‘Acting tough’ is the only way to neutralise Naxalites: Vijay Raman

“If they claim that they have waged war against the state, we should treat it as war,” says ‘super cop’ Vijay Raman, who was instrumental in hunting down dacoit Paan Singh Tomar and terror mastermind, Ghazi Baba

VIJAY Raman speaks very less, to-the-point, straight-forward -- a perfect fit for an IPS of his calibre. One of the most decorated police officers of India, Vijay Raman has a great deal to talk about. After eliminating Paan Singh Tomar in a 14-hour encounter, after tackling dacoits, terrorists and Naxals; Raman has an

exceptional ability to analyse organised crime.

“Terrorism grows with foreign support while Naxalism, to a large extent, is being run by our own people. However, threat is not acceptable in any form. We should tackle it with tough action,” Raman says. He was on a visit to city to share the experience of his first and the most talked-about counter-dacoity operation -- the elimination of dacoit Paan Singh Tomar in 1981 when Raman was barely 30 years old.

However, for the cop who was instrumental in hunting down mastermind of the 2001 Parliament attacks, Jaish-e-Mohammed Kashmir chief Shahbaz Khan alias Gazi Baba and dacoit Paan Singh Tomar, elimination is not the ultimate solution to a crime.

“Killing one or more persons cannot be the solution to terrorism. Generally, any terror attack comes as a reaction of some incident. We should think about the link and then find some intellectual solution to it,” he says, while stressing that terror cannot be associated with any particular religion.

But if killing is not his solution, why Raman has been involved in some of the most famous encounters? “Well, while policing, you have to think about many aspects and then act. If leaving a criminal alive can be life threatening for my informer or my men, I must shot him dead,” he says, as matter of fact as ever. Raman also supports a proper security system for whistle-blowers as their role is very important in combating crime.
One cannot resist but ask him about the proper workable solution for Naxal menace. “How can I give the solution? I am just one soldier of my country. But, the reality is that Naxalites refuse to acknowledge the state. They claim openly that they have waged a war against the state. Then, being a responsible state, we should also take this call as a war and act tough,” Raman gives a straight and simple answer -- in his signature way.

Life full of achievements

INDIA takes pride in Raman’s contributions to the nation. Apart from successful career with President’s Police Medal for Gallantry, the man has many other achievements to his credit.

Raman was awarded Citation in Guinness Book of World Record and Limca Book of Records for his around the world tour in an Indian Contessa car in 39 days 7 hrs 55 minutes.

“I love driving, so took the challenge. The tour was of about 26,000 miles,” Raman says while giving the credit of his world record to his wife Veena and his well-wishers.

Son of Late Major P V Raman, he was a gold medalist in Law and Physics before he opted for Police services. Raman says, “The present generation is more aware and they have ample career options available.”
“Youngsters are more focused these days. It’s good for all of us,” Raman mentions with pride.

Cutting of the same interview published in The Hitavada on April 19

Google, Microsoft and Ogale!

Adv Vidayanand Ogale has developed a comprehensive translation tool on his own. Named as ‘Nagpur’, this tool can translate any English data into eight Indian languages near-accurately. The one-of-its-kind, this fully Indian translation tool can bring revolution.

Adv Vidyanand Ogale at his in-house software lab which consists of only one PC. 

Without studying even ABCD of software development, Adv Vidayanand Ogale has developed a comprehensive translation tool on his own. Named as ‘Nagpur’, this tool can translate any English data into eight Indian languages near-accurately. This is a result of ceaseless 21 years of effort by Adv Ogale. The one-of-its-kind, this fully Indian translation tool can bring revolution in Software world. Adv Ogale, now 65, wants to transfer this technology to appropriate institution.

If you type or copy-paste this text in Google translate window or Microsoft translation tool, you can get its world-to-word translation into Hindi or some selected regional Indian languages. However, the most common experience is that real meaning is lost during translation because the software is unable to understand the clause, diction and language dialect.

Imagine a tool enriched with thesaurus, which can provide nearly perfect translation of the given data, that too instantly, with a speed of around 10,000 to 22,000 words per minute! Not only this, but the tool can also translate data from Indian languages to English. Moreover, if attached with phonetic gadget, it can instantly speak out the translated version of the data you have selected. And finally, the tool which directly reads from the paper or screen, and starts translation even without cut-copy-paste work!

Well, all this seems to be imaginary to all of us as we are mostly dependent on Google or Microsoft for translation. But, meet this 65-year-old software-passionate Vidyanand Ogale. An advocate by profession, Oagle has little academic qualification of software development field. But, his passion for the same has earned him a rare mastery over the complicated techno-art. After spending more than two decades with his computer and his master-mind, Adv Ogale has developed a comprehensive translation tool that gives the most correct translation of English text into Marathi. Notably, this is the same task on which the government-funded giants like CDAC are working with country’s best PhD holder engineers and scientists from last thirty years.

