‘This is a beautiful, unique design’

Proposed Bhangra installation

Shiv Sena corporator, who has shot off a letter to the chief minister seeking the cancellation of the 'ego-driven' Art and Culture Committee that he says rejects corporators' beautification proposals, demanded to know why the body opposed his design, which include aesthetic and historically meaningful themes.

Amey Ghole's letter follows his claim that the Mumbai Urban Arts Commission (MUAC) objected to a proposal to beautify an area at a divider near Hindmata in Shindewadi, Dadar East. The design plan includes installation of a Bhavani Mata Gate, a Pandhari Kabbadi work, a Bhangra installation and works featuring Dignity of Labour and Save the Tiger concepts.

The design

Ghole told mid-day, "This is a beautiful, thoughtful theme plan but it was rejected. We were told that some dimensions would distract motorists, which is not true. Then, there was talk about getting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for these beautification initiatives. Every corporator cannot get CSR funds.

Save the Tiger concept

We have a fund of our own and can use it on such projects. Usually, CSR initiatives happen on very prominent and visible roads. We do not have CSR funding for every proposal. I do not understand the opposition and I ask this arts body: how many chowks have they beautified? The Kabaddi sculpture was designed because Shindewadi has a rich history of the game in Mumbai. There are no controversial statues planned, they do not resemble anybody and we had a no objection certificate (NOC) from the traffic police department, too."

The letter

In his letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray, Ghole stated that the MUAC was "against the beautification of the city", and that several people he "shared the letter with have expressed happiness that I sent it." His one-page communication, dated February 22, is also copied to Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar and BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.

Proposed Dignity of Labour concept

‘Chairman not active'

An excerpt from the letter reads, "It is very sad to inform you that MCGM Art and Culture Committee is not at all active. The chairman, Mr Jha, hasn't put any beautification proposals in several years...the proposals put forward by corporators are not approved stating that this is not the work of the corporator or MCGM administration ward."

Cancel call

In the letter, Ghole claimed that many beautification projects have been held back, adding that the Arts Commission's ego comes into play if anybody points out that they have erred. He concluded with a call for the body's "cancellation". The Commission did not respond to queries seeking a response.