An Appeal from MGP to citizens of Mysore to protest against Makkaji Chowka project.
Mysore Grahakara Parishat had organized a public debate on Makkaji Chowka project on July 10th. Several concerned citizens including former mayors and corporators participated in the debate.
After listening to the presentation made by MGP on the economics of Makkaji Chowka, one of the former corporators admitted that if only they had access to such data, they would have negotiated better terms with the investors. Makkaji Chowka project was first conceived in early 60s. Since then many things have changed in Mysore. Traffic congestion at K. R. Circle has worsened. But no efforts were made either by the investors or Mysore City Corporation to study the impact of constructing a major shopping complex. It was also clear that while calling for the bid, no minimum bid amount was set and terms offered by the investors though not attractive to MCC were accepted.
No one could explain the miracle of internet speed decision making by the government at all different levels. It was not clear how a major decision involving more than Rs. 100 crores could move through the corridors of MCC, and Vidhan Soudha within a short period of nine months. Since the debate has proved that Makkaji Chowka project as envisaged today is not in the best interests of the city from economic, social, heritage and environmental point of view, MGP has decided to collect more than 10000 signatures registering our opposition and submit to the government to take over the project even at this late stage.
We want to organize the protest campaign in a novel way and also at the grass roots level. MGP requests all those who oppose the project, to write a letter either in English or Kannada to the Chief Minister outlining the reasons for their protest, collect as many signatures as possible in their neighbourhood and mail those letters to Makkaji Chowka Protest Camapign, MGP, 6/1 Vivekananda Road, Yadavagiri, Mysore 570020. MGP will send all the protest letters and signatures to the Chief Minister on August 18th. MGP is hopeful that citizens of Mysore who are familiar with the Tennali Ram’s story will not rely only on others to protest. Let us not assume that others will pour milk in the pond and we can get away with water.
Even at this late stage of signing the contract and holding a perfunctory bhoomi pooja, we can stop the project in a truly functioning democracy if the citizens protest in large numbers seeking justice.
Conveners of Makkaji Chowka Campaign for Mysore Grahakara Parishat,
I hope the signature campaign is successful and that MGP gets all citizens up from their easy chair and salubrious Mysore weather and get around to controling their destiny. Otherwise, it will be one or two NGO's such as MGP that will attempt to make noise on this whole scam and the rest of the lazy Mysoreans, happy that some one else is doing things for them, will tuck themselves into their kambli and snooze in the rainy season. Wake up and smell the mysore filter coffee before it is too late.
Yes, Captain. I will try once more. I have not done my bit on this. Let me give one more shot. I like the prompt replies you shoot out, with so much love for your native town. You are such a compulsive blogger. I would like to call you a slogger of a blogger.
I was just winding up - it is 3 a.m. IST. Saw you reply posted just now. Decided to post this.
I was calling out to everyone Vijendra, not you in particular, to wake up and do something. MGP is taking some initiative, at least those who are in Mysore can do something about it. It was 2:30 PM California time whenn your comment came and I was surprised.
Here in the US protest petitions can also be forwarded by e-mail and it is common to "bombard" the congressmans e-mail with protest mail. If there's anything like that we can do there, please let us know Dr. Shenoy, maybe a whole bunch of us can also voice our protest by e-mail. I'm sure others would like to particiapate, those who do not live in Mysore all the time. Thanks.
I am now ın Istanbul airport usıng Turkısh key board(some word may looked garbled up). I am en route to Mysore. Soon after reachıng Mysore I wıll send the eb page from where you can sıgn the petıtıon on the web that has been set by Tunverrudın to protest agaınst Makkajı Chowka.
Whıle ın Calıfornıa please ask your frıends, relatıves, acquaıntances etc to send ın the letters of protests to MGP at the adress gıven. If you have any other ıdea to motıvate our Mysoreans let me know. Each protest I thınk as a tıppıng poınt and hopefully ıt wıll arrıve soon.
Dr. Shenoy, I am leaving California tonight for singapore. I will reach on the 22nd. I will be back in California on 7th Aug. Meanwhile, I will see what best I can do.