“When I approached Dr Vijay Bhatkar (then CDAC chief and maker of Super Computer) with my software in 1990s, he was astonished to see the effectiveness. We discussed several plans to make it more inclusive. However, the large scale research and production is yet a distant dream,” Adv Ogale said. Like a good lawyer, he produces papers and correspondence for his each and every claim. And when he moves towards his computer screen and starts the software, one demands no further proof.

Just copy and paste data from any website and type the command. Hardly a few seconds, gets the data converted into nearly perfect Marathi, in Devnagari text. “This is possible because I have entered the dictionary data of more than 7,000 pages for Marathi language in the database of this software. Moreover, the grammar details, diction, and other special details have also been added. With the same formula, we can develop the other wings of the tool. However, it needs the experts of that respective languages to participate in,” Ogale said. In fact, the man has already learned basics of eight Indian languages and has the basic (beta) version of his tool ready for these languages, too. Still, according to him, around 25 per cent work is yet to be done.

Now, at 65, Ogale wants some young and eligible software enthusiast to handle the further responsibility of his software. This work is the lifetime achievement for Ogale. His two sons, working as software engineers in USA are proud of their father, but they don’t have much to do for his software.

“I would like to transfer the technology to appropriate institution for appropriate price. I would like to meet Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan who is quite techno-savvy and can understand the importance of this software. Similarly, I am trying to meet Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, who is quite determined for such activities. Or finally, I would like to speak to HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, who is quite articulate in technical matters,” Ogale said. He has already started correspondence with the three dignitaries he wanted to meet.
Twenty-two years of his journey is full of different types of experiences, both good and bad. However, Ogale is still optimistic about the software that can change the way of writing Indian languages on Internet.

Ogale can be contacted on 08975467360  or 08237881032

Cutting of the same article published in The Hitavada CityLine Nagpur on    Sunday  April 21 2013

Making adventure a way of life

A maverick from Buldana, he came to Nagpur with his bicycle put on the bus. Today, Amol Khante is showing a complete different face of adventure to Central India through his CAC-Allrounder group. With his effort, Nagpur is all set to become hub of adventure tourism, sports, education and therapy... 

WANDERING through the hills and forests around the town is common weekend feature for the youths in hilly district of Buldana. When Amol Khante came to Nagpur some ten years ago, he realised that this nature trail is considered as ‘Adventure’ activity by urban people.

A born adventure enthusiast, and then a law student, Amol started searching an ‘adventurous’ way of life rather than filing affidavits and waiting for next Tareekh. While pursuing law, psychology and physical education, Amol also got engaged in adventure activities. After a brief stint with National Adventure Foundation (NAF), he founded ‘Central Adventure Council (CAC) Allrounder’ in 2005. Thus, began a complete different journey.

In his office-cum-residence at Dharapeth, Amol is usually busy planning for adventure tours, camps, and scripting new ideas along with his wife, four-year-old son and an extended family of ‘CAC Allrounder’ - a group of several adventure-enthusiast youngsters.

“I set out alone for my destination, but friends kept joining me along the way and formed a multitude,” says always humble Amol. Firstly, he started with the development of adventure day-out facility at Maitraban village, at Mohgaon Zilpi near Nagpur. “We started developing the concept under the guidance of Ravindra Gandhe. Gradually, it started gaining positive response,” Amol says.

Today, CAC Allrounder has developed a well-equipped camping site on the banks of Zilpi Lake opening new horizons of one-day nature trail for children, young couples, groups and friends. Children get introduced with adventures at Maitraban with activities like camping, rock climbing, trekking, river crossing, rafting and others. They learn team spirit and leadership. The place is methodically kept away from pollution, addiction, and other ill-practices.

Presently, Amol is pursuing his Ph D in Adventure sports and recreational activities and his thinking on this subject has a great depth. “Adventure activity is multifaceted. It’s not just tourism, or sports. We have to develop it as adventure education and also adventure therapy,” he says stressing on the fact that adventure therapy is the answer to lifestyle diseases. As part of imparting adventure education, CAC provides training of disaster management and rescue operations to Air Force, Army Jawans, Police and fire officers on regular basis.

The Maitraban magic was recreated on the banks of Ramtek’s Khindsi Lake with the development of Adventure Village. Set against the stunning backdrop of the green and rugged terrain of the Sidnhurgiri, the place has 100% unadulterated adventure sports with the assurance of international safety standards. Supported by skilled trainers, Amol personally looks after the quality and innovation of the activities at Ramtek.

