talk Volume 1 | Issue 25 | January 31, 2013 | Rs 10
the intelligent bangalorean’s must-read weekly
START-UP Life at the next big social media enterprise 3
VISHWAROOPAM Kamal Haasan’s endless screening problems 16 AVAREKAI Lip-smacking dishes using the bean of the season 23
UP FOR GRABS
The Ejipura slum demolitions highlight how the BBMP is handing over prime public space to a private developer with a dubious record. Basavaraj Itnal and Maria Laveena report on the misery and the malaise 10-14
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Well-researched and balanced article on Senior Citizens’ Act We found your cover story on the Senior Citizens Act (Parents vs Children, Issue 19) by Margot Cohen well researched and well written. She has examined the issue from both the parents' and children's points of view. The article will certainly help raise awareness about the act as a means to address this growing concern—the welfare of the elderly in India, arguably one of the fastest growing sections of our society. We have three comments to add to your understanding of the cultural situation among the Kodavas, specifically relating to the elderly. 1. The Bangalore Kodava Samaja started a Senior Citizens’ Home for Kodavas some years ago. It was shut down after a few years because they had only one inmate — a cranky old man who, from all accounts, could not get along with his son and
family. The lack of interest in such a home is very likely because, among the Kodavas too, the elderly do not want to make public the fact that they they are not being treated well, or have been abandoned by their children. 2. In the past, and even now, Kodavas can live in their ainmane (ancestral home) if they so choose. This is what some parents, especially women, choose to do when they cannot live with their children. 3. In the case study of the Kodava woman whose photo is featured in the article, the daughter says, "The sons have to perform the last rites" of the mother. That is not the tradition in Kodava society, unlike in most Hindu communities. Traditionally the last rites of a Kodava are performed by the surviving spouse, and if there is none, by the son or daughter. However, over time, this tradition is being
team talk EDITORIAL
EXECUTIVE TEAM
SR Ramakrishna Editor Sridhar Chari Consulting Editor Prashanth GN Senior Editor Sajai Jose Chief Copy Editor Savie Karnel Principal Correspondent Basu Megalkeri Principal Correspondent Prachi Sibal Senior Features Writer Sandra Fernandes and Maria Laveena Reporters and Copy Editors Anand Kumar K Chief of Design Shridhar G Kulkarni Graphic Designer Ramesh Hunsur Senior Photographer Vivek Arun Graphics Artist
Sumith Kombra Founder, CEO and Publisher Ralph Fernandez Manager - Marketing Aaron Jones Asst Manager Marketing Abhay Sebastian Asst Manager - Sales Mithun Sudhakar Asst Manager - Sales Kishore Kumar N Head - Circulation Vinayadathan KV Area Manager - Trade Yadhu Kalyani Sr Executive Corporate Sales Lokesh KN Sr Executive Subscriptions Prabhavathi Executive Circulation Sowmya Kombra Asst Process Manager
Printed and published by Sumith Kombra on behalf of Shakthi Media Ventures India Pvt Ltd FF70, Gold Towers, Residency Road, Bangalore -560025 and printed at Lavanya Mudranalaya, Chamarajpet, Bangalore-560018. Editor: SR Ramakrishna. Editorial Office: FF70, Gold Towers, Residency Road, Bangalore 560025 Email: info@talkmag.in Phone: 08040926658. © All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.
Coffee with Talk I was glad to find that Talk is going to be available at Cuppa outlets across Bangalore from now on. This is welcome news, because I Nanjamma and Chinnappa don't really mind adding tea or Kodagu coffee to Talk, as long as I get to
forgotten because our customs are getting ‘Sanskritised’ under the influence of neighbouring societies.
read the magazine in a calm place! Dr Bhagya Christodoss via Facebook What do you think of this edition? Write to letters@talkmag.in
startup trouble
talk|31 jan 2013|talkmag.in RAMESH HUNSUR
The backstreet boys The aspiring startup is to Bangalore what the struggling actor is to Mumbai. Talk hangs out with a bunch of bright entrepreneurs who live the shoestring life as they build what could be the next big social media site
SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in
FORWARD HO! (From left) Wooplr founders Arjun Zacharia, Praveen Rajaretnam, Ankit Sabharwal and Soumen Sarkar at their one-room Koramangala office
tories abound of startups struggling for years before things suddenly take off. Perseverance is the single most important virtue that veterans stress while advising budding businesses. It has been no different for Wooplr, a social media enterprise based in Bangalore. Chintu, a res-
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cued stray pup, is counted among adds a smiling co-founder Arjun the five founders! Zacharia. The other distinguishing But that is offset by dreams characteristic of the start-up is its for the future. The team knows it typically modest physical space. may be obscure now, but believes Google, for example, started out in it will be famous some day. a garage. If not the solo entrepreThey have something going neur’s bedroom, the start-up space there. Launched last year, Wooplr usually has to be a garage. Next is highly rated by tech blogs. For best is a suitably run-down place. instance, Cloudtweaks, a website Talk hunted down Wooplr dedicated to cloud computing, has finally in ranked Wooplr Koramangala 8th among the three ‘We’re obscure top social websites Block. That is a to look out for in “with-it” address now, but we’ll the world, along as far as tech startbe famous with well-known ups go, except that some day’ names like Tumblr this one just manand Pinterest. No aged to be 8th mean achievement for a one-room Block. I actually had to make my way through a dug-up road and set-up operating from the downsmelly chicken and kebab stalls market end of Koramangala. Wooplr’s model is simple: it through the bylanes of Ejipura, close to the EWS quarters, before allows people to recommend products to others. Shoppers click reaching the Wooplr office. Praveen Rajaretnam, co- pictures and upload them on the founder, explains it thus: website, and of course users have “Technically it is 8th Block. So, we followers and can follow other get our fancy address. And an shoppers. Anu Gummaraju, who organoffice at low rent.” “This is the last stretch of ises the Second to None flea marKoramangala that we can afford,” ket and also runs Artisense, a firm
editor talk Earlier this week, earth movers drove into Ejipura, a neighbourhood adjoining the affluent Koramangala, to raze a shanty town. You may have missed the grim irony: the demolition benefits a developer who, over the years, has successfully stalled attempts to bring down unauthorised portions of his glitzy mall. Where the poor are concerned, politicians wring their hands and say they are helpless against court orders, but when it comes to affluent violators, they are willing to go in appeal and even change the law (Akrama Sakrama is an example). About a thousand poor families lived in Ejipura, on land that had once housed 42 blocks of lowbudget housing. The makeshift colony’s residents plied small trades, many of them earning daily wages. The demolishers were armed with a court order, and accompanied by canewielding policemen. Within minutes, the houses had turned into rubble. Hundreds of families sat outside, wailing and distraught. Our reporter Maria Laveena spent last Sunday and all of this week at Ejipura, following the tragic drama as it unfolded. She spoke to evicted families, activists fighting on their behalf, and officials of the BBMP. Basavaraj Itnal’s report shows how our municipal authorities, entrusted with the protection and upkeep of public spaces, are shirking their responsibilities and itching to strike deals with private players. We trust our coverage this week gives you a broad idea about all that is wrong about our civic administration. Bangalore loves avarekai, a bean so tasty that some families cook it all through the season. The recipes you see in this edition come from VV Puram, where a shop has developed its own tradition of avarekai dishes. We hope you take home some avarekai, while stocks last, and try some of these yum specialities. Happy reading! SR Ramakrishna ram@talkmag.in
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RAMESH HUNSUR
DOG YEARS Chintu, the adopted stray dubbed ‘the fifth founder,’ is now in a kennel because their landlord didn’t like him roaming the building
that makes collectibles, has been using Wooplr for sometime. She finds it fun and helpful. “It brings in a niche audience that is looking for something out of the box. You cannot find these things in the market, and Wooplr helps people suggest these kind of products,” she says. Anu has been able to sell many of her products through recommendations made by shoppers on he says, waving his beat-up Nokia 1100 Wooplr. Popular among students and avid phone. “I lost my phone and have no money shoppers, and also among small scale business owners like Anu, Wooplr has already to buy a new one. My laptop too konked made its presence felt in Mumbai and out and I have borrowed one from my friend,” he tells me. Delhi, besides Bangalore. Praveen, Arjun, Ankit and the fourth Praveen leads me to a row of houses, then through a narrow staircase to the ter- member Soumen Sarkar met at their previrace of a three-storey house. We walk into ous workplace. While Soumen joined them a tiny kitchen. “This is not our office. It’s after finishing his MBA from IIM-Indore, the other three techies gave up their jobs the next room,” he says. The room is almost triangular (per- for their dream. Soumen refused job offers haps because of the shape of the plot on to join his friends at Wooplr. He has an which the house stands). An old dining educational loan to clear. “I need to start table serves as a work table. “This is my paying the instalments from April. I have mother’s contribution. She was about to to figure out something before that,” says throw it, and I got it here,” Praveen Soumen. Unlike most start-ups, Wooplr has explains. There are two chairs, a deflated bean bag, a mattress, two boards and lots of been shying away from investors. “We have been boot strapping. We have cut down on books. “Google started in a garage. We are expenses and are using our savings,” says Praveen. better off,” said Arjun. “We need one million users before we Having an office like this poses probget one million dollars,” said lems. Wooplr recently Arjun. “I have been talking held an event with an ‘Google started about Wooplr every day to international fashion everyone.” brand. The boss of that in a garage. With an outside company told them he We’re better investor, the group fears the always checked out the off,’ says Arjun project will get hijacked. offices of the companies “We have a vision and want he tied up with. “When we heard that, we prayed he the site to go in a certain direction. If wouldn’t come to our office. We had to talk investors come into play, there will be presin such a way that the deal was closed with- sure to commercialise fast and reap profout him seeing the office. We managed to its,” says Arjun. The group is patient and admits it do that,” recalls Arjun. Third founder Ankit Sabharwal joins needs more patience to keep going. “There us — with a bandaged leg. He has hurt has been no successful social website from himself while clicking some pictures from India. So, investors may not understand,” the terrace. “I should have bought a proper he muses. Those that started converted camera and lenses when I had a job. That into e-commerce sites. While everyone was the only time I could afford anything,” wants to be the next Flipkart, they don’t
think of creating the next Facebook or Twitter from India. It hasn’t been easy. From eating at cheap roadside eateries to calculating petrol costs, they are doing all they can to avoid spending money on themselves. Now they have hired a cook to cut down on eating out. Praveen has started taking the bus from his house in Jayanagar to Koramangala. He then walks a mile from the bus stop to his office. “The bus is crowded, but I get to observe people. I see what they do on their cell phones and this could help me build Wooplr,” he says. Arjun chips in, “Even Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, uses the bus.” Earlier Arjun used to buy a watch every six months. Now, he hasn’t bought anything new for over a year. “We avoid fine dine restaurants. Previously we never thought twice before going to a pub. Now we drink rarely, and whenever we do, we get booze home. We have discovered the cheaper Knock Out beer,” he says. Ankit hasn’t visited his parents in Delhi because he doesn’t want to spend on tickets. When it comes to watching a movie, the friends go for a morning show on Wednesday, when the tickets are the cheapest. The friends support each other, and say that families too have stood by them. “There have been times when my mother worries about my future. She has given up hopes of my marriage,” says Arjun. Earlier he used to pay the house rent. Now, his mother does it. “I am living off her. That’s enough support,” he says. Though relatives ask them about the ‘business,’ the friends choose to ignore adverse comments. “They think it is like a
traditional business where if you don’t earn profits for six months, you have to shut down,” he says. Praveen also lives with his parents; they always knew of his interest in entrepreneurship. Ankit and Soumen live near the office and continue to take help from their parents. Besides patience, the venture has also subdued their egos. Praveen narrates an incident when they approached a restaurateur to tell him about the site. “He said he was giving us five minutes. If we didn’t grab his attention, he would kick us out. He actually used the words ‘kick you out’." Twenty minutes into the presentation, he said, “Start all over again.” “We had to keep our egos aside and go on,” says Praveen. But they managed to convince him. They have learned other things as well —like to how to get things done cheap. They did a road show at a college for Rs 8,000, when event management companies had asked for Rs 50,000. Praveen offers a pretty side to the travails. “We get to meet many beautiful girls as part of promoting Wooplr. Since girls shop the most, we target them,” he says. But that doesn’t mean much, again: “Entrepreneurship looks glamorous, but girls don’t fall for it. They somehow seem to know the truth!” The team is now thinking of looking for a new place. But the most important criteria is that it should be ‘pet-friendly.’ After all, Chintu, the fifth founder, has to be with them. Their current landlord has given an ultimatum. Either the dog or them. Chintu is now in a kennel. “We are looking for an office where he can live with us for ever,” says Praveen.
fun lines
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political diary
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Okay, so who pays? The moneybags in the Congress are in a strange dilemma. Should they spend their money on the elections, or shouldn’t they? If they do, what if a rival is given chief ministership? Won’t the money have gone waste then? The party seems all set for a win in the elections due in May. The media are predicting good times for the party. But it will be a closely fought contest, and hard cash is required.
Janardhana Reddy, now in prison in the illegal mining case, with brother Karunakara Reddy (extreme right)
The Reddys again? Faced with a potential setback in the assembly elections, due in four months from now, the BJP is secretly trying to get the tainted but wealthy Reddy brothers back into the fold Somashekhara Reddy, Chairman of the Karnataka Milk Federation, is openly saying he is with the BSR Congress. Now, Reddygaru is officially a BJP member, but doesn’t think twice before telling the public that he cares a hoot for that party. His brother Janardhana Reddy, he believes, is the sole reason the BJP came to power in Karnataka. At a Davangere meeting, he added for good measure: "No one has the guts to ask for my resignation, whatever I say or do." The BJP is clearly afraid to take
on the Reddys. Somashekhara Reddy had more.
But then, he also had to parrot the party line: “We are strong enough without any support from the Reddys. We will win the elections.”
