Observer The weekly
ursday, September 19, 2013
VOL 13 ISSUE 7
Right to Education denied to children of immigrants.
Ignorant government officials violating Motor Vehicles Act
PAGE 2
PAGE 3
Exclusive: Ramya speaks out over ‘gimmick’ jibes
PAGE 6
Lion’s share of BBMP budget goes to BJP wards Bhaskar Dutta Nearly half of the total budget for Bangalore wards has been given to just twenty of the 198 constituencies –14 of them controlled by the BJP. e recently announced annual budget of the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) has allocated Rs. 647 crore to the 198 wards in the city. Statistics provided by Janaagraha, an NGO, show that of this sum, Rs. 280 crore (or 43 per cent) has been allocated to just 20 wards . Of these 20 wards, 14 are represented by members of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), the ruling party within the BBMP. e wards which have received funds in excess of Rs 10 crore include Byrasandra , Dr. Raj Kumar Ward, Katriguppe, Malleswaram, Padmanabha Nagar, Rajaji Nagar, Shivanagar, Sriramamandir, Sunkenahalli and Vasanth Nagar. Collectively, these wards have been allocated Rs 191.5 crore which constitutes 29.5 per cent of the total allocation for wards. Nine of these ten wards are represented by members of the BJP. e statistics also show that out of the 198 wards, 70 have received funds amounting to less than Rs. 1 crore. Ward Quality Score, a unit of measurement created by Janaagraha, analyses the performance of various wards on the basis of five parameters - water supply, mobility, sanitation, public amenities and environment. On the basis of these indicators the
NGO identified five Lowest ranked acwards which have the cording to World lowest Ward Quality Quality Score. Malleshwaram(45) Score. ese are GotWards which received Kuvempunagar(11) tigere, Singasandra, the highest allocation. anisandra(6) Kadugodi, Kuvempu Nagar,and anisandra. Issues which are Vasanthanagar(93) Allocation common to all these wards include the Gottigere: 0.31 cr quality of roads, footKadugodi (83) anisandra: 2.45 cr paths and street Kadugodi: 0.31cr lighting. Kuvempu Nagar: 0.31 cr Apart from Singasandra- 0.31 cr anisandra (which has been allocated Rs. 2.45 crore), the Rajajinagar(99) others have all been Shivanagar(107) Vasanth Nagar: 30.39 cr uniformly allocated Sriramamandir (108) Sunkenahalli (142) Sunkenahalli: 22.91 cr Rs. 0.31 crore. All of Dr Rajkumar Ward Rajaji Nagar: 19.89 cr these wards are rep(106) Shivanagar: 16.62 cr resented by non-BJP Katriguppe: 31.05 cr members. Katriguppe (163) Byrasandra: 25.64 cr Byrasandra (169) According to the Dr Rajkumar Ward: statistics, the average 10.32cr per capita allocation Singasandra(169 ) Malleswaram: 10.39 cr of the top 10 wards is Padmanabhanagar: Rs. 6,125. e ward 12.14cr with the highest per Sriramamandir: 12.15 cr capita allocation is Gottigere(194) Padmanabhanagar (182) Vasanthnagar (Rs. Graphics: Anand Jain 11,856). e average vate the problem. so as to enable people to make in- Chief Account Officer would be per capita allocation of the five When asked about the purpose formed decisions on the basis of in a better position to explain the wards with the lowest Ward Qualbehind compiling and publishing facts. matter. ity Score is Rs 349. such data, Vishwanathan said that Mr. Ramamurthy, who works at Ramamurthy, who works at the According to Srikanth Visheasy access to such statistics could the office of the Chief Account office of the Chief Account Offiwanathan, coordinator and advohave the effect of compelling the Officer, said that the budget had cer, said that the budget had been cacy, research and capacity administration to assess the qualbeen sent to the state government sent to the state government for building, Janaagraha, one of the ity of life among the citizens of for approval. Despite repeated atapproval. main reasons behind the uneven tempts, the Additional CommisDespite repeated attempts, the allocation of funds by the BBMP Bangalore. Prachi Sinha, senior advocacy sioner (Finance) could not be Additional Commissioner (Fiis the lack of an objective frameassociate, Janaagraha, said that contacted. nance) could not be contacted. work on the part of the municipal the organization seeks to enhance When asked to comment on e ward population statistics body. He said that lack of efficient democratic values by providing the issue, the Deputy Commishave been derived from a website administrative structures aggracitizens with a wide range of data sioner of the BBMP said that the called bcity.in.
ursday, September 19, 2013 2
e Weekly Observer
Language barrier leaves slum children illiterate Nibedita Mohanta
been no surveys in this regard for
and teach them in our tents. We
More than 40 children from Ra-
the past three years. Earlier we
are even willing to give fees but
jarajeswari Nagar are denied ed-
used to have this survey annually.
nobody comes to teach our chil-
ucation in their mother tongue.
