The Observer Issue 15

Volume 15 | Issue 15

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

RaGa sweeps into B’lore, students sweep the floor with him

Students who welcomed Gandhi to the college

Rahul Gandhi during his interaction with students at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, on Wednesday. The talk was titled “Role of youth in vibrant India” (Picture: video grab from ANI) Regina Gurung Payal Gangishetty Rahul Gandhi asked students at Mount Carmel College whether Modi’s Clean India campaign was working - and got a resounding yes from a large section of the crowd.

The Congress vice-president looked taken aback when students at the Bangalore college responded to his question.

There was a mixed reaction to his visit as some students said they were happy to see him and others said they remained sceptical.

The talk, titled “Role of youth in Vibrant India”, was attended by 600 third-year students of the college.

The Gandhi scion took the opportunity to take a dig at the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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He said: “Ever since the BJP has come to power there has been no clear strategy. There has been a lot of talk about ‘clean your country’. Are you serious? Is it working?”

There was a resounding chant of ‘yes!’ while a small section of the crowd gave the answer Rahul had hoped to hear.

He then compounded his error by asking “Is Make In India working?” to which he received another resounding reply of ‘yes’.

Second-year sociology undergraduate Anusuya Sharma said: “I’m not excited because he is not fit to be a politician.”

"He is a very geniune person, the way he said ‘I am not giving answers but am here to make a conversation’, is what i liked the most," said Mazwin, a third year student.

“He was asked several ques-

Rahul Gandhi discussed about north east and issues of corruption that takes place and how the area is almost inaccessible due to lack of proper infrastructure.

”

- Lyapin Nima Sangmu, a Manipuri student

tions by the students to which most of his answers were 'not diplomatic',” said, Miyoli, second-year journalism student.

Final-year undergraduate and head of a student’s association, Anjala Farhat, admitted that questions were decided beforehand.

She said, “We were asked to come up with questions a week ago. From these the best questions were selected by the faculty and they chose students who would ask the questions.”

One professor at the college, who declined to be named, said some questions had also been supplied by Rahul’s PR team.

A question was raised about women fasting in Arunachal Pradesh.

Gandhi said, "Conversation and dialogue is needed for effective governance in NorthEast."

A Manipuri student Lyapin Nima Sangmu, said, "Rahul Gandhi discussed about north east and issues of corruption that takes place and how the area is almost inaccesible due to lack of proper infrastructure."

"He talked about Tibet and North East and said how

Mount Carmel has this homely atmosphere, which I do not deny," said Nima T, journalism student in her second year.

Some students like Kirtana and her friends were not happy about the topic being politically inclined since "values were over-shadowed by politics".

On the Goods and Services Taxes (GST) Bill, Gandhi said: "We made our stand on GST and we stick to it."

A differently-abled student asked him about the unavailabilty of government jobs for the likes of him.

In response, he replied saying that the disabled deserve more than what they have been receiving whether it is the compensation or other fee re-

imbursement.

Over 250 security personnel were deployed for the event.

These included Special Protection Group (SPG) commandos and cops called in from Devanahalli.

Gandhi kicked off a 20-college tour of India with his visit to the all-girls Mount Carmel College.

Third-year students attended the question and answer session and the Congress vicepresident took the first question of the session from the moderator.

He was asked about youth empowerment and females in the country as well as job creation and Congress plans for the state.

Rahul Gandhi being welcomed at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore

2 THE OBSERVER

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Mobile medical units bring hope for the old in slums

Mehboob Bee, a patient from BTB layout Reema Mukherjee An NGO providing mobile medical care to slum dwellers has rolled out two new fully equipped buses in Bangalore.

Organisers claim the two new units – serving Whitefield and Anekal – are required because government primary healthcare centres in these areas are ignoring the poor, especially the elderly.

HelpAge India launched the Mobile Medicare Units (MMUs) to add to their existing lot of 98 serving slum dwellers across India.

HelpAge India is a Non- Governmental Organisation in India registered under the Societies Registration act of 1860. Its mission is to work for the cause and care of disadvantaged older people.

The new units have been sponsored by Caterpillar India Pvt Ltd as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The project is aimed at covering Anekal, 20 other villages in Bangalore Urban District ,

Whitefield and its surrounding areas consisting of 8-10 slums.

“Many elders can’t afford the treatment. HelpAge Mobile Medical Units aim to provide quality healthcare to these elders, virtually on their doorsteps,” said Rekha Murthy, State-Head Karnataka, HelpAge India.

The reason for the success of the MMUs is said to be the failure of government hospitals in serving elder citizens who come from the less privileged class.

Mr. M. Prakashan, Project Manager of Karnataka State at HelpAge India, said “The Public Health Centres (PHCs) in these areas prefer women and kids and have fewer medicines for the elderly.

