The Observer
The Observer An IIJNM publication
Rajputs condemn death threats, Deepika’s home gets round-the-clock security cover | P 3
Vol 17, Issue 12
@theweeklyobserver On the Web: issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs/ the_observer
Tuesday,November 21 , 2017
Cradle-making industry in Kalaghatagi under threat due to decline in labour and demand | P 5
40 years after it was discovered, there is still no cure for Handigodu syndrome Sufferers label the crippling disorder a nightmare Saket Tiwari saket.t@iijnm.org
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ore than 40 years after it was discovered, Handigodu syndrome, a rare and painful disease, is still prevalent in Shikaripur, Sagara and Hosanagara taluks in Shivamogga district. First reported in Handigodu village of Sagara taluk in 1976, the disease has killed 1,000 people. No cure has yet been found for the crippling syndrome. Chikkabilagunji village, on the border of Shikaripur and Sagara taluks, has 15 cases. “It’s been with me from the past 20 years. I have pain in the pelvic region of the body. It is a torture that has become a part of my life. Doctors from government institutions come, but they
People suffering from Handigodu Syndrome have distorted limbs. From left:, Santosh and Vijay. | Credit: Saket Tiwari also don’t have any permanent Chikkabilagunji village, incure for my condition. They just formed The Observer . do regular checks like BP The disease is not well known and blood test from time to time,” because it is prevalent only in cerGangadhar, 50, a Handigodu tain geographical areas. The dissyndrome suffrerer from ease shows characteristics similar
Teachers, students protest against cell tower radiation Barnana H. Sarkar barnana.h@iijnm.org
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aculty and students of the Ashwini Primary and High School, near the BBMP office in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, on Tuesday protested against the installation of an illegal tower 30 metres from the school premises. “The tower is illegal. The documents presented do not belong to the state,” said principal Ilawati. Ever since the tower was installed 15 days ago, teachers of the school and residents of the area are worried about the health of the students. The teachers and the students’ parents have tried to prevail upon a BBMP joint commissioner to order its removal. “We have been contacting him for the past 15 days. He has been asking us irrelevant questions about tax payments,” the principal informed The Observer.The
Cell tower radiation can cause damage to children’s health | Credit: Barnana H.Sarkar damage caused by radiation from a mobile tower takes a toll on the health of children. Young children may face dizziness or anxiety. The radiation can cause long-term damage to a child’s health. Epidemiological studies have proved that such radiation may cause neurobehavioral effects and
cancer. Suchita, headmistress of the school, said: “We requested Shivananda, who was responsible for setting up the tower, to remove it as it can pose health hazards for the children. But he is asking for proof. We told him that the effect is gradual, and takes three to four years to damage the health of a child. He said he would remove the tower only after four years.” Shivananda is understood to have spent 45 minutes with the joint commissioner on Tuesday, while the teachers were asked to wait outside. The faculty said exposing children to radiation is a violation of human rights and have asked the residents to join their protest. Srinivas, a resident of the Rajarajeshwari Nagar area, said: “Such radiation is bad for pregnant women.” >> Continued on page 2
to Mseleni Joint Disease observed in the Maputaland region of KwaZulu Natal province in South Africa. It comes under the “rare diseases” category, meaning it affects one person in a population of one lakh. A paper published by researchers of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, says: “Mseleni joint disease (MJD) and Handigodu joint disease (HJD) are familial skeletal disorders that affect several hundred persons in northern Zululand, South Africa, and in Shimoga district…. Severe precocious, progressive degenerative osteoarthropathy, which occurs in both conditions, causes marked physical handicap by adulthood. The clinical and radiological manifestations of MJD and HJD are very similar and it is possible that they represent the same entity.” The Handigodu syndrome leads to severe pain. In extreme cases, adults who are crippled have to
crawl. The disease, which causes difficulty in walking and standing, can in extreme cases lead to mental retardation and dwarfism. “I had worked on the disease in the late 20th century…. Since 1986, when I left that place, Handigodu still doesn’t have any permanent cure… it is because of the negligence of either the government or scientific research institutes. We can’t afford to be helpless in the medical sector,” Dr Krishnamurthy informed The Observer. “I was normal till the age of 15 years, but after that my limbs and pelvis started getting distorted, and then they bent. Since ages, nothing has improved in the situation I have been in. It is a nightmare, the pain is terrible, but I am used to it,” Chowdamma, 60, a sufferer of the disease, said. The Observer didn’t find any specific remedial treatment or cure for Handigodu syndrome on the Web.
These citizens have adjusted to the stench from drain Debanjali Kabiraj debanjali.k@iijnm.org
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he drain in front of Dollar Colony in BTM Layout, south Bengaluru, is yet to be cleaned despite repeated complaints. Compared to the situation a few months ago — heaps of garbage and rubble piled up along the drain — there is less trash in the area now. But the stink prevails. Residents say they have complained numerous times to the BBMP but to no avail. The BBMP cleaned the area one and a half months ago, but is not doing the job regularly. Sumathi S, a shopkeeper in the area, informed The Observer: “The BBMP cleaners come whenever they want to. They do not clean the place regularly.Divya Muthu, a resident of Dollar Colony, said: “There is no point in complaining anymore.” They have “adjusted” to living
Garbage lined up along the drain Credit: Debanjali Kabiraj amid the stench; it doesn’t bother them anymore. The streets may be cleaner, but there are heaps of garbage in the drain, hindering the flow of water. The stagnant water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Dengue cases in the area have increased, the residents say. The scenario worsened after heavy rain in August and September, the residents say, but the BBMP did not pay heed to their complaints. The BBMP contractor concerned was not available for comments.