The Weekly Observer, Vol 13, Issue 5

Observer The weekly

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

VOL 13 ISSUE 5

Three minor girls rescued from a life of slavery

Pregnant wife beaten up by villagers

PAGE 3

Neecia Majolly on why being a muso is risky

PAGE 4

PAGE 6

Give my daughter justice

A file picture of Ajay (name changed), the accused person

Anannya Sarkar

A heartbroken mum is calling for an inquiry into the apparent

A file picture of Vidya (name changed)

Radha, her mother, recounting her story . Photo: Ravindran. N

Vidya's date of birth, taken from

mentally and physically tortured by

ceived, Radha said: “Ajay threat-

menting on the difficulties faced,

her school transfer certificate, is

Ajay and his family. e statement

ened me saying that he would kill

she said: “We faced threats every

November 10, 1996, making her 16.

also claims that she was continu-

me like he killed my daughter.”

day. We were scared. But I want jus-

Radha claimed that her protests

ously taunted about her lower-class

Seeking help from a local NGO

tice. I had taken a loan for the post-

were ignored.

family background as Ajay and his

office, she wrote a complaint ad-

mortem but even that report was

suicide of her teenage daughter

She added that when a post-

family said that they could have

dressed to the Superintendent of

tampered with. I now have to work

aer wounds were found on her

mortem exam was carried out later,

easily got a lot of things for dowry

Police of the concerned district

hard in order to pay back the

body.

her age was again registered as 18,

by marrying a rich girl.

telling him about her daughter’s

money I had taken for a tampered

suicide, the police forcing her to

report.”

Vidya (name changed) was found hanging from a ceiling fan on April

against Radha's wishes. noted

mention the wrong age, Ajay’s

Radha said that the threats have

24 this year. She was almost three

wounds around her private parts

threats, the panchayat’s involve-

now reduced but she claims that the

months pregnant aer marrying

and breasts as well as the ligature

ment and also that no action was

panchayat head asked the police to

her

mark around her neck. e report

being taken.

withdraw the case.

21-year-old

husband

Ajay(name changed) in February.

When her mother Radha (name changed), 35, went to the village

e

coroner's

report

Radha claimed that her disabled

EXCLUSIVE

also confirmed the presence of a

husband and she were threatened

She says that she was promised

At present, the case is pending in

fetus which was almost three

by Ajay’s family, with the support of

speedy action but since then, not

court. However, Radha maintains

months old.

the panchayat heads, to withdraw

much has changed.

that no action has been taken as

police station to register the death

e report was filed against Ajay

the complaint. On refusing to do so,

Talking about her daughter,

and demand an investigation, po-

and his father under sections 498

she added that she was threatened

Radha said: “Vidya was a pretty and

lice officer Mahadevaiah recorded

(A)( Husband or relative of hus-

with being ostracized by the entire

nice girl. I wanted her to study

A spokesman for the NGO, which

Vidya's age as 18. Radha's protests

band of a woman subjecting her to

village.

more and become successful in life

declined to be named for security

were ignored, she claims.

cruelty), 306 (Abetment of Suicide),

Radha lives with her husband and

so that she could take care of us.

reasons, said: “It is indeed a sad

Ajay continues to live a life of comfort in his native village.

Under Indian law, had her true

R/W 34 (Acts done by several per-

14-year-old son. Due to her hus-

But all of this happened and

case. e frequency of such cases is

age, 16, been registered, her hus-

sons in furtherance of common in-

band being disabled, she works as a

changed our lives forever.”

on the rise. Along with awareness,

band Ajay would have faced crimi-

tentions) of the Indian Penal Code.

daily-wage labourer to make ends

nal charges of child marriage and sexual abuse of a minor.

According to the statement given to the police by Radha, Vidya was

meet.

Commenting on the threats re-

Radha said she wants justice for

the mentality of the people need to

her daughter and added that she is

be changed. Also, the authorities

willing to do what it takes. Com-

must ensure speedy action..”

e Weekly Observer

ursday, September 12, 2013

2

“e quality of journalism needs to improve” - Erik Bjerager attended by many big names from

INTERVIEW

both fields.

