AKOLA (MAHARASHTRA), July 1, 2008 (Neeraj Rathod):  Architect of Modern Maharashtra and green revolution, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Late Shri  Vasantraoji Naik's 95th Birth Anniversary was celebrated by Maharashtra Banjara Employees Association by great enthusiasm at Akola, Maharashtra.

        Program was celebrated by garlanding the statue of Vasantraoji Naik at Vasant Desai Stadium. "Vasantroaji was the real brain behind transformation of Maharashtra in being far above other states in field of development and progress," quoted Amar Rathod.

        Among the dignitaries who participated in the program were Advocate Amol Chavhan, Engineer Amar Rathod,Engineer Santosh Jadhav, Mr. Arun Kumar Jadhav, Dr.  Arvind Ade, Prof.  Ratan Rathod, Prof. Atamaram Rathod, Prof.  Pravin Rathod, Prof. Narendra Chavhan, Mr. B. M. Pawar, Mr. Kalusing Rathod, Mr. Sharad Chavhan and many other officers. (Email of Neeraj Rathod is: neeraj56.rathod@gmail.com

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Aurangabad: Prof. Motiraj Rathod of Aurangabad Joined BSP

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, August 31, 2007 (Shankar Ade): Prominent Goaar Writer and well known leader of Denotified Tribes of Maharashtra Prof. Motiraj Rathod Joined Bahujan Samaj Party at a function organised in his native city Aurangabad, Maharashtra on 31st August, 2007. This function was organised as 60th Vimukti Divas of Nomadic Tribes of India. At this occassion Prof. Motiraj Rathod  said that after the completion of 60 years,  Congress and BJP still not interested in giving Nomadic Tribes, their Fundamental Rights. Nomadic Tribes Leader Totaram Jadhav, Arunkumar Jadhav also addressed the Vimukti Divas.National General Secretary of Bahujan Samaj Party Mr. Veer Singh was Chief Guest at this Vimukti Divas function.
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Adivasi Ashramshala Tragedy: Kids finally get attention after ‘murder for holiday’
The children at Adivasi Ashramshala, mostly belonging to the ‘criminal’ Pardhi tribe, haven’t seen their parents in years

JALNA, Maharashtra, August 27, 2007 (Radheshyam Jadhav): It took five children and two deaths to make the parents of the students at the Adivasi Ashramshala in Partur return to school. Many of them came after years and took away their kids; some are yet to come. The incident has thrown up a bigger question: what happens to these children, mostly belonging to the Pardhi tribe and whose parents are fighting a losing battle to shed the tag of “criminals”?

Tired of not having seen their parents, the three students accused of murder at the Adivasi Ashramshala in Partur town of Jalna district in western Maharashtra had planned to go home. With them were two others — Ashok Sonaji Kale (9) and his brother Mangal Sonaji Kale (5) — who too wanted to go home. However, on Tuesday, when the five escaped from the school-cum-hostel, the three elder ones decided to kill the other two to ensure a longer holiday for themselves.

Police said the kids left the school at around 9 pm last Tuesday. The three elder ones strangled the two brothers in a bush near the school, dragged their bodies close to the school toilet and went back to sleep. All this to ensure that the school remained close for a while.

Dhurabai Sonaji Kale, mother of the deceased kids, is inconsolable. Her nine-year-old daughter Indira, studying in the same school, is now back home. “Now what is the use of an investigation? We have lost our kids. We wanted them to shed the tag of a criminal that follows the Pardhis everywhere. All our dreams are shattered,” said Baburao Kale, grandfather of the two children who were killed.

No one from the family of the accused has turned up at the school and a case has been registered against the three boys under Sections 302, 201 and 34 of the IPC.

“The death of the two kids was registered as death by accident. When I visited the school to ask a few questions to the students, I found the body language of the three accused suspicious. I caught hold of Mangal who confessed,” said Prahladsingh Shikar, the Partur Inspector.

Mangal, Namdev and Vallabh come from Hingoli and Nanded districts. While Mangal and Namdev are studying in Class VIII, Vallabh is a student of Class V. The three are now at a remand home in Jalna. “When I asked them why they did such a thing, they said they desperately wanted to go home,” said Manik Shinde, superintendent of the remand home.