"SK Bellubbi, a minister in the BJP government, visited Janardhana Reddy at the ChanchalaBJP state president guda jail and KS Eshwarappa is Somashekhara Reddy offered to get him going around back into the party," claiming that all he revealed, indicating the mining scam-tainted politicians desperate straits the BJP is in. are out of the party and its Bellubbi, a minister, promptly ranks are now clean. confirmed it: "Yes, it is true. It But behind the scenes, money was on the directions of our power continues to rule in a national leader Rajnath Singh party that loves to mouth lofty that I met Janardhana Reddy. I ideas. met him not once, but thrice."
The party, in power at the centre, isn’t exactly broke. Many of its leaders are wealthy. But who will open the purse strings? As a strategy, the Congress never announces its chief minister before the elections, thereby forcing its warring factions to face elections under a collective leadership. Once the party is in power, a sealed cover arrives from the high command with the favoured name. The leaders know this very
well. So SM Krishna, Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah and Parameshwar, each one a chief ministerial aspirant, are not ready to spend too much money. DK Shivakumar, Krishna’s right hand man, hinted at a rally that Siddaramaiah would be the next chief minister. Apparently, in the battle between Parameshwar and Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar is siding with Siddaramaiah, and is willing to shell out some cash. Shivakumar has his own problems, though. The Congress is saying it won’t give tickets to criminals and those facing serious allegations. But Jedarahalli Krishnappa, a notorious rowdy who claims he is now reformed, recently went to the Congress office, seeking a ticket. Journalist-turned-politician Tejaswini is said to be supporting him to counter Shivakumar.
DK Shivakumar
Kumaraswamy's brotherly dilemma KR Pet constituency is in the hands of the Congress. The JD(S) stands a good chance of wresting it. Former assembly speaker Krishna and lawyer Devaraj are vying for a JD(S) ticket. Krishna is definitely a better candidate, and is known as a stickler for principles.
HD Kumaraswamy
Recently, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy visited Krishna at his house and assured him of his support, but confessed his dad Deve Gowda and brother Revanna had other ideas.
That brings us to some territorial issues. Deve Gowda has carved out KR Pet for Kumaraswamy. But it turns out Revanna's wife Krishna Bhavani is eager to contest from that very constituency. Kumaraswamy reportedly put his foot down and said Revanna and his family were free to do whatever they wanted in Hassan, but should not interfere in the other districts.
So who is Kumaraswamy keen on promoting? We hear he is talking to a certain Narayana Gowda, a KR Pet native, who went to Mumbai and became the owner of a restaurant next to the airport. Now he has bought some land in Devanahalli and is trying to open a restaurant. A real estate moneybag, you see, just cannot be ignored.
BASU MEGALKERI
gandhi now
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Needed: Gandhian therapy Former Gujarat police chief RB Sreekumar, now an active campaigner against communalism in that state, also holds an MA in Gandhian Studies, which he took up after his retirement. The many vices that afflict India now can be directly traced to the very vices Gandhi had warned us about, he writes on the eve of Sarvodaya Day
he ideas of Mahatma Gandhi are revealed in the nearly 5,000 pages of his writings, besides his speeches and interactions, given mostly in response to issues of the day. While these are now termed ‘Gandhian’ the Mahatma often asserted that he was not enunciating any theory or philosophy, and had only been trying to apply India’s ancient wisdom for bettering the life of people. Stressing the imperative value of truth and non-violence, Gandhiji declared that these were as old as the hills and he was only devising techniques and strategies to apply them to solve human problems. India as a civilisation has been blessed with periodical ‘Renaissances’ from the age of the Rigveda, 1500 BC. Invariably, after every such ennobling upheaval, counter trends would gain an upper hand. For instance, by BC 800, the counter thesis of the early Vedic vision had become prominent, and it is to resist them that the enlightening trends of Buddhism and Jainism emerged in 6th century BC. The rise of modern India and the dawn of independence in 1947 are in a way a continuation of the Bengal Renaissance of the 18th and 19th centuries. While Rabindranath Tagore was the full moon of this massive crusade, Mahatma Gandhi was its midday sun, someone who had absorbed the essence of all previous enlightened Indian movements. These Enlightenment movements stand in contrast to the decadence evident in all aspects of current Indian public life—religious, social, political, economic and cultural. This
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RB Sreekumar Former Gujarat police chief, MA in Gandhian studies, and an activist against communalism
is nothing but the outcome of erosion widespread public outcry that was of the values nurtured by the modern comparable to the recent protest Indian Renaissance. It has since led to against the gang rape of a student in the commodification of human Delhi. The state of abject poverty and beings, commercialisation of human relations and an unbridled con- denial of rights experienced by the average Indian voter comes in handy sumeristic extravagance. Malnutrition, gender crimes, for political parties to sway the eleccorruption, anomalies in the delivery torate through emotive issues of of justice, insensitivity towards the identify, caste, region, and language. Take for example Narendra underprivileged—all exist on a masModi’s successful persive scale, despite formance in three the civilisational Indian Leftists consecutive elections legacy we boast of. are committed to since 2002—someThe many scandals thing I have observed we see—the stealthe have-nots, close at hand—based ing of funds meant but are dogmatic on the strategies of for mid-day meals Hindu communalor Kargil widows, and the infamous 2G, coa, mining ism, Gujarati chauvinism and high scams—are merely the tip of the ice voltage propaganda about the 'Gujarat model of development'—a berg. The debased, self-indulgent elite model which is devoid of distributive of India today, who often pontificate justice and social security. What we on Gandhism on public platforms are see in Gujarat today is an inversion of rarely seen making any efforts Gandhiji’s development vision. This writer has been motivated towards putting it into practice. Educated people from the middle by Gandhism, largely due to the guidclasses, who could provide leadership ance of my freedom fighter maternal to micro-level changes, are not empa- grandfather, the late BG Raman Pillai, thetic to the agonies of others. The and first tried to curb communal genocidal violence unleashed against clashes in the districts of Kheda and Sikh and Muslim communities in Kutch of Gujarat in 1980s. I was again 1984 and 2002 did not evoke any forced to take up this role during the
2002 riots, when I was the state’s intelligence chief, and my efforts in this regard are well known enough to bear repeating here. The Indian Leftists, while ideologically committed to the have-nots, are also blinded by a conceptual dogmatism. They have always simply blamed the trends of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation (LPG ) for the sufferings of the poor. They ignore the fact that in no developing or developed country where LPG was implemented did three lakh farmers commit suicide in five years, like it happened here. Herein lies the validity of Gandhiji’s concept of trusteeship of wealth. Had he been alive, he would never have allowed such a tragedy to take place when massive capital is amassed in our treasuries, our corporations and places of worship. Communalism is another aspect. After the Partition riots, there were no major communal clashes in India when Gandhiji's disciples like Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, Vinoba Bhave, ZA Ansari and PC Roy were at the helm of affairs. But since the days of the Emergency, even secular parties like the Indian National Congress and Left parties have adopted opportunistic alignments with communal forces for electoral dividends. Ever since the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, as a society, we have been de-localised, and are engaged in a national-level battle of accusations and counter-accusations, primarily between the Hindu and Muslim communities. The ongoing de-spiritualisation of religion means we are locked in a destructive competitive communalism, which emphasises affluence and is leading to extensive construction of temples, mosques, dargahs and churches. There is no paucity of funds for such flamboyance, even when 40 percent of schools and 60 percent of the rural population in the country lack toilets. This is partly driven by the neorich, who try to acquire status and a fake respectability by donating huge funds to famous pilgrim centres. We have before us the notorious example of the Reddy brothers, the illegal mining kingpins who donated a jewelstudded crown worth Rs 40 crore to the Tirupati temple. Tirupati Balaji is symbolic of Lord Vishnu, the lord of
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preservation in the Hindu pantheon, whose consort is none other than Mother Earth. Were the Reddy brothers trying to bribe the husband as a compensation for their sin of causing injury to the body of his wife? The legal and administrative framework to check these vices exists within the system, except it has been systematical subverted by individuals and groups bent on using the system to their advantage. For instance, it is well-known that most of our poverty-related problems can be eliminated if at least 75 per cent of the funds and resources allocated by the state reach its actual beneficiaries. The IAS and IPS officers, compulsorily injected with Gandhism in their training, are more often seen fraternising with the exploiters of the poor. And these include even those officers drawn from SC/ST and lower middle class sections, who are currently administering the
Naxalism-infested districts in Central nal bodies like Vanvasi Kalyan Kendras, India. When there is not even a basic con- who communalise issues and divide the cern for the ‘the wretched of the earth’ we locals. The active participation of tribals in don’t need any other explanation for the the 2002 anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat and rise of the Naxalites. Some leaders in the in attacking Christians in Kandhamal discentral government have even mooted the trict of Odisha in 2008 are symptomatic of the shifting loyalties of idea of bombing Naxalite tribals from secular pardominated regions—a tacDevelopment in ties to the BJP. It equally tic even the British did not reflects a leadership failadopt to suppress localised Gujarat is an ure in the Gandhian trarevolts by adivasis and inversion of ditions. farmers in the 19th centuGandhi’s vision Gandhi's views on ry. large industries, avoidRight now, rich mineral resources in the traditional habitats of ance of affluence and the technology drivtribals are being extensively exploited by en modern life is perceived to be at odds corporate giants in collaboration with cor- with contemporary reality, but the fact is rupt authorities. But the inhabitants of that many vices afflicting India can be those very places have been left in a state of directly traced to the sins he assailed. They are: deprivation. 1. Politics without principles: where In most of the tribal areas where Gandhian organisations existed, they have all political parties become slaves of crony been replaced by pseudo-religious commu- capitalism, violating their declared policies.
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2. Wealth without work: Rise in white collar crimes. 3. Commerce without morality: From distribution of spurious drugs to adulteration of even baby food. 4. Science without humanity: Testing of drugs on illiterate people 5. Pleasure without conscience: Sex crimes. 6. Knowledge without character: Skills used for illicit gratification. 7. Worship without sacrifice: Most godmen are involved in providing relief to rich and corrupt exploiters of the people. The father of the nation, in his historic speech introducing the Quit India Resolution in the AICC Session in August 1942 ,had said, “I trust the innate goodness of human nature which perceives the truth and prevails during a crisis as if by instinct. But even if I am deceived in truth, I shall not swerve.” It is time we heeded that message.
The case of the missing speaker et. Yeddy was supposed to be afraid that the hapless BJP, mired in scandals and leadership tussles, would try to regain lost ground with a path-breaking budget. He therefore, the theory went, wanted to bring down the government before they managed to do that. In a press conference on Thursday, however, he declared that he had no such intentions, was not keen on preventing the budget being presented, and that he was going to "let the people decide"—whatever BASU MEGALKERI that meant. basavaraju@talkmag.in The speaker's whereabouts is now a matter of much speculation. Jindal (there is as KJP leader and self-appointed a naturopathy retreat there) say some. No, detractor of the current BJP gov- no, he is in his hometown Madikeri, say ernment BS Yeddyurappa really others. In the list are international locaserious about bringing down the Jagadish tions as well—Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, Shettar government in the latest drama etc. He released a statement saystaged on Wednesday, when 13 ing he would be back on 28 MLAs, including two ministers, January. Yeddy said once he is visited the office of the speaker to back, his gang of followers would tender their resignation? indeed go ahead and submit the The speaker KG Bopaiah, resignations. The state governhowever, was not there—he vanment says he is on leave till ished, location unknown. February 4. The budget session is There are enough people scheduled for February 9. even within the party who believe KG Bopaiah But, say observers, all Bopaiah has to that the whole thing was a show. Some even believe that it was Yeddy himself who do is take the resignation papers but do either told Shettar to send the speaker nothing about them. B Sriramulu after all, away, or sent the 13 MLAs to do their bit once hunted him down and gave him his with everybody aware that the speaker was papers at his house, but Bopaiah sat on it for several months. not going to be there in any case. So the budget session might indeed One MLA reportedly even told people that the only reason he was going along on stay safe. There are several reasons why the resignation drama was that he knew Yeddyurappa might stop short of actually the speaker was not around. Purportedly, it was all about the budg- pulling down this government. For all his
KG Bopaiah is an old hand at the cat-and-mouse game he's playing with the 'rebels' in the BJP who want to quit and join BS Yeddyurappa's KJP
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POOF! The rebel MLAs gather around the empty chair of the speaker
anger against the BJP and its top bosses, not to mention his detractors in Karnataka, Jagadish Shettar is a CM he forced them to install, replacing Sadananda Gowda. What is more, Shettar is a fellow Lingayat, and Yeddyurappa needs the Lingayat community on his side, to shore up the fortunes of his fledgling KJP, not to mention his own future political career. After all, the buzz is that there is no guarantee that Lingayats will turn out en masse in Yeddy's support. If anything, it is looking increasingly unlikely. Another BJP member pointed out that Yeddy's own son, Raghavendra, MP of Shimoga, was not among those seeking to tender their resignation, even though he is seen often enough running around to promote his dad's new party, the KJP. "If Yeddyurappa is that serious, why is Raghavendra still in the primary membership of his party?" What is more, there are enough lead-
ers in the Assembly who came to power on Yeddy's strength. The truth is, a resignation at this stage will not benefit them. There is even the belief that if it comes to that, the JD(S) might give outside support till the end of tenure—till May, which is not far away. There is also the other fact that it has not been easy for Yeddy to drum up a dedicated band of people who will do his bidding. There were only two ministers in the 13 who went to the speaker's office—CM Udasi and Shobha Karandlaje, both known to be loyal followers. Others like Murugesh Nirani, Umesh Khatti, Basavaraj Bommai, and MP Renukacharya are close to him too, but did not participate in the Wednesday drama. It was not for want of trying, say people within the party. It is unclear at this stage who is the real beneficiary of this farce. One thing is for sure. The high dignity of the office of the speaker is a major casualty.