You have been the President of

making in India.

their areas of expertise, are they not

the World Editors Forum for

Newspapers and news channels

journalists? Journalism today needs

Among these was Erik Bjerager,

more than two years now. What

in India have resorted to sensa-

to open its doors and expand its vi-

Pranay Lakshminarasimhan

President of the World Editors

goals have been met and what you

tionalism to create the required

sion in order to survive with its

Publish Asia, a publishing confer-

Forum and Editor-in-Chief of a

are striving to achieve?

impact. Do you think it is neces-

principles. I believe we have a

ence held by WAN-IFRA, is an an-

Danish national newspaper, Kris-

e World Editors Forum is an

sary to do so?

higher calling than money. So we

nual meet of publishers from all

teligt Dagblad. Aer his much ap-

organization that has editors of

is is a problem that numerous

can safely conclude that examina-

over the world. is year it took

plauded presentation about ‘trends

newspapers and news companies

countries are facing. ere are

tions won’t be able to determine

place at the Bangalore International

in newsrooms’ across the globe, he

from all over the world. We believe

other Asian countries and certain

who is worthy of being a journalist.

Exhibition Centre (BIEC) from

spoke to e Weekly Observer re-

in one phenomenon: absolute press

Central African countries with the

Recently, there has been a lot of

September 11-13. e event, which

garding his views on the Indian

freedom. Ever since I became the

same issue, sometimes on larger

focus on citizen journalism. How-

was about global publishing trends

media industry.

president, I have striven to propa-

scales than India. I personally op-

ever, as professionals have pointed

in journalism and advertising, was

Excerpts:

gate this and have managed to

pose it because it undermines qual-

out, there is no real check on what

reach across to many regions like

ity journalism. It also adversely

is being put out as news by citizen

the Middle East and South Asia. We

affects press freedom and has a

journalists. How do you think this

also look into significantly improv-

derogatory effect on journalism as

effects the field of journalism?

ing the quality of journalism. Al-

an institution.

though that is an uphill battle, I

In a recent remark by the Infor-

that there is no check on informa-

believe we are getting there, slowly

mation and Broadcasting Minis-

tion being put out by citizen jour-

but steadily.

ter of India, Manish Tewari, the

nalists. To add to that, citizen

Newspapers in India, contrary

media industry should consider

journalism is not the only thing

to the trend, have exhibited signif-

holding an examination before

we’re worried about; online com-

icant growth in recent times.

appointing anyone as a journalist.

ments on social media are also

What do you think that Indian

Do you think this will make a dif-

being considered as legitimate

newspapers can do in order to

ference, given the media scenario

forms of journalism these days. I

survive in a scenario where print

in India?

have no problem with that, because

journalism is declining?

Erik Bjerager, President of the World Editors Forum

Yes, I am well aware of the fact

I don’t think it will make much of

I understand we must evolve in

Yes, this has been a matter of dis-

a difference. In Denmark, we saw

order to survive. But there needs to

cussion, both at WAN-IFRA and

this for a long time; journalists

be a check on the information

WEF. Indian newspapers have been

coming into the field aer passing

being put out on such platforms.

performing extremely well in terms

out of j-schools. Nowadays, how-

We at WEF are working on this

of sales and advertisements. How-

ever, we see a lot of aspiring jour-

particular issue and it will be dis-

ever, I think they have a long way to

nalists come in with Masters’

cussed in a couple of weeks in Ger-

go with respect to quality journal-

degrees in subjects like Interna-

many.

ism. Nonetheless, I am delighted to

tional Affairs or History. If they

see the progress print journalism is

choose to write for a newspaper on

-Interviewed on September 12, 2013

Security lapse due to defective CCTV cameras at Bangalore Central prison Neha Singh

