It is official now. Among the biggest rock-cut cave temples in India, the Jogeshwari caves will soon be free of human habitation and encroachment.
The 6th century AD caves, which have been infested with encroachments and abused over the years, will, instead, be a place which tourists could visit as a heritage site and a garden.
Following a Bombay High Court order for the removal of unauthorised structures in October last year, the state has decided to preserve the heritage precinct by designating the space as a public garden. The plot on which the caves exist will now be declared a heritage garden space.
The debate between heritage and development is a constant in any city which has to accommodate the past and present and make arrangements for the future. But in Mumbai, this debate gets a sharper edge because of its space constraints and its burgeoning population. Should development be stalled or prevented just to preserve a dead monument which takes space and gives aesthetic pleasure only to a discerning few? Or should heritage be given its due, as both a matter of pride as well as a society which acknowledges its journey through time?
In what may be its last move before the election code of conduct sets in, the government on Tuesday cut excise duty and service tax rates by 2% each. Given the slowdown, lower tax collections — both direct and indirect — have already hit government revenues. The tax incentives mean the fiscal deficit would widen further.
A host of other measures being implemented by the government, such as debt relief for farmers and pay hike for government employees, have already put the fiscal position under stress. Experts say revenues would be hit to the extent of Rs 30,000 crore, pushing up the fiscal deficit to 6.5% of the gross domestic product from current 6% now.
Mamata and Congress could have been allies but for a mismatch in goals
Leveraging opportunity is natural enough in order to drive a bargain forward, though it may not be sufficient to cement an alliance that must hold not only just long enough to get a few more seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections but also in the eventuality of the most desired outcome being defeated by popular choice.
According to a survey of young Britons, almost one in three young people admit to having drunken one-night stands, later regretting them. The Sex Factor survey, a part of a report from the charity, YouthNet, into young people's attitudes towards sexual health, polled more than 2,000 young people aged 16 to 24, revealing 32% (the same number) indulged in unprotected sex while under the influence of liquor.
According to the poll:
"One in five (22%) young people went home with a stranger.
Recent study revealed that the pressure of being perfect and flawless at the workplace is responsible for increasing popularity of binge-drinking culture despite the government warning to limit number of drinks.
Research team led by Dutch-born Professor Anna van Wersch in the Teesside University analyzed data collected from interview of 32 men and women living in north east England aged 22 to 58. Most interviewees believed that binge-drinking helps them to revitalize for the working days.
Prof van Wersch said: "People in England are more high achievers than the Dutch. The quality of their work has to be perfect and their performance is much higher. "
According to a survey of young Britons, almost one in three young people admit to having drunken one-night stands, later regretting them. The Sex Factor survey, a part of a report from the charity, YouthNet, into young people's attitudes towards sexual health, polled more than 2,000 young people aged 16 to 24, revealing 32% (the same number) indulged in unprotected sex while under the influence of liquor. 
