Observer The weekly
VOL 13 ISSUE 2A
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Beggars back on road after year’s training at Beggars Colony Page 5
Businessman booked in bonded labor case roams free Page 3
Chitra Arvind speaks to The Weekly Observer Page 6
Raped by her own uncle, pregnant at 13
Meera, the 13-year-old girl raped by her uncle, attending a religious function in happier times Anannya Sarkar
Meera’s mother Nita, recounting her daughter’s horrific story
pregnancy. She lived in a city slum
near a government school in Ulsoor
about three to four times, always
saying that he would slash his
13-year-old girl was
with her mother, father and her six-
where Meera studied in the eighth
when she was alone, and sexually
wrists and blame her father in front
raped by her uncle and
teen year old brother. Her father is
grade.
abused her.
of the police or would kill her par-
is now six-months preg-
a waiter in a local hotel while her
A nant.
Meera (name changed), a resi-
mother makes chips for a living and is a domestic worker.
Exclusive
According to the First Infor-
ents. He also said that he would kill
mation Report (FIR), the last time
her by hanging her from a ceiling
In her statement to po-
she was abused was on March 1
fan, before telling police she had
dent of Banaswadi, told police in
The girl’s uncle visited Meera’s
lice, Meera said her uncle had taken
when Navaneeth went to her house
committed suicide. Meera told po-
her statement that she was sexually
house under the pretext of return-
her to his house but after she began
in the afternoon and asked her to
lice she was too frightened to say
abused by her uncle Navaneeth. She
ing money to her father, which he
shouting, he was forced to let her
‘sleep’ next to him. When she re-
anything to her parents.
is now in her second trimester of
had borrowed. Navaneeth lived
go. After that, he visited her house
fused, the accused threatened her,
Continued on page 4...
The Weekly Observer
Human rights violated at Bangalore police stations Gaurav Kumar Two police stations in Bangalore are violating human rights of suspects and detainees by making them lie on the floor outside the detention cell. Police stations at Kalasipalya and Chamrajpet are violating the National Human Rights Commission’s(NHRC) guidelines by making suspects sit and lie down on the floor of the police station rather than keeping them in the cell or offering them a seat. One senior official of the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission has even suggested police officers who abuse prisoners should be sent on “spiritual meditation classes.” According to the 1999 NHRC’s Guidelines on Polygraph Tests and Arrests which were issued to chief secretaries of all states and union territories, ‘the dignity of the person being arrested should be protected. Public display or parading of the person arrested should not be permitted at any cost.’ The Station House Officer (SHO) of Kalasipalya said that detainees had to sleep on the floor due to space constraints in the cell. Upon being told of another instance of a man found sleeping on the floor, he said that the person was not a detainee but was called in for interrogation and would be freed after that.
2 Eight-year-old girl rescued from city railway station Thursday, September 5, 2013
The SHO said that the police station would be expanded so that cell space would increase. But according to an official in Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation Limited (KSHCL), no
I have to get some authentic information from the media or likewise”. He said the justificaton of the police is wrong, “even if there is space constraint one should have
Detainee sleeping on the floor next to the cell in KP Police Station requisition regarding this has been received. C.G. Hungund, member of the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission, while accepting it as a human rights violation, has declined to take any action. He said, “Unless you or someone else complains to the commission we can’t take any action.” When asked about his power to take action independently, as mentioned in the National Human Rights Commission Act, Hungund added: “To take action
the courtesy of offering a chair at least to the person concerned.” The ill-treatment of detainees and prisoners by the police and the prison administration amounts to extra-judicial punishment in addition to their existing sentences. Other suggestions included making living conditions better for the police, especially at the cutting-edge level and institutionalizing some mechanisms for increasing people to police interactions.
