Dailies 2013, Issue 6
Indian Institute Of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore
March 18, 2013
The ex-mayor of Bangalore has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had purged 73,000 voters from the electoral lists. P. R. Ramesh also claimed that during the BBMP elections, the BJP used bogus votes to retain power. PAGE 2 >>>
A milestone of misery
Three decades after the government began spraying the toxic insecticide endosulfan across the country, the forgotten families in Karnataka, whose lives have been irreversibly changed, have filed their 200th petition, seeking compensation from the government. `More on PAGE 3 >>>
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The Daily Observer| March 18, 2013
Ex-mayor alleges voter list purge
Credits: Krishnaprasad
By Krishnaprasad S
P.R. Ramesh addresses a press conference at the Bangalore Press club.
EX-mayor P R Ramesh has claimed that many illegalities in the final voters list published by the Election Commission on January 28th, 2013 in constituencies of Bangalore. The current voters list of the Chikpet constituency showed a total of 170,529 against that of 212, 620 during the corporation elections held during 2010 based on the electoral list of 2008. Despite the increase in population and growing migration of people from villages coming into city for jobs, the revised electoral rolls showed a difference of 42,091 voters. “The functioning of election commission is not in accordance with law. The preparation of revised voter’s list was entrusted to local bodies. “I have a great suspicion of manipulation in the revision of
voters,” said P R Ramesh during a press conference held here at Bangalore. Ramesh also alleged the involvement of the BJP government in this. H said that some people from the party were directly involved in the issue and the BJP government stood behind them. He also alleged that bogus votes were created during the BBMP elections in 2010 held after de-limitation and assembly elections. Numbers in 19 such constituencies of BBMP were found decreased without any explanation by the Election Commission. “In Chikpet segment, deletion of nearly 63,000 voters in the list is opposed to facts, unauthorized and illegal. “The electoral roll indicates consideration of names of voters’ dead, migrated and repeat-
ed”, alleged ex-mayor Ramesh. He also urged the Election Commission to consider the issue seriously. He also demanded a probe by the Commission to provide justice to the people. “It is necessary that the names of missing people be included in the revised list. It is a mandatory requirement. “People elect the representatives in the government and people should not be cheated like this,” said P R Ramesh. Responding to the allegations, a senior spokesmen at the BJP said : “It is a plot by some of the people who are against the BJP government. “They want to prove that the government is weak and it can do nothing. “But such things keep happening and one should not give importance to this.”
Touts thrive in Regional Passport Office TWO applicants seeking emergency passports were conned by touts last month. Touts in the regional passport office in Koramangala con the clients who approach for emergency passport issued under Tatkal scheme. They are preyed upon by fraud touts, who trick the clients by assuring them an issue of fresh passport within seven days from the day of application. These frauds obtain triple the amount of money from the clients assuring the delivery of passport without delay. Reportedly, the clients are assured that passport will be issued without delay as the sum of money will be divided to passport issuing authorities and police. The ignorant passport aspirants are eventually conned when they find no trace of the intermediary when they try to contact through phone or in person. No copies of verification certificates or standard af-
fidavits demanded by the passport-issuing authority are obtained by these touts from the applicants. Last year, a similar instance led an applicant to file a complaint to the police about the ongoing graft. This instance led to the arrest of three illegal agents in last December. Madiwala police has registered 12 such cases of fraud in 2012 and two cases in the month of February in 2013. “It is specifically mentioned in public notice not to fall prey to such fraud touts who might levy ridiculous amounts of money from the applicants, but still there is no decline in the number of cases registered each year,” said Mr. Raja Gowder, Deputy Superintendent of Police. “Three individuals were arrested last December in connection with such a cheating case, when the person who filed the petition submitted relevant images of touts he had engaged with,” continued Mr. Gowder. Similarly, exorbitant rates of money are charged by the
unauthorized agents for renewal service and duplicating service of the passports. “I paid Rs. 6500 to an agent so as to duplicate my passport and I received my duplicated passport within three days,” said Karthik Nath, a technology expert working with Cisco in electronic city.
