The Observer An IIJNM Publication
Minister Sadananda Gowda invokes Balakot airstrike to solicit votes for BJP | P 2
Vol 18 Issue 31
Friday, April 12, 2019
Bengaluru sees an increase in cases of kidnapping, reckless driving | P3
Kashmiri students treated shabbily after Pulwama Say they are shouted at, ignored, called anti-national
Oisika Dev
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ashmiri students in Bengaluru are looked at with suspicion more than a month after a terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama. “My fellow students don’t interact with me properly anymore. They blame people from my state and, by extension, me for the Pulwama attack.They keep calling me an anti-national. I have lost all my friends in college and also my peace of mind,” Zakir Tayuub, an engineering student, informed The Observer. Similar is the experience of Shaibaz Haider, an engineering student. “Most of my companions blame me, a Kashmiri, for the dastardly attack. My roommate has changed his room
ELECTION THEATRE BJP MP Lekhi sues Congress chief for his comment on Rafale deal
Politicians sholdn’t take credit for our operations: Veterans
BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi has requested the apex court to take criminal contempt action against Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his comments welcoming the court order in the Rafale case earlier this week. She said Rahul attributed the statement “Chowkidar chor hai” to the SC. The order was seen as a setback to the government.
Over 150 military veterans, including eight former service chiefs, have expressed their concern over the politicisation of the armed forces. In a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, they have objected to politicians taking credit for military operations conducted by the armed forces.
SC refuses interim stay on electoral bonds Most of the Kashmiri students agree with a petition filed by an NGO in the Supreme Court against Article 35A | Courtesy: KPN News because he doesn’t want to share it with an anti-national. My classmates think that Kashmir nurtures terrorists. They don’t want to be friends with a Kashmiri anymore.” Meeraj Akhtar, an MBA stu-
dent, said: “Most of my friends have started ignoring me since the dastardly attack.Kashmiris are not proud of it…. sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. are not proud of it…. Continued on page 2
The Supreme Court has turned down an appeal for an interim stay on electoral bonds. The court has directed political parties to furnish details of money received through electoral bonds and identity of the donors by May 30.
Women employees at Pink voting booths Nineteen pink booths will be established in Delhi during Lok Sabha elections. The booths will be staffed by women at 2,696 locations in Delhi. Polling in the national capital, which has seven parliamentary constituencies, is due on May 12.
Sign language should be taught in schools, say the deaf
‘It will help us communicate with eveybody’ Abbinaya Kuzhanthaivel
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earing-impaired people and their trainers suggest schools introduce sign language in the curriculum to help disabled people lead a better life. “Schools could have sign language training. It would be of best help to people with hearing impairment. It is difficult for any person with hearing impairment
to mingle in society. They are often forced to have interpreters who help in conversing with people via sign language,” Sunil Kumar R, a trainer in Samarthanam Trust, an NGO for the disabled, informed The Observer. According to a report by National Sample Survey Organisation, 5.3% of Karnataka’s population suffers from hearing impairment. Hearing impairment is often accompanied by speech impairment. There is a huge communication barrier for disabled people. “Hearing impairment has become a common problem. All schools should introduce a sign
An NSSO report reveals that 5.3% of Karnataka’s population suffers from hearing impairment | Credit: Abbinaya Kuzhanthaivel language course. This would create a better environment for people with hearing and speech impairments. The can interact
with others rather shy away. With upcoming noise pollution, anybody can be affected with hearing problems. We shouldn’t ignore the problems of these people,” Niharika D, a research student in the department audiology and speech pathology at Dr SR Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and Hearing, said. There are two types of sign language: American Sign Language (ASL) and Indian Sign Language (ISL). Trainers suggest ISL be taught in schools as it would break all language barriers faced by the disabled. “ISL is most easy to learn. It take
a maximum of one month to converse efficiently in sign language if one practises regularly,” Kumar added. Sangeetha Gudardhar, a volunteer at FingerChats, a community initiative to address problems of the disabled, said: “It might be best if our government implements sign language as part of curriculum. People with speech and hearing disabilities find it uncomfortable to go out. From my experience, I have seen hearing impaired people find difficulty to involve in a conversation while in a group. guage.” abbinaya.s@iijnm.org
