ASSIGNMENT # 3 SEEING RHETORICALLY

Let the Horses race into Past

CONTENTS

Page 1 .............Explanation of the PSA Page 2 ............Rhetorical Appeals used Page 3 .........Letter to the Chief Minister

EXPLANATION OF THE PSA Let the Horses race into Past Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) operates the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai. The racecourse is spread across approximately 225 acres of open land in the midst of the buzzing city. RWITC has leased this land from the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai for 99 years which is expiring on 31 May 2013. The opposition political party along with few citizens are urging the state and local government to not renew RWITC!s lease and instead create a public park which is open to all. As a city that never sleeps and struggles to breathe this is their only chance to have a Central Park. Mumbai is a land locked city and with over 12.8 million people to support, its real estate prices have never been so high. The racecourse!s green open space is a gold mine for several corrupt politicians and real estate barons who are waiting to get their hands laid on them. Mumbai is one of the most densely populated cities in the world with over 22,000 persons per sq. km. The scarcity of public parks and open spaces are strangulating its citizens. United Nations standards specify over 96 sq.ft. of green open space per person for a healthy living, while Mumbai provides less than 9 sq.ft. After the few privileged have exercised their exclusivity on this piece of land for 99 years. Its now the chance of the common citizen! This offers once in a life time opportunity to its citizens to reclaim and use it for themselves. Appeal to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to stop renewing the Racecourse lease to RWITC and develop a public park that is open to all. Join in the campaign by signing up this online petitions at http://www.ipetitions.com/ petition/do-not-renew-the-rwitc-lease/

RHETORICAL APPEALS USED Kairos The issue of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse is a current one. The media coverage about its fate is increasing every day as we approach the expiry date. Hence there is a strong kairotic appeal about this whole situation. Whatever that needs to be done...needs to be done right now and the count down has begun. Pathos The lack of green public spaces in a metropolis like Mumbai is grave. For very many years this club was only accessible to celebrities and elites, while the poor and middle class struggled to get their children to parks. Kids playing cricket in the streets is a common sight. It invokes strong emotions like injustice and exaggerates the disparity in the society and how it functions. Logos The reference to logic in the PSA is shown by the various statistics it quotes. The political parties that runs the ofce markets to its citizens that it will take Mumbai to a global level. It wants to make it a World City and International Finance Center but does not include public Infrastructure such as parks. In comparison to few of the cities across the world, Mumbai is way more crowd and low in the green space provided. These numbers make a compelling reason to believe what the PSA is out to do. Tone Sarcasm and demand is the underlying avor of this PSA. Do you want more space for horses or people? This tactic is used to invoke a strong emotion of being at the receiving of the injustice. So if you are a neutral or a passive citizen these question are bound to make you take a stand. In some ways the message does not let you make any other choice. The only thing to be seen is if it incites you as much towards action. Arrangement Pictures are large and covers the entire page which is done to enhance its prominence. The two lines of text in each page parallely tells you the story. Almost like one is the foreground and the other in the background.

PETITION TO CHIEF MINISTER

To The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Mantralaya Mumbai The citizens of Mumbai stand in unison to reclaim the 225 acres of green space that was leased out to Royal Western India Turf Club. Many predators are eyeing this gold mine, several politicians for their coveted interests and real estate barons. For 99 years only a selected few had the privilege to use this place, now let the gates be open to all. Develop a public park and convert this space into a green lung that will let us breathe for our survival. As this city struggles to breathe, this will be more than a lifeline. If we dream to make Mumbai a 'World City', how can its citizens be left behind? The United Nations species about 96 sq. ft. of green open space per person for healthy survival. Mumbai currently offers less than one tenth, way lower than many cities across the World. In this land locked city of ours, opportunities like these don't come knocking at our doors. As our elected representative of the State, we appeal to you to look into your conscience and make the decision that will create the maximum happiness for its people. Let not petty politics and greed cloud your mind. Mr. Chief Minister, with immense hope and trust in you, we urge to you to grant us what is rightfully ours. Sincerely, Rajitha Gopinath