The daily observer, vol 13, issue 2

Observer The Daily

VOL 13 ISSUE 2

Tuesday , December 3 , 2013 Extortion caught on camera

Disabilities day special report

Woman tried to sell her baby

Page 3

Page 6

Page 4 & 5

Skull split by iron rod An argument with a taxi driver leaves a tech park security guard fighting for his life EXCLUSIVE

tially it would have been a very crit-

Apurva Venkat & Nikita Narvekar

he was saved. He is going to be dis-

A

security

guard

ical situation but we were lucky that charged soon. He started walking

was

and is talking to us now. But he still

rushed to hospital aer a

remains in shock and trauma. e

cab driver attacked him

family is supporting him as much as

with a tyre iron.

possible. We are happy that he sur-

Rajyappa, 54, had an argument with

vived. "

the cab driver at the gates of Global

When Rajyappa was asked about

Village Tech Park.

the incident he burst into tears, un-

e driver hit Rajyappa with the

able to speak about it.

iron bar and it lodged in his skull.

When Kamal Prem, security head

Doctors at Balagangadharanatha

at the Global Village, was asked

Swamiji (BGS) Global Hospital

about the incident, he said: “We do

rushed him to surgery and removed

not want to talk about the issue.” Ac-

the iron rod.

cording to BGS Hospital Authori-

B. Raju, another security guard at

ties, the accused was identified by

Global village and an eyewitness to the incident, said: “It was a cab

Rajyappa at the BGS Hospital being treated for the skull fracture aer he was hit with an irod rod

Venkatrammanna added: “A case

driver of Infosys. e two had a fight

from his head. Due to the proximity

in the evening about entering the

of the place of incident, the patient

He was willing to talk but thinking

gate which turned physical and Ra-

could make it just on time. e inci-

of the incident has made him re-

jayyapa was attacked. "

dent happened when the patient re-

member the trauma again. He is

Bhajan Kumar, another guard,

fused to adjust the timing and data

now shied from the ICU to the

said: “We are aware of the incident.

according to the driver’s wishes."

ward. He is doing well and will be

It happened when I was on duty.

discharged soon.”

However, we have not been given

He added: “e cab driver in anger hit him with a wheel jack rod of the

was critical surgery.

was filed at Kengeri police station. e accused has been caught by the Kengeri police.”

car and injured him badly.” e rod

He added: “It was a skull fracture.

penetrated into his skull. e guard

We had to open the skull and open

He added that it was a serious head

was taken to BGS Global Hospital

the covering to the brain. We then

injury and could have led to paraly-

e incident happened on the

immediately.

took out the rod completely and

sis. However, since the rod pene-

same day Jyothi Udaya was attacked

stopped the bleeding.

trated the front portion of the skull

in an ATM in Bangalore, November

the guard was not le paralysed.

19. Both the patients suffered simi-

Dr.

X-ray of Rajyappa aer the attack

the patient.

Venkatrammanna,

Chief

Neuro surgeon at BGS Global Hos-

Only aer this we could conduct

pital, said: “e patient was brought

the surgery. We are happy with the

Kalidas, son of Rajyappa, said:

to the hospital with the rod hanging

recovery the patient has shown as it

“My father is doing fine now. Ini-

any details by any official here.”

lar injuries and had to undergo critical brain surgeries.

Tuesday December 3, 2013

e Daily Observer

2

Injustice, inhumanity and the AIDS epidemic Anannya Sarkar

with HIV.

disease. She lived in Shimoga with

Charulata, 35, a transgender, who

and is now with the Health min-

Activists from World Vision, the

Surekha, who is looking into the

her husband and 4 children. But

was a sex worker until she got

istry once again. Surekha added,

Bangalore HIV/AIDS forum and

case, believes that the Anti-Dis-

aer her husband's death, she was

diagnosed with HIV is now forced

“e Standing Committee on

students gathered at the Town

crimination

the

le in a Bangalore hostel by her-

to make a living by begging on the

Health, in its report to the Rajya

Hall for a rally, demanding the

HIV/AIDS Bill would help in the

family, never to be taken back

roads. Owing to her gender, she

Sabha in April 2013, has said that

tabling of the HIV/AIDS Bill,

protection of infected people in

again. According to the Care and-

has no valid ID proof or anything

the delay in bringing the Bill to the

pending since 2006, in the winter

both public and private sectors

Protection Act (2000), government

to even validate the fact that she is

Parliament is not justifiable.”

session of the Parliament.

from such discrimation.

hostels are supposed to take care of

a citizen of the country. She re-

At present, the winter session of

Law

under

Commenting on the necessity of

But discrimination is not just re-

abandoned children but this hostel

counted her experiences saying," I

the Parliament is slated to begin on

the Bill, Julian, Community Health-

stricted to this. According to

turned her and her children out

anyway never had any rights owing

December 5 while the Meenas and

Coordinator, World Vision, said,

Surekha, Bowring Hospital, a

aer getting to know that Meena

to what I am and now I have lost

the Charulatas continue to live a life

“e Bill is of utmost importance-

prominent government hospital in

of stigma and discrimination

the city, refuses to take many pa-

was HIV+.

