Jamnagar City Wide Roads Plan Municipal Corporation News Gujarat India

The plan to widen a road in the erstwhile princely city of Jamnagar City has mired in controversy, with activists and locals accusing the local civic body of favoring the local builder lobby.

The matter has now reached the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission and the Urban Development authorities.

The Jamnagar Municipal Corporation (JMC) had, in November last year, proposed to widen the road from Havai Chowk to Mandvi Tower to check the traffic problem there. The civic body had invited objections from the people for the Development Plan to widen the road from 15 to 18 meters.

According to the protestors, the Standing Committee of the JMC, in its recent meeting, overruled their objections and decided to go ahead with the plan. Shailesh Mehta, who has objected to the plan, said: “There is no need to widen the road to solve the traffic problem, as it is a result of total mismanagement of resources. If implemented, the plan will affect nearly 1,000 people on both sides of the road and will partly demolish many age-old residential and commercial structures of heritage value.”

Mehta has also approached the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission claiming the development plan is violating his and others’ fundamental rights. Calling it an autocratic and atrocious plan, Mehta has urged the Commission to direct the authorities to scrap the project.

Also, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) — an organisation working extensively for the preservation of heritage in the country — has pitched in and registered its protest against the proposal.

Intach convenor of the Jamnagar chapter, Hershad Kumari, who is a direct descendant of the erstwhile king of Jamnagar state — Jam Ranjitsinh — has written to the Urban Development Department (UDD) to direct the JMC to revise its plan.

In her letter to the UDD, she stated, “What is needed is traffic and parking management, not only on this road (Havai Chowk to Mandvi Tower) but all over Jamnagar.”

Objecting to the demolition plans of JMC and emphasizing the heritage value of the city, she stated: “All this demolition and unplanned exercises are destroying this historic city, which offered us a century ago a prime example of sustainable town planning displacing residents without proper planning or reasoning is offensive and entirely undemocratic. It is only servicing a building lobby.”

Reacting to the objections, Jamnagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner P Swaroop said: “I have received a representation from local merchants against the widening plan. Before finalizing it, I will go to the spot. I cannot say anything on the allegations unless I personally visit the spot.”

Dwarka Jamnagar Tourism News Gujarat India

The Pune Pravasi Sangh has demanded direct trains to Udaipur, Jamnagar City and Dwarka.

The Sangh has also demanded that a direct train to Chennai from Pune instead of Mumbai would benefit passengers in a big way.

These demands were made by Kanubhai Trivedi, president of the Pune Pravasi Sangh Trivedi said the Sangh has a number of plans, especially for long distance travellers.

“Besides the electrification of railways, I will be now pressing for the demands of starting direct trains to Udaipur, Jamnagar and Dwarka.

Secondly, all the trains running to Chennai, which make a stop at Pune, come from Mumbai.

However, thanks to that, the passengers boarding these trains at Pune station either do not get room, or appear on the waitlist, and thus have to suffer a lot.” Trivedi, a crusader for railway commuter’s rights who turns 81 on Tuesday, said.

Lakhota Talav Lake Birds Jamnagar City Samachar Gujarat India

Contaminated food threatens Gujarat Migratory birds.

Migratory birds flocking to wetlands in Gujarat are at a serious risk of consuming contaminated food provided by locals.

Since November last year, around 352 species of birds have flown in to the man made Lakhota Lake Talav in Jamnagar City, which has become a death zone for them.

The birds, which include slender-billed gulls, brown-headed gulls and the black-headed gulls, along with varieties of ducks like Gadwal, Gadgil, Ton and Spoonbill, are found in the lake.

Hundreds of tourists come in daily to watch these exotic birds and feed them local food items like ‘Gaathia’ (pea flour balls) and biscuits.

Over the years, the birds have become accustomed to accepting food from the people.

Environmentalists, however, believe that it is the local feed that is proving harmful for the birds.

“Local people are feeding the migratory birds ‘gaathia’ with a good intention but it is not the birds natural source of food. These birds generally survive by consuming small fishes and other species found in the lakes. Gaathia has caustic soda in it and it is generally fried in contaminated oil. This was the reason why a lot of seagulls died here two years ago,” said P H Satha, Officer, Conservator of Forests, Jamnagar State.

