Dailies

The Daily

BSERVER An IIJNM Publication

Monday, 3 April, 2017

Metal in Vrishabhavaty waters poisons farm yeilds Aishwarya Iyer aishwarya.i@iijnm.org BENGALURU: Farmers in and around Kumbalgodu, Bidadi and Gopahalli who depend on the Vrishabhavaty River for irrigation are facing losses and health issues due to large scale metal contamination in the river’s waters.

A study done by the Ashoka Trust for Environment and Ecology (ATREE) has revealed that 50 percent of the Vrishabhavaty River water is contaminated with heavy metal effluents like chromium, nickel and lead, coming from the Peenya Industrial Area.

“The water that we now use on our fields is very dirty. Our skin itches. My brother got some rashes last month on his hands and the doctors weren’t able to find the cause.

We have to continue with this to feed ourselves,” Lakshman Anna, a Gopahalli based farmer said.

Krishnakumar, a farmer from Bidadi has a similar story to tell. “My son helps me with field work and he suffers skin allergies. Despite knowing that the water will harm us and others, I cannot leave farming since it’s our only source of liveli-

The river flows through the villages in and around Kumbalgodu and Bidadi, polluted with plastic waste, untreated sewage waste, garbage and heavy metals like nickel and lead, filling the air with stench.

Courtesy: Mitali Goyal hood,” he said. Krishnakumar add- light black layer. This fetches me between 12am and 4am during the ed that the contaminated water also an amount that is 20 percent lesser study period suggesting that illegal affects his paddy yields leading to than the market price,” he said. discharge was highest in the middle losses. “I know the water I use for The ATREE research also found of the night when industries were irrigating my field is dirty. Due to out that the release of domestic quietly disposing untreated waste. this water, the paddy I grow has a and industrial effluents was highest “I have a farmhouse in Bidadi

Cops list out Bengaluru’s serial traffic violators Mitali Goyal mitali.g@iijnm.org BENGALURU: Over 50,000 traffic violation cases are still pending in various traffic police stations across the city, and a recent document published by Bangalore Traffic Police (BTP) has listed 500 traffic violators with high numbers of cases registered against them.

Serial violators are being told to pay delinquent fines or face strict legal action. “We have taken this initiative in order to make people understand the value of rules. All the pending fines need to be paid or else we will make sure take legal action will be taken against them,” said Chowdappa RV, additional commissioner of police (Traffic), South East Division, Bangalore.

Fines of over one lakh rupees are pending with the highest number

of cases recorded against a single vehicle standing at 153.

The exact date to pay the fines has still not been disclosed by the BTP. A few of the listed violators have denied breaking the law and oppose paying the fines.

Puttaswamy, 36, who has been charged with over 60 traffic violation cases said: “I don’t even remember violating the rules once.

I think BTP has started to charge people for fake fines.”

Indirathirth, 35, who has been accused by the BTP of breaking a traffic signal at Malleswaram said: “It’s been two years since I visited Malleswaram. I am not in the habit of breaking any traffic rules. I am surely not going to pay the fine.”

“With every fine made,” said MN Sreehari, who has over 32 years of experience in the field of

traffic engineering, “a receipt is issued to the violator and the violator needs to show the receipt to the centre in order to dissolve the fine.

So, I do not think that making fake fines is even possible.”

V Bhagyaraj, 33, who has been charged with 37 violations, said he thinks the initiative to get violaters to pay up is good. “I am sure people are now going to understand the need for traffic rules. Also, strict action should be taken against people who do not pay fines on time.”

Sreehari, however, doubts the initiative will yield positive results.

“Putting up fines is not going to help decrease the number of cases registered against traffic violators.

Stricter traffic rules, with interest being charged for late payment of fines, can be an alternate solution to the problem,” he said.

where I do farming. The researchers doing study on the Vrishabhavathy water are focusing only on urban areas and have left out the developing areas like Bidadi which are crippling the river. Mahindra has set up a plant there and they are now forcing us farmers to sell our lands for their commercial purposes. The ground water as well as surface water quality is deteriorated,” professor (retired) Jamadagni of the Indian Institute of Sciences said.

“We are indirectly letting heavy metals like nickel, chromium, lead enter our food chain. The soil becomes toxic due to the polluted water. Crops grow on this toxic soil and we consume these crops,” he added.

