The Observer Edition 16, Volume 22

The Observer An IIJNM publication

Many Bengalureans prefer powerloom fabrics to handlooms, as the old method is costly & slow | P 3 News briefs 7.3 magnitude quake hits Solomon Islands The Solomon Islands was struck by an earthquake of 7.3 magnitude on Tuesday, leading to a tsunami warning. Buildings were damaged and electricity supply disrupted. The earthquake in Olango was followed by a 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia’s main island of Java. ANI

Rajnath to meet his Asean counterparts in Cambodia

Defence minister Rajnath Singh will discuss defence cooperation with his Asean counterparts from the US and Australia during his visit to Cambodia on November 22 and 23. ANI

India decries N Korean ballistic missile launch

India has joined the US and a dozen other countries to condemn North Korea’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch.

New Delhi voiced concern over the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies, saying they have an “adverse impact” on peace and security in the region, including on India. PTI

Priyanka Gandhi to join Bharat Jodo in MP

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will join the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday when it enters Madhya Pradesh, senior party leader of Congress Jairam Ramesh told the media persons. PTI

Vol 22, Issue 16

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Website: theweeklyobserver.in Epaper: https://issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver

Pregnant & physically challenged people travel standing on the Metro, despite priority seats | P 3

Transgenders aren’t convinced quota in police will help them State govt hasn’t defined ‘male third gender’

By Yukta Mudgal

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eople of the transgender community aren’t convinced that reservation in the police force will improve their lot.

In September 2022, Karnataka home minister Araga Jnanendra announced that 79 posts would be reserved for the “male third gender” in the force. Curiously, the government has still not defined what the “male third gender" is.

Mallu S Kumbar, a transgender and state coordinator of Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum, said the government has not released proper guidelines for the recruitment of transgenders in the police force. “We are unclear about ‘male’ third gender. How will the government distinguish between a male transgender and female transgender? We have Jogappas, Kothis....It is an umbrella term....People think that only the ones who wear sarees and beg on roads are transgender.”

Police stations must be sensitized regarding the issues of transgenders. They should be ed-

Transgender community met former Women and Child Development minister Shashikala Annasaheb Jolle in 2019 to implement the Karnataka State Policy on Transgenders | Courtesy: Mallu S. Kumbar ucated about LGBTQIA+ terms.

“We have talked to the ADGP to organize sensitization programmes in all police stations of Karnataka. It's been 15 days, but we have got no response from the police stations,” she added.

Under its Mythree scheme, the state government gives a monthly pension of Rs 500 to third gender-

persons aged between 18 and 64.

Soni (name changed) said: “My only concern is that I am not getting a monthly pension as per the government’s promise. I got Rs. 500 for the first six months, but after that, I stopped receiving it,” She earns her livelihood through begging in Ramohalli, Kengeri.

She said government should

People duped by realty cos don’t complain

By Vindhya Pabolu

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and frauds in Bengaluru have left real-estate investors worried. They are scared to take legal action against companies that duped them after receiving money.

Padmavathi (name changed), a homemaker who was cheated by a real-estate company,informed The Observer: “I paid Rs 10 lakh three years back. I was told we would receive our land documents in a week. But after a few days, both the company officials and the broker stopped answering our calls. We even went to their office at Majestic many times, but the owner was always unavailable.”

Raj Kumar (name changed) said: “We approached a real estate com-

@theweeklyobserver

Rera act was enacted in 2017 to protect the interest of buyers | Credit: Vindhya Pabolu pany through a broker we know.

We paid around Rs 15 lakh to the company. But after a few days, they stopped answering our calls. The receptionist at the company gave us

different explanations about their boss’ absence from the office. We are scared to approach them legally because we don’t know what the consequences might be.”

Two families who refused to be named said they paid Rs 5 lakh as the first instalment for land a couple of years ago, but still haven’t received their documents.

As per the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, 88,864 complaints against realty companies were disposed of across the country till April 9, 2022. In Karnataka, 4,976 cases were registered and 3,218 resolved.

