The Observer An IIJNM publication
Demand for EVs rises, but suppliers are at a loss as manufacturers can’t meet demand | P2
Vol 20, Issue 15
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Also,demand for concentrators is tough to meet By Ashutosh Acharya
Oxygen distributors say they have no surplus stocks | Courtesy: KPN in Bengaluru. We are running out of stocks every hour. We don’t have any extra stocks; we supply every stock that comes to our shop to patients.” Mahendran V.L., manager of Live Science Technologies, Banashankari, a wholesaler in oxygen cylinders and concentrators, informed The Observer: “I get 100-150 orders per day, but am not able to meet them. After we sold our stocks in the initial days, the stocks that we now receive cannot meet the large
requirement. There is also a huge manufacturing shortage. We are not importing stocks from China and the United States, which further poses serious issues for the patients. Hospital beds are full, so most people prefer to isolate themselves a home instead of taking the risk of waiting for beds in hospitals.” Mahendran said an oxygen cylinder costs Rs 9,000-12,000, whereas an oxygen concentrator costs somewhere between Rs 40,000 and Rs 90,000. The de-
mand for oxygen cylinders has gone up in recent days. Usually, patients inhale up to two litres of oxygen per minute, which goes up to 4-5 litres in serious cases. An oxygen cylinder can contain between 10 and 48 litres. Narayana Subhash from Aditya Biomedicals, Nagarabhavi, a company which supplies medical equipment, informed The Observer: “The government is not careful enough and is not taking enough precautions. We supply cylinders and concentrators to home patients. Earlier, we used to supply oxygen for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, but now due to corona, most people want oxygen at home as there are no beds in the hospitals. We get 300 to 400 calls per day for oxygen cylinders and concentrators. The question of supply doesn’t arise at all; we don’t have any supplies coming. Probably the stocks will come next month.People in the industry weren’t prepare for this .” Continued on page 3
Their wait for govt-built houses is endless Applicants not informed of the decision made By Mahitha Owk Bengaluru: Despite the several housing schemes announced for the poor in Karnataka by both the state and central govt, many people still remain homeless. They complain they have not received any reply from the govt even after applying for several times. “I have applied three times now, but (have received) no response from the govt. I think I will become old and die by the time they sanction me a house,” Prashanth N, a daily wages labourer, informed The Observer. The state and central government have announced schemes like the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme, Basava Vasati Yojana/
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana aims to provide pucca houses with basic amenities to all rural homeless families by 2022. | Courtesy: KPN Rural Ashraya, Ambedkar Yojana and CM’s One Lakh Housing Scheme. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana aims to provide pucca houses with basic amenities to all homeless families living in rural areas by 2022. A petition was filed in the Karnataka High Court by Mohamed
@theweeklyobserver Epaper:https://issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs Website: http://www. theweeklyobserver.in
Indiranagar’s shopowners suffer losses as road white-topping halts due to Covid situation | P3
As 2nd Covid wave rages, B’luru runs short of oxygen cylinders Bengaluru: Amid a second wave of Covid-19, oxygen suppliers are finding it difficult to provide cylinders and concentrators to hospitals and homes. There is a huge shortage due to the surge in demand in the past few weeks. “Forget about the orders, I have not seen anything like this in my career of 18 years. I have been getting around 1,000 to 1,500 calls every day...,” said Manoj Kumar, the manager of Manoj Distributors, Mathikere. “There is a huge shortage of oxygen. We are supplying oxygen to home patients, not to hospitals because we are unable to meet their huge demand. Some people are so scared of getting Covid that they are buying cylinders in advance. The situation is very bad
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Ikbal, a Bengaluru-based lawyer, claimed that there is no commitment or action plan by the government to provide housing for all people eligible by 2022. Malatesha C.O. applied for a house scheme twice but has not received any response from the government. “I am handicapped,
don’t have a leg, I work on a contract basis. Once I am done with a contract, I have to search for another job. I am not even able to pay my rent. Having my own house will lessen at a little burden,” he shared. He complained he has visited government offices many times but not got a response. “When Kumaraswamy was in power, I got a scooter for the handicapped, but now I’m unable to get a house from Yediyurappa’s government.” The applicants have complained that despite meeting the eligibility criteria, the govt has rejected their applications. It has not got back to applicants about the decision made. Pratap Chandra Mansingh, a daily wages labourer, said: “I belong to a scheduled caste and have a BPL card. I have applied three times now. I don’t know why the government is not getting back to me despite me being eligible.” Continued on page 3
News Briefs EC bans victory rallies after election results No victory processions will be allowed after election results in four states and a Union territory are declared on May 2, the Election Commission has said. The directive comes amid a severe surge in Covid-19 cases across the country, and a day after the poll body drew flak from the Madras High Court for its alleged laxity in enforcing Covid rules in the run-up to the assembly elections.