At present she lives near Jalahalli

my only source of income. I do not

for protecting basic human rights

have means to get proper treat-

clutching on to their only hope that

of people infected by HIV such as

tients as the doctors are themselves

and she still faces discrimination as

ment. No government hospital ad-

the government will someday do

the right to proper and free

scared of getting infected. ey

she said, "My neigbours do not

mits me."

something for them.

treatment. It is also necessary in

cite the lack of paraphernalia as the

even allow me to draw water from

order to tackle the stigma associ-

reason for not taking these patients.

the same tap.”

ated with it. "

KC General Hospital, a government

A resident of RPC Layout, Vijaynagar, she is forced to pay a sum of Rs.200 everyday along with the

Surekha N Shetty, Legal and Ad-

hospital in Malleshwaram, allegedly

According to Yashwanth, Student

monthly rent that she pays at the

vocacy Officer, said, "e Bill, until

refused to admit a pregnant woman

Union President, Jain College, who

end of the month. Commenting on

2011, was being draed in coordi-

in labour last month because she

participated in the rally, said “the

this, Charulata said, “is is be-

nation with the people and their

was HIV+. "Government hospitals

problem is due to lack of awareness.

cause I am an HIV+ transgender."

grievances were being heard. But

meting out such treatment is unac-

All the sensitization ends with the

aer 2011, the Bill has just been

ceptable" said Surekha.

end of the World Aids Day. "

According to Malathi from the Karnataka Network of Positive Peo-

shuffling between the Health Min-

Even the children of the affected

Grahm Movey-Stratton, an aspir-

istry and the Law Ministry. We

are not spared as a private school in

ing US journalist in India for an in-

want this Bill to be passed before

Kamlanagar allegedly forced a

ternship, seemed to be shocked to

from such inhumanities. "

the 2014 elections. NACO (has also

six-year-old to stop attending

see such recalcitrance in the system

e Bill has separate provisions

discussed the legislation and are ad-

school in May because his parents

when it comes to dealing with

for women and children along with

vocating for the Bill."

were both HIV+.

something as sensitive as this.

provisions for providing free and

A 45-year-old engineer working

Meena, 35, learnt she was HIV+

According to him, "legislation in

in a private organization at White-

about 21 years ago. According to

this regard should be speedy as it is

field was allegedly forced to resign

her, she contracted the disease from

extremely important in a country

last month aer he got diagnosed

her husband who succumbed to the

like India."

ple, "e Bill is very important as it provides for protection of people

complete treatment for all HIV+ people.

As of October 2013, the Bill has been cleared by the Law ministry

Charulata, a victim.

Firms lack committee to check sexual assault Vaishnavi J. Desai

address these issues at workplace. It

stance where the complainant was

sector pertaining to sexual harass-

Most of the organizations includ-

surely helps to have one.”

not comfortable to speak in front of

ment, Kanti Joshi said: “Numbers

the male members of the ICC.

are not increasing; but the level of

ing hospitals and educational in-

e importance of these redressal

stitutions lack a committee to

mechanisms was highlighted by the

At her request, only the female

awareness is increasing. So, a lot of

address sexual harassment cases.

recent case of Tarun Tejpal who al-

members recorded her evidence

women are coming forward with

Speaking about the importance of

legedly sexually assaulted his fe-

and documented the reason for

their complaints.”

the internal committees, Kanti

male colleague.It also focused on

doing so. Decisions may have to be

She added, “Many employers are

Joshi, Convener of Sasha, an NGO

the absence of these committees in

taken depending on the facts and

initiating a lot of pro-active meas-

consultancy arm said: “It is the

many corporate sectors.

circumstances of each case.”

ures resulting in increase in confi-

need of the hour to set up commit-

Kanti Joshi said that it is impor-

She also said that she receives

dence levels of the employees. As a

tees at the earliest, according to the

tant to be sensitive towards a victim

cases where the complainant is

result of which they are encouraged

Vishaka guidelines and also accord-

while questioning her. erefore,

male. She said: “Anti-Sexual harass-

to come forward and raise their

ing the Sexual Harassment of

the members of the internal com-

ment Policies of most of the organ-

voice.”