And I assure you that I will per-
dren.”
e children, belonging to im-
sonally look into the matter and
Act 350 A states that every state
migrant families, have never been
will talk to the Block Education
and local authority shall endeavor
to school. 14 families from Uttar
Officer and resolve it with State
to provide adequate facilities for
Pradesh have been residing in a
Project Director, Mr. Subodh
instruction in the mother tongue
makeshi slum in front of Rajara-
Yadav as soon as possible.”
at the primary stage of education
jeswari Hospital with their chil-
She added, “ We are carrying out
to children belonging to linguistic
dren for the last six years. ey sell
this survey again this year from
so toys which they get from
September 17 to September 21.”
Act 350 B specifies that a Special
Baijnath, 48, a resident of the
Officer for linguistic minorities is
Mumbai ,making an average of Rs. 600 per day. According to Article 21A of the
minority groups.
slum and father of five, said: “e
appointed by the President to pro-
school authority said that they will
tect linguistic minorities under the
Constitution of India: the state
teach Kannada and English, but
Constitution.
shall provide free and compulsory
we want our children to learn
education to all children of the age
Hindi instead of Kannada.
of six to fourteen years. SumaK., the P.R.O. of Karnataka
Sunny,19, said: “We want to
Children in the slum denied education in their mother toungue
study but the problem is we can-
brother, we do not know what
third language is Hindi, and that is
“When the school authority is
not understand the language and
study is but we want to.”
why there are no Hindi medium
asked to teach them Hindi, they
the school authority refuses to ad-
Education Department said, “I
say go to your own state and teach
just.”
have not come across this infoma-
them whatever you want to. We
tion maybe because there have
have asked many teachers to come
Vishal,15, said: “I spend all my day selling so toys with my elder
However the P.R.O said: “As per
schools in Bangalore. So, I will
the language policy of Karnataka,
arrange temporary teachers for
the first language is Kannada, the
those children and will visit the
second language is English and the
place the day aer tomorrow.”
From rags to a life of dignity Bhavika Bhuwalka Over 30 children have been brought to a shelter home in the last year from the streets and slums of the city. According to Medha, HR of Vidyaranya, the NGO which rescued 31 children, a lot of children didn’t even know their names when they were brought to the Open Shelter for Children, Medahalli. She said that they were orphans and some among them were mentally challenged. Puneeth, coordinator of the project, said that the volunteers do field work in the slums and look for destitute children. He added: “Most of these kids have single parents who don’t want to keep them and are more than happy to give them to us. e children are rag pickers and beggars.” Ibrahim, seven, was recently brought to the shelter. He is being counseled for depression. Accord-
ing to his case file, aer the death of his father, his mother married another man of a different religion. Puneeth said, “He is a Muslim and is not able to come to terms with everything suddenly changing in his house and being done in a
evening.” Dhanush, six, is the only boy from among the rescued children who studies at SJES Central School, Medahalli, while the rest of them go to a government school. Puneeth said, “He insisted that he
Rescued children being taught by Nagesh at the Open Shelter Hindu way. He was found lying on the street, crying aer his father threw him out of the house one
wants to study English so we arranged for fundraisers.” He added that Dhanush and his brothers were
begging for several years in a slum at Majestic. Manikanta, the elder brother, said, “Dhannu and I were beaten daily by our father. He was a drunkard. Our mother comes to visit sometimes but we don’t miss her anymore.” Sudha, a computer teacher at Meddahalli Government School, where the rest of the children study, said that every year new students come to the school from Open Shelter. “I have seen them transform from beggars to self respecting young boys and girls.” Medha, a human resouces worker for Vidyaranya, said the children like their new family and that most of them have forgotten their past lives at the hands of harsh single parents. She added that they are provided with education and a decent living standard has developed over the years. Amu, the cook, said that she prepares three full meals a day which are relished by the kids.