While most parents came and took away there children after the incident, about 40 students are still left at the school. “I want to go back home but no one has come to take me,” says Archana Pawar, a student of Class VIII who hails from Parbhani district. Archana says she doesn’t remember when her parents last came to meet her. There are many like her who have not seen their parents since they were admitted to the school. “After the shocking incident many parents who never came to school took away their children,” said R M Banjara a teacher at the ashramshala.

Now there are other concerns. The Pardhi community is one of the 150 denotified tribes that were branded criminal under British law after they rebelled against the Raj.

Some students also come from the Bhilla and Mahadev Koli tribes. “Pardhis move around in the state and take up odd jobs wherever they are stationed. The community, still fighting its criminal tag hardly finds regular employment,” said Shyamrao Saru Kale, former sarpanch of nearby Padali village.

Facilities are few and sparse. This particular school has a 21-member staff, including a lady teacher who leaves the school every evening. “I am scared to stay at night. All students sleep on the floor in one room. The toilet is at a distance and there is no lady teacher,” said a girl.

Seven-year-old Santosh Pawar from Selu in Parbhani district does not want to return to the school. “I want to live with my mother,” he said. His mother has other worries. “There is no proper schooling facility here which I can afford. I move here and there in search of work, so I had to sent him to the ashramshala. Now, he will have to go without education as I don't want to send him back there,” she said. (With Thanks from Indian Express)

Principal: According to "dnaindia.com" The school principal GS Salunkhe contended that the institution faced a stern challenge. “We will now have to slog hard to bring them back,” Salunkhe said.
Prof. Motiraj Rathod: Prof. Motiraj Rathod, a social activist and leader of the Goaar community said: “We opened the school after a long struggle. After this incident, we will have to go to each family again and persuade them to send their kids to school. We will do it, but it will take some time.” Rathod said he other activists went searching for Pardhi children every summer and brought them to the school.
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24 Years Old Banjara Committed Suicide in Yavatmal District
Yavatmal: Devidas Rathod, 24, Shiroli (Ghatanji, Yavatmal dist), committed suicide on August 25. Devidas, from the Banjara community, was married just three months ago and had no agricultural land in his name.

His father Fulsing has three dryland acres that grow cotton and tuar. One of the beneficiaries of last year’s credit relief, Fulsing’s Yavatmal Dist Central Co-operative Bank passbook shows a fresh loan of Rs 18,000 for 2007-08. They have no pending credit burden.

Wife Surekha is too dazed to say why her husband committed suicide. His parents Yashodabai and Fulsing say they have no idea why he ended his life. “He didn’t speak of any problem. His irritability had grown of late,” says the mother. (With Thanks from Indian Express)
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Bibi Jagir Kaur’s move on Banjara Sikhs
Amritsar, April 23 (TNS): Bibi Jagir Kaur ,a former SGPC chief,has sought a proposal from Banjara Sikhs living near Nagpur for the introduction of Gurmat Mission in gurdwaras there to make them conversant with Sikh tenets. She said the move would help them bring back into the community’s fold. Talking to The Tribune over the phone today,the Bibi said most of the seven crore Banjara Sikhs spread across the country did not know much about the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev even though they had belief in the Sikh religion.

The Bibi,who has just returned after inaugurating a gurdwara in Pachaur village, 150 km from Nagpur, said she had asked the locals there to send a proposal to the Dharam Prachar Committee of the SGPC for imparting religious education to the Banjara Sikhs through the Gurmat Mission. “These Sikhs don’t even know Punjabi, what to talk about the teachings of the ‘Baani’ of the Gurus. There is a need to bring them back to the ‘mul dhara’ and give them religious education is one solution,’ she said.

