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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

HC orders fresh elections in three months

Dr. Rumi F. Beramji Mumbai: In a jolt, the Bombay High Court has directed the state government to hold elections to the Maharashtra Council of Acupuncture (MCA) - which is managed by an Administrator for past three years – within three months, here on Friday. A division bench of the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) comprising Justice Ajit Kadethankar and Justice Vibha Kankanwadi were disposing off a petition filed a senior medical practitioner, Dr. Laxman Bhimrao Sawant through his...

HC orders fresh elections in three months

Dr. Rumi F. Beramji Mumbai : In a jolt, the Bombay High Court has directed the state government to hold elections to the Maharashtra Council of Acupuncture (MCA) - which is managed by an Administrator for past three years – within three months, here on Friday.   A division bench of the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) comprising Justice Ajit Kadethankar and Justice Vibha Kankanwadi were disposing off a petition filed a senior medical practitioner, Dr. Laxman Bhimrao Sawant through his lawyer Sharad V. Natu, seeking different reliefs.   These included alleged serious irregularities in the functioning of the MCA and challenging the continuation of the Administrator for a prolonged period pending the elections. The matter was highlighted in detail by  ‘ The Perfect Voice’   on April 21.   Strong Observations In its order uploaded today, Justice Kadethankar and Justice Kankanwadi noted the petitioner’s contentions that the Administrator, Dr. Rumi F. Beramji was appointed for only one year, and that period is over.   “It should be the endeavour of the State to implement the various provisions of the Act, that is, the Maharashtra Acupuncture System of Therapy Act, 2015. Holding of elections and formation of the council as per Section 3 of the said Act should be adhered to by the State Government and it cannot be then postponed in infinity,” said the court.   Accordingly, Justice Kadethankar and Justice Kankanwadi directed the state government, through the Medical Education & Drugs Department (MEDD) to conduct the MCA elections within a period of three months.   Prolonged Tenure Among other things, the petitioner had termed the appointment and prolonged tenure of former MCA Chairman Dr. Rumi F. Beramji as “illegal and arbitrary,” and detrimental to the cause of Acupuncture.   Elected as the inaugural head (May 2018-May 2023) of the five-member statutory body, Dr. Beramji, was subsequently appointed its Administrator after the MCA’s term expired.   Adv. Natu pointed out that the Administrator’s appointment was intended to be a stop-gap arrangement for one year to facilitate the polls, but it was subsequently ‘extended’. However, nearly three years later, Dr. Beramji continued without fresh elections being conducted, raising questions over adherence to statutory norms and principles of governance.   Directionless Members Dr. Sawant further contended that while Dr. Beramji was installed as Administrator, the remaining members of the council were effectively superseded, leaving the regulatory body without its mandated collective structure, and over 6500-members directionless.   He argued that the excuse cited for delay in conducting elections was ostensibly an incomplete voter list, but this reason was flimsy considering the extended time lapse.   The petition, which was heard and disposed of on April 22, also levelled serious allegations against the style of functioning of the MCA Administrator, decisions were taken unilaterally, whimsically and without transparency or institutional accountability.   Selective Targeting It also made accusations of ‘selective targeting’ of certain prominent members who attempted to raise valid issues, including the globally-renowned noted acupuncture expert Dr. P. B. Lohiya of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.   Other members raised doubts over approvals granted to more than a dozen acupuncture colleges and some two dozen Continuous Acupuncture Education (CAE) centres in undue haste, purportedly in violation of prescribed norms and alleged shady deals. Many of these institutions, it was claimed, either exist only on paper or lack essential infrastructure, faculty and facilities.   The petitioner called for a comprehensive review of the Administrator’s tenure, a financial audit of the MCA's affairs, and an independent probe by the MEDD into the approvals granted to the institutions in recent years.   Dr. Sawant had sought quashing Dr. Beramji’s appointment as MCA Administrator and setting aside all policy decisions taken during his tenure in the last three years, and ordering the government to hold elections to the body.