Diabetes is the common disease among the elderly and most of the PHCs do not have the medicines.”

Most common health problems found in elderly people are Hypertension, Diabetes, Asthma and Osteoarthritis.

There are currently 98 working MMUs all over the country and three in Bangalore. The two

MMUs launched are likely to start working from 23rd November.

Prakashan added, “By 2020, we hope to have 200 MMUs and the main aim is to reach out for as many senior citizens as possible.”

Patients who use the units said they prefer them as they have more medicines available.

Mehboob Bee, 65,a Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holder,visits the MMUs at BTB Layout every week and has done for the past six years. He said: “I used to go to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital before, but the medicines didn’t work well.

I had to wait for hours to get medicines and sometimes I didn’t get medicines at all.”

DayanandSagar, another patient, said, “The government hospitals are at a distance and the transportation costs areunbearable. The MMUs are convenient and the medicine works well for the health problems.”

VikasKalra, a senior IT Manager of Caterpillar Pvt Ltd, said, "Big corporates invest only on eradication of poverty, but the MMUs are for the eld-

Elderly patients in Dayanand Sagar Slum, wait for the medicines erly people who are not getting proper medical facilities.”

He added "In Bangalore, the existing MMUs were not being funded properly and the service was terminating. There will

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be a long term association with HelpAge India,it's tough for the government to do everything, which is why we are extending our hands.”

Big corporates invest only on eradication of poverty, but the MMUs are for the elderly people who are not getting proper medical facilities -

Vikas Kalra,Senior IT Manager of Caterpillar Pvt. Ltd.

”

We can’t act on corrupt cops, says PCA Chief Raina Paul Despite hundreds of complaints filed against police officers every year, only 43 have made it to court, according to the Police Complaints Authority.

The current head of the authority, in an interview with the Observer, has admitted there are corrupt officers in the force but says his hands are tied.

“We have no power to fine or suspend guilty police personnel,” said retd. High Court Judge, M.P. Chinnappa, Chairman of the PCA. He added that the authority does not have any power to take action against police offi-

cers. “I believe personally that there are a few officers who are malicious, but we cannot do anything,” he said.

Chinnappacited the case of a Bangalore based engineer, Rajesh, who was assaulted by a group of police officers, leaving him with an injured knee.

“He is petrified of the police department as a whole. Despite our trying all possible ways to convince him, he never turned up at court,” he said.

Cases of assault and custodial torture make up most of the cases registered against police.

The Public Grievance Department chief claims that out

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of 348 complaints received against officersin the past 2 years, only 43 cases are officiallymarked “pending” this year.

“There are hundreds of complaints that come to the department against the policemen.

Around fifteen to twenty days are taken to close a case,” said Sanjay Sahay, Additional Director, or General of Police (ADGP), Public Grievances and Human Rights Department, Karnataka.

Naveen Suoekar, Sub Inspector, Cubbon Park Police Station said that he is unaware of the existence of the Police Complaints Authority. “People

There are hundreds of complaints that come to the department against the policemen. Around fifteen to twenty days are taken to close a case -

”

Sanjay Sahay, Additional Director, of General of Police (ADGP), Public Grievances and Human Rights Department, Karnataka

Police officers gathered in front of Freedom Park can file cases against the police in the police stations,” he said. He refused to comment on the fairness of officers who handle cases.

Despite the High Court’s order in June 2015 to publicise the authority, nothing has been done to strengthen the infrastructure or staff.

The PCA can only present reports to the government and recommend action to be taken.

The actual punishment – if any

– is left to the government.

The Police Complaints Authority, Karnataka, is a police watchdog authority set up in September 2012 that looks into the grievances filed by civilians against the police.

The PCA offices cover state and district. All complaints against SP, DG, IGP come to the state PCA. Complaints against officials below the SP are referred to the regional office.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015 3

THE OBSERVER

Prabhpreet Singh Sood Almost half of all road deaths last year were pedestrians and one of the city’s top cops says they only have themselves to blame.

In the last three years, 1071 pedestrians have lost their lives.

In the past 10 months, out of 616 fatalities on road 284 were pedestrians.

Incredibly, M.A. Saleem, Additional Commissioner of Police in Bangalore, said, “We cannot do anything.

“The pedestrians are to be blamed for this menace.”

Apart from deaths on the city’s roads, a further 1334 pedestrians were injured last year.

This year alone, the number of injured pedestrians are 1036.

According to a survey conducted by the city police in coordination with the National

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M.A.Saleem, Additional Commissioner of Police Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore is one of the worst “walkable” Indian cities for pedestrians.

The city scores 0.63 out of 10 on the walkability index that measures pedestrian facilities.

That’s the lowest among all the cities covered in the sur-

The street shops on the footpaths make it difficult for us to walk

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- Pedestrians

A busy road in Bangalore

vey.