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A tree-lined street invaded by business
Mall SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in
all these days means a building with shops. We understand it as a plush, covered market. Originally it meant something contrary. A mall was a street, green with trees and walkways. That is to say, it was certainly not like Garuda or Forum. The term originates from a game of pall-mall played in the 16th century. The game was something like golf. Instead of striking the W ball into the hole, like in golf, players sent the ball through an iron ring. A mallet, which resembles a hammer with a long stick, was used to hit the ball. This game was called pallamaglio in Italian, where palla means ball and The Talk maglio means mallet. It column on word origins became Pallemaille in
M
French, and the English made it pall-mall. The game, usually played in a green alley, later came to be called mall. In their 1810 book, The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England, Joseph Strut and William Hone describe the way the game was played in the 16th century. They write, “The game of mall was a fashionable amusement in the reign of Charles the Second, and the walk in Saint James’ Park, now called the Mall, received its name from having been appropriated to the purpose of playing at mall, where Charles himself and his courtiers frequently exercised themselves in the practice of this pastime.” This extract also goes to show that by the 18th century, mall was commonly used for the famous pathway at the entrance of the Buckingham Palace. The term then came to be used for any promenade or any shaded area with trees or a public walk. If this meaning was still in usage, then it is the promenade on MG Road that should have been called a mall, and not the shopping complexes that line it. Well, realtors and businessmen have always been the way they are. A good location is something they just cannot let be. When they saw people walking in the malls
K E Y
O R D S
Mall Roads like this one in Shimla exist at Indian hill stations established by the British
or promenades, they set up shops. Soon malls were pathways or roads with shops on either side. Hill stations in India, from Shimla to Ooty, still have streets called Mall Road, with shops on either side. These are usually tourist shopping points with the maximum commercial activity. Often the name of the road is pronounced with an Indian twang and called ‘Maal Road.’ Maal, as you know, means a product in many Indian languages. Starting from the 1920s, shops in the USA were built on one long stretch with pedestrian walking space and car parking in the front. These spaces came to be called strip malls. As marketers thought of newer ways to attract people and increase foot-
falls in stores, they changed the designs of the malls. Shops facing towards the road now faced inwards. This was to keep people inside for a longer time. From the 1960s onwards, they started building covered, temperature-controlled shopping complexes, which came to be called shopping malls. Indoor shopping places have existed everywhere, but they were just not called malls, and had other names like plaza or shopping centre. Now, India seems to be on a mall building spree. Malls are coming up not only in the metros but also in the smaller towns. To paraphrase Nehru, they seem to have become “the temples of postliberalisation India.”
slum evictions
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CLEARANCE SQUAD Bulldozers arrive at the Ejipura shanty town under heavy police protection. The police later lathicharged those who protested the demolition, and arrested 21 of them
Bangalore is losing prime public land to a builder with a track record of contract deviation. The crisis at the EWS Quarters site in Koramangala shows yet again how politicians and officials readily sacrifice citizens' interests to favour themselves and their friends
BASAVARAJ ITNAL ou could see it as a dark joke. Or as a poignant drama in which the rich and the powerful, hungry for profits, drive out thousands of poor people from their ramshackle dwellings. It is all this, and more. Death has gone visiting at the EWS Quarters, built by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike in Ejipura, adjoining Koramangala, many times. In 2004, one of the 42 blocks
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MAULED collapsed, killing three residents. When the monsoons arrived in 200708, another block collapsed, claiming three people, including a child. The latest casualty is a woman who reportedly died of shock after the eviction on Wednesday. In the last 10 years, BBMP could have built new houses for the poor on the same expanse, but it dragged its feet, with the sole intention of evicting residents and handing over the land to a private developer. The company that has benefited from the BBMP's delay tactics is Maverick Holdings and Investment Pvt Ltd, the same company that built the Garuda Mall in the upmarket MG Road-Brigade Road area. Everyone who matters in the BBMP, the police department and the Vidhana Soudha knows Maverick Holdings has hoodwinked the government by grabbing four acres, which it got for free to build a public car park, to build Garuda Mall.
While at it, Maverick broke a few building bylaws, evaded stamp duty, and faced a Lokayukta inquiry. A more upright administration would have blacklisted them from future projects. But, even as citizens watched in disbelief, the BBMP has again entrusted 15 acres of prime land in Koramangala to this company with an untrustworthy track record.
The Garuda Mall story In 2000, when the SM Krishna government convened its Global Investor Summit, the concept of public-private partnership (PPP) was mooted in the infrastructure sector. The BBMP invited tenders to build a multi-level public car park on a four-acre plot. The land, in the heart of the city, was being used as a lorry workshop by the municipal corporation. The BBMP gave the land to Maverick for free, on the grounds that they were participating in a public infrastructure project. The developer
I sympathise with the poor families. We are aware of what Mavreick Holdings has done in the case of Garuda Mall. The EWS project has seen a six-year legal battle. It may be difficult to change or cancel the deal as many governments have approved it. I appeal to Bangalore citizens to give us suggestions on what we can do in this matter. D Venkatesha Murthy Mayor
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RAMESH HUNSUR
Prime land history 1996 We are simply following a High Court order, which asks us to vacate the land so that Maverick Holdings can start construction. As far as their track record on Garuda Mall is concerned, we cannot comment. Both the government and the High Court have allowed them to participate in the EWS Quarters joint venture.
H Siddaiah BBMP Commissioner
PARKING WHAT? Garuda Mall on Magrath Road is a popular shopping centre, but on paper it is a parking lot
was to build a car park and collect user fees for 30 turned it down, saying the construction was subyears to recover their investment. Amidst reports standard. The final buyers paid a subsidised of manipulation in bidding, Maverick won the price, and the municipal authorities facilitated contract and promised to build the car park soft loans. But within a year, the buildings developed according to the contractual terms. But from 2000 to 2004, BBMP modified the cracks and looked run-down. The BBMP paid Rs terms of contract at the behest of Maverick, per- 5,000 to each flat owner towards repairs. After a mitting them to create commercial space along- year, part of a block collapsed and the government constituted an expert side the car park, and also to committee to look into the build a multiplex (now functionMaverick won quality of construction. The al) and a business class hotel (yet committee reported that the to come up). In December 2004, the contract quality was dismal, and the the then Chief Minister N amidst charges blocks might collapse any Dharam Singh inaugurated a of manipulation moment. Clearly, people were swanky mall, which The Week risking life and limb by staying magazine ranked as No 1 in the country. The public purpose behind the project there. A callous BBMP did not initiate any action had been completely defeated. It had now against engineers and contractors responsible for the poor quality of the construction. become a fully commercial project. Instead, incredibly, the BBMP decided to In effect, the citizens of Bangalore lost prime land to a builder, while parking continued demolish all the blocks and build new flats. The to be a problem. During the construction, government objected, asking how the new Maverick also encroached on 3,465 sq ft of pub- blocks would be funded. In reply, the BBMP said lic land. When the BBMP council raised the it would adopt the PPP route! The BBMP was issue, Maverick said it would pay a penalty and entitled to recover the full cost from the conregularise the deviations when the Akrama tractor in addition to a penalty. It was dutySakrama scheme came into force. The scheme, bound to punish the engineer who allowed the which seeks to collect fines and legitimise viola- contractor to get away with sub-standard work. tions, has encouraged large-scale deviations and But no, the BBMP was in a hurry to strike a deal with the private sector. turned urban planning into a farce. Maverick and the BBMP signed their joint venture agreement on a Rs 200 stamp paper, Maverick makes an entry while the stamp duty they owed the government In 2004, the BBMP invited bids for the reconexceeded Rs 1 crore. The Inspector-General of struction of the EWS Quarters. The developer Registrations impounded the document in 2008. was to build single-room flats for the poor on five acres. To recover his costs, he would be allowed to build a mall in rest of the land, The EWS Quarters story One of the mandates for the BBMP is to provide stretching to about 10 acres. housing for the urban poor. In 1992, the BBMP said it would build flats for the economically Who is Maverick? weaker sections. It borrowed money from Maverick Holdings and Investments Pvt Ltd HUDCO, identified 15 acres it owned opposite is a company headed by former Karnataka the National Games Village in Koramangala, and Director-General of Police B N Garudachar. drew up a plan. Forty-two blocks with 36 flats in His son Uday Garudachar is its Managing each were built and went into the hands of benDirector. Other directors include family. Its eficiaries identified by the BBMP. The police office is on KR Road in Basavangudi. department, for whom it was first offered,
More than 30 bidders participated in the tender process, and three were shortlisted— Maverick Holdings, Akruthi Builders and IDEB. The Mumbai-based Akruthi Builders was the preferred bidder, according to an evaluation made by the Infrastructure Development Corporation of Karnataka (IDeCK). The BBMP opened the bids, but allowed Maverick to make a handwritten alteration to claim it was better than Akruthi. A dispute arose, and the BBMP referred the bids to three consultants. Maverick was favoured by two. Eventually, in October 2006, the BBMP council passed a resolution favouring Maverick. Akruthi Builders challenged it in the Karnataka High Court, which stayed the project. In 2008, during President’s rule, the Karnataka government appealed to the High Court, promising it would act fairly if the court vacated the stay. The court obliged. Subsequently, the project was cancelled by the Governor’s executive committee. Akruthi Builders continued to contest the case. After two years of litigation, the High Court ruled in favour of Maverick not after hearing the case, but on technical grounds. By then, BS Yeddyurappa had become the chief minister, and his first cabinet meeting approved the project in favour of Maverick. Akruthi Builders filed a writ appeal only to withdraw it a few days later.
BBMP completes 32 blocks in Ejipura, then still a swampy expanse, and offers it to the police department. They reject it, saying the construction is substandard. BBMP offers the singleroom flats to 1,512 poor families. The police are right, it turns out. Cracks appear within a month of occupation.
2004
A block collapses, killing three residents. A government committee recommends demolition of all 42 blocks, now in a precarious state. The buildings are razed, and BBMP promises to build new houses within a few months. The families are accommodated in flimsy tin sheds. BBMP signs a deal with Maverick to build houses on five acres, and use the remaining 15 acres for a mall. Nothing moves for 10 years.
2006
The BBMP has entered into a joint venture with Maverick without the consent of the owners of the flats.
Tired of waiting, the poor families move out of their shanty houses, renting them to poorer families. They collect a monthly rent of Rs 500 for each shed.
The BBMP has not penalised or recovered costs from the contractors who first built sub-standard quarters.
2013
The loose ends
The municipal authorities have not explored the possibility of building flats on their own. The BBMP has not taken into account the poor track record of Maverick while awarding the project.
With police support, municipal authorities raze the tin sheds, and drive out about a thousand families from their flimsy dwellings.
slum evictions
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Sticking it to the poor RAMESH HUNSUR
Families callously ejected from the Ejipura shanty town last week are struggling for day-to-day survival, even as they are threatened by the police and preyed upon by goons
MARIA LAVEENA maria.laveena@talkmag.in
n Thursday, January 17, officials of the BBMP arrived in jeeps and vans at the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) Quarters at Ejipura near Koramangala, and started throwing out its residents and their belongings. About 900 families, mostly Tamil-speaking Christians who work as masons, painters, and maids, soon found themselves on the streets. Many were screaming and distraught, and tried to protest, but the demol- were back again. The crew told the ishers had the support of policemen protesters they had no written orders armed with lathis. Huge earth movers to stop the eviction, and proceeded to drove into the dusty field, and the finish the job they had started. operations began. Within minutes, evicted children and elderly people Ground reality sat in shock outside their demolished The evicted families now live in fear homes, with beds, TV sets, trunks and of goons and extortionists, who come utensils strewn all around them. around at night and take away what On Saturday, the police lathi- little is left. By Tuesday, two days charged a crowd of evictees who after the eviction, the poor families staged a protest at the site. At least 21 were going to moneylenders to people, including women residents of pledge their valuables. EWS Quarters and Families that two activists, were went out looking Some NGOs—and for houses are being arrested and dragged not politicians— roughly into police asked for deposits vans. They were in between Rs 30,000 are distributing judicial custody for and Rs 50,000, food and water two days in something they Parappana Agrahara can’t afford. Some Central Prison, and are now out. families have given up, and are on the The protesters had challenged streets, just trying to ward off the BT Ramesh, BBMP’s Engineer-in- winter cold. At least one death has Chief, who supervised the demoli- been reported, that of 60-year-old tion, to produce any official docu- Rosemary, whose family says she died ments that showed that his crew had from the trauma of the eviction, after any legal authority to evict residents. spending three days out in the open. When he was unable to do so, BBMP Rosemary’s neighbour Lalitha Commissioner Siddaiah arrived on Raj and her family, who had been livthe spot and verbally ordered the ing at the EWS Quarters for 15 years, demolition to be stopped. are still at the flattened site three days But on Sunday, the bulldozers after the eviction. They are devastat-
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REFUGE These evicted families have stayed put in the hope of receiving compensation
ed and don’t know who to seek help from. Lalitha is a housewife and has five children. Her husband works as a painter for a daily wage. “I will not move from here until I get some compensation for my house. (Former chief minister) Kumaraswamy has given me a hakku patra (possession certificate) and I have the right to get some money,” she said. Lalitha first got a flat in the original EWS Quarters by paying a deposit of Rs 4,000 and Rs 500 as rent from an original allottee. After the building collapse in 2002, when the residents were resettled in a shanty town, her family was given a shack. At the time, the then chief minister HD Kumaraswamy had taken up their case and told them not to pay rent any more to the original allottees, and issued them possession documents. “Since we stopped paying rent, the owner didn’t give back our deposit too. Right now, we don’t have money to pay deposit anywhere. My husband works for different people each day, and has no one he can even borrow money from,” laments Lalitha. Monica Babu’s family is another one that is staying put despite being
repeatedly warned to vacate the place by the policemen posted at the site. “People who have money have left the place but we don’t know where to go. The policemen say they will bulldoze not just our things but even us,” she says. When they approached her husband’s workplace to borrow some money, they were turned back because they did not trust that the money will ever be returned. Monica has three children. While her daughter, who is the oldest works as a sales girl earns a meagre Rs 3,000, her two boys are studying in the Corporation School. “My children are now on the streets like beggars. Their studies have been affected as they haven’t been to school from Friday,” Monica says.
