Mulund Annual get together of MULUND BRAMKSHTRIYA SAMAJ

In this 21^st century, where youngsters are more interested in chilling out with their friends, MULUND’s BRAMKSHTRIYA SAMAJ are making efforts to pass on their tradition amongst their younger generation by organizing annual community get together.

This year's community meet was organized at SMPR School, Mulund wherein around 700 people from Mulund and the adjoining suburbs thane, Bhandup, kanjur marg, vikroli were present. From thane to vikroli 157 family residence.

"We have been organizing this event, for the last 25 years. It is a platform wherein people from different age showcase not just their talent, but also get an opportunity to know more about their culture and tradition," said Nitin Maniar, a member of this community.

Maniar added, "This one event is something more than just a get together. Through such community get together we educate our young generation about culture and the tradition. Younger generation has forgotten the essence of their community which is just reflected back to them from such events,"

The fun-filled event witnessed people from different age group enjoying several activities presented before them. This one day get together included both literary and cultural activities organised for all age group people, like drawing and speech giving competition on one side and singing, dancing, drama, fashion show and many other cultural competitions on the other side.

Hiren, a 12 year old kid said, "I am coming in this event for the last 12 years with my parents. Through such events we get to know more about our community and at the same time we love spending time with the senior most members of our family and community. Older members of our community have their vast age old experience to share with us and no other day can be better than this one."

Similarly, the senior citizens too feel the same. "We love to see our kids performing in front of us. Though they have excelled in different art forms, they need our guidance to understand the importance about their tradition as they are the ones who will have to carry it forward," said a senior citizen from the community.

Uttam Gite celebrates his birthday

Uttam Gite, general secretary of the district congress committee, also celebrated his birthday which also falls on the first day of New Year, 1st January. Uttam Gite, popularly known as "Anna" amongst his followers which prominently comprise of youths said that " Since my birthday falls on 1st January, it is associated with new year and my followers know about it, but this year I had decided to celebrate my birthday with a quite dinner with my family, but since people started calling up and coming to office, I had to be present at office to accept their good wishes". A small cake with "Happy Birthday Anna" written on it was cut at the occasion. Vijay Dethe, an associate of Gite said that " As always we had planned to celebrate "Anna's" birthday lavishly but since he refused the proposition we did not put hoardings and banners, but requested him to be present for some time to acknowledge greetings from our people"

Dr. Sokhi Celebrates Her Birthday

Municipal councilor Dr. A.K.sokhi celebrated her birthday on the 1st of January 2009 amidst her party workers and well wishers from mulund. Dr. Sokhi said "taking cognizance of the recent attacks on Mumbai she had decided to refrain from any celebration, but party workers and well wishers from mulund spontaneously arranged for a small get together in gala nagar congress office, mulund". She wished each and every one present a very happy new year 2009 and party workers expressed their wishes in form of flowers, bouquets and gifts to which the corporater politely refused to accept and a small cake was cut and distributed amongst those present. Kishor Mundakel, Secretary INTUC Maharshtra who was also present disclosed that "Since Sokhi madam was now celebrating her 76th birthday; she was now the eldest municipal councilor in the house of 227 corporators in the MCGM". Well wishers from mulund and Congressmen like Govind Singh, President Mumbai Congress Sevadal, Sayad Ayub, President District Youth Congress, , Amarjeet Kaur Oberoi, General Secretary District Congress Committee, Shyamlal Choudhary, also attended and wished Sokhi madam on her birthday.

Citizens to help electoral officers reach voters in Mulund for completion of voting id formalities

The Electoral Registration office, Mulund takes help of the active citizens in the vicinity to reach out to population of 2, 17, 000 starting from today onwards. Reason being these locals are well acquainted with the place and share good rapport with the people of the same locality which election officials find difficult to.

Non-Government Organisations (NGO) like AGNI, active locals and political party members have come forward to help these officials in this initiative. By March end everyone would be with voting identity cards, claims officials

"We have sufficient staff but problem is that our officers are restricted in several societies. In order to overcome this issue, we have asked locals from Mulund to help us reach the masses on a faster basis," said Sundeep Kalambe, Electoral Registration officer, Mulund.

While talking to one of the local on anonymity, out there to help these officers said, "Their problem is genuine and due to the terror attacks societies have become strict in its operations. Officers are new to the area and it's time consuming job for them trace the desired addresses. By our help, they can complete their formalities at a better speed."

To make this process simple, they have a form OO1B of these voters. "This form will be carrying all the details expect the photo and signature of the voter. Our representatives reaching out to them need to just verify the details and provide them this form, which will have to be submitted by them at the centre on the specified date mentioned," added Kalambe.

Officials will be moving in the area from Monday to Wednesday and if required on Thursdays also. Visiting door to door to reach to the voters would be the first step in this process. In the second phase, these forms would be collected from them at the 52 different centres in Mulund.

"This process will help us in catching hold of bogus voters too. While the genuine voters will receive their cards before March end," said Kalambe.