Small Change

To the Chief Justice,
Hon. High Court of Mumbai,

First, we'd like to say that we mean no disrespect to the memory of
Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was a truly great and able King.

Having said that, we feel that the proposed statue/memorial to be
built in the image of this great and able King, estimated to cost
Rs.350 crores, is an unnecessary expense for the exchequer of the
Government of Maharashtra.

As we all know, there has been a vastly insufficient monsoon, and on
date, if we're not mistaken, 27 districts in Maharashtra have been, or
will soon be declared drought-hit. Starving Maharashtrian farmers,
committing suicide has already been a matter of grave concern for the
Government of the state. Surely, these funds could be better utilised
saving some of these lives and livelihoods.

We also have, within Mumbai itself, a vast number of infrastructural
difficulties, that need huge investments to be sorted out. The rapidly
declining availability of potable water and usable power is a huge
problem, for example.

The roads in our financial capital are a national disgrace. We could
fix some of them.

We could certainly do with more schools/colleges, providing education
to the underprivileged at no cost. These could all be named in memory
of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Another possible avenue for the use of surplus funds would be to
strengthen and better equip our Police Force and Coast Guard. In light
of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai last year, it is crucial to
strengthen these arms of Government, as our security and our lives
depend on them.

We have all studied the history of this great state. We are all
Mumbaikars and Maharashtrians, and the state would possibly not exist
in it's current form without the far-reaching and visionary
administrative abilities of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Since the proposed
statue/memorial is in the name of a ruler famous for this
administrative ability, we owe it to his memory to ask if he himself
would approve of such wasteful expediture in a drought year,
especially when the city's defences are not at full strength?

We'd also like to point out that in light of a track record of
consistent cost over-runs and delays leading to price escalations in
major construction projects undertaken by the Government, it is
unlikely that the amount to be spent towards such a project will
actually be limited to just Rs.350 Crores.

We, as concerned citizens of India and Maharashtra, and as Bombayites,
Mumbaikars, Bambaiwallahs, pray that such a monument be disallowed,
and the funds used for the benefit of the public, by taxing whom these
funds have been generated.

We also pray that, if after addressing
citizens-welfare/development/infrastructure issues, Maharashtra
actually has such surplus funding, it be handed to a committee of
eminent citizens who have by past action proved their concern for and
commitment to the greater good of the citizens of Mumbai. These
members may be selected at the discretion of the Hon. Court or by a
popular poll, as the Hon. Court sees fit.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Vishal M. Dadlani, and the undersigned.

After you have added your name to this petition an e-mail will be sent to the given address to confirm your signature. Please make sure that your e-mail address is correct or you will not receive this e-mail and your name will not be counted.

Name:

E-mail address:

Please enter an optional comment:

Do not display name on website:

Last 20 of 25402 signatories

Kunwar Apoorva Singh,
"Atleast one of us started doing something rather than thinking. I am with this motion."

Vipul,
"I am absolutely with this motion!"

rahul,

priyanka,
" I guess we need to take care of this country first and then think of beautifying it. Terror attacks, corrupt politicians, disgrace in the name of communal riots, women suffering, Children not having roof over their head, bad roads, unemployment, prostitution, flooding of low-lying areas are few of the many problems that need to be sorted out immediately. If someone is thinking about Statue of Liberty while making this statue, I guess we have lot of catching up to do in terms of progress before we reach that level. And, money, it is ours, did someone take the permission of the citizens of the state. "

Akash Rupela,
"I appreciate this step. its Stupid to waste money like that"

xxxxxxxx,
"Great initiative Vishal..."

xxxxxxxx,

yogesh,
"मी महाराष्ट्राविषयीच्या चिंतेतून सांगतो कि जर हे स्मारक समुद्रात उभे राहिले तर ५०० वर्षानंतर अमराठी ( Non-Marathi) जग शिवराय आणि मायावती यांची एकाच तराजूत तुलना करतील, आणि प्रत्यक्षात त्यांच्यात विपुल प्रमाणात अंतर आहे. केवळ याच कारणास्तव मी मानतो कि महाराष्ट्र शासनाने हा प्रकल्प समुद्रात उभारू नये. त्यापेक्षा नवे वीरपुरुष उभे राहतील व राष्ट्राची उभारणी करतील या उद्दिष्टाने वाचनालय प्रत्येक गावागावात उभारावे व त्यात केवळ शिवराय नव्हे तर राणाप्रताप, बाजीराव, चोळ राजे या सर्वांची चरित्रे उपलब्ध करावीत. "

xxxxxxxx,
"so good"

Kiran k,
"Media should understand their responsiblity and preserve our national integrity and security.. Unfortunately that is not the case now.."

coffee machines,
"I can' t but agree.I always wanted to write in my site something like that but I guess you' r faster."

xxxxxxxx,
"I agree with you Vishal. "

Chitwan kaur,
"I sincerely feel that the funds should be utilised wisely, I also second the idea of naming all efforts in the memory of chatrapati Shivaji . "

Kshama Kumar,

xxxxxxxx,
"I agree with you Vishal Ji."

test,
"lol"

test,
"test"

kittylilis,
"Away from the glitz of Bukit Bintang, Central Promote offers the breach owing you to indulge in some low-key shopping christian louboutin d'orsay catherine malandrino spring 2010 christian louboutin latest collection moncler boots moncler size chart"

Norbert Earl,
"I fully agree with Vishal M. Dadlani,our politicians are not concerned about the welfare of the common man,they just want to make money, if u see our politicians they all are a pack of jockers,trying to outwit each other.Its a shame on Democracy to have us ruled by such politicians."

Shirish Nadagouda,
"I agree with Vishal. It would really be a horrible decision to spend such huge amount on a statue, instead could be used for the betterment of Mumbai. Shivaji himself would never accept this kind of a gesture. Special thanks to Vishal for putting this up here. Kudos you have always stood up for such issues."