People have to find solutions to civic problems: Krishna

Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI) Hailing the contribution of Action for Good Governance and Networking in India (AGNI) to improving the quality of life in the fastest-growing metropolis by involving citizens in civic duties, Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna said it has assumed much greater significance today than ever before in Mumbai.

Speaking at the 8th anniversary of AGNI at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan here last evening, the Governor said, ''Mumbai has many problems. All the problems cannot be solved by the municipal corporation or the state government. Ultimately, it is the people who will have to find a solution to them.'' ''We can start by identifying them, try to find an answer on how best to solve them, and raise awareness of issues like cleanliness, which should start from households and spread to the streets,'' he said.

He urged the people not to put the entire responsibility of keeping streets and the wards clean on the civic authorities, but instead shoulder some of it.

In that context, AGNI had assumed much greater significance today than ever before particularly in Mumbai, one of the fastest growing metropolises. The problems it faces are the same that many face elsewhere, the Governor said.

''What is it that I owe to make Mumbai a better place to live in? If this concept can get crystallised and institutionalised, then perhaps the battle is half won,'' Mr Krishna said.

Citing the example of the Bangalore Action Task Force, he said Infosys Nandan Nilekani made an immense contribution by giving several hours of his time to improve the city.

''This is what I expect AGNI to do since its leaders do not have an agenda of their own. All of us who live in Mumbai are thankful to the AGNI revolution in Mumbai and its leaders so that it can become a beacon for urban recovery,'' he said.

He also cited the benchmarks for cleanliness, courtesy and punctuality engrained on the minds of Singaporeans by former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Adolf D'Souza, the newly-elected Independent corporator from Juhu, said ''We have system, processes, plans and ideas. They mean nothing unless we have people. AGNI gave me the platform to bring about change. Only people can make a difference. If people are not a part of change, the system withers and dies.'' He urged people to become part of the movement as AGNI was one of the unique organisations working through the Advanced Locality Management (ALMs) committees and strengthen it so that it spreads to every part of Mumbai.

Earlier, AGNI trustee Gerson da Cunha, while welcoming the Governor, said Adolf D'Souza, was the realisation of AGNI's hopes as he was the AGNI coordinator from Juhu before his election.

AGNI vice chairman and managing trustee D M Sukthankar said many of Mumbai's problems have their root in policies and AGNI had been taking these up with the government.

''One of the things that AGNI can take credit for is the litigation it took up against bandhs and we got a thumping order. We also worked towards getting voters on electoral rolls, getting them to vote and participate in electing the right people who will ultimately decide our destiny. In the last civic elections, we got round the political parties and got them to put up candidates with no police records, and whose financial affairs were clean. We also put up blocks of voters who could vote for good candidates who fulfilled the characteristics of a good candidate. For that we undertook the listing of candidates by analysing what the candidates had filed with their nominations,'' he added.

Rediff.com managing and chief executive officer Ajit Balakrishnan said getting to Mumbai was the goal of millions of people in India.

''Mumbai is the guiding star, the navigating star for them. It provides jobs in all sectors and people from all over the country come here because of it. But it is difficult to live in Mumbai because of various civic problems it faces. This is where AGNI steps in,'' he added.

UNI