Latest news with #Koli
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sheva Koliwada women's group to launch indefinite JNPA channel blockade from August 15 over long-standing rehabilitation issues
Citing decades of unresolved grievances, the Sheva Koliwada Displaced Women's Organisation has announced an indefinite agitation to block the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) channel starting August 15, 2025. The protest is aimed at drawing attention to alleged administrative negligence and broken rehabilitation promises made to villagers displaced by the JNPT port project in Uran. The organisation has accused the Raigad district collector, Kishan Javale, of failing to conduct a promised meeting to resolve critical issues relating to rehabilitation, fraud, the status of Hanuman Koliwada Gram Panchayat, and civic amenities at the transition camp. The residents allege that although 17 hectares of land were earmarked for resettlement via a 1987 government notification, 15 hectares were later handed over to the Forest Department in 2022, without formally cancelling the original allocation. Kalyani P. Koli leading the protest said, 'This, they claim, has left 256 families—both farmers and non-farmers—without legal documents confirming their property rights even after 43 years of displacement.' 'The district collector has never visited the transition camp, despite repeated appeals,' said the organisation in its statement, adding that multiple letters and reminders since June 2025 have gone unanswered. The group has also raised questions about the legitimacy of the Hanuman Koliwada Gram Panchayat, labelling it 'bogus' and citing a 1995 notification that they say was never officially annulled. They allege that police force was used to conduct elections and manipulate voter rolls in areas already under the jurisdiction of Uran Nagar Parishad, leading to illegal dual representation. On November 20, 2024, The Hindu reported on how party workers tried to force them to vote. In June 2025, the residents moved the Bombay High Court over their four-decade of wait for rehabilitation. Further, the organisation has accused government officials and law enforcement authorities of conspiring to defame and dismantle a women's water committee, which had been independently collecting dues for water supply in the transition camp. 'A gram sabha held under police protection in May 2025 reportedly passed a resolution maligning the committee's work,' Ms. Koli said. The displaced families have also raised concerns about political interference in sarpanch reservations, alleging that quotas meant for Scheduled Tribes women were arbitrarily changed, thereby disenfranchising the rightful claimants. Ms. Koli said, 'The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, had promised in January this year that land issues would be resolved within three months, a deadline that has lapsed with no action taken. JNPA Chairman's written assurance that land distribution would be completed by May 31 also remains unfulfilled as of July.' A report submitted to the Centre in May by the Tehsildar of Uran reportedly acknowledged that the 0.91 hectares of land allocated to the displaced is inadequate and adversely impacts their socio-economic and health conditions. 'Despite this, no follow-up action has been taken,' she added. Adding to the frustration is the alleged lack of basic amenities in the transition camp. The group claimed that since August 2024, after the District Collector and JNPA took over camp management, there has been no improvement in water supply, sanitation, or transparency in property valuation. A survey conducted by the Public Works Department in December to assess compensation value for homes and structures has not been disclosed to the affected families. 'The administration has turned a blind eye to our plight. The indefinite channel closure from August 15 is a last resort to demand justice,' the women's organisation stated, warning that essential port operations may be affected if their concerns continue to be ignored.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- New Indian Express
Koli fishers add colour, tradition to Velankanni's early pilgrimage season in TN
NAGAPATTINAM: Each July, long before the large crowds pour into Velankanni for its famed September festival, the Tamil Nadu coastal town welcomes a quieter but vibrant group of over 13,000 Koli fisherfolk from Mumbai who arrive during the monsoon fishing ban in the Arabian Sea. For this coastal community, the off-season offers more than rest. It's time for a collective journey of faith and tradition – where almost all the lodges in the temple town are pre-booked months before for their long stay. The July 1-15 pilgrimage features daily sermons in Marathi, hoisting a flag bearing Marathi inscriptions, and the colourful presence of Kolis from Mumbai and other fishing settlements across Mumbai. Koli men wear distinctive triangle-shaped dhotis with the names and photos of their boats printed on them, a statement of both identity and pride. Many carry miniature replicas of their vessels, decorated with candles, to offer in prayer. But it's the women who take the lead in carrying these symbolic boats along with coconut and candles to the altar, quietly anchoring this annual tradition. 'The boat is more than a symbol. It's our life, our sweat. We carry it with the same care we carry our families,' says Priyanka Johnson, a fisherwoman from Mumbai.