Katti, had ordered to install CCTV

Replying as to why the old and out

said “Minister of Home for Kar-

prison.” He has issued an order for

Eighty percent of the installed

cameras inside the Bangalore Cen-

of order cameras were not replaced

nataka, K. J. George, has issued an

inquiry regarding the failure in

close circuit cameras in Bangalore

tral jail to ensure tight security.

by the new CCTV cameras, aer

order for inquiry regarding the fail-

maintenance of CCTV cameras,

To this Sushma Godbole, the Ad-

the order by Umesh Katti, she said

ure in maintenance of CCTV cam-

said the DIG Prisons Vishwanatha-

Out of 40 Closed-Circuit Televi-

ditional Secretary for Law and

that the process of installation is a

eras aer his visit to the central

iah.

sion (CCTV) cameras in the Ban-

Order, Home Department, said,

long procedure; it takes time to get

galore Central Prison, only eight

“e CCTV cameras gets damaged

the requirements fulfilled which is

are in working condition. e issue

very easily and it takes time for re-

done only aer a meeting with the

came into the light aer a serial

pairmen and the cameras cant be

Home ministry and Ministry of ex-

rape convict, Jaishankar, fled from

taken to the market and get re-

ternal affairs.

the central prison at Parappana

paired in a day.”

Central Jail are dysfunctional

Agrahara.

At present, majority of the CCTV

She added: “ere is no relation

cameras in the prison are either out

According to recent news reports,

between a prisoner escaping and

of order or malfunctioning. V.S.

these cameras were installed in

CCTV cameras getting installed.

Raja, Director General of Police

1996 and were suppose to be

e cameras captures only a few

(DGP) of Prisons, said, “Few

changed in 2006, as they have a

moments not everything in detail,

CCTV cameras are not functioning

lifespan of 10 years. In 2010, the

it won’t capture a prisoner escap-

and others need repairment.”

then Minister for Prisons, Umesh

ing.”

Vishwanathaiah, DIG Prisons,

A CCTV at the Central Prison Bengaluru at Parappana Agrahara

ursday, September 12, 2013

e Weekly Observer

3

Sex u a lly a buse d m in o rs rescu e d, traum a re m ai ns Aurosmita Acharya

APSA were at the door of the 60-

their body show the same. ey

ree minor sisters who were sex-

year-old businessman who owns

have been asked to do extensive

ually abused have been rescued by

the property.

household work such as- sweeping,

a non-governmental organization.

She added, “On August 30 these

mopping, washing dishes, washing

e girls aged 5, 10 and 11 had

children were presented before the

clothes, cleaning bathrooms and

burns and wounds on their bodies,

Child Welfare Committee (CWC),

toilets.”

said Lakshapathy, the Executive Di-

a government wing in the Depart-

She further added that the elder

rector of the Association of Promot-

ment of Women and Child Devel-

sister who is 11-years-old had been

ing Social Action (APSA).

opment to rehabilitate the rescued

sent by her parents to several other

children.”

places in Tamil Nadu, Mysore and

Gunasheela, the social worker who rescued two of the girls, said:

ere they came across the

then to Bangalore to do household

“We rescued the girls from a resi-

younger

dency in Yelahanka with the help of

changed), who was accompanied by The three children who were rescued by Jagruthi Sanstha

the police and the Stree Jagruti

her mother.

sister

Lashi

(name

work. study further.”

In accordance with the remark

mother. Grace’s report further

and the hearing by the CWC Court

Samstha. We filed a First Informa-

Lashi talked about the abuse she

e counseling by Grace Vijayab-

added, “She narrated the abuse and

the minors have been

tion Report (FIR) at the Yelahanka

had been facing and said that she no

harthi began on September 2. As

trauma to their mother, but she did

bridge course at the Dream School

police station against the owners of

longer wanted to stay in a nearby

per the reports, Ashima (name

not turn up to rescue them.”

of APSA.

the house.”

house owned by the businessman’s

changed),10, said that she was

Lashi, during her counseling with

son-in-law.

