GU Dances to Govt's Tune

Vice-chancellor gifts its GMDC grounds for govt’s Navratri festivities at a discount of Rs 11.5 lakh
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Friday, September 26, 2008 (Ahmedabad Mirror Cover Story)
Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Dr Trivedi is not too bothered about the loss in revenueIt’s the season of discounts. And the state government has managed to land the biggest discount of all. It has hired Gujarat University’s ground for its Vibrant Gujarat Navratri Mahotsav-2008 for a measly Rs 1 lakh.

The varsity usually charges Rs 50,000 A DAY as rent for the 60-acre plot adjacent to the GMDC building near Helmet Crossroads. During Navratri, all roads lead to this plot. Big-time organisers hire the plot to host famous garba singers like Devang Patel. It takes five days to pitch the tents and other paraphernalia to host a grand function.

While the nine-day festival sometimes stretches to 10 days, it takes another five days to pull down the tents and clear the ground. The varsity charges rent for each of these days. On an average, it earns Rs 10 lakh during this season. This year, GU has leased out the plot to the state government till October 8.

Work for the Vibrant Gujarat Navratri festival began 10 days ago. So, the state government will have the land for at least 25 days. Yet, the Gujarat University will earn just Rs 1 lakh instead of Rs 12.5 lakh! It will bear a loss of Rs 11.5 lakh — money that could have been used for students’ development work!Justifying the decision, GU vice-chancellor Parimal Trivedi said, “We have given the plot to the government for a token fee of Rs 1 lakh. In return, it will ask the AMC to rebuild the wall surrounding the plot.

The wall had been damaged during the construction of the BRTS route. Also, the roads around the plot will be developed properly.”He added, “Earlier, the plot used to be rented out for much less. I got the fee hiked to Rs 50,000 a day. Now, we earn a good sum by renting it out to private organisers.”An AMC source, however, pooh-poohed the argument, saying: “If a wall is pulled down for AMC work, the AMC will rebuild it. If the wall is pulled down by mistake during construction, then the concerned contractor will rebuild it.”
GMDC grounds which have been leased out to the state government for its annual Navratri celebrationsThe Vibrant Gujarat campaign was kicked off amidst much pomp and splendour in 2003 to pull in tourists to the longest dance festival in the world — the Navratri. Backed by Narendra Modi’s government, the event gets bigger and better every year.

Last year, the festival took off to a colourful start with a spectacular fireworks display, laser show, folk dances and cultural events in the background. While it was held at Kankaria grounds in 2004, for the past three years, the government has been organising the Vibrant Gujarat Navratri Mahotsav on the helipad grounds in Gandhinagar. In 2005, the festival was to be organised along the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.

But, the government was forced to change its venue to Gandhinagar after the opposition Congress argued that the event could not be held as the code of conduct was in force in view of local body elections then. Gandhinagar being the notified area, the government had then faced no problem in organising the Navratri event there.