Agents say taking legal advice and personal verification can prevent investors from being defrauded by the fake companies.

Mohammad Abdul Rasheed, a real-estate agent and MD of Future Plus Infra Projects in Shivajinagar, said: “There are various options for investors in buying land or a house. In general, these companies offer discounts of 20% to 50%....hence people commit mistakes falling for their trap.”

“There are legal and illegal companies. Most people avoid proceeding legally as they are also involved in the agreement.…

If the market price falls, projects stop, resulting in companies breaking their promises.”

There has been a demand for a law to protect the interests of buyers to save them from such traps.

Read the full report on: www.weeklyobserver.in

alot permanent houses to the transgender community.

“I did not know about this scheme; I am not interested as well. My friends in Tamil Nadu have become SPs (Superintendent of police). In Tamil Nadu, the government supports hijras (transgenders). In Bengaluru, even if we want to do something, nobody guides us about the official formalities we should go by.”

Vijendran Rishi, a transgender and first PUC student, said: “The government is fooling us by announcing 79 seats. Most of these seats will not even get occupied by transgenders. The seats might go into corrupt hands. Also, separate washrooms in police stations for the third gender is a concern that should not be neglected.”

Monisha M, a transgender woman who has worked as a helper in Vidhana Soudha for five years, said: “In coming years, the horizon of transgender participation in government institutions will increase. But I feel the government should establish a Welfare Board for Transgenders in Karnataka with a transgender representative. This will help in spreading awareness among the community and encourage more transgenders to enroll in government institutions.”

Continued on page 2

All-women stns are of no use, say harassed women

By Sneha T.S.

V

ictims of harassment hesitate to register complaints at Bengaluru’s All Women Police Stations (AWPS), saying it is useless visiting the stations.

The city has two AWPS: the Shivajinagar Women Police Station and Banashankari Women Police Station in Basavanagudi.

Anjali Nayak (name changed), a resident of J.P Nagar who had approached an NGO for legal assistance said that filing a complaint at the AWPS did not help her. Many women victims of harrassment have similar experiences.

Continued on page 4

2

CITY

Sunken house, sunken lives A family in Ejipura slum sometimes eats food left over by rats

By Yukta Mudgal

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ejina Merry feels helpless as she is stuck in a tiny house in Ejipura that is below the road level. A disability in the legs has compelled her to walk with the help of her hands.

Unlike their neighbours in Ejipura’s IG Colony slum who have demands like clean water and electricity, Rejina and her family only want a waterproof roof and a levelled house. Her maternal aunt Komala is the sole earner, earning Rs 400 daily as a construction worker. Komala’s husband Kuppa stopped working as a labourer seven years ago due to extreme weakness.

Kuppa has lived in the slum for the past 40 years. Their house sank a few years ago as the government started construction work nearby. He had asked for help from the government to level up the house so it doesn’t sink.

“Two years ago, we applied to the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Yojana to get Rs 5 lakh from the government, but it did not respond positively. Asking community leaders for help is a waste. Politicians only come before the elections to ask for votes; they never help,” he informed The Observer.

Even if the government clears their application under the housing scheme, they will only get material like concrete and doors, but no labourers. Bearing the cost of building a house will be a challenge for the family.

Owing to rapid rainfall, their house gets flooded as the water gushes in through an unlevelled entrance. In such situations, they are forced to take refuge in their

11 seats reserved for transgenders in Kalyana K’taka Continued from Page 1 akshmi Prasad, deputy commissioner, administration, said since 2003 the pattern to recruit constables has changed. Now it will be on the basis of competitive exams.

Siddaraju D, senior assistant, police services, home department, said: “We haven’t done classification; we have recruitment for all third genders. This is the first time… opportunities (have been provided) for the third gender community…. Eleven seats for the third gender are reserved for Kalyana Karnataka. This part has the most backward regions, and recruitment from these regions will help them The last date to fill the form for the exam was October 31.