Helping hands Several NGOs and charities have been helping the evictees and providing them with food and water three times a day. As the public bathroom is also razed, people are using the bathrooms of the Infant Jesus Shrine nearby. Volunteers say they are facing a severe financial and resource crunch. Politicians haven’t been of much
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He further says, “The BBMP has a ing in two years, but at a project that is to come up at Sulikunte village on Sarjapur mandate to provide housing to the homeless, but it has no programme to Road. build shelters. On an average, they have to provide shelter for 10,000 underpriviResettlement doubts Before the demolitions, many hakku leged people every year, but they build patra holders were issued biometric just 150 houses.” BBMP’s BT Ramesh disagrees with cards by the Board, to indicate their right to resettlement. Some evictees say their Mahesh’s contention. “It is gomala (cattle workplaces are in the Koramangala area, grazing) land. There government has and they wouldn’t be able to afford the sanctioned it for people living at the EWS Quarters. People who hold biometcommute from Sarjapur. False hopes? ric cards will get homes within two years, Other groups consider the Sarjapur Maverick Holdings, the company that will rebuild the homes for the orginal resettlement plan sheer hogwash. and there are no encroachers there.” But people now on the streets are allottees, has been giving each family Rs Ashwin Mahesh, a former NASA scien30,000 to encourage them to relocate. tist who is now an activist of the convinced the government is up to its But the trouble is that only about 120 of Loksatta Party, suspects the land on strategy of confusing and deceiving the 900 families at the shanty town are Sarjapur Road is already allotted to them. P Iruduyaraj, who works as a another group of painter, is among them. On Sunday, he original allottees, the homeless people. “Poor was forcibly thrown out from the house rest having rented the Activists think people from Bellandur he has been staying at for the last 15 shacks from them. the Sarjapur and surrounding vil- years, having rented the place for Rs 500 Many of those lages have been prom- a month. He has no biometric card or evicted hold hakku patra resettlement ised the same land, and temporary shelter. “I didn’t take the card documents issued by the plan is hogwash some already live as it doesn’t have a government seal on Kumaraswamy governit. We are uneducated here and they there,” he told Talk. ment, which they Mahesh says the Sarjapur land will think it’s easy to fool us.” believe give them the right to live there, Clearly, the poor trust no one, and and make them eligible for the new also end up disputed in court. That way, houses coming up on the site. The the authorities have a ready excuse for the government is talking about legality Karnataka Slum Development Board why they haven’t allotted houses to the in the face of a humanitarian crisis of its own making. says cardholders are eligible to get hous- poor evictees. help. In fact, the families now on the streets complain about how men claiming to be representatives of legislator NA Harris showed them some land near Anekal as an alternative site, and it actually turned out to be a businessman’s property. A constant complaint: Politicians who come campaigning during the elections make promises, but keep none of them.
Did shock kill Rosemary?
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After bearing the cold and trauma of eviction for three days, Rosemary (60) died late on Tuesday evening. She was living with her two children and grandchildren at the time of the demolition. Lalitha, a neighbour who attended the funeral, told Talk, “We saw her lying on the ground day and night after the eviction. Even she was a tenant like us, but she couldn’t bear to see the demolition a house in which she had lived for 20 years.” People in the slum didn't pay attention to Rosemary, and were worried about the money promised by a social worker called Venkat. He was offering Rs 10,000 to each family. Her friends and neighbours stood in a queue for long hours to receive tokens. Not many attended her funeral. “Only the social workers stood by her,” Lalitha said. They took the body and tried to protest on behalf of the displaced people but the Adugodi police snatched the body and went away.
slum evictions
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Right to housing is right to life The Constitution classifies the right to housing as a part of the right to life, but the vagaries of 'judicial interpretation' mean settlements of the urban poor often find themselves on the wrong side of the law
he right to housing has often been read into the fundamental right to life, as guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, and the recent instance of the slum demolition at Ejipura, an area in Koramangala demarcated for EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) Quarters, brings into focus the current state of housing rights jurisprudence. AFTERMATH Slum demolitions in Delhi prior to the 2010 Commonwealth Games rendered nearly three lakh people homeless The People’s Union of Civil Liberties argues that the “right to was in the form of a public interest environment. In 1997, the Bombay Rights). Article 11(1) of the ICESCR shelter is one of the principle rights case filed by the pavement dwellers of High Court, in the light of various requires State parties to “recognise enshrined in Article 21 of our consti- Bombay. They were to be evicted wildlife protection and conservation the right of everyone to an adequate tution,” and that “a state, under no under the Bombay Municipal laws, explicitly directed the authori- standard of living,” a right which circumstance, has a right to go Corporation Act, which gave the ties to evict people from their homes, explicitly includes housing within its definition. against either the letter or the spirit Municipal Commissioner the power and to demolish the constructions. So, where does this leave us with There is also the 2000 Supreme of this right without providing alter- to remove encroachments on footnative arrangements for all those it paths or pavements over which the Court decision—in the case of respect to the happenings at the Narmada Bachao Andolan v Union of Koramangala settlement? Claims public have access. renders homeless.” The Olga Tellis case was particu- India—which also disregarded the about it being ‘illegal’ bring to attenThis reading, however, draws from varying shades of judicial inter- larly significant as it was the first right to housing as being part of the tion the lack of affordable housing pretation in the courts, but ambiguity time the court had taken into account right to life. The case revolved around options for the urban poor. the dweller’s social the construction of the Sardar Newspaper reports, at the time of persists about the and economic right Sarovar dam, which displaced many writing this piece, say the outrage and enforceability of The Ejipura protests shown which began on to shelter and liveli- tribals in the Narmada valley. one’s right to shelter. Friday, January 18, resulted in some The rehabilitation provided for hood and thus, by Justice demolitions offer of temporary relief being made the displaced tribals was also insuffireading the right to Chandrachud stated were okayed by housing into Article cient and inadequate. Despite the fact by the government to those displaced in the landmark 1985 the High Court 21 of the that all project-affected and displaced as result of the demolition, an act case of Olga Tellis v Constitution, the tribals had not been successfully sanctioned by the Karnataka High Bombay Municipal Corporation that “the eviction of the Supreme Court judgment also rehabilitated, the Supreme Court Court. “The right to housing has yet to pavement or the slum-dweller not implied that socio-economic rights allowed the construction of the dam to continue and stated that the “dis- fully sink its feet into the Indian only means his removal from the were just as enforceable. Decisions of the Supreme Court placement of the tribals and other Constitution’s chapter on fundamenhouse but the destruction of the house itself. And the destruction of a after the landmark Olga Tellis judg- persons would not per se result in the tal rights. Any efforts to recognise a dwelling house is the end of all that ment have been inconsistent, with violation of their fundamental or fundamental right to housing has only been complicated by the judiciaonly some of them upholding the other rights.” one holds dear in life.” There are also some interna- ry’s inconsistent responses dating all This seems to ring particularly Olga Tellis ruling. In a petition filed before the tional instruments, which India has the way back to the Olga Tellis case, true in this case, where hundreds of slum residents are now rendered Bombay High Court in 1995, the ratified, that one can take into to the BEAG initiative and finally to a homeless, with no immediate alter- Bombay Environmental Action account, namely the UNDHR rather depressing interpretation in native. They are living on the streets, Group (BEAG) argued for the removal (Universal Declaration of Human the infamous Narmada Bachao and the ICESCR Andolan case,” says Manojna Yeluri, a of informal settlements or encroach- Rights) skipping work and school. Covenant on Bangalore-based lawyer currently In the Olga Tellis case, the peti- ers near the Sanjay Gandhi National (International tion before the Bombay High Court Park to ensure the protection of the Economic, Social and Cultural involved in legal and policy research.
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Varshini Murali Once-upon-a-time lawyer, who jumped ship to make her case with the written word
food path
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There is such a thing as a
free lunch The Seva Café—now in Bangalore— wants eating out to be more about sharing than paying
SANDRA M FERNANDES
modelled more after a family than a business. sandramarina.fernandes@talkmag.in Though the original Seva Cafe in Ahmedabad functions like a regular he concept of Seva Café restaurant open all days, in Mumbai, can’t be simpler. A bunch Pune and Bangalore it is a monthly of volunteers prepare food affair. Its second session in Bangalore for guests. Once the was held at Vriksh Restaurant in guests have finished their Yelahanka New Town on January 20. meal, instead of a bill, they are hand- The idea was extended to Bangalore ed an envelope which carries a note after Susheel Nair, owner of Vriksh saying their meal is already paid for who had visited the Ahmedabad by an earlier guest. They have the restaurant, offered to lend his space for it. His friends choice of paying for Nipun Mehta, the next guest or The second Seva founder of just walking out ServiceSpace.org, and without paying a Cafe got more Anupreet Dhody, paisa. volunteers than social entrepreneur, Already popuguests pitched in, and with lar in Ahmedabad some help from the and many cities in the United States (there known as Pune Seva Café, they had the first sesKarma Kitchen), this volunteer-driv- sion at Vriksh, for which they got 15 en initiative sees itself as “an experi- volunteers and about 50 guests. This ment in the shared joy that comes time, though, they got 92 registered from humble giving and selfless serv- volunteers, and had to turn back the ice.” The volunteers also call it an majority as the space could accomexample of ‘peer to peer generosity’, modate only 30. In other words, they putting their motto in techie jargon. had more volunteers than guests The idea is that each guest becomes a (they served 75 guests this time). part of a ‘Circle of Giving’, which is Susheel says there’s a lot more interest in the concept now, and they have had people offering their restaurant and school spaces for the next session. The meal is nothing extravagant. Volunteers, who register their names in advance, divide the work among themselves. They also pay for the first round of guests, who then pay for the next round, and so on. The food is simple, homely fare, served on disposable areca-leaf plates. So what happens to the money that is generated from Seva Cafe? “We use it to buy groceries for the next meal,” says Nipun.
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FREE SERVICE Volunteers at work at the second Seva Cafe at Vriksh restaurant in Yelahanka. (Below) Guests wait for the simple home-style food
But for all that, the concept does evoke scepticism. Says Nipun, “We have had one or two people thinking we do it as charity. Today, I ran into a woman who asked if some black money was involved in the concept.” Nipun has also been a part of the Karma Kitchen in Chicago. He says the spirit of the kitchen is to transform hearts. “Everyone must feel connected and be free from a capitalistic mindset. Our main aim is to create empathy for others. When someone visits Seva Café, they must leave with a smile,” he adds. According to Anupreet, Seva Cafe may become a weekly affair and move to a bigger space in the near future. Their biggest challenge is space, which limits the number of volunteers and guests they can accommodate. “We are still in an experimental zone and are trying out different things with the format. Our timings are only from 12 to 3.30 in the afternoon. If we get more volunteers, we may make it a full day event,” she adds. The next Seva Café will be held again on February 24 at Vriksh, Yelahanka New Town.
The verdict
When I arrived at the quaint restaurant, it was bustling with people and I was greeted with a traditional vermilion tikka and a warm hug by a volunteer. Volunteers young and old greeted me with smiles. I had to wait for about 15 minutes as the seats were full, but was entertained by a band, also named Vriksh, performing some original numbers. The menu was simple: lime juice, channa and chapattis, pulao, rice and sambar, curd and gulab jamoon. The volunteer who attended to me said I could choose one of the dishes or sample all. I opted for chapattis and channa, plus a small serving of pulao. The meal arrived within minutes, and tasted just like home. Same with the pulao. I topped off the meal with the gulab jamoon. Since someone had paid for my meal, I too decided to pay for another guest. Take my word: this makes you happier than any dessert in the world!
box office
talk|31 jan 2013|talkmag.in
Kamal Haasan’s DTH challenge The actor-producer’s audacious move to release Vishwaroopam on satellite TV could well be the answer to many of the industry's problems, but it will destroy the conventional distribution chain BASU MEGALKERI basavaraju@talkmag.in
t 58, Kamal Haasan has invested all his savings in a Rs 90-crore spy extravaganza called Vishwaroopam. He has written, directed, produced and acted in the film, staking his reputation on its success. But that isn’t the only reason he is in the news. Vishwaroopam was due for release in three languages—Tamil, Telugu and Hindi—on January 25. As we go to press, Tamil Nadu has banned its release for two weeks, following protests by some Muslim organisations that the film portrays the community in poor light. The government says it fears clashes between Kamal fans and protesters, and is citing security as the reason for the ban. But that is only the latest of the controversies surrounding the film. The bigger dispute is about how it should be released. Kamal (as he is popularly called) has attempted, for the first time in the world, to release a big film on satellite television even before it hits the movie halls. That has sparked off fears about the future of the conventional distribution network, the
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popcorn Vishwaroopam was shot extensively in the US and Canada, and features the music of Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy. Kamal Haasan dons many hats for the film: hero, director, producer, lyricist, and dialogue and script writer. Sonakshi Sinha, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Vidya Balan were considered for leading lady, but the role finally went to New York-based model Pooja Kumar. The film was rumoured to be based on the Hollywood film Hannibal, with Kamal Haasan playing the role of a cannibal. Kamal Haasan plans a sequel, and has already shot some scenes for it with singer-actress Andrea Jeremiah.
movie halls, and even the star system. Using the newly available platform of DTH, Kamal had struck a deal that would have earned the film Rs 60 crore, or about two thirds of his investment, from a direct-to-home telecast, and in just one day. But that was not to be. Factoring in taxes, a report estimates that he will have to sell three crore tickets to be able to break even if he takes the regular theatre route.