Hema and Devpriya, whose parents became daily-wage workers aer migrating from Tamil Nadu, are the only two girls present in the shelter as of now. Both children are completely bald. Puneeth said, “When they came, their hair had some gruesome kind of disease. It is being treated now and they are on daily medication.” Ashraf, the landlord of the shelter, said that they are doing a commendable job. “Earlier, neighbourss used to complain of children making noise all the time but I knew that it is for a good cause. My own children are always playing with them.” e NGO has been functioning for the last 22 years. M.C Ramesh, a senior member of Vidyaranya, said that every year, at least 25 children are brought at the shelter.
e Weekly Observer
ursday, September 19, 2013
3
Babus violating law: Ignorance or arrogance? Public officials claim ignorance of Motor Vehicle Act which requires registration plates in English letters and Arabic numerals Gaurav Kumar
figures shall be displayed.”
as the reason behind not advertis-
Government officials were caught
e government has framed the
on the wrong foot when their ve-
Central Motor Vehicle Rules1989
When pointed towards the in-
hicles parked in state secretariat
which, under section 50(2d) states,
stances of even the police-vehicles
premises were found to violate the
“e letter of the registration mark
violating these rules and the need
Motor Vehicle Act.
shall be in English and the figure
for creating awareness among the
shall be in Arabic numerals.”
enforcing authority, Sambrani said,
About one out of every ten vehicles parked in Vidhan Soudha were found
to
have
‘registration
Even the Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules1989 state the same.
ing these in media.
“Why should we do that? Aren’t they supposed to know the rules
mark’(RM), commonly known as
Maruthi Sambrani, Joint Com-
number plate, marked solely in
missioner(Enforcement),Transport
None of the drivers of the govern-
Kannada letters and numerals, vi-
Department, said,“ We have asked
ment’s vehicles agreed to comment
fence, violation of which costs Rs
following these officials, starts writ-
olating the Motor Vehicle Act1988
the drivers of the government offi-
on the issue except one who was
100 as a fine.
ing their number in regional lang-
and its attendant Motor Vehicle
cials to change the number plates
not aware of any such rule. He said
A traffic police constable in the
guages then it will become difficult
his boss is a higher official in the
secretariat premises declined to
to trace the cases of hit & run as not
government of Karnataka.
take action against the officials, vi-
all residents or policemen can read Kannada here”, said Pratap.
Kannada registration mark on the vehicle of the Deputy Director of RDPRI, who did not give his name
and laws?”
A vehicle of an unknown Karnataka government official
A Deputy Director from the De-
olating these rules, citing their
partment of RuralDevelopment &
higher positions in the official hier-
Panchayati Raj Institutions, who
archy.
also had the official car bearing
Most of the people interviewed
registration marks written in Kan-
claimed ignorance about any such
nada said that he was not aware of
rule. Basheeruddin, contractor of
any such rule. He even asked his
the Vidhan Soudha parking lot,
driver, who didn’t know either.
said that there is no fine for writing
e Deputy Director said, “I am unaware of any such rule. As many
plates in Kannada and it’s totally legal.
people here are doing it, I too fol-
He said, “When in Maharastra
Rules 1989 as well as Karnataka
violating the rules, but it’s not pos-
lowed them without applying my
people are using Marathi on their
Motor Vehicle Rules1989.
sible to ask the same to higher offi-
mind to the legality of such action.”
RM then what is the problem in
cials as they may get offended.”
He, however, declined to spell out
using Kannada in Karnataka?”
Section 41(6) and 64(d) of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 empowers central
On the responsibility of the trans-
government to frame rules with re-
port department to create aware-
Bangalore City Traffic Police’s
Khivraj Motors, was among the few
gard to “manner in which and the
ness among people about laws and
(BCTP) website mentions ‘Defec-
who knew about the rule. “ere is
form in which the RM, the letter &
rules, Sambrani cited lack of funds
tive number plate’ as a traffic of-
a safety issue involved. If everyone,
his name.
Pratap, an HR executive in
A police vehicle without registration mark: Enforcer or violater?