Veena Srinivasan, chief researcher at ATREE said that the mixing up of heavy metal waste with sewage water is making it impossible for the sewage treatment plant at the Peenya Industrial Estate to function at its full capacity. This is despite the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) mandating ‘red category’ industries to use effluent treatment plants and not discharge any water into external outlets.

No end to illegal construction and encroachment in Mysore district Ayushee Chaudhary ayushee.c@iijnm.org

The Karnataka High Court directed the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to re-inspect mining activities in Hirekati, Mysore district following a public interest litigation alleging illegal mine encroachment by private miners.

The public interest litigation (PIL) filed in February last year by Jayaram M, a villager, alleges that private owners have encroached over 70 acres of land illegally for mining purposes in Hirekati. This in turn is raising serious environmental and health concerns for over 200 families who reside in the area.

“Private individuals were given land on lease in Hirekati. They

were given around 24 acres but have expanded their mining activities to over 100 acres. There five such private individuals here,” Rakshith Jois, advocate for the petitioner, said. “Due to this illegal mining activity, residents complain of noise pollution, air pollution and occasional tremors. Besides this, there are three ancient temples which would be eventually damaged if such activities continue at this pace,” he added.

Villagers in and around Hirekati also complain that the extended mining activities have severely affected their health. “Several villagers suffer from asthma due to the stone and dust particles in the air,” Jois said.

Continued on Page 4

Metro To pay or not to pay: Consumers now have choice 2

The Daily Observer

Monday, 3 April, 2017

Sonal Agarwal sonal.a@iijnm.org BENGALURU: Service charges are still being levied by several restaurants, despite an announcement on 14th of December, 2016 made by the Department of Consumer Affairs regarding service charges being discretionary for the customer.

In many parts of the country, customers are still not able to exercise their discretion on whether to pay service charge or not, and several restaurants have been levying service charges in their bills, expecting customers to pay even if they don’t wish to.

The Department of Consumer Affairs, in agreement with the Hotel Association of India, New Delhi, recently published a clarification stating that service charges levied by hotels and restaurants in the range of 5 percent to 20 percent are not compulsory for a customer to pay.

The ministry came up with the clarification after several complaints were registered on the consumer helpline. The published clarification also said that a person dissatisfied with the service can

have the charges waived off.

Gurpreet Singh Tikku, a food blogger, often visits restaurants and cafés and finds it confusing that rates on menu cards are different from what he is charged on the bill. “How would a customer know that the charges are discretionary?

It is not written on the bill or the menu that they are optional and it is embarrassing to ask the server to take back the bill and remove the charges,” he said.

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), on the other hand, came up with its own explanation justifying service charges.

According to a circular issued by NRAI: “In order to avoid confusion, it is best in everyone’s interest that the information regarding amount of service charges should be clearly mentioned or displayed

by restaurants on their menu cards so that customers are well aware of this charge before availing the services and can use their discretion of not using the facility offered by the restaurant.”

Several eateries have mentioned the service charge on their menus, but they have not identified the charge as optional.

The Grill House, on Brigade Road, is one such café. It levies a 10 percent service charge on every bill. When asked, the manager responded: “It is mentioned in the menu clearly that we levy 10 percent service charge. So, customers are informed about the charges before they order anything. This in no way is breaking the rules.”

The NRAI has said: “There are even judicial pronouncements to support that “service charge” can be

Amid BS-IV rulling, Tata launches Tigor

Marketing Head of Tata Motors, Vivek Srivatsa, launches the Tata Togpr on Bengaluru on Monday March, had banned the sale and Talking Talking about about Tata’sTata’s newest launch, newest Prabhakar Thakur registration of all BS III compliant the launch, ‘Tigor,’ the Srivatsa ‘Tigor,’ said Srivatsa that it said is prabhakar.t@iijnm.org vehicles from 1st April which led athat “revolutionary” it is a “revolutionary” car for today’s car for today’sand young fast and paced fast generation. paced genBENGALURU: All Tata Motors to up gradation of emission norms young He debunked claims that the new vehicles are BS (Bharat Stage) IV for all vehicles across the country eration.