“I don’t want my passport to be caught up in red tapes and I wanted it without any delay since I have to fly shortly,” replied Mr. Karthik when asked about the reason for consulting with an agent. The Passport office had recommended police supervision earlier to curb such
activities. “Lack of police supervision has intensified the fraud occurring with the passport applicants. “Any instance of passport office employees found working with such agents will be considered as a serious offence,” he said.
Credits: Deepu
By Deepu Aby Varghese
The tatkal scheme in issuing passports is especially susceptible to middlemen who prey on applicants
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March 18, 2013| The Daily Observer
By Deepu Aby Varghese
Menon acquired RTI information related to the land distribution for the road development which clearly pointed towards the truth. Nevertheless, the judiciary is blinded by money and the struggle for justice still continues on the side of M G Road. Menon, 62, suffers from old age related health problems. This man sits on the stone bench holding his faded umbrella under the scorching sun. Passersby seldom notice the old man. Media in Bangalore has already turned a blind eye towards him.
Credits: Deepu
For Sukumaran Menon, the outcome of a two year long protest against injustice, under the scorching sun in M G Road, is more trouble and misery. The retired engineer hails from a small town called Triprayar located in Trissur, Kerala. He came to Bangalore 49 years ago to join Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). Now, seven years after his retirement, he is on the footpath craving for justice. Menon sits on the stone bench in M G Road near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at 8 am and continues to sit
riod of his life working strenuously, he managed to buy 1.5 acres of land beside Hosur Road in 1992, and also constructed a house there. But Menon and his family could not live under their own roof for many days. Government of Karnataka stepped into their lives claiming the possession of the plot as it is situated adjacent to the NICE road. After months of long tussle between government and Menon, he and his family were forcefully pushed out of their habitat and his house was demolished. Sukumaran Menon is contesting two civil cases in the Supreme Court of In-
Sukumaran Menon has been demanding that the government return his land. Menon, 62, does not think that his actions will lead to him getting his land back, but hopes that his actions would set an example to others.
there until 6 pm sticking to his fast. His ‘Samadhana Satyagraha’ started on March 24, 2011. Menon worked in BEML for 42 years. He recalls those days as “days of struggle.” He, along with his wife, ran a dairy farm after his working hours in factory to meet both ends. Spending the prime pe-
dia against the government of Karnataka in the hope of winning back his hard earned asset. The cases are still subjudice. “I don’t have any faith in the judiciary. Officials have been bribed. “Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd. and Karnataka Industrial Development Board are the culprits,” said Menon.
“No media person has ever showed up during these 726 days of protest,” said Menon. Police frequently asks him to vacate the stone bench but has never shaken his decision to stay back. He does not have hopes of getting back his assets, but he is determined to set an example for the “callous” society, he says.
Republican Party demands houses for Economically Weaker Sections
Credits: Nikita
62-year-old demands justice; stages two year fast
Members of the Republican Party of India stage a protest.
By Nikita Malusare
MEMBERS of the Republican Party have been demanding houses for the economically weaker sections (EWS) of the society under the Ashraya programme for the past 20 years. President of Karnataka Central Executive Committee member, M. Selvam, said, “To initiate the work we paid the ministers, tehasildar and district officer but nobody pays attention. How will the condition of Dalits improve if such a situation continues?” Survey no. 144 at Coalgate, Sarajpur, Hobli, Hanikal taluk was supposed to be allotted to EWS to build their houses. However the district officer have denied their repeated request and made them run from one officer to another. “500 families are homeless and are yet to get houses. So we demand of them to provide us with shelter under the Dr. Ambedkar Housing Scheme, Ashraya programme.” Under the pretext of development of SC and ST and Other Backward classes, schemes and various programmes are initiated but none reach the needy said the president. Under Ashraya Yojana Scheme financial aid is giv-
en to the homeless poor depending upon their income limit but the people under EWS are to be given houses for free of cost. In 2012, Metro reporter had reported the scam over Ashraya allegedly for distributing EWS land, which was to be used for construction of quarters for the politicians, officers and real estate agents priced at Rs.3 to 4 lakhs to the racketeers. The homeless people from distant places like Ulsoor, Mysore, Sarjapura had come together to join hands with the party to stage their demands in front of the DC’s office who has been dodging their demands for years now. A similar protest was staged in 2008, asking rights for over 12 acres of land at Doddanagamangala village, Begur Hobli , Hosur road which was sanctioned by the deputy commissioner, but the rights were yet to be given. Mangala, 28, Ayah (maid) in a government hospital, who is the sole earner of her house as her husband has passed away said, she hardly earns Rs. 1000 a month which entirely goes for the rent, “How should I survive? That is why we are demanding a house.” The district officer was not available for the comments.
