Vol. 12 Issue 7
Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media, Bangalore
27 September, 2012
By Debanti Roy
Mothers forced to clean hospital toilets
One of the toilets in the children’s ward of Kidwai Hospital. By Debanti Roy MOTHERS of children battling cancer are forced to clean filthy ward toilets. Mums frantic with worry about the health of their children have even been forced onto a rota system as there are no cleaners available. There are fifty five children currently admitted in the pedi-
atric cancer department of Kidwai Hospital.The mothers are permitted to stay with their children in the ward. They praised the treatment of the hospital but said doctors would inspect the toilets and shout at them if they had not been cleaned. “Apart from taking care of my two year old daughter I have to clean the toilets and floors
everyday”, said Mrs. Rita Manna, mother of Chaity Manna “Every night one senior doctor comes and checks the toilets. They even shout at us if the toilets are found dirty,” she added. The toilets are dirty and often too unhygienic to be used by the children. The mothers clean the toilets everyday on a rotation basis. “It is sometimes so dirty that
14-year-old girl is city prostitute been going on for over 25 years. Prostitution during the day is only recent, earlier the activities would only start after 9 pm.” Bangalore does not have any designated red-light areas like Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi, where sex workers cater to the needs of their customers. Majestic is fast becoming one. They start their work at 1:30
money,” she said. There are some 30 girls involved in this trade at Majestic, forcing men and children to shell out money, forcibly. A special meeting was held at the commissioner’s office at Infantry Road last month aimed at tackling the problem. DCP Siddaramppa was put in charge of the problem of pros-
Photo: Amrita Ray
By Nijhum Rudra A fourteen year old girl is working as a prostitute in Bangalore. The girl, Nandini, has been on the streets of Bangalore from the age of 11. She was arrested by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Siddaramppa, on August 26 for extorting Rs. 1000 from a student of KNMM Boys’ School, Bangalore. The girls are working in broad daylight in the Majestic area of the city. “She is the youngest prostitute I have arrested and she has no other criminal record,” said DCP Siddaramppa. Passersby, especially school kids and pedestrians, are targeted by prostitutes who snatch money from them. Police say they are upping patrols and raids but girls on the streets said that would only stop them temporarily. Prostitutes harrass pedestrians and demand cash, according to police. If they don’t have enough cash, the girls take their ATM cards or threaten to file a rape case against them, according to E. Narayana Rao Kate, a constable working the Majestic beat. He said: “The business has
Prostitutes wait for their clients around Majestic. pm and work till the early hours of the morning. Nita, a prostitute said: “I was born and brought up in Hyderabad.” “I had no parents and I used to stay with my uncle. He later sold me to a prostitute dealer called Karim. He is now in jail.” “We take money from pedestrians if we are in need of
titution around Majestic. He said: “Joint Commissioner of Police, Pronab Mahanty, advised me to take charge. I conduct raids twice a week.” Inspite of these raids, the menace continues in and around Majestic Bus Terminal and pedestrians are scared to pass through the area.
it becomes difficult for us to clean them,” said Shahida Sacadaq, mother of ten years old Ali. Ali Sacadaq said: “I feel bad when I see my mother cleaning the toilets of the hospital because of me. She doesn’t like cleaning it herself but she has to.” He added: “My mother has to look after me and clean the toilets as well. She gets tired.” Shahida said: “If cleaning staffs are appointed then we will definitely breathe a sigh of relief.”
“It (toilet) is sometimes so dirty that it becomes difficult for
Generic drug stores are on the rise in the city. >Page 2
The relationship between patients and doctors goes online via video chat. >Page 2
us to clean them.” When a doctor of the hospital was asked why the department does not appoint staff for the cleaning jobs, the doctor said: “This is their home and it is their responsibility to keep the home clean”.
Anganwadi centers in the city run dry By Debanti Roy NEARLY thirty thousand Anganwadi centres in Bangalore have no drinking water facility. Karnataka and central government provide an annual fund of Rs 3,000 crore to Integrated Child Development Services for the development of these Anganwadi centers. Despite this level of funding children as young as seven have to walk miles to fetch drinking water for themselves. Aditya Mathur, PRO of Pankhuru, a child development committee, said: “Water is a fundamental requirement of life and when the government is giving enough funding for the development of these Anganwadis, the committee should take some immediate steps.” He added: “Due to water problems in these Anganwadis, the number of health related issues are on a rise.” “Not all Anganwadis are affected, but yes there are a few. The Central government accounts for 90% of the funds for them, while the Karnataka state government provides the rest,” said Department of Women and Child Development official. Anganwadis still await response from the government.
Sale of junk food in school canteens is risking the health of students. >Page 3
A slum exists within a government school campus in Shivaji Nagar. >Page 3
Drug abuse cases in the city are on the rise. >Page 4