Friday, June 19, 2009

campaign against illegal parkings in Lucknow

Dear fellow Lucknowites,
Its been almost two years since Lead India happened. Even though it was not a real election, rather only a competition, I still wish to convey my gratitude to all the fellow Lucknowites who voted for me and made me win in the popular voting with my vote share being close to 44% of the total votes polled. Two years hence, even now, I am often plesantly surprised when people whom I do not know personally approach me and ask me what I plan to do now in order to provide them with leadership.
Well, for starters, I have started a campaign against the racket of unauthorised parkings in the city. Almost all major markets of the city have goons of all shades masqurading as 'parking contractors'. In the name of 'parking tickets' daylight robbery is taking place and innocent citizens-often with their families-are daily being harrassed, humiliated and even manhandled by such elements.
I am sure that almost all of us have been victims of such extortion at some time or the other. We ignore this extrotion saying that it is only a matter of ten rupees. Actually it is not a matter of ten rupees. IT IS A MATTER OF OUR RIGHTS. The constitution of India gives us the right to life and liberty (article 21) and the right to reside and settle in any part of the country (article 19). The preamble to the constitution spells out principles of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity guaranteeing the "dignity of the individual". But what do we see in real life? Whatever we see is the antithesis of the lofty principles and fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution.
Of course, EXTORTION IN THE GUISE OF PARKING-LOTS, is only one issue. There are a thousand such issues that need to be addressed. I have taken up this issue primarily because it is an example of how we give up our rights daily in the face of criminal intimidation and extortion by a handful of goondas in the city.
I have already submitted a written complaint to the District Magistrate (lucknow) detailing this racket with an example of an unauthorised parking being operated in front of Kapoorthala Market. Fellow citizens, in case you feel strongly about this issue, join me in this crusade. You dont need to come out on the streets and sit down on a dharna in order to do this. All you need to do is to write to the District Magistrate (lucknow) expressing solidarity with the issue that I have raised (mark a copy of the letter to me. Send it to 3/61, Vikas Nagar, Lucknow-226022) You can also write to the editors of the newspapers in the city. And the least that you can do is to refuse to accept a parking ticket at a parking lot where:
1) The personnel manning the parking lots are not in uniform
2) Where such personnel are not wearing proper name plates
3) Where proper information regarding the authorization of the parking, its rates and the authority to complain to in case of misbehaviour by the 'staff' is not displayed
4) Where the 'contractor' refuses to produce relevant papers on demand
In case of any misbehaviour/intimidation by such unscrupulous elements, go to the nearest police station and complain and/or call 100 and inform the police control room about such activities.
Friends, it takes a little time and effort to fight for your rights,but in the absence of such effort we become victims of abuse and intimidation in our own city and nation. I have decided not to give in to such gross, blatant and daylight robbery of my rights. Its time you also stood up and said NO to the murder of your rights.

6 comments:

  1. gaurav bhai a beautiful point raised by u...and it is a very valid point which also is directly related to all of us..the security and the right to ask?...iagree with ur points an we all should address to this problem which is growing..its becoming a racket , harrasing so many people...the administration has to pull up thier socks...we have to ask them why this is not hap the right way....the time has come react...
    appreciate your concern..an we all are a part of ur movement..all the best...
    gaurav prakash

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  2. Dear Gaurav,
    Thanks for your support to the cause. I will once again underscore that it is NOT MY fight.Rather it is a fight of the citizens of this city for their right to live with dignity and freedom in their historical and beloved city. With you lending support to this cause, I am sure that we will be able to put an end to this racket.

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  3. Dear Gaurav,

    IT IS A MATTER OF OUR RIGHTS......so aptly put by you. Its ' gundagiri' going on everywhere..or most of the places. This 'fungas' has not even spared the essential services arcades, such as hospitals...my recent visit to the renowned Medical College of Lucknow at 7 in the morning was a typical experience of this isuue.At 7 with some breakfast in my hand for a friend in need...I first had to tackle the small boy of around 13-14 yrs who ran seeing my car as if I had come to pay HIM a visit ! When I said let me come back then i'll talk to you...he went back with an expression ...ok lady see u soon ! Once I returned after an hour...Mr Big Brother arrived & started showing me the token which I had refused to accept. I very politely (as much as I can)asked him to show his lisence or call his 'thekedar'...on which he tells me that...madam, yahna pehli bar aayeen hain aap kya...sab log token par hi dete hain... On this I just had to tell him....that he might have encountered a person maybe for the first time who is refusing to give in this illegal manner. But friends...this is only one instance..we commuters face this day in & day out....please do not succumb to such 'unacceptable' rules...only we can bring about a change in ourselves & our country!Thanks Gaurav for bringing this up.

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  4. Dear toolika,
    I am glad that you have take out time and have put in the effort to share your unfortunate experience with an unruly (and possibly criminal) parking 'contractor' in the medical college. Ever since I started this campaign against the 'parking-extortion-racket' in Lucknow, I have received mixed reactions. Everybody, without exception, agrees that this business of criminal intimidation/extortion must end. However, most are despodent and lament that it cannot be done. Well, my message is that if we could throw out the british, build nuclear reactors, send a rocket to the moon, then we can surely tackle some mafias robbing us on the streets! The only thing that we need to do is to increase our numbers and raise the issue in appropriate forums-social, political, administrative and judicial. Rome was not built in a day, and I am not suggesting by any means that we will be able to end this menace overnight. But end it, we will!! Thanks a lot for lending your voice and your support to this fight. Please spread the message and ask all who feel harrased and humiliated by this 'system' to come here and post their experiences and protest against such extortion on this forum. Let us not give in to injustice. Let us take the fight to the territory of the enemy. Let us unite against evil and make sure that justice triumphs!

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  5. IT IS GREAT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH FRIENDS LIKE YOU WHO STAND UP FOR COMMON MEN PROBLEMS IN THIS BUSY & MATERIALISTIC WORLD. A GREAT STEP FORWARD INDEED. WE ARE WITH YOU FOR THIS NOBLE CAUSE.

    COL CHOUDHARY

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  6. Dear colonel,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. By putting this comment you have also joined the fight against injustice, intimidation and opression. Please educate the people arond you that they should also refuse to give in to such blatant violation of their right to peaceful and dignified living.

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