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The Daily Observer| March 18, 2013
Contd. from Page 1
A milestone of misery
By Krishnaprasad S
chemicals including endosulfan. More than 90 villages in this part of Karnataka were affected due to the toxic chemical which not only destroyed the germs in the field but also the lives of people around it. The Endosulfan Victims Committee alleges that permissions from local authorities like Zilla panchayats and Taluq panchayats were not taken before the operation. However, the operation went on for 20 consecutive years continuously from 1980 to 2000. According to RTI reports, a total of 60,000 litres of endosulfan was sprayed in 20 years which was responsible for the destruction of thousands of lives in the region. The government departments have been busy pointing the finger at each other, while the Health d e -
partment has not taken single step to address the issue. The government then had directed the Horticulture department to provide solutions and provide compensation to the victims. However, the Horticulture department blames on Forest department and held it responsible for the neglect. According to recent reports from the committee and the district head, there are 5,231 endosulfan vic t i m s in South Canara district but the government has notified only 1,906 and the rest of the people are not able to access the medical camps. Sridhar alleged that State Human Rights Commission had also taken no action on the issue till today and the same commission had suggested that the government of Kerala provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs with monthly pension of Rs 5,000 to family of victims. “The issue was discussed in the session before the budget session started and nothing has been done to ensure safety and provide medical aid to these victims”, said Endosulfan Victims Committee. The victims are even today, fighting against diseases like cancer, heart problems and physical disabilities—the major side effects of the chemical. Several unfulfilled demands of the endosulfan victims include establishing a day care center, free scanning facilities, BPL cards, mobile medical centers, education and also employment to the affected families.
Credits: Krishnaprasad
OVER three decades after the government began the aerial spraying of endosulfan over the cashew orchards of South Canara in Karnataka, thousands of people still suffer from the horrific consequences of its after-effects. Despite submitting several memorandums and appeals to the government to extend support to the family of the victims no government body or organisation has come forward in the last 30 years to help these victims and their family. More than 300 families which were exposed to the now outlawed insecticide designed to control the tea-mosquito bug, now suffer from diseases like cancer and cerebral palsy, while others complain of respiratory illnesses as well as still births and birth defects in newborn children. Several victims also faced problems like hig fever for 20 days continously and also pregnancy problems after the insecticide was sprayed all over the area. The Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation (KCDC) was the body responsible for sprinkling endosulfan on the cashew fields which resulted in the many disabilities witnessed in the people in the region. Despite a press note by KCDC released in 1980 stating that endosulfan was one of the most dangerous and toxic chemicals
in use, it continued to conduct aerial operations and sprinkled endosulfan all over the cashew fields. The press note also stated that open wells present in the area must be closed and animals should not be let out for ten days after the chemical was sprayed. Unaware of this, many people expressed their anger saying that they did not get any such information from the government. Sridhar Gowda K, president of the Endosulfan Victims Committee, said: “None of the political parties are interested in endosulfan victims. The Supreme Court has banned the use of Endosulfan across the country, but what about the people who are already affected?” The Supreme Court in 1994 banned the use of toxic
The children of the victims of those exposed to endosulfan have suffered the brunt of the after-effects of the poisoning.
The Daily Observer| March 18, 2013
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Chief Minister lends government property to private groups
Lack of basic amenities at new living quarters spell doom for Ragigudda evictees
35 acres of land to be given to the religious groups.