Today, one can enjoy all types of adventure sports -- in air, land, and water -- right there in Ramtek. Its open for schools, colleges, groups and one and all on reliable rates.

“Through adventure tourism, my aim is to open new employment opportunities to local people. A local representative in every village acts as a guide as well as a service provider for visiting tourists. His special focus is on preserving the natural beauty of the place,” when Amol says, one realises how responsibly he has managed the entire scene.

Amol’s CAC - Allrounder has a bright future as now the government is also serious about adventure tourism. Amol is working on several committees and sharing suggestions about adventure. However, the hills and forests around Buldhana are still green in his heart. “Foremost responsibility is to conserve our natural habitat. It’s the one solution of all other problems,” he smiles, while sharing finest Mantra of ‘natural’ success.

Cutting of the same article published  in The Hitavada. 

A faithful freelancer

Once left un-reported; the crowd-pulling religious discourses and events started getting their due placement in Nagpur newspapers after Dinesh Suchak started his freelance journalism with ‘faith’ beat some 26 years ago. Started on a bicycle, this unique ‘PR’ journey has reached into a car now. today, no religious event in Nagpur is complete without Suchak’s reports.

Dinesh Suchak and his car. (Pic by Satish Raut)

MOST of the people in newsrooms of all leading newspapers of Nagpur are familiar with this old man who comes to their offices almost every evening with a bunch of press releases. Dinesh Suchak greets everyone with Namaste and hand over his reports. These reports are mainly about the religious discourses, or rituals, or visits of religious, spiritual personalities to the city. Written in fluent classic Hindi, most of them are carried ‘as it is’ in Nagpur’s prominent Hindi dailies. Marathi and English newspapers, too, give due placement to them. Suchak’s reports have their own value for newspapers and their readers. His activity is unique, and his personality, too.

Since last 25 years, Dinesh Suchak circulates press notes, but he is more than just a PR activist. He gets payment from organisers for writing, but he is more than an adverstising agent. Suchak writes about a ‘beat’ which is traditionally neglected by journalists over the years -- religious events, discourses and rituals. In fact, these events are crowd-pullers and very important for newspapers in readership point of view. Suchak provides a proper reporting of these events and acts as a mediator between Nagpur’s print media and religious event organisers. Suchak acts as a bridge joining different cadres of society with each others. Profoundly religious in nature, he believes that he was destined to do this job.

“Otherwise, why would a businessman’s son appear for Rashtrabhasha Kovid Hindi Examinations and become ‘Kovid’ (graduate) in Hindi language?” he asks. “I was a businessman. Journalism was nowhere in my thoughts,” Suchak recalls from his early days when he used to be in marketing of colour chemicals for powerloom workers of Jabalpur region.

“Two wars between India and Pakistan affected adversely on powerloom business and we suffered major losses. On the verge of bankruptcy, I had to leave Jabalpur with a problem of survival. After paying most of the debts, my hands were almost empty. But, I had faith in God, that saved me and took me to the other way,” Suchak, who had gained some exposure of journalism while being with his reporter friends in Jabalpur, says.

Nagpur, being his native place, made his struggle quite sustainable. Suchak mentions many great names in journalism and religious fields who gave him a strong backing during his early days.

“It was 1987, when my article on Chhote Jalarambappa appeared in ‘Nav Bharat’. Since then, Nagpur’s traditional ‘Ram Janmostsava Shobhayatra’, and other events became my specialities.

Suchak devotionally mentions blessings by Acharya Dongre Maharaj he received earlier in his career. A simple call by Asaramji Bapu, or a smile by Sudhanshu Maharaj is of a great importance for him.

Suchak believes in all religions and works for Jain, Sindhi, Gujarati and Sikh religious events, too. At 66, he personally goes on field reporting and writes reports. He has mastered over skills of using mobile phone, internet. Started with a bicycle, he used to hire an autorickshaw to take his daily round of Nagpur newspapers. Now, he owns a car. His driver is a Muslim who offers Namaz for five times in a day.
“While working for rival newspapers, I must take care not to be channel of loose talks or spread hatred. Being religious helps me in the same,” he says.

In his residence-cum-office in crowded lanes of Itwari, Suchak is available day-long. Three years ago, he had a bypass surgery. “Doctors told me to avoid exertion. But, I can’t rest for long,” when Suchak says, one realises that his functional heart may have been operated, but his original one lies in his work.

Cutting of the same article published in The Hitavada.