Ishan Bhattacharya An eight-year-old girl, a victim of child trafficking, was rescued from the city railway station in the first week of July. Swati (name changed), who was kidnapped from Nagpur and brought to Bangalore, was found sitting inside the railway station with Mukesh, a 23-year-old broker. She was told that she would get a good job in the city. Swati’s mother Anitha, who is a coolie by profession, also sold her younger daughter to a broker, according to a report by Sathi, a Bangalore-based NGO. Swati was rescued by Shivkumar, a 21-year-old child rescuer working for Sathi, on July 4, 2013. Along with a member of the railway cleaning staff, he went after Mukesh and caught him. The broker was then handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP). Shivkumar said: “I saw a man sitting with a young kid on platform number eight. Initially he was standing a few meters away from the little girl. The very moment I saw them, I had intuitions that the child is in trouble. On seeing me walking towards the girl, Mukesh moved away from her.” Taking help of a female railway worker, he rescued the girl. He added: “Initially the girl said that Mukesh was her father. After assuring her that she will be safe, she finally admitted that she was brought to Bangalore forcefully. and that she was clueless about her future.”
Mukesh was then taken to Nagpur by a team of police from Maharashtra. The girl is now living in the Women and Child Development Department Correctional Institutional Complex in Bangalore.
Shivkumar, the man who rescued Swati from Majestic The railway police station in Majestic failed to give any information on the case while the NGO involved confirmed that they have filed a complaint. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, GRP, was not available for comment. Coincidentally, this was not the first time Mukesh tried to jeopardize a child’s life. According to the NGO, an 11-year-old boy named Sunil (name changed) was kidnapped from Nagpur and was brought to Bangalore to be sold, at the end of last year. He was rescued by Shivkumar but unfortunately, on that occasion, Mukesh managed to escape.
‘
Initially the girl said that Mukesh was her father. After assuring her that she will be safe, she finally admitted that she was bought to Bangalore forcefully -Shivkumar
Cyber cafes pose security threat to B’lore Apurva Venkat
ment of Information Technology,
importance. Yasin Bhatkal, origi-
IT department. It is also responsi-
said: “It becomes impossible to
nally from Karnataka and the co-
ble for making sure the logs are
Cyber cafes in the city are com-
find out who was the person who
founder of the Indian
maintained. The IT department
pletely ignoring the Information
accessed the content at that par-
Mujahideen, a banned terror out-
has the power to cancel the license
Technology Act.
ticular time if there is no identifi-
fit, was arrested recently. Bhatkal
of the owner but they are not
Most cyber cafes in the city do not
cation log maintained.”
is a suspect in the Chinnaswamy
doing so. The cyber crime police’s
have details or maintain logs of
Both the departments agreed that
stadium blast in 2010.
job is only to look into and solve
customers using the internet. A
this is a major threat for security
On June 20, letters were found in
check conducted in the city
in Bangalore. D. Roopa , Superin-
the parking lot of the Indian Space
showed that out of 10 cyber cafes
tendent of Cyber Crime Police
Research Organisation threatening
only two maintained logs and
said, “There is a threat to people
terror attacks across Bangalore.
as cases of people mis-using the
Also, in November 2012, a threat-
cyber crime cases.” However, the IT department says that it is the job of the cyber police to conduct checks and inform the department of the matter. Jeetendra Singh, said: “Cyber crime police will find out if the cyber cafe is following the guidelines or not. If the guidelines are violated they will inform the adjudicating officer under the IT department. Judicial cases would be registered and the IT department only decides the fine that is supposed to be paid.”
asked for identity proof. Police in the city have been planning for terror attacks and carrying out emergency drills. But in a glaring security lapse, cafes do not take pictures of customers, which is compulsory according to the rule.
Places in Bangalore where the Information Technology Act is violated The owner of an internet café in Koramangala said; “I have never maintained a record. I can judge by seeing a person’s face if they are good or not.” Jeetendra Singh, from the Depart-
internet to defame someone are
ening mail was sent to Jammu
increasing.” She added that with
from a hotel in Bangalore.
increasing technological aware-
When the Cyber Crime Depart-
ness among people, the crime rate
ment said that it is the function of
is also increasing.
