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Monday, March 17, 2014
VOL. 13 ISSUE 6
Election special: Did Aam Aadmi Party’s rallying call fall on deaf ears? PAGE 4 & 5
Health special: An Observer checkup on the city’s deteriorating health PAGE 6
Film workers’ union protest turns violent after policemen lathicharge unruly crowd Anannya Sarkar & Bhaskar Dutta A demonstration held by a city film workers’ union, protesting against the formation of a new union, turned violent after police intervention. According to policemen present at the scene, the conflict occurred after hundreds of members of the Karnataka Film Workers Union (KFWU) protested against the proposed formation of a new labor union by former Dance Directors Association President, Rajesh Brahmavar. (continued on page 3)
Motorcycles vandalized during the lathicharge by policemen in Gandhi Nagar
Policemen charging a group of protestors in Gandhi Nagar with their lathis to bring the situation under control
Rare fish and pedigree dogs sold at market Bhaskar Dutta
In a clear violation of existing animal welfare rules, businessmen in one of the city’s largest markets continue to keep a large number of animals under extremely unhygienic and unhealthy conditions. Russell Market, which is located near the Shivajinagar Bus Station, one of Bangalore’s most populated areas, is the location of a flourishing and extremely profitable trade in animals which are illegally housed by the dozens in small, airless cages and later sold as pets on exorbitant prices.
In recent times, apart from being the focus of much media attention and scrutiny following the outbreak of a fire that engulfed many shops in the area, the market has also been under the scanner for its conspicuous and illegal activities regarding the animal trade. Media reports dating back to 2011 have focused attention on the manner in which authorities turn a blind eye to this blatant disregard of animal welfare laws. Kiran Sikander Rudra, General Manager, People for Animals, Bangalore says, “These dealers in Russell Market
are breaking every single rule in the book. The manner in which these animals are being kept and treated is absolutely shameful. “ One of the major attractions and sources of income in the area are the ‘Wet Shops’- which sell many varieties of fish, many of which are kept in shoddily constructed aquariums within the confines of the market. According to Rudra, these Wet Shops are the planned end-points for a major fish smuggling ring which begins tracing its operations through Singapore, Chennai and Bangalore. The fish which are smuggled in this
manner and sold for high prices are referred to as ‘parrot fish’. Rudra adds that the reason why these fish attract so much attention and such high prices is because of the fact that their natural coats are chemically stripped off and then replaced with artificial colours. “In order to increase their popularity and saleability in Indian markets, these fish are often tattooed with Om signs. This is a total contravention of the law.” Syed, the owner of a shop and aquarium called ‘Zooland’ confirms that these fish are indeed sold in the city by
his establishment as well as others in the Russell Market. “I used to sell the tattooed parrot fish. The process of tattooing these fish is carried out in Singapore. From there they are brought to Chennai and then they finally come to us. At present I don’t have any of them. The main problem with these fish is that the artificial colours soon wear off. However, when they are brought to the city I will be the first to know. Mine is the largest in the wet shop business here”, says Syed. Each of these fish are sold for Rs 1,200, he adds. (continued on page 3)
The Daily
Observer
Monday, March 17, 2014
2
Kejriwal likely to contest against Modi
Nibedita Mohanta “You go to any government organization wearing the AAP cap and officials will co-operate with you out of fear, such is the power of AAP.” Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Admi Party leader and ex-Chief Minister of Delhi, was in Bangalore for two days to address AAP supporters. On his visit, he conducted rallies on the 15th and 16th of March in several parts of the city. On 16th March at 4 pm in Freedom Park, numerous people came to support the AAP and to join Kejriwal in his fight against corruption. He addressed the public that after stepping down from the CM post he visited Haryana, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka and found that people are not happy with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress rule. Kejriwal said: “I would like to contest against Narendra Modi, if the people of Varanasi want me to do so.” This will be decided in the next rally at Va r a nasi o n
23rd March.” Manjunath, 32, a worker at an electronic service centre, specially designed a cap for Kejriwal with a light and battery, which was noticed and praised by the former CM. Kejriwal asked the members of his party to make more caps of that pattern and distribute them. Manjunath said: “I have not voted once in my life since fourteen years because I did not want to waste my vote for the corrupt leaders but now I will vote for AAP as Arvind Kejriwal is fighting against corruption and I know he is a clean politician. He has inspired me that he will save our country.” He added: “Till now the party has formed a majority and I am sure AAP will get 60-70% vote. “The maximum spending limit
for each candidate for a constituency, as set by the Election Commission, is rs 70 lakhs but only rs 20 lakhs have been used by AAP candidates because we are spending from our own pocket. To eradicate corruption and to get something better we are willingly spending from our pocket,” N. Sachidanda, 79, retired senior accountant ITI and an AAP member, said. Mr. Raghavendra, 36, an active member of North Bangalore constituency of AAP, said: “If you go to any government organization wearing the AAP cap or badge or as an active member of AAP, the government officials will co-operate with you out of fear, such is the p ow e r
AAP supporters gathered in freedom park to support Kejriwal of AAP. It is just after a few days that people have started realizing the power of the common man and if AAP governs the country then the name corruption will be erased from the country’s surface.”