New Covid cases cross 3L for 6th straight day
April so far is the deadliest month since the beginning of the pandemic. The last seven days have accounted for half the deaths reported in the month. Despite lower testing in the weekend, Monday was the sixth day in a row when India’s Covid count for the past 24 hours exceeded 3 lakh – it was 3.2 lakh on Monday – and deaths crossed the 2,000 mark for the seventh consecutive day. Maharasthra reported the most number of Covid cases, and has imposed a lockdown.
Oxygen Express reaches Delhi with 70 tonnes
The first Oxygen Express train for Delhi, carrying around 70 tonnes of the life-saving gas, reached the national capital early Tuesday morning. The number of Covid-19 deaths in a day in Delhi touched 380 on Monday — the highest till date. On Thursday and Saturday, the capital had reported 357 deaths.
Australia bans direct flights from India
Australia on Tuesday announced a temporary ban on direct passenger flights from India following a massive surge in coronavirus infections. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the suspension would remain in place until at least May 15 due to “clearly present” risks of travel from India, leaving thousands of Australians stranded.Australia, which has a population of 1.3 billion people recorded 352,991 new infections and 2,812 deaths its highest levels since the pandemic began.
CITY
2
The Observer Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Demand for EV rises, sales remain low Delayed delivery by vehicle manufacturers leaves customers disappointed
By Nishita Agath Bengaluru: Despite an increased demand for electric vehicles, the sales remain low due to delayed delivery by manufacturers. Melvin Wilson, secretary at Ather Energy, an EV manufacturer, said: “Sales of electric vehicles have increased by three times as compared to the past five months. Neither we nor the raw material suppliers have increased prices as for now; we aim to increase sales.” Delayed deliveries by manufacturers affect the operational cycle and working capital of electric vehicle suppliers, making it difficult for them to fulfill the customers’ demands on time. Vinod M.R., a sales executive at VFM EV, Richmond Road, said: “For the past three months, the demand for electric vehicles has increased by around 45%. But due to a delay in receiving vehicles by around one and half months..., we are unable to fulfill our customers’ demands on time.” Mohan Raju, a dealer at PURE EV, Dr Shivaram Karanth Nagar, said: “The demand for electric vehicles has increased by
Across the city Write Out Loud 208 Date and time: April 28, 7:309:30PM. Registration link: https://bit.ly/3dXdTvW
According to transport department data, Bangalore has a total of 85.6 lakh registered vehicles, out of which, only 14,579 are e-vehicles. Bangalore has a total of 14,579 electric vehicles. | Credit: KPN 25-30% in the past four months. However, delays in the delivery of vehicles by the manufacturers affect our sales. The delivery of vehicles gets delayed by 45-50 days after placing the order, causing unfulfilled demand. Customers don’t wait for so long and shift to another seller.”