pened to the movie hall experience? After all, even in the West, with all the online streaming movies, the quick DVD releases, and ever present rentals, the big screen experience has not gone away. Kamal says the DTH option is just one more way in which movies can be watched. For those who want the big screen experience, the theatres are always there. “And I also wanted to directly reach out to my fans,” he said. The DTH screening was priced at Rs 1,000 Traditional movie chain The film industry traditionally works with a tra- per view. He fixed this price keeping in mind ditional network of distributors and exhibitors. his popularity and fan base. He had roped in six operators. With 75 lakh Kamal’s idea of a DTH release subscribers, Airtel had left this network reeling. Kamal and other stars like Rajinikant In just a day, the paid an advance of Rs 40 lakh. About six lakh peoare the big league in Tamil cineDTH deal could ple had booked the ma, and for them to bypass the have earned the show in advance. Star conventional distribution syshotels, premium bars, tem would mean loss of revfilm Rs 60 crore and clubs had made enue for several sectors, includarrangements for ing distribution and exhibition. Kamal has now overcome opposition to the big screen shows, with plenty of food DTH idea by agreeing to release Vishwaroopam and drinks. If Kamal had got his way in at the theatres first. The DTH option, however, was meant to be made available to subscribers getting Vishwaroopam out in DTH on February 2, after its release at the movie halls. first, the business of film distribuBut Kamal is an unhappy man. He feels a tion might have indeed undergone new way of reaching audiences has been thwart- a drastic change. But Tamil Nadu ed by vested interests, and his production house distributors’ and exhibitors’ assoof Rajkamal Films International has complained ciations protested, saying people to the Competition Commission of India will then stop coming to cinema against the Theatre Owners’ Association, which houses. Throwing its weight behind he says stalled the distribution of Vishwaroopam by abusing its dominant market position. The them, the producers’ association CCI has reportedly found it a “fit case for inves- ‘passed an order’ that the film should come out in theatres first. Kamal also tigation.” The practice worldwide is for major com- faced threats: his films would be boymercial films to be released at the theatres first. cotted, power would be cut during Recently, an excited Kamal called reporters screenings, Vishwaroopam would be pirathome and told them DTH was a revolutionary ed, and so on. route he was exploring. “Tomorrow, it will become everybody’s medium,” he predicted con- Who will opt for DTH? fidently. For those tired of standing in queues, driving through mad traffic, and struggling to find parking, the DTH option is sure to look attracBig screen experience But wasn’t Vishwaroopam a big-budget block- tive. A couple of families in fact can get togethbuster, with fancy 3D technology, lots of lavish er in front of a TV, and save on food, travel and special effects, and foreign locales that look parking costs. Theatres will lose business, while spectacular only on a big screen? Whatever hap- clubs and bars are likely to hijack the audience.
17
This is very selfish. Any product should go through the chain of stockist, wholesaler, distributor and retailer. That is how one lives and lets live. If film makers start showing films directly to viewers, theatre owners will be in trouble. If they are going to show the film directly on TVs, why spend so much on foreign locations and special effects?
KV Chandrashekar Former president, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and exhibitor
Kamal has always been ahead of his time in his characters, films and technology. As technology advances, people communicate differently. DTH release of films is the future. As a trend it might not catch on quickly but everybody will follow it in time. It will be great for small films as the revenue and viewers will increase. Of course fewer people will enjoy cinema on the silver screen.
Gulshan Devaiah, Bollywood and theatre actor
DTH releases will change things for all concerned, not just theatre owners. The craze will subside. People go to theatres to experience the large cutouts, cheering, dancing, and whistling. These thrills will go away, and fans too. And without fans, where are the stars?
N Kumar Producer of 25 films and distributor of the blockbuster Kannada hit Mungaaru Male
play excerpt
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History and I An excerpt from Bangalore-based playwright Swetanshu Bora's Pagdi, which recently won a Toto award for creative writing Swetanshu Bora’s Pagdi explores the place of history and politics in a modern Indian’s life. He is forced to come to terms with his emotions when tragedy strikes. An excerpt from the play, written in the form of a monologue: y sister used to tell me that when we were in Dilli my father was complete- home in Amritsar. And in there will be my Dastar ly smitten with these foreigners. They could be of any kind Bandi album. My father had bought a suit four —black… white… even the ones with a lot of dots on their skins… and my months earlier. A grey suit. Days before the ceremony, my father would still love them. He would sing songs about their good father took me to the market to buy me a turban. behaviour. I was fourteen. And if ever a foreigner asked him I remember it was Sunday. And about his Pagdi… then that’s it… my father would almost invite him home it was early in the morning. And cold. to live with us. You And I was worried see… my father’s only My father was that we would not get real education was his dissatisfied back to catch somereligion. thing I wanted to To ask him to with what he watch on television. speak about it was like had achieved I was dressed in a asking an astronomer thick sweater and a to talk about stars. And I am pretty sure that even monkey cap. And my father with his navy blue the foreigners couldn’t resist asking sweater, navy blue pants and navy my father about it. His Pagdi looked so gallant after blue turban. His beard cropped and his all. I wish I could remember. I was moustache touched up. We took a cycle rickshaw. For only two. I have just photographs to four rupees. go by. Four rupees. Photographs in old, tattered, Sometimes I can’t believe I’ve strangely coloured albums. “Middle lived through a period where one class colours” as I call them. I wish I could remember him could do something with four rupees. We reached the market before riding his Vespa to his pharmacy… the lunch box he carried… the sound of time. Papa decided to get a cup of tea the shop’s shutter opening… the smell and wait for the shop to open. He bought me a chocolate. of the street outside our house. I remember the streets were We left all of them behind in being cleaned… vegetables were being Dilli. And now I have no recollection brought in on giant carts… People were greeting each other loudly. of them. And I was getting upset. Upset Now they are just two dimensional photographs with no sense of that the shop hadn’t opened yet. Papa sat me down next to him smell or taste or feel. Lying at the bottom of a trunk and we watched everyone go about stuffed in one of the store rooms at their jobs.
M
Swetanshu Bora Actor, playwright and theatre director
My father was not a very talkative man. Even when we had guests he would not speak much. My mother had to do her bit of talking and make up for my father as well. I always sensed that that was because he was extremely dissatisfied with how much he had achieved in his life. We were farmers… as was everybody else in Amritsar. Like others we grew wheat, rice, and sugarcane. It was a family business that my father inherited once we moved here from Dilli. Maybe he had dreams of becoming something else. I tell you… I had a slight hunch that he wanted to be a pilot. Because every time a plane flew over our house he
would follow its trail till it was out of sight. He certainly had a fascination for it. And he would have been an excellent pilot. Imagine a six feet two inches broad shouldered man with an intimidating beard … a royal moustache with edges as sharp as a sword… and a heaving gallant navy blue turban. Charming, isn’t it? Now… I know that that has nothing to do with his ability to fly a plane but you must admit that at the outset he does fit the look very well. It’s all speculation of course. Not like I ever asked him. I guess I would just like to believe that my father wanted to be a pilot. I approve of that ambition.
Toto Awards 2013 The 2013 Toto awards for (unpublished) creative writing in English went to Swetanshu Bora and poet Aditi Rao of Delhi, while the Kannada award went to DM Kurke Prashanth from Bangalore. Other winners are: Music: Adam & the Fish Eyed Poets (Chennai); photography: Niha Masih (Delhi) and Nikhil Patel (Surat); film:
Anoop Sathyan (Thrissur) and Raam Reddy (Bangalore). The Awards are given out by Toto Funds the Arts, a non-profit set up in the year 2004 in the memory of musician Angirus 'Toto' Vellani. For more information on the Awards, log on to: totofundsthearts.blogspot.com
song lines
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Music from the mountains Singer, songwriter and musician Papon— just nominated for the Jack Daniel's Rock Awards in four categories—is moving to the Himalayas, where he is setting up a studio
PRACHI SIBAL prachi.sibal@talkmag.in
ngaraag Mahanta, or Papon as he is more commonly known, is no stranger to Bollywood, but is equally at ease in the bustling independent music scene. Actively associated with the likes of Midival Punditz and Karsh Kale, he has a slew of hummable numbers like Gaye Tum (Dum Maaro Dum) to his credit. Of late, he is known for the theme song he did for MTV Roadies, the title song for the film Inkaar and a solo for the to-bereleased film Special 26. Papon was also seen jamming up with Karsh Kale and Carl Barat in the second season of the TV show The Dewarists. He has now been nominated in four categories for the prestigious Jack Daniel’s Rock Awards for singer, musician, composer and producer. In an email interview with Talk, he speaks about the nominations, his musical journey, song and asked me to sing it in the and what lies ahead. lower octave—this is the lowest I've ever sung. It was tough and challengWhat was your reaction to the JD ing, but a great experience! Among all Awards nominations? I was initially surprised to be nomi- the songs in the film, it's been heard nated, as the JD awards are thought the maximum and that's good to to be only about rock. But the fact know. Someone went as far as to say I sound like a combithat they are recognisnation of Kishore ing musicians in a Kumar and wider space is great! ‘My musical Hemant Kumar— It's the only award journey started which is a great which felicitates musibefore I was compliment! cians and artistes who born!’ are not independent Tell us about your of Bollywood, so it's very encouraging to be recognised on musical journey... My musical journey began before I such a platform. was born; my mother was pregnant How did Inkaar happen for you, and when she was teaching and learning Indian classical music, so I started to what has the response been like? The title track for Inkaar has been listen to music even then! My father penned by Shamir Tandon, based on is a folk legend in Assam. But I didn't a poem written by Sudhir Mishra, and immediately take to music as a proit encapsulates the underlying theme fession till later. It took me a while to of the film. Shamir told me about the realise that I am good at it myself and
A
VERSATILE Angaraag Mahanta aka Papon’s first language is Assamese, but he also sings in Hindi and Bengali
Sawhney, Fundametal, Asian Dub Foundation and State of Bengal. So during our jams in Delhi we came up with our own sound. What music/musicians have influenced you the most? I have many musical influences, from Pink Floyd to Frank Zappa to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hasan, to my parents. My influences also include genres of music from across the world—from folk, jazz, blues and rock to electronic in the past 10 years. What is lined up for you for the year ahead - both in Bollywood and independently? There's a Bollywood film I'm going to be working on as a music director. Then there are a few films I'm singing for, as well. Personally, I should begin work on my new album, which is always a lot of fun. There's the last festival of the season—Storm in Coorg that we're playing for and there are a couple of international festivals too, that we're slotted to play at. What was the Dewarists experience like? How did it help you as a musician? The experience made me fearless. I collaborated with Karsh Kale and Carl Barat on the final episode of the season, where we travelled to Scotland and wrote a song called A Minstrel's Tale. It made me believe that I could make music anywhere, without any restrictions or being bound by any comfort zone. I feel like I can now collaborate with anyone, anywhere and push all boundaries. In a sense, it's made me a 'world musician.'
not because my parents are musicians. After I moved to Delhi, I started doing jingles and that was when I started thinking about music as a profession. My first Assamese album Junaki Raati (Moonlit Night) is what Where do you see yourself—the indie really got me going. music scene—heading? How did your band come into being? In ten years… I see myself in the mountains, making music. I've And why the East India Company already begun building my studio in reference? We called it East India Company, the Himalayas. I plan to set up base because most of us are from that side there—travel the world and come of the country, and we also perform back each time to write and sing music from Eastern India. The band about my experiences. The music came together in 2007, and in August scene is only getting better. We're that year they stayed with me in Delhi becoming the hub of the world and for two months after our tour of India is buzzing. It looks super posiAssam. We were already doing rock tive and I'm glad to be part of it. and funk but I wanted to add more electronic to it. At that time in India, Any artiste/ band from Bangalore there was not much electronic mixed you are particularly fond of? with folk. I was interested in the I'm a big fan of Thermal And A Asian Underground scene at that Quarter as well as The Raghu Dixit time—groups like Anokha, Nitin Project.
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Rewind The week that was Israel polls: Israel's hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won at the polls but the results have seen his right-wing bloc's strength severely diminished. Mali crisis: Japan will close its embassy in Mali because of the worsening security situation in the wartorn country. UK Referendum: British Prime Minister David Cameron has promised Britons a far-reaching referendum within five years on membership in the European Union, provided he wins the next election. BJP succession: Rajnath Singh was unanimously elected president of BJP, capping last minute dramatic turn of events which saw Nitin Gadkari being forced out of the race. Mobile fares: Bharti Airtel Ltd has raised voice call prices to account for rising costs, sending shares of telecommunication companies higher as investors bet that rivals will follow the market leader. Shiv Sena: Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, son of the late party supremo Bal Thackeray, formally took charge as the party chief. Jail term: Former Haryana chief minister OP Chautala and his elder son Ajay has been sentenced to ten years rigorous imprisonment in the teachers' recruitment scam. Rahul ascension: After Rahul Gandhi was appointed as Congress vice president at the Jaipur convention, lays out roadmap in his speech. Rebel MLAs: Fourteen ‘rebel’ MLAs, including ministers Shobha Karandlaje and CM Udasi, attempt to resign from the BJP. They are expected to join BS Yeddyurappa's KJP.
Celebrating our four-legged friends Animal welfare organisations and rights activists and volunteers have come together to observe Animal Welfare Fortnight from January 16 to 31, 2013. They will promote the importance of treating animals humanely. Supported by the Animal Husbandry Department of the BBMP, they have planned a walkathon, film screenings, a presentation on animal welfare laws in India, and a street puppy adoption camp. One of the highlights this year is the Pack Festival designed to promote responsible pet ownership. It is scheduled at Sarvodaya Veterinary Hospital on
Queens Road on January 27. Here you can make friends with fellow animal lovers, sign up to volunteer with animal welfare groups, adopt a street dog or cat, and learn
about basic first aid and healthcare for pets. As part of the fortnight-long programme, the BBMP will conduct a free vaccination drive for street dogs and
cows across the city. For more information, call Marwan: 9945686274 Poornima: 9880194757, Debbie: 9742543510
Firebrand animal activists Compared to India, Western animal rights activists are an aggressive lot, not hesitating to use shock tactics to promote their cause. The latest among them to attract media attention is a UK group called 269 Life, whose members have been publicly branding themselves with the number 269 on their arms and chests with a red hot iron, to express solidarity with animals. The number refers to the ear tag on a calf protesters filmed as it was being prepared for sale as veal or leather.
