(Image source from: Top Communist leader faces aversion for smoking in Hyderabad})
CPI (M) politburo member and Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechury faced severe opposition from a driver of Pragathi Nagar colony of Hyderabad, yesterday. He was in the city for a Central committee meeting, when he was seen smoking in the area, V. Venkatesh, driver of the gram panchayat vice-president, said him “Smoking in the open is banned in Pragathinagar” and politely the National Leader thrown the cigarette away.
Pragathi Nagar gram panchayat is a model area in Hyderabad. Around 40,000 people are committed to strict rules imposed by the gram sabha. Pragathi Nagar is free of alcohol, tobacco, plastic, gutka and carbonated drinks. Residents shall be imposed fine up to Rs 10,000 for cutting trees. Vendors or anybody are penalized for littering. And the colony maintains good quality of retailing services as the shopkeepers are fined for cheating on weights.
Pragathi Nagar locality is covered with greenery as nearly 7000 trees spreading in the 850-acre colony, including the Ambir Cherruvu of 180 acres.
Pragathinagar, was founded in 1991 for the Hyderabad Allwyn employees and had 725 allotted plots. Previously, it was under the Bachupally gram panchayat, but in 1992, D. Dayakar Reddy, the founder and other employees had won the case and formed a separate panchayat.
Pragathi is well known for good drainage system and no illegalities. Domestic and commercial constructions and premises are bounded to follow the rules of the Gram Panchayat.
India can be healthy nation if the citizens and governing bodies committed for banning alcohol, tobacco, plastic, gutka and littering. Some villages have already been following the principles of healthy maintenances and cleanliness.
-Kannamsai
