The Observer
An IIJNM publication
Vol. 21, Issue 27
Thursday, April 21, 2022
‘We’ll give a 0% govt’: Kejriwal promises a graft-free K’taka
Kodihalli faction of KRRS merges with AAP By Swarali Bodas
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The Delhi CM at the convention criticised the BJP regime in Karnataka, dubbing it a ‘40 per cent government’ | Credit: Swarali Bodas crats ask for huge bribes to clear even the ministers in my cabinet grants and projects. but didn’t find anything. At the Speaking in Hindi language, end, PM gave me a certificate of the chief minister said: “The pre- being non-corrupt.” vious government was of 20 per About government schools in cent. The present government is Delhi, he said: “More than 4 lakh of 40 per cent. We are of 0 per students struck off their names cent (no corruption).” from private schools and got ad“The PM raided my offices, my mission to the brilliant governhouse and even my bedroom, but ment schools. If you want this in didn’t find anything. They raided Karnataka, only AAP can do it.”
About health infrastructure, Kejriwal said: “It’s free for everyone. From a Crocin to an operation, it is free. All tests and medicines are free.” Referring to the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, Kejriwal said: “If you want goondagardi, vote them; if you want schools, vote me. If you want riots, vote them; if you want hospitals, vote me.” The Kodihalli Chandrashekar faction of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) merged with AAP at the event. Addressing media, Chandrashekhar said: “KRRS is rejecting the three parties in the state and joining AAP. Our political support and mouthpiece is AAP. After Jayaprakash Narayan, if there’s someone, it’s Arvind Kejriwal.” The audience was a combination of blue and green. ►Continued on page 3
No. of anemic teen girls Covid curbs given a in Bengaluru increases pass at Metro stations We have not eased curbs, says BMRCL By Saumyangi Yadav
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here has been a 5 per cent increase in the number of anemic girls between ages of 15 and 19 in Bengaluru city in the past five years as per the data released by National Family Health Survey-5, reports Swarali Bodas. Nutritionists say the leading cause of anemia is iron and vitamin B12 deficiency. Studies say that anemia leads to growth and development issues, reducing physical work ca-
pacity and cognitive functioning. It also diminishes concentration in work and is a major threat to future safe motherhood. India is ranked 101 out of 116 countries on the Global Hunger Index (GHI), 2021. India’s score on GHI is 27.5, indicating that it has a serious level of hunger. Officials in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said there is no scheme specifically for adolescent anemic girls. ►Full story on page 3
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10% increase in Uber fares worries commuters; they feel that it will disrupt their budgets | P 3
Pedestrians on Ist Cross, Magadi Road, face issues due to the broken foot overbridge | P 2
elhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday promised to free Karnataka of corruption. Addressing a rally of more than 40,000 farmers and AAP members from various districts of Karnataka, he said: “We have performed well in Delhi and Punjab. Now I want to form a government in Karnataka.” Kejriwal attacked the BJP regime in the state, and sought farmers’ support to overthrow the “40 per cent government” — referring to various allegations that ministers and bureau-
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crowd of commuters enters Namma Metro stations, many of them with either no masks or their masks hanging on their chins. Sanitizer and thermal screening stations at the entrances remain unused for the most part. Trains are so packed that there is hardly any space to move. However, masks are still absent in the metro. With Covid cases declining across the country, people have started to ignore restrictions inside the Metro stations and trains. Even home guards and authorities at stations seem to have eased the restrictions. Tripthi Kelkar, 22, a law student who travels by the Metro daily, said: “I have noticed that
Metro authorities have become more lenient with the Covid restrictions these days. When I run late these days, I skip the thermal screening or sanitizing and they do not ask me to. It is convenient for passengers… since there are few Covid cases.” Officially, the restrictions haven’t been eased. B.L. Yashavanth Chavan, Chief Engineer and Public Relations Officer, BMRCL, said: “Even though Covid cases have come down, Covid-appropriate behaviour has not been eased.” In September 2020, when Namma Metro resumed operations, BMRCL released an Standard operating procedures which made thermal screening compulsory at all Metro stations. Several other guidelines were further eased, including a ban on travel by tokens. However, thermal screening, sanitizing of hands and wearing masks is still mandated at Metro stations. ►Continued on page 2
News Briefs
Will take serious view of demolitions: SC A day after bulldozers were sent to Delhi’s Jahangirpuri, where communal violence had erupted on Saturday, the Supreme Court had said that it would take a serious view of the demolitions that took place despite its order pausing them. During a hearing, the Supreme Court was told that a “particular section of society” is being targeted. The judges asked whether no Hindu properties were demolished at Jahangirpuri on Wednesday.