blindfolded, gagged and sexually

Grace said that she was sexually

Menaka, 30, a team member of Child Line, a helpline run by the

e CWC court has ordered

exploited by the son of the business-

abused by the businessman’s son-in-

Woman & Child Welfare Dept,

APSA to file an FIR against the con-

man. On complaining about it to

law. regularly. She also complained

said, “We got a call on the state

struction company boss, his son

the land lady, Ashima was blamed

about being touched inappropri-

number on August 28 informing

and his son-in-law.

for initiating such acts.

ately by the man’s four-year-old son.

about two girls being used as do-

Lakshapathy said, “e young

e counseling reports said, Shak-

Grace, the counselor said, “e

mestic help and being sexually ha-

girls were more than happy to come

ina (name changed), the eldest sis-

minors have been through a lot of

rassed.” On August 29 members of

out of that house and wished to

ter, has no confidence in her

physical abuse and the scars on

into the

Latest Updates As on September 12th a FIR has been filed separately against the businessman, his son and his son-in-law. e acuused are yet to be taken into custody. e next hearing at the Child Welfare Committee Court has been announced for September 17th.

Posts in Human Rights Commission vacant, pending cases on rise Gaurav Kumar

the list of pending cases as the chair

the KSHRC from state retain a loy-

Top-level vacancies and shortage

would also head the bench while

alty to their parent body.

of staff in Karnataka State Human

deciding commission cases. As the

e annual report of 2010-11

Rights Commission is adding to

commission is a three-member

states that more than 8710 cases

the list of pending cases.

body, absence of even one member

were pending last year. e report

reduces the strength to two-thirds.

was not uploaded on the website of

sistant Registrar, KSHRC, since

According to a recent news re-

the commission again due to short-

June 2012 the post of secretary and

port, without the permission of the

age of staff. e website is in disar-

since July 2012 the post of chair-

chairman, investigations cannot be

ray with many links not working.

man is vacant in the commission.

initiated on any complaint of

According to Saxena, the website

At present the work of secretary is

human rights violations.

was supposed to be updated in two-

According to Abdul Hafeez, As-

done by their Inspector General of

Graph representing cases received and disposed of by the KSHRC

Police.

e Protection of Human Rights

three months, but it still hasn’t

Act, 1993, states that "no act or pro-

been.. According to the assistant

C.G. Hungund, member, KSHRC,

a must for the proper functioning

He cited a recent instance to high-

ceedings of the commission shall be

registrar, the reports of the last two

said that from July 2012, when the

of the commission. “Full commis-

light government's apathy, where

questioned or shall be invalidated

years are still to be printed and

previous chairman vacated his seat,

sion strength under the chairman is

the selection committee, KSHRC,

merely on the ground of existence

might take a month or two.

till November 2012, there was not a

important to get recommendations

which includes the chief minister,

of any vacancy or defect in the con-

single member in the commission.

accepted by the government. e

state home minister, presiding offi-

stitution of the commission."

According to an official the com-

government is not interested in ap-

cers & leaders of opposition in both

Saxena, on the shortage of staff,

particularly in the investigation di-

mission came to a standstill during

pointing commission members.

the houses, was unable to select the

said that no-one is willing to get

vision to carry out its functions ef-

those four months. Hungund said

ey are not even interested in

chairman as one of the members

posted in the commission. Refer-

fectively. Human rights are being

that the presence of the chairman is

human rights of the people.”

was absent from the meeting.

e 2010-11 report states, "e commission requires sufficient staff

ring to the practice of sending offi-

violated in increasing number. State

Meera C. Saxena, a member of the

cials from the state government to

Human Rights Commission earlier

“e government is not interested in ap-

KSHRC, said that though the post

the commission on deputation, she

had five members but the amend-

pointing commission members. ey are not

of chairman is important there is

said, "Everybody wants to work in

ment made in 2006 reduced the

even interested in human rights of the peo-

nothing in the law which prevents

the mainstream rather than getting

number to three. KSHRC thinks

ple.”

the commission from acting with-

sidelined while working under the

that the commission should have

out one.. She added that the ab-

commission."

five members to deal with various

- C.G. Hungund, member KSHRC.

sence of a chair certainly adds to

It’s also been claimed those sent to

cases that come up."

e Weekly Observer

ursday, September 12, 2013

4

Rogue cop demanding kickbacks Apurva Venkat A city police officer threatens to book locals unless they pay him bribes.