Agent of ‘honour’ after death

Once, he received death threats from crematorium priests and was termed as anti-religion by some people for promoting the concept of body donation. Today, after 26 years, Ramesh Satpute receives awards and recognition for GETTING 111 bodies donated to various medical colleges, and having made more than 680 body-donation wills through his campaign ‘Deharashtrarpan’

Ramesh Satpute (Photo by Anil Futane)

ALTHOUGH he makes it look simple with his ever-smiling and cheerful personality, Ramesh Satpute’s job is not at all easy.  In a society where discussing death and post-death rituals is itself believed to be inauspicious, he campaigns for  skipping all rituals and donating  the body to medical institutions for research purpose.

Not just message, but Satpute provides a legal body-donation will to the aspiring donors and completes all legal procedure. Not just paperwork, but Satpute also convinces the family-members of a donor about the pledge being done by their elder. Not just lecture, but Satpute also visits the house of the donor on death, checks the body for proper condition, coordinates with the receiving hospital, and makes arrangements to take the body to the hospital. This process involves several practical, financial and most importantly emotional challenges. And the person of sensitive artistic heart can only dare to deal with all these situations. Ramesh Satpute is a perfect fit for this job.

Satpute was a leading commercial designer of Nagpur in mid-1980s when he came to know about the dearth of cadavers for medical research. “My doctor cousin in Pune told that only unclaimed bodies are being used in medical colleges and it is not a good practice. I offered to donate my body for the purpose but even he was ignorant about the process of body donation,” Satpute recalls. After inquiry in GMC and other colleges, he found the process of body donation very complicated. “But I found many people like me who were eager to donate their bodies for further medical research. I pursued the subject for several years and the concept of ‘Deharashtrarpan’ took birth,” Satpute sums up in two sentences, but his ‘pursuance of several years’ include lot many things. His own body donation pledge was rejected sighting legal reasons. So, he and his lawyer friends drafted a complete legal ‘will’. After several timely amendments in it, the four-page document is now in use as official body-donation will. “More than 640 people have signed the same ‘will’ and 111 bodies have already been donated to many hospitals. However, the need is even more. We should promote this noble cause,” Satpute adds.

“After all, body donation is not new in Hinduism. The legend of Maharshi Dadhichi says that he donated his body to create ‘Khadga’, a weapon of Lord Indra by whom the entire Demon clan was demolished. We should come forward for benefit of our further generations,” Satpute gives an instance from Puranas. According to his documentation, people from all religions are becoming aware about body donation. “Some Muslim people also expressed their interest, but their Maulavis didn’t allow them,” he says. Still, the man with mission has visited 800 plus families to spread awareness about the cause. He has a huge collection of all kinds of experiences – good and bad – and all these experiences have made him emotionally and intellectually rich. “My eyes go wet when I see old-age parents signing the ‘will’ just because their children have no time to perform last rites. However, sometimes, I found myself emotionally chocked when I see children shedding tears while signing the consent letter on parents’ ‘will’ as it is hard for them to believe that their loving parents would depart. The world is full of different people,” Satpute states.

He gets call at any moment of the day or night and has to leave immediately to examine the body. “Body with wounds or bed sores is not accepted. So, I have to check and many a times reject. This moment is very tough for me,” he says. Due to his mission, Satpute cannot leave Nagpur for a long duration. “I am a travelling enthusiast. But my trip is limited for a day or two now,” he smiles with and offers his ‘trademark’ chocolate to us as he signs off.

Cutting of the same article published in The Hitavada on February 24

Self made Musician

Once struggling for an opportunity to sing on stage, Unnikrishnan Nair, today, continues to inspire aspiring singers of Nagpur with his velvety voice - an echo of Yesudas. And his sargam group has made a distinct mark for itself...

 MUSIC-LOVERS of the Orange City know him as ‘Nagpur’s Yesudas’ and Unnikrishnan Nair cherishes this identity. However, the man has much more to present than the trademark ‘Yesudas’ style. He sings songs of all genres -- right from Bhajans to film songs-- in eight languages. He single-handedly organises innovative musical events several times in a year through his well-known ‘Sargam’ group. He brings new talent on the stage and encourages amateur singers to perform during public events. Most importantly, Unnikrishnan Nair is doing this for more than three decades. Seniors of Keraleeya Samajam, Ayyappa Samajam, South India Association and other groups may recall young Unni’s first performance on stage way back in 1971. And since then, he is the signature ‘Yesudas’ of Nagpur.

In his young days, Unnikrishnan performing in Nagpur.