However, tourists continue feeding the birds with local food items.

” We feed the birds food items like ‘gaathia’ and biscuits and take good care of them. The migratory birds have become our city’s pride,” said Manish, a local.

In 2006, over 500 birds in the Lakhota Lake were reported dead due to poisoning after consumption of contaminated food items.

Vijarkhi Dam Jamnagar City District Tourism Saurashtra Gujarat India

The dams around Jamnagar like Vijarkhi Dam, Ranjit Sagar Dam, Sasoi Dam, Sinhan dam are also wonderful spots for Birding.

Early mornings as well as evening times are great for watching birds; this all places are also very popular picnic spots for the local people. So taking along a picnic hamper would be a great idea.

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is a unique wetland area with sea water on one side and fresh water on one side. This area which is about 12 km from Jamnagar (Gujarat) was declared as a Sanctuary on 6th November 1982. Before independence, a check dam had been built for storing the waters of the Ruparen river just near the sea, so gradually over the years with fresh water of the rain and river on one side and salt water of the sea on the other side, a unique area came up where both varieties of vegetation came up, gradually, birds and animals also started flocking and roosting here.

The area of this Sanctuary is 605 Hectares. There are 3 Watch Tower for bird watchers, as well as inspection paths leading deep into the foliage There are also provisions for Paddle boats, in the main as well as the Jamnbuda watch tower area.

One can find both types of sea and shore birds. Watching the arrival of the Cranes during sunset for roosting is a fantastic experience.

Some of the notable birds found here are Black Ibis, Black-winged Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Great Thick-knee, Common Greenshank, Grey Francolin, Imperial Eagle, Indian Pond Heron, Little Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, Comb Duck, Common Crane, Common Teal, Dunlin, Garganey, Marsh Harrier, Northern Pintail, Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Pale Harrier, Demoiselle Crane, Sanderling and Darters.

The other wild life found here are Blue Bulls, Jackal, Wolf, Jungle Cat, Mongoose, Rabbits, Cobra.

Ranmal Lake Lakhota Fort Jamnagar City Tourism News Gujarat India

Jamnagar State Fort Museum attracting many tourists for Jamnagar Tourism.

A museum built in the middle of the Ranmal Lake in Lakhota Fort is attracting scores of visitors to Jamnagar.

The Lakhota Museum displays a collection of old English and Portuguese, sculptures, and artifacts that date back to the early 9th century AD.

"A lot of big cannons belonging to the British era are displayed here. Some of these date back 600 years. All these cannons reached this place from Portugal by sea," said RR Goswami, curator of the Lakhota Museum.

The museum's walls have a number of frescoes that depict the exploits of the area's rulers.

"There are some beautiful sculptures here that belong to the 18th century. Weapons are also displayed here," said Daksha Solanki, a visitor.

Some visitors feel that the youth should visit this museum as it displays distinctive facets of India's rich heritage.

"I believe that the coming generation that is studying in schools and college should visit this museum and see our rich heritage," said Devang Solanki, a visitor.

A stone bridge links the palace to the town of Jamnagar City.

Jamnagar Amreli Surat District Tourism News Saurashtra Gujarat India

Two consultants bid for tourist beach development in Saurashtra Gujarat India.

Two firms have bid for offering consultancy services to Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) for the development of tourist beaches at Sarkeshwar in Amreli District and Shivrajpur in Jamnagar District. The architecture consultancy firms, who bid for tourist beaches development, are Hiren Gandhi & Associates and Wapcos India, a flagship company of union ministry of water resources.

On behalf of Gujarat Ports Infrastructure and Development Co Ltd, GMB had invited consultants for advising the board for development of tourist beaches in Gujarat. The last date for submission of bids was 30 November and the maritime board has received total three bids for development of two tourist beaches.

"Wapcos India and Hiren Gandhi & Associates have evinced interest in offering their consultancy to GMB. Two bids have been received for Sarkeshwar beach and one bid is for Shivrajpur, which is located between Dwarka and Okha," said a senior GMB official.