Government cheques cashed by street ‘brokers’ Ishan Bhattacharya and Mayuri J Ravi Brokers give instant cash to people holding cheques issued by the government in return for a healthy commission. Working under the noses of po-
quently use the facility because I re-
count, the broker opens a bank ac-
Munniraju added, “e cash
ceive the cash immediately. Even if
count for him and aer giving the
which we use in this whole opera-
a person doesn’t have a bank ac-
money, they close the account.”
tion is from a bank.”
lice, Munniraju, a broker at Silver
it. It is up to the police and the government.” A senior police official stationed
But he refused to detail how he
at Silver Jubilee Road, just a short
gets money from the bank. He also
distance from where the brokers
declined to reveal the name of the
operate, said, “Brokers cash govern-
bank.
ment cheques for people who need
Jubilee Road said: "We only cash
On being asked whether he can
money immediately provided they
government cheques. In return we
provide instant cash amounting to
are given a certain amount as com-
get commission ranging between
Rs 3000, he said that it was not a
mission. We cannot take any action
10-20% of the amount mentioned
problem.
against them until a complaint is
in the cheque. Even if you don’t
Jalajakshi N S, 35, Manager of
have a bank account you still get the
State Bank of Patiala said, “e bro-
He added that he believed what
cash.”
kers are cashing government
the brokers are doing is not illegal.
cheques in an illegal manner. We, as
DCP, Central Division, Bangalore
a bank, cannot do anything about
City was not available for comment.
A person using their service, who asked not to be named, said, “I fre-
Broker (circled) one of many cashing in on government cheques
registered.”
e Weekly Observer
ursday, September 19, 2013
4
More machines, fewer mechanics PranayLakshminarasimhan
ing slowly.
e city bus transport corpora-
According to Parvez, the BMTC is
tion has placed an order for ap-
waiting for the go-ahead from the
proximately 4500 new buses
Department of Women and Child
despite there being an acute short-
Development to commence with
age of mechanics.
the hiring procedure. is, he said,
Karnataka Chief Minister, Sid-
is because of certain issues pertain-
daramaiah, recently launched the
ing to reservation for physically
new BIG Trunk bus service of the
challenged people.
BMTC.
However, when contacted, the
e mega project will involve the
women and child development de-
purchase of more than 4500 new
partment said that they weren’t
buses and will cost approximately
aware of any such situation.
Rs. 2900 crores.
Parvez, commenting on the hiring
However, according to the Man-
process, said: “For now we’ve given
aging Director of the BMTC,
the authorization to hire privately;
Anjum Parvez, the bus corporation
both individuals and from firms.
is currently facing an acute shortage
e official hiring process, however,
of mechanics.
which involves hiring from recog-
Parvez said: “We are running
nized agencies, will start in six
short of skilled mechanics working
Understaffing has resulted in an increased workload for these mechanics at the Majestic Bus Depot
months.” He added that the short-
for our depots. ere have been
buses are serviced and repaired. A
It would be nicer if they could em-
age of mechanics wouldn’t be an
some complications with the hiring
mechanic working there, on condi-
On being asked about the work-
pathize with us a little bit.”
immediate problem as the buses
procedure in the last few months.”
tion of anonymity, said: “e
load, he said that there are 60 me-
e BMTC is now looking to hire
lending us a helping hand.”
were yet to arrive.
e Majestic bus station, which is
amount of workload that we get
chanics working in the Majestic
more mechanics. However, the
e Chief Minister’s office, despite
one of the largest bus stations in the
here is huge. It would be easier if we
depot and they have to handle a
process has not yet gathered the re-
repeated attempts, remained un-
city, is also one of the depots where
had more people working here and
total of 220 buses. “is has to stop.
quired momentum and is progress-
available for comment.