By Krishnaprasad S
AFTER doling out crores of rupee as grants towards religious groups, Jagadish Shettar’s government has now decided to lend acres of government land on contract basis to the same groups. The decision was taken after a session with all the ministers along with Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, upheld majority in the session. According to the new land use plans, almost 35 acres of land in Bangalore, Ramnagar, Nelamangala, Haveri, Teerthahalli, Davangere, Belgaum and Udupi districts would be given to the relegious groups and trusts on contract basis for various purposes. It was also decided in the session that land would be given to build engineering colleges in Mangalore and Koppal. The session was called for a discussion in view of the upcoming assembly elections and around 47 demands were
approved in the cabinet. Meanwhile, five acres of land at Sompura near Nelamangala has been granted to Panchamasali Trust of Kudalasangama on contract basis for 30 years and ten guntas of land at Moodanidambur in Udupi district has been granted to Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Udupi to build Kannada Bhavana. 30 guntas of land at Chennagiri in Davanagere has been allotted to Gurusidda Rameshwara Bhovi Trust to construct a hostel. 1.25 acres of land at Kumbapura in Ramnagar has been granted to Ramnagar Taluq Kurubara Sangha. Two acres of land at Ganjigatti (Shiggaon Tq) in Haveri district has been granted to Kurubara Sangha. 1368 sq.mts of land at Gokak in Belgaum district has been allotted to Sri Dohar Kakkaiyya Jnanapeeta. The government has also granted 21 acres 10 guntas of land at Teerthahalli in Shimogha district to Tungabhadra Vidyavardhaka Trust at market price on contract basis.
Five acres of land at Gavipura of Sunkenahalli in Bangalore has been permanently allotted to Rashtrotthana Parishad, Bangalore. The Karnataka government also given nod to the Karnataka Housing Board’s 2404 acre mega project of building 50,000 residential complex estimated at a cost of Rs 335 crores at Sooryanagar 4th Stage near Jigani in Bangalore. The 165 acres land allotted to Vyalikaval House Building Co-operative Society at Nagavara in Bangalore, has been divided between the owner of the land and society out of which 108 acres of land has been allotted to society . The remaining has been allotted to the original owner of the land from whom the land was purchased by the government. Lift irrigation projects in several districts has been started. The biggest of these would be the Haveri Lift Irrigation Project costing Rs 690 crores.
RESIDENTS of Ragigudda slum are yet to move into the houses allotted to them as there is no electricity, no water connection, no doors and no sanitary fittings in those houses. Hasina, one of the allottees, said: “How do you expect us to stay in houses which have no doors, electricity or drinking water? “These houses are not habitable at all. The government does nothing for the poor.” The Ragigudda slum was demolished in 2009. The then Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa, had promised to build 1500 houses for the evicted by December 2010. The residents were then given squalid temporary sheds to live in. A few even rented a place somewhere else. Till now, only 850 houses have been constructed. The
said: “The allottees are still to clear electricity bill arrears amounting to Rs. 24 lakhs that they incurred while living in the slum. “The electricity board will provide electricity to these houses only after these dues are paid.” Meanwhile, the remaining 650 houses are yet to be completed. “Half of the original dwellers do not have a house at all. D. Jaganathan, who used to formerly work in the Central Reserve Police Force, said: “I had an accident and had to return home. “But, for the last three years, I do not have a house. We are living in extreme poverty here. We have been given tokens for houses by the welfare association, but there are no houses.” When quizzed about the delay in construction of houses, AE Rajashekhar, Project Engineer of the Ragigudda slum project, said:
Credit:Kakoli Mukherjee
Credit:Krishnaprasad S
By Kakoli Mukherjee
Ragigudda evictee, Hasina, cooks a meal in the open.
Chief Minister, Jagadish Shettar, inaugurated these units in November 2012. But the dwellers are unable to move in even after nearly four months after inauguration due to the absence of basic amenities. KS Mani, General Secretary of Vivekananda Welfare Association that works for the slum dwellers of Ragigudda,
“The delay was caused due to the hard rocky terrain of this place. “We took a lot of time to bring the ground to the same level. Also, we can build houses only if the people vacate the temporary sheds they are living in. The construction of the remaining houses will take another two years.”