The campaign was initiated by vegan Becky Folkard, a wealth management executive who told reporters: “If one person goes away and researches a vegan lifestyle because of this it will have been worth it.” Becky, who will not be undergoing the extremely painful procedure herself, says she came up with the idea after seeing how animals are treated in the dairy industry, which she calls "an animal holocaust." For more information, log on to www.269life.com
They came and Bangalore raved Swedish House Mafia, one of the most awaited acts of the year, got Bangalore raving, but not before a few glitches. Originally to be held on Sunday, their concert was postponed by a day as the group was not able to fly out of Jakarta because of bad weather. Their Bangalore fans showed up in force to attend what was billed as the band's 'last tour', as they have announced they are parting ways to pursue their
individual interests. Much to their fans’ delight, they played for two hours nonstop, and didn’t leave out their popular numbers like Don’t you worry child and One. Warming the stage up for SHM were local DJs Rohit Barker, Tuhin Mehta and Shaan. According to the organisers, close to 15,000 people attended the concert, one of the highest turnouts Bangalore has seen recently.
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Forward
Aero India is back
The ninth edition of the biennial Aero India, the international aerospace exhibition organised by the ministry of defence, is expected to see the participation of over 600 companies and 78 overseas delegations. Among the attractions for lay air enthusiasts are several aerobatic teams — the Flying Bulls from the Czech Republic, the Russian Knights, the Russian Air Force team, and IAF's own Sarang. The largest overseas participation is from the USA, followed by Israel and Russia. Other major participants are France, UK, Germany and Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Ukraine, Australia, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, UAE and Singapore. Defence Minister AK Antony will inaugurate Aero India 2013 on February 6 at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka.
Weekend deals on electronics We pick some of the best deals that are up for grabs this holiday weekend: LG: Discounts and also free gifts of up to Rs 59,000 on your purchases. For eg, on buying a 72 inch smart TV you can get a 3D home theater worth Rs 59,000 for free. Croma is offering Apple iPad2 with Wi-Fi and 64 GB internal memory for Rs 26,500 (the marked price is Rs 29,990).
Univercell: If you buy a tablet you could walk out with a free mobile phone .
Speak out against your abuser This new initiative by Blank Noise, the group that seeks to confront street harassment of women, has a simple premise: to allow women to speak their mind about men who have harassed or abused them. The notes posted on the webpage will be shared on a blog titled Blank Noise Action Heroes (actionheroes.blanknoise.org). Blank Noise is a community and public art project initiated by Jasmeen Patheja in August 2003. It started out as a student project at Srishti School of Art Design and Technology in Bangalore and has since spread out to other cities in India. The group is completely volunteer-led and seeks to
initiate a dialogue on sexual harassment and issues concerning women's security in public spaces. To post your note, log on to facebook. com/events/577716508908471/
An app to fight back FightBack is a mobile app developed by software company Tech Mahindra exclusively for their staff. Following the Delhi gang rape, the company has now made the smart phone application available for public use. The app tracks a user's location and sends SOS messages to selected contacts in case of an emergency. Available on Android and Blackberry, it basically
functions as a panic button whenever the user feels unsafe. It then automatically tracks the location, using GPS, and alerts chosen contacts. It can now be downloaded freely from the company's website, and works only for Indian mobile numbers. To download the app, log on to www. fightbackmobile.com
A taste of Broadway Production house Imbroglio is conducting Broadway Bangalore, a two-week workshop on musicals. A first of its kind in Bangalore, it will be conducted in two batches, starting January 26 and February 23. It covers all aspects of musical theatre: singing, acting and dancing, along with the basics of light, sound, stage and set design.
E-Z Zone: Up to 60 percent off; you can pick individual products or a combo. They are also offering attractive discounts like Lenovo Idea Pad Yoga with 4GB RAM, Windows 8 and Intel Core i5 processor for Rs 79,990 (market price is Rs 84,290).
The troupe, which consists of professional and semi-professional performers and trainers, shares a passion for music, theatre and art. Conceived and coordinated by Divyesh Bhandari and directed by Rohin Joseph, the course costs Rs 1,200 for professionals and Rs 1,000 for students.
Deals for music buffs: Philips DSP 2600 Home theater with DVD player, for Rs 4,990 (Original price is Rs 10,489.
For registrations and details, call 95355 67480 or visit www.imbroglioproduction.com
The week ahead Korea sanctions: With the UN leveling new sanctions against the country, the world is about to find out whether North Korea's young new leader will detonate an atomic bomb, or step away from the path. Zardari in trouble: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari may be forced to take critical decision on being in politics after Lahore high court asked him to "quit political activities" and give up the post of the chief of the ruling PPP Obama’s test: Challenges for US President Barack Obama, who has just begun his second term, include three looming fiscal deadlines. BBC journo case: Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall is set to appeal against the British police who have charged him with one offence of rape and 14 of indecent assault committed between 1967 and 1986. BJP plans: New BJP president Rajnath Singh will hold a series of meetings with party heads across the country after being elected. Telangana: The Centre is expected to buy more time on the issue of the formation of a separate Telangana state. Rape laws: The Centre begins to take measures to implement the Justice JS Verma committee panel's recommendations to make rape laws stronger in the country. Trust vote: Governor HR Bhardwaj may ask Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar to seek a trust vote on the floor of the House if more than 15 BJP MLAs resign or give him a letter expressing no-confidence in the CM. New CS: The State government is set to look for a new chief secretary as incumbent SV Ranganath is set to retire soon.
concert notes
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When a church opened its doors to a sitarist St Andrew's Church on Sunday played host to Paul Livingstone, Pandit Ravi Shankar's American disciple MEEND POWER Sitar player Paul Livingstone, accompanied by Vishwanath Nakod on the tabla, at the church concert. He played raga Jaijaiwanti and a hymn
PRACHI SIBAL prachi.sibal@talkmag.in
t was no ordinary evening at the St Andrew's Church last Sunday. The walls resonated with the sounds of Indian classical music. Sitting on a temporary stage was Paul
I
History of a grand church St Andrew's Church on Cubbon Road is just a stone's throw from the cricket stadium. It is Scottish in architecture, with a tall belfry and chiming clock at the apex of its tower. Its foundation stone was laid on November 22, 1864, and the magnificent building threw its doors open to worshippers on November 18, 1866. The land and the building together cost Rs 45,000 at the time.
Livingstone, playing the sitar. A disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar, Livingston played his first public concert in Bangalore to much appreciation. After an hour, the church choir took over. Currently on a nine-city India tour, the American musician owes the Bangalore concert to his tabla player Benny Prasad's initiative. "He got in touch with the church. And they in turn invited us to perform," he told Talk. Of course, the church is an unlikely setting for a Hindustani music concert, and it was a first for St Andrews, and perhaps for any Bangalore church. "Sometimes at a venue like this, it is hard to gauge listener reactions, but by the end of it I was pleasantly surprised," said Livingstone, who played raga Jaijaiwanti among others. Soon after the choir presented its music, Livingstone was called back for another session on stage. This time, he spoke of his journey with faith, and rendered a hymn on the sitar. He spoke with reverence about Pandit Ravi Shankar, and dedicated his last composition to him. Later, off-stage, he shared more of his experiences. "He was a generous teacher, exacting and with
incredibly high standards. While he It is an affirmation of my training. I was uncompromising and strict with have been accepted," he said. Set to tour Kolkata, Delhi, the music, he was a beautiful human being who treated every other with Mumbai and other cities, Livingstone dignity. His joy in music was always meets his tabla players just an hour visible and there was a certain play- before a performance. He met his at Bangalore, fulness to him. Classes with him were accompanist full of all kinds of emotions; they Vishwanath Nakod, at the church for the first time. "The form is so strong were complete," said Livingstone. Livingstone began training in and the training so rigorous that it takes no time to the early 1970s, at the connect to the age of 15, three years Paul insists his rhythm," he after he had first true audience is explained. heard Ravi Shankar's Livingstone is music. in India and meeting several "I heard here alone Indian musicians to Panditji's work with play and share stothe Beatles and some of his other works. The most memo- ries with them. He is full of emotion rable time was when I firstheard his at being in his 'guru's country'. He Raag Desh. I had been listening to it recounts one of his first impressions for 20 minutes and realised I had not of the maestro. "When he asked me to once opened my eyes. I knew it then go to his house in California to learn, I was excited. I was having car trouble that I had to do this," he recalled. Also trained under Amiya and took the train from San Diego, Dasgupta and Rajeev Taranath, where I lived. I told Panditji about my Livingstone holds India special. He plans and he assured me I would be calls it 'homecoming' and insists his picked up from the station. When I true audience is here and here alone. reached, I was both surprised and "I feel blessed to play here for listen- humbled to find Panditji and his wife ers who understand the process and waiting to receive me. He needn't discipline. People understand the have done it, but he seemed to make music at a much deeper level. They no big deal about going to receive a know the ragas and they are critical. student at the station," he says.
season’s special
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RAMESH HUNSUR
Avarekalu obbattu Jaggery - 1 kg, avarekalu 2 kg, grated coconut - 2, cardamom - 25 gm, ginger (optional) - 10 gm, turmeric - 1 tspn, maida 1 kg Method: Boil avarekalu till it becomes soft and then grind to a coarse mix. Keep aside. Roast coconut till light brown and the
coconut milk dries up. To this mix powdered cardamom and finely chopped ginger. Cool this mix and then add the avarekai and grated jaggery. Mix thoroughly. Take the maida in a big bowl and mix a teaspoon of turmeric. Add water to the maida and knead into
a dough (should be slightly softer than chapatti dough in terms of consistency). Roll balls of this dough and flatten using a rolling pin like a chapatti using lot of oil. Add the coconutjaggery mix in it like a filling and roll it again. Roll this ball using a rolling pin and cook on a tava.
Avarekalu dosa Avarekai - 2 cups, raw rice - 2 cups, urad dal - 1 cup, grated coconut - ½ cup, salt to taste Method: Soak the rice and dal for about 5 hours and then grind with coconut to a smooth paste. Boil
Absolute avarekalu
avarekalu along with a little salt till it becomes soft (can be pressure cooked also). Add to the dosa batter, add salt and mix well. Heat the tava and pour one ladle of the batter in circular motion. Add one teaspoon of oil or ghee. Serve with chutney.
Every year, around this time, a mela in VV Puram delights foodies with a variety of dishes prepared from the humble avarekalu (hyacinth bean). Sandra M Fernandes brings you recipes you should try before the season ends Avarekalu uppittu
Avarekai akki roti
Sooji/Rava - 2 cups, avarekalu - 1 cup, jeera -1 tsp, mustard seeds - ½ tsp, grated coconut - ½ cup, green chili - 1 split lengthwise, Oil - 2 tspn, sugar - 1 tspn, curry leaves 2-3, salt to taste
Avarekalu - 1 cup, rice flour - 2 cups, coconut grated - ½ cup, green chillies - 2-3 finely chopped, cumin seeds - ½ tspn, salt to taste Method- Boil the avarekalu with a little salt till it becomes soft. Keep aside. Mix all the ingredients in a big bowl. Add water and knead till it becomes of chapatti dough consistency. Keep aside for 15 minutes. Roll small balls and using oil place the ball on the tava and flatten it using your fingers. Cook for 3- 4 minutes. Add a teaspoon of oil while cooking on both the sides. Top it off with ghee and serve with chutney.
Avarekalu vada Avarekalu - 500 gm, rice flour - 500 gm, grated coconut - 1 ½ cups, red chili - 6-7, green chili - 6-7, oil for frying, salt to taste Method: Boil the avarekalu beans till soft (can be pressure cooked too). Separate the water and keep aside. Grind coconut,
Method: Roast the rava in a kadai till it becomes light brown and keep aside. Boil avarekai with salt till it
green chillies and red chillies to a coarse mix. Prepare the dough by mixing rice flour, salt, coconut paste, and the boiled avarekkai, with some beans water. Roll small balls and flatten using your fingers. Heat oil in a pan and fry till golden brown in colour. Serve with pudina chutney.
becomes soft and keep aside. Heat oil in a kadai, add the mustard seeds and jeera till it starts popping. To this add turmeric and curry leaves. Add one and a half cup of water, avarekalu, sugar and salt and mix well. After the water comes to a boil add the rava and stir. Cook for about 3 minutes. Add grated coconut and lemon juice. Serve hot.
Recipes provided by: Nancy Das and Prabhavathy. Photographed at: Shree Vasavi Condiments,VV Puram.
L I S T I NGS
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art
music Sanjeev Abhyankar January 25, 8.30 pm 41739250
Magic of the flute: Watch Padma Vibhushan Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia perform this weekend. The proceedings of this concert will be diverted to an NGO. Tickets are priced at Rs 500 onwards. Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha, Purandara Bhavana, 8th Main Road, Indiranagar, HAL 2nd Stage, January 27, 10.30 am 25215525 Tribute to a legend: Pt Bhimsen Joshi was one of India's most well known musicians. Classical musicians come together to pay a tribute to him this weekend. Watch artistes like Shri Raghvendra Gudi, Pt Ravindra Yavagal and others perform live. Bangalore Gayana Samaj, KR Road, January 25, 9 pm 26597189 A night to remember: Watch Hindustani vocalist Sanjeev Abhyankar perform live this weekend. Sanjeev is a prodigy of Pt Jasraj and belongs to the Mewati gharana. He is also a National award winner for his song in the film Godmother.