the IT Department to implement
In the context of recent terror at-
the law. D. Roopa, said: “Cyber
tacks, this issue has increased in
cafés have to be registered with the
The Weekly Observer
Thursday, September 5, 2013
3
Businessman booked in bonded labor case roams free BONDED LABOR Bhaskar Dutta
Airport Road. He lives with his
statement of the girls, Sanaulla and
has been handling the case on be-
voice and said that the main reason
wife, Ruchika Gupta, his two chil-
his wife Mala were paid Rs 20,000
half of the PRV, states that no real
behind this is the fact that the com-
dren and his parents. The house in
by Rishav Gupta and his family and
effort has been made on the part of
munity does not have any proper
JP Nagar is owned by his father-in-
could not return home until the
the police to arrest Rishav Gupta
political representation.
law, MK Giridhar.
sum was paid back with interest.
despite the long list of offences that
Commenting on the delay in
According to the statement of
Manohar Elavarthi of the Praja Ra-
he has been charged with. Further-
the action taken by the police in
Jennifer, the girl who was forced to
jakiya Vedike alleged that Rishav
more, under the SC/ST(Prevention
this particular case he said that the
A businessman whose family kept
Deputy Commissioner of Police(
a girl in captivity as a bonded la-
South) had stated that the police
borer has not yet been arrested.
were informed about the incident,
Rishav Gupta and his wife
but since this information came
Ruchika forced the girl to wash
from a third party they were unable
clothes and dishes, clean the house
to lodge a complaint.
repeatedly and even give massages
Repeated attempts to contact
to his elderly parents.
Rishav Gupta went unanswered.
On July 14, the Praja Rajakiya
Rakesh, a former employee of Ren-
Vedike, a city based NGO, and the
aissance International stated that he
Kuki Students Organisation of Ban-
had read about the charges framed
galore, rescued two Manipuri Kuki
against Rishav Gupta but had no
girls, Jennifer and Mary (names
knowledge about his current status.
changed), who were being forcibly
George an employee at Kiara Bags
employed as laborers.
and Accessories located at the
The two girls, aged 19 years, left their homes in May after they were
Gopalan Innovation Mall, said that
Rishav Gupta, from whose house Jennifer (name changed) was rescued by the PRV on July 14, 2013.
promised jobs as beauticians in the
his boss Rishav Gupta was presently in Hong Kong and would be re-
city. They were promised a monthly
work in Rishav Gupta’s house, she
Gupta and Sanaulla appeared to
of Atrocities) Act, any public ser-
turning soon.
salary of Rs. 5000 along with free
was made to work from 6 am to 12
have been business associates for a
vant who neglects duties which are
food, accommodation and training
am. She said: “It was back-breaking
long time.Initially, only four people
required to be performed under
in spoken English.
this Act is liable to face prosecution.
The following is a verbatim account of Jennifer’s experiences at the house of Rishav Gupta in Banashankari.
work. I was made to wash clothes,
(Nengkhochin, Mala, Sanaulla and
After reaching Bangalore, the
wash dishes, clean and wipe the
Mala’s brother Sarath) were named
Elavarthi added that there ex-
girls were taken to the residence of
house several times a day, as and
as accused in the case. It was later
ists the need for a better security in-
a woman called Mala who in-
when they demanded. I was unable
that the names of Rishav Gupta and
frastructure with regard to the
formed them that they would have
to bear the abuse and torture.”
his family were added to the list. In
protection of migrant laborers.
to do domestic work as there were
After a lot of difficulty one of
the beginning, Gupta was booked
The PRV, he said, had provided all
no jobs left for beauticians in the
the girls managed to contact her
under IPC sections 34, 420 and 342.
information regarding the case to
city.
Following this, they were
parents and informed them of the
It was only after the Praja Ra-
the police by August 1. However,
taken to two houses in Ba-
situation. Following this a com-
jakiya Vedike , along with other
the police filed an FIR only on Au-
nashankari and JP Nagar respec-
plaint was filed in the Moirang po-
human rights and Dalit groups, ex-
gust 17.
lice station against Nengkhochin .
erted pressure on the police that
A senior member of the Kuki
The Kuki Students Association was
they booked Gupta under the anti-
Students Organisation of Bangalore
also informed of the situation after
trafficking sections of the IPC, the
spoke about how the Manipuri
which they contacted their student
Bonded Labor System (Abolition)
body in Bangalore.
Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of
Subsequently,the Praja Rajakiya Vedike was informed about the sit-
Atrocities) Act. However,
according
to
uation by the Kuki Students Organ-
Manohar Elavarthi of the PRV, de-
Manohar Elavarthi from PRV
isation of Bangalore, after which
spite the fact that Rishav Gupta was
tively.
they began to plan out the rescue
present in the police station for
operation of the two girls.
questioning on August 21 and had
The owner of the house in Banashankari is Rishav Gupta, a city
After the rescue operation, a
his name on the list of accused
based businessman connected with
person called Sanaulla was arrested
along with Sanaulla, he was not ar-
commercial establishments called
on August 22 by the Banashankari
rested. He also raised questions
Kiara Bags and Renaissance Inter-
police and booked under the
about the names of Rishav Gupta
national(which
antique
Human Trafficking Act as well as
and his family missing from the
clocks). The shops are located in
the Scheduled Castes and Sched-
FIR.
Gopalan Innovation Mall in JP
uled Tribes (Prevention of Atroci-
Nagar and the Total Mall in Old
ties) Act.
sells
According to the
Kiara bags and accessories, Gopalan Innovation Mall
BT Venkatesh , a senior advo-
community in Bangalore suffers
cate and human rights activist who
from the lack of a real collective
“
It was a five bedroom bungalow. There were six persons living in the house. A husband and wife, two elderly persons and two children. I did not know their language. They used to inform me in sign language. For two days they were pleasant. From the third day they started making me work from morning 6 am to night 11.30-12.00 am. It was back breaking work. The older persons started shouting at me, for anything and everything. I was to massage the older persons several times a day. I was to wash clothes, wash dishes, clean and wipe the house several times a day as and when they demanded. I was unable to bear the abuse and torture. I told the person in sign language that I wanted to return to my village. He threatened me and took my photographs and informed me that he would give it to the police and the police would take me to jail. He said that he has paid Rs 20,000 to Mala and her husband (Sanaulla). Until the said money is paid with interest, I would not be allowed to go home. I had no option other than to work.”
The Weekly Observer
Thursday, September 5. 2013
4
Banned medicines still on sale in city use. Deanxit on the other hand was banned under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 30-B which states that the sale of any drug, the use of which is prohibited in the country of origin, is banned in India until clinical data proves it has no risks. Deanxit has been banned in Den-
Banned medicines, Analgin and Deanxit bought from shops
Bill of Analgin and Deanxit purchased from Jaya Medicals shop
Nikita Narvekar
chemist at the General Medical
ues.
use is very minimal.
mark, its country of origin. According to a press release by the Union Ministry of Health and
Medicines banned by the govern-
On the 4th of this month, the
stores at KPM Road and Jamal
Analgin possesses analgesics
Family Welfare dated August 13,
ment are still being sold in the
chemist at Jaya Medicals in Kum-
from Ceeyam medicals at N.R. road
and can cause a sharp decrease in
2013, Analgin and all formulations
city.
balgodu sold the medicines to the
said that they did not sell the med-
the count of blood cells of the pa-
containing Analgin are banned for
In June this year, the government
reporter without asking for any pre-
icines as they were banned.
tient if taken in higher quantities.
human consumption. However,
banned three drugs. These were Pi-
scription or reason for the pur-
oglitazone (anti-diabetic), Analgin
chase.
Dr. Bhushan from BGS Hospi-
The drug has been banned in
Vidya, a Bangalore-based chemist,
tal said, “The chemical composition
many countries and was banned
said, “Analgin is not banned
(painkiller) and Deanxit( anti-de-
The other shops visited refused
of the medicine is not good. It is
under Section 26A of the Drugs
whereas Deanxit is. Only if the cus-
pressant). While the ban on Piogli-
to give the medicines either citing
toxic to the body”. He further added
and Cosmetics Act, 1940 in India.
tomer has a prescription we sell it
tazone was revoked,the ban on
lack of stock or mentioning that the
that it is difficult to pin-point side-
The ban remains active on Analgin
to him or her.”