Apart from this, “we don’t receive the colour we placed (an order for). Hence, we can’t take orders in advance as there is no certainty in receiving the same vehicles we ordered.” B. S. Javid, another electric vehicle dealer said: “We don’t have enough stock. Therefore, we can’t
sell vehicles as and when they are demanded. We have to make a payment within 25-30 days, whereas manufacturers deliver the vehicles ordered after around two months, causing difficulties in managing the working capital. Owing to this, we are unable to fulfill the demand by the customers on time.” According to transport department data, Bangalore has a total of 85.6 lakh registered vehicles, out of which, only 14,579 are e-vehicles. People blame the inefficiencies of Bescom and the government for the low usage of electric vehicles. Jyothi Madesh, who owns a vehicle that runs on petrol, said: “Due to few charging stations — most of them established at Bescom offices — we have to travel a lot to charge vehicles. This increases the risk of getting stuck midway as the battery drains, reducing the willingness (of people) to buy electric vehicles. Also, a few charging points at Bescom are faulty. The government should ensure all of them are in a working condition.” Vijay R.T., another owner of a petrol vehicle, said: “Once charg-
Fifteen Covid patients cremated together at Bengaluru's new facility on its inaugural day
Vigyan Adda Talk: Heading towards turbulence
1.The World Day For Animals In Laboratories (WDAIL) is marked annually on which date? 2. The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is observed globally on which day? 3. In India, which day is celebrated as the National Panchayati Raj Day? 4. Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021 was held in which country? 5. Which payment bank has become the 1st to enable Rs.2 lakh day end balance account limit?
BIC presents presents Restless as Mercury Date and time: April 29, 6:30PM. Registration link: https://bit.ly/32V7SK9 International Conference on Information and Education Innovations (ICIEI-21) Date and time: May 2, 6:30 PM. Registration link: https://bit.ly/3aKazCx
Answers on page 3
Words of the day
Theatre Nisha presents Sordid at Rangashankara Date and time: May 1, 9 PM. Registration link: https://bit.ly/3tYc0F9 HAL’s Bangalore Helicopter ride Date and time: April 28, 4:30PM. Registration link: https://bit.ly/3vkI8mw
Date and time: May 2, 6PM. Registration link: https://bit.ly/3esNMfq
Weather Maximum temperature: 33 degrees celsius Minimum temperature: 21 degrees celsius Precipitation: 1% Humidity: 68% Wind: 10 km/h
Quiz
Date and time: April 29, 4:30PM. Registration link: https://bit.ly/32RImW5
Bangalore International Centre presents Girl Alone
ing stations are established on highways, more people will turn to electric cars. The absence of charging stations on highways constrains people from buying electric vehicles.” Karnataka was the first state to introduce an e-vehicle policy. It has set a goal to convert the existing motorfuel-run vehicles into evehicles by 2030. Now, due to increased fuel prices, and a rise in the demand for e-vehicles, Bescom officials hope that electric vehicle sales will increase in the near future. C.K. Sreenath, deputy general manager at Smart Grid and Electric Vehicles, Bescom, said: “Bescom has installed 136 charging units at around 70 locations and is aiming to install more charging stations at different places. It charges at Rs 7-8 per unit, whereas using motorfuelbased vehicles is costlier. We plan to establish charging station every 5 km in the city...”. Rising prices of motorfuels, awareness drives by the government, and improved charging infrastructure have encouraged more people to buy e-vehicles. nishita.a@iijnm.org
Fifteen bodies were cremated at the same time at a new cremation ground at Kurubahahalli, off Kengeri Main Road, on Monday. The government had allotted two four-acre plots for cremation and burial. Bengaluru's existing seven crematoriums are overburdened with bodies awaiting cremation. Ambulances carrying the dead have to line up for hours. The crematoriums now close at 3am instead of 6pm, but are still overwhelmed with bodies. The new crematorium, which can handle 25 bodies a day, began functioning as the city reported 77 Covid-19 deaths on April 26 | Courtesy: KPN
1.Versal: universal or whole. 2. Sustainability: the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources 3. Parnassian: pertaining to poetry. 4. Alfresco: out-of-doors; in the open air. 5.Brummagem: Showy but inferior and worthless. 6. Specious: apparently good or right though lacking real merit; superficially pleasing or plausible. 7. Celluloid: of or involving motion pictures 8. Parnassian: pertaining to poetry.
