Dinanath Tiwari
Inspired by the great national hero and top leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s stirring call to get back to the people and work with them at the grassroots level, the young Dinanath Tiwari had begun attending the programs of the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh’s (BJS) Youth Wing. The year was 1968.
Beginning with the Youth Wing of BJS, aimed at building character of the new workers, and as a student of Patuck Technical High School at Vakola Bridge and subsequently as a student of Kirti College 1, Dadar, Dinanath Tiwari took keen interest in student politics and immersed himself into community work for the people at large. During the mid 70s he actively opposed the infamous emergency, which imposed severe restrictions on the fundamental rights of the citizens of this democratic republic. 40 years later, Dinanath Tiwari is still sticking to the basics his mentor, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had taught him: raising, agitating and fighting for issues that affect the lives of the people in Santacruz, Mumbai and Kurla.
He joined the movement of Shri. Jaiprakash Narayan during the emergency and was an active youth leader of the Janata Yuva Morcha. He was among the founding members of the BJS’ successor, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While politics remained a medium to serve the people, Dinanath Tiwari chose to earn his livelihood as a practicing lawyer with the Mumbai High Court 2. He has fought many complicated, relentless legal battles to get justice for the poor and needy.
Voice of the People
- Dinanath Tiwari took the battle of the victims of 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings to the Maharashtra Human Rights Commission and ensured employment and payment of compensations along with interest to all. Many of the beneficiaries include young/old lives belonging to Vakola, Kalina, and Kurla.
- He has defended the rights of investors belonging to middle and lower middle class groups.
- Currently, Dinanath Tiwari is in the midst of a courtroom battle to ensure compensation for policemen affected by the 26/11 Mumbai [...] attacks.
- He has also represented high-profile politicians including Shivsena Supremo Hon’ble Shri. Balasaheb Thackeray, BJP leaders Shri Gopinath Munde and Shri Nitin Gadkari, among others.
People’s Representative
- When the Mumbai floods of July 2005 swamped the Kalina-Vakola-Kurla area in rainwater, muck, and despair, Dinanath Tiwari undertook rescue and relief work. 10 kg rice, wheat, and lentils were distributed to 28,000 households. School books were distributed to underprivileged students.
- [...] peddling in the vicinity of the Mumbai University was a serious concern. BJP undertook a Peace March and compelled authorities to take strict action against the [...] traffickers.
- Dinanath Tiwari played an instrumental role in convincing authorities to get drains clogged due to encroachment cleaned and widened. This has significantly improved the flooding situation during heavy rains.
- There was no bridge to connect Santacruz East and West causing severe hardship to citizens in both areas. Thanks to our efforts the work on the bridge is now almost over and will reduce the 20 minute travel time to less than 4 minutes.
- High power tariffs continue to be a major cause for concern in the area. We have taken the service provider to court under Section 128 of MERC wherein an audit of their accounts for the last 6 years will be conducted soon.
- Clean drinking water causes severe hardship to people in the area due to faulty water supply pipelines. We are providing 10 tankers of clean drinking water every day to affected areas.
- Dinanath Tiwari organizes the famous ‘Santacruz Cultural Festival’ to lend a platform to the suburbs’ budding singers, debaters, dancers, body builders and painters among others.
Concerns of Kalina-Kurla-Vakola Citizens
- Prices of essential commodities like pulses, sugar, rice, vegetables, and fruits have risen manifold in the last 4 years.
- Electricity tariff has gone up 90% in the last 3 years. 12,500 megawatts additional power was promised. Work on even one project yet to start
- Free electricity promised to farmers not provided.
- 12,000 farmers committed [...] in Maharashtra alone.
- Debts of Rs 1,85,000 crore on the state of Maharashtra i.e. a debt of Rs 27,000 per citizen.
- [...] attacks increased in the state as well as across the country. Post 26/11 [...] attack Deputy CM
- One crore new employment not generated as promised
- 33% reservation for women in jobs not done.
- Work on the promised four lane Mumbai-Goa highway yet to start.
Dinanath Tiwari's Vision for Vakola-Kalina-Kurla
- Rehabilitation of [Airport project affected families] 3 in nearby areas while ensuring successful completion of Airport modernisation
- Restoration of [Kalina Pond] 4 to its former glory
- Providing garden for children and Nana Nani Park for the elderly
- Setting up of Primary Healthcare Centres and Hospitals
- New schools and Junior & Degree Colleges
- Completion of bridge near Radhagram Building
- Widening of bridge near Air India Colony
- Completion of [Kurla East West Flyover] 5 pending for more than 10 years
- Completion of Kurla West-East Subway
- Rehabilitation of families affected by the MMRDA and Mithi River projects
- Effective implementation of [SRA scheme] 6 ensuring justice to the poor
- Changing the old water pipelines and providing clean drinking water
- Reducing crime rate in the area and fighting against [...] trafficking
- Widening Vakola Nala to prevent risk of flooding in the area
- Reduction of electricity bills–[One City, One Tariff]7—Ensuring choice of multiple service providers
- Providing adequate supply of drinking water and making the entire area water-tanker free
- Establishing new sanitary blocks on the lines of Sulabh Sauchalaya and repairing existing dilapidated sanitary blocks—toilet facility for all
- Providing compensation to [Gaothans] 8 who lost their land to the BKC project
See also
- [Bharatiya Janata Party, Mumbai] 9
- [Santacruz] Santacruz, Mumbai--Kalina, Kurla, Vakola
- [Investors Grievances Forum]10