The Daily Observer| March 18, 2013
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Price of domestic labour rises as EWS evictees battle for shelter By Sumit
EVICTION of residents from Economically Weaker Section (EWS) colonies in Ejipura and Ragigudda has led to a steep incline in domestic labour charges in neighbouring areas. The recent eviction carried out at the EWS colony in Ejipura has left the residents of the colony on the footpath. The few lucky ones have been shifted to another such colony off Sarjapur road. The sufferings are not only for the residents of the EWS colonies alone. People
living in the residential areas close by also echo their problems. This eviction has affected the residential areas in a very different manner. According to Rajendra Singh, a resident of National Games Village (NGV), said: “The domestic help cost has drastically gone up.” Mr. Singh holds the administration responsible for this. “Earlier a cook charged around 2, 000 rupees but now since the colony has been evicted, we have to tackle demands as high as 5, 000 rupees,” says Ramesh,
another resident. Those who have shifted base to Sarjapur do not have any different story to say. Abdul Jan, a hired auto driver feels that the local MLA has cheated them. “I have to travel fifteen kilometres to get started with my day. My auto remains with the owner who lives in Ejipura,” says Abdul. The slum residents hold N Harris, MLA, Shanthinagar, responsible for this unwarranted eviction. “They want to build a mall over here. We have been living here for more than a decade now.
“We have every legal paper regarding our houses but today we have to spend our nights on streets,” complains Kaveri. She worked as a maid servant but has now been eased of her services due to continuous leaves she had taken in the wake of the eviction. The problem is not one sided. Miseries of those evicted also affect the people of residential areas in more than one ways. There is a tremendous shortage of work force. Earlier the domestic help was easily available at afford-
able prices from the EWS colony. But now this work force has to be substituted from far off areas like Vivek Nagar and Ramnagar. This has increased the cost of domestic labour. The displaced people cannot afford to travel fifteen kilometres to continue at their previous work places. On the other hand, the employers are finding it difficult to employ people at higher charges. The problem, thus builds up in two directions. It is affecting both, the employee and the employers.
Youth denied access to premium sports infrastructure By Udita Chaturvedi
Appachu Ranjan, Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Karnataka, said: “It’s (sports facilities) more than enough for Bangalore. We have huge grounds available for sports.” The city has four public outdoor stadiums of 20-50 acres each and in- City kids unable to benefit from the available facilities door stadia. ciation, kabaddi association, hockey or cricket asThe outdoor stadiums are in the areas of Kora- sociations, are charged between Rs.1-2 lakhs for a mangala, Shantinagar, Wilson Garden and Kan- day’s use while students and government schools tiveera. The city also has a public swimming pool are allowed to use the stadium facilities for free. in Ulsoor. The grounds are also given to private schools and “In the next three months, we should also have private parties at the same price. a pool in Vidyanagar,” said Ranjan. Ranjan said: “The department also supplies Vidyanagar alone has some 50 acres of land for sports students with uniforms, equipments and sports purpose. other facilities in government schools.” According to the ministry, the land is available However, quite a few government schools in to the sports enthusiasts “at a nominal charges to the city only have some deflated footballs, a cricket private parties and associations whereas they are bat and broken badminton rackets, neatly kept in a available for free to students.” locked box in the school. At the same time, sports Various sports associations like football asso- school opened by the ministry in Vidyanagar is
Credit:Udita Chaturvedi
SPORTS enthusiasts in the city complained that they are denied access to government sports facilities. Often when individual students try to enter the premises for sports recreational purposes, they are often stopped by the security guards. Jagadish, 17, said: “I tried to enter the Koramangala stadium once or twice to play cricket with my friends but the guards shooed us away and asked us to find some other place. He said we needed special permission to play there.”
well equipped. Ranjan said: “Students from classes V to X are given academic and sports education here. These students are specially selected by the ministry from across the state, based on their excellence in sports, and brought here to improve their sporting abilities.” The students in this school are given travel allowance for tournaments, clothes, a healthy meal everyday and they even have specific sports coaches. The students selected are also given hostel accommodation, which has a capacity of 180 students and there are two such hostels. Though the state has some 4500 crore acre property in Karnataka, for sports, yet many are deprived of the use of these facilities. Besides the land, the government has a lot of sports policies, awards and incentives too to appreciate the players’ performance. However, it is a very small percentage of sports enthusiasts in Bangalore. H. Kirige, a sports coach, said: “Only the best players in the city get such advantages. What about the budding players and those young players who need encouragement to get into sports?” The ministry has a lot of plans in store to improve the quality of sports in the city as well as the state. “We are thinking about having 2 percent reservation in the MNC for sports students and would also like to open a sports university in Bangalore in the near future,” said Ranjan.