“These people had no gurdwara to pay obeisance even though they had been keeping apart small percentage of their earning. It was used at the wedding ceremonies of their daughters. I believe if efforts are made, the community can learn the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev,” she said. The Bibi was honoured with the title of ‘Banjara Maa’ during her last visit to Nagpur. “A chunk of nine acres has been donated for gurdwara budget of Rs 35 lakh also cleared. A granthi has now been appointed and the gurdwara formally inaugurated. As many as 20 gurdrawas have been set up in recent years in the area,” she said. (With Thanks from Tribune, Chandigarh)
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GOR-SHIKWADI KENDAR PROGRAMME- 28 & 29 APRIL- Pune
!! JAI SEVALAL !!
First of all I will clear one thing GOR-SHIKWADI is a MISSION. In this Mission, we are FOCUS on our culture, on our tradition, language, is special establish for interaction with GOR bhai. GOR bhai have many problems that problem solving procedure start through GOR-SHIKWADI.
It is Thought (Vichar). GOR SHIKWADI WORKING in two wings: 1) on student 2) on Tanda level.
GOR-SHIKWADI have ability to change our Status in INDIA. GOR-SHIKWADI means a Calculator of GORMATI means: (1) What kind of traditons we have? (2) What type of Ideology we have? (3) What is our negative or positive point?

For that purpose Organise ONE TRAINING Event. It is two days progamme. In this progamme we will provide meal and accomodation. If you are interested then please contact and register yourself. If suppose you have any querry then contact following people.

Date: 28 and 29 April, Time: 10AM, Place: Gajanan Maharaj Sasthan, Alandhi, Pune.

Contact Numbers: Pravin Rathod: 94237 57517, Vinod Rathod: 99701 60168, Santosh Chavan; 94232 21821, Pradip Chavan: 98812 31743, Ravi Rathod: 98228 88776.
So please join this Programme. Please contribute your guidance as well as knowledge to improve GOR status in INDIA as well as WORLD. So we are waiting DEVOTED, CONTRIBUTED, INOVATIVE GOR.

!! JAI GOR !!

GOR-SHIKWADI, PUNE
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Banjara Doctors Conference at Yavatmal, Maharashtra
A Invitation Letter From National Seva Doctors Association
Yavatmal, January 20, 2007 (Shankar Ade): On behalf of the Organizing Committee of National Seva Doctors Association, we take immense pleasure to invite you to “The First Conference of Banjara Doctors of Maharashtra State” at Yavatmal, Maharashtra on 27th and 28th January, 2007.

This confederation of Maharashtra Banjara Doctor’s fraternity shall offer a opportunity to discuss important issues, exchange of ideas and to find the solution to the problem faced by our colleagues.

We are also publishing a Souvenir on the occasion, kindly send articles pertaining to health.

We are pertaining to arrange Socio-Scientific Session, which will include the topic of Doctors responsibility towards the Community Health.

We have nominated two District Coordinators from every district to channelised smooth and speedy working.

Kindly contact your District Coordinators and provide detail address and bio-data with passport size photo.

We are eagerly looking forward on the pleasure of offering our traditional hospitality and extend you, our best wishes for New Year also.

Organising Committee: Dr. V.D. Chavhan (Chairman), Dr. T.C. Rathod (Secratery), Manoharrao Naik, Minister of Maharashtra State Govt. (Patron), Haribhau Rathod, Member of Parliament from Yavatmal (Patron), Sanjay Rathod, MLA Darwha (Patron), Dr. S.B. Chavhan, Add. Director, P.H.(M.S.) (Adviser), Dr. N.G. Rathod, Jt. Director P.H.(M.S.) (Adviser), Dr. Ganesh Rathod (Jt. Secretary), Dr. Suresh Mude (Treasurer), Dr. R.P. Chavhan (Registration), Dr. Meghawat ( Finance Committee), Dr. R.K. Ade (Catering), Dr. B.K. Jadhao (Accomodation), Dr. Mrs. Tara Rathod (Cultural Activities), Dr. G.M. Rathod (Socio-Scientific Session), Dr. D.L. Jadhao (Reception), Dr. Ganesh Jadhao (Souvenir), Dr. Shyam Jadhao (P.R.O.).
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Relatives refuse to take bodies, demand compensation from contractor: Navi Mumbai Banjara Samaj
Navi Mumbai, Feb. 4: The relatives of those killed in wall collapse at Kuthari village, in this satellite town, have refused to take possession of the bodies, demanding a minimum compensation of Rs 5 lakhs from the contractor.