Woman at Workplace Act, 2013. It

mittee need to undergo a sensitiza-

izations are gender-neutral.”

is mandatory to have an Internal

tion program.

Complaints Committee (ICC) to

She said: “ere was this one in-

When asked about the increase in

Kanti Joshi, Convenor Of Sasha

the number of cases in corporate

Uni services refused to comment on being asked about the committee in their organization.

e Daily Observer

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

3

Debt-ridden clerk hangs himself A First Division Assistant at Commisioner of Police Office hung himself at his residence, aer getting into debt.

Karishma Ravindran & Vaishnavi Desai

in the living room, which means he was

A 34-year-old police officer committed sui-

report mentioned “drinking heavily since last

cide during the early hours of Tuesday.

night”.

drinking the night the incident took place.”

According to the police, the post mortem

According to cops at H.A.L police station,

According to the wife’s complaint, regis-

the deceased, Ravi Kumar, was a First Divi-

tered at H.A.L police station, he had taken

sion Assistant at the Commisioner of Police

loans from relatives and had pledged all the

offic.

gold ornaments and so he committed suicide.

e incident took place at 2am on Tuesday

Kumar’s wife also said that he used to engage

where he committed suicide at his residence

himself in betting at turf club and at cricket

in H.A.L police quarters.

matches.According to the neighbor,the peo-

Umbalaya, Investigation Officer at H.A.L

ple he had borrowed money from used to

police station said , “e wife of the deceased,

come to his house every day to get their

Roopa, 25, and his children were sleeping in

money back.

the living room and he had asked his wife and

Sujata Rashe, 42, who lives in the H.A.L

children to leave him alone in the bedroom.

quarters said, “At 3:45am on Tuesday, I heard

Soon aer that, his wife got up to see her hus-

hustle and bustle from downstairs, that’s

band but he had already hung himself.”

when I saw Kumar’s body being taken away

e police added, “He was a heavy drinker and used to come home drunk every day and

in an ambulance. He used to drink every day and beat his wife.”

quarrel with his wife. Also, he had not been

She added, “A month ago, he almost be-

to work for the past five months. According

haved like a mentally retarded person and

to the neighbours, they had seen rum bottles

kept talking to himself. Every time he quar-

e house where the policeman killed himself reled with his wife, he said sorry to me.”

“He owned two auto rickshaws, two two-

wheeler vehicles which he recently sold since he required money for drinking.”

Mother gives her baby daughter away Sneha Ghosh

family and works at a silk reeling factory that is located close

A mother suspected of trying to sell her new-born baby

to her house.

daughter has been warned she could face jail.

“She used to carry the twenty-five day old child to the fac-

We can reveal the woman, Sushila, 35, claims she sent her

tory. She would carelessly place the baby close to the furnace

daughter to live with a relative. e Child Development Pro-

while she would continue her work. e other four children

tection Unit in Ramnagara district of Bangalore is investigat-

would remain unattended in the house”, said Radha, Child

ing the case.

Development Protection Officer.

Sushila, a mother-of-four, gave birth to her daughter on

“Even the other four children are severely malnourished.

November 2 close to Geetamandir, Eijur extension. Twenty

She does not even send them to school. We are trying to

days later, Pushpalata, an anganwadi worker who lives

admit them to a rehabilitation centre in Chenapattna,” added

nearby, contacted the Child Development Protection Unit to

Radha.

tell them the child had gone missing.

“Pushpalata informed us about the missing newborn. Following that information two of our Protection Officers, Sajuddin Khan and Jyothi went to meet Sushila”, said Rashmi, Assistant to the Child Development Protection Officer.

e baby has been recovered by the Child Welfare Commit-

Sushila handing over her child to the adoption center “She says that she got married to him in a temple but that is not true. Ravi has another family altogether”, said Rashmi.

“Ravi is my husband. I did not sell my baby. She was with a

Jyothi said: “She denied having sold her baby. She said that

relative of mine in Mysore Road. I got the baby back when

the child is with her mother-in-law who lives in Mysore. We

they asked me to. She is with the adoption agency now”, said

have warned her that such action could land her in jail fol-

Sushila.

lowing which she got the baby back.”

Sushila is a widow whose husband died a few years back.