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March 18, 2013| The Daily Observer
By Krishnaprasad S
The Central Crime Branch of Police cracked down on a group of gamblers at a lodge near the Cottenpet Police Station. Krishna Comfort Deluxe Lodge is situated on K V Temple Street. Six people were arrested in this caseJoint Police Commissioner, Crime Branch (East), S Murugan, along with his team raided the lodge on Sunday night where cash bundles worth Rs 1,02, 270 were found. The six arrested in this raid were Karthik (38), Ramu (32), Ramkumar (38), Pinto (32), Mutturaj (28) and Sharavana (27), all residents of Bangalore. They were found along with a pack of playing cards. The case has been registered with the Cottonpet Police Station and an investigation has been initiated. Mr.S.Murugan said:“We raided the place and found cash and cards on the ground. Six people were immediately taken into custody. A case has been registered and we are investigating further.”
Sim card racket proves to be a lifesaver for immigrants in the city By Satyajith G D
SIM card racket is prevalent in the city as strict laws for buying prepaid SIM cards is not enforced. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recent guidelines state that pre-paid connections can be barred if you haven’t submitted valid documents to your service provider. In Aug. 2010, the Dot asked telecom players to stop activating prepaid connections without verification of documents. This move came in the light of SIM cards sold on footpaths with no valid documents. Telecom players in Bangalore had barred almost 20,000 prepaid connections last year. But with strict laws in force, people found it very difficult to get a SIM card in the city. After submitting the documentation, it takes a minimum of seven days to activate the SIM cards and there is a chance of barring your SIM
card if the documentation is not in the name of people with proof of residence. As an IT hub, most of the people are immigrants and find it very difficulty to get a SIM card in the new city with their documents, as they have no proof of residence. As per the department of telecommunication, any of these proofs are necessary to get a SIM card—passbook of any nationalized bank, driving license or photo identity of any recognized educational institution in the case of students. But students have been mostly affected by this as most of the telecommunications companies do not accept college identity proofs submitted by the students. Anoop, software professional, said: “I got my SIM card through the racket. I tried a lot in the beginning to get a SIM of my own. “Later I approached them and they charged me Rs. 300 for an activated SIM card and I don’t have much time to waste for the SIM card to be activated. So I got it through
Credit:Sathyajith G D
Police raid busts gambling racket in Cottonpet
A local shop that sells 2-3 SIM cards using forged docments daily
the racket and I don’t know whose identity this SIM card belongs to.” K P Satyanarayan sub inspector of police in Kengeri said: “In my premises, until now, we did not get any complaint regarding this. It has not come to our notice yet; if we found any one breaking laws we will take stern action against them.” As far as the telecommu-
nication department is concerned, they are not aware of the SIM card rackets. Officials of Airtel and Vodafone, which are service providers claim they do not know that such a racket is taking place. They say that they will activate any SIM card within four hours if proper documentation is submitted by the customers.”
Bangaloreans to benefit from DEWATS’ zero-price cooking gas By Priyanka Roy
Credit:Priyanka Roy
COOKING gas is now availed free of cost by 120 families through a new technology. DEWATS (Decentralized
Waste Water Treatment System) is a latest technology which enables treatment of wastewater generated from sanitary units for secondary purposes and also the
A BORDA unit in Kengeri Beedi colony.
gas generated from the solid waste can be used for cooking. A unit of BORDA situated near Kengeri Beedi Colony now caters cooking gas to near about 120 families. BORDA, involved in popularizing the technology in India, has initiated a part of its project here to generate the benefits of DEWATS. Mr.Afroz Pasha, President of Karnataka State Beedi Workers Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited (KSBWMCSL) said: “This new technology has so far been implemented in here only. “And it has really proved to be productive to the villagers. The best part of it is that they don’t have to pay for
anything.” The project total cost was Rs.18 lakhs, executed through a collective amount contributed by the societyRs.2 lakh, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) paid Rs.5 lakhs, RGRHCL contributed Rs.5 lakhs and BORDA Rs.3 lakhs. Initially it was proposed to plan out a dome work which will be able to cater cooking gas to minimum 60 houses. But now the service is extended to 120 houses through a pipe, which connects to the houses and the other end is connected to the dome base. Mr.Pasha said: “The service turned to be so beneficial that number of beneficiaries were bound to increase.”
