MUMBAI BHUSHAN : Best Housing Society Competition 2011-12

It is well known that Mumbai, with a population of over 12 million people is bigger than many small countries in the world. This “maximum city” is the financial capital of India; and globally, Mumbai’s economy is on fast track making it one of the foremost business destinations in the world. Mumbai provides employment to teeming millions who put their personal lives at back seat in their aspirations for financial success and thereby push the city’s economic health to dizzy heights. However, this situation renders an average Mumbaikar living like an automaton. He becomes insensitive to personal happiness. When living in a city is on such a feverish pitch, then the unsocial elements disturb its safe environs.

A large section of Mumbai’s population lives through housing societies. A housing society which spells safety, has clean, proper facilities and congenial atmosphere, vastly improves the quality of life of people living in it. These sterling features imperceptibly also enhance the glory, security and prosperity of our city. Keeping these pressing needs in mind, Yuvak Biradari (Bharat) along with Maharashtra Chambers of Housing Industry (MCHI) & academic partner Welingkar Institute of Management (WE School) going to begin a campaign to focus on housing societies in Mumbai. Between December 26, 2011 and January 30, 2012 they are organizing a competition among the housing societies. The outstanding societies will be rewarded with “Mumbai Bhushan” – definitely a step towards prosperity through safety and social responsibility.

Promises and Scope of a good Society: (for both individuals and the society) - It will be our effort to highlight features that make a housing society worth living. Features like social security, healthy hygienic conditions, individuals’ responsibility towards their society will be our main concern. It is expected of members to keep their society clean, beautiful and free from any malaise. While it is important to upkeep the general condition of the society, it is equally important to instill among members the need to take care of the vulnerable section, i.e. the senior citizens, children who need open space to play, nurture and grow in a happy, stress-free atmosphere. It is necessary that the members are made aware of disaster management and their own code of conduct in such situations. Further, the society has to work towards saving water and energy, which will lead to addressing larger challenges like “Save the Earth”. If the society contributes to the security, hygiene and overall beauty of the surrounding, the city, too, will experience development on all these fronts.

Yuvak Biradari (Bharat) believes in the tenet of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family), irrespective of caste, creed, language and any political affiliation. This is why Yuvak Biradari along with the support of like-minded people and institutions has initiated this campaign to award “Mumbai Bhushan” to outstanding Housing Societies in Mumbai.

The area that is being covered for the “Mumbai Bhushan” competition will be the same as the six parliamentary constituencies of Mumbai which are here referred to as the six zones. The zones will be spanning from Cuffe Parade and Colaba to Dahisar and Mulund. These six zones will be as follows :

These six zones will be as follows :

In each zone there will be two categories A & B that will be eligible for the competition:

Grading them after inspection will determine the merits of the society. The grades will be : A – Outstanding; B – Good; C- Fair. The inspection will primarily focus on basic issues like security, social responsibility and welfare. The citation for winners will mention their role in these areas.

The panel of judges will consist of eminent people from different fields, viz. retired or practicing judges, administrative officers, police personnel/army officers, representatives from industry, trade, education, journalism, art, culture and sports.

The Secretary/Chairperson of a Society should file the nomination for this competition between 26 December and 12 January, 2012.

The first round of inspection will be held between January 12, 2012 and January 26, 2012 after fixing date and time with office bearers of the participating societies. Three societies from each zone will be short-listed on the basis of grading for final selection. The Final Committee will once again visit the short-listed societies between 22nd January and 30th January, 2012 to select the winners. The results are likely to be announced on 25th or 26th January 2012 followed by felicitation of the winners at a grand ceremony at a later date. Each zone will have one Mumbai Bhushan winner from either Group A or B depending on merit. Each of these winners in every zone will be awarded a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh. Cash prizes might also be given to any other outstanding society in the other group in the respective zones. All societies scoring over 50 marks will receive certificates and mementos.

NOTE : Application for the competition will be accepted online through www.biradari.org or directly at the Yuvak Biradari office between 12 to 5 pm on working days (Yuvak Biradari, Hazarimal Somani Marg, V.T., Mumbai-400 001. Phone: 22075592) between 16 December and 31 December, 2011. Applications for competition will be accepted from all properly formed housing societies from any part of Mumbai. The participating societies will be informed two days before the first round of inspection; and for the final selection too, the concerned societies will be informed two days before the announcement of results. Entry fee of Rs.500/-will have to be paid to the team doing the first round of inspection.

The Selection Committee’s decision on admission and evaluation will be final and it cannot be challenged at any forum.

Altogether there will be 10 areas for inspection and rating in a society. The rating will be graded on the scale of 100. These ten areas are as follows:

1) Security (20 marks) : Register of the members of the society; Register of paying guests; Register of tenants; ID card of the members of the society; Whether residents of society have at least one identification proof viz. PAN card/Unique ID/Driving License/ Passport/Business ID Card/School ID/ any proof of being a member of the society; Register as well as ID of the staff and domestic help of the members of the society with police verification; Record of temporary workers and contractors; Regulations regarding entry of vendors, postmen and courier delivery persons etc./suitable system to allow their entry; Entry book for every visitor, Facility of intercom/cctv; Facilities provided to the security guards along with minimum wage.

2) Disaster Preparedness, Control and Management (10 marks) : Knowledge, preparedness and ability to control / manage disasters such as floods, fire, collapse of building, earthquake etc.

3) Administration and Management (10 marks) : Discipline as per statutes/by-laws; Implementation of time to time plans; Financial/Account Management as per Register/ Accounts books, Structural audit of building repair; Facilities of plumbers, electricians etc.; Annual General Body meeting, attendance of members; response of the members to annual report.

4) Congeniality within the Society (10 marks) : Organizing regular programmes to promote rapport within members; Sharing of happy as well as sad occasions of the members; Diffusing any controversy within the managing committee or with members; Celebration of national days like 15th August and 26th January and average attendance of members at these programmes; Tension-free and harmonious society; Court or police cases, if any and the status of such case/cases.

5) Welfare: Special Care for Senior Citizens and children (10 marks) : Efforts by the managing committee for the safety, health, fitness and recreation of senior citizens; Efforts for sports and entertainment of children in the society; Efforts to induct youth programmes for personality development, educational counseling, value education, leadership ability as well as physical fitness for youth.

6) Cleanliness and Maintenance (10 marks) : Arrangement for segregating dry recyclable garbage from wet perishable garbage; Cleaning of compound, terrace and staircases; Periodic pest control; Toilets for security guards, drivers and servants in the society and their cleanliness; Drainage system and hygiene of the campus; Parking arrangement for members.

7) Beautification (5 marks) : Paint polish of the society; Maintenance of garden and trees; Notice Board; Board containing list of members; Beautification outside the society.

8) Environmental Awareness (10 marks) : Preserving the environment by keeping the society green, by planting trees as per the availability of space; Rules to control noise pollution during functions in the society.

9) Water Management (10 marks) : Conservation of rain water; Plugging of all leakage; Stoppage of water from getting wasted; System to clean cars, toilets; Recycling of water.

10) Saving Energy (5 marks) : Special effort to reduce electricity consumption; Arrangement for renewable energy, eg., if the members/ society use solar energy.