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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 3:50:26 am

Controversy over shifting plot

Questions over corporation’s plan to abandon self-owned piece of land    Ruparani Nikam Kolhapur: A fresh controversy has surfaced over the proposed construction of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) new administrative building, with questions being raised over the apparent shift from a prime, self-owned plot at Nirmal Chowk to an alternative site at Shendapark.   The civic body, which has been functioning out of the historic Gandhi Market building since its days as a nagarpalika...

Controversy over shifting plot

Questions over corporation’s plan to abandon self-owned piece of land    Ruparani Nikam Kolhapur: A fresh controversy has surfaced over the proposed construction of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) new administrative building, with questions being raised over the apparent shift from a prime, self-owned plot at Nirmal Chowk to an alternative site at Shendapark.   The civic body, which has been functioning out of the historic Gandhi Market building since its days as a nagarpalika during the princely era, was upgraded to a municipal corporation in 1972. However, despite a significant expansion in its administrative scope over the decades, the KMC has yet to acquire a modern, purpose-built headquarters. At the centre of the present debate is a 9-acre-36-guntha plot at Nirmal Chowk considerably larger than the five-acre Shendapark site now being proposed.   The Nirmal Chowk land has long been in the corporation’s possession, and even a property card had been issued following the resolution of disputes by the district administration. Despite this, the civic body has now indicated that the new headquarters will be constructed at Shendapark, prompting questions over the rationale behind abandoning a larger, strategically located plot.   Complicating matters further is a prolonged legal dispute over the Nirmal Chowk land. While the preparation of a property card typically nullifies the relevance of the 7/12 extract under Maharashtra land records, claims based on the latter continued to surface, with some parties asserting ownership and keeping the dispute alive.   Critics allege that the civic administration failed to pursue the case with due diligence, at times remaining absent during key hearings. It was only after an intervention through a separate petition filed by Dilip Desai of a local civic group that the matter regained traction. The case is now slated for hearing before the Kolhapur circuit bench of the Bombay High Court in June.   Observers argue that instead of strengthening its legal position and securing the valuable land estimated to be worth around Rs 40 crore the KMC appears to have shifted focus to the Shendapark site. This, they say, raises concerns about the intent behind the change in location.   Notably, as far back as December 2003, the corporation had organised an architectural design competition for constructing a modern headquarters at Nirmal Chowk. A contemporary design was finalised, but the project has seen little progress in over two decades.   In contrast, several municipal corporations across Maharashtra have since developed modern administrative complexes, while Kolhapur continues to operate out of cramped premises in Gandhi Market, with even council proceedings often conducted under space constraints. Civic activists contend that had the KMC pursued the Nirmal Chowk project with consistency and resolved legal hurdles in time, the city would not have risked losing control over a high-value public asset.   With the shift to Shendapark now underway, concerns are also being voiced about the future of other public spaces in the city. Activists warn that if such decisions go unchallenged, it could set a precedent affecting open spaces in urban layouts.   The controversy has triggered demands for greater transparency and accountability in the civic body’s land-use decisions, with residents seeking clear answers on why the original site was sidelined and who stands to benefit from the change.

A Dream Come True: My Mother’s Birthday in Switzerland

I want to celebrate my next birthday in Switzerland.” – My mother, 2014. And one day, we did.

“I want to celebrate my next birthday in Switzerland,” my mother said in 2014. Sadly, she was in the ICU then, recovering from a mild heart stroke. Seeing her so fragile was unbearable — I had never imagined my strong, vibrant mother in such a state. It was the hardest thing for me.


Each childhood year brought long, simple but exciting journeys across India. My mother meticulously researched, drafted itineraries, and planned every detail, while my father handled logistics — together creating unforgettable adventures.


Sameer, my colleague, mentor, and husband, shared my passion for travel, and I learnt much from his experience.


By the time I completed my education and entered the tourism field in 1999, I had specialised in customised travel planning, as nothing gave me greater joy than crafting journeys that perfectly matched a traveller’s dream.


One of my dearest dreams was to take my parents abroad. My mother’s first international trip was to Singapore and Malaysia, where she joined my group of 40 travellers from Pune, Sangli, and Kolhapur. As a tour leader, I saw her admire my coordination, and the joy on her face remains etched in my memory.


Later, my parents travelled to Thailand, where I showed them temples, beaches, gardens, wildlife, and local restaurants — an experience that left them awestruck. But after a few tours, my mother’s health declined; walking long distances grew difficult, and her heart weakened. Then she expressed her wish again: “I want to celebrate my birthday in Switzerland.”


Those words struck me deeply. I told her lovingly but firmly, “We’ll go to Switzerland for your birthday, but you must promise to take care of yourself. Together, we’ll make a simple plan for your health and diet. Follow it, and you’ll be stronger and ready to travel next year.”


She smiled, promised, and began a new phase. Starting with 10–15 minutes, she built up to an hour’s walk daily. I cooked her favourite dishes while keeping her diet balanced.


Slowly, she regained her energy, freshness, and glow. Her spirit and determination made her shine more beautifully than ever. Above all, she grew excited again — excited for life and, most of all, for Switzerland.


My family watched our efforts with quiet joy. One day, I said, “It’s time to plan Switzerland.” We crafted a European itinerary — France, Italy, then Switzerland — balancing comfort with memorable highlights. For my mother, we skipped long walks but kept the essence intact.


Sameer, an experienced travel professional, oversaw every detail with our team — from visas and flights to guides, hotels, transport, meals, insurance, and forex.


With the dates finalised, my parents shared the news. Some worried about her health; others encouraged her. As I explained the itinerary, more people wished to join. Soon, 30 travellers aged 11 to 86 formed a group—the eldest inspiring all: “If he can travel at 86, why can’t we?” The trip became not just ours but a shared adventure of friends and family.


I couldn’t join because of home and office responsibilities, but I was happy that Sameer would be guiding the group. As they departed, my mother held my hands at Mumbai airport and said through tears, “You gave me so much encouragement — that’s how I gathered the courage to travel so far.” Her happiness was my happiness.


The tour went beautifully. In France, they visited the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. In Italy, they visited the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Venezia and explored Vatican City, including the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s Last Judgement. Florence was another highlight. In Switzerland, they enjoyed Interlaken, the Trümmelbach Falls, and the heights of Mt Jungfrau.


At Lake Lucerne, Sameer arranged a surprise birthday celebration for my mother in a lakeside restaurant. Surrounded by the group, she cut a cake as everyone sang, “Happy Birthday to you, may God bless you…”


It was magical. Everyone wished her and prayed for her long, healthy life. My father stood by, overwhelmed, unable to believe it was truly happening. And my mother, gazing at Lake Lucerne with tears of joy in her eyes, said, “Today I am very happy and satisfied.”


She came from a simple background and had seen many ups and downs. Honestly, I never thought her dream of celebrating her birthday in Switzerland would come true. But it did.


And it taught me something I will carry forever:

Always have dreams. However big or small, if you truly believe in them and trust yourself, one day they will come true.


(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. Views personal.)

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