‘Revolutionising the Future of Work’

Sreenivas Tirdhala, Co-Founder of iSprout, talks about co-working spaces

Sreenivas Tirdhala

Mumbai: As the modern workplace continues to evolve, coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular among entrepreneurs, startups, and large corporations alike. iSprout, a leading player in the Indian coworking market, is redefining the future of work with its innovative approach to shared office spaces. In an exclusive interview, Sreenivas Tirdhala, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of iSprout, shares insights into the company's vision, growth strategy, and what sets it apart from other coworking spaces in the market."


Q. What motivated the founders of iSprout to start the company, and how did they envision transforming the co-working real estate market?

A. iSprout's founders were inspired by the changing dynamics of the modern workplace. We saw a gap in the market for workspaces that combined flexibility, convenience and community to professional infrastructure. Our vision is to redefine coworking in personal service and premium design and promote a sense of belonging among tenants. The main goal is to make iSprout more than just an office space a center for innovation, collaboration and business growth.

Q. What challenges did iSprout face when it was first starting, and how did the team overcome them?

A. In its early days, iSprout faced challenges such as limited market awareness, Competition from famous players, and the complexity of setting up a large office space, including the spread of COVID-19 This has caused unprecedented disruption Operations interrupted and changing workspace needs. The team overcame these obstacles by focusing on customer-centric solutions, building a strong base of operations and creating partnerships with key industry players attention to detail adaptability and resilience during the pandemic have given us a strong foothold in the market, and become a reliable service provider of innovative office solutions.

Q. What are iSprout’s plans for expanding to new cities or regions?

A. iSprout is strategically expanding its presence in metropolitan areas and tier 2 cities with high growth potential and increasing demand for flexible office space. With focuses on premium locations, and plans to add 1 million square feet of new workspace in Hyderabad and aims to replicate this success in cities like Chennai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata and Kochi. Our expansion strategy focuses on scalability while maintaining the brand's unique identity and commitment to excellence.

Q. Has iSprout raised any funding so far, or are there plans to seek investment shortly to fuel expansion and growth?

A. iSprout, on the other hand, relies heavily on strategic partnerships and internal fundraising the founders are also open to outside funding to accelerate growth and scale operations. The plan is to find investments that align with long-term vision and bring innovative solutions to the coworking market.

Q. What differentiates iSprout from other co-working spaces in the market?

A. iSprout stands out with its focus on premium design, personalized service and promoting a strong community culture. Unlike traditional co-working spaces, iSprout tailors its offerings to meet its clients' specific needs. From ergonomically designed workstations to integrated technology solutions and dynamic environments, iSprout provides a holistic experience that goes beyond just an office space.

Q. How does iSprout identify and select locations for its co-working spaces?

A. iSprout takes a data-driven approach to selecting locations, analyzing factors such as business centres, connectivity, local amenities, and market needs. The team works closely with real estate experts (IPC/DPC/Local brokers) and prioritizes locations that align with target demographics and long-term strategic goals.


Q. What unique amenities and services does iSprout provide to its tenants?

A. iSprout offers complete amenities such as high-speed internet, tech-enabled meeting rooms, wellness zones, gourmet cafeterias, and premium lounges, All this is complemented by a specially designed interior which reflects the customer's brand identity. In addition to flexibility and convenience, iSprout reinforces that offering dynamic workspace options that allow tenants to use more than a fixed desk and choose a space that suits their needs, such as a breakout area, phone booth, or co-working space. With a dedicated team of experienced tenants that seamlessly manage all operational needs, iSprout ensures that businesses can focus on growing in a personalized professional environment.


Q. Can you share any data or milestones that highlight iSprout’s growth and success?

A. iSprout has established itself as a top 10 player in the Indian-managed office space sector, with operations in 6 cities and 23 centres. The company has successfully added 2.2 million square feet of workspace and expects to expand by another 1 million square feet soon. One of the standout innovations is the Airport Coworking Centre, which is Specially designed for travellers. With high customer retention rates and continued expansion, iSprout continues to grow in a highly competitive market.

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