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Balakot airstrike shows our work: Sadananda Gowda Claims there is no corruption charge against the BJP
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News Briefs National lRefusing the government’s arguments to not interfere in its electoral bonds scheme of political funding, the SC Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, on Friday passed interim directions, directing all political parties to make a clean slate of contributions they received through each electoral bond and provide full details of all their donors till date. lInternational The Taliban announced on Friday the start of their spring offensive despite talking peace with the United States and ahead of a significant gathering of Afghans meant to discuss resolutions to the protracted war and an eventual withdrawal of American troops from the country. lLocal Mr. Madan, who had contested the Assembly election in 2013 as JD(S) candidate had secured more than 22,000 votes. He was an aspirant for JD(S) ticket for Tirthahalli segment for the 2018 Assembly election also. Much to his disappointment, the JD(S) had offered the ticket to its district President R.M. Gowda.
Will solve water crisis, make commuting affordable: Raj ‘Winning polls not important to me’ Oisika Dev
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Oisika Dev nother senior BJP functionary has invoked the air strike on a terrorist camp at Balakot to seek votes for his party. “We work wholeheartedly and our efforts are shown in our work. The recent Balakot strike is one of the best examples. The previous government only boasted about doing work. However our government actually worked. We planned the IAF strike and pulled it off efficiently,” minister for statistics and programme implementation D.V. Sadananda Gowda said on Friday. Addressing a press conference, the former Karnataka chief minister said there has been no corruption charge against his party
The Observer Friday, April 12, 2019
Security personnel and sniffer dogs were deployed to sanitise Palace Grounds, the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Bengaluru on Saturday | Credit: Pranay Prakash during the five years of NDA rule. “We have financial discipline. In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, people will recognise our efforts.” He stated he doesn’t want to compare the BJP with or blame other parties in order to win the Lok Sabha elections. On the BJP’s candidate for the Bengaluru South constituency, he said: “A candidate is chosen after keeping in mind a lot of things. Tejasvi Surya was chosen because our government wants youths to be involved. Our main motto is
to remove unemployment among youths.” “I have been criticised because time and again I was shifted to different ministries.Whether I was railway minister or law minister, I worked for the people. I was the one who completed track doubling on the Bengaluru-Mysuru line. Our government has been working incessantly for the betterment of the people. We introduced schemes like Ayushman Bharat and more,” Gowda said. oisika.d@iijnm.org
Bengalureans happy as Ola halts ride-sharing at night
Abbinaya K
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ommuters have welcomed Ola’s recent move to stop ride-sharing at night. “It is good to hear that Ola ensures safety of passengers. There have been several instances in the pastwhere drivers have harassed passengers. So, I think this decision taken by the company would definitely help it regain its trust. Women are forced to travel with strangers if they hail a share-ride. Now, we need not worry anymore,” said Divi Raj, a photographer, who lives in Mahalakshmi Layout. Naveen S, from Malleswaram, said that people couldn’t be aware of thefts during exhausted night travels.For this very reason he was appreciative of the move: “Bangalore is a hub for IT professional. They return home late, exhausted. They might fallasleep during their travel and be unaware of their co-passengers’ ill motives, if any,” Senna said. However, some people have expressed concerns over the move as sharing a ride is much cheaper. “I
rakash Raj, independent candidate from the Bangalore Central parliamentary constituency, on Friday released a “People’s Manifesto” that focuses on solving the water crisis, providing affordable transportation and creating a greener Bengaluru. “My continuous interaction with the Bengalureans from the Central constituency has allowed me to understand their needs and aspirations. I have put together some plans and solutions based on my interaction in the form of a manifesto. My engagement with the people and working for them and their aspirations will continue beyond these few points that I have penned down,” the actor-turnedpolitician said. “Standard of living should be improved. Health and education
Prakash Raj releases People’s Manifesto | Credit: Shrabona should be priorities,” he added. The manifesto insists on a better human resource policy and calls for a law to regulate the prices of medical devices. It talks about developing programmes and providing funds under urban infrastructure development schemes for R&D. He said “making people participate” would be his priority. Elections are not about winning but about people’s participation. oisika.d@iijnm.org