She now lives with Ravi who has another wife and three children.

tee and is currently with Snehalaya Adoption Centre who will soon arrange for the child’s adoption.

Sister Cynthia at Snehalaya Adoption Centre said: “e mother is yet to sign the adoption form following which we will start the process. e baby is very weak and malnourished.”

“She claims she did not sell her baby, but she was fine with

When questioned if she is happy about her baby being sent

us asking to put the baby up for adoption. We have to believe

to the adoption centre, she said, “I have four other children”.

what she says as we don’t have proof of her selling her baby.

Sushila has four other children who are aged six, five, two-

But what mother happily sends her twenty-day old child

and-a-half and one-and-a-half. She is the only provider in the

away?” added Suchitra, Child Welfare Committee.

4

e Daily Observer

Celebrating the International D The Observer Team

gra either sent them to normal

are willing to pay premium prices for

schools or kept them at home.

such a service.

As the world celebrates Interna-

Kirti, the principal, said, “Only 50

KickStart, mainly funded by Em-

tional Day of Persons with Disabil-

per cent of the parents accept that

phasis Ltd, has three types of cabs to

ities today, team Observer brings

their child has a medical condition.

make the vehicles agreeable to its cus-

you all that is being done in Banga-

Fearing society’s reaction, they do not

tomers. e firm is engaging women

lore to “Break Barriers, Open

send their children to school."

and transsexuals as drivers who they

Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all.”

According to Kiran, administrator of the school, "Since most of the stu-

hope will be more sensitive towards disabled and old people.

A school for the differently abled

dents in this branch are Muslim, our

“During the pilot service we found

Sri Vaishnavi Education Academy

teachers are learning Urdu. It would

that only 50 per cent of our clients

for mentally challenged and disabled

help in strengthening the student-

were disabled,” said Jindal inferring

has got 37 admissions in one year of

teacher bond."

that the service is gaining popularity

operation.

However, a shortage of special

other than their target customers.

e school functions in a place that

teachers is a concern. “We need more

“e designs adopted to make the

was a scrap building inside the gov-

special teachers. Very few agree to

cabs disabled friendly are expensive.

ernment hospital compound in Ram-

come to a small far-away village to

It costs us around Rs. 4 lakh,” said Jin-

nagra until last year, when it was

help these children.”

dal. e team hopes to expand the

cleaned and painted to be put to bet-

Making travel comfortable

service to Delhi, Mumbai and Chen-

ter use.

A cab service designed especially

nai in the coming years.

Inaugurated on November 18, 2012

for senior citizens and the disabled

with just two admissions, it is the sec-

was launched in the city on Novem-

ond branch of Sri Vaishnavi Educa-

ber 28.

tion Academy.

Initiated by Vidhya Kalyani Rama-

e school enrolls students between

subban, KickStart Cabs aims to make

3 and 31 years with mild, moderate

transportation friendly for its target

and severe mental retardation and as-

customers.

Exhibition e Rangoli Metro Art Centre has organized a painting and pottery exhibition, with the artifacts contributed by disabled children. e three day event is taking place at the Rangoli Art Centre. e Ran-

sociated physical disabilities. ey

According to Ankit Jindal, Co-

goli Metro Art Centre has organized

are divided into four groups accord-

Founder of the cab service, “e dis-

the event in association with seven

ing to their ages.

abled and senior citizens face several

schools and organizations which

It does not teach them academic

problems while travelling. e driv-

work for the education and training

subjects but basic operational skills

ers of the usual cabs are not sensitive

of the disabled. e children are

needed every day like eating and

enough in handling these people,

being trained all around the year with

tute of Speech and Hearing Centre

face the society and stand on their

basic communication. ey are also

which causes them mental stress and

extracurricular activities like- Pottery

said, “Almost 70 per cent of the par-

own.”

given vocational training in areas like

inconvenience.”

and painting which would inculcate

ents who have a disabled child hide

Shanti, Vice-Principal of the

in them the confidence that they re-

them out of shame. It is not the right

Bethany Special School said, “We

quire.

paper bag making and candle making.