Analgin and Deanxit still contin-
drugs were banned. Hashir, a
effects of these drugs because their
and all its formulations for human
13-year-old girl raped by uncle and pregnant continued from page 1 Her mother Nita(name changed), on discovering Meera had missed her menstrual cycle and noticing her nausea, took her to a local doctor for a diagnosis but was sent home after being given medicine. Her pregnancy was later confirmed by a private hospital. Her parents could not afford an abortion and Meera was, in July, already five months pregnant. After her parents spoke to Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota (BOSCO), Meera was taken to Dr BR Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital on July 3, where she was confirmed pregnant and declared to be in her second trimester. The possibility of an abortion was ruled out as it would also pose serious complications to her health. A FIR was filed with the Banaswadi Police Station against Navaneeth on the same day. He was arrested from his house that night and was booked under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 (U/s-23, 27), Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (U/s-3, 4) and IPC 1860 (U/s-506,376). T. Rangappa, Police Inspector, Banaswadi Police Station, commenting on the case, said that the investigation was over and so the charge sheet would be filed soon.
Jenifar Y, the BOSCO co-ordinator who counseled Meera, said: “Meera is a child herself and we do not know what will happen to the baby when she gives birth. She was very innocent and did not know what was happening to her. She just knew that she was feeling extremely uneasy and was unable to walk properly for days. We do not know how this incident will affect her life later on.” Navaneeth is married with two children. According to Nita, his wife initially threatened Meera’s family that if the case against her husband was not withdrawn, she would commit suicide and blame it on them. But after initial hesitation, Meera’s parents are now resolved to get justice. Nita said with conviction: “I want strict punishment for Navaneeth. I want him to rot in jail so that he will not be able to do this to anyone else again.” After the FIR was lodged, Meera was taken to the Children’s Home for Girls, Hosur Road, where she was kept for four days .She was also treated at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS) for trauma. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) reviewed the case and interviewed her on July 5. Talking about such incidents,
Inspector Rangappa, said: “With the co-ordination of NGOs and youngsters, we could try to go to every area, conduct meetings to sensitize people. That way, we can change the situation a little bit. But the mentality of such men cannot be changed.” Jenifar, while commenting on such cases said: “This is happening because there is no serious punishment for the convicted and also due to lack of awareness. Children are used like instruments and they do not understand the difference between a good touch and a bad touch.” Meera is now living in St. Michael’s Home, Indira Nagar, under the observation of the CWC and will continue to live there until she gives birth. The family has already decided the baby will be handed over for adoption. Her mother does not want this incident to affect her life negatively She does not want this incident to deter her education and plans on changing her school. She has already decided on a new one which will be much closer to her house. Nita said that though the new school will be expensive for them, she is ready to bear the cost as she wants her daughter to become educated and do well in life.
Excerpt from Meera’s statement to the police.
My father is a waiter and mother sells chips. My brother used to study in my school. Navaneeth was my 'Chikkappa'(uncle). Last year my uncle visited my house twice. Rajeshwari, my aunt, stays near Indira Nagar, Kadiranapalya. She asked me to visit her house. Navaneeth's house is also located there. I went to his house once. This year after exams I did not go out of my house. In March, Navaneeth came to my house. I was alone. He came near me and asked me to go to his house so that he could give me a chocolate. I accepted and went on a scooter to his house near Kadiranapalya. He undressed me but I was scared and dressed again. I was afraid and so I shouted. I ran to Rajeshwari’s house but he got me back from there by force. I left at 3pm. He said he would drop me back and he did. After three days, Navaneeth came to my house at 12pm. I was alone. He removed all my clothes and asked me to sleep beside him. When I refused, he said he would kill my parents. He said he would kill me by hanging me from the ceiling fan and call it a suicide. He also said that if I told anyone he would slash his wrists and blame me in front of the police. He started penetrating me and touched me. I screamed as it hurt.”
“
The Weekly Observer
Thursday, September 5, 2013
5
Beggars back on road after a year’s training at Beggar’s Colony Aurosmita Acharaya
Santosh Nargund, an activist
ment training division of NPK, said
Beggars who attended a city train-
working for Rashtrotthan Sankalp,
that he recruited the beggars into
ing program say they haven’t been
said: “There is almost Rs. 30 crores
his own private company, OSV Re-
rehabilitated and are forced to beg
of deficits every year. Around 220
tail Pvt. Ltd., which has branches in
again.
local bodies and even the panchay-
Kochi and Chennai.