CITY
Halted white-topping spells a pause to biz
BBMP has stopped work in Indiranagar due to Covid By Dhruv Raghav Bengaluru: Shop owners on 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar, are distressed as BBMP has paused white-topping work due to the Covid situation, almost blocking entrances to their establishments. “People are apprehensive to come to the shop not because of Covid, but because they have to carry their bikes… on their shoulders. Mountain bikes are heavy, and hopping over a drain is not easy. The work started a month ago. They dug up the entrance. Little work has been done. Covid and then this have discouraged the customers, making it difficult for the shop owners here,” Shariq Rehman, Owner of Life Behind Bars Cycles, informed The Observer. Motorists who want to visit a car detailing shop have to drive over wooden beams to enter it. “Customers do not want to come in as they have to drive over two wooden beams which do not seem reliable. The work has been going for a month and they have been
The white topping division of the BBMP has halted work, citing increase in Covid-19 cases in the area. | Credit: KPN saying the work will be completed in 2-3 days for the past week,” said Rohit, the person in charge of 3M Car Care, Indiranagar. According to a December 7, 2020, Bangalore Mirror report, BBMP started the work on the request of Indiranagar residents. The report said: “Following suggestions from resident groups, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has promised to redesign Indiranagar 100 Feet Road, which is going to be whitetopped in a month's time.” White-topping is often done on an existing asphalted road. The term white-topping refers to covering a road with cement and concrete. Although, concrete roads
“We get many orders, but there is manufacturing shortage” Continued from page 1
S
antosh from the administration of Victoria Hospital said ICUs in the hospital are full and there are no spare ventilators for use. They are asking patients to call the BBMP Covid helpline. The Karnataka government set up a Covid-19 war room on April 21 to oversee the supply of oxygen and remdesivir in hospitals in Bengaluru. Health minister K Sudhakar tweeted: “In order to ensure timely & sufficient supply of Oxygen and #Remdesivir a 24/7 war room has been established with staff working round the clock in 3 shifts.” Shashikala, a government employee who works in the war room, informed The Observer: “We don’t know exactly how many calls we get (in all), but on an average, each person receives 150-200 calls for oxygen cylinders and remdesivirs for both home patients as well as hospitals. We
have 35 members in one shift. We work in three shifts of eight hours each, round the clock. Almost everyone gets oxygen supply after they give us proper information. We place an order to oxygen suppliers. They then supply the stock directly to the patient.” If a patient is in home quarantine, the specimen referral form (SRF) and government ID of the Covid sample are required to get oxygen. If a patient is hospitalized, the hospital address and PIN code are required.Latest data show Bengaluru has more than 1 lakh active Covid cases, recording 20,733 on April 25, the second day of the weekend lockdown. More than 100 people have died in the past two days due to Covid-19.With a 14-day lockdown imposed across Karnataka, and with the war room working full swing, the state government hopes there will be no shortage of oxygen, and cases will come down. ashutosh.a@iijnm,org
last more than asphalted roads, building their pavements cost more than asphalted roads and re-pavement causes inconvenience. According to an article on Bright Hub Engineering, an online platform for engineers, “Concrete roads have a long service life of forty years, whereas asphalt roads last for ten years. Moreover, during this service life concrete roads do not require frequent repair or patching work like asphalt roads.” Rehman said he has to carry bicycles on his shoulder and hop over an approximately two-footwide open drain. The entrances that are dug up
for the white-topping project are for a new drainage system and sidewalks. “Along with the entrance being blocked, the drainage system was also disconnected for the new drain which is part of the whitetopping project,” he added. Customers of these shops find it difficult to park their vehicles and even enter the establishments. Shashankh CK, a customer of Rehman’s Life Behind Bars Cycles, said: “I can’t ride or roll my bike to the shop anymore. I am a mountain biker and my bike needs repair frequently. I love my bike. Getting it repaired has become a task.” BBMP had to halt the work because some residents of the area contracted Covid-19. Geetha, Executive Engineer, White Topping Division, BBMP, said: “The white topping work on the road had to be stopped as a few people in the area have turned positive. We were laying the drainage pipes first, hence the road is still dug up.” With a second fresh wave of Covid-19 raging across the country, businesses that were already limping because of last year’s lockdowns are now bearing the brunt of BBMP’s halted road work. The 14-day corona curfew from the night of April 27, 2021, could deal another body blow to their businesses. dhruv.r@iijnm.org