He debunked is a resultclaims in lowthat sales the“Tignew complaint, Vivek Srivatsa, Market- to BS IV level. A bench of Justices launch launch is anisentirely a resultnew in low car sales which“Tigtaring Head of Tata Motors, said at Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta or or is aandifferent entirely new set ofcarcustomers,” which tarthe sidelines of an event launching decided on the case saying that such gets getssaid. a different set of customers,” the new Tata “Tigor”, at a hotel in a step was needed to S the “menace he he Thesaid. car will be available in both Beangaluru on Monday. of pollution”.

The and car will diesel be variants available-inRevoboth Srivatsa Srivatsasaid saidthat that Tata Tata does does not “Because “Because wewe do not do have not have any such any petrol petrol1.2L andpetrol dieselengine variants and- Revohave any leftover stocks of BS III stock, such stock, we will we not will be nothitbeby hitthis by tron tron 1.05L 1.2L petrol diesel engine engine.and Revocompliant vehicles. decision this decision of of thethesupreme supreme court,” torq torq 1.05L diesel engine.

The The Supreme Supreme Court, Court, on on 29th Srivatsa said.

charged by hotels and restaurants.

There have been cases like the Nitin Mittal vs Pind Baluchi, (2012) which was registered under National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), section 444, Ram Bagh Palace Hotel, Jaipur vs The Rajasthan Hotel Workers Union, Jaipur (1976) which clearly proves that it is a matter of policy for a restaurant to decide if service charge is to be levied or not.”

Different reasons were given for levying charges and not making it optional in the bill. Some restaurateurs said they were not aware of the need to inform customers, others called Indians misers while few had altogether a different view.

“If service charge is completely removed, then it will in turn affect the staff,” said a server are Smally’s Cafe. “If service charge becomes

discretionary, the customers pay the tip only to the staff working upfront and it doesn’t get equally divided among all the staff members. It becomes unfair to the other members of the staff.”

But there are also cafés and restaurants that stopped charging service charge after the clarification. The staff at the Matteo Café said that after the announcement was made, changes were made in the software and service charges were removed from the billing format. Bhagini, another restaurant in Bengaluru, does not levy service charge. “We feel that if a customer is pleased and satisfied with the service, they pay tip as per their wish,” he said.

While the question of the right to use discretion remains controversial, most customers are unaware of the compulsory taxes involved.

On the other hand, the Karnataka Pradesh Hotels and Restaurants Association (KPHRA) is trying to implement the new system. Though, the customers are hoping that confusion is settled once GST gets rolling on July 1, 2017.

Trouble brews for Baahubali release in Karnataka Bhakti Tambe bhakti.t@iijnm.org Bengaluru- Kannada Okkoota, an organization led Vatal Nagaraj, an ex-MLA from Chamarajnagar, has warned film distributors and theatre owners against releasing Baahubali 2.

The warning came in the wake of actor Sathyaraj’s statement that allegedly disrespected Karnataka by supporting Tamil Nadu during the Cauvery disputes. Nagaraj requested the media to stop showing the trailers and promos of Bahubali. “Every channel is glorifying the movie, but it is a question of the state’s honour and respect. Actors should remain actors and refrain from passing derogatory remarks.” he said In addition to this, the former MLA asked the government to provide water to drought-hit areas in the state. “Areas like Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Kolar, Bellari in rural Bangalore are facing severe water shortage. Farmers are in trouble as there is no water for agriculture. Water must be provided to these areas from Mekedatu dam in Kanakapura Taluk,” he de-

manded.

Pravin Kumar Shetty, President of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), has supported the protest and condemned the release of Baahubali 2. “Sathyaraj has to apologise for the remarks made against Karnatak,” he said. On April 19, Kannada Okkoota along with KRV will protest in front of the offices of the District Commissioners in the drought prone areas for their demands.

Earlier, in March, the Pro- Kannada groups had sent a memorandum to the president of Karnataka Film Chamber Of Commerce to stall the release of the film.

Inox Cinemas, Bangalore said that they are not aware of any such warnings and the movie is set to release in all their theatres across the city.

The Kannada Outfit however said that this is a cautionary suggestion and not a binding order and is intended to alert the film distributors and theatre owners . Baahubali 2 is set for release on April 28

Metro

The Daily Observer

Monday, 3 April, 2017

3

City expert committees non functional Rishiraj Bhagawati rishiraj.b@iijnm.org BENGALURU: A number of expert committees set up by civic bodies in the city do not function independently, while others have not met for years.