Students and local businessmen have complained about being harassed by the rogue cop.

Mohit Narain, a resident of Kumaraswamy Layout, said: “e police demand money from us for no reason. is has happened to me at least five times in last three months. ey take us to the police station and force us to pay and threaten to file a case if we don’t.”

Mahesh, a student of Dayananda Sagar College, said: “Smoking is just one thing. e police harass us a lot. Two days ago, two of my friends and I were returning at 11.30pm. e police stopped us, opened our bags, took out our laptop and blamed us of stealing it. ey took Rs. 500 from us and only then they let us go. ” Police take students to police stations for

Kumaraswamy Layout Police Station,

smoking in public spaces and charge them Rs. 300 without giving a receipt. is is not one isolated case but a routine that the police of this locality follow.

Lalitha, the owner of a tea and cigarette shop in the area, said: “Police come here once in every half an hour. ey will catch the guys smoking and demand money. I have never seen anyone getting a receipt till now. ey even fined me Rs.300 once for keeping my shop open beyond 10.30 pm. I have never received a receipt for it.”

When our reporters from e Weekly Observer were caught smoking right opposite the Dayananda Sagar College, the cop pounced quickly. e policeman, who refused to give his name, asked us to accompany him to the police station.

We told the policeman that we were ready to pay a fine of Rs. 200 to him , the statutory fine for smoking in the street, but we would not go to the police station. e policeman insisted that we go alongwith him.

We argued that as per the law, females cannot be asked to go to a police station without a lady constable being present. Also, a girl cannot be asked to attend the police station aer sunset and before sunrise. e section 46(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code states that no women can be asked to come to the police station Banashankari aer sunset and before

Students at the college are harassed for money by police on a regular basis sunrise.

According to the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008, no person can smoke in public spaces which include theatres, bus stops, railway stations, restaurants, auditoriums, hospitals etc. Smoking on roads is allowed. e rule also states that smoking in a public place carries a fine of Rs. 200 for which a receipt has to be given.

To this the policeman said; “I have caught you smoking so you have to come. Pay me Rs 300 now or you will have to meet the Sub Inspector there and take a notice.” He refused to reveal his name and title. He was wearing a jacket over his uniform which hid his nametag.

We then went to the Kumaraswamy Layout Police Station and spoke to the Assistant Sub Inspector on night duty. We asked him what the rules are pertaining to smoking in public places and girls being called to police station.

On asking why his constable had asked us to come to the police station aer sunset, he replied: “I can ask anyone to come to the police station any time. However, I cannot ask a lady to stay overnight at the police station.”

On repeatedly asking the same question the police inspector said: “You were caught smoking on road. I can put you in jail for two years along with a fine of Rs.2000.” When asked if we will get a receipt of the fine, he said: “It has to come from the court, so you will not get a receipt right now.”

Prarit Joshi, a student, said: “Many times they stop my bike and ask me to take it to the police station. For absolutely no fault of mine they ask me to pay money and then only leave.”

Students also said police enter their rented apartments randomly at night and threaten to take them to police station for drinking.

Pregnant woman claims she was beaten for her faith Mayuri J Ravi & Shweta Nair A seven months pregnant woman and her family members were beaten up by villagers - allegedly for believing in Christ.

On 29 August 22-year-old Radha Pawar (name changed) along with her sister-in-law, went to draw water from Krishna Canal in the village as her family was banned from using a public tap.

Suresh, Radha’s brother-in-law, said: “She was stopped from drawing water by one of the villagers.

When she asked the reason for not letting her use the water, the villager pushed her and grabbed her by her clothes. en 13 men and two women beat Radha and my wife.”