Many remain homeless even after multiple applications Continued from page 1
M
r. Mansingh isn’t able to find any work due to the ongoing pandemic and is struggling to meet his family’s basic needs. “I have to pay a rent of Rs 5,000 a month which I am unable to. Having a house of my own will help me a little.” Prashant N., another applicant, said: “I can’t afford a house, so my family and I live with my parents and my younger brother.” He apprehends a situation where he has to move out of the house. Usharani K, a homemaker, said, “Every time the government announces such housing schemes, I apply, but I never receive any response from them.” Those applying for these housing schemes have to meet certain criteria: Should be a permanent resident of Karnataka, shouldn’t own a house anywhere in the country, have an annual income of less than Rs 32,000, and be a Below
Poverty Line (BPL) card holder. When The Observer contacted Karnataka housing minister V. Somanna, he refused to comment. When The Observer contacted Karnataka housing minister V. Somanna, he refused to comment. With metropolitan cities like Bengaluru expanding rapidly, the need for labourers is increas ing with the passage of time. To prevent them from leaving for other places, the state governments build houses under housing schemes for the economically weaker sections. Vikram Bhat, a Bengalurubased urban planner, shared: “If there are no people especially daily wages labourers in a growing city like Bengaluru, it will become tough for the government to build infrastructure.” To hold these people back, the state government conducted surveys and found there are many poor families who need houses. mahitha.o@iijnm.org
3 Citizens’ voice The lockdown will reduce pollution With Karnataka imposing a lockdown for two weeks, the environment in Bengaluru again will see a respite from pollution, and all the erratic climate change that humans have forced on the city. Perhaps this is a lesson for all of us to understand and to realize that climate change is real. Sindhu Nagaraj Use money to build hospitals, not statues Keeping in view India’s current Covid-19 situation – not enough hospital beds and oxygen – it seems that the world’s tallest statue, in Gujarat, was a complete waste of money. The same money could have been used to improve India’s healthcare sector. Anushmi Tripathy The travails of Covid patients Covid-19 test results at government laboratories in Bengaluru are taking longer to come. This is because cases are rising at an alarming rate. After a person tests positive, he/she struggles to find a bed in a hospital. This is a sorry state of affairs. Kritika Mehta The death numbers are under-reported Even as the pandemic is wreaking havoc across the nation and the health system is collapsing, authorites are not letting the world to see the true magnitude of the pandemic by under-reporting death numbers by 1/5th, said a New York Times article. The sight of hospitals is horrifying. Dhruv Raghav
Quiz answers 1. 24 April 2. 24 April 3. 24 April 4. China 5. Airtel 6. 10.4% 7. 50% 8. Andhra Pradesh 9. 10.1% 10. Fourth saturday of April 11. Zimbabwe
The Observer Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Team Observer Editor: Ashutosh Acharya Copy Editors: Ashutosh Acharya, Dhruv Raghav, Mahitha Owk, Nidhi Kajaria, Nishita M. Agath Photo Editors: Ashutosh Acharya, Dhruv Raghav, Mahitha Owk, Nidhi Kajaria, Nishita M. Agath Reporters: Ashutosh Acharya, Dhruv Raghav, Mahitha Owk, Nishita M. Agath Page Editors: Ashutosh Acharya, Dhruv Raghav, Mahitha Owk, Nidhi Kajaria
Art & Culture Question mark over the survival of an art
4
The Observer Tuesday, April 27, 2019
SUPPLEMENT
The pandemic has led to the orders of wooden doll makers being cancelled, says Upasana Banerjee
T
he makers of wooden
of Notungram, said that “even
ing after the lockdown. The artis-
dolls in Notungram in
though Biswa Bangla and the
tans are facing difficulties in buy-
Burdwan district, West
West Bengal Rural Hub earlier
ing raw materials which mostly
Bengal, have been dealt a huge
provided us with stalls and trans-
comes from the village mill or
blow by the coronavirus pan-
portation costs at the Hosto
through middlemen who are now
demic after continuously facing
Shilpo Mela (handicrafts fair),
charging up to double on wood de-
setbacks for the past few years.
