PUNE - DEVELOPMENT A CONTINUOUS PROCESS….

PUNE DEVELOPMENT A CONTINUOUS PROCESS….

It’s been too long since I wrote on my blog last. The past week has been hectic as expected. Campaigning has been going well and am gratified to see that there are people who have appreciated the work that I and party have done in the last few years. We’re almost on the eve of the elections. It is really encouraging to see that the youth is very keen to cast their ballot and their excitement is almost palpable. I can feel it when I interact with them. And I am even happier to note that quite a few of them have been volunteers for the CYG.

Campaigning is at its peak now. NCP leaders like Shri R R Patil, Shri Dilip Walse Patil, Shri Govindrao Adik have come and campaigned for me. Shri Sharad Pawar came thrice and I am grateful to him for that. Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh along with Shri Balasaheb Shivarkar, Shri Sharad Ranpise and Shri Ulhas Pawar also came to support my campaign. RPI party workers have been working hard under the guidance of Shri Parshuram Wadekar. With support coming from all sides and all whole Congress party and alliances working wholeheartedly together, I am sure of doing well.

Recently, I have been at the brunt of attacks on various subjects from my worthy opponents. I suppose in a Lok Sabha elections this is expected. But I am surprised that their only agenda seems to be attacking me and my ‘supposed’ non performance.

It’s all there for everyone to see. As I have always maintained, development is a continuous process. Expectations, needs are ever rising and planning should be undertaken for long term. That’s why we planned the Vision 2020 document. Not for the next 5 years, but for a Pune in 2020! Long term plans are exactly that – long term, in that they take time to get completed. But planning has to start now, which we are doing in many cases. My appeal to contribute to Vision 2020 received a great response and again I was pleasantly surprised to see many youngsters sending suggestions. Most of these have been incorporated in the document…. Vision 2020 is truly a ‘Citizen’s document’. Please do visit my website to see the manifesto.

Suresh

Grateful to Mr.Sharad Pawar for his unstinted support for me

Campaigning has started in the right spirit, with Mr. Sharad Pawar kick starting the campaign with his first public Sabha in Congress house where he announced his full support to the Congress party and to me. He came again on Saturday and reiterated his stand to a packed audience after which he addressed and enthused karyakartas of the NCP to work hard to ensure victory for the Congress – NCP – RPI alliance in Pune. I am happy and grateful to him for his strong support and backing. With unstinted support like this and the hard work being put in by all the party workers, there is no doubt that we will win all the 4 seats in Pune district. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Ashok Chavan is also campaigning for the alliance throughout Maharashtra and the alliance will win with at least 40 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. 

My wife Meera, is also doing her bit and has her calendar full!

 I am having a press conference to showcase the use of technology in my campaign today at Congress House at 3 pm. I have learnt a lot about computers and the use of the web. Words like internet, website, social networking sites, blog etc were ‘greek’ to me a couple of years back. But I learnt a lot during the Commonwealth Youth Games and after updating my website, I think I am now kind of familiar with the ‘lingo’. I do take help in typing for the blog. My team and I discuss web updates everyday and they upload the status on Facebook and Twitter and answer my mails after speaking to me. They also update the website everyday.

 I kind of enjoy the experience…. and I have realized why the youngsters can’t do without the net.  The reach and scope of this medium is fantastic!

 Suresh Kalmadi

Filing nomination Pune constituency for the 15th Lok Sabha elections

As I was making preparations to file my nomination from the Pune constituency for the 15^th Lok Sabha elections yesterday, I was struck with a sense of déjà vu. Thousands of thoughts crowded the mind and I was left with a feeling like going in for an examination!

But today, after a good night’s sleep, a short, brisk walk in the compound of my house coupled with some serious introspection, I feel invigorated and positive. The feeling of going for an examination has disappeared. In fact, the feeling now is that I have passed  with fairly satisfactory marks since I have studied hard for the exam for the last few years.

 I can truthfully say that I have tried my level best and succeeded to a great extent in contributing to the fast track development that has happened in Pune in the last few years. I still have unfinished business though…. I still have miles to go!

Pune has received the maximum funds from the JNNURM scheme of the Government of India and many important and essential projects for the city have been initiated. I pushed hard for the Commonwealth Youth Games to be held here as I knew that this would bring huge funds for development of the city infrastructure. The CYG were indeed a defining moment in Pune’s history.

I am meeting so many people everyday and am really touched when people wish me well and bless me wherever I go. Just yesterday, I met a handicapped man, who has decorated his vehicle and is going to campaign for me all over the city. Today, I had lunch with the residents of the Kashewadi slums, which was delicious and served with much affection and love. It was a special experience.

I firmly believe in the words spoken by Baba Amteji. He says and I quote,

“No one can defeat the person who competes with himself.” I can only say that actions speak louder than words and the work done by me and the Congress party speaks volumes.

Punekars have always supported me in all my endeavors. I seek your blessings and support at this time as well.

Suresh Kalmadi