MLA Mevani arrested over anti-Modi tweets
Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani was arrested by the Assam police late on Wednesday night, reportedly on a complaint by a BJP leader over now-removed tweets on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was arrested from the Circuit House in Palanpur at around 11.30 p.m. and was taken to Ahmedabad, from where he was flown to Assam. Arup Kumar Dey, a BJP leader from Kokrajhar, had filed a complaint against him.
Mariupol has been ‘liberated’, says Putin
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday hailed Russia’s “liberation” of Mariupol after Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told him Moscow controlled the Ukrainian port city apart from the giant Azovstal steel plant. Taking full control of Mariupol on the Azov Sea would be a major strategic victory for Russia, helping it to connect annexed Crimea to the territories of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
India, US share a vision: Rajnath
India and the US have a growing convergence of strategic interests and both sides seek a resilient and rules-based international order that safeguards the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.
Terror biggest human rights violation: Shah
Addressing 13th Foundation Day of NIA in New Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said terrorism is the biggest form of human rights violation.
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The Observer Thursday, April 21, 2022
CITY
Broken overbridge causes pedestrians a lot of trouble
Crossing I Cross, Magadi Road, is a big challenge By Tina Freese
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eople trying to cross I Cross, Magadi Road, face a big challenge. The reason: The foot overbridge is broken, forcing them onto a road with overspeeding vehicles. The Observer saw many people struggling to cross the road with the bridge being damaged.. A young woman clutched the hand of her five-year-old son as she crossed the road, which has heavy traffic. A man tripped on his way to the other side as he avoided being hit by an overspeeding autorickshaw. A group of young women stood in the middle of the road waiting for traffic to slow down. One of them, quick and brave enough, crossed the road while vehicle speeded towards her.. Basavaraj, a government employee, informed The Observer while trying to cross the road: “This is my story every day. I have sometimes spent ten min-
Across the City
Style bazaar exhibition, HMT grounds, Jalahalli Village, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru, April 22 Major Dhyan Chand Virtual Marathon,Bengaluru, April 24 SteppinOut Night Market The Retro Edit, Jayamahal Palace Hotel 1, Jayamahal Main Rd, Bengaluru, April 23 03rd BongCloud Open Classical Chess Tournament, Clickety Clack/C4 Cafe575, 8th Main Rd, CHBS Layout, April 23 Hands On SEO Workshop In Bangalore With Mohit Rathi, Jain College, Vasavi Road15, Vasavi Temple St, Opposite to Vijaya Bank, April 24 CHORUS (A fusion of Kora, and Tabla), Alliance Française de BangaloreThimmaiah Road, opposite UNI, April 23
Quiz
Q1. Which poet wrote the famous lines : “ and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep” ? Q2. How did famous American poet Slyvia Plath die? Q3.Who wrote the long poem ‘The waste land’ ? Q4. What is the most commonly used meter in English Poetry? Q5. Who is the National poet of Scotland ? Q6. How old was Emily Dickinson when she died? Q7. Name one pioneer of the Romantic movement? Q8. In which war did EE Cummings serve? ►Answers on page 3
BBMP says the repair have been delayed due to the shortage of funds | Credit: Tina Freese utes just trying to cross this road. I don’t remember the last time I used this bridge; it’s been this way forever now.” When asked about the bad condition of the bridges, Sri Suresh L, BBMP PRO said: “The bridge repair must have been delayed due to some shortage of funds. We will try to fix it soon.” Savita, 36, a private school teacher, said: “I always walk from here to my son’s art class. Crossing the road with a toddler is very difficult and dangerous.
