Ahmednagar – Where are we heading?

Living in the historic city of Ahmednagar has been a matter of immense pride for all the people of the city. Often referred to as the foundation of the Cooperative Industrial Movement, the Land of the Sai Baba, and the birthplace of Anandrushiji; Ahmednagar has one of the largest army bases in India and the VRDE amongst several other important places, monuments and people; Ahmednagar has been often referred to as the crown jewel for Western Maharashtra.

But that’s not how the rest of the Nation is looking at Ahmednagar currently:-

The Below are headlines in some of the leading newspapers across India; most of which have been in 2018 :-

Violence in Ahmednagar, where crime & politics is a ‘Family Affair’ - read an article in the Hindustan Times on April 8, 2018

MLA arrested for Murder in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar - Via Inshorts (One of India’s most downloaded news app) – on April 9th 2018

Ahmednagar Deputy Mayor held for derogatory remarks, Violence in the city – Reported the Times of India on February 17th 2018

Attacked by Ahmednagar MLA : Kinetic Engineering CMD Agrees to Settle issue – reported Indian express on November 18th 2009

Complaint Lodged against Ahmednagar MP for Demanding Ransom – reported the Maharashtra Times on Feb 25th 2018

Bomb explosion at Courier Office in Ahmednagar – reported Hindustan times on March 23, 2018

The most disturbing fact about all these news headlines is the fact that, all of them have one name in common ‘#Ahmednagar’. The credibility & the image being lost is not of a particular leader or a political party but of the entire city; the city we all love.

Of all the people suffering from the recent violence/Bandh’s/Protests the people suffering the most are the common men – having to keep their businesses’ shut and staying back inside the 4 walls of their house absorbing the tense atmosphere and the negative vibes from the outside.  

How do you expect companies and people to come to Ahmednagar; when the city is neither Vibrant nor Magnetic? Where the daily functioning of the industries are held ransom by labor union run by some political parties.  Ahmednagar is a classic example of how a city with enormous potential can suffer from divisive – deep rooted and dirty politics. Where the people running the Municipal Corporation, the MLA and the MP are all from different parties; and are ready to slit each other throats at a blow of a whistle.  

The people of Ahmednagar often say ‘ Kya Rakha Hai Nagar Main?’ 'Nagar Kabhi nahi Sudhrega' ; complain about the lack of Industrial Growth, the miserably inadequate condition of the roads, lack of job opportunities for the youth, farmers committing suicide; the way things are heading, changing the current scenario looks like a far-fetched dream. 

Is there a Solution to this? 

Absolutely YES! Where there is a Will there is a Way – But the Will here has to be strictly ‘Non Political’.

PS :- The views expressed in the blog are absolutely personal and do not belong to any political party.