"The relatives have demanded a minimum compensation of Rs 5 lakhs from the contractor Udaji Nana Dalvi and have refused to take possession of the bodies," Navi Mumbai Banjara Samaj, President Suresh Dharma Rathod told reporters.

He further said that the relatives have complained about the poor arrangements made by the district administration to take the bodies to their native place in Buldhana.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Prakash Paranjpe said the labour contractors should insure the persons he is employing and the name of the contractor should be written on the display board.

Udaji Dalvi, the contractor and Narendra Bhalla owner of the Bhalla Complex, who were arrested yesterday in connection with the wall collapse were remanded to police custody till tomorrow, Taloja police station, in-charge S K Dubbal said.

Nineteen persons, including two children and eight women were killed when a section of an under-construction wall collapsed. (With Thanks from 'Hindu')
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Banjaras to celebrate Sant Sevalal's anniversary: Mrs. Chanderkala Naik
Mumbai, January 15, 2007: Sevagad, the birthplace of Sant Sri Sevalal Maharaj, near Charlopally village in Gooty mandal of Anantapur district is all set to celebrate the sant's 268th birth anniversary in a big way on February 14 and 15.

Thousands and lakhs of Banjaras across the country and a large number of Roma gypsies from other nations are expected to throng Sevagad to perform `satsang' and `mahabhog' ceremonies on that day, Mrs. Chanderkala Naik, member of the All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) has said.

Speaking to The Banjaras' first online Magazine "Goaars of India" she said like every year this year too the satsang and mahabhog would be performed in the presence of Dr. M. Shankar Naik, Ex Medical Education Minister of Karnataka and President of All India Banjara Seva Sangh.

The Warangal MP, D. Ravindra Naik, and an MP from Maharashtra, Haribhau Rathod, will attend.

Sevalal Maharaj who buried himself in Maharashtra two hundred years ago is revered by over 60 million Banjaras and 20 million gypsies, she said. Hundreds of Banjaras from all mandals of Nizamabad district would visit the holy place on February 14 and 15, said Mrs. Chanderkala Naik.

Via Telephone Interview, Mrs. Chanderkala Naik said, If possible, try to come in the month of February 2007 (14th & 15th Feb). We celebrate Sevalal's birthday on these days. You can see the people thronging for the ceremony (about 2-3 Lakh ), adoring with the original dress, dance, Goaar-geet, Povada, etc. You will get to known the history of Sant Sevalal Maharaj, personally and also you can see the statue of Late Mr. Ranjit Naik.
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First Banjaran language film to roll soon
The Banjaran language is the mix of Rajasthani and Marwari languages and for the first time a film on this language is being made by producer Sanjay Joshi and director Subhash Kale.

Titled Shivram Banjara, the film is being made under the banner of Aishwarya Films International. Veteran publicist Rajoo Kariya is the associate producer of the film which will mount the sets on January 5 with a non-stop major shooting schedule in Yeotmal, Parwah and Amravati.

Based on the tale of a dacoit, the films stars Nirmal Pandey, Sudesh Berry, Kiran Kumar, Hemant Birje, Raama Mehra, Rahul Khanna, Ajinkya Deo and newfind Subhash. Two new girls are yet to be finalised. Being written by Rekha Subhash, it has cinematography by Lenin Xavier, action by Shakeel Bachchan, editing by Ashok Patwardhan, art by Kingshuk Roy, lyrics by CK Pawar and music by Ashok Jadhav.(With Thanks from "Screen" Dated December 29, 2006)
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"Shivram Banjara" first spell complete
Mumbai, January 26, 2007: The first shooting spell of producers Aishwarya Film Entertainment’s and Rajoo Kariya’s Shivram Banjara (in Banjaran language - a mixture of Rajasthani and Marwari) went before the camera on Jan. 10 at Darwha in Yeotmal.

Local MLA Sanjay Rathod sounded the mahurat clapper board.

A week-long shooting for the film was completed on Jan. 16. Directed by Subhash Kale who also features in the film, the starcast comprises of Nirmal Pandey, Imran Khan, Hemant Birje, Kiran Kumar, Kuldeep Tyagi and Sudesh Berry.