This road is a traffic lane and there are heavy vehicles, like trucks, moving. I saw an accident a few days ago; this bridge has been broken for more than a year now. I don’t understand what the BBMP is doing.” Shivaji R, 68, who visits the Angalaparara Maheshwari temple on the road, shared: “I come to this temple every day and have to cross this road. The divider is very tall and adds to the difficulty of crossing the road.” The bridge has been in a bad
condition for a long time now. Vijaya M, who runs a snacks stall just below the overbridge, said: “The bridge has been this way for more than a year now. I see people struggling to cross the road from morning to night.” Sadhana, who sells coconut water, concurred: “It is funny to see people tripping when they cross the road. But it is also very dangerous, I see at two to three small accidents every day.” The Observer spoke with workers near the bridge. Sagar Gowda, the supervisor, said: “Firstly, when we got the contract from BBMP to repair the bridge, the tender failed for some reason. It took a long time for the bill to pass. Now we are hopeful the work will be completed in a couple of months. We alternate between working here and a bridge in Chamarajpet. We work one month there and another here.” Magadi Road is not the only place that suffers an overbridge problem. The Times of India reported that the overbridge on Benson Road has been littered with garbage dumped on its sides. Another report in the paper said the bridge in Swaroop Nagar has a similar problem. tina.f@iijnm.org
Citizen’s Voice
Musk offer to buy Twitter raises some questions
Elon Musk, a free speech absolutist, has offered to buy Twitter in a bid to make its algorithm public. Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, but is heavily moderated, often at the whims of those in power. Musk’s offer to buy Twitter brings into question that what constitutes free speech and who should moderate it. Arshreet Singh
Kumbalgodu road is a bottleneck in evening
Traffic gets particularly bad on the Kumbalgodu-Gollahalli road as it nears 6 p.m. The road is patchy, with potholes and large sections dug up and cordoned off for Metro work. There is no system for traffic to flow freely. While infrastructure work is unavoidable, there should be proper measures to avoid such bottlenecks. Mrunmayee Kulkarni
Media should cover more important news
Instead of reporting issues regarding concerns and welfare of citizens ; today’s media is more concerned about Bollywood life like the Ranbir-Alia wedding. They are only creating hype by promoting these stars. Shikha Shipra
Covid cases dip, masks on Metro Auto driver premises & trains become rare found dead
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►Continued from page 1 hwetha N, a home guard at the M.G. Road Metro station informed The Observer: “Usually, there is heavy crowd around office timings, that is from 8 to 10 in the morning and 5 to 8 in the evening. It is difficult to keep track of every commuter.” The Observer noticed at the Thalaghattapura Metro station, on the Green line, that some passengers were allowed to enter trains without masks. Some states, such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana and West Bengal, have announced a complete relaxation of Covid-19 norms beginning April following a decline in Covid cases. Karnataka, on the other hand, has not made any such announcement, meaning that masks and other restrictions are still in force in public spaces. Utkarsh Choudhary, 24, a college student, has also noticed this change. “Even until early March, there used to be home guards inside the trains and on stations who would fine people if they were not wearing masks. Now that has stopped.” Asked about this, Shwetha N, a BMRCL home guard, replied that patrolling has only become less frequent at some of the Metro stations; it has not been stopped completely.
