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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 3:50:26 am

Procurement first, infrastructure later

Procurement at multiples of market price; equipment before infrastructure; no accountability Kolhapur: Maharashtra’s Medical Education and Public Health Departments have been on an aggressive drive to expand public healthcare infrastructure. Daily announcements of new centres, advanced equipment and expanded services have reassured citizens long denied dependable public healthcare. Procurement of medical equipment, medicines and surgical supplies is reportedly being undertaken at rates two to...

Procurement first, infrastructure later

Procurement at multiples of market price; equipment before infrastructure; no accountability Kolhapur: Maharashtra’s Medical Education and Public Health Departments have been on an aggressive drive to expand public healthcare infrastructure. Daily announcements of new centres, advanced equipment and expanded services have reassured citizens long denied dependable public healthcare. Procurement of medical equipment, medicines and surgical supplies is reportedly being undertaken at rates two to ten times higher than prevailing market prices. Basic economics dictates that bulk government procurement ought to secure better rates than private buyers, not worse. During the Covid-19 pandemic, equipment and consumables were procured at five to ten times the market rate, with government audit reports formally flagging these irregularities. Yet accountability has remained elusive. The pattern is illustrated vividly in Kolhapur. The Dean of Rajarshi Shahu Government Medical College announced that a PET scan machine worth Rs 35 crore would soon be installed at Chhatrapati Pramilaraje (CPR) Government Hospital for cancer diagnosis. But a comparable machine is available in the market for around Rs 6.5 crore. A senior cancer surgeon at a major cancer hospital in western Maharashtra, where a similar machine was recently installed, remarked that the gap between what his hospital paid and what the government is reportedly paying was enough to make one ‘feel dizzy’. The label of a ‘turnkey project’ does not adequately explain a price differential of this magnitude. High Costs CPR Hospital recently had a state-of-the-art IVF centre approved at a sanctioned cost of Rs 7.20 crore. Senior fertility specialists across Maharashtra note that even a modern IVF centre with advanced reproductive technology equipment typically costs between Rs 2.5 crore and Rs 3 crore. The state’s outlay is reportedly approaching Rs 15 crore. Equipment arrived in June 2025 and lay idle for months owing to indecision about the site. Similarly, digital X-ray machines approved for CPR Hospital and a government hospital in Nanded; available in the market for roughly Rs 1.5 crore; were reportedly procured at Rs 9.98 crore per unit. Doctors in CPR’s radiology department, apprehensive about being drawn into potential inquiries, reportedly resisted accepting the equipment. One departmental head was transferred amid disagreements over signing off on the proposal. What’s Wrong These cases point to a deeper structural failure: Maharashtra has perfected what might be called the ‘equipment first, infrastructure later’ model. In any public hospital, the administrative sequence ought to be: identify space, create infrastructure, sanction specialist posts, and only then procure equipment. Compounding the procurement paradox is a parallel policy decision. On 20 December 2025, the state government decided to introduce radiology diagnostic services through a Public-Private Partnership model (PPP). Following this, an order issued on 6 February 2026 authorised private operators to provide PET scan, MRI and CT scan services at six government medical college hospitals: in Pune, Kolhapur, Miraj, Sangli, Mumbai and Baramati. CPR already has a 126-slice CT scan machine and a 3 Tesla MRI scanner, with another CT scan proposed. If the PPP arrangement proceeds, the hospital could simultaneously run one PET scan machine, two MRI scanners and three CT scan machines. Medical experts warn this could lead to unnecessary diagnostic testing simply to keep machines occupied, thus exposing patients to excess radiation while government-owned equipment gathers dust. A similar pattern was seen during the pandemic, when the Medical Education Department spent hundreds of crores on RT-PCR machines, only to award swab-testing contracts to a private company. Many of those machines remain unused today.

Karva Chauth: A Celebration of Love, Faith, and Togetherness

Karva Chauth is one of India’s most cherished festivals, especially among married Hindu women. This age-old tradition goes beyond ritual, celebrating marital love, faith, and the bond between husband and wife. Rooted in history and culture, it continues to evolve, reflecting timeless values of trust, prayer, and unity.