this year the West Bengal gov-
pending on the quality. One of the
Over decades, these craftsmen
ernment did not bring any solace
oldest artistes of the village, Bijoy
were meticulously infusing life
to our families. We want govern-
Sutradhar, lamented the bleak
into these dolls, which were
ment to lend us some money so
situation the artisan community
mainly traditional figures of owl,
that we can roll out proper pro-
is facing. He spoke about the sur-
Radha-Krishna and Laxmi. But
duction again.”
vival of the art of making wooden
the situation changed in 2020 due to the pandemic. Most of them have no orders and are struggling
The closure of all public places, they have nowhere to supply the already piled up dolls that they created with much effort. | Credit: KPN
S
reya Sarker, a design
dolls. “When our inspiration, Ish-
coordinator of the or-
war Shambhunath Bhaskar, won
ganisation, said: “We
the Rashtrapati Award in 1986,
tive Ltd, said: “It has been more
the carving work in Durga Puja
to make their ends meet.Very few
than six months that we are out
pandals. But with the closure of
are aware of the renovation that
we thought that finally our art
of them, who have agricultural
of work. All our fixed deposits are
all public places, they have
their craft needs and we did start
was being recognized, but with
drained. We don’t know the fu-
nowhere to supply the already
hosting workshops for innovative
Covid, everything seems to go in
ture of this art.”
piled up dolls that they created
designs, but with Covid we had to
vain. No one seems to care about
with much effort.
stop everything midway.” Rev-
it.”
enue generation has been declin-
upasana.b@iijnm.org
lands, are still doing well. Dilip Bhaskar, a member of Swami Janakidas Notungram
They have two main markets:
Wood Carving Artisans’ Coopera-
The shopping hubs of Kolkata or
Manik Sutradhar, an artisan
The rise of the artist within us During the coronavirus pandemic, people are finding their hidden talents, writes Amna Karimi
T
he coronavirus pan-
sat in their homes sketched, doo-
from anybody.
demic has been harsh
“I was a person who was miles
dled, sang, wrote, and did what-
on everyone. People are
away from anything artsy or
ever they could; this became a
dying all around the globe. While
crafty. Now I have taken interest
part of their resistance. Art is a
the mental health of most of us
in things I never took interest in,
way of expressing emotions; it is
has been affected, some people
and put effort into things I
an essential tool when it comes to
have found a new way of being
thought I’d never do well. Even
having a sense of perspective.
happy. While we are maintaining
though I felt that I was not good
During this period, several
physical distancing or are locked
at doing it, it proved to be a ther-
artists who were working on
in our homes, some people are
apeutic for me during this phase.
paper tried their hands on digital
free in isolation. They are imag-
It also helped me bond with my
art.
ining and creating different arts.
grandmother as she was very in-
They have different interests, but
quisitive about what I was up to.
it is the art that joins them to-
I sat down with her to collect
They tried without caring Artists who were working on paper tried their hands on digital art. | Credit: Art News
gether, be it the art of thinking,
quotes from her monthly maga-
about giving wings to the imagi-
writing or drawing. We might not
zines..., and buttons and laces. It
nation instead of putting it in a
T
about being judged. Because this time it was all about them: their
hey are experiencing
isolation and their talent. Every-
the significance of the
one has one or the other talent
realize it, but art sets us free in
proved to be a bonding experience
cage of isolation. Even though
arts. From Black Lives
hidden within. One must look
our own ways. In this time of iso-
with her and my artwork,” said
people were locked, they set their
Matter to the Thailand protest,
deep inside to let the world know
lation, we have created more
Sameeha Anwar, who started
minds free and created whatever
people created phenomenal artis-
about it. So don’t stop living your
artistic pieces than ever before.
journaling during the lockdown.
they liked. This is a time of social,
tic pieces to show their solidarity.
dreams, and don’t say no to your
We are enjoying it, so we are
This time was about moving be-
economic, and health crises, but
Not only those who were present
passion.
doing it. There is no pressure
yond reality into a fictional world;
art is keeping their minds active.
on the ground but even those who
amna.k@iijnm.org