Though there was a crowd of about 2000, not many female supporters were present at the rallies. “There are women supporters but they have their choice of whether to come out of home or not but we know that women are supporting AAP,” Raghavendra added. On Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s comment that ‘he (Kejriwal) is a kid, inexperienced activist
turned politician,’ Raghavendra said, “Running a country is like running a home. One has to take care of each member’s wishes to run the family happily and peacefully and this is what Kejriwal is doing, which no other politicians have ever done in this country.” When interacted with some other supporters of the party, Ravindra C.S. from Banasvadi, said: “We are not making false promises to the public; for the
past six months we are visiting people by our door to door campaign to know their problems and helping them in sorting out. We believe in the power of common man, so we are standing together to kick out corruption. All educated people, uneducated people, youngsters and older people are supporting us and in our fight against corruption.” AAP supporters were seen brooming the ashes away after the fire crackers was burnt.
None of the above: a good idea
Anand Jain
Elections this year will be different from what India has seen so far, and a major change brought into the electoral process is the much debated “None of The Above (NOTA) option.” The Daily Observer took a peek into what Bangaloreans feel about the change in system, which is being followed in 13 countries, including France, Ukraine, Spain and Bangladesh. NOTA will be the last option on a ballot machine. Introduced first for state Assembly elections last year, this option will allow voters to ignore all candidates. It will not, however, impact electoral decisions. The candidate with maximum votes in a constituency will be declared winner. The Chief Justice of India, P. Sathsivam, said: “Democracy is all about choices and voters will be empowered by this right of negative voting.” In its interviews with a range of Bangaloreans from auto drivers to school teachers to rich businessmen, TDO found that only 2 of 25 people had an idea about NOTA. While a majority of them seemed unaware about NOTA, others did not understand the idea.
Krishna Reddy, a security guard, said: “I’m uneducated, I don’t understand all this. Even if I do, can I say no?”
Maqbool Ahmed, a businessman, said: “I will definitely vote for Congress. I don’t care about such an option.” Nagraj, 57, continued the tone: “I want Modi to be PM. So I’ll vote. And vote for BJP.” There were contrasting views among people who did understand this option. Chandru, a bus conductor said: “This will tell us how many people are not happy with the Indian democracy. It’s a good thing. Only if we know if there is a problem, we can think of solutions.” On the other hand, Dhanraj Jain, a businessman, said: “There is so much value for my vote. I can’t waste it.” He added: “All candidates cannot be donkeys; there will be one horse at least.” There is a possibility of increase in voters due to this option. The problem however, remains in informing people about the NOTA option. “It’s a good option, but I wouldn’t know about it if you hadn’t told me. We need to publicize it.”
