A interesting chat with Shivaji Bhosale, a Mumbai resident telling the situation in his village in Kolhapur.

Shivaji Shankar Bhosale, A first generation Mumbai based medical professional from Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai gives a first hand situation about the social and economic condition of his native village in Kolhapur.

29th June-2024.

maharashtra village situation through the eyes of its native settled in mumbai.

Shivaji Shankar Bhosale, a medical professional in Mumbai narrates about his native village in Kolhapur.

Full extract of the interaction

PP-Tell us about your current profession and your immediate family. what kind of professions exists in your village?

Shivaji Bhosale- After completing my education, i came to Mumbai for job and currently i am working in Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai. I have two Childrens and old parents as dependents.

My native village is in Ningude Taluka- Aajara in the Kolhapur District.

Mainly in my village, traditional farming, animal husbandry, dairy farming, poultry farming, and small time local retailing are the business people are occupied in.

PP- What type of PM welfare schemes exist in your native village?

Shivaji Bhosale- There are number of PM welfare schemes in my village, but i will name the prominent ones.

PM Awaas Yojna: The scheme is good, but the benefits are not passing to the public. Nobody is benefitted for last Two yrs. At least 50 individuals are awaiting benefits PM food yojna.

PM Anna Yojna: We get ration regularly on time but quality of grains is poor. Wheat quality is very bad & there are complaints about Plastic rice with real rice.

PM Jal Vikas Yojna: For drinking water, we have to be dependent on natural water resources. The water connectivity is complete in many areas but in many places the supply of water is not regular.

I will like to add  that there is No treatment facilities for Livestock& nonavailability of Veterinary services, we have to go for Private Vet practitioner.

PP-What is the current status of farming and farmers in your village?

Shivaji Bhosale- The situation in the village regarding farming is not so encouraging. Electric supply is made available at night, hence we have to carry out agricultural works during night/ odd hrs which increases threats from Wild animals, poisonous snake. Hence electric supply should be provided during day time only.

State Govt should supply quality seeds, fertilisers, irrigation. Farm loans & subsidy should be provided at proper time. Proper & just price for agri produce to be assured.

There is no Govt. Control on Private & Cooperative Sugar mills hence they exploit poor farmers. In absence of governmental support Cooperative mills are shutting down. Unchecked middlemen exploit & loot. Irrigation channels require immediately repairs.

PP-What type of other difficulties you are facing in your native village? Do you have any specific suggestions for the state government?

Shivaji Bhosale- There are lots of them. Because of changing govts politicians are looking after/working for their Self interest. In adequate communication systems, bad road conditions affect Old, women, Children. because of this even ST bus services are available as per schedule & again affects above class.

Zilha Parishad(ZP) schools require immediate repairs. To protect future of poor youth, & aspiring population Govt should urgently start Semi English medium schools. New education policy resulted into dwindling number of Teachers badly affecting Quality of education.

As teachers are assigned various non teaching duties makes them unavailable , reason why Parents are attracted towards Pvt schools. Lack of governmental control provide opportunities to Pvt. Schools to loot. With combined Traditional & Modern systems of education Govt should urgently start Balvikas Centres, Aaganwadi Schools etc

For state and central government, i want to say that they should look after the implementation part of the policies announced. There is no implementation of various schemes announced by Central Govt. Accute shortage of staff at ZP level. Unemployment is alarming requires immediate recruitment for Govt jobs.

Quality education must be provided at maximum Govt. Schools & Colleges. All Govt hospitals should provide Super speciality high tech medical treatment. ESIS like hospitals to be modernised & if they provide quality treatment for Common man, load on BMC/State /Centre will reduce. Each Taluka must have at lest 100 bed modern Hospital.

PP-What type of difficulties you face regarding medical facilities in your native village?

Shivaji Bhosale-We face lots of difficulties.Zilla Parishad hospitals don't provide adequate quality medical treatment. Advanced tests like CT scan, MRI are not avaliable. Updated Labs, Operation Theatres & materials essential for them are unavailable. Anti venom facility should be made at sub Centre instead of only at bigger hospitals.

Health Check-up camps must be conducted at Schools at least Twice a year. Infants, Veterans should get diagnostic facilities at local level. Shortage of medical staff forces people to go to Cities. ZP, Taluka centresshould provide regular free supply of medicines.

PP- You are settled in Mumbai. Tell us the difficulties you face here?

Shivaji Bhosale- Soaring rates of Housing. Slum redevelopment. Bad roads traffic are problems. No Govt control on Pvt. Schools/colleges. Mismanagement at SRA, MHADA, BMC.

From the top it seems that how irregularities in institution like MHADA, BMC affects us, but the truth is that the common man is entangled with these agencies in various ways.

Look at the situation in Mumbai during rains. We travel in trains and buses and the whole city starts floating in Sewage waters during heavy rains. The strong clutch maintained by builders in Mumbai has made housing for people like us a life time dream to be fulfilled.