Two women drugged and trafficked Karishma Ravindran Two trafficked women rescued from Mumbai’s red light district were brought to an NGO in Bangalore for rehabilitation. One of the victims belongs to Karnataka and the other hails from Andhra Pradesh. e women were trafficked to Kamathipura, a red light area in Mumbai, and rescued by a foundation there. ey were later brought to a Bangalore NGO, Vidyaranya. Kolhapure, Deputy Superintendant of police, Anti-Human trafficking unit, said: “We have arrested the trafficker from Majestic in March this year who is identified as a 40-year-old man, Naveen Kumar Shetty. Majestic is a common point for the traffickers to take the victims to Mumbai. One of the victims identified him when we prepared a sketch during our investigation. Around four to five girls have been trafficked in Majestic and taken to Mumbai’s brothels.” Kolhapure added that they con-
ducted a decoy operation with the International Justice Mission in Mumbai, where they acted as customers and caught hold of the traffickers involved in the prostitution racket. “We are trying to find out if more people are involved.” Ashwini (name changed), a 29year-old victim who was rescued in 2009, belongs to Tumkur. According to her, she performed household chores before coming to Vidyaranya. She said: “One day when I was down with fever, a member of the family where I used to work, offered me tea which was spiked. I fell unconscious. Later they took me to Mumbai. Only when the girls at Kamathipura told me, I realized that I was sold for prostitution.” She added: “I was taken to Mumbai in 2004. Even then I tried escaping a couple of times, but the cops brought me back to Kamathipura. e police are the ones who work hand in glove with these people.” According to Ashwini, the police received a tip-off regarding the
prostitution racket and they shied her to an NGO in Mumbai, e Rescue Foundation, where she lived for four months before returning to Tumkur. Vidyaranya is helping the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in implementing a scheme, Ujjawala, which seeks to
NGO, the number of cases registered against women trafficking in 2011 was 50. In 2012, this number increased to 66 and between January and September this year, 22 cases have already been registered. Gopal Rao, General Secretary of Ujjawala, said: “One common way in which the women are lured into
The two trafficked victims rescued from Mumbai’s red light district. prevent trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation through awareness programs. According to statistics of the
prostitution is by promising them respectable jobs. ose who fall prey to such situations are mostly poor or in dire need of earning a handsome amount of money.”
e case of Amisha (name changed), 23, is similar. She was forced into prostitution aer she le her home in Andhra Pradesh following a tiff with her parents and came to Bangalore looking for a job. According to Amisha, a woman initiated a conversation with her at a bus stop and ended up promising her a job. She said: “I was taken into a small apartment in Venkateshpuram. e woman offered me lunch which was spiked. I felt dizzy in a while and spent a day and half sleeping inside the bus which was taking me to Mumbai.” Amisha added that she was forced into prostitution in Mumbai’s ‘Bhendi Bazar’ and was there for two months. Aer that, due to repeated police raids in the area, she was transferred to Pune, where she spent the next two years. e police conducted raids in the area, rescued her and shied her to Pune. She lived there for three months and was later brought to Ujjawala in July this year.
e Weekly Observer
ursday, September 19, 2013
5
No social security for domestic workers Aurosmita Acharya More than 500 domestic workers
for domestic workers. However, the
“As per the Minimum Wage Act,
voice their grief. “ere are a total
workers have not got any benefici-
1948, the domestic workers are en-
of 1320 apartments which need to
ary or welfare fund till date.
titled to one holiday a week. e
be taken care of by us.”
working in an apartment building
On July 31, 2013, the complaint
workers in this apartment do not
Geeta Menon of the Stree Jagruthi
do not have any sort of social se-
was registered with the authorities
get any holidays. In fact if they stay
Samiti, who has been working for
curity or welfare fund.
of the labor department. It was fol-
back at home for certain personal
women rights for the last 30 years,
Radha, coordinator of the Do-
lowed by a notice issued to the Res-
reasons they end up losing their
has joined hands with the union to
mestic Worker’s Rights Union, said,
ident Welfare Association (RWA) of
job.”
form the Workers Facilitation Cen-
“e workers from Maruthi Layout,
Rosi, domestic worker and member of Domestic Rights Union
Vasanthapura and Gubbalalu work at the Mantri Tranquil Apartments, Kanakpura Road, without holidays and bonus despite being asked to
salary.”
work for extra hours.”
Shalini, program coordinator,
On July 29, 2013, the domestic
said, “When we initially contacted
workers went on a protest to assert
the RWA requesting them to sort
their rights in accordance with
out the problem, they ignored our
“e Domestic Worker Welfare and
demands.” According to the RWA,
Social Security Act 2010” which
a meeting regarding the issue will
says that every domestic worker
soon be held.
who is 18 years of age, but is not yet
e authorities at the Karmikka
65, and who has been engaged in
Bhavan (labor department) said,
any domestic work for not less than
“Two months have passed since the
90 days during the preceding 12 months shall be eligible for registra-
first notice was served, still there
Domestic Workers Rights Union members protesting in front of the Mantri Tranquil apartment building.
tion as a beneficiary. Section 19 of
has not been much improvement. Hence, we will again issue a warn-
the act entitles them to the Domes-
the Mantri Tranquil Apartments.