Another study - ‘Pedestrian Safety Index’ - conducted by the Consortia of Infrastructure Engineers in the city, says that there is no space for pedestrians in Bangalore.

The study takes into consideration various factors such as pedestrian safety roads, width of footpaths, zebra crossings, subways and skywalks. Bangalore ranks 0.21 on the scale of 0-10.

According to the Traffic Police Department, the black spots in Bangalore regarding pedestrian deaths are, Kempapura Junction, Outer Ring Road, Trinity Junction, NIMHANS Signal, Madiwala Junction and Lalbagh West.

Dr. Anil Kumar, Police Inspector, Traffic planning, said, “We get complaints by residents on a monthly basis regarding pedestrian deaths and the quality of roads and other facilities.” He added, “We penalise the jaywalkers once caught.”

Krishna, a pedestrian at Majestic, said: "The street shops on the footpaths make it difficult for us to walk. These hawkers need to go."

M.A Saleem, ACP, also blames the deaths on a lack of renovation of roads. He added, “The BBMP should be charged for the potholes on the roads.”

S. Sathyapal, President of National Road Safety, an NGO reacted to M.A Saleem’s comment and said: “The pedestrians are not the one to be blamed.

The BBMP and state government are the ones to be blamed for the pedestrian deaths. There are only a few The question is how fast the government implementthese.”

Parvathi Benu The toxic froth in Bellandur Lake is affecting real estate in the area, say builders and property owners.

Many of them say that there are no takers for property near the lake for rent, sale or lease.

“I have three properties in that area.

“I’m trying to sell them for the past six months, but I could not find any buyer.

Many others in the same field too have similar complaints,” said Shyam Uttarkar, who runs Uttarkar’s Property Services, a real estate firm in Bangalore.

“The only people who are ready to move in here are the ones who work near this area.

Many of them do not wish to travel long to their workplaces,” he said.

The froth issue is affecting the sales negatively,” said SahilSood, who works for Goyal&Co. “We hope that the issue gets solved as soon as possible,” he added.

Goyal&Co’s project Orchid Lakeview is being built near the frothing Bellandur Lake.

The construction began in June 2013.

Until now, only 200 of the 336 apartments have been sold out.

Another real estate agent, Santhosh, said that there has been a decrease in the rents in the area because of the Bellandur lake froth.

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Shyam Uttakar, Uttakar’s Property Services “Owners have cut down the rent of apartments, because there is no demand.

The rents have come down to Rs 7,000 from Rs 10,000 in some areas,” he said.

He also said that the deposit amounts for properties on lease are negotiable in the area.

“The smell and froth have made life very difficult here.

There is no wonder that people do not wish to move here,” said a resident in Mantri Enclave, near Bellandur Lake.

A few online discussion forums have also raised this issue.

Residents have commented that proximity to work is the only reason for them continuing to stay in that area.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board BWSSB said earlier this month that they would require five years to solve the froth issue.

I’m trying to sell for the past six months, but didn’t find a buyer

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If you die crossing the road, it’s your own fault - top cop

Toxic lake costs realtors lakhs

- Shyam Uttakar

Frothing Bellandur Lake affecting real estate

4 THE OBSERVER

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Toxic time bomb: city air scars our young for life Sanskriti Talwar At least 36 per cent of children living in toxic Bangalore suffer breathing difficulty or have lung problems, according to a report.

The report ranks Bangalore as the country’s second most dangerous city for a child’s health, with Delhi taking the unenviable top spot.

Reactive airways disease affected a total of 550 school children in Bangalore, between 6 to 18 years of age, over a

Shreya Nayak with her 6-year-old daughter

four month period between April and September this year, according to experts.

The data reports by R a s h t r i y a B a l SwasthyaKaryakram Department(RBSK) of Health and Family Welfare Ministry Bangalore state that 282 boys and 268 of girls have been affected so far this year and have poor lung functioning.

The data states that 735 children were affected by the disease last year.

Dr Jagdish, a paediatrician at Bowring & Lady Curzon Hospital, said, “Schoolchildren are frequently exposed to air pollution. The chemical pollutants in air like particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide act as a triggering factor to develop allergies and trigger asthma.

“Babies and young children are more vulnerable to diseases like bronchiolitis and asthma because their airways are small. Their respiratory system is still in a developing stage and the immunity system is not as mature as in adults.”

At least 36 per cent of chil-

dren in Bangalore suffer from respiratory problems, second only to Delhi, with a rate of 40 per cent, according to a study conducted by the HEALfoundation, an organisation that works towards community empowerment

lution. The survey, conducted among the children of these four major cities of India, aims to map the effect of air pollution on the breathing capacity of children.