According to a survey conducted

by KickStart Cabs, all the disabled

e disabled children about to perform at the function that was held t

thing to do. Parents should not hide

need lot of patience and perseverance

Before this school, parents of men-

people and senior citizens need spe-

Dr. M. N Nagaraj, Director (Tech-

their children from the society or be

to train these children. It basically re-

tally disturbed children in Ramana-

cial services and 60 per cent of them

nical), Dr. S R Chandrasekhar Insti-

too protective but rather help them to

quires routine repetition, though it

Dr. B. N. Praneshwar Rao at the function

NGO workers with some of the disabled children who took part

Displays created by disabled childr

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

5

Day of Persons With Disability have a problem with reading and writing. is sort of “Invisible Dis-

Although it aimed at increasing

ability” is difficult to understand even

awareness about disability and the

if there is a problem.

problems related to it, several senior

Learning applications

She added, “ese disabilities are

members of prominent disability-re-

irreversible and need the right kind

lated organizations felt that the event

Technology collaborates with the

of treatment and training at the right

was merely aimed at raising publicity

specially abled people to make life

time which should be initiated at the

for the government without actually

easier for them with a wide variety

tender age of 3-4 years, which is the

addressing the vast number of prob-

of apps and devices.

right time to educate the children.”

lems faced by disabled persons in the

She added, “Parents bring their chil-

state.

Every kid is different so this book is designed for children with special

dren to me and expect results in a

N. V. Darshan, Director of Mobility

needs. Zanny-Born to Run book

short period of time but they don’t

and erapy, Association of People

carries a different story which helps

understand that such kind of disabil-

with Disabilities (APD), said that the

diagnose a specific learning disor-

ity takes a longer to get better. Stu-

biggest challenge faced by disabled

der. is is the first ever custom

dents who have been here for over a

people in Karnataka was the lack of

made book for special children.

year are now in par with the normal

proper outreach programs coupled

Another special app to be men-

children. But for those children who

with poverty and social stigmas that

tioned is the Grace App. e best

join the organization and discon-

surround them.

feature of this app is it provides a

tinue, have not gained much as their parents expect immediate result.”

According to earlier reports, 70 per

means of communication for the

cent of the disabled persons in Kar-

non-verbal people. It is a simple

Vani added that they conduct coun-

nataka are unemployed despite the

mechanism where the user can

seling for the parents so that they can

provision of the Disability Act. Ques-

form a sentence by building rele-

understand the problem better and

tions were also raised about govern-

vant images.

have teachers specially trained from

mental negligence with regarding to

the Karnataka Parent’s Association

providing adequate facilities in rural

for Mentally Retarded Citizens to

areas.

handle the children with ease.

to commemorate World Disability Day

Citizens, K. Rajanna.

Dr. B.N. Praneshwar Rao, a repre-

On the surface

sentative and State Level Coordinator

At a function held to commemorate

for Disabilities, Indian Red Cross,

World Disability Day, the state gov-

said, that the most important meas-

ernment recognized a number of or-

ure to be taken is the proper evalua-

takes a bit of time it enhances their

the much needed respect they de-

ganizations dedicated to helping

tion of identity cards for disabled

AVAZ with a vision to provide a

motor skills and help them be inde-

serve in the society.

people with disabilities.

people. He emphasizes that it is es-

voice for the non verbal people has

Vani Nagaraj, Special Educator and

e event, held at the Kanteerava

sential that evaluation of I.D. cards be

developed affordable tools. Aug-

She added that they have organized

Director, Aarohan- Centre for Learn-

Stadium, was attended by a large

carried out by certified medical pro-

mentative and Alternative Com-

an Inter-school Athletic meet at the

ing Disability said that parents should

number of disabled people as well as

fessionals. "Our biggest responsibility

munication (AAC) devices are tools

Madhavan Park in order to motivate

be aware about the fact that though

the Commissioner of the Directorate

is creating a barrier-free atmosphere

which are rarely found in India.

the children and provide them with

these children behave normally, they

of Welfare of Disabled and Senior

for the disabled."

AVAZ is an artificial voice which

pendent.”

ren were exhibited during the event at the Rangoli Art Centre in the city

comes close to being a substitute for natural voice and is flexible, people with all forms of disabilities can use it. Invention Labs has provided features which makes the tool loud, fast, clear and most importantly its eco friendly.

See. Touch. Learn. by Brain Parade can’t be le behind. An app for autistic kids to learn from picture cards and the learner’s response can be tracked automatically. Parents and teachers can help their kids benefit from 60 exercises and high quality images.

e Daily Observer

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

6

Celebrating the United Nations' 16 day campaign from November 25 to December 10 which aims to fight violence against women, e Daily Observer brings you the stories of the survivors and healers associated with this gender-based struggle that is still rampant.