Poll checkposts waste time Karnataka has 1,837 teams to keep vigil Sahana S
P agree that it is a good initiative, keeping in mind the safety and security of women passengers, but there are negatives. I used to travel at half the price of a ‘mini’ or even ‘micro’, for that matter, because I had an Ola Share Pass. But now, if I have to come home late, I shall have to shell out quite a lot of money. Ola should think about this,” complained Maya C, a medical student Amrutha MK, a resident of Jayanagar and an engineering student, said: “This move has its pros and cons. In case the driver behaves badly, co-passengers might come to our assistance. However, at times it feels embarrassing to travel with strangers.” abbinaya.s@iijnm.org
eople in Bengaluru are annoyed with officials manning election checkposts for hindering traffic and stopping them. Ahead of Lok Sabha elections on April 18, election authorities have set up several checkposts in Bengaluru Urban district to keep a strict vigil against illegal activities.“I appreciate election officials for setting up checkposts at various places in the city. However, despite producing necessary documents to the officials, they still ask annoying questions and waste my time during inspections,” Akshay Angadi, an Accenture employee, informed The Observer. Sharath KM, an engineering student said: “Instead of checking people who carry liquor and gifts given by political leaders, they waste their time in inspecting people like us — commoners who do not carry any illegal gifts.” The Election Commission had asked the public to furnish docu-
Election authorities have set up several checkposts in Bengaluru Urban district | Credit: Sahana S ments related to vehicles and luggage if demanded by personnel manning the checkposts. According to a report in The Hindu, they Karnataka has 1,837 static surveillance teams and 232 assistant expenditure observers. Rithika Shivanna, a lecturer at the Government PU College for Girls, complained: “They did not suspect goods carriers or trucks which were ahead of me and, instead, asked me to stop for inspection near Girinagar. It is unfair on their part to randomly stop and check people.” Some citizens, though, find no problem with officials at the checkposts. Tilak Ganesh, of St Joseph’s College, said: “The officials are doing the duty assigned to them. People must cooperate with them.” sahana.s@iijnm .org
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The Observer Friday, April 12, 2019
Kidnapping, reckless driving cases rise
Many girls are duped, sexually Rat race on city roads causes accidents exploited by older men: Police
Shrabona Ghosh
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n the night of January 18, Tara Sharma (name changed), 19, left her Jayanagar home at 11.30pm without informing anybody. Her family members informed the police when they did not find her. Elizabeth (name changed), 17, a resident of JP Nagar, left for college on a Monday morning and never returned. Cases of kidnapping and abduction in Bengaluru increased by 6.6℅ in one year. The city recorded 1,042 kidnapping and abduction cases in 2017. The number increased to 1,111 in 2018. Last year, 91% of the victims were children below 18. “Cases of missing girls and boys below 18 are considered kidnapping. Girls are mostly victims of love affairs where they are deceived by older men,” said a high-ranking police official who did not wish to be named. “Kidnapping and abduction happen mostly due to love affairs and family issues. Property disputes, enmity among family members and teenage couples eloping are some of the most common reasons,” said JP Nagar sub inspector Somappa
Student treated as an outcast Continued from page 1
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ecently, a 24-year-old Kashmiri student was attacked by a group of young men in southeast Bengaluru on March 20. According to a Deccan Herald report, Absar Zahoor Dar, a resident of Srinagar, suffered grievous injuries to his hand, head, and face. too.” Ali Hasan said, ““Since the Pulwama attack, I am treated as an outcast in my college.They fail to comprehend that Kashmiris are Indians too.”Most of the students agree with a petition filed against by an NGO in the Supreme Court against Article 35A. They say the Article is against the “very spirit of oneness of India”. oisika.d@iijnm.org
Godi. According to police officials, social media play a crucial role in such cases. Affairs that begin on social media often lead to deception. People lure young girls in the name of love, entice them, elope and sexually abuse them. An officer who did wish to be named said: “After tracing the victim and nabbing the accused, we check if the girl was sexually abused. Then we file a Pocso case against the accused.” The perpetrators are often from economically backward families, jobless and colleges dropouts in their twenties or thirties. However, for boys below 18 the scenario is different “These boys are often victims of family issues, bad academic performance and peer pressure which forces them to leave home,” the officer continued. Domestic violence and extramarital affairs are common causes for abduction of women above 18.