By Chhavi Vohra
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With covid cases spiking again in North India, experts have sounded a warning of upcoming fourth wave | Credit: Saumyangi Yadav There has been a steady decline in daily Covid cases in India. The country has been reporting less than 2,000 daily cases for a few weeks. However, many countries, such as China and the United Kingdom, are witnessing a surge in Covid cases again, suggesting that the pandemic is still not over around the world. Dr Vijayalakshmi, a Covid-19 doctor at the Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and research institute, also expressed concern about the situation. “In other states, the decision has been taken after consulting various health experts and committees. However, considering the graph for the past years,
Covid waves are really unpredictable, and it is better if precautions are taken, especially after the third wave in January. Cities with higher populations, like Delhi and Bengaluru, are still very vulnerable to Covid-19, and we should be cautious about that. The medical department in the state is prepared if another wave takes place. However, it is better if we’re able to avoid that.” According to recent reports, Covid cases have shown a rising trend in northern India, including Delhi-NCR, and Maharashtra. Experts have sounded a warning about an upcoming fourth Covid wave. saumyangi.y@iijnm.org
n autorickshaw driver was found dead opposite Veeresh theatre on Magadi Road, Vijayanagar at around 8 a.m. on Thursday. The body of Umesh S. Naidu, 31, was found on the stairs of Lakshmi Auto Agency. The left side of his face seemed to be badly thrashed, the police said. Brijesh Mathew, inspector, Govindrajnagar police station, said: “We have send the body for post-mortem. After the resuly, we can know if it was a homicide or an accident. According to 3-4 eye witnesses, there is a possibility that he was drunk. We visited the site. The stairs are narrow. He might have tripped on them.” Umesh’s family went to the police station. His brother Vinod said: “He left home at 9 last night. In the morning, we received a call from the police station. We are waiting for our lawyer to file a complaint. We think someone hit him. You can not get that badly injured after falling from the stairs.” A police sub-inspector said Umesh was mentally unstable and undergoing treatment at The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru. chhavi.v@iijnm.org
10% hike in Uber fares will pinch our pockets, say commuters Some travellers fear that Ola will follow suit
By Anwesha Singh
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he recent 10 per cent hike in Uber fares has got commuters worried about their expenses. Students and working professionals are concerned about their monthly budgets being disturbed.due to the spike. Saanvi Tejaswini, an architecture student who travels thrice a week to her dance classes in RR Nagar, said: “I travel 12 times in a month for my dance classes. Although I try to travel by bus,many times I have to book a cab owing to safety issues. Now…I will have to think twice before booking a cab.”The increase in cab fares will affect her monthly budget. Bhavana Kandlapalli, a working woman, has to travel from her home to office five or six times a week. She takes the Metro and autos, but at night, prefers to book a cab. “Till now, while travelling back to my home, I preferred booking a cab. My booking depended on which cab showed lessfare, Ola or Uber. Mostly it was Uber. But now…I think I will book Ola.”She fears
Don’t want an alliance: AAP
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►Continued from page 1 armers draped themselves with green gamchhas (towels) and wore the AAP cap. Anees Soudagar, who manages AAP’s media wing in Belagavi district, informed The Observer: “AAP gives chance to India’s youngsters. It did good in Delhi and now did it again in Punjab.” About AAP’s presence in the country, Arvind Kejrival added: “People said we won a lottery in Delhi. But we did it again in Punjab. If it happens twice, it isn’t a lottery. We will make our presence powerful in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, and ofcourse, also in Karnataka.” AAP has no plan to make alliance. “We will not make alliances with anyone. It will take some time to make it on our own, but we will do it,” Soudagar added. Bhaskar Rao, AAP member and former commissioner of police, Bengaluru, spoke about the newcomers in the AAP government in Punjab. “They did not supply biryani, nor did they supply money. Many services in Delhi are free from the government.” About the structure of the party, Rao noted: “Farmers, poor, backward, youth, students and minorities, everyone will participate in the next election.” swarali.b@iijnm.org
Uber has also increased its fares in Delhi NCR and Mumbai following hikes in motorfuel prices I Credit: Chhavi Vohra Ola will follow suit. Nitish Bhushan, head of central operations, Uber India and South Asia, has been quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying:“We listen to feedback from drivers and understand that the current rise in fuel prices is causing concern. To help cushion drivers from the impact of this spike, we’ve raised the fare in Bengaluru by 10%.” Nabil Ekbal, an engineering student, said: “It’s not like the fares were low earlier. Many times, when I travelled at night, they demanded extra money
