This story is from September 24, 2014

Want to create a space like Mandi House here: Noida’s new MLA

Like Noidawallahs, the city’s newly elected MLA, too, laments the lack of a cultural hub, and the degradation of law and order here. She also reveals her plans to make Noida a better place.
Want to create a space like Mandi House here: Noida’s new MLA
Vimla Batham, the BJP candidate who won the recent bypoll elections has created history by becoming the first-ever woman MLA of Noida. But her historic win has been followed by history-sheeters of the city giving her sleepless nights. In a conversation with Noida Times, the 62-year-old leader expressed her views on the recent incidents here, her concern over the rising crime rate and her plans to bring order to the city.
Woman in power is women empowerment I think, it does not make much difference whether there is a female or a male MLA.
But yes, people think that women power has increased from what it used to be. Women in Noida can relate to me. They now believe that even they can be in a powerful position and work for the society and it is my responsibility to empower them.
Aaj kal ke youth ko apni maryaada ka dhyaan hai The recent incident of moral policing in Greater Noida came to my knowledge, and I don’t support it at all. I know that the womens’ group that thrashed couples in the park. Yeh toh thoda zyada ho gaya, galat hai yeh. Yeh to theek hai ki koi ashleel harkat kare park me toh aap usey police ko saunp dein. But I doubt what obscene acts they’re talking about because I think today’s generation is smart enough to know how to behave in public. Unhe apni maryaada ka dhyaan hai. If a girl and a boy are sitting in a public place, there’s nothing wrong in it. I will talk to the group and tell them that the way they thrashed the couples is completely unacceptable. Agar couples koi ashleel harkat kar rahe hain, jaisa ki kaha gaya hai, aur aap kisi samaajik sanstha se judey hue hain, toh aap unhe samjha sakte hain ki aisa na karein. You can call their parents. But taking the law in your hands is wrong.
I want to create a cultural hub here It is an issue of concern that even though Noida houses a number of artistes – painters, writers and actors, we are unable to provide a platform to them to showcase their skills and talent. I want to create a space for them in the city,like Mandi House and India Habitat Centre.
I’ve decided to take up this issue with the Noida Authority chairman. I will ask the authority to allot a place which can be developed as a cultural hub of Noida. I will try my best to convince them and I am sure they will agree. Why won’t they? Jo achhi baatein hain, unhe zaroor maanenge. I’d opened the Noida Art Gallery to provide a platform to economically weak artists. It is my husband Roop Narayan Mishra’s dream to provide a platform to them and he is working towards it. I want to promote art galleries because art is very close to my heart. I have a masters degree in art and drawing. But now, all my time is dedicated to the public and the few hours I get in between, I spend them with my family, especially my grandchildren. They are my support system and it is because of my family that I have been able to work for the society. I will continue doing social service. Politics is also social service. And now that I have the power, I can do better.

It’s a shame that women feel unsafe in Noida It’s a matter of shame that women don’t feel safe in Noida. It is a hi-tech city – industrialists and MNCs from different corners of the world are investing here. In such a scenario, if we will not maintain law and order or make our women feel safe, it will create a bad impression. Yadi prashashan chaahe, toh law and order ko mushtaidi se lagoo kiya ja sakta hai. Modiji ne bhi kaha hai ki ladkiyon ki suraksha se koi samjhauta nahin hona chahiye. Women safety and security is on my priority list. I will meet the SP and other police officials and mahila thana cops in the coming days to discuss women’s safety.
Last week, I went to JSS college, when the spy camera incident happened. I went there because it was important to be present in person to take a stand. I asked the college authorities to ensure the safety of female students and instructed them to suspend the culprits. I told them if they don’t follow my instructions, I will keep visiting the college. Girls were reassured and it had a significant impact on the overall feeling of safety on campus. I gave the girls my number and asked them to contact me whenever they face any problems. I am yet to streamline things, but we are building a strong network so that the complainants can contact me directly with their problems. Everyone has my number – the police personnel and administration staff. Besides, they can also email me on vimla.batham@yahoo.com.
There’s absolute hooliganism in UP Jab se main MLA bani hoon, crime ki aisi koi ghatna toh Noida mein saamne nahi aayi hai. I had a horrible experience in Lucknow last month when I was at my brother’s place. I was standing outside his house and two bike-borne miscreants snatched my chain away. I got injured, too. Absolute hooliganism prevails on the roads of UP. Law and order has deteriorated over the years and it is time to take corrective measures. To improve the law and order of Noida, first of all, we need to increase the police force. In Noida, we have less policemen than required to do the job and we are planning hold a dharna in front of the Vidhan Sabha when it will be in session to put forward our three demands. The first one being improvement of law and order by employing more policemen in the city, to improve the power condition and we will raise the issue of farmers as well.
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