“As a young singing enthusiast, I used to stand in the last row of the jam-packed orchestra performances and listen to Ahmed Kadir, Yogesh Thaker and other popular musicians of Nagpur. I was confident enough to sing on stage, but it was hard to get an opportunity those days. There were no TV channels or FM bands,” recalls Unnikrishnan, a retired WCL employee, who then went on to organise his own musical events.
“Sargam was born right there. We never charged money for musical performances right from the first event. The tradition goes on even today,” says a proud Unnikrishnan. However, raising funds for such ‘open for all’ events has always been a major challenge, he accepts. With the smiling support of his wife Rema and two sons, Abhijit and Akshay, Unnikrishnan has been accepting this challenge several times in a year since the last thirty years.

Unnikrishnan with the legendary Yesudas.

“Passion for music made me overlook financial losses. A glitter of confidence in the eyes of a young singer after his maiden performance is reward enough for me,” smiles the man who recognised the singing potential in many a talented singers of the city at a very tender age and gave them their first ever public platform. Aniruddha Joshi and Manjiri Vaidya are a few names that have taken a bow on Unnikrishnan’s stage. And the tradition of introducing new talent continues even today. Moreover, bringing lesser known singers on the stage is another special feature of ‘Sargam’.

“Music is universal language of the heart and I am always in search of new talent,” says Unnikrishnan. Musical events by professionals, doctors, advocates and bureaucrats, organised by ‘Sargam’ have been appreciated by Nagpurians.

The thing that pains Unnikrishnan is that he lacks proper training in music. “I always strove to get proper training in classical music. But things never went my way. But, I believe, at least basic training is a must for a good singer,” Unnikrishnan says. The Nair family dreams to establish a basic music school through ‘Sargam’ in Nagpur.

With Unnikrishnan’s much-evident persistence, this dream too is sure to become a reality in the near future.

Cutting of the same article published in The Hitavada  on February 16, 2013

Suno Bhai Sadho...

Kahat Kabeera: Shekhar Sen in a still from ‘Kabeer’ staged in city on Saturday. (Pic by Satish Raut)

Icon of mono-act musical plays, Shekhar Sen, presented ‘Kabeer’ in his inimitable style at a function organised by Mundle family...

Select audience gathered at Shri Sai Sabhagruha experienced one of the finest theatrical presentations on Saturday. Writer-director-actor-composer and singer Shekhar Sen, who has proved himself as a milestone in unique theatrical style of ‘live mono act musicals’ presented his well-known ‘Kabeer’ for 335th time on stage and for the first time in Nagpur.

‘Kabeer’ was organised by city’s well-known Mundle family as a surprise gift to Bhaiyyasaheb Mundle. Family-members as well as well-wishers of Bhaiyyasaheb from educational and social scene of Nagpur celebrated his 75th birthday

on Saturday. Mundle, being a philanthropist, educationist, and social worker; has always idolised ‘Sant Kabeer’ in his life. The play was organised as a gift for his faith in Kabeer.

Prominent personalities from various fields attended the theatrical presentation and were bestowed with a classic theatrical marvel by Shekhar Sen. A blessed Indian classical singer, Sen weaved Kabeer’s life story along with some 40-odd songs (Dohaas) sung in 46 Raagas during this two-hour show. His narration, script and live singing performance on the pre-recorded track received many spontaneous applause.

Kabeer’s poetry added a spiritual and literary value to the play. The play not only had a musical and literary value, but also was full of novel information and historical referances about Sant Kabeer. His association with many other spiritual personalities (Sheikh Farid baba and others), his relationship with contempoerary rulers, his stand on Hindu and Muslim communities, his family members and many other aspects of his personality were highlighted in a unique manner of narration by Sen. Adorned as Sant Kabeer, he narrated the story in first person - just like his two other plays --- Vivekananda and Tulsi. Nagpurians are quite familiar with Shekhar Sen’s Vivekananda which was staged continuously for seven days in November 2011. His Tulsi was also organised last year in city. ‘Kabeer’ was organised for the first time in Nagpur. While intracting with the audience right after the show, Sen, who has more than 750 such performances on his credit, attributed all to his parents, Gurus and the almighty.

‘Surdaas’ to be Shekhar Sen’s next 

After Tulsi, Kabeer, and Vivekananda; Shekhar Sen is coming up with another historical and spiritual personality. Sen, a talented singer, music composer, lyricist and actor stated that his fifth play ‘Surdas’ is almost complete and he is planning for the inaugural show sometime in the year 2013.
“The music track recording for the play was recently completed. I am working on final part of the play these days,” he said. Sen insists to sing all his songs live along with the script in order to give a lively touch to the play. For this, he has to recite the play word-by-word and manage to sing the songs on the pre-recorded track without even a small goof-up. The preparation for the unique show hence takes quite a long.