Bengaluru police have conducted awareness programs about theft, kidnapping, robbery and attention diversion in colleges to keep students aware about crimes. Ashwini Shetty, a college student, informed The Observer: “It is important to be aware so as to avoid becoming victims. Girls these days should be more cautious and responsible for their safety.” Kengeri sub-inspector Dattuba said: “Individual action is needed to eliminate all sorts of crime. Only holistic efforts can bring a difference.” Sunny Joseph, a clinical psychologist and expert in forensic psychology, said: “It is easy to take charge of children below 18 years. They follow instructions, and it is easy to manipulate their identity. Perpetrators resort to kidnapping because they think it is easy to get away with it.” According to Section 363 of IPC, the punishment for kidnapping involves imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. This applies to anybody who kidnaps a person from lawful guardianship. shrabona.g@iijnm.org
Ileena Dutta
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engaluru has seen an increase in cases of reckless driving. “There has been a significant increase in the number of cases booked for reckless driving Data as of January 2019 shows cases of reckless driving booked in 2018 was 19,428, up from 18,367 in 2017,” informed N. Kumar, assistant commissioner of police, informed The Observer. According to a Bangalore Mirror report, between 2014 and June 30, 2018, 3,250 people lost their lives in road accidents; 18,694 persons were injured. “Reckless driving can sometimes cause fatalities among riders and also among pedestrians. Stringent awareness campaigns among youths are needed on the consequences of rash driving,” Amit Katte, a commuter, said. According to a Times of India report, more than 90% of deaths on roads in 2016 were attributed to rash and negligent driving. National Crime Research Bureau (NCRB) statistics say 1.5 lakh deaths occurred in 1.35 lakh road accidents due to reckless driving. Data released by the NCRB
LASIK surgery sees rise in demand But isn’t suitable for all problems related to vision Yohanjali R
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ASIK eye surgery, a procedure done using lasers, seems to be gaining popularity among Bengalureans. “I opted for LASIK surgery because it doesn’t require much equipment. The surgery, done through laser, was convenient not only for me but also for the doctors. My recovery was quick,” Anjali G, who underwent a LASIK procedure recently, informed The Observer. LASIK (Laser-Assisted Stromal In-situ Keratomileusis) is a laser vision correction, mainly refractive, surgery for the correction
of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (blurred vision. The process involves creating a thin flap in the cornea using either a microkeratome blade, a precision surgical instrument with an oscillating blade designed for creating the corneal flap or a femtosecond (one quadrillionth of a second) laser. Mohan Pandian, who underwent the surgery about two months ago, said LASIK not only took less time but also gave good results. “I was awake during the surgery and didn’t feel much pain while undergoing the surgery.