Radha was taken to the government hospital in Nidagundi by the police and was given treatment.

“She is fine now but this incident scared us. So we le the village on 31 August for the safety of the women and children in our family,” added Ravi.

A complaint was lodged in Bagevadi Police Station on September 2 by the Pawar family. “ere has been no action taken against the villagers. Even the panchayat did not take any firm decision against these people. e police have advised the villagers to not trouble us but they do not listen even to the police.” When we contacted Bagevadi Police Station, Chikkana, sub-inspector in-charge, refused to comment. e Pawar family has been living in Nidagundi for five years and say they have been troubled by the villagers for their belief in Christianity. ukaram .H. Rathod, pastor of the church, said: “is has been

going on for some time but now it has become too much. e villagers torture the family by breaking into their homes or throwing stones at them. ey had no choice but to leave their home and settle in Managur.”

“We are not allowed to believe in Jesus as we are the only family who follows Christianity in the village.

We have to pay money to use water or even talk to other villagers. We were driven out of our home because of our faith in Jesus,” added Ravi.

Christian leaders in Bijapur have proposed a press meet on 16 September at Bangalore Press Club.

Pericho Prabhu, social worker in Bangalore, said, “What has happened to this family is unconstitutional and we need to get them justice. e press conference is yet to be confirmed.”

Radha Pawar, showing her ripped blouse shortly aer the attack

e Weekly Observer

ursday, September 12, 2013

5

Towering problem for Paradise dwellers Bhavika Bhuwalka

ited said that radiation from the

have reduced the amount of radia-

the telecom authorities have out-

thority (BDA) and Karnataka Pol-

A group of residents fighting for

tower was below the prescribed

tion they emit to 1/10th i.e. 0.92

sourced the project say that nothing

lution Control Board’s public griev-

the removal of a mobile phone

level. Palvannan of Aircel said that

Watt per square meter of 9.2 Watt

of this sort is required. Neehar Rao,

ance portal.He said: “We have

tower were stunned when con-

the basic rule is to have a distance

per square meter.

owner of LiveSAFE, said, “Being

approached the high court, how-

struction work started on two

of 25 meters between the tower and

According to LiveSAFE, an or-

exposed to a mobile tower located

ever we are not sure against whom

more.

the wall and their new tower satis-

ganization that works on Cell

within 50-metres is like being in a

the case should be filed.” Rueben,

Lack of awareness of the rules for

microwave oven for 24 hours.”

the lawyer who was approached re-

setting up mobile towers is leading

Volunteers from the organiza-

garding the case said that without

to confusion among people.

tion visited the apartment and

finding out if the tower was legal,

Residents of Raj Paradise Apart-

detected that the radiation levels

further proceedings on that were

ments in BTM Layout, who were al-

were way beyond the prescribed

very difficult. “We are thinking of

ready

with

limit. ey also offered their

filing an RTI now”, he added.

government officials regarding an

anti-radiation safety equipment

existing mobile tower near their

to the residents.

facing

problems

e Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palika (BBMP) has to approve any

building, were yet again in a fix

e radiation from such towers

kind of construction in the city but

aer the construction of two others

causes health hazards like DNA

there was no way in which one

started.

damage, reduced immune sys-

could determine whether the tow-

According to Harsha G., a mem-

tem, cancer and brain tumors.

ers are legal or illegal. Harsha said,

ber of the Owner’s Association,

Chandrashekhar, president of

“Going to the police was a mistake.

more than 50% of towers in Banga-

the Owner’s Association, said,

ey were of no help. e Myco

lore are illegal but there are no clear

“is is an old apartment with

Layout SHO asked us the pre-

rules about what is legal and what

around 250 families living. We

scribed rules without which they

is not. When Harsha lodged a com-

don’t want to take risk of lives.

could not take any action.”

plaint with the Department of Mobile tower being constructed close to Raj Paradise Apartments e case is going on since July.

