M Rafi Ahmed
A couple of years ago, councillor Lingameshwar belonging to Banswada 11th ward under Kamareddy revenue division in Telangana State made headlines in driving a garbage van following the absence of corporation driver for two days as his mother was unwell. Sensing the situation, the ward councillor without any second thought was at the wheel of the garbage van.
Though he tried to engage a temporary driver, he decided to drive the garbage collection van all by himself as garbage were piled up across the residential localities in and around Gundemgally town in old Banswada area. This timely gesture received accolades from the locals and the corporation top honchos for his presence of mind in operating the garbage van keeping in view of keeping the surroundings neat and clean.
In a similar way, the Coimbatore Corporation Ward 86 councillor E Ahamed Kabeer known for his resident-centric initiatives drove the garbage collection van as the concerned driver had gone on leave as he was on a pilgirimage to Sabarimala shrine. To prevent garbage piling up in the Pullukaadu and Anbu Nagar residential localities, the councillor along with the conservancy workers drove the garbage van.
Ahamed Kabeer owing allegiance to Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) under the able leadership of Prof M H Jawahirullah contested the Urban Local Body elections in 2022 through DMK alliance and got elected to Coimbatore Corporation ward 86, a predominantly a Muslim bastion. Right from Day 1, Kabeer has been at the forefront in ensuring all basic amenities to his Ward while not to speak of his active involvement in making the corporation staff attend to all complaints. What more, the councillor makes his presence during late night hours when contractors are engaged in UGD and road laying works.
Noteworthy to mention that the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation chose 10 best performing councillors two each from all the five zones and were honoured during the Republic Day fete last year. E Ahamed Kabeer from Ward 86 was one among them to be selected for the honour. As an entrepreneur, Kabeer runs Hot Chips outlet on Podanur main road in the city and devotes most of his time for the welfare of residents in his ward.
No doubt, Kabeer had developed a good rapport with the corporation officials and staff right from the Corporation Commissioner to AC, south, Engineers, Sanitary officials to conservancy workers to get things done in his ward without any hassles. More often than not, he is mostly seen in some area in his ward monitoring work executed by the corporation staff. Affable in nature, he is always at the beck and call of the residents to redress their grievances.