Appy to help Sneha Bengani

not for women in the community

ences and the impact of violence

“We need to get the message out,”

adjunct position at St. John’s Re-

but for health workers to system-

on their health, I am finally seeing

she declares. “We need to ensure

search Institute in Bangalore, she

A mobile application has been

atically look for domestic violence

policy level attention to this issue.”

that the data gathered by folks like

collaborates with NGOs to see

developed to help public health

cases and respond in an organized

She has an array of BBMP offi-

me from these community-based

change happen.

workers find if their patient is a

way so that the right messages are

cials supporting her work who of

studies is understood by the larger

victim of domestic violence.

being communicated on a consis-

late have started recognizing the

community.”

tent basis,” says the woman who

link between domestic violence

Currently working with a non-

help groups in the city to a con-

leads the Soukhya Project.

and women’s health, which, ac-

profit research institute in the US

sciousness about the issue so that

cording to her, “is a huge develop-

called Research Triangle Institute

women feel more comfortable

ment.”

and serving as a visiting faculty in

talking about their problems.

is app called “Com-Care” (for community care) borrows from Dr. Sunita Krishnan’s carefully de-

A public health researcher born

veloped protocol based on her re-

in the United States, Krishnan

search and documentation, is

spent the first half of her life there.

created by Dimagi Inc., funded by

She calls herself “a women’s health

U.S. Agency for International De-

researcher and advocate” and is

velopment (USAID) and sup-

“committed to seeing my research

ported by BBMP.

translated to programs and poli-

is initiative has not been made

cies.”

a program by BBMP yet. It is still

e 43 year old has been working

a project. e idea of the app was

for women welfare since she

conceived in 2006 when Krishnan

started her PhD in Public Health

met the founder of Dimagi Inc.

at University of California and

and discussed with him the possi-

Berkley. “I came back to India in

bility of using their platform to fa-

1996 and did three years of re-

cilitate primary health system

search in Chikmaglur district in

responses.

rural Karnataka. It was then that

Together they created an app that functions as “a job aid.” It helps the

my interest in looking at women’s issues started.”

staff carry out the screening proto-

She has been involved with in-

col and enables them to look for

depth research projects that look

certain signs and symptoms to as-

at gender-power dynamics in mar-

sess if their patient is a victim of

riage and how it impacts women’s

domestic violence.

sexual and reproductive health. “I

It makes the health workers ask

found violence faced by women as

indirect and direct questions to

one of the major health hazards.

find out the problems of the

Its impact on their mental and

women patients and then prompts

physical health has been a constant

them to provide information

throughout my career.”

about the necessary referrals. If a

She believes that since the Delhi

woman wants a referral, that can

gang rape there has been a lot

also be recorded on the app and a

more media and government at-

SMS alerts a Soukhya counselor

tention to the issue of violence

that a woman experiencing do-

against women and its myriad im-

mestic violence has been identi-

pacts on the victims. “Aer work-

fied.

ing on this issue for years and

“is app is unique because it is

documenting women’s experi-

She intends to launch an awareness campaign with women’s self

Dr. Sunita Krishnan, the brains behind ComCare, a mobile app to help domestic violence victims

e Daily Observer

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

7

Six men caught for illegal issuing of gun licenses Sneha Ghosh

imum of 20,000 rupees. Vijay Kumar was

Six security guards were arrested by city po-

overcharged as their greed had increased a lot

lice for issuing fake gun licenses .

which ultimately led to their arrest.”

On October 23, Inspector Girish of D.J.

“A security guard usually has a nominal

Halli Police Station, led by a team of four

salary of Rs. 4000. But if he has a registered

other constables, arrested Ajay Yadav, 28,

gun with a license number then the company

Ravindra Kumar, 32, Sunil Kumar, 26, Suren-

pays him much more. e salary then in-

dra Kumar, 22, Nagendra Kumar, 33 and

creases to around Rs 12,000. is is the basic

Jugetan and Pandey, 20, for cheating people

reason why they started dealing in weapons”,

by charging exorbitant amounts and handing

said Mr. Shivprakash.

out duplicate license numbers for guns and

A team of four people are being sent to

revolvers.

Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Na-

Girish, Inspector of D.J. Halli Police Station with the six arrested security guards

galand within a week to investigate the false

lice station aer the group had tricked two

Police Station said:”Most of them are from

licenses issued allegedly by the Deputy Com-

lakh rupees from him. ey had supplied

different villages in Bihar. Ajay Yadav is from

“All six of them have accepted their charges

him with a single barrel gun and issued a false

Dharamchack village, Ravindra Kumar from

during interrogation. ey claim that their

license against it. Mr. Kumar, a Field Officer

Bagavanganj, Sunil Kumar from Sadabe ,

friend Bijayendra Kumar, who lives in Bihar

at Shiva Industries, a security agency, had

Surendra Kumar from Jehanabad district and

used to supply them with the license num-

contacted them for they were known among

Jugetanad Pandey from Dumriya, Bochpur.”

bers”, said Inspector Girish.

