NEIGHBOURHOOD SHAZHEDARI

NEIGHBOURHOOD SHAZHEDARI

Neighbourhood  is a localised community with considerable face-to-face social interaction among its resident wherein they seek to undertake mutually beneficial initiatives, adopt common values and maintain effective social control.

Historical documents & excavations proves presence of social neighbourhoods even in ancient times. In ancient Bharatiye culture neighbourhood was a village unit. Social bonding between household within all Bharatiye villages continues to be very strong even now. 

Each girl in any Bharatiye village was daughter & sister of everyone in village. Everyone shared each other's  joy & sorrow. All disputed were resolved locally by Panchayat. We must revive this spirit of compassion & brotherhood existing in our villages even in our modern urban neighbourhood.

Our Block is our neighbourhood unit comprising of all Kothi in our block. Below block level our next household level is the Kothi unit comprising of up to four floors occupied by married children & parents or floorswise separate owners. 

Basic unit below household Kothi level is Single Family Unit comprising of husband wife & their unmarried children. 

A RWA is the governing body of our block neighbourhood. It undertake responsibility of day & night guards, entrance gate control, holding periodical meetings of residents, organising joint celebration of festival & events.

Presently RWA governing our block neighbourhood is informal and not directly associated with any municipality, state or centre government officials. 

We all should strive to get official recognition to all RWA. We should represent for suitable change in law to ensure that all RWA gets at least 25% of House Tax collected from respective block. 

Official recognition to Neighbourhood Units, RWA & sharing of revenue with them will strengthen democracy and truly revive Panchayati Raj evdn in Urban Bharat.

Official recognised neighbourhood units under RWA have several advantages in areas for policy formulation & implementation of social welfare scheme.

Presently China, Spain, Russia, Europe & US have given official recognition to neighbourhood units accepting its importance in governance.

Shazhedari between all RWAs & Municipality in House Tax can even replace LAD funds presently being allocated to our corporators. This sharing Of revenue is so democratic as it focus on small group of people instead of single elected individuals or bureaucrats.

This sharing of House Tax by municipality will also avoid collection of chowkidara contribution by RWA from residents despite our paying municipal taxes every year.

In lieu of fund allocation by municipality RWA can be entrusted with duties to cross check our house tax returns & also contribute in collection of House Tax from residents.

With these allocated funds Our RWA can hire quality guards for block patrolling & gate control during day & night utilising also starts various other resident welfare scheme mentioned below:

1. Holding daily yoga classes in our Central Park.

2. Organising weekly cleaning drive, 

3. Holding quarterly health lecture & discourse on Ayurved, DinCharya, Nathuropathy, Meditation swadeshi Chikitsa etc.

4.Organising half yearly  tree plantation drive , 

5. Annual outstation excursion by chartered bus for block residents.

6. Holding annual Painting competition, Annual sport day, annual bicycle rally & annual Short Marathon.

7. Annual Award to topper kids in block to inspire each other & inculcate competitive spirit.

8. Award to top achievers of block in social contribution etc.

9. Library & TV room for senior citizens separately for ladies & gentlemen.

10. Improving business networking within residents of block to help each other to grow our business & profession. We can achieve this by referring our block residents business in our known circle. 

These are few of my humble suggestions on joint activities which may be elaborated by contribution from everyone.

Advantages of Officially recognised Urban Neighbourhoods Units are :- 

1. Neighbourhoods governance is accessible to all , since we are already in our neighbourhood when we walk out of our door.
2. Neighbourhood actions plans are more transparent, easily trusted & it requires little specialised technical skill.
3. Neighbourhood schemes become a success very easily as it is implemented by community themself instead of elected representatives or government officials.
4. Neighbourhood social initiative often require minimum money as full value of money is derived from activity done at neighbourhood level. 
5. Neighbourhood activities are more result oriented than schemes implemented on larger area as everyone understand local needs & problems.
6. Success of Neighbourhood Scheme is more Visible and swift so probability of success of subsequent neighbourhood actions is increased.
7. Neighbourhood Joint actions strengthen connections within neighbours, leading in turn to a variety of positive effects like greater motivation, peace of mind & progress.
8. Neighbourhood festival celebrations are enjoyable and fun for all those taking part & improve our neighbourhood culture & bonding. 
9. Neighbourhood managed Security system & night guards ensure tighter security for residents & vehicle parked on street as it involve participation by all. 

Considerable research indicates that strong and cohesive neighbourhoods lead to better economic affluence, decreases in crime, better educated & cultured  children, and improved physical and mental health. 

The social support that a strong neighbourhood builds may provide can serve as a buffer against various forms of adversity.

Auditor Dinesh 

@dkgdelhi (twitter)