Two new girls are being introduced in the film. Being written by Rekha Subhas, the film has cinematography by Lenin Xavier, action by Shakeel Bachchan, editing by Ashok Patwardhan, art by Kingshuk Roy, lyrics by C.K. Pawar and music by Ashok Jadhav. Rajoo Kariya will handle the media too. (With Thanks from Screen)
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I am moving to national politics: Gopinath Munde
Mumbai, Feb. 4, 2007 (PTI): The BJP strongman in Maharashtra, Gopinath Munde, who assumes charge as party general secretary, today said he is moving to national politics to `fill the vacuum' created by his brother-in-law Pramod Mahajan's demise last year.

"Filling up the vacuum caused by Pramodji's demise is my responsibility," he said, adding that `there can (however), be no comparison' with the BJP maverick.

"But I now wish to play an active role in national politics like he did for over 20 years, in my capacity as BJP national general secretary", Munde, former Deputy Chief Minister, said.

"I would like to shoulder responsiblity of some other state. Of course, I will be available to state BJP functionaries for guidance," Munde, who has been at the helm of affairs of the state BJP for around two decades, told PTI in an interview.

"I will contest the next Lok Sabha election from Beed constituency in Marathwada region," Munde, who last week quit as BJP leader in the State Legislative Assembly, said.

The Lok Sabha elections, he said, may come a year ahead of schedule. "The country's politics will change after the ensuing polls in Uttar Prdesh, Uttaranchal and Manipur where Congress is set to receive a drubing," he said.

Asked about his role as the party general secretary, Munde, the most prominent BJP leader in the state with a wide mass base, said he would be involved in farmers' issues and make efforts to strengthen the party.

"My job is to bring those sections in the country to BJP fold which have so far not been associated with the party," Munde said.

Asked the reason behind his decision to move to the national politics, Munde said `because I feel that the state should be represented at the national level'.

Stating that there were around a dozen second rung leaders in BJP, Munde refuted criticism that the towering stature of Atal Behari Vajpayee and L K Advani had `dwarfed' other leaders. "Our second cadre (of leadership) is ready," he said.

Asked if the party would bring back former leaders like Uma Bharti into the party fold, ahead of the campaign for Uttar Pradesh polls, Munde said `we have no shortage of star campaigners. We have Vajpayee, Advani, Rajnath Singh and Kalyan Singh in UP'.

"Anyway, I don't see any chances of those who are out of the party returning back before these polls," Munde said, adding that `anybody could come back'.

"Modi is our star campaigner and he will campaign for the UP and Uttaranchal polls," Munde said, denying that the Gujarat chief minister had been given a `raw deal' by being dropped from the parliamentary board. Munde denied that there was infighting within the party.

"Last time, when Rajnath became party president, the media complaint was that he has not brought about any changes in the organisational set-up of the party. This time, when he made the changes, media has been critical of the move," Munde said. (With Thanks from 'The Hindu')
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Organisation of Banjara Youth
A Email from Umesh Jadhao, Email: banjarayuvashakti@yahoo.co.in
Akola, February 5, 2007:
Jai Sewalal!
Our team running a youth organisition under named 'BANJARA YUVASHAKTI 'In Maharastra under the guidance of Mr. GOPAL JADHAO. We works for developement of Banjara youths, students. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007!

UMESH J. JADHAV, 'RAMVIJAY NIWAS', BALAPUR ROAD PATUR, TH.PATUR DIST.AKOLA MAHARASHTRA-444501. MOBILE:9453601532, (Email: umesh_jadhav19@rediffmail.com)
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Banjaras seek Maharashtra-type of reservation in country: Haribhau Rathod
New Delhi, Nov 4, 2006: The leaders of Banjara tribes numbering over six crore, have resolved to seek the ''Maharashtra-kind'' of reservation facilities for education and employment.

''The nomadic tribe, branded as 'criminal tribe' during the British rule, now have a status ranging from Scheduled Caste to Scheduled Tribes in various states of the country but only the Maharashtra type of four per cent reservation is best for the community,'' Mr Haribhau Rathod, BJP MP from Yeotmal told newspersons. The community is now a denotified tribe and was among the most backward in terms of education, employment and economy and it would seek six per cent reservation for the community, he nooted.