Jagriti, Varthur Road, Ramagondana Halli, Whitefield, January 25, 8 pm 41248298 and Brigade MLR Convention Centre, JP Nagar, January 26, 7 pm Ensemble of sorts: This weekend witness a fusion of music from around the world. The Chakra World Ensemble is an international band consisting of musicians from all over the world. The music will be an amalgamation of jazz, pop, Indian classical, world, and blues. Watch Jessica Stretch from Germany on vocals, Prakash KN from India on bass guitar, Nikhmal Gartula from Nepal on
guitars, Tunji Beier from Australia on percussion and Karthik Mani from India on drums. bFlat, 100 Feet Road, Above ING Bank, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, January 26 , 8.30 pm 41739250
For your cooking needs: If you are looking for cast iron cookware, then this is where you should be heading. Choose from cast iron round casserole, oval casserole, rectangular cast iron grillit, square grillit , frying pan and more. Le Crueset Store, Shop #25, Lavelle Road, till January 31 40926824 Shopping bonanza: Choose from fresh produce, home and furniture, electronics, sports, toys, stationery, apparel, footwear,
Beautiful ghazals: Ghazal and bhajan singer Anup Jalota will be performing this weekend in the city. Some of his popular bhajans are Aisi lagi lagan, Main nahi makhan khayo, Jag me sunder hai do naam and more. He was the recipient of Padmabhushan last year. The concert aims to raise funds for philanthrophic activities in Bangalore. Nimhans Convention Centre, Nimhans Hospital Premises, Hosur Road, January 25, 6.30 pm 9845198695
Tenji Beier
Musical evening: Watch Rahul Roy perform along with his daughters Gabrielle Lakshmi and Tessa Roy who will be accompanied by Prakash KN and Suresh Peters from Bangalore. Rahul currently is a faculty at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School in Massachusetts. bFlat , 100 Feet Road, Above ING Bank, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar,
Chitra Santhe is back: In its 10th edition, the annual art exhibition by Chitrakala Parishath is back. With over 400 artists putting up their work on sale through 1,200 stalls the exhibition will turn the area between Windsor Manor circle and Shivananda circle into a bustling art bazaar. Chitrakala Parishath, January 27, 9 am to 8 pm Flea for all: Head to the Second To None Flea market this weekend and get some good deals. If you have a limited budget and want to contribute to upcycling, this is the place to be. Products here are made of recycled material. You can find discarded glass bottles being turned to beautiful coloured showpieces, jewellery made of glass bottles, accessories made of discarded products and more. Rococo Gallery, Rest House Road, Brigade Road, January 26, 11 am to 6 pm
food
retail therapy Dress like a diva: Grab your shopping bags and avail discounts upto 30 per cent. Choose from tops, tunics, dresses, shorts, trousers, denims, sweaters and jackets and look like a style diva. Available at all 109ºF
Shakey evening: All the way from Chennai performing this Friday is Shakey Rays. They are a rock and roll band and comprise Dhruva Gautham, Vikram Kannan and Niranjan Swaminathan.
Opus, 4, 1st Main, Chakravarthy Layout Palace Cross Road, Sankey Road, Palace Orchards, January 25 23442580
accessories and more this weekend as you shop at Hypercity. Avail up to 50 per cent of discount on various products. Hypercity, Embassy Paragon, Ground Floor, Whitefield, ITPL, till January 31 43643333 Go desi: At Global Desi store you will find it all. From tunics, kurtis, dresses, block prints tees with vibrant colors and Indian motifs to spunky colourful jewellery and a collection of trendy bags. And the best part is you can avail up to 50 per cent of discount on your purchases. Available at all Global Desi Outlets Revamp your house: Avail up to 40 per cent of discount on a select range of bath and bed linen. For your kids you can also choose from bedding, pillows, bedding protectors and towels. Available at all Portico New York outlets
Pan-Asian Cuisine? Head to the Zen , where you can enjoy soups, salads, pizzas, pastas, sushi, dimsum, noodles along with Indian main course. Priced at Rs 2,500 excluding taxes. Zen, The Leela Palace, HAL Main Road, January 27 25211523 Celebrate Republic day: This Republic Day head out with your family and friends and enjoy a leisure brunch comprising of chef's specials. Enjoy a range of salad and have a pick from the live station. Priced at Rs 1,495 for adults and Rs 795 for kids. Toscano, Second Floor, Forum Value Mall, Whitefield, January 26 25939224 Men take notice: Who says men can't cook? Here is an opportunity for men who want to cook. Learn basic cooking skills and be an
expert at breakfast, lunch, dinner, simple snacks, cocktail nibbles and one pot meals. Cilantro, 4th Block, 4th Main, Kormangala, January 26 41102200 Dubai's Souk calls you: A lavish spread of spice awaits your arrival. Inspired by the Cairo's Khan-el Khalili, Istanbul's Spice market, Dubai's 'Deira Spice Souk' and our very own Cochin's spice market, this spicy treat can be enjoyed over dinner. Mynt, Taj West End, Race Course Road,
January 26 66605660 Kebab cravings?: This weekend have some shawarma and kebabs along with grilled prawns, chaat and fresh fruits. You can choose from over 30 desserts and enjoy some music while you eat. Priced at Rs 1,000 including tax. Limelight, Hotel Royal Orchid, Airport Road, January 27 41783000 Lazy Sunday brunch: Have a craving for
Food festival: All food lovers head here to the food and wine festival. Taste the traditional flavours of Karnataka as you choose from dishes like ragi mudde-uppesaru, ganji
anna to kori rotti and kaima gojju. Enjoy this with music and some wine. Sahakar Nagar Grounds, N Damodaran Rd, Sahakar Nagar, till January 28 Sweet indulgence: If the queue’s are getting to you, here’s another place to indulge in doughnuts. Choose from various flavours and fillings like mango, blueberry, bavarian and chocolate bavarian. Available at all Donut baker outlets
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republic day special
film Race 2 circumstances they have to separate. It is at this point in time, that they must fight with their families and the society to be back together. Directed by Luv Ranjan the film stars Nushrat Bharucha and Kartik Tiwari in the lead. INOX, JP Nagar- 10 am, 3.45 pm INOX, Magrath Road- 10 am, 3.15 pm, 9.15 INOX, Malleswaram- 1.05 pm, 9.20 Fun Cinemas, Cunningham Road- 12.50 pm, 3.50, 10 Fame Lido, off MG Road- 10 am, 9 pm
Race 2 Hindi One of the most awaited sequels this year, Race 2 is about Armaan taking revenge from Ranvir. Ravir previously drew Armaan's father to being bankrupt. But this is something that Ranvir had expected and he is already one step ahead of Armaan. The question here is who will win this race? The film is directed by Abbas Mustan and stars Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Amisha Patel and Jacqueline Fernandez in the lead. Cinepolis, Bannerghatta
Road- 10 am, 12.55 pm, 3.50, 6.45, 9.40 Eshwari Cinemas, Banashankari- 11.15 am, 2.30 pm, 6.15, 9.15 CineMAX, Central Mall, Bellandur- 10 am, 1 pm, 4, 7, 10 Rex theatre- 11 am, 1.40 pm, 4.25, 7.10, 9.55 Tribhuvan Digital 2K cinema- 10.15 am, 1.15 pm, 4.15, 7.15 Everest theatre, Frazer Town- 11.30 am, 2.30 pm, 6.30, 9.30 Innovative Multiplex, Marathahalli- 10.45 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.15, 10 CineMAX, Total Mall, Outer Ring Road- 10 am, 1 pm, 4,7,10 Sri Vinayaka Cinemas, Varthur Road- 10.15 am, 1.15 pm, 4.15, 7.35, 9.55 Rockline Cinemas, Jalahalli Cross-
10.20 am, 3.40 pm, 6.45, 10 INOX, JP Nagar, Central- 10 am, 11, 12.30 pm, 2, 3.25, 5, 6.20, 8, 9.20 INOX, Magrath Road- 10 am, 11, 12.04 pm, 1,2, 3.05, 4, 5, 6.05, 7, 8, 9.05 INOX, Malleswaram10.05 am, 11.15, 12.30 pm, 2.15, 3.25, 5.15, 6.20, 8.15, Akaash Vani Hindi From the makers of Pyar ka Punchnama, comes another love story. The movie is about Akaash and Vani who meet each other at St Stephens College in Delhi. From that moment on, they are inseparable. They fall in love but due to unwanted
Vishwaroopam Tamil The film is about a couple, Nirupama and Vishwanath aka Wiz. Both of them have a plan that they want to achieve many things in life. Within three years of their marriage, they have fulfilled their wishes. Nirupama gets her PhD and Wiz runs his dance class in New Jersey. Trouble begins when Nirupama aspires for more and wants to end her marriage. Since she cannot find any reason to end her marriage, she hires a detective who tries to look for some flaw in Wiz, based on which she can cite her reason for divorce. The film is directed by Kamal Hasan and stars Pooja
Kumar and Rahul Bose along with him. Urvashi Digital 4K Cinemas10.45 am, 2.30 pm, 6, 9.30 Vision Cinemas- 10 am, 10.15, 1 pm, 4, 7, 9.45 Mukunda Theatre- 7.30 am, 11, 2 pm, 5.30, 8.30 Varadanayaka Kannada This Kannada action film is directed by Ayappa Sharma and stars Sudeep, Chiranjeevi Sarja , Nikesha Patel, Saikumar , Arjun Sarja and Sameera Reddy in the lead. The music is composed by Arjun Janya. Rockline Cinemas, Jalahalli Cross- 10 am, 12.55 pm, 3.50, 6.25, 9.30 Veeresh Cinemas- 10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 INOX, JP Nagar12.50 pm, 6.20 INOX, Magrath Road- 3.25 pm, 6.20 INOX, Malleswaram- 10 am, 12.50 pm, 3.40, 6.30, 9.20
Jamming up for a cause: This Republic Day witness 12 bands perform together to raise a voice against the crimes happening in our country and to pledge for a free and safe India for women. Some of the bands that will perform are Rocketsauce, Dequma, Death Hallucination, Errorz, Djinn and Miskatonic, Crockchets, Ontologus, Space Behind The Yellow Room, The Getting Laid Project, Groove Chutney, Until We Last. The main act will be by Quarantine, a metal band. Freedom Park, Seshadari Road, January 26, 10 am 9980698008
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dance festival Manganiyar Seduction 16th Cross, Malleshwaram, January 28, 7.30 pm 23445810 Esnes.N.On: This play is about three people who accidently meet at an Indian bus station. They are trying to flee from their lives in a quest to find a meaning to their life and finally end up in a difficult situation. Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, # 16 GMT Road, Vasanthnagar, January 29, 4 pm 41231340
Rajasthani Folk: Lose yourself to the folk music of Manganiyar Seduction. They belong to Rajasthan’s Manganiyar community, known for their soulful music. The group first performed in Osian Film Festival in Delhi in 2006. The performance shows artistes seated in 36 cubicles. The first cubicle lights up and the artist performs. Similarly all the cubicles light up one by one and join each other in a musical journey. Jayamahal Palace, #1, Jayamahal Road, January 25, 7.30 pm 233311321
Glow: This dance drama is choreographed by Gideon Obarzanek and software creator Frieder Weiss. They try to generate a digital landscape through the dancer's movement. The performance is followed by a short film and discussion. Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, JP Nagar, January 26, 7.30 pm 26592777 Urban Ballet: Choreographed by Anthony Égéa, Urban Ballet is a hybrid form of dance includ-
ing hip hop and classical ballet. This is composed by four acts that show four incarnations of the body. Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, 16th Cross, Malleshwaram, January 27, 7.30 pm 23445810 Changeable cohesion: This dance drama is choreographed by Gerda König. There will be six dancers: two women and four men, three with physical disabilities and three without. This is based on Upheaval by Gerda König and Gustavo Fijalkow. Chowdaiah Memorial Hall,
Beautiful Thing 2: Choreographed by Padmini Chettur, this dance drama runs along the nine lines in the performance space where along these lines, the performer's body slowly balances on the edge of performing and not. Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, JP Nagar, January 29, 7.30 pm 26592777 Glimpses: This is a set of four duets by Belgian-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. The four duets are named as Matter, Sin, Pure and Faun. Faun has been nominated for Best Modern Choreography
at the National Dance Awards in 2010. Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, 16th Cross, Malleshwaram, January 30, 7.30 pm 23445810 White Caps: White Caps has been created by Wilkie Branson who tries to bring lyrical film with hiphop and break-dance. It is about two men who are out for an adventure. Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, JP Nagar, January 31, 7.30 pm 26592777
Glimpses
Dancing glory: Back with its 8th edition is the Drishti Dance Festival. There will be performance by Odissi dance by Madhulita Mohapatra, Bharathnatyam by Anuradha Vikranth & her Drishti dance ensemble and an Indian contemporary by a troupe from Kerala. The evening will also feature Punyah classical dance emsemble by Parshwanath Upadhya. The aim of this dance festival is to promote classical dance . Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, 16th Cross, Malleshwaram, January 26, 6 pm 23445810
To get your event listed, write to us at listings@talkmag.in
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DEMONSTRATED BY PRIYA CRASTA. PHOTOS BY RAMESH HUNSUR. TRANSCRIBED BY RADHIKA P
Lessons that death teaches us n today’s world, young people hanker after careers in engineering, medicine and management. Sure, we need to study in order to earn a livelihood. But we make a gross mistake in assuming that this is the only knowledge that we need to acquire. True knowledge lies elsewhere. It lies in the awareness of being a part of the universe— mind you, not THE part but just a mere part—and your connection with the universe. It lies in being sensitive to everything that surrounds you, from the leaves that move with the breeze to the homeless who need to survive cold nights. It lies in being able to feel the suffering of others, and walk through life for what it is worth. There are philanthropists who spend millions on charity. But how many will stop by to feed a hungry man or dog on the
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Way of Budo 18 True knowledge is to become aware that you are just a part of the whole, says Sensei Avinash Subramanyam
street? How many will stop their car to feed them? People may dismiss this as a small matter. But the big picture doesn’t exist without its smallest component. The things that trouble me the most are those that often go unnoticed by others. Once, while walking, I found a lizard in my path; it died and had been walked over. People didn’t see it, or didn’t give it another thought. I felt so disturbed that I picked it up and left it among some plant pots. On another occasion, I found an eagle swoop down to pick up a rat. Though I knew the eagle was just hunting for its food, it bothered me that the rat had to die, so I rushed to save the rat. How often is it that we care for the ant or the cockroach that lives around us? Don’t we uncaringly kill them thinking they are pests? What gives us the right to
take other lives? You don’t have to keep a cockroach in your bag but let it live outside. Unknowingly, we hurt and kill many times, but don’t do it knowingly. The real knowledge of life is to recognise one’s mortality. It is to walk hand in hand with death. It is at the same time to live life to the fullest because of this recognition. Realise how beautiful every moment will be if it were the last. Even the grossest things—the dirty wall, that old, chipped table—will seem wonderful if this is the last time you are seeing them. How many lose sight, voice, limb or life without a warning? Treasure every moment and all that you have; never take anything for granted. Take the dress you wear. Be grateful that something protects your body; be thankful to the tailor who stitched it; remember
the weaver who made and dyed the cloth. Never forget all the hard labour that goes into making your life comfortable. We complain that our lovers ditched us or that we have no money, but why don’t we think about what others don’t have? True learning is the education of the spirit and the soul. Live your life but know that its truth lies in the loop that encompasses your engineering and your lovely clothes, and the suffering of the lizard and the plight of the homeless. I often wonder if my life is worth all the pain that surrounds me. We need to, in our own ways, find peace not just for ourselves but also for the others who inhabit this universe. This is true knowledge, one that might not pay returns in worldly terms but one that will help you understand the meaning of life.