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Inside Track: Maratha latecomers
Sitting in the safety of Delhi, away from Raj Thackeray's slap-happy goons, I admit ashamedly that although my formative years were spent largely in Mumbai, my Marathi remains rudimentary. I am not alone — just 36 per cent of people in the city consider Marathi their mother tongue. Yet, once again, there is a move to exhibit Marathi chauvinism by compelling residents of this cosmopolitan, multi-cultural metropolis to speak the same language as the rest of the state. The champions of 'speak only in Marathi', forget that Mumbai's history and heritage is distinct and different from the rest of Maharashtra. The Marathi manoos are actually relatively late migrants to Mumbai and the city precedes the state. The original inhabitants of the islands were Koli fisherfolk and Aagri farmers from the Konkan. Portuguese missionaries converted some locals to Catholicism who were latter dubbed 'East Indians', since they worked for the East India company. The Portuguese seized the seven islands of Mumbai from the Gujarat ruler Bahadur Shah in 1534 AD, but shortsightedly handed it over to the British in 1668 as part of the dowry of their princess, Catherine de Braganza. The Parsis arrived in Mumbai from Gujarat and dominated during the city's early history. In 1750, they built Asia's first dry port. Many of the landmark heritage buildings, statues and seminal institutions in the city have Parsi origins. For over a decade after Independence, Gujarat and Maharashtra were part of Bombay state, as Prime Minister Nehru was reluctant to split the state along linguistic lines. But pressure mounted from both Maharashtra and Gujarat. The real dispute was over who would retain Mumbai. The Gujaratis believed they had an equal claim since the population of Gujaratis and Maharashtrians in the city was approximately equal. But after the bifurcation of Bombay state in 1960, the city became part of Maharashtra. Marathi speakers, however, never succeeded in dominating the city's ethos, which reflects India's plurality. Mumbai attracts people from all over, not just for job opportunities but because of its vibrancy, urbane outlook and Bollywood. Today the number of north Indians from UP, Bihar and MP probably equals the native Marathi speakers. There are a sizable numbers of Gujaratis, Goans Punjabis, South Indians and Sindhis as well. If I never learnt to speak Marathi fluently in my childhood, it was because then there was no impetus to do so. In those days, Gujarati was the lingua franca in the courts, Dalal Street and the business world; even household helps came from Goa or Gujarat. In school, I was exempted from studying Marathi because my father was in a transferable government job. In later years, the pressure to learn Marathi increased. My sister, a lecturer in a Mumbai government college, had per force to learn Marathi in her middle age as her salary increments were blocked until she passed the language exam. In the rest of Maharashtra, where people speak only in Marathi, knowing the language is essential. My parents, grandparents and even anglicised cousins from Pune spoke fluent Marathi. So do traders and shopkeepers from Gujarat and Rajasthan who have settled in the state for generations. Language is a matter of convenience and choice, not to be exploited for grandstanding and political gain. The Thackeray cousins have raised the 'speak only in Marathi issue' to woo the sizable Marathi vote bank as the long-delayed BMC poll is finally likely to be held. The opposition Sena eagerly seized the opportunity when CM Devendra Fadnavis misguidedly sought to introduce Hindi at the junior level in schools as part of the three-language formula. (Fadnavis has since withdrawn the order.) The various Shiv Senas should remember that founder Bal Thackeray never made speaking Marathi in Mumbai part of his agenda. Whenever I interviewed him, he was happy to speak to me in English. Thackeray's original platform was that Marathi speakers get a fair deal in employment in the city since South Indians, because of their superior English language skills, were appropriating a disproportionate share of jobs. Only later did North Indians and Muslims become Sena targets. Just as it is ill-advised to force Mumbaikars to speak Marathi, it is equally short-sighted to push Hindi on a reluctant southern populace. Less than 43 per cent of India speak Hindi as their mother tongue. While it is politically in vogue today for the ruling party leaders to denounce speaking in English as a colonial hangover, for most Indians, particularly in cities, English remains the language of aspiration and ambition. Nearly all my domestic helps have informed me proudly that they work for the extra income so that that they can send their children to private English-medium schools and pay tuition fees. For our politicians, the overwhelming majority of whom send their own offspring to English-speaking institutions, to rail against English is hypocritical.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mangrove cell and BMC inspect seafood stalls on Carter Road promenade
Mumbai: Officials from the Mangrove Cell and BMC's H-West ward inspected a portion of the Carter Road promenade in Bandra West on Friday following locals' complaints earlier this year about the seafood plaza run by Koli women from Khar Danda. Officials made note of the concerns, took photographs, and said they would review the matter and submit a report on any possible violations before taking further action. Residents alleged that permanent stalls at the promenade violate Coastal Regulation Zone norms. A resident, who had submitted a complaint, said they are not against the Koli women selling fish or the food plaza. "Our only grouse is why have it on a promenade meant for people to walk. How is BMC allowing them to use gas cylinders and cook on the road when they are supposed to take action against such stalls?" asked the resident, adding that cleanliness and traffic have also gone for a toss since the seafood plaza came up nearly two months ago. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Another local said: "Itis a public promenade. The Kolis are original inhabitants and have the right to use the space. But this portion of the promenade is used for open-air chess sessions."
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Prajakta Koli becomes first Indian creator on TIME100 creators list 2025
Reflecting on her journey, she thanked her audience, family, team, and her 21-year-old self, who 'dove headfirst into storytelling… with no plan, no prep, no roadmap just heart.' From her comedic sketches on YouTube that resonated with everyday Indian life to acting roles in Netflix's Mismatched and Bollywood hits like Jugjugg Jeeyo and Neeyat, Koli has carved a multifaceted career. In 2025, she also released her debut novel Too Good To Be True, further proving her storytelling prowess. Beyond entertainment, Koli is a vocal advocate for social change. She has collaborated with global institutions including the United Nations, Gates Foundation, World Economic Forum, International Olympic Committee, and COP Summit. Her rise from a radio intern to a global influencer featured in Creators for Change alongside Michelle Obama which went on to win a Daytime Emmy has made her one of India's most recognisable digital figures. Having already earned spots in Forbes India's 30 Under 30 and GQ India's Most Influential Young Indians 2025, Koli's latest recognition from TIME solidifies her position as a global voice in digital storytelling. Her journey is not just a personal milestone but a moment of pride for the growing community of South Asian creators making waves on the world stage.