Now I have better vision than before.” The surgery is said to save 40% of the treated corneal tissue and induces faster healing. An ophthalmologist at a private eye care clinic said: “More than a surgery, it’s a method to correct errors in our eyes. The best thing about LASIK is that it can be used to correct various eye problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.” Explaining how the surgery is not suitable for all vision-related issues, she added: “Not everyone with eye problems can do LASIK. The patient needs to have consulted before at a laser eye clinic. The extent of the medical problem and error must also be kept in mind. LASIK is an ‘umbrella’ term. It is used differently based on the individual’s eye problems and necessities.” yohanjali.r@iijnm.org
covers all crimes booked under the Indian Panel Code. The bureau is yet to release data on accidents and suicides reported during 2016. “I have seen private car drivers who try to overtake other vehicles rashly causing accidents, ” said Surya De, a commuter, said. Chaitra S, a commuter, said: “People need to be careful while walking on pavements as sometimes these drivers come to the edge of pavements. I have seen a private vehicle knocking down one in the front, leaving the driver with minor injuries as he tried to keep the speed under control.” “People drive on pavements, and heavy vehicles often line up on pavements causing discomfort to pedestrians. Drivers overspeed or try to overtake vehicles in front of them, resulting in accidents,” Kartick S, a commuter, said. Police officer Kumar said: “It is important to follow traffic rules to avoid accidents due to reckless driving. An increase in the number of reckless driving cases has increased the number of road accidents.” iIeena.d@iijnm.org
Around the City lKalamkaari Folk art by The Bubble Room on 12 Apr 2:00PM - 5:00PM @ The Bubble Room , South Bangalore lAcrylic Painting workshop by The Living Walls by The Living Walls on 13 Apr 10:30AM 1:30PM, Bangalore. lThe Living Walls - Art Craft Studio, Creative Corporate Event Management, Corporate Gifts Souvenirs lOdisi Dance Workshop by on 14 Apr, 5:30PM @Lahe Lahe
OBSERVER TEAM Editor- Yohanjali R Page Layout: Shrabona Gosh, Ileena Dutta, Sahana S Reporters: Shrabona Ghosh Ileena Dutta , Yohanjali.R , Sahana.S , Pranay.P, Oisika Dev, Abbinaya .K
Motoring
The Observer Friday, April 12, 2019
SUPPLEMENT
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The New Road Hogs
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India’s love for SUVs is opening doors to numerous car companies from around the world, writes Webley Prabodh
t is a well-known fact that Indians love Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).Major car manufacturers have realized this and are capitalising on our weakness for big cars. SUVs offer high ground clearance, and owing to the road conditions in the country, that’s definitely a plus point. SUVs come withroyal looks and the high seating positionsthey offer, makes the user feel as if he is on top of the world. Research has also shown that in the event of a crash, passengers in an SUV are more likely to escape unhurt in comparison to passengers in a hatchback or a sedan. Clearly, this has attracted a lot of customers in India for any day, safety is of the utmost priority. The other major factor that adds to good sales is image. Having an SUV is considered ‘Baller’ status and a person owning an SUV is someone who is looked upon with admiration. Even though this point could be debated, the importance of the sales part is
irrefragable to a company. Over the past 5 years, mass
models specifically for India. South Korea’s second largest car
In 2017-18, India saw a 7 times grwoth in the sales of SUV, as compared to passenger vehicles | Credit: Auto Express
manufacturing companies such as Tata Motors, Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Maruti Suzuki have seen higher sales of their SUVs than any other model. Looking to seize the moment, popular car companies from around the world are researching and designing SUV
maker, KIA Motors, is all set to launch its SUV, KIA SP, in July 2019. KIA Motors is mostly known around the world for its hatchbacks and sedans such as the Picanto, Cadenza,and Stinger. The credibility of the company was built upon these cars and the fact that KIAis entering the
Indian automobile market with an SUV,vindicates the point. KIA Motors have announced that it will be introducing many more models in India in the near future. British car manufacturers are known for their sophisticated and elegant designs. Chief among them is Morris Garage, a company with a rich heritage and pedigree.It was established in 1920 and became infamous for setting world speed records in their sports cars. The company even made small, fun, and affordable sports cars that were bought all around the world. There are many such examples in India as well. MG announced that it would be entering the Indian market in 2019 with the Hector SUV - a model specifically redesigned and engineered for Indian roads. Samuel David, an automobile enthusiast and blogger, based in Bangalore, said: “It is great for us enthusiasts to see many such new companies come in. When
we used to see the model line-up that other companies had, we used to feel sad that we didn’t get to drive, let alone see any such models. This will open the doors for many more renowned companies to enter our market.”