by saying they will not get any more passengers….I know that even after this hike, they won’t stop asking for extra money.” Sandhya M, a student, is also worried about her monthly budget being disturbed.“I have to travel regularly in cabs, and this rise will affect me a lot. I am a student and have a fixed amount for everything. It’s not easy for me to travel by bus. I will need to cut down my other expenses.” Saurav Raj, another student, wants to use public transport but ends up booking a cab.“The
bus in my area comes at a specific time and you cannot always catch the bus at that time. Because of this, I have to book cabs.”Asked why he doesn’t book autos, he said most of the time, the app doesn’t show any auto nearby. So, he books a cab. The Observer contacted some autorickshaw drivers in order to know their views about the hike in Uber prices. Dinesh Murthy, a driver, said: “The reason for the price hike is correct. Look at the hike in (the prices of) fuels, so it is fine. I think that more people will now travel in autos than cabs because of this increase in prices.” Chandra Babu, another driver said people have the option of public transport like buses and Metro but it’s not available everywhere. “Look, the price rise is going to affect people.I believe that now, people will turn to autos.You can book Ola, but their prices are also not low.” Vishnu, another driver, hopes people who find it difficult to travel by public transport will now travel more in autos. In December 2021, autorickshaw fares in Bengaluru were raised from Rs 25 to Rs 30 for the first 2 km. At the time of going to the press, Uber authorities had not responded to The Observer. anwesha.s@iijnm.org
Anemia cases increase by 5% in B’luru girls in 15-19 age group By Swarali Bodas
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nemia cases have increased ingirls aged between 15 and 19 in Bengaluru over the years. According to the fifth National Family Health Survey(NFHS),45.1 per cent of girls in this age group have anemia. Among these girls, there is an increase of almost five per cent since NFHS-4. Hetesvi Gadhia, a nutritionist at Leelavati Hospital, Mumbai, informed The Observer: “Iron deficiency is the most common and leading cause of anemia. A healthy diet, rich in vitamins and iron, is very important for one’s complete growth.” About anemia in teenagers, she said: “Teenage... is when a child should focus on his/her diet. Not getting enough nutritious food in teenage leads to anemia.” “In some cases, vitamin B12 deficiency causes anemia,not iron. For this, a teenager should eat leafy vegetables, meat, cheese, curd, etc,” she added. India is ranked 101 out of 116 countries as per the Global Hunger Index, 2021. India’s score on GHI indicators is 27.5,indicating that it has a serious level of hun-
Not getting proper nutrition leads to anemia, say experts I Courtesy: Pixabay ger prevalent in the country. A study published in the journal of the United States National Library of Medicine, talks about the harmful effects of anemia on adolescent children, especially girls. It says school-going girls and those in early adolescence are more prone to develop iron deficiency. This deficiency leads to many non-hematological disturbances, including growth and development issues; depressed immune function in infants; reducedphysical work capacity;
and decreased cognitive function in both infants and adolescents. It can also act as a threat to safe motherhood in girls. S. Sridhar, Director of Nutrition, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, informed The Observer: “There are various schemes in order to overcome anemia in the state. To talk about Bengaluru particularly, anemia is very common in pregnant women and children below the age of six years.” About the high prevalence of anemia in adolescent children, he said: “There are no schemes specifically dedicated to them. But they can always go to the nearest Public Health Centres and get themselves treated.” The Ministry of Women and Child Development had introduced a scheme called ‘Kishori Shakti Yojana’ that seeks to empower adolescent girls to enable them to take charge of their lives. The scheme aims at bringing about a difference in the lives of adolescent girls. It seeks to provide them with an opportunity to realize their full potential.and to then lead a quality life. swarali.b@iijnm.org Read the full report on www.theweeklyobserver.in
3 This Day, That Year The original production of Annie opened on Broadway April 21, 1977. The original Broadway production of Annie opened at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon) April 21, 1977 . The production dominated the 1977 Tony Awards, earning 11 nominations and winning for Best Musical, Score, and Book. It has since had two Broadway revivals and two major movie adaptations. The role of Annie was originated on Broadway in 1977 by Andrea McArdle and played by former vlogger Lilla Crawford in the most recent Broadway revival.