As per the Karnataka Gazetteer, in Bengaluru, out of 336 vacancies for male police constables, six are reserved for the third gender. In female police constable vacancies, four out of 112 seats are reserved for the female gender. yukta.m@iijnm.org

The Observer Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Citizen’s Voice Time we became rational rather than religious

Everything that happens in India is turned into a communal issue. The food we eat to the person we choose to have as a partner, everything takes a religious turn. It’s time we move forward to being a more rational society and have a scientific temper instead of leaning on religion every time we have a problem.

Arsha B.S.

Metro should manage rainwater better

Slum dwellers living in Ejipiura’s IG colony have a hard time getting inside their own house. | Credit: Yukta Mudgal neighbours’ houses. spine got injured when she fell Rs 600. To save money, they buy When it suddenly rains in the from a school swing. She was cheap vegetables that are rotten wee hours, they have to get out of barely 14 when the spine injury or eaten by insects. Many a times the house as soon as possible. happened which led to perma- rats nibble their food, leaving Cooked food kept for the next day nent immobility of the legs. them with no choice but to congets spoiled. Children’s uniforms Asked why she does not use a sume the rat nibbled food. get wet and they have to skip wheelchair or a walker, the famThe family bathes once or twice school the next day. ily said they feel bad if they see a week as they have to wait in They have spread plastic sheets her in a wheelchair. long lines to get water from anon their roof of their houses so the Rejina applied for a pension other part of the slum, called water does not seep in. when she was younger. She met Melagalli. They bathe inside their “We don’t want a good house; a doctor to get a certificate of house using water collected in a we just want a levelled house physical disability, but he died. depression below the entrance. with four walls and a good sheet Now, she has no certificate to The house, which has one light on the roof,” Kuppa said. show as proof of her disability. bulb and a television set, gets “The daughter got her periods Without proof of disability the electricity illegally from a nearby (pointing toward Rejina’s 15- government will not help her. streetlight. “Sometimes, rats year-old daughter) five months The family could not renew damage the TV wires by nibbling. ago. The neighbour understands their ration card due as they did We are the ones who fix the our problems and does not mind not update the biometrics. They wires,” shared Kuppa.The family letting us in,” said Komala. buy grocery from kirana shops. hopes somebody will help to end Rejina and Kuppa have two “Now the Indira Gandhi Colony their misery. They are optimistic children, Anusha age 15 and depot officer is asking for Rs about their children’s education.

Appu age 9, who attend a state 3,000 to update the ration card. They dream big as their daughter government school nearby.

We do not have the money.” wants to become a doctor and Rejina’s dream to become a A kilogram of rice costs Rs 20. their son wants to be a pilot. teacher was crushed when her Their monthly expense on rice is yukta.m@iijnm.org

THE ANNUAL GROUNDNUT FESTIVAL SUFFERS A BLOW DUE TO HIKE IN PRICE

L

Rainwater management is a big mess at Namma Metro stations.

If you travel to Kengeri from Kumbalgodu on a rainy day, you can see water flowing down under-construction Metro pillars to the middle of the road, creating a lot of trouble for twowheelers. Authorities should act on this and avoid accidents.

Ajay Rag A

Subsidies not reaching DBTL beneficiaries

Intended beneficiaries of the

PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme are not receiving LPG subsidies. Despite the increase in crude oil prices globally, people below the poverty line and people who fall under the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG scheme stopped receiving their subsidies after 2019. But the PMUY website shows subsidies are reaching the beneficiaries.

Navya Sruthi

Around the city Echoes of Earth Music Festival on 3rd December @ 8:30 pm in Embassy International Riding School, 149/223, Tarunhunse Village, Bengaluru.

India's Largest Book Fair on 16th December from 9 am to 10 pm in Shubh Convention, Puttenahalli, J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru.

Sunburn Arena ft. DJ SNAKE on 27th November at 4pm at Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre

Quiz 1. Which festivals is celebrated on Prophet Mohammed birthday?