Mr Rathod said it was his nomadic forefathers who built the roads when no infrastructure existed in old days, moving from one to place another. "We are placed in 27 per cent reservation category and we are willing to accept a lower reservation but bring us under one umbrella throughout the country,'' he added.
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Gopinath Munde's Tech wonder
Mumbai: BJP leader Gopinath Munde wants the world to know how tech-savvy he is.

When the Vanjara Kranti Dal had its annual procession and rally at Azad Maidan, Munde was to address it. However, he was in the US at the time. When MP Haribhau Rathod announced that Munde would address the rally, the gathering was stunned.

Right on cue, Rathod’s cell phone rang. Munde was on the line; Rathod switched the phone to speaker mode and held it before the microphone. Munde gave a fiery five-minute speech.

An impressed crowd shouted "Mundeji aage badho, hum aapke saath hain." Even across the seas, that must have warmed Munde’s heart.
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SC rejects plea on creamy layer, filed by Haribhau Rathod
New Delhi, November 24, 2006: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a petition filed by an MP seeking exclusion of certain communities from the purview of ‘creamy layer’ within the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, Justice C.K. Thakker and Justice RV Raveendran said Haribhau Rathod’s petition had been filed on a wrong presumption that the Ministry of Social Welfare and Empowerment's 1993 office memorandum was really not applicable to the OBCs as it pertained only to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Dismissing the petition, the bench said: "There is no law which says that any of the OBCs are excluded from the creamy layer. The moment you start creating a class within a class, deserving candidates will be deprived of the reservation."

Haribhau Rathod, MP from Yavatmal in Maharashtra, sought exemption from the `creamy layer' for people working as artisans or engaged in other hereditary occupations.

He sought implementation of the 1993 office memorandum, which provides that the rule of exclusion of creamy layer in reservation for OBCs under Article 16 (4) of the Constitution would not apply to persons working as artisans or engaged in hereditary occupations like skinning of dead animals among others.

He contended that these categories of people had been denied the benefit of reservation by the rule of exclusion only because the governments concerned had not identified and issued necessary notification as directed in the 1993 office memorandum. He prayed for a direction for implementation of the office memorandum.
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Five held for shouting slogans in Assembly visitors' gallery
Matter of Derogatory Statements About Late Chief Minister Vasantrao Naik

MUMBAI, April 20, 2006: Five persons were on Thursday held by Legislature security personnel for shouting slogans and throwing pamphlets from visitors' gallery of the Assembly.

The five would be in custody of the legislature security personnel till the end of Thursday's proceedings of the House, presiding officer Sudhakar Paricharak informed the Assembly.

The five raised slogans against the state government, demanding action against publishers of a book which contained `derogatory' statements about late Chief Minister Vasantrao Naik.

They also threw pamphlets of their demand, into the House. (With Thanks from timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
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Opposition wants inquiry against dead writer
MUMBAI, April 4,2006: "POLITICS IN Modern Maharashtra", a political science textbook meant as provisional reading for collegians, may soon be banned in the state for making 'insulting' and 'derogatory' references about former CM Vasantrao Naik. Deputy chief minister R.R. Patil on Tuesday, giving in to a demand by opposition legislators. (With Thanks from Hindustan Times)
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No representation to NT in MPCC angers Banjara community members: Dhondiram Rathod
Yavatmal: Acting President of All India Banjara Seva Dal and legislator Dhondiram Rathod charged the newly constituted Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) of sidelining the Banjara community in its reconsitution.
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Rally to protest Krishna Naik's murder
CHITRADURGA, JAN. 10, 2005: Raghavendra Naik, president of the district unit of the Banjara Sangha, has said that members of various organisations will take out a rally on Wednesday protesting the murder of Krishna Naik, farmer, allegedly by some private security personnel of arrack contractors.

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, he said many Banjaras, including women and children, have become victims of atrocities by the security personnel.

He alleged that Krishna Naik was murdered by the security personnel recently. The Excise and Police departments have not taken action against the culprits. He urged the Government to provide protection to the Banjaras. (With thanks from The Hindu)

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