24 March,2022 03:53 PM IST | Mumbai | BrandMedia
Mauris Noronha
Mauris Noronha, who was recently felicitated by the Hon'ble Governor of Maharashtra for his selfless contribution to the society, has discarded the opportunity to settle abroad in the USA as he has his business interests in the USA.
So why did Mauris Noronha decided to stay back in India? "I observed that the the economy of our country had gone for a toss, the job opportunities dwindling and the communal peace at its lowest ebb. During the Pandemic our medical system performed at its best given the limited infrastructure at its end. I thought that people like me who have been blessed by the Lord if we only think of running away to a developed country, then who would serve the underprivileged? Therefore my wife and my 9 year old daughter too supported me in our decision to stay back and be a part of the present system and endeavor for a change for the better," Mauris replied.
"Most of us sit down on dinner table and talk big about the need for a change, ironically about 40% of our so called 'educated people' do not even exercise their rights for voting. The system cannot change automatically. Today we the people, do not realize the power of our right to vote as endowed upon us by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. The value of a vote from a Crorepati voter is the same as the vote of an underprivileged person," adds Mauris.
Mauris Noronha has started a Free Bus Service from Borivali to Mata Velankanni Shrine in Uttan (a 30 kms free return ride with snacks) among other philanthropy works that he has been doing since over 18 years and now in order to take it further ahead, Mauris thinks that he has to be active and connected politically, "This is the sole purpose of me deciding to contest the local elections and if I emerge victorious, I can have more power, resources and the support of other powerful people to take forward this good work as if one is within the Government and the system, one can perform more," elaborated Mauris.
Isn't Politics a dirty word? Is it necessary for a person to join politics to bring a change?
We should be Indians at heart and live like Indians forever. The largest democracy in the world is India where we see unity in diversity and live in peace and harmony. Why I feel right to contest the BMC elections is because when you are in the Government, there are certain things that you can do more for the people, which you cannot do as a layman. Among the additional powers on hand would be able to provide admissions in schools and colleges, solving BMC problems of many people⦠in short one gets an upper hand for serving the people.
What is your perception of today's youth, any message for them?
Today's youth is much aware of things around them. What we all will let happen today, that is all we will have to live with for the next 10-20 years. The youth should take initiatives, support and stand for what they want for the next 20 years. My advice is to think calmly and choose wisely.
Do you have any case study of how the youth can change the system?
Where ever there is lack of education, there is unemployment. There are big slums on both sides where I live in Borivali. The easiest way for them to get employed is to become cleaner or drivers or set up a 'thela' (hawking) on the road, or and if not any of those, the youth could resort to 'goondagiri'. This is because of lack of education. If one sets up hawking then he is harassed by the authorities and then this leads to give and take of 'haftas' and then that youth thinks of this as a part of the system.
It is generally said that Mauris bhai is a favourite with the Police. Comments.
I respect Mumbai Police a lot and there are several friends in the Police, this helps me to help people a lot. During the Pandemic, the migrants rushed to their native place and I have personally seen these Police Officers risking their lives to convince migrants or carry out their paperwork. Every single Police officer risked the danger of his life literally standing among thousands for facilitating their process. During Covid Lockdown, at every Nakabandi the Police officers too endangered their life. Many of these officers passed away.
- PARESH B. MEHTA