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opular French car maker Citroen has also expressed its interest in entering the Indian market. Its luring machine shall be the C5 Aircross – a compact crossover SUV. Citroen, too, is a company of considerable repute founded in 1919.It is known for its hatchbacks and sedans like the C1, C2, and DS5, among many other popular and tested models. Peugeot, another French mass manufacturer, is teaming up with Citroen in India torelaunch the iconic Ambassador. On 11 February 2017, Hindustan Motors signed an agreement with Peugeot to reintroducethe Ambassador. To the excitement of many enthusiasts of the early generation, the icon will be reborn.
Into the Future
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Emflux One could be the answer to the search for a your perfect electric motorcycle, says Rohit Chatterjee
he electric vehicle industry has been working tirelessly to manufacture vehicles that can compete with conventional vehicles. However, only a few like, the Tesla has made some tremendous progress. In India, the Mahindra e-Verito or the Ather 450 scooter have been steadily growing but are way behind the curve in terms of power output and mileage. But it looks like that is going to change with the Emflux One. Based out of Bengaluru, Emflux One is a start-up. It was started two years back by Vinay Raj Somasekhar, who wanted to create an electric motorcyle that would change people’s mindset towards electric vehicle. The general feeling among Indians is that electric vehicles are slow. The team consist of 21 people who has worked hard to bring the prototype of Emflux One. Emflux sports a futuristic look. It is sporty with a heavy-knit tank, low set of handle bars to give a
racing posture, and a vertically mounted LED headlight that has been inspired by the KTM RC8.
The Emflux One engine is purely electric, boasting figures of 72 horse power(HP) and 84
The company has claimed that the Model One will be launched sometime in 2019, with a price tag of around Rs 5 - 6 lakh | Credit: Google The motorcycle has been provided with the best set of components with Ohlins and Brembos, taking care of the suspension and braking system respectively. These modifications are mostly found on high end super bikes like Ducati, Triumph or Kawasaki.
Newton Metre (Nm). The power figure might not impress many but with an overall kerb weight of 169 kgs, the power to weight ratio is bound to deliver an astonishing level of performance. Emflux has spread the word that the prototype can reach the mark of 100 km per hour in just
three seconds which is actually faster than the Ferrari 458. The bike can also hit a top speed of 200 km per hour, which is phenomenal since no other electric vehicle, be it car or bike can accomplish that in India. The bike makes such output due to a 50 kg battery pack which comprises of 896 cylindrical and 18650 cells. The ride is aggressive just like a sport bike should be, but the Emflux has managed to make it comfortable as well. One can feel the torque kicking in, even though the bike manages to maintain a stealth mode just like an electric vehicle should, since it does not house an exhaust system. Yes, no exhaust because it is powered by electricity. Emflux has spared no expense to make the bike premium. The bike is equipped with Pirelli Diablo Rosso which is perfect for doing some circuit run and take a long sprint on the highways. The Exmflux obviously does not heat up in the city traffic like
a conventional vehicle making it a comfortable ride in many ways. The most important aspect of electric vehicle is the access to charging and the waiting period.
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he Emflux one consist of warp charge system that can charge up to 80 percent in just 36 minutes. All the components of the Emflux One makes it a premium sports bike but its cost raises a question on the price of the product. Exflux claims that the final model will cost around Rs 6 lakh which makes it clear that this bike is not for everyone. Another problem is the production of the bike since there is lot to be done. So, the bike is not going to be available for sale anytime soon. However, Emflux One might just be an answer everyone is looking for, when it comes to a powerful electronic vehicle, which can last long. So, a little patience and wait should be fruitful for the motoring community.