Beggars have said that the training
ats, who are supposed to collect tax,
However, on any given day,
programs provided to them by the
do not transfer the amount to the
close to 100 beggars gather outside
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Pa-
Beggary Fund.”
the Infant Jesus Chapel, begging for
like (BBMP),are ineffective and
Santosh added that such viola-
a livelihood. Father Justin, who
they are forced to resume begging.
tions have been taking place for the
works at the chapel, said, “We pro-
The beggars detained at the Beggar’s Colony, Magadi Road
Nirashrithara Parihara Kendra
last 30 years. He said that he filed an
vide them with money and food
Limited, which is a Government of
nataka Prohibition of Beggaries
(NPK) is responsible for training
RTI, seeking information on “beg-
and at times we ask them to work
India enterprise.”
Act. At the same time the law itself
the beggars. They are taught how to
gary cessation collection and trans-
for the church.” The training pro-
He added, some of the market-
make coir and candles and paid just
fer to central relief fund” but didn’t
gram conducted by NPK consists of
ing is done by a few NGO’s. The
Rs5 a day.. The State’s legal mini-
get any response from the BBMP.
856 beggars who are given voca-
turnover, he said, was not more
Rajanaik says NPK realized that
Commenting on rehabilitation,
tional training in trades like car-
than a few thousand rupees and
the current wages weren’t enough,
goes to the Central Relief Center..
made a recommendation last
mum wage is Rs 150.
violates the Minimum Wages Act of Karnataka.”
Sudershan, a beggar, said, “The
M. Venkatachalapathy, Deputy
pentry, tailoring, blacksmithing,
training provided by NPK does not
Commissioner, BBMP, said that the
book-binding, horticulture and
According to Rajanaik, Secre-
March to the BBMP which said that
improve our living standards in any
municipal body was trying its best
agriculture. Each of the inmates get
tary, NPK, the revenue from sales
the wages should be hiked to Rs. 20
way. We are not able to find a job
to rehabilitate the beggars and assist
paid Rs. 5 a day as wages for the du-
of these products is significantly
for a day’s work. However, he
and compelled to beg.”
them in fending for themselves. He
ration of the training program.
higher and turns to six figures.
added, the committee has not con-
Pilla Reddy, Assistant Agricul-
said: “We have an employment
Santosh Nargund said, “They
Nargund, commenting on the
ducted a single meeting regarding
tural Officer, NPK, said: “The NPK
training division inside the NPK. At
make utilities like paper folders, en-
appropriate wages for inmates, said:
this issue or addressed it in any way.
comes under the BBMP. ‘ 10-15
times we inculcate them into pri-
velopes, cleaning fluids and mats,
“It is difficult to cite an amount that
Mala, a beggar, said that the salary
crores is transferred to the Beggary
vate units as well.”
which are consumed by various
inmates should receive but five ru-
they receive – approximately Rs.
Chandrashekhar, who is re-
government offices, distributed
pees is definitely not enough,
1500 for a year’s work - doesn’t help.
sponsible for running the employ-
through Mysore Sales International
though mentioned in the Kar-
Fund from the tax collected by the BBMP.”
Robbed by their own children, senior citizens living rough on the tracks Mayuri J. Ravi The Majestic Railway station has become home to many senior citizens who have been abandoned by their families. Lalithamma, 65, a senior citizen from Bhadravathi who has been living at the Majestic railway station doesn’t remember how long she has been there. She said: “My husband left me at the station and I don’t know where he is now. I have a son and he doesn’t know where I am.” She added: “If there is anyone who can help me, I will be happy.” A Police official said: “We don’t allow these people inside the railway station. If we find them begging, we send them to the Beggar’s Colony. If they require medical aid, we send them to a nearby hospital We have become strict with our rules.” Another senior citizen named Ramaiah, who believes he is around 70, has been staying at the station for the last two days. He has hurt his leg and is unable to walk. He said, “I phoned my son on Tuesday and told him to come to the station, but he hasn’t yet come.”
