'Lack of quality education is alarming'
8 Jun 2012 6:29 AM IST
Anil Chowdhury, MLA (Patpargunj) since 2008
Anil Kumar Chowdhury, MLA from Patpargunj constituency, is one of the youngest MLAs of Indian National Congress and is also currently the president of the youth wing of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC). He started his career as a student leader in Delhi University and became a councillor from Mayur Vihar for the first time in 2002 and again in 2007. His hard work and dedication was noticed by the party and he was given the ticket for Patparparganj constituency in east Delhi in 2008. In an interview with Siddheshwar Shukla, the 35-year-old politician says that the blessings of people are the only motivation in his political career. Excerpts:
What is your schedule for the day?
I reach my office in Khichdi Bazar near Mayur Vihar Phase III at around 10am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to attend to the people from my constituency and sort out their problems. After that I go to the concerned offices to follow up on the pending projects of my area and meet senior politicians. I have reserved the other three days to visit different areas of my constituency personally. Sundays are generally reserved for my family, but I am available to the people at any time if there is an emergency.
How do you look back at your tenure as MLA of Patpargunj for the last four years?
I was born and brought up here and have served as councillor of this area for over seven years. So I am quite familiar with social and developmental issues plaguing my constituency. I have already done a lot of work here and some are still in process. I maintain cordial relationship with the people of my area, particularly the youth.
What are the mentionable works you have done for your constituency?
The major ones include increasing the frequency and connectivity of DTC buses in my area. At my initiative, DTC started the ‘Youth Special’ buses and three new routes from Mayur Vihar. Several community centres, schools, roads and parks were also constructed and renovated by me.
What are the projects you want for your constituency in future?
I am working for the extension of Barahpulla Nala upto Mayur Vihar Phase I and a museum inside Sanjay Lake grounds. I have also pursued the government to connect Mayur Vihar to the rest of the city with a monorail and a metro station at Kalyanpuri in the fourth phase of Delhi Metro.
If given an opportunity to choose one major project in your area, what will you opt for?
There are several problems which need attention. But I think education is the basic one.
What is your biggest worry for Delhi?
The lack of quality education is the basic of all social issues plaguing the city. The schools run by municipal corporations are sub-standard. Their students stand nowhere in comparison to those from private schools. But the schools run by the Delhi government schools have been doing a great job in the last few years. The corporations should focus on quality education.
What are the major issues in your constituency?
Sanitation, parking, traffic jam, large-scale illiteracy and unauthorised constructions are some of the major issues that trouble my constituency.
Have you ever taken any initiative to prevent crime against women in your area?
I used to sort out such issues individually, but have not undertaken any organised efforts. I think educating women is the best solution to this problem. An educated woman knows how to protest crimes against them.
What about educated women who are also targeted?
Then comes the role of police and the judicial system. We have to make the police more sensitive towards women.
What has been the reaction of police in your area in such cases?
Sometimes they are cooperative but often we have to go to the police station to pressurise the cops to take action and increase vigil.
What are your hobbies?
I like sports and my favourites are martial arts and cricket. I have done my Bachelors in Physical Education from Bhopal so I strongly believe in physical fitness. I have also supported several gymnasiums in my area.
What is your political aspiration?
I want to serve the people.
Your take on the trifurcation of MCD.
It was done to provide better services to people and develop the city. But BJP is engaged in sheer politics.
Who are the other members in your family?
I live in a joint family which includes my father, mother, wife and my two children.
Would you like you children to join politics?
It’s too early to think about it. I will allow them to choose professions of their interest.
Anil Kumar Chowdhury, MLA from Patpargunj constituency, is one of the youngest MLAs of Indian National Congress and is also currently the president of the youth wing of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC). He started his career as a student leader in Delhi University and became a councillor from Mayur Vihar for the first time in 2002 and again in 2007. His hard work and dedication was noticed by the party and he was given the ticket for Patparparganj constituency in east Delhi in 2008. In an interview with Siddheshwar Shukla, the 35-year-old politician says that the blessings of people are the only motivation in his political career. Excerpts:
What is your schedule for the day?
I reach my office in Khichdi Bazar near Mayur Vihar Phase III at around 10am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to attend to the people from my constituency and sort out their problems. After that I go to the concerned offices to follow up on the pending projects of my area and meet senior politicians. I have reserved the other three days to visit different areas of my constituency personally. Sundays are generally reserved for my family, but I am available to the people at any time if there is an emergency.
How do you look back at your tenure as MLA of Patpargunj for the last four years?
I was born and brought up here and have served as councillor of this area for over seven years. So I am quite familiar with social and developmental issues plaguing my constituency. I have already done a lot of work here and some are still in process. I maintain cordial relationship with the people of my area, particularly the youth.
What are the mentionable works you have done for your constituency?
The major ones include increasing the frequency and connectivity of DTC buses in my area. At my initiative, DTC started the ‘Youth Special’ buses and three new routes from Mayur Vihar. Several community centres, schools, roads and parks were also constructed and renovated by me.
What are the projects you want for your constituency in future?
I am working for the extension of Barahpulla Nala upto Mayur Vihar Phase I and a museum inside Sanjay Lake grounds. I have also pursued the government to connect Mayur Vihar to the rest of the city with a monorail and a metro station at Kalyanpuri in the fourth phase of Delhi Metro.
If given an opportunity to choose one major project in your area, what will you opt for?
There are several problems which need attention. But I think education is the basic one.
What is your biggest worry for Delhi?
The lack of quality education is the basic of all social issues plaguing the city. The schools run by municipal corporations are sub-standard. Their students stand nowhere in comparison to those from private schools. But the schools run by the Delhi government schools have been doing a great job in the last few years. The corporations should focus on quality education.
What are the major issues in your constituency?
Sanitation, parking, traffic jam, large-scale illiteracy and unauthorised constructions are some of the major issues that trouble my constituency.
Have you ever taken any initiative to prevent crime against women in your area?
I used to sort out such issues individually, but have not undertaken any organised efforts. I think educating women is the best solution to this problem. An educated woman knows how to protest crimes against them.
What about educated women who are also targeted?
Then comes the role of police and the judicial system. We have to make the police more sensitive towards women.
What has been the reaction of police in your area in such cases?
Sometimes they are cooperative but often we have to go to the police station to pressurise the cops to take action and increase vigil.
What are your hobbies?
I like sports and my favourites are martial arts and cricket. I have done my Bachelors in Physical Education from Bhopal so I strongly believe in physical fitness. I have also supported several gymnasiums in my area.
What is your political aspiration?
I want to serve the people.
Your take on the trifurcation of MCD.
It was done to provide better services to people and develop the city. But BJP is engaged in sheer politics.
Who are the other members in your family?
I live in a joint family which includes my father, mother, wife and my two children.
Would you like you children to join politics?
It’s too early to think about it. I will allow them to choose professions of their interest.
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