The successful bidders will be involved in overall planning of tourist beach development. "The firms will help GMB chalk out long term planning for overall development. They will advise us as to what infrastructure is required for the project and how the entire project would be implemented," the GMB official added.

The tourist beach development project will probably be carried out on public private partnership (PPP) basis. In fact, GMB intends to develop tourist beach at Savli and Doomas near Surat District. Shivrajpur has clean blue water with potential to become one of the best beaches.

According to sources, around Rs. 200 crore will be spent on developing these beaches.

Jamnagar City Navy Week News Samachar Gujarat India

Half Marathon marks Navy Week in Jamnagar City.

INS Valsura at Jamnagar conducted an Open Half Marathon (21 km) and a 10.5 km run on Sunday as part of the Navy Week celebrations. More than 1,200 participants took part in the event. The race was flagged off from the ‘Raksha Shakti Sthal’ at Lakhota Lake by Mayor Kanaksinh Jadeja and ended at the INS Valsura Sports Stadium.

Prizes were awarded in various categories at a function where Commodore A S Sethi, Commanding Officer, INS Valsura addressed a massive gathering, and congratulated the winners.

Lt Commander Prabha Lall said: “December 4 is traditionally observed as ‘Navy Day’ every year in the country and on this occasion, the Navy’s and INS Valsura’s endeavour is to bring the Navy closer to the countrymen and provide an opportunity for a close interaction.”

Science exhibition train in Jamnagar City News Samachar Gujarat India

Science exhibition train to chug from Gandhinagar.

The science exhibition train which rolled out twice from Delhi earlier would begin its third journey from Gandhinagar, on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, next month.

The science express, as it is popularly known, started its journey for the first time in 2007 from Safdarjung station. The 16 coach train, a virtual exhibition-on-wheels, was started by the Union ministry of science and technology.

Railway officials said that the train will leave from Gandhinagar and will be stationed there for nearly 14 days before coming to Ahmedabad.

Then it would move to Jamnagar, Gandhidham, Anand, Valsad and Navsari.

BB Shukla, administrative officer at the Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre (CSC) said the train will be stationed at Ahmedabad from October 16 and leave for Jamnagar on October 20, adding that the exhibition will be organized and manage by CSC in the state. And, then the train will leave for Maharashtra.

Officials said that this time there will be coaches specially explaining climate change and careers in science to create awareness about other careers apart from engineering and medicine.

The train is expected to cover a distance of around 18,000 km and halt at 55 stations. The science express features over 300 large format visual images, 150 video clips and multimedia exhibits. The exhibition provides information right from the origin of the universe, the origin and development of life, advances in technology, environment and its problems and the solar system.

Officials said that the Joy of Science Lab developed by VASCSC allows the participants to perform hands-on activities and experiments in science and mathematics. The lab is equipped with material useful for performing more than 50 interesting experiments and activities for different age groups.

Jamnagar City Rainfall Monsoon News Gujarat India

No heavy rains in state for a few days.

Monsoon has taken a break for a couple of days from the state. The state has so far received 65cm of rains against the national average of 96.09cm.

Kamljit Ray, director, India Meteorological Department, Ahmedabad, said, "For next two to three days, the state won't receive heavy rain. The existing system which was giving rains to the state has weakened. However, due to high moisture content in the atmosphere, thunderstorms and light showers will continue in isolated parts."

IMD officials are pinning hope on the next system which may develop in Bay of Bengal by September 2.

Rains also took a break from the city with only the new west zone and west zone receiving 0.15cm and 0.1cm rains respectively. There was no rain in any other part of the city, said a report from Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation control room. The city has so far received 45.75cm of rainfall.

In the state, in the last 24 hours ending at 8am on Sunday, Jodiya received 19.2cm of rain followed by Kalyanpur with 17cm. Both these talukas are in Jamnagar district. Apart from these, eight talukas received over 10cm of rainfall, while another 26 received more than 5cm of rain but less than 10cm. Till Monday morning, 43 talukas in the state had a dry day.