Telecommunication (DoT) about e company should educate

nication is supposed to fine the base

the Vodafone and Aircel towers,

fied this criterion. But according to

Tower Radiation (CTR) protection,

people. e government should

stations that fail to meet cell tower

which were being constructed, the

the new norms by DoT, the safe dis-

a No Objection Certificate (NOC)

make the rules clearer so that we

radiation norms but the extent to

next day people were sent for radi-

tance between two towers and resi-

from neighborhood areas is re-

know whom to approach at least.”

which these regulations are being

ation checking.

dential buildings should be 35

quired before constructing a tower

Harsha lodged complaints with

meters. In 2012, cellular towers

but the tower companies to whom

the Bangalore Development Au-

Nikhil from Vodafone South Lim-

e Department of Telecommu-

followed is not known to the residents of BTM Layout.

Dozens a day end their lives in the country’s hi-tech state Ishan Bhattacharya

gar, Mysore, Mandya, Ramanagara

in relationships are another cause of

failing to attain them may have dis-

Twenty six people kill themselves

and Tumkur, the southern part of

suicide. Some people who go for

astrous consequences.”

every day in Karnataka, a study

the state, the number is 912.

live in relationships commit suicide

Dr. Safiya, proprietor of Mind and

In places like Belgaum, Udupi and

because they have no security. Fu-

Brain, a counseling centre, said that

has shown. e analysis was based on the

Mangalore, the number of suicide

ture of their relationship is un-

if 10 to 15 percent of people are suf-

data provided by the State Crime

cases is 890, while cities in the east-

known. Inability to adjust makes

fering from depression, there is a

Records Bureau (SCRB). e same

ern part of Karnataka, like Bellary,

them demanding. Expectations in a

chance that one of them might

study revealed that in Bangalore, on

Raichur and Chikkaballapur have

live-in-relationship are also high;

commit suicide.

average, six people commit suicide

P.R. Chandrashekhar, NIMHANS

every day.

381 suicide cases.

Former head of the psychiatric

According to SCRB, the number

that occurred, 77 were by burning,

department in National Institute of

of suicide cases in 2012 was 12,753

11 cases were of drowning, 203

Mental Health and Neurosciences

in Karnataka and 1989 in Banga-

were due to poisoning, 1027 cases

(NIMHANS),

lore. 6,478 suicide cases were regis-

of death were by hanging, 18 people

drashekhar, said: “e most com-

tered in Karnataka from January 1,

came under the train and 68 sui-

mon cause of suicide is depression.

2013 to September 9, 2013 in which

cides were contributed to various

At least 75 per cent of the people

Bangalore alone contributed 1,419

other factors.

who commit suicide are victims of

cases, which is almost 22 per cent of the total.

P.

R

Chan-

In places like Bijapur, Bidar,

depression. Frustration is another

Bagalkot and Hubli in the northern

reason for suicide. Sometimes frus-

Documents provided by the

part of Karnataka, number of sui-

tration can be generated by brain it-

SCRB revealed that in Bangalore,

cides from January 1 this year to

self.”

out of the total number of suicides

September 9 is 492. In Chamrajna-

He further added, “Unhappy live-Breakdown of suicide statistics in Bangalore for the year 2013

e Weekly Observer

ursday, September 12, 2013

Delhi rape verdict: What Bangalore thinks Apurva Venkat A day before the final sentence for the Delhi rape case is expected to be pronounced, e Observer team found out what the citizens of Bangalore think should be the verdict.

Ashish Yedvi, Sports Analyst e accused should be hanged. Only this kind of severe punishment will prove to be a lesson to other such men who don’t care .

“

Avinash Mantri, Advertising Consultant e guilty should be kept alive and tortured physically and mentally on a daily basis. ey should die a slow death.

“

Kerri Rodirigues, Event Manager Yes, capital punishment for them. Only if a strict action is taken, people will fear doing such a crime. What if they do the same out of rage for being imprisoned? Even a lifetime imprisonment is not enough; these people deserve to die for ill treating and killing an innocent girl. Hang them publicly.