My vote is valuable. I don’t want to waste it. Not all candidates can be donkeys, there will be at least one horse. We don’t need this. - Dhanraj Jain, businessman In this scenario, nobody is a good politician. I don’t feel like voting. So I’ll go for NOTA, if there is no AAP candidate from my constituency. - Nagaraj, auto driver I think this is useful. But I’m still 50-50 about it. - Vinay, BMM Student
I think this can be mis-used. People can press that button by mistake. There is a possibility. - Venkatesh, Lodge owner
The Daily
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Monday, March 17 , 2014
Continued from page 1
3
Toyota places plants on lockdown Tanisha Das
Members of the KFWU demonstrating inside the federation office Following this, it was declared that the Brahmavar, who is allegedly close to Munirathna, the Congress MLA who repre- Karnataka Cinema Workers Federation, sents Rajarajeshwari Nagar, runs a dance headed by veteran artist Ashok, would supacademy located next to the Karnataka Film ply dancers for the regional film industry Workers Artists Technicians Federation in instead of Brahmavar. Speaking exclusively to the ‘Daily ObGandhinagar. The situation turned violent after mem- server’, Vinod, a member of KFWU, said bers of the KFWU, who began their protests that Brahmavar’s workers were formerly inside their office, began to move towards a part of the KFWU. However, a year ago, Brahmavar’s academy and started demand- these workers left the union and joined Bhramavar’s dance academy after he promised ing that he come down. At the time of the event, Brahmavar was them better wages. Vinod added that Brahmavar was offernot present in his house. In an attempt to manage the situation, ing these workers Rs. 500 per day while the approximately fifty policemen armed with union workers were paid Rs 370 per day. sticks began to lathicharge the protesting Another member of the KFWU who workers who were squatting on the road preferred to be unnamed said that the conadjacent to Brahmavar’s house. flict occurred when the members of BrahIn the ensuing melee, several workers mavar’s dance group who were formerly a and policemen were injured and a few mo- part of the KFWU returned to the union. torcycles vandalized. “After these workers left his troupe, BhReports state that in June 2013, the ramavar began to make preparations for the Dancers Association headed by Bhrama- formation of a new workers union which var was dismissed by the Karnataka Film would employ laborers from outside the Chamber of Commerce and Kannada Film state for wages as low as Rs. 200 per day”, Producers Association. he said.
Commenting on this, Vinod said, “If the new union begins to operate, we will all be jobless.” Other agitating workers at the scene alleged that Brahmavar was able to come up with the idea of an alternative low-paying workers union because he had the backing of Munirathna. Speaking about the problems faced by the laborers of KFWU, Manjunath, a member, said, “How are we to survive? We are given low wages as it is. If Brahmavar starts paying his workers Rs 200 per day then we will be left with no means of livelihood. I have four mouths to feed. What will happen to them?” After the police caned the protesting workers, Ashok, made an attempt to pacify the agitated crowd by addressing them at the Federation Office. “I will make sure that you get justice. I will talk to all the people involved here”, he said. Despite repeated attempts, Munirathna could not be contacted.
The Toyota Kirloskar Motor shut down two plants in Bidadi, following a conflict between the management and the workers over wages. The management and the worker’s union had been discussing a charter of demands for the past year but they could not reach an agreement. “The management takes the decisions on their own, without listening to what we have to say. They have given an increment of Rs 3000 to the 2005-2006 batch. The shift allowance for us is Rs 50. The workload is massive and we are not compensated properly for that,” said Sharanappa, Secretary of the Worker’s Union. “The lockout is illegal. We want them to open the plant and full industrial settlement over financial matters,” he added. The workers have claimed that they had not been informed of the lockdown. “They locked down
the plant yesterday. They are torturing the workers. The management is lying. They claim that they shut down the plant because production has been slow but it is them who slowed it down. We are contacting the government, the labour commissioner and the labour minister to intervene,” Sharanappa added. The management of the company has said that they have already given a Rs 3000 increment to the workers. “The workers whose educational qualification is only till the 10th standard receive Rs 16000 and with the increment, they are receiving Rs 19,000. The average salary of the workers is Rs 26,000. We only have 50% manufacturing right now. We have 300 more people than we need but we are not laying them off. The workers are arm-fisting with us but we are being very reasonable,” said Padmanapa, General Manager Human Resources, TKM.
Rare fish and pedigree dogs sold atRussell Market
Caged birds being displayed for sale at Russell Market continued from page 1 Masood, the owner of another wet shop in Russell Market said that the fish were easily available and that he would be receiving his next consignment by the end of the month. “I sell the tattooed parrot fish. I know they are in demand because this is the only place where you get it. I don’t have it now, but it will soon ar-
rive”, he adds. The revised ‘Pet Shop Rules’, 2010, adopted by the Animal Welfare Board of India, defines the boundaries of the legal framework as far as making physical alterations are concerned. Ac c ord i ng to the rules, “Mutilating means subjecting an animal to a surgery or procedure such as ear cropping, tail docking or branding, or performing a surgery or procedure to camouflage or hide
any defect or infirmity.” The rules also clearly state that fish will be recognized as animals. Apart from the sale of fish, the area also consists of many breeds and varieties of dogs, cats and birds. Breeds of dogs include Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Pomeranians and Labradors.
