BRTS) work on Ajmerroad and Durgapura has made travelin the areas a nightmare. Withthe approaching monsoon and dugup narrow roads, possibilities ofaccidents have increased. However,

the JDA seems to be helpless in takingaction against the contracting firm,despite extending the deadline severaltimes.

The deadline for the completionof elevated roads and BRTS corridor

in the city was extended till December2012, however, the work could notbe completed. Neeraj CementStructural and ARSS InfrastructureProject had taken up the BRTSwork.

The JDA had recently issued anotice to confiscate the performanceguarantee of M5 crore and alsosought an explanation. Despiteissuing notices and imposing a penaltyof M10 lakh no improvement canbe witnessed, said an official.

(ToI, 08.06.13)

CityMattersCityMattersCityMattersCityMattersCityMatters is a quarterly newsletter published by Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS), D-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302016, India,Phone: 91.141.2282821, Fax: 91.141.2282485 Email: cuts@cuts.org, Web site: www.cuts-international.org, and printed by Jaipur Printers P. Ltd., Jaipur, India.

CUTS offices also at Kolkata, Chittorgarh and New Delhi (India); Lusaka (Zambia); Nairobi (Kenya); Hanoi (Vietnam); and Geneva (Switzerland).

Sources: ANI: Asian News International; BL: The Hindu Business Line; BS: Business Standard; DB: Dainik Bhaskar;ET: Economic Times; FT: Financial Times; IE: Indian Express; RP: Rajasthan Patrika; ToI: Times of India

InterviewInterviewInterviewInterviewInterview

What is the Deputy Mayor�s understanding of a �World Class City�?Manish Pareek, Deputy Mayor, Jaipur, visualises the city as a beautiful Pink City with a rich heritage. Theoriginal planners of the (walled) city displayed rare foresight. It is resplendent with architecturally pleasingchowks and bagichis, wide roads, distinctive chaupads, sacred temples, etc. Perhaps, Jaipur is the only city inthe world that reflects the ancient doctrine of vastu shastra comprising precepts born out of a traditionalview on how laws of nature impact human dwellings. But it is unfortunate that Jaipur falls short of thiscriteria of a world class city.

What are the problems?Lack of a master plan and weak political willingness has hampered the course of development. Mismanagement and lack ofcoordination and planning are the root causes of most of the problems. The focus of the authorities is on the infrastructuraldevelopments rather on strengthening the basic amenities, such as drinking water, sewerage, parking, etc. In the face of lack ofsuch basic amenities, expenditure on the metro appears misplaced.

VisionTo make this city a better place to live in, Pareek urges that a revitalisation plan should be adopted where people are an integralpart of the planning process.

Is Jaipur a World Class City?Is Jaipur a World Class City?Is Jaipur a World Class City?Is Jaipur a World Class City?Is Jaipur a World Class City? With reference to the Justice Dave�s interview published in the last edition of quarterly newsletter�CityMatters�, the citizen�s perspective about the city is now captured. Jaipurites perceive theircity in different ways � some feel that it is a beautiful Pink City; others opine that it is the world�sbest heritage city. Lately, however, Jaipur is also being referred to as a �World Class City�. Forprocuring the views of the residents, random interviews were conducted by CUTS.

Pankaj AgarwalA businessman by profession, Pankaj Agarwal, is of the opinion that Jaipur is far from being a world classcity. In fact, Jaipur is struggling to protect its glory and title of �Pink City.� His understanding of a worldclass city is a city with healthy environment, cleanliness, easy access to services, minimal politicalinterference, strong infrastructure, good education, good roads with parking facilities and a controlledtraffic system. The problem in getting all this is that no one wants a holistic development; issues are keptunsolved with an eye on votes. Civic sense among the citizens is under developed.

ManviManvi, a student, is of the opinion that this city is underdeveloped with immense scope for development.She stated that we have rich heritage and culture but how far we rely upon philosophy and emotions.Though she appreciates the latest infrastructural developments, but at the same time raises the questionof people getting access to their rights. In a world class city a person should get an environment forleading a free normal life with access to his/her rights as an individual. She considers political inactionas a major cause for slow development.

Kaushal KishoreKaushal Kishore, IIM Alumni, is often confused when defining the type of city Jaipur is. He points out theproblems of this city and adds that there is a lack of proper planning and vision accompanied withmismanagement. Most MLAs do not have a visionary approach and are often vote centric in theirapproach. People�s participation is almost nil. He suggests that for tackling the traffic problem, fourwheelers should be parked outside the walled city as this will help reducing pollution and traffic snarlsthus protect monumental heritage.

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