A FIR was lodged by Vijay Kumar at the po-

the local people for dealing in guns.

out let in Cunningham Road.”

Mr. Dinesh, Station-Writer said: “All six of

Bijayendra Kumar is absconding and is be-

misioner, Dimapur, Nagaland and District Magistrate, Udhampur, Uttar Pradesh.

With the ongoing investigation, the charge sheet is yet to be filed.

On November 25, the group was produced at Regular Court, Mayo Hall and released on

Mr. Kumar informed the police of the

them were employed as security personnel in

lieved to be the mastermind behind these op-

rented apartment at Defense Lane, Nanda

different organizations. Nagendra Kumar and

erations.

Gokula Layout, where the gang usually

Ravindra Kumar worked in Bharath Co-Op-

He got the license numbers issued from dif-

our team returns from Jammu, if it is found

stayed. Following the tip-off, Mr. Girish ar-

erative Bank. Jugetanand Pandey , Sunil

ferent district magistrates of other states like

that licenses were actually manipulated, the

rested the six, seizing half-a-dozen other du-

Kumar and Surendra Kumar worked at a cash

Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland.

case will proceed to court and trial will begin.

plicate license numbers, guns and 34

filling escort company in Frazer Town. While

He added: “Generally a very nominal fee is

It is going to be interesting as out of six guns

cartridges.

Sachin Kumar was unemployed, Ajay Yadav

charged for delivering a license number. But

we seized, two were made in Bangalore while

worked as a security guard at an Axis Bank

these people charged their customers a min-

remaining are from UP”, added Mr. Girish.

Police Sub-Inspector Shivprakash, D.J.Halli

bail.

“Based on reports that we will receive aer

Ha w kers on walkway p a y a b r i b e Gaurav Kumar

Bagh Road, happened to be the vendor here

Vegetable and fruit vendors have to pay

in the past but le the place five years back

money, allegedly to government officials, to

due to the extortion by BBMP officials.

sell their produce outside KR Market on the surrounding walkways.

“Officials from both police department and BBMP come and extort. On average they col-

ree people were caught on camera on two

lect Rs 100-150 from each vendor. One has to

different days collecting money from ven-

give the money irrespective of the earnings,”

dors. Vendors said that they were from the

said Anand.

corporation (BBMP)but their identity could not be verified independently.

More than twenty vendors have admitted to

He added that there is no fixed person for the extortion and they keep changing on different days.

bribing the alleged officials and none of those

According to vendors, officials come every

interviewed denied giving money even while

day and take rounds ranging between six and

saying that they can’t speak about it due to

eight and on every such visit they ask for be-

A vendor paying a bribe to an “official” outside K R Market

fear.

tween Rs 10-20.

ere are days when they have to return

around the market. One shop owner said, “

without any money when the sale is below Rs

let’s see what method they devise now?”

ose who admitted paying a bribe said

Finally, at the end of the day almost every

that corporation officials extort money and

roadside vendor coughs up around Rs 150 in

that sometimes they are also accompanied by

total to stay and sell there.

150.

According to Narayansamy, Station House

A shop owner in the BBMP owned K R

Officer at K R Market, there are already four

police in civil dress. ey said they either did-

Sunil Kumar, currently studying 12th Grade

Market, who did not wished to be named,

CCTV cameras and within a week 32 more

n’t know the exact name and designation of

Commerce from National College, who

said that he pays “monthly” rent to BBMP

will be installed.

the alleged officials or did not wish to reveal

sometimes sells his produce in the absence of

whereas the small vendors on the walkways

details out of fear of losing their livelihood as

his father, said that they hardly earn Rs 300 a

have to pay “daily” rent, the former being

well as physical harassment.

day and out of that they are forced to shell out

legal and the latter illegal.

Anand, a resident of Sudamnagar in Lal

some Rs 150 to the corporation’s officials.

New CCTV cameras are being installed

Narayansamy denied having registered any complaint about extortion in the market.

Deputy Commissioner (Market), BBMP was unavailable for comment.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

e Daily Observer

Medical tourism gaining momentum in Bangalore Prutha Subhash Bhosle e total number of international patients arriving in the city for medical treatment has doubled since 2008. e medical industry is expected to boom further in the next couple of years, say International Marketing Heads of private hospitals in the city.

