Mandals go civic,focus on people’s issues

This year,many mandals are dealing with several city-specific issues like the much-discussed metro rail project in Pune which saw heated debates,health issues like the swine flu,and the ill-effects of mobile phones.

The Shaniwar Peth Mehunpura Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal is putting up a tableau on the proposed metro rail. “A few years back,we had put up a show about the proposed ropeway project between Parvati and Sarasbaug. We also elicited people’s opinion on the proposal,which was not in favour of it. We then approached the civic body and informed them about the people’s negative reactions to the project. The resistance picked up momentum and finally,the proposal got spiked,” said mandal president Parag Thakur.

“This year,we have put up a show on the much-debated metro rail project. In the pandal,we are going to keep a box in which we will people’s suggestions and objections on the issue,which we will then submit to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for consideration,” he added.

The Janjagruti Mandal in Shukrawar Peth has chosen to highligt the ill-effects of the excessive use of mobile phones. “Today,even though the mobile phones are useful,its excessive use is certainly proving a bane to the society. It is leading to tension and health hazards. Man has started losing his cool due to this gadget. Therefore,we have chosen this subject,as people are yet to realise its gravity,” one of the mandal members said. The mandal has put up a live show to highlight the issue in a lighter vein.

Continuing with its tradition of addressing social issues,the Tvashta Kasar Mitra Mandal has gone for rainwater harvesting for the tableaux,under the title Jalakranti.

With changing times,the education system and practices are also undergoing tremendous change today. But some people feel that the traditional Guru-Shishya (Disciple) tradition should be revived for bringing out the best in students.

The Sewa Mitra Mandal in Shukrawar Peth has put up a show on this. Shirish Mohite,president of the mandal said,“Today,except in a few fields,the Guru-Shishya tradition is dying out. Today’s parents are unnecessarily putting extra burden on their children to survive in this competitive world and tend to overlook the hidden talent among the children. These are some of the issues that we are going to address,through skits and a short film.”