She added that because of increas-
tre (WFC). She said, “Despite the
tic Workers Welfare Fund.
e RWA has been asked to take
ing prices, unavailability of necessi-
labour department’s notice to the
Geeta Menon said, “Inspired by
steps for the betterment and secu-
ties and for the sake of the children,
apartment, we haven’t seen much
the protests the workers of a neigh-
rity of the workers.
they decided to unite and have the
improvement apart from a few
boring apartment have come forth
Domestic Worker’s Rights Union to
houses increasing the workers’
for their rights.”
According to the act, the Karnataka Government has already introduced the social security scheme
Rosi, 32, a domestic worker, said:
ing notice this month.”
New Mayor: We will supply milk to beat malnutrition Anagha Sawant
the child is malnourished or not.
these children. BBMP always con-
health care treatment, out of the
ere is hardly any infection in the
ducts medical check-up camps in
Bangalore’s new city mayor has
3,444, 551 children upgraded to
children living in the slum areas.”
slum areas. We ensure that the
said he will begin supplying free
reach moderate weight category
B. S. Satyanarayana, the newly
camp is set up at regular intervals
milk to the city’s poorest in a bid
and 565 improved to the normal
elected mayor of BBMP, has taken
of two months as per the schedule.
to tackle malnutrition.
weight category in the last two
charge of the city. e Weekly Ob-
We have medical checkups at the
months.
server spoke to him regarding his
health care centre for them. Sec-
strategies to tackle this issue.
ondly, we have planned distributing
B. S. Satyanarayana, elected two weeks ago, said a recent Medical
Newly elected Mayor, B. S. Satyanarayana talks about malnutrition to the Observer.
Aer undergoing the required
ere are 2,320 children still reg-
Check-up Camp conducted by the
istered as suffering from SAM, of
Speaking exclusively to e
milk along with mid-day meal
BBMP had triggered the move.
which 1,051 are suffering from
Weekly Observer, Satyanarayana
schemes in the city. Many families
e camp, held on August 21,
SAM this year. e report does not
said: “About this issue, we have
do have Below Poverty Line (BPL)
found more than 300 children suf-
have update on the remaining 2,328
given a letter to the state govern-
cards. We don’t have a specific an-
fering from Severe Acute Malnutri-
malnourished children . According
ment regarding the supply of milk
swer as to why the children are mal-
tion.
to Dr. Venkatesh, the medical offi-
to the places where these malnour-
nourished. eir health is not
More than 2.6 lakh children were
cer of BBMP, the children are now
ished children reside. Once we re-
properly taken care of and lack of
examined from July 15, 2012 to Au-
in the normal weight category, but
ceive a conformation letter, we will
maintenance is one of the key rea-
gust 21, 2013, of which 3,444 were
they haven’t updated the report.He
start with the milk supply. We also
sons for malnourishment in the
found to be suffering from SAM.
said: “Our duty is to check whether
have health care treatments for
slum areas.”
e Weekly Observer
ursday, September 19, 2013
Ramya househunts as Mandya waits Anand Jain
Exclusive
"How would it be if some un-
being compared with Ambareesh,
known came and started ruling
who was a film actor too, and is
“If she finds a home that suits her
your home? He wouldn't know
now the MLA for the constituency.
and the vaastu, she will come,” said
where is what, how can he rule?"
He had been the MP until 2009.
Suresh, a shopkeeper.
Movie actress Ramya has reas-
said Sunil Kumar, a resident of
sured the people who voted her in
Mandya.
to power that she WILL move to
a student at PES College.
"Ambareesh had built a home
Workers at a hospital said they
here before elections many years
have given her a chance, and if she
6
Events CULTURE
He added: “Casteism, popularity,
back, but on the day the result was
does well they would give her 100
Mandya.
and the media have made her win
announced, he le for Bangalore,"
more chances.