2. Who is the author of famous book 'The Judgement'?

3. The last Mahakumbh of the 20th century was held at?

4. The island of Sri Lanka formerly known as?

5. What does AM mean?

6. Which country gifted the Statue of Liberty to USA in 1886?

Answers on Page 3

Weather The annual Kadlekai Parishe, which is popularly known as the Groundnut Festival has begun in Basavanagudi.

Farmers from all over Karnataka have gathered to sell their produce. The farmers have witnessed decrease in sale due to GST imposition, ban on plastic bags and the previous years’ Covid lockdowns. Compared to the last year, there are fewer buyers | Credit: Hamsaveni N

Today- 24°C Light showers Wind- 34 km/h Humidity- 68% Visibility- 8km Precipitation- 4.8mm

CITY

Pregnant, disabled people have to travel standing on Metro No reservation, only priority seats for them

By Siddhi Chauhan

P

hysically challenged persons, pregnant women and senior citizens have a difficult time travelling on Namma Metro because no seats are reserved for them anymore.

Vinita Rajesh, a daily commuter, informed The Observer: “The difficulties of travelling are dependent upon the crowd. If the crowd is good, then I do not feel any challenge; but if the crowd is ill-mannered, then definitely it becomes a problem for me as I get uncomfortable standing in close with the male commuters.”

Manjula, who commutes on the Purple Line every day, said it sometimes gets difficult for her to travel. Almost every day, she has to stand for at least two or three stops. But, sometimes, people are kind enough to vacate their seats for her while travelling in metro.

While going through complaintboard.in, The Observer came across a complaint filed by a five months pregnant woman who narrated that she was pushed by

up and give their seats to other.

“Every place has some kind of priority seating. It is humanitarian…. If I am human, then I will definitely make room for another.

Our stations are accessible to all, including the disabled, pregnant women and senior citizens.”

A guard at the Indiranagar stationwho wished to remain unnamed said: “There are priority seats in the Metro.This means that first it is preferred for the disabled, pregnant women and senior citizens. It might happen that they are able to find seats, but we cannot go inside the coaches and keep an eye. There are no such rules to ensure this as Pregnant women and physically challenged people find it hard to travel they are not reserved.”

In 2016, Namma Metro trains in crowded trains | Credit: Siddhi Chauhan had priority seating for physically a man in his fifties claiming to be As a result, many have to stand challenged people, pregnant for a few stops.” a senior citizen. women and senior citizens. CurS.S. Patel, a 55-year-old who The Observer noticed that a rently, each train has twin priortakes the Metro daily, said it is pregnantwomanhad to stand for ity seats for pregnant women. tough for him to travel in crowded at least four stops while the ‘priAccording to an article in The trains. Many times he has to stand. ority coach’ was occupied by peo- Hindu, U.A. Vasanth Rao, GenIndrani Roy, a frequent com- ple who didn’t seem to be eligible. eral Manager (Finance) of muter, said: “Overcrowding is the Yashwant Chavan, chief engi- BMRCL, said priority seats would problem that everyone faces neer and PRO of BMRCL, said: not be wholly reserved for certain while travelling in the Metro. “It depends on every individual; categories of commuters. But Apart from that, what I feel is we cannot force them to give up there would be priority seating, that there should be a coach their seats. It is not possible for meaning that people will be respecifically for pregnant and lac- us to provide security for each quired to vacate a priority seat if tating women because it becomes and every coach. Everyone does a needy person comes which is really troublesome for us. Also, not behave in the same manner. I dedicated to that person. seats for senior citizens are few. have seen many people who get siddhi.c@iijnm.org

Handlooms take a hit as Bengalureans prefer powerloom-made fabrics, Production is slow and costly in old method

By Shruti Banerjee

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he handloom industry in Bengaluru is witnessing a decline in sales as customers’ preference has shifted toward powerloom fabrics, which are cost-efficient.

Sarvottam, manager of Prasiddhi Silks in Shantinagar, Bengaluru, said: “The handloom sector has been affected due to the arrival of powerlooms. In handlooms earlier, two to three people used to work on one sari, but when powerlooms arrived, only one person started working on one sari as machines reduced the workload. This, in turn, increased unemployment amongst the weaver class.”