In November 2015, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Pallike (BBMP) set up a ‘tree committee’ to oversee the felling of trees in Bengaluru for various construction works, including the Namma Metro extension project. The tree committee has met only once since its inception.

“It is only for namesake, the tree committee has little power to change policy decisions of any civic body,” said Dr. TV Ramachandra, head of department of the Centre for Ecological Studies, IISc, Bengaluru.

In the absence of a response from the tree committee to a petition filed by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to cut trees along Mysuru and Kanakapura roads for extending Namma Metro’s network, the latter has now decided to go ahead with the extension of the Metro network without official permission.

The BMRCL has now decided to cut trees along Mysuru and Kanakpura roads for the Metro extension plans in the area, in the absence of an official permission from the BBMP expert committee which monitors the cutting of trees.

Credit: Leo Reagan [File Picture] The public information officer of the BBMP declined to comment on the issue despite several attempts

by The Daily Observer.

Dr. Ramachandra, who is part of the non-functional tree committee,

Racial attacks against African nationals intensify Azmia Riaz azmia.r@iijnm.org

BENGALURU:On March 28, two Nigerian students were wrongfully persecuted and attacked as retaliation for the death and suspected drug overdose of a 19-year-old boy in Greater Noida. Endurance Amarawa and Precious Amalsima were attacked brutally inside the city; they were later admitted to a nearby hospital with fractures and facial injuries. Nine other Nigerians residing in the area were attacked by the mob soon after this incident.

The Association of African Students in India (AASI) immediately released a warning to students across the country instructing them to stay at home. “The Delhi Chapter has requested the Indian government to take immediate action. The African student community has grown tired of blank promises and hollow appeasement,” explained Bokor Moussa, President of AASI’s Bangalore chapter.

Sehba Imam, a social worker organised a drive ‘Come out to show we care’ in solidarity with the targeted community in Greater Noida and the National Capital Region (NCR). “Cases were filed and five African nationals were arrested.

They were released due to a lack of evidence leading to the mob’s fury,” she explained.

Following the death of a Ugandan woman on February 2, Bangalore witnessed another curious incident involving an African national on March 13th. In the same area of Kothanur, a Nigerian man died in an accident. Balu, the Head Constable of the Kothanur police station dismissed the fresh case as having been caused by the skidding of the bike of the deceased. However, the African community believes that what occurred was a pre-planned murder.

Legal adviser to the Nigerian community here, Bosco Kaweesi, dismisses that it was an accident.

“What we need now is a free and fair investigation. Florence’s (the Ugandan victim) case was sidelined by calling her a prostitute and bringing in unnecessary elements to the case. This time they are calling a murder an accident.”

“What really shocks me about this incident is how there was absolutely no provocations to these incidents.” explains David Amun, general secretary of the AASI. He explains that no direct informa-tion has been received about the death.

He adds that police reports and eye witness accounts state “Two Nigerian men were riding on their bikes when 3 or 4 bikes with men wielding cricket bats began to follow them. They cornered them to

the side of the road and began hitting one of the men and cracked his skull. The other man ran away to save his life.”

Reverend Wandoh Timothy who hails from Chad has been a victim of racial attacks himself. In 2013, he was attacked by 12 men. “I am a man of God who is married to an Indian woman and have a daughter who is an Indian citizen, I have still not received acceptance from this society. I can’t even imagine what it must be like for these students.”

He believes that the situation has worsened because of a lack of empathy and awareness within India about this prevailing racism.

Abubakar Kabiru who is from Abuja, Nigeria, was an engineering student in India for more than five years until 2014. Having studies in NCR, the racism that he felt from the Indian people is a memory he wishes would stop haunting him.

“I would never return to India,” he says. “I never had a real friend there. Even among themselves they never see an evil thing and stop it.

It worries me that the incidents only continue to happen and the law does not seem to care,” he added.

Abubakar advices his countrymen not to visit India unless the situation changes. As headlines continue to disappoint, one wonders if that day will ever come.

is also part of an expert committee set up by the state government to oversee the rejuvenation of Bel-

landur and Varthur Lakes, in association with the Lake Development Authority and eight other government departments.