Weather
Max. temperature: 34°C Min. temperature: 21°C Humidity: 61% UV Index: Low Wind: 8 km/hr Precipitation: 1%
Quote You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. —Dr. Seuss
Quiz Answers 1. Robert Frost 2. Suicide 3. T.S. Elliot 4. Iambic Pentameter 5. Robert Burns 6. 56 7. William Wordsworth, P.B. Shelly 8. World War I
CITY
The Observer Thursday, April 21, 2022
Team Observer Editor: Saumyangi Yadav Reporters: Anwesha Singh, Tina Freese, Swarali Bodas, Saumyangi Yadav. Chhavi Vohra Copy-editors: Swarali Bodas, Tina Freese, Anwesha Singh, Saumyangi Yadav, Chhavi Vohra Page Layout: Chhavi Vohra, Saumyangi Yadav Photo-editor:Chhavi Vohra, Swarali Bodas, Tina Freese, Saumyangi Yadav, Supplement: Jayapriyanka, Simran Sharma
Lifestyle Homestays: For the vagabonds to stay 4
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The Observer Thursday, April 21, 2022
SUPPLEMENT
India’s belief, ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, changes the trend in the hospitality market, writes Simran Sharma
ith people getting the choice of selecting their hosts and location for their holidays, hotel stays are becoming passé. Airbnbs make people feel at home on an unknown land. With the entry of homestays in the hospitality market, they have been popular among many travelers. Sahil Choudhary, a coder from Bengaluru chooses homestays because they are budget friendly. “Homestays give me a sense of familiarity when I go to new places whereas hotels give me an artificial feel and the closer I get to feeling like home, the better.” For ages, holidays and hotels have walked hand in hand. As soon as one thinks of a holiday, the first thing that they search for is hotels. But this idea is changing as homestays take over. From living with locals to being treated to authentic home cooked local cuisines, homestays give a local touch to travelers. Ankita Sharma, a student at Bengaluru University believes that staying with local people adds to the holiday experience. “One gets to see the place from a
Homestays are slowly taking over the concept of coventional hotels for vacations | Courtesy: Divyangi Yadav local person’s eye rather than a tourist’s.” She added that homestays are better from a safety point of view as well. “All the good hotels are expensive and if I am traveling alone then going for a cheap hotel makes me feel uncomfortable and unsafe. But in homestays, I choose my hosts which are usually families.” There has been an increase in the trend of ‘experiential tourism’ as more people want to ex-
plore new cultures, cuisines and traditions. The hustle bustle of city life makes people opt for rural areas to enjoy a serene and peaceful time. The Ministry of Tourism has drafted a policy under the National strategy and Roadmap for Rural Tourism.The primary aim is to boost rural tourism and provide entrepreneurial opportunities to the rural people by encouraging rural homestays.The state plans to
exempt these homestays from licensing as well. Sneha Pandit, a journalism student, believes that homestays give better offers as compared to hotels. Once, she went to Mahabaleshwar and had booked an entire house at the same price she was getting a hotel room for. “What would be a better deal- a whole house or just one room, that too in an average hotel?” Contrary to that, Manish Basrani, Sales Manager at Bluberry Travels said, “I think hotels have facilities like gyms and restaurants which homestays don’t. Hotels are readily available as compared to homestays and even there isn’t much price difference between the two.” MakeMyTrip conducted a survey across 3,000 Indian travelers between the age group 18 to 55 in 2019. It stated that over 48 percent of the respondents were most likely to book an alternative accommodation like a hostel, villas, homestays, hostels or cottages rather than a traditional hotel for their next trip. While signaling towards a change in the trend, Nithya De-
varaj, owner of Namma Adda Homestay, Bengaluru told that along with travelers many localities are opting for homestays after Covid. “Before Covid, travelers who had to stay for a day or just a night in Bengaluru used to book homestays but post pandemic, localities are also joining the tribe.” She added that many of the local people are still not going to far off places because of Covid-19 and hence they go to these homestays for weekend getaways. “Homestays are also quite popular among international travelers as they get a taste of the lives of the locals here.” Although they have been closed for a while they still get a lot of bookings, she informed. India is a land where the age old phrase, ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ has been of utmost importance. The concept of homestays stands on this belief itself. With time the already sketched images of holiday stays have been changing and homestays are gaining traveler’s favor. The trend speaks out loud that homestays are not going out of sight soon. simran.s@iijnm.org
Kollywood technicians live in poverty A
Pay scale in the Tamil film industry remains unequal even after people put in equal efforts, writes Jayapriyanka