“ “ “

Priya Ramesh, Homemaker e convicts should be burned in public. en they will realize, if ever possible, the unbearable pain they made the girl go through.

A strong sense of fear should be created in the hearts of these perpetrators.

Ravi Shankar, NGO member For any rapist, hanged to death or lifetime imprisonment is not a true justice to any rape victim, A victim or the parents should decide what punishment should be given.

Illustration:Aurosmita

Observer Team

Mohit Narain (Engineering student) Rapists should neither be hanged nor sentenced to life imprisonment, they should be brought in front of the parents of the victim. ey should be punished daily and made to suffer the pain and the inhumanity they committed on the poor, helpless girl.

“

News Editors–Bhavika Bhuwalka, Nibedita Mohanta, Neha Singh Chief Sub Sawant

Editor–Anagha

Picture Editor– Apurva Venkat Design Desk– Chitharth Mathivanan Sub Editors– Gaurav Kumar, Ishan Bhattacharya and Nikita Narvekar Proof Readers–Mayuri J Ravi and Anannya Sarkar Editor– Anand Jain Email– editor@iijnm.org An IIJNM Publication (For Private Circulation)

Events SCIENCE Second International Conference on Advances in Cloud Computiing Timing: 9 am - 6 pm, Sept 19/20/2013 Place: NIMHANS Convention Centre

CULTURE Bangalore Literature Festival 2013 Date: Sept 19 - 20, 2013 Place: Crowne Plaza Velankani Park, Electronics City

THEATRE Going Solo- Internatinal eatre Festival 2013 by Teamwork Date: Oct 11 - 13, 2013 Place: MLR Convention Centre, Whitefield

‘ere is no real security for musicians in India’ - Neecia Majolly Aurosmita Acharya

Reporters –Bhaskar Dutta and Karishma Ravindran

6

e Majolly Music Trust, a twoand-a-half-year old organization, has been very active in the field of music performance and education. ey have organized festivals like the 'Classical Piano Festival’ and the ‘Festival of Classical Song'. is year it’s the 'Festival of Strings' featuring some terrific musicians from India and abroad.

It is a three day gig, from September 20-22 at Alliance Française de Delhi.

Following is an excerpt of an interview with Neecia Majolly, the owner: Tell us something about the Majolly Music Trust Our main cause is the unique pension fund for the aged and infirm musicians. As there is no real social security system in place in India, much less for musicians, we decided to do something about it.

ALL our concerts are fund-raisers for this cause. I am pleased to an-

nounce that we will be able to start distributing funds from October onwards. e Trust is active in promoting young talent, and has two comcerts every year that features young people from all over India.

Who are the star performers in ‘Festival of Strings’ this time?

We have three renowned artists performing live over a span of three days.

Daniel Linden is an American classical guitarist, composer and teacher with a broad range of musical interests and abilities. He has been collaborating with Hindustani and Carnatic classical musicians in Nepal and India.

Santhosh Chandran, an eighth grader and ATCL Diploma in Classic Guitar, plays unique genre of carnatic and flamenco music. A professional since 25 years, he has since played in eight countries.

Prakash Sontakke is the only musician from Karanataka to get the Independent Music Awards for World fusion. He is the only

Neecia Majolly, founder-trustee of the Majolly Music Trust. guitarist of India playing different styles on the Electric Slide Guitar. ough from a very traditional Hindustani Classical background, he is equally comfortable with other genres.

How many passes are you hoping to sell?

Donor passes are Rs. 300/- available at the Trust, eme Piano World, and at Alliance Française de Bangalore. We are expecting a huge gathering.

What are your other forthcom-

ing projects?

In October, we have a singing competition called "e Outperformers" for people of 12-21 yrs of age. In November, we have a huge choir concert presenting "Carmina Burana", a very popular choral work. Next year will see some tours, as well as the Kawai Junior Piano Competition, in collaboration with eme Music Company.

Visit their website: www.majollymusictrust.in for information about the festival.