The committee, which has come out with an action plan for the rejuvenation of the lakes, is waiting for its report to be acted upon by the government departments. “It has been eight month since we submitted the report. Nobody has acted upon it as yet,” Dr. Ramachandra said.

These committees usually include experts in the subject that it is concerned with, a few policy makers, along with some eminent citizens of the city.

“The reason these committees were set up in the first place was to put in place a democratic structure of operation for these civic bodies,” Amith Palavoor, an activist and former journalist who is involved with multiple urban projects including the (now scrapped) steel flyover, said.

“Whatever the reasons might be, if they don’t meet regularly and offer suggestions and solutions, it defeats the whole purpose of these citizen bodies,” Mr. Palavoor concluded.

Basaveshwara International Museum, yet to be repaired, awaits government support Yogita Chainani yogita.c@iijnm.org BENGALURU City-based organisation Basaveshwara Citizen Forum on Monday said that the completion of the Basaveshwara International Museum at Kudalasangama, in Bagalkot district of Karnataka, has been pending for over six years now with no solution in sight.

In a press conference held in Bengaluru, members of the forum said that the government has not taken any step to complete the halfconstructed government museum,

leading to the rise of illegal activities like gambling in the premises.

“We want the project to get completed so that we can generate revenue for the maintenance of the property. But, the government is has ignored its completion for 6 years now,” Shiva Kumar Aaradhya, President of Basaveshwara Citizen Forum, said.

A similar fate has struck the Sri Siddhalingeshwara Swami Temple in Yadiyur, Karnataka, which has been under repair since 2010 and no progress has allegedly been observed in this regard.

Basaveshwara citizen forum held a press conference at the press club today picture courtsey:Yogita Chainani

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Monday, 3 April, 2017

News

The Daily Observer

National Introspect, Don’t Blame EVMs For Punjab: EC Tells AAP

Courtesy: The Quint

The Election Commission hit out at AAP for alleging that EVMs were tampered with and asked the party to introspect on the reasons for its defeat in the Punjab polls.

AAP described this incident as unfortunate.

Don’t stop the party

Kashmir must choose between tourism and terrorism, says PM Modi

Man behind liquor ban sulks as Chandigarh bars and pubs go dry

200 ‘harassed’ CISF jawans move Karnataka high court

Courtesy: New Indian Express

Courtesy: Silive

Courtesy: Udayavani

Chandigarh-based activist Harman Sidhu who filed a PIL against shops selling liquor along major highways in the country, had only one thing in mind — stopping people from drinking and driving.

He never wanted popular watering holes in cities to shut down he said.

Two hundred CISF jawans moved the Karnataka High Court after various attempts by them to lodge a complaint fell flat. They alleged harassment by seniors who provided them with poor food, didn’t pay allowances and that they were forced to work in harsh environments.

Venezuela opposition turns ire on Supreme Court judges

Leftists on verge of victory in Ecuador, conservative demands recount

Expressing his anguish at the death of Kashmiris during violent clashes with security forces, PM Modi reached out to the valley’s youth on Sunday, saying they must choose between tourism and terrorism.

International Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner visits Iraq

Courtesy: cnbc.com

Jared Kushner, U.S. White House Senior Adviser and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, is visiting Iraq with Marine General Joseph Dunford, a senior Trump administration official said on Sunday. The White House hasn’t stated an official reason for his visit yet.

Trump presses China on North Korea ahead of Xi talks

Courtesy: Asiaone

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday said using trade as a lever to secure Chinese cooperation against North Korea. He also suggested that Washington might deal with Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes on its own if need be.

Courtesy: Reuters

Venezuela’s opposition lawmakers said on Sunday that they will push for the removal of Supreme Court judges whom they accuse of acting on behalf of the ruling Socialists.

This comes after the top tribunal briefly assumed control of Congress last week.

Quarries and Mines shake Health and Environment in Hirekati ( Contd. from 1) He added, “The miners have had their licences renewed on several occasions since the 80s and with each renewal they encroached more and more land illegally.”

“Illegal mining affects the ground water level of the area, which may also lead to acute water shortage in the future,” Mr. Ramesh, superintendent of the Quarry Stone Management Dept under the Mining and Geology Department, Bengaluru, said. He added that other than diseases like asthma, mining also often leads to silicosis as the crushing and blasting activities release a lot of minute silicon particles in the air.