Ruksana Begum, 19 year old, studying in college said: “The technology is new and it’s served to many of the houses in our colony who don’t have to spent money after cooking fuels. “In our house we also have this connection and it’s equally usable as other cooking gases.” But the officials from BORDA said that such projects can only be planned out in the outskirts of the city or where land scarcity is not an issue. Now, as the gas price increases, these poor families can heave a sigh relief as they are being exempted from paying excess prices which is not easily affordable for them.
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The Daily Observer| March 18, 2013
KSEEB introduces hotline to calm students appearing for board exams Students appearing for board exams can now boost their confidence by just making a phone call. Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) has started its yearly helpline to provide counselling to students who lack self-confidence. This is the fourth year of this helpline. The helpline will be open from 19th March 10a.m onwards and will continue till 31st March 2013. Vijay Kumar, deputy director of KSEEB told: “Every year this helpline is started before examinations to help students. “We get a huge response from the students’ side; especially those who are aspirants of board examinations.” “Sometimes we even recommend some students to get counselling at NIMHANS,” he added. A foundation called SAMUDRA is associated with
KSEEB for in this project. SAMUDRA helps to build confidence amongst students who suffer from anxiety. Bharathi Singh, co-founder of SA-MUDRA said: “We are working for the past five years for the cause of the youth. We have the ‘yuvahelpline’ through which we give continuous assistance . “We also give counselling to students as well as to their parents. “Many students from poor background also get in touch with us. “Last year, we got calls from five students at the same time. “They were using the same telephone line as it was not easily accessible for them. “In urban areas, students have facilities like library, tuitions and other helping hands but, in rural areas students do not have these facilities so, they suffer more from anxiety. “We try our level best to
Credit:Shreya Mukherjee
By Shreya Mukherjee
KSEEB focus on developing the confidence of rural students in Karnataka
boost up their self-confidence and help them prepare well for the examinations. We make students understand that there is always a second opportunity in life. They should not step back if they have not succeeded for the first time,” added Mrs. Singh. Along with counselling
SA-MUDRA also imparts basic help for subjects like mathematics, science and English. Ms.Singh also mentioned that: “Most of the students have difficulties in these three subjects. “We provide them model question papers. They solve it and get it touch with us for
Photo:Urmi Sengupta
Pro-people campaign kicked off by eminent right-wing group
Members of the newly formed BJDP party talk about their new policies
By Sumit & Urmi
Yet another political party was launched today as the state gears up for elections. Bharatiya Janta Dal Party was launched today in Karnataka from the premises of hotel Atria. Ashwin Singh Sesodia,
National Vice President of the party briefed the press about the party manifesto, its vision and the road map of the party in Karnataka. The BJDP was launched in December 2011 and has its headquarters in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Apart from Uttar Pradesh, the party has opened of-
fices in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka. It has also fielded candidates in the recently conducted (2012) Gujarat Assembly. Though the party tasted defeat in its very first venture, yet it was a brave attempt of a political party still in the cradle to field a candidate from Maninagar, against Narendra Modi. Speaking about the basic concept of the party, E. Laxminarayan, South India Convener of the party, said, “Equality for every one is the mantra of the party.” Talking about the policies of the party, Mr. Laxminarayan further added: ”We will extend our membership to quality people. “It’s a group of a few good people and we would like to grow at the national level.” The State elections are not far away and the launch of third political party (BSR Congress and Karntaka
Janta Paksha, the other two) within the duration of five months shows that the results are going to be highly influenced. However, Mr Sesodia said, “The BJDP has an individual existence. “We are not here to merge with some party and change the political equations.” The party, as of now, has around 1,000 active party members at the national level. Replying to a question about the party’s vision in Karnataka, Mr. Sesodiya said that the sole mission right now is to take the party to village level in Karnataka. Stressing mainly on the role of youth in the current scenario, BJDP also plans to launch a youth wing at college level. “The manifesto of the party would be released in our next press release,” said Mr. Sesodiya on the ending note.
more help.” Ms.Singh gave a special mention about the frequency of parents who use this helpline in large numbers. She mentioned that parents seek their advice on academic issues to guide their children better during board exams.
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