Bangalore has been ranked the second highest polluted

In May, Kolkata was ranked third with 35 per cent followed

by Mumbai with 27 per cent of its child victims of rising air pol-

city in India by the World Health Organisation. (WHO) It also states that 13 out of 20 of the most polluted cities in the

world are in India.

Shreya Nayak, mother of a six-year-old from Sarjapur, blamed the rising traffic for air pollution in the city. “Too many vehicles in the city have led to traffic and as a result, the school-going children inhale smoke that is likely to cause bronchiolitis and asthma,” she said. She also stated that instead of taking public transport, people prefer to use private vehicles for commuting.

Dr Prabhudev B. Gowda, State Nodal Officer of RBSKdepartment said that reactive airways disease can be classified as an infection and allergic reaction. Seasonal variations and unhygienic conditions are additional aspects responsible for this.

“The amount of smoke and heavy material released in the air by vehicles increases the level of toxic gases in the air like CO2, monoxide, methane and sulphur. This adversely affects the respiratory system,” said Kavita K.R, a professor in Government Science College, Bangalore.

Report school beatings, CM advises schoolkids Sana Husain Children who are beaten at school should come forward and tell the government, according to the Chief Minister.

CM Siddaramiah met schoolchildren from across the state for a question and answer session where they were told not to be afraid to speak out against corporal punishment as iit is against the law.

He was joined by the Minister for Kannada and Culture & Women and Child Development, Umashree, and both politicians interacted with 70 children from all the districts of the state to address their need for protection and support.

One student present at the interaction asked the CM: “A government circular says children shouldn’t be punished in schools. Sadly, even now, children are punished at school,

family and hostels.

“As a result, children tend to dropout from school, run away from home or become mentally depressed. What action is government willing to take, to solve this problem?”

Umashree responded, “There are laws against corporal punishment. Students need to come forward and report complaints.”

The rules may exist but they are not being followed, according to Nagasimha Rao, Director of Child Rights Trust.

He said, “The Karnataka government has promised various things. Now, we need to follow them up.”

He added that children in India run away from home and school due to corporal punishment. The National Commission for Child Rights published a guide about how to teach children, yet teachers aren’t

Students of Government Primary School, Devagere

given training in this aspect, he added.

As many as half of all school students are still routinely subjected to corporal punishment, according to various human rights lawyers, teachers and child rights groups.

Schoolchildren readily accept that they are still subjected to corporal punishment in the classroom, but are reluctant to complain.

Arvind, a class 5 student, said, “I was punished by the teacher, even after a poster against corporal punishment of young children was put up last month in the school premises.”

Harshita, a student of a govt.

Lower Primary School, said, “I was beaten on my hands and legs ten times. When I told my parents, they didn’t comment, considering it for the ultimate betterment.”

Raghuvir, a Government Higher Primary School student, originally from Bihar, said, “I was hit thrice on my hand. Corporal punishment isn’t really the right thing to do.”

Kiran, an engineering student, said, “Corporal punishment is not just in schools, but also in colleges in Karnataka.

If teachers find out about students’ complaints to higher authorities, they would increase the level of punishment.”

He added that kids respect teachers more than their parents, which stops them from complaining. Some parents don’t say anything as they think it’s justified for not completing work on time.

CM Siddaramaiah interacts with students at Vidhana Soudha Ratna, Arvind’s mother, said, “Students won’t perform at all without minor punishment.”

She added that the teachers are doing a great job and aren’t violating any rules.

The Child Protection Policy is guided by the National Policy for Children, 2013, which is a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to the realization of all rights for children.

The National Policy for Children (2013) highlights, “Safety and security of all children is integral to their well-being and children are to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, violence, maltreatment and exploitation in all settings including care institutions, schools, hospitals, crèches, families and communities.

“It also points out that “mental, emotional, cognitive, social and cultural development of the child is to be addressed in totality.”

Indupriya, an independent social worker at Child Rights

Trust, said, “This happens in many schools, but children won’t admit it in front of teacher.”

Nagamani, Childline Project Manager, said, “Teachers ask ‘how can we teach without giving punishment?’.

To address such complaints, she said: “We talk to children and parents and refer these cases to Concern for Working Children (CWC) and Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR). It involves followups, with promotional support.”

Leelaraju, a human rights lawyer, said, “Obviously, the schools aren’t taking care of students. Government won’t bother about rural schools.

“Officials visit schools once in a while, accept bribes and allow corporal punishment to continue.”

He added: “Parents need to educate themselves first, as they don’t know where to go,” he said.

THE OBSERVER Editor: Aparajita Khandelwal | News Editor: Parvathi Benu & Ankita Sil | Chief Sub-Editor: Maqsood Maniyar| Sub-Editors: Mouli Jha, Irien Joseph, Laxmi Narayani, Oindrila Sarkarr |Design and Layout: Aditi Mallickl Picture Editor: Mathew Joy Mathew | Social Media Manager: Akshaya NA