The case was first heard by the court on 29 April last year. Later, on instructions from the court, KSPCB presented a report after inspecting the site in February this year. However, as the report was based on a single day’s inspection of the site,

The court was adjourned today until April 13th.. the court under the chief justice has visit. Even then the results were in asked KSPCB to inspect further our favour,” Jois said.

The case stands on hold till a reand come up with another detailed report, which looks into the plastic port is prepared by KSPCB measurintensity of the emissions caused ing the pollution activities caused by the mining in the nearby areas. by the mining activities.

“They (KSPCB) have been asked The court was adjourned today unto inspect and prepare a detailed re- til the next week. port after at least three to four visits. KSPCB had initially prepared a report just on the basis of a day’s

Courtesy: Reuters

Leftist government candidate Lenin Moreno claimed victory in Ecuador’s presidential vote on Sunday. This would mean a shift to the right in South America, but the conservative party asked for a recount as some supporters took to the streets in protest.

Bhakti Tambe bhakti.t@iijnm.org Chief minister Manohar Prarrikar’s decision to crack down on late night parties in Goa has hit its tourism industry hard. Hotel owners fear that they might have to incur heavy losses due to Parrikar’s decision.

“Our economy is based on tourism and entertainment. If we are constraining access to all these entertainment resources, tourists will be unhappy. Goa is all about cruise parties and a glamorous night life. This move will hamper the tourism business in the state,” said Dimo Smirnoff, owner of Bora Bora life in Morjim, Goa. Within a week of being sworn in as the Goa chief minister, Parrikar asked police to crack the whip on late night parties and drug trade.

“Strict instructions have been given to the police department to crack down on the late-night parties and trafficking or sale of drugs in the state,” he said at a press conference.

“If safety is the concern then they should focus on improving security in the state. Goa was safe, is safe and the government should work hard to maintain this status instead of banning nightlife,” said Mario, bar manager at Tito’s Night Life in Baga. “There are several places in Goa, doing well because of the night life and late-night parties. If this decision is implemented seriously then many people will go out of business overnight,” he added.

Ministry of Tourism to simplify medical tourism in India Romita Majumdar romita.m@iijnm.org Delhi: Ministry of Tourism is going to facilitate the increasing number of medical tourists coming to India by introducing e-Medical visa services.

Tourists availing this visa will get special facilities like extension of duration of stay up to 6 months based on feedback from their respective Foreign Regional Registration Officers.

Further this visa will also allow medical tourists triple entry on a single visa as opposed to the standard practice of single entry.

Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Dr Mahesh Sharma also added that in case of emergencies a Medical mission based abroad can decide on requests from accredited hospital in India within 48 hours of

receiving the request.

“This is been done to promote medical tourism in India and also show the world that India cares about its visitors and wants to extend the best treatment that it can offer,” said Nirmal Sisodia, an official at Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India.

India has witnessed a massive increase of around 50 per cent in the number of medical tourists visiting India since last year.

Presently foreign tourist arrival on e-Visa stands at 1.70 lakh in February 2017, registering a growth of 45.2 per cent over 2016.

In 2014, the number of foreign tourists visitng india was recorded to be 75,688, while the number stood at 1,34,344 in 2015. Last year, a total of 2,01,333 foreign tourists visited India on medical purposes.

The Daily Observer

Woman dies in Mahadevpura; Murder suspected Mrigakshi Dutta mrigakshi.d@iijnm.org Aarohi Pathak aarohi.p@iijnm.org A 21-year-old woman fell from a window on the ninth floor of Gopalan Grandeur Apartments and died on the spot, between 9.30 and 10 pm yesterday, said the police.

The woman, identified as Pelvin, was a native of Assam, and worked as a maid at near Udi circle in Mahadevpura, said Ravi S, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime).

He also added that she was brought here by Milan Industries based in New Delhi.

The body has been taken to the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital. The police refused to comment further. “We do not know whether this was a suicide or murder. For now, the police is investigating the matter,” added Ravi.

A case of unnatural death has been registered, said Nagaraj, Inspector at Mahadevpura police station. Vishal Matt and Garima Matt, Pelvin’s employers, were at the Phoenix mall when the incident took place.