Each of these puppies, which are stuffed half-a-dozen into cages, earn their owners a minimum of Rs 4000. The Revised ‘Pet Shop Rules’ provide certain specifications as far accommodation for animals is concerned. These state that,” The cages, enclosures, rooms, aquariums in which the animals for sale are displayed or housed shall be of adequate size and space, suitable for each animal.” One of the dog-dealers, who refused to be named, said, “We have good breeds here. Each one of these dogs is worth the money.” Commenting on the indifference of the police as far as this issue is concerned, Rudra says, “This is where the role of an NGO comes in. The people running these shops are unscrupulous and powerful and have powerful contacts. We have been trying to shut down this racket for a long time and intend to do so soon.” In 1990-91, a blanket ban was imposed on all bird trade in the country according to the Hindu.
Parrots kept on open display for sale
Pedigree puppies at the pet shop
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The Daily
Monday, March 17, 2014
Aam Aa
know h Ravikrishna Reddy “Congress is a basket of rocks and eggs,” said Nina Nayak, the Aam Aadmi Party candidate for South Bangalore constituency.
the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. She has been working in the field of child protection and child development for 30 years.
“I have qualifications. Others are not qualified and can’t read and write. I am a better alternative for the people.” A Software Engineer by profession and a writer by hobby, Ravikrish-
She added, “Anti-corruption campaign will drive them away.
and mining scams and Congress is a basket of rocks and eggs
Nayak is a child rights activist and is the former chairperson of
We have started door to door campaigning as well.”
On her plans to take off her election campaign in a constituency which is a stronghold of BJP with Ananth Kumar winning the seat five times in a row, Nayak said, “We have foot soldiers and drivers who are campaigning for the party.
She expressed disappointed with her rival Nandan Nikelani f
technocrat and I respect him. I don’t know why he has joined
Explaining her experience as a child rights activist coming ha
centre for child rights. I was the chairperson of Karnataka Sta
With my experience, I can guide new policies. With AAP in t
but also for women’s rights and women empowerment. We ca
Earlier in the day, Ravi Krishna Reddy, the AAP candidate fr
na Reddy is the chosen candidate for Aam Aadmi Party to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Bangalore rural constituency. He is originally from Anekal and has studied in a government school from the same area. On lack of internet connectivity in Bangalore rural constituency and web being AAP’s main platform for political campaigning, he said; “If you frankly ask me, our social media campaign in Karnataka is not very good. But I believe rural people are more aware of the political scenario. They are more interested and are well informed about the strategies. I am sure they know who Arvind Kejriwal is and what the
“I haven’t heard of this Aam Aadmi Party at all. I don’t know who Arvind Kejriwal is and what his party is all about. I am aware about the other
motto of AAP is.” “Bangalore rural being one of the biggest constituency, it is very difficult to go on a door-to-door campaign. Mr. S.R. Hiremat will be joining me for the next four weeks. We will be holding Jansabhas and trying our best to reach the people in this constituency,” added Reddy.
parties like BJP and Congress and they have been doing a decent job.” -S. Yadav, 30, Thagachaguppe
Calling the politicians who switch parties during elections as “thugs”, he said, “There have been politicians in Karnataka who have switched from one party to another. This makes the rural population know about their agendas and hence they trust them less. AAP is a great alternative for them.” On his changing allegiance from Lok Jansatta Party, after losing in 2013 assembly election by a huge margin and coming a distant fourth, to AAP, Reddy said, “Both the parties were engaged in talks with intentions of merging but due to some technical problems this could
“I know about Arvind Kejriwal and his
party and what they did in Delhi. But I still
not be pulled together. AAP was a movement and ‘rapidly’ turned into a party. I want to be active so I went with AAP.”
support the Congress because they have
Commenting on ‘media sold to Modi’, he pointed out the AdaniAmbani-Modi nexus where Adani and Ambani group owns many media outlet and obliges Modi in return for favors to their com-
been doing a good job here.”
“I have ne heard abo party.”
mercial interests and said, “Media Companies can be sold but media person should not be sold.” Maintaining his stand of AAP being a better alternative he said that other parties have paid volunteers whereas the AAP volunteers work by their own interest. “We have committed people who are fed up of other corrupt parties and strongly believe in AAP.” On his USP for winning the seat, he said, “I am a native of Anekal and I have qualifications. Others are not qualified and can’t read and write. They have criminal cases registered against them. In such situation I am a better alternative for the people.”
– Suresh, 42, Devagere
-Sachin, 35, Nall
y Observer
Monday, March 17, 2014
admi doesn’t
his party Nina Nayak
. The Bharatiya Janata Party was involved in land
s. No one will vote for them.”
for fighting election on a Congress ticket. “He’s a
d Congress.”
andy in politics, she said: “I have worked from the
ate Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
the system, we can not only work for child rights,
an also remove obstacles at the cutting edge level.”