In 2008, 300-350 international patients have visited BGS Global Hospital. is has apparently increased to around 700 patients in 2012.

Kumar B, Public Relations Officer at BGS Global Hospital said, “is is a booming industry. e economy of the country is growing stronger due to a rise in international patients.

If this continues, India could sharply recover from recession.”

Siddik, from Iraq, was cured of fits He added, “We have registered these international patients mostly coming from Middle Eastern countries and Africa.”

Dr. Shetty, Director of Narayana Hospitals Healthcity said, “India is emerging as a medical tourist hub. Bangalore specifically is doing great in this industry. e city being famous for IT industry has now also developed into a health destination.”

He added, “ere are not enough medical facilities in Middle Eastern countries and Africa, hence they are bound to come to our country to get treated. Besides, our hospitals have aced in oncology, cardiac treatments, neuro-related surgeries and even plastic sur-

gery.”

Dr. Priya, Medical Tourism head at BGS Global Hospital said, “ere are several reasons to back the rise in international patients in the city or country. If one person comes down to get treated, he/ she is accompanied with family. erefore, not just one but the entire family gets itself checked. On their return back to their own country, by word-of-mouth, the news spreads and more people head to India to get themselves treated. is is one of the major reasons why we succeed in attracting international patients.”

Rise in these patients is registered by major hospitals of the city like Apollo Hospitals, BGS Global Hospitals, Manipal Hospital and Narayana Hospitals Healthcity.

Dr. Priya added, “Our cost of treatment is almost 10 times lesser than that in the West and the same level of care is offered.”

Dr. Rajan from a private hospital in Delhi said, “Out of all the cities in the country, Chennai has the highest number of international patients. is is followed by Bangalore and then Delhi and Mumbai.”

He added, “Bangalore is still lagging behind Chennai by a huge difference. Yet, it has the potential to top in attracting international patients.”

We Care India, a medical tourism organization, has recorded a rise in international patients in the country. A spokesperson from this organization said, “To alert people from abroad about our capabilities, we hold camps and meetings in various countries. ere, we make them aware about the technology we own. We also help patients from Middle Eastern countries to get visas as travelling to India is a challenge for them.”

Siddik (44), a patient from Iraq said, “I came to Bangalore to get treated about four months back. I used to get fits. e reason I chose this city over any other in the world is because many of my relatives have been here before. ey suggested me to come here as it is the best. I also did my share of research before

8

Events Food

heading here.”

Fatima, a patient from Dubai, too has got her knee replacement surgery done in Bangalore Kids across Bangalore try their hands at pizza making in the Junior Pizza Chef Competition Where: All outlets of California Pizza Kitchen, Bangalore When: Upto December 14, 2013

Art

Fatima, from Dubai, had a knee operation at BGS Global Hospital.

Juwaith from Saudi Arabia, said, “I came to India for my son’s treatment. He was shot in the chest during a family wedding back in our country. Initial surgeries were done there but later we flew down to Bangalore aer watching videos on YouTube of Baby Iman who was too shot under similar circumstances and was treated here in the city.”

Habib Kader, International Marketing Head at BGS Global Hospitals, said, “My job is to attract foreign patients to this country. I contact them through medical tourist guides and ensure that they are satisfied enough to get themselves treated here. Once they are, my duty is to make sure their safe stay in country.”

Budding and talented artists of Bangalore get an opportunity to showcase their work at ‘Sensorial Perspective’ Where:

ird Eye- Indian Art

Gallery, Airport Road, Bangalore When: Until December 31, 2013 Contact: 9845585235

Music

e Raghu Dixit Project is here to present an enticing amalgamation of Carnatic classical and Western music.

Where: Opus, Palace Orchards, Bangalore When: December 23, 2013 Contact:08023442580,

Habib, International Marketing Head

9844030198, 9008303330

Observer Team: Editor - Sneha Mejari Chief Sub Editor - Shweta Nair News Editors - Sneha Bengani, Tanisha Das, Tulana Nayak, Shivpriya Jodha, Saikat Ghosh Sub Editors - Sneha Ghosh, Suchitra Sharma, Raju Peethala, Prutha Subhash Bhosle Picture Editors/ Deisgn - Sushmita Sen, Sureshkumar, Sreelakshmy Sivaram Emergency Service - Vaishnavi J. Desai, Rahul Sadhu, Soumya Basu Email- editor@iijnm.org An IIJNM Publication (For Private Circulation)