5 Metro Bengaluru vets threaten indefinite strike Monday, 3 April, 2017

Chhavi Nagpal chhavi.n@iijnm.org The Karnataka State Veterinary Inspector Association on Monday threatened to go on an indefinite strike against the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services’ lack of initiative to solve pending internal issues like delayed promotions.

The association is demanding adequate promotional opportunities

for the veterinary doctors and “improvement in the efficiency of the department” to encourage greater interest in their work.

Recommendations of the association have not been implemented by the government even five years after their proposal. President of KSVIA, Dr. H. Panduranga, said that not only has the government denied them the promotions they deserve, but a delay in implementation of such orders is worsening

conditions for the department.

“If they really wanted to work out a truce, the government could have implemented the decision in days. We have decided to make it an indefinite strike but will still be conducting emergency operations and relief camps in rural areas. The farmers and their animals remain our priority,” said Dr. Nataraj T.H, General Secretary, KSVIA. The association also demanded for perks like paid leaves and a

Vets with the KSVIA, declared an indefinite strike at a Press Conference in Bangalore today.

salary hike. They pointed out that due to lack of opportunities, most post-graduates and PhDs working there (who form 20 per cent of the workforce) are leaving for better opportunities.

KSVIA had given a written notice to the government six months ago about their intention to boycott the department and go off work but have received no replies from the government yet.

Pic Courtesy: Chhavi Nagpal

Superstition preys on rural Karnataka Arunava Banarjee arunava.b@iijnm.org Witchcraft and black magic in India are not just a leaf taken from a book; it is a living reality that directs the lives of several thousand Indians scattered across villages and cities. The act and practice of black magic, although ancient and redundant, has managed to retain its presence, and practitioners are easily accessible.

“Things like black magic is not really present in the city. It is more commonly seen in the outskirts and other rural areas,” says Rahim, a Bengaluru police inspector. However, in spite of being the country’s information technology (IT) and research hub, Bengaluru is not free of the shadows of black magic.

Frequent newspaper clippings are a testimony to this fact; most reports of black magic involve a death.

Sacrificial offerings of children and women, witch-hunts and other forms of heinous killings committed under the influnce of supersti-

tious beliefs have become a common in areas across Karnataka. To address these crimes, the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman Evil and Superstitious Practices and Black Magic Bill was drafted in 2013 to criminalise 23 superstitious rituals. The Bill aims at criminalizing certain inhuman practices like human sacrifice, exorcism, made snana and rituals with self inflicting injury.

The Bill has been debated on several occasions in Vidhan Soudha, the last time being in December 2016. The proposed legislation, commonly know as the Anti-Supersittion Bill, was renamed the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Bill and has not yet become an act.

The Bill could not be passed as it faced heavy opposition in Parliament on grounds that it aims at banning some traditional actiuvities like worshipping the feet of

religious leaders. However, after the Bill was stalled in parliament for a fourth time, cabinet ministers said that the parliament needs more time to study the Bill before it can become an Act. Thea earlier drafts were not tabled in the Assembly in fear of strong opposition to the regulation of some traditional religious practices.

In January, the body of a 10-yearold girl was recovered from Magadi in Ramanagara district bordering Bengaluru. Police investigations revealed that the girl was sacrificed as part of a ritual to help a man recover from paralysis.

The practice of witchcraft and black magic are a characteristic of some pagan religions. Paganism focuses on the earth worship. According to the Pagan Federation International, there are millions of people around the world who practice some kind of paganism, including Wiccan, or withcraft.

“Religion is a part of our life. We cannot do away with it, and some people take undue advantage of the

beliefs of simple- minded people and cheat them,” Aksatha R, a Bangalore- based high school teacher said. “The influence of superstitious beliefs can be seen in lemons and chilies hung up all around the city,” she added.

Black magic practitioners in Bengaluru have adapted to the digital revolution, and looking for the right shaman to ward of evil spirits harming you are only a website away. Several sadhus, such as Swami Rajinder Sharma, who has his office in Marathahalli, promise to cast off bad luck using black magic. Sharma’s customers range from businessmen and local politicians to people working in the service sector.

The average charge to employ black magic practitioners in Bengaluru ranges from Rs 500 to lakhs of rupees. “These things are real. Just because science has not discovered the workings of tantricism yet does not mean it is not effective. I had employed a shaman to help me

recover from financial losses and the results were incredible,” said Nagendra MG, a Bengaluru- based trader.

