2. INTERVIEW OF SHRI GOPAL SHETTY

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12. CITIES OF THE FUTURE

INTERVIEW OF SHRI GOPAL SHETTY

Interviewed by: Abhijit Kumar Arora and Parth Soman

9 th September 2019.

The void between the narrative of those governing the city versus those designing it is the cause of several lost conversations regarding the future associations. This gap has been a topic of concern between planners, architects and the government. A right-minded dialogue must be conversed. Gopal Shetty, Member of Parliament from North Mumbai touches upon this and other matters while in conversation with students of Aditya College of Architecture.

How do you view the changing times of Mumbai?

The infrastructure of Mumbai is developing at a fast pace. We try and encourage skill development from an early age. The Prime Minister’s idea of Make in India will provide for more jobs. We just need support and cooperation from the people as well. We need the youth of the country to come forward if anyone tries to resist the development for any reason. As a father I admit that when I invest in the education of my children, I would want them to have a proper job in the future. So, people should understand that resisting the development will only slow the process of the growth of our country. In the near future, lots of money will be spent on infrastructure development. This will create a lot of jobs. How do the policies regarding the social progress of the people of North Mumbai fit in the future scenario?

If you look at it from the educational point of view, North Mumbai is doing well. We have a number of schools, colleges and professional institutes. We have all the facilities for the upcoming generation. My only concern is to provide jobs for them as well.

What are your thoughts on the Borivali column painting which was done recently? Do you think it has impacted the people in any way?

It is good. The NGOs, school and college children come forward to paint and beautify our city but it should be a continuous process. Three years ago, the railway stations were painted but now they are already ruined, so no one pays attention to it. So, we should continue what work we’ve done. In fact, they should be painted again. It should be a repeated again. Continuity should be there in every work done.

How can architecture students get involved in beautification of Mumbai?

In foreign countries they decorate the salvaged or unused land due to which it becomes appealing. That should be done in India as well. If every single student contributes a bit then even a big project can be successfully pulled off.