Speaking exclusively to the Weekly
the election. She has no develop-
said Kumar, a businessman. "ese
"She spends around 3 days a week
Observer, the star of movies like
mental intentions.”
people can't live here. Ramya keeps
here. I think she will come. But
Salsa Dance Experience
I will be staying there. ere's no need to doubt that. In fact I've looked at a couple of houses. I will zero in on a place by this weekend. My office is also getting ready.”
even if she doesn't stay here, she has
Where: No 8, 2nd Floor, Grand Allied
to work. We can only hope she
Plaza Above Nalli Silks, Magrath Road
will," said Renuka, a nurse. Ramya has confidently responded to this, saying, “I will be staying there. ere's no need to doubt that. In fact I've looked at a couple of houses will zero in on a place by this week end. My office is also getting ready.”
When: Sept. 22 – Oct.20
“
Polladhavan and Singam Puli, was responding to criticism from her own district. In the build-up to the elections last month the actress, 30, promised voters she would live among them. But the people of Mandya don’t seem to be holding their breath. Her promise to live in Mandya is being described as an "election gimmick" and a "film dialogue”. "Where is she? She hasn't followed what she said. If she were to
“She is a teddy bear the Congress
roaming around, but she can't live,"
has placed for votes. Totally unfit
he said. “Her aims are for Bolly-
for ruling,” said Sanjay, another res-
wood and Hollywood. She can’t un-
ident.
derstand Mandya,” he said.
come, it would happen by now. I
Divya Spandana, also called
“e situation is complicated, but
am upset." K. Ranganath, a security
Ramya, has been a successful ac-
I believe in Ambareesh, he will help
guard said.
tress in South Indian films for 10
Ramya,” said Manju, a shop owner.
“She won and now she has gone. No use voting these people. Vote for those who live here,” Sadiq Khan, an auto driver said.
years now. Her political career
Although a majority of the people
started when she joined Youth
is not hoping she would come and
Congress in 2011.
live with them, some have held
Today, she is the Member of Par-
their belief in her promise.
ere is also confusion over the
liament for Mandya constituency,
"Ramya should be given more
actress’ ability to manage her con-
where most people know and talk
time. We waited for Ambareesh,
stituency.
about her. Her career in politics is
now we'll wait for her," said Chitra,
“
I wanted to While Ramya build a is confident cycle shop. I she would went to the be shiing District Com-to missioner and Mandya soon, he approved it. people here do not seem to be He told me to go to Municipality hopeful. office, get the paper work done. It has been three months since then, and nothing happened. Where should I go? ere is no leader to approach. e workers don't work if a leader does not stand and get it done. If they live here, we know where to go. Where can we go otherwise? - Safir, a cycle mechanic
Time: 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM Entry Fees: Rs. 200
LITERATURE Bangalore Literature Festival he Bangalore Literature Festival, endeavors to bring together some of the biggest names of literary world Where: Crowne Plaza @ Velankani Park | Electronics City, Bangalore When: September 27, 2013
THEATRE International eatre Festival Going Solo - India`s only theatre festival of solo performances launches in October 2013, with shows in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai, with 3 shows
Bangalore University organizes its 49th athletic meet
in 3 cities totalling 18 performances across 12 days! Where:Dyvasandra Industrial Layout Mahadevapura , Whitefield, Bangalore Entry Fees: Rs. 300-750 When: Oct.13 Time: 8:30 PM onwards Kitsch Mandi: Tribal Floral live Where: Princess No. 3, Ramanamaharishi Road Bellary Road,Near Palace Grounds,
Students of Bangalore University during the march past ceremony and St. Anne’s student participants were among those who attended Bangalore University’s 49th annual inter-college athletic meet held at Kanteerva Stadium. Photographs courtesy: Anannya Sarkar.
Sadashivnagar When: September 29 Time: 11:00AM – 11:00PM
Observer Team: Editor– Chitharth Mathivanan Chief Sub Editor– Aurosmita Acharya News Editors–Bhavika Bhuwalka, Nikita Narvekar, Gaurav Kumar Sub Editors– Karishma Ravindran, Pranay Lakshminarasimhan, Bhaskar Dutta Picture Editor– Anagha Sawant Design Desk–Apurva Venkat Reporters– Ishan Bhattacharya, Anannya Sarkar,Mayuri Ravi Emergency Call Services- Neha Singh Proof Readers– Anand Jain , Nibedita Mohanta Email– editor@iijnm.org An IIJNM Publication (For Private Circulation)