STRETCHING EXERCISE 1
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4. Keep knee stationary and take heel up to the hip. 5 & 6. Stretch leg in front with heel extended. Pulling back extend instep out. 5
Starting Posture: Stand erect with feet shoulder-width apart and parallel to each other. Back straight and body relaxed.
Stretch leg in front and fold inwards
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Tuck leg to the side and move knee upwards. Perform the whole set of movements four times. This technique stretches and relaxes the ligaments, joints and hip region.
memoir
Mathura and the drunk constables Policemen who violate a 15-year-old girl get away on the grounds that she showed no sign of injury. The verdict then prompts a change in rape law
athura was a 15year-old girl. She came from a poor family. Her brother was father, mother, everything to her. His name was Gama. They lived in Chandrapur in Maharashtra. Mathura had a job at a cottage industry run by a woman called Nushi. Mathura fell in love with Ashok, a supervisor at the factory. One day, they eloped. Mathura's brother came to the factory and shouted at Nushi, "My sister didn't return from work."
VIVEK ARUN
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Nushi and her husband didn't son," said constable Ganpath. The like his tone. She said, "We run a fac- inspector and the constables hatched tory, not a security agency to keep an a plan to extort money from Nushi. They registered a case saying eye on your sister and stop her from Ashok had kidnapped the minor eloping." Gama flew into a rage. He said, Mathura, and that Nushi and her "You say my sister has run away with husband had abetted him. The 'investigation' someone, which began. means you have On hearing abetted a crime. I will ‘We’ve arranged the news about complain to the a special event Nushi and her huspolice. Don't think I for you,’ the cop band being am helpless. I have detained, Ashok the support of the said roguishly and Mathura councillor." rushed to the Nushi and her husband paid no heed. "Do what you police station. Mathura told the want. But get out from here. police: "Ashok and I are in love. My Otherwise we will have to throw you employer Nushi and her husband have nothing to do with this. Please out," he said. When Gama filed the com- release them." Ganpath said, "You are still a plaint, the police were delighted: they had a grouse against Nushi, who minor. If you want a love marriage had sent them back empty-handed you must at least be 18 years old. You some days earlier. "When we went are just 15." It was past eight at night. The asking for Diwali gifts, she turned us down. Now we can teach her a les- police pushed Ashok into the same
crime folio
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Fabled ranconteur and Bangalore’s top-notch criminal lawyer brings you moving, sensational and bizarre stories from 40 years of his practice
CH HANUMANTHARAYA
cell where they had locked up Nushi and her husband. They gave Mathura a chair near the writer. "We have sent for your brother. Sit here till he comes," the writer told her. It was dinner time, and the staff dispersed. Only two constables remained at the station. Ganpath winked at his colleague, who smiled in response. Mathura shivered as she spied the communication between the constables. "Please lock me up with my people. I will stay with them till my brother comes," she pleaded. "We have arranged a special event for your time pass," a constable said, with a roguish smile. Tears welled up in Mathura's eyes. She screamed out to Ashok and Nushi for help. Ganpath shouted at her, "Do you think this is a brothel? Calling out to your boyfriend? You may be young, but you are lecherous. This is a police station. We have registered
memoir cases against three people. If you don't do as we say, we will book you, too, and you will be in handcuffs." Ganpath made a sign to his colleague, who went into the cell with a cane. He beat Ashok black and blue. He hit the boy on his knees. Mathura was shocked to hear his screams. While his colleague beat Ashok, Ganpath told Mathura, "We could have beaten you, but we are sparing you because you are still young." Mathura was even more terrified. The constable who tortured Ashok went out and came back drunk. He had brought some rum, and an omelette for Ganpath. The constables asked Mathura to eat the omelette. She tried to gulp it down, scared that she would be beaten up if she didn't obey. Her mouth dried up and she couldn't swallow a thing. "Eat it properly. You must be smiling so that we are enthused. Now, have a drink," the constable said, offered her a glass of rum. Ganpath stopped him, and said, "Poor girl, she is not used to all that. Let her drink water." Mathura tried to drink the water but her mouth was stuffed with the omelette. The constables giggled at her plight.
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Mathura's brother arrived at 11 pm. Ganpath went to the backyard and came back drunk. He told Mathura, "Look, When he tried to hold her hand, Mathura your brother is here." When she came out, shouted at him, "Don't touch me. You are he took her to a corner near the lavatory. to blame for all this. The police raped me." The constables sent Mathura with The backyard was dark. Ganpath forced himself on Mathura, who was looking for Gama. Gama admitted her to a hospital and told the doctors she had been raped. her brother. She was crushed in his grip. Ganpath pushed a piece of cloth into The doctors conducted a medical test. Mathura, Gama, Ashok, Nushi and her mouth. In the scuffle, the half-chewed omelette spilled out of her mouth. When her husband together filed a rape case she tried to scream, Ganpath sealed her against the constables. The sessions court mouth with his. acquitted Ganpath and Mathura was defeatThe cops argued his colleague, but the ed. Ganpath and his colHigh Court convicted Mathura had league raped her. They them. They appealed to asked her to wash her face consented to the Supreme Court and with the water kept in the intercourse were acquitted. They toilet tumbler. had argued that Reeling in agony, Mathura staggered to reach the tumbler, Mathura had consented to have sex, and it was not rape. Their defence was that there and drank water from it. When she crawled into the station, were no signs of injury on her body. The law considers even consensual Ganpath and his colleagues were taking a complaint from some other visitor, as if sex with a minor as rape. But Mathura had nothing had happened. Mathura couldn't no evidence to prove her age. The Supreme Court decided the case in favour of the believe they could be so aloof. Ashok stood in his undergarments constables for want of evidence. The Mathura case became a talking inside the lock-up. He was badly bruised. Mathura told him she had been raped, and point among lawyers. They were all sympaburst into tears. Nushi and her husband thetic to her. The innocent face of the victim came before my eyes every time the were stunned.
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How the law changed Amendments are being considered to the rape law after the gang-rape and death of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in Delhi. Back in the 1980s, the Supreme Court acquitted the rapeaccused constables on the grounds that Mathura had raised no alarm, and showed no visible marks of injury on her person. Women's organisations protested strongly, prompting the government to change the law. An amendment in 1983 states that if the victim says she did not consent to sexual intercourse, the court will take her word for it. case was mentioned. I decided not to argue for any rapist in my life. I have stuck to that vow to this day. A group of lawyers wrote to the Supreme Court and urged it to reconsider its decision in the Mathura case. The court considered the letter a public interest case, and admitted a review petition. Before that, we hadn't heard of public interest litigation. We may say the Mathura case laid a strong foundation for public interest cases in India. (Translated by BV Shivashankar)
T I M E P A SS
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talk the intelligent bangalorean’s must-read weekly
How do advertisers talk to Bangalore’s most intelligent readers? They call these numbers Abhay 95388 92618 Mithun 98864 69787
T I M E P A SS 1st Cross
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Talk’s weekly crossword for Bangaloreans who know their way about town 17 18 19
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Fame (1,1,3) ___ grounds behind Dairy Science College recently hosted a dog show (8) Shanty town which was recently demolished by the BBMP (7) The education ministry recently issued a warning to schools saying they cannot self-declare themselves as ___ institutions (8) M K _____ : Advocate who has moved the Karnataka HC seeking relief measures for gang rape victims (11)
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DOWN The state government plants to establish ____ schools for SC/STs and OBCs (6) Australian kayaker Sandy Jobson who is on a 50,000 km expedition recently reached this Karnataka town (6) UK Minister who has promised Souvik
Last week’s solution Across: 1 Souvik Pal, 2 Facebook, 4 Gutka, 6 Bandipur, 10 Shikaripur, 11 Jayanagar, 13 Ponnappa, 16 Third, 17 Coffee. 1
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Across Sanadalwood actor Duniya Vijay's estranged wife who was recently in the news for accusing her brother-in-law of threatening to kill her (10) Health care workers who were recently on strike (6) Chinese restaurant at Indira Nagar (8)
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Sports venue whose property was destroyed recently by a violent mob (3) 13 In a farcical and shocking incident a nursing student who submitted a ____ answer sheet score 41 out of a possible 50 marks (5) 14 Former ISRO Chairman who was recently inducted into Washington's Satellite Hall of
Down: 1 Skirts, 3 Indira Sharma, 5 Kadur, 6 Bernard Moras, 7 Prakash Shetty, 8 Bidari, 9 Mindlogicx, 12 Mangalore, 14 Peenya, 15 Abinay.
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Pal's parents that she will help them find their missing son (4,6) Venue of a flower show recently organized by the Mysore Horticultural Society (7) City hospital which recently conducted a life support training programme for school teachers (8,4) Multiplex on Banerghatta road (9) A constable who absconded with Rs 5 lakh claims he donated the money to this famous temple (8) Senior BJP leader who recently expressed his displeasure about differences among BJP leaders in Karnataka (7) Cosy pub on Cambridge Road (5) Our mayor feels the chief of this government body should have a fixed tenure (4)
Prof Good Sense I am a 20-year-old transsexual. I am very happy with my identity, but my parents and relatives look at me as if I have a disorder and am from some other celestial orbit. It makes me furious that gender problems are called 'disorders.' What's your take on this? Alex, Jakkur
To state that the transsexual does not deviate from the biological and psychological norm is to deceive oneself. Thankfully, there are diagnostic tests for gender disorders, even if they are far from accurate. Transsexuals can be rendered near-normal with the help of modern medicine, surgery and psychotherapy. A transsexual may feel ‘normal’ inside in terms of gender identity, but will not be truly 'complete' until inside and outside match. Prof M Sreedhara Murthy teaches psychology at NMKRV First Grade College. He is also a well-known photographer. Mail queries to prof@talkmag.in
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Fish pickle for Kalam
Meet 'Mike', the fish so contaminated by radiation from the Fukushima nuclear disaster it is over 2,500 times the legal limit for human consumption. The fish is a murasoi, which typically lives in shallow waters near reefs in the region. Mike was caught as part of Tokyo
Electric's scheme to monitor seafood near the plant amidst worries that other fish were feeding off these and other contaminated species. Since even the most adventurous gourmets in sea-food crazy Japan are unlikely to touch Mike, we had an idea. Let them make a nice pickle out of him, and send it to all those well-meaning people in India—the venerable former President APJ Abdul Kalam among them— who have been lecturing us about just how safe nuclear reactors are. That should give these 'experts' some food for thought. But we are told that Dr Kalam, at least, is a vegetarian. He'll have to wait for the radioactive spinach then.
Painfully obvious research finding #9 It's time we started penalising academics who waste time and public money on useless research. What else can you say about 'studies' like this one from the University of California, San Diego, which ‘proved’ that Facebook posts are more memorable than literature. They set up a test in which participants were shown 200 sentences for three seconds each on a computer
screen. Half of the lines were taken from anonymised Facebook status updates. For example, "My math professor told me that I was his brightest student". The other half were pulled from recently published books. One example: "Underneath the mass of facial hair beamed a large smile". So what did they find? That participants' memory was about one-and-
a-half times stronger for Facebook posts than for book sentences. Their conclusion? Facebook status updates are more memorable because "they're closer to natural speech than the polished, edited text of books." In other words, people find it easier to remember simpler stuff. Duh, as the saying goes. Startling, really, what a PhD allows you to get away with.
The spirit of charity We're not going to say no to any new excuse to drink more beer, and the only thing we can fault this one with is the fact that no one thought of it before. Apparently, a worldwide beer-for-charity movement has been, well, brewing for some time, unknown to most of us whose beer money has been going into funding IPL teams and private jets. The idea is to have beer halls where, every time you have a drink, the proceeds go to charity rather than to the brewers and pub owners. One such hall in Washington, DC, called Cause, has been founded by Raj Ratwani, an Indian-origin psychologist. It is popular with the city's young and fashionable crowd, and calls itself a 'philanthropub.' The trend is definitely catching on, with similar outlets about to open all over the world, including in Hyderabad. This is a matter of some shame for Bangaloreans, who pride themselves on their love for beer. But for now, we shall bide our time, all in the spirit of, hic, charity.