“It is difficult to ask people to brush off or not act on their beliefs.

A regulation penalizing certain practices that may encourage criminal activity should be legislated.

It will help in proper development of rural areas in the state,” Rahim said.

Internationally, several countries has established new laws or updated existing criminal codes to punish those who kill in the name of paganism, including Saudi Arabia, Papua New Guinea, Ghana and Indonesia, according to The Richest. In India Maharashtra paved the way for an anti-superstion Bill in 2013 when anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar’s draft bill criminalizing practices like the use of black magic to cure ailments and human sacrifice was passed as an act following the activists murder.

6

Monday, 3 April, 2017

Metro

The Daily Observer

Dominant Sindhu brushes Marin aside for Indian Open badminton title Aditya Narayan aditya.n@iijnm.org PV Sindhu was in her element at the Siri Fort Complex in New Delhi on Sunday, as she beat Olympic Champion Carolina Marin 21-19 21-16 in the final of the India Open Super Series.

It was some measure of revenge for Sindhu, as she had lost to Marin in the final of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro last year.

Like on that day in Rio, Sindhu won the first game. She was dominant in the opening exchanges as the Spaniard took time to find her feet. In no time, Sindhu had raced to a 5-2 lead, but that is when Marin started to find her range.

The two matched each other shot for shot, and Sindhu went into the mid-game interval with an 11-9 lead. Marin was much the better player in the interval and leveled proceedings at 16-16, before she took the lead for the first time in the match to go within two points of winning the first game.

But Sindhu then reeled off three straight points to take the first game and send the home crowd into delirium. But there was still a need for

net, was on full display as she pounced on every opportunity she got.

As the game wore on, Marin uncharacteristically made a lot more errors.

This was a sweet tournament victory for Sindhu, considering the opponents she had to get past to win the title. The Indian no. 1 had to get past her compatriot SainaNehwal in the quarterfinal and put in a fabulous performance to beat the Korean, Sung Ji Hyun in the last P.V Sindhu wins India Open Super Series defeating Carolina Marin by 21-16 four.

Pic Courtesy: Hindustan Times If there was any doubt Sindhu to be cautious. She had won from there on, there was no lookas to who the best Inthe first game in Rio too, but the ing back. Sindhu ensured that she dian badminton player, Sindhu just Spaniard had come back storming stayed aggressive throughout the in the second game. game, not letting the Spaniard a rubbished all those as she leveled the head-to-head with Marin, to But there was to be no repeat of way back into the game. that at the Siri Fort Complex. Sind- Sindhu’s smashes were pinpoint, win her second Super Series title. hu stormed out of the blocks to take and the most improved aspect of her This win may catapult Sindhu to a 4-0 lead in the second game, and play in recent times, her play at the being the World No. 2.

Be it bringing more tourists to J&K, improving connectivity or mitigating climate change, Chenani-Nashri Tunnel offers many advantages @narendramodi Drink-driving is a serious issue but this ban won’t dissuade anybody. Only way is to enforce tough new punitive laws & make ppl responsible @ShekharGupta Breaking: Finance bill passed

by Lok Sabha, all amendments moved in RS rejected.

Not sure if most LS members even read them! Majority rules! @sardesairajdeep One thing common b/w attack on Africans in India& violence on Kashmiris is the dehumanisation in our society of those facing brutal violence @UmarKhalidJNU A state that is growing, generating more revenue- has capacity to borrow more. We have maintained strict fiscal discipline #Vision4Karnataka @CMofKarnataka

Bee Keeper Vinodhara Gowda, 47 years-old, who resides with his joint family in Hirabindadi, Dakshin Kannada. A resident of Mudigere, who migrated due to the spread of Thai sac brood in his bee colonies, lost more than half his colonies during that period. He is now left with two bee colonies, trying to protect them with all his effort. Many people in the Western Ghats have been affected due to this.

I will return to SC with a new Application in early May on the Ram Temple issue @Swamy39 I congratulate everyone on the passage of GSTLaws

by LokSabha. It is a landmark tax reform since independence.A historic day for all of us. @arunjaitley

Pic Courtesy: Abhishek Mitra Editor-in-chief: Rishiraj

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