He explained that earlier they used to import silk from China, but now due to the ban on Chinese products, they procure from local markets. Earlier, they manufactured silk saris; but in the past 50 years they have shifted towards retailing.

About the decline of handloom

fabrics, he said people nowadays have little patience; they don’t like to spend a lot of time on one sari.

For a sari. it takes three months in handloom, while it takes only three days in a powerloom.

The cost of labour is high in handlooms, so the price of handloom clothing is high. But in powerlooms the cost is less as less manpower is required, so more people opt for powerloom fabrics.

Suresh (name changed), a weaver at Taneira Stores in Indiranagar, said he has been weaving for the past 25 years, carrying forward his family tradition. He is a native of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, where the art of weaving continues to flourish.

He explained that handloom fabrics last longer than powerloom fabrics. His 72-year- old father still practises the profession.

The manager of a store who wanted to remain unnamed said: “People who like handloom fabrics will always prefer handlooms.

Today’s generation who does not even understand the difference between handloom and powerloom.”

In powerlooms, fabrics are mixed. Cotton and silk are combined with synthetic and polyester.

In handlooms, the fabric is pure.

Dr S.F. Harlapur, Selection Grade Lecturer, Department of

3 Wonders of the World

The remains of the Sun Temples at Modhera dedicated to sun god are relics of times gone by when reverence of the natural elements fire, air, earth, water and sky were at their peak sharing space with myriad manifestations of Vedic gods.

The ancient philosophy venerating natural elements and its association with humans was considered the prime force and energy of the life cycle. A walk around the serene temple campus makes you aware of the positively strong aura of energy which the place radiates and through it brings one closer to the environs. Modhera Sun Temple was built in 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty.

Source: Gujarat Tourism

Tweetcasam This year winters are wintering more than what it wintered last winter. @sagarcasm

Did you Know?

Trees talk. Their roots are connected through an underground network of fungi, nicknamed the “Wood Wide Web,” that allows them to share resources with each other. They “talk” by transmitting nutrients to one another through the fungi.

Quote of the day “Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.”

- Steve Jobs

Quiz answers

The demand for handloom saris has gone down as people are inclined more towards powerloom-made saris |Credit: Shruti Banerjee Textile Technology, Guledgud, said most weavers are now shifting to other jobs and discontinuing their family tradition of handloom weaving. They are not able to sustain their livelihood and so they are shifting to other professions. Some are taking up jobs in powerlooms. This has happened because handloom production is time-consuming. It is more work but little output.

Modern machines in powerlooms weave fine fabrics. Importantly, prices are less than handloom fabrics, so more people buy it.

Indra Sena Tadimari, owner of Lata Powerlooms in Andhra Pradesh, said most people these

days prefer wearing powerloommanufactured clothes. The demand for handloom saris is are mostly for weddings and other traditional festivities.

The starting price of a powerloom sari is Rs 2,500, whereas for handloom it is Rs 10,000. This is the reason that middle-class people opt for powerloom saris. To increase his sales, he has started promoting his business on social media.

The main reason for the decline of handlooms is the cost and the time it takes to manufacture clothing items. Powerlooms are fulfilling the needs of the customers at less cost, drawing more buyers. shruti.b@iijnm.org

1. Id-e-Milad 2. KuldeepNayar 3. Haridwar 4. Ceylon 5. Amplitude modulation 6. France

The Observer Tuesday, November 22, 2022

The Observer Produced by the Print students of the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media at Nityananda Nagar, Kumbalgodu, Kengeri hobli, Bengaluru 560074.

Editor: Siddhi Chauhan News Editor: Yukta Mudgal Copy editors: Yukta Mudgal, Vindhya Pabolu, Shruti Banerjee and Sneha T S Photo editor: Sneha T S Other IIJNM publications l The Beat magazine l CityCast l The SoftCopy