Abandoned senior citizens living at the Majestic Railway Station Ramaiah, now retired, has worked at the canteen in Indian Telephone Industries Limited, Bengaluru, for more than 30 years. He said: “I have two sons and they don’t care about me. I have enough wealth but my sons have cheated me/” He also said: “There is nobody to help people like us. All the organizations that say they will help us say so for the sake of it,” and then he added, “If the organizations are ready to help then well and good.” There was another old man who looked fragile and was unable to talk. Ramaiah said, “He is unwell. It looks like he will not live for long.” Thippesawamy, 40, a shop-
keeper said: “The senior citizens are found at the station between 10 pm and 6 am. Some of them come to the station to sleep and beg during the daytime, while others reside right outside the station.” Anjunakare, 60 from Mysore Taluk came to the city to work as a carpenter. He said: “My wife and children beat me up because I consume alcohol and stopped giving money at home. I have to fend for myself now.” A Railway official said, “There were a lot of old aged beggars at the railway station few months back, but now the Railway Police Force have become strict about it. It is rare to find them at the station nowadays.”
Girls aged 13 and 14 put to work at construction site Nibedita Mohanta Two minor girls were found working in a construction site at Sanjaynagar. The girls havre been working there for the past two months and claim they started work after their mothers fell ill. The girls are helping to erect a private apartment for a local woman. They travel from kengeri to the site every day. Sita, 13, said, “My mother, Shanthilata V. was working in the construction site but she is not feeling well. So, I come in place of her to do the work.” Neema,14,said, “We are working here since July and every day we get Rs.200 and travelling expenses as we come from Kengeri. The employer knows that we are underage girls but has never questioned us about it.” K.Ravinandan, the supervisor at the site, said, “I do not know about them so I am no way responsible for this matter.” A co-worker of the site, Venkatramanappa, said, “Two
One of the two child labourer women registered themselves for working here in June and after fifteen days they started sending their daughters in place of them. Since then these girls are working here under the name of registered employees,.” According to the Sanjaynagar police station, Ranganathan, the head constable said: “We cannot go to each and every site and inspect them every day as Sanjaynagar is a big area. So, until I have someone complaining about I cannot take any action.”
The Weekly Observer
Thursday, September 5, 2013
English preferred over Kannada-medium schools EDUCATION
6
ARTS & CULTURE
mains the same. Most of the schools are up to class X with apparent
dwindling
of
student
strength.
Bhavika Bhuwalka
According to J. M. Joshi, assistant master of the same school,
The recent implementation of the
things have been more difficult
Right to Education Act has added
since past two years, after the im-
to the woes of Kannada-medium
plementation of RTE Act. “At the
schools in Kaval Byrasandra.
time of admission, we have to go to
Ganesha Habba, Mon 9 Sept
Blurred Boundaries, photography exhibition by Focus Bangalore
Government schools of Kaval
the parents in the locality and per-
Byrasandra have been struggling
suade them to send their children
with the falling count in the num-
to school. The school is running
ber of students after several private
since 1965 and has teachers with
schools came up in the last decade.
more than 25 years of experience,
Fouzia Banu, headmistress,
According to Divya, teacher at
still promotion is necessary because
Government High School, thinks
Another government school,
Gandhi Smaraka Higher Primary
of the competition.”
that the main problem is lack of
Shyamapura, has only 150 children.
Students of Gandhi Smarka Primary School studying on the streets. good education.”
is good but there is no job satisfaction.
