Pioneer-DilliBilli-March.4th.2012-'The Charming Dame of Delhi'

'The Charming Dame of Delhi'
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is in her 13th year of power. Despite many controversies, fact is that she has done a lot work for the Capital.

Last week, driving through a busy South Delhi road I noticed many hoardings praising the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit. Though the hoardings of politicians and the work done by them is nothing new in the Capital, it is the aam aadmi who is tired of this propaganda.This doesn’t mean that Dikshit has not done any work in Delhi. As she completes her 13th year in power, one can see the changes that have taken place. Even an outsider who is coming to Delhi, after a gap of five years, is spellbound by the changes — the city can now be compared to any foreign city. Almost all roads have street lights, they are wide, clean and have sign boards to give directions.The BRT which created a huge controversy when it was being built and the months that followed has become a boon for the common man. It is another matter that the rich in their swanky cars get caught in the traffic jam, the aam aadmi traveling in buses just zooms past in green, orange and red DTC buses.Gone are the days of the blueline and redline buses which used to kill innocent people standing at the roadside on a daily basis. Though not many would agree with me, but this move by Dikshit has ensured that the city has become a class apart in comparison to other cities in the country.The Metro is another advantage that the city has. People living in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad can travel long distances without having to spend hours stuck in traffic. The Metro is efficient, safe, fast and clean. The stations are just as neat and clean. The Delhi Government had faced a lot of flak for this as well. However, for any construction to take place, one will need to dig. And the outcome of this one is for all to see. Wherever the Metro has gone, the roads have become wider and cleaner.And then there are parks. Almost every colony in Delhi — big or small — has a park where the children can play. Obviously, the CM has made sure that her votebank is intact.Various schemes like Laadli have become an instant hit with the public. The Bhagidari initiative preceded her other major initiative — Right to Information. Programmes like Stree Shakti instill capacity building in women of the weaker section. It provides them with access to free healthcare, training in different vocation and give financial aid for self-employment.If democracy is to survive the basic norms of correct behaviour and mutual respect is a must. Communal harmony has been Dikshit’s priority. It is a matter of pride for every Delhiite that thousands of foreigners visit the historical sites in the city. Though Dikshit was in the thick of Commonwealth Games fiasco, it was her who cracked the whip so that we met the deadline set.But the public is used to such political gimmicks that are played out during elections for votes. Diskshit will have to take a much tougher stand before the next Assembly elections in Delhi. She may have hinted that she is not interested in contesting another election, the truth is there is no other person of her calibre to step into her shoes.