On Monday, from 8am to 4pm only 36 talukas received rainfall but it was less than 4cm. Of the total 26 districts, 11 haven't still received 50 per cent of their total annual rainfall.

Dams have 47.59 per cent water. Of the 193 dams in the state 46 are either overflowing or full, while another 20 have over 90 per cent of water of their storage capacity. There were still 31 dams in the state which had less than 20 per cent of water.

Jamnagar City News Samachar – Swine Flu Nature Cures Gujarat India

Nature Cures More Herbs for Swine Flu.

The tradition of Ayurveda offers us yet another natural, herbal approach to stave off flu and "swine" flu.

Next to the Lotus, Basil is perhaps the most sacred plant of India. Basil opens the heart and mind.

Basil gives the protection of the divine by clearing the aura and strengthening the immune system.

"The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body's overall defense mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu." Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar City is also of the view that Tulsi can play an important role in controlling swine flu.

"Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach." This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu," believes Patel.

Jamnagar City District Saurastra News Samachar

Not a single testing center in Saurashtra-Kutch region yet A 42-Year-OLD resident of Khambhalia in Jamnagar district was shifted to Ahmedabad on Friday after she reported high grade fever.

Doctors at Krishna Hospital in Khambhalia had no other option but to send her to Ahmedabad, as there is not even a single testing center for swine flu in the entire Saurashtra-Kutch region.

The woman had reportedly returned from London.

Though the Central as well as the state Health ministry’s are issuing guidelines on the disease, residents in eight districts of Saurashtra-Kutch, including Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Surendranagar, Amreli, Bhavnagar and Kutch, have to wait for at least 42 hours to know whether the H1N1 virus has affected them or not.

The region has several ports, which are destination for ships and crew from across the world, including from countries affected by swine flu. So far, the samples of suspected cases are sent to New Delhi for tests. “We have created a special isolation ward with 10 beds at the Pandit Din Dayal Hospital in Rajkot,” said Rajkot District Collector H S Patel.

He added: “All the guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry and the WHO have been strictly followed.” G G Hospital(Guru Govind Singh Hospital) in Jamnagar has also made facilities to treat swine flu patients.

Patel, however, admitted that with no testing facility available, there is no option but to send the samples to New Delhi for tests. “We have been sending the samples to New Delhi by air,” said S Santhilnathan, Chief Medical Officer at Kandla Port Trust.

The port had received two suspected cases last week. They were quarantined for three days before laboratory reports confirmed them as negative.

Jamnagar News Gujarat India

Jamnagar man gets Gujarat NSUI reins.

With the announcement of Hardik Trivedi, president of Jamnagar City unit of National Students Union of India (NSUI), as the Gujarat state president of the student body, on August 3, the suspense hanging over the coveted post has come to a close.

Apart from this, Gujarat state general secretary of NSUI, Shahnavaz Shaikh, who was also amongst top four final candidates for the state president's post, has been promoted to all-India level and given responsibility as the all India general secretary. Interestingly, both Shaikh and Trivedi come from non-political backgrounds.Rahul Gandhi had taken personal interest in the selection of the candidates for the two posts and was closely monitoring the process. The whole exercise covered a long span of nearly 12 months.

Trivedi's father is a state government employee. Many insiders of the NSUI believe that Trivedi is a close aide of Vikram Madam, sitting member of parliament from Jamnagar. Sources also allege that Trivedi did not have much experience, at least the amount required for such a top post. On the other hand, Shaikh is a student of third-year BCom and associated with NSUI for the last six years, his father Dr Abdul Raheman is a practicing general physician in Vadaj.

In the selection process for NSUI state president, 70 members were shortlisted after rounds of talent hunt and after further filtration process and training, 13 and eight candidates, respectively, were shortlisted.

"In final round of selection four candidates that included NSUI Ahmedabad city unit president Vinaysinh Tomar, Shahnavaz Shaikh, Hardik Trivedi and Devsi Modhwadia from Porbandar, were shortlisted. Rahul Gandhi had interviewed all four candidates and finally selected Trivedi for the top post."