Origins and mythological significance

The word 'Karva' means an earthen pot symbolising peace and prosperity, while 'Chauth' refers to the fourth day of the lunar month. The festival falls on the fourth day of the Kartik month (October–November) during the Krishna Paksha, or waning moon. This year, it will be observed on 10 October.


Legends surrounding the festival

There are different stories, yet all highlight faith, selflessness, and the strength of a woman’s resolve.


The Story of Queen Veervati: The most popular tale tells of Queen Veervati, who fasted for her husband’s long life but fainted from hunger and thirst. Her brothers, unable to see her suffer, tricked her into breaking the fast before moonrise. Her husband soon fell ill, and only after she observed the fast again with full devotion did he recover—symbolising the power of a wife’s love and prayer.


Mahabharata Connection: Draupadi is said to have observed Karva Chauth for the well-being of Arjuna, seeking blessings for his safety during times of war and crisis.


The Legend of Karva: Another story speaks of a devoted wife named Karva whose prayer and courage saved her husband from the jaws of death when he was caught by a crocodile, reinforcing the theme of a wife’s protective love.


The Preparations: A Festival of Beauty and Joy

The days leading to Karva Chauth are filled with excitement and heartfelt preparation. Markets brim with colourful bangles, intricate mehendi designs, and vibrant attire. Women shop for elegant sarees or lehengas, jewellery, and the traditional sargi (a pre-dawn meal prepared lovingly by mothers-in-law).


Sargi Ritual: Before sunrise, married women eat a wholesome meal of fruits, sweets, dry fruits, and other energy-rich foods. This is often accompanied by blessings from elders for a happy married life.


Mehendi & Adornments: Applying henna is almost symbolic of the festival. Mehendi patterns are believed to bring prosperity and strengthen the bond of love.


Decorating the Puja Thali: The thali used in the evening rituals is beautifully decorated with lamps, flowers, a sieve (channi), and the earthen karva filled with water.


The Fast and Evening Puja: The highlight of Karva Chauth is the sunrise-to-moonrise fast, where women abstain from food and even water. This is observed with immense dedication and positive energy.


Community Spirit: In the evening, women gather together in festive attire (red colour) for the Karva Chauth Katha (storytelling), singing traditional songs and rotating decorated thalis in a circle to bless each other.


Moonrise Ritual: When the moon appears, women view it through a sieve, then look at their husbands the same way, offering silent prayers for their well-being. Husbands then offer the first sip of water and a morsel of food, breaking the fast with love and gratitude.


Modern-day Karva Chauth

Traditionally observed by women for their husbands, the festival now sees many men fasting alongside their wives in a gesture of equality and shared devotion. It has transcended religions and borders, embraced by those who wish to celebrate love and togetherness. Couples exchange gifts, and families host gatherings, turning it into a collective celebration of affection.


Beyond the rituals

Commitment and Sacrifice: It emphasises the strength of relationships and the willingness to make heartfelt efforts for loved ones.


Faith and Spirituality: The day teaches patience, discipline, and trust in the divine.


Passing Down the Tradition: In an era of rapid change, festivals like Karva Chauth are precious links to our roots. Involving children in the decorations, storytelling, and evening rituals ensures the culture lives on. Sharing the significance of each ritual helps the younger generation appreciate the values of love, gratitude, and family unity.


Karva Chauth is more than a ritual fast; it celebrates devotion, trust, and the timeless bond between two souls. Whether observed traditionally or with a modern touch, it reminds us that love thrives on care, respect, and faith. As the moonlight graces the sky, Karva Chauth stands as a testament to enduring relationships and the cultural ties that unite generations.


This festival reminds us that marriage is not about who sacrifices more, but about how both partners nurture each other with patience, support, and respect. It celebrates mutual love, reciprocal care, and a bond that grows stronger with every sunrise and moonrise—turning a simple union into a lifetime of shared joy. Happy Karva Chauth!


(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

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