V. Balakrishnan has a better chance of winning the election because of his higher educational qualifications in comparison to his counterparts. Commenting on this, she said, “We have to work along with the people. Education does not matter. Empathy, compassion and experience are what matters. People have not been empowered enough. The politicians need to work with the people.” Commenting on ideological incoherence among the AAP members, who are from diverse backgrounds with no experience in politics, Nayak said, “Anti-corruption is not our only objective. We want to induce accountability in people. We are working for economic and judicial progress of the country. Our objective is to make things better.” On Kejriwal’s recent showdown with media, seen as a matter of concern by analysts, Nayak said that Kejriwal has been misquoted and that the media is putting Narendra Modi on a pedestal.
rom Bangalore Rural constituency has said that he
ever out this
lakhamba
“There is a difference between being with people and doing something for the people, I am here to do something for the people.” V. Balakrishnan, former Chief Financial Officer of Infosys, is the
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.
latest among the many technocrats the AAP has pulled in its sphere for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election. He will be trying his luck from the Bangalore Central constituency.
Who is this Aam Aadmi Party? I haven’t
He has no qualm about being new to politics and said, “Politics is not a rocket science and anyone can do it, but what the country need is,
heard of them at all. Congress is the party in
honest and educated men to bring the changes.” He added, “My greatest strength to win this election is that I have
power here and they are doing a good job.”
no legacy to depend on. And as I have come from a very successful business background I can provide with new ideas to solve the problems.”
-Somashekhar, 48, Nityananda
Highlighting AAP as a party with difference, he said, “We are very much confident to win the election as earlier people had no alternatives. But now we are providing them with an alternative. The other political parties have nothing new to offer to the public which we have to offer.” Apart from Jan Lokpal, party has other agendas as well, like decen-
“Of course i know about the aam aadmi party. arvind kejriwal is a good and honest leader and his party certainly seems better than the existing crop of parties. we should give them a chance.”
tralization of power, Right to reject, and Right to recall. He said, “Decentralization of power is very important for democracy where people will have space to participate in governance. We need people to participate in policy making and that’s why our party is fighting for the Delhi Swaraj Bill. ” He added that if the Delhi Swaraj Bill gets passed then similar bill would be passed in all other states after AAP comes to the power. To reach lower classes, Balakrishnan said, AAP will be carrying out traditional method like door to door campaign, organizing rallies and public meeting.
-Rohit, 22, Kumbalgodu
On challenge to overcome politicians of not so clean background but easily blending with the people of the lower strata, he said, “There is a difference between being with people and doing something for the people, I am here to do something for the people.” He said that when he left Infosys he had enough opportunities to work in various social sectors. He worked for a private equity fund and also had worked for a company called Micrograms which works in micro-finance. But his main motive to come into the main stream politics is the AAP’s agenda to remove corruption from India which has been a serious problem in the scenario of Indian politics.
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The Daily
Observer
Monday, March 17 , 2014
6
EVENTS
THEATRE
‘Medics failed my daughter’ Treadmill Treadmill is a journey of exploring personal memories of the people in Indian towns. Time: 7:30 PM Onwards Date: March 19 Venue: Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar
Shwetha with her aunt, Shanti, on her thirteenth birthday while she was undergoing dialysis treatment at a city Hospital She added, “Institute of Nephro Urology tals, said: “In our country, donation laws years ago. I showed the hospital authoriPrutha BHosle are pathetic. There is a chain of proofs ties my documents that proved me free claimed they did not have the machines Mother claims that doctors failed to atrequired for a donor to provide to the of any abnormalities but the director of to get Shwetha operated so we reached tend to her daughter, who was underAuthorization Committee for Organ the department refused to perform the Baptist Hospital for her treatment. There going kidney dialysis treatment in a Transplantation in order to donate his operation and called off the process. We too the doctors said they lacked the city hospital that cost her life. organs to the respective patient. A police were then immediately asked to leave on ventilator machine and also announced Shwetha brain dead by then.” Shwetha (16) was diagnosed with failure clearance is also mandatory. It is a very a discharge.” of both kidneys when she was 8-years- long procedure.” When Shwetha’s mother informed her Sujata later asked for help from a local old. Ever since, she has been surviving “Currently, 2.5 lakh patients in India MLA, Ramalinga Reddy, but he too was relatives of her present state, they deon kidney dialysis with the medical exmanded her to cremate Shwetha while are waiting for a kidney transplant. The unable to help her with the procedure. penses managed by her mother, Sujata. she continued to breathe and to not keep number of liver patients awaiting donors For seven years, Shwetha received diany hopes on her. Yet, Sujata continued Sujata said: “My daughter needed di- is the same,” he added. alysis treatment from Madhu Hospital to struggle to save her daughter’s life. alysis thrice every week. Each dialysis Dr Chackko Korula Jacob, a transplant at Toll Gate, Dasarahalli, at a comparacosts around Rs. 1400 exclusive of injecAs Shwetha did not get admitted to the specialist surgeon at Bangalore Baptist tively affordable price. Sujata said that tion bills. I struggled a lot to make her fit Hospital, said only a tiny fraction of she never faced any problems regarding second hospital as well, the ambulance as soon as possible. I never compromised organ failure patients have successful treatments before but when they shifted servicemen refused to take her to anon her medical treatments.” surgery in India. He said: “Only five per the course to the Institute of Nephro other clinic saying they can only provide “As I could not afford her treatment cent of kidney failure patients get a new Urology, trouble begin to escalate with services to a maximum of two hospitals. expenses, I started working as a house organ. That has been the case for the past each day. Sujata took her daughter back home maid to several homes in the locality. Yet 20 years in the country.” On January 17, Shwetha’s condition the same night. On January 19, at around we were running short of money, so I deIn 2011, Sujata was diagnosed with worsen after the hospital authorities 2am, Shwetha breathed her last looking cided to donate my kidney to her after abnormalities in her uterus. Post opera- denied to conduct the transplant proce- into her mother’s eyes for the final time. getting clearance from authorities,” She tion, she received a clearance from the dure. She was immediately admitted to Sujata said: “My husband is an alcoadded. authorities to donate her organ to her the same institute where doctors conholic. He always tried to kill Shwetha firmed her to be on the final stage and Dr. Sonal Asthana, a senior consul- daughter. when she was very young. This is why I refused to operate on her. tant in the Department of Multi-Organ got separated from him and started livOn January 13 this year, an operation Transplantation at BGS Global Hospiwas scheduled Sujata said: “My daughter weighed ing with my sister and mother. When he to transplant 28kg when she was admitted. She was learned of Shwetha’s demise, he blamed the organ. in a very critical condition. The doctors everything on me saying I couldn’t take Sujata said: simply refused to take any responsibility good care of her.” “Ev e r y t h i n g for her death and asked us to take her According to a leading state surgeon, When we called the was fine until back home next morning as she was not nine out of ten kidney failure patients are ambulance service, the doctors responding to any medical treatment.” not given transplants in India because in Institute of they denied coming On January 18, Shwetha was taken home rules governing donation are so strict. Nephro Uroland helping us get Shwetha ogy conducted and was surviving on dialysis injections. She began to get fits so her mother called admitted in the hospital tests on me up ‘108 Ambulance Services’. to ensure I saying we have been callShweta’s aunt, Shanti, said: “When we was fit for the ing them for petty reasons o p e r a t i o n . called the ambulance service, they defor past few years. We The results nied coming and helping us get Shwetha admitted in the hospital saying we have that appeared pleaded them to come but they did not pay heed showed the been calling them for petty reasons for to our request. same abnor- past few years. We pleaded them to come malities that I but they did not pay heed to our request. was diagnosed Finally, after minutes of pleading, they Shwetha, who died at the with three decided to come and get her admitted.” age of 16.
‘
-Sujata, Shwetha’s mother
Observer Team: Editor–Prutha Bhosle Chief Sub Editor-Pranay Lakshminarasimhan Sub Editors– Soumya Basu, Sushmita Sen News Editors -Gaurav Kumar, Saikat Ghosh Picture Editor & Design Desk – Tanisha Das Assistant Chief Sub/ Emergency calls tracker– Sneha Mejari Email- editor@iijnm.org An IIJNM Publication (For Private Circulation)
19th European Union Film Festival- On the Sly In a world and in a time not so faraway lived a little girl who had the feeling to be invisible in her parent’s eyes Time: 6:00 PM Onwards Date: March 19 Venue: Bangalore International Centre, Domlur
ART
Songs of Spring A solo show by leading contemporary artist Dhrubajyoti Baral a lyrical fusion of indigenous traditions and contemporary sensibilities. Time: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Date: Upto March 27 Venue: Kynkyny Art Gallery, Infantry Road
Workshop Jus`Trufs introduces an exclusive & unique Chocolate Tour. Be a part of this exclusive tour and experience chocolate making first hand. Time: 3:00pm onwards Venue: Jakkur, No. 9 Road Date: March 22