worker in India usually earns Rs 32,200 per month. Salaries range from Rs. 4,360 to Rs. 143,000. This is the average monthly salary, including housing, transportation and other benefits. Salaries vary drastically between different jobs. However, higher inequality in wealth hinders the growth of the country’s economy. Though this can be justified with the hierarchy of job’s nature, yet it still makes a huge difference. Looking into the film industry, Indian cinemas with the best talented directors, actors, technicians, musicians have contributed their artists to Hollywood. Indian cinema is playing its part in the global cinema sector. In the successful Kollywood industry, there are a lot of hidden victims. An actor or actress with a few successful films establish their market and fix their salary whereas the technicians and assistant directors with decades of experience earn the same or the fixed salary for their work. Yoganand Vasavan, a co-director said, “Film industry is widely globalised. When there is extensive talent, it deserves reverence and remuneration. If somebody is there in the industry for 20 years and is unable to earn good, that shows that he has to develop more and show his talents in a better way. For example, we have seen makeup artists who
The inequality of payment in various job sectors is also a vital cause for black money | Courtesy: Kirubakshini are in the industry for many seven times. Even the smallest years. They should have learnt error will be questioned towards to carry out special looks other the Assistant directors. More than the usual artists’ make- than directors, we will have to up. There are technicians like handle the Directors of photogThotatharani who have shined raphy and other technicians who by raising their quality of work.” scold Assistant directors. DePrasad Murugesan, a director spite all these multiplying work said, “All the assistant directors, responsibilities, the pay scale is associate directors and co-direc- never convincing.” tors are typically the directors Vasavan further said, “As a of the film. They put in equal ef- director, I have to take care of forts for the film’s success.” all the pluses and minuses of Kirubakshini, assistant direc- the team. I communicate with tor said, “Assistant directors are the producers. Only if I keep the always viewed as subordinates. technicians in a good financial Comparing every technician in status and a comfortable envia crew, assistant directors get ronment, will they be able to the lowest salary. If we are paid work efficiently. Also, film is a Rs.10,000 on our first film with a team work. So everyone has to director, it remains the same for take responsibility.” at least a few films that we work Karthick, who worked with the with him consecutively. But the script crew said, “Once a scene is work that we put into the con- left for continuation for another secutive films increased by six or date, the actor can demand a few
things. To the fear of them leaving, their payment is assured. In that case, working as an actor is safer for an assured salary. If you are an off-screen technician, they can easily replace your position. Work of the off-screen crew is always crucial and hard. Because the actors act to the words of the off-screen crew. But the dignity and payment for them is really not happening.” Though there is gender equal pay in the industry, the film industry is still not helping many female technicians. Kirubakshini said, “I was the only female assistant director in my recent project so I have to handle other pressures too. Moreover, we will be scolded badly for the smallest things that went wrong. I have heard from my friend who is a female Assistant director that there have been egoistic crew members who have denied good ideas that she gave. A cinematographer or photography director is the leader of the camera and light team’s works in a film, TV production and other live action. A cinematographer who recently joined industry is paid somwehere from Rs. 94,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 every year. The editor who makes the actors glow and shine earn just 1% of the actors salary. The average annual film editor salary in India is Rs. 331,799 per annum. The makeup artists who are the reason behind the beauty of the
actors are paid any way better 20,000-50,000 for a film. Indian film crew members earn 60% lower than the national average for all working Indians. They are sometimes left without pay but just with food. The freshers into the field are seldom paid any salary. They are usually promised fame and future projects. Karthick said, “Now-a-days, a few things are changing. When corporations are formed with directors and producers, the technician team gets a monthly income. Directors like Shankar and Atlee pay for their assistant directors monthly. During covid, the technicians were affected badly. Two of my friends committed suicide as they were unable to balance the economic situation. But some good filmmakers like Sivakarthikeyan paid their teams with a nominal pay every month to help their living. But this happened on a very small scale. A lot of them suffered.” The inequality of income and wealth in every job sector is questionable and is the accumulation of wealth in one hand while digging off from the other. This inequality on the other hand is also the vital cause for black money. The suggestion to the government will be to fix the salary for any employee/ artists at every level that will bring the gap of invome and wealth to a ladder for growth in career. jaya.p@iijnm.org