Venue: Venkatappa Gallery, Kasturba Road Date & Time: September 14, 4 pm until September 17 , 7 pm
THEATRE
N.
awareness. “Whoever is even a little
There is competition with private
centives like free books, uniforms
Jayasimha, Project Coordinator,
bit above the poverty line will want
schools like Poorna Smriti and
Kaaga Tales Venue: Ranga
and food, only the labor class sends
Department of Public Instruction,
to spend their money on a private
Saubhagaya School. Jyotila, class IX,
Nagar
their children to study in govern-
said that some Kannada-medium
school without knowing that we
Jnaneshwari High School, said that
ment schools.
schools provide only oral assurance
have much better facilities.” She
the teachers are good but some-
School, even after giving a lot of in-
On
the
other
hand,
The RTE Act states that 25% of
of teaching english. ‘I think the par-
said that government schools have
times it is difficult to understand
seats will be reserved in unaided
ents have no other choice.” But he
better equipped laboratories; com-
Science and Social Studies in Kan-
schools for ‘Economically Weaker
still believes that education in the
puters and all the teachers are dou-
nada. The school has 50 students at
Sections’ of the society. In 2011,
local language would do well to the
ble graduates. In 2008, the strength
present.
there were 11 Kannada-medium
society.
Shankara, J.P
Date: September 14 and September 15 Time: 10:30 am onwards Tickets: Rs z 100
MUSIC
of the school was 500, now it is 240.
Nagasingha, Director Child’s
schools and 46 English-medium
Sangeetha, whose three-year-
“Parents come and ask if their
Right Trust, said, “There are 78%
schools in Kaval Byrasandra. In
old son goes to private Navbharat
children will get jobs in the Kar-
Kannada schools in Karnataka on
2012, the number of English
School, said, “We never went to
nataka Government after studying
paper but most among them teach
Virajpet.
schools has increased to 50 and the
school so I always wanted to send
in our school,” said Banu. She
in English to garner more admis-
Date & Time: September 14,
number of Kannada schools re-
my son to a private school to get
added that for the teachers the pay
sions.”
12 pm to September 15, 12 pm.
Observer Team
“It might be a profession for some, but for us, it is a need” - Chitra Arvind
Reporter –Aurosmita Acharya News Editors–Gaurav Kumar, Anannya Sarkar, Apurva Venkat Chief Sub Editor–Nikita Narvekar Picture Editor– Nibedita Mohanta, Mayuri J. Ravi Design Desk– Ishan Bhattacharya, Karishma Ravindran Sub Editors– Anagha Sawant, Anand Jain, Neha Singh Proof Readers– Bhaskar Dutta, Pranay Lakshminarsimhan Editor– Bhavika Bhuwalka
Aurosmita Acharya
Email– editor@iijnm.org An IIJNM Publication (For Private Circulation)
‘Chalana - Dance for a Cause’ is a biennial Classical and Contemporary dance festival organized by the Rhythmotion Charitable Trust which helps the Deaf Aid Society. This year, the event will be held on September 27, in Alliance Française de Bangalore at 6:30 pm .The money will be donated to the students of the Sheila Kothavala Institute for the Deaf, Bengaluru. Following is an excerpt from Chitra Arvind, the director of the organization. What does Chalana plan to do this time? The program includes Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Contemporary dance forms by Rhythmotion. The themes will include
mythology portraying narratives of Krishna, Ganesha and Shiva and that of contemporary Bengaluru. The students who have completed the Rythmotion Contemporary Certificate Dance Course Level 1 will also perform. Who is the guest of honor for the festival? Every time, we invite a very senior dance exponent. This year, Guru Smt. Usha Venkateshwaran, Founder Director of Natyalakshana dance academy has consented to grace the occasion and she will be distributing certificates to all those who have completed Rhythmotion Level 1. For how long have you been working towards this cause? Chalana premiered in 2008. Some of my senior students and I train
Unplugged Music Campout Venue: Bamboo Rustles Camp,
the hearing impaired of the Sheila Kothavala Institute for the Deaf in dance on a regular basis. They have performed at various platforms including the Raj Bhavan and Palace Grounds. How many tickets are you hoping to sell? We are hoping for a house full. We will start selling the tickets from next week How did you come up with this idea of fusion? It might be a profession for some and an art for many. But for us, it’s a need, a need to provide deliverance to hundreds of human emotions and transcend from the chaos surrounding us. It’s the way we relate with people and seek beauty in creation. For us, dance
Chitra Arvind, the Director. is a manifestation of serenity and divinity. It’s our belief that dance can shape their destinies, when they are brought together. It’s also our intention to give the audience a glimpse into our spell binding journey and introduce enthusiasts to new possibilities.