Arts & Culture
The Observer Friday, April 12, 2019
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Creative Therapy for Kids A multiple-therapy approach gives new hope to autistic children, says Malvika Ramesh
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olistic therapy has become a more preferred form of therapy for special children. It is an untraditional approach which is used to treat children with certain physical and mental disabilities. The therapy is also administeredto autistic and hyperactive children. Tripti B.V, founder of Tamahar, an NGO in Bangalore that works towards improving the lives of special children, says: “There are different types of holistic approach. We offer two programmes - a pre-academic programme and an academic one. The former is for children who require more developmentbased therapy while the latter is for those who have the required developed brain process.” Holistic therapy uses various activities to connect and develop the mind and body of the children. For physically challenged children, sports therapy is used to develop body mechanisms. If the hands are deformed, then a sport that develops the strength of the legs is prescribed and
ing a high level of concentration and patience. Raksha Kothari, a yoga instructor for autistic children,says: “These special children are very sensitive. The main challenge for me as their teacher was first to build a trustworthy relationship with them. Once that milestone Yoga as a technique has proven to be effective with the kids. | Credit: Tamahar was achieved, they became very open usedas a remedial measure. For children like both music and to learning new things.Everyday mentally challenged children, it dance, while some others prefer was a new day, not in a negative is necessary to build a connection only one of the two. Dependor a positive way; it was just between the brain and the body. ing on the likes and dislikes of new. On some days, they would Hence, a more creative approach these children, a suitable form is be in a good mood and would like painting is used. The menused to address the issue of their love trying new things out.But tally challenged child is given a development process. on other days, they would just platform to use his imagination Hyperactive children are throw tantrums and not want to and creativity in the form of a unresponsive to any of these do anything. All it needed was physical activity. With autistic forms of therapy. They require children, there are different types such a form which can help calm extreme patience and love to deal with them.” of therapies that are used. Tripti their minds.Yoga, an ancient and Over the past few years, parents says that autistic children are time-tested method, is often used have become more open to their different from one another. Some for the purpose.It helps in build-
children being special, says Kothari. She is of the opinion that since parents are now aware of their child’s condition is not a health problem that can be cured, they are looking at exploring different forms of therapy that makes the child itself feel as normal as possible.
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avish is an eleven-yearold autistic child. His mother,Vidya, says, “Yoga, music, and dance have helped Kavish a lot. His favourite is painting, though. After going to Kara4kids, he has recovered some control over his mind. He knows when to say ‘no’ and when to say ‘yes’. He is aware that junk food is bad for health and thus you should not eat it on a regular basis. It all starts with taking small steps.” The advantages of adopting such a holistic method of healing over the usual medical method of treatment is that the former is natural, makes use of no drugs, and certainly not addictive,rounds off Kothari.
Pop Culture in Your Wardrobe P
Any Netflix series now makes it to the wardrobe within a couple of weeks after its release, says Akanksha Kashyap
eople believe that the t-shirts you wear are a manifestation of your personality. The most important part of fashion for any individual is the clothes they wear. Keeping in mind the trending phase, which is going on, no one wants to lag behind. One such trend that can clearly be seen is the trend of graphics and pop culture apparels. Every second person now is sporting a t-shirt inspired by ‘Game of Thrones’ or a cap with a ‘Captain America’ logo. The stores which sell such merchandises have seen a rapid growth in revenues in recent times, thanks to an increase in customer base. “It all started with the concept of themed parties. People started organising theme parties, for example a superhero-themed or a particular TV show. As these parties grew in numbers, the demand for clothes that would complement the theme saw a steady rise. That’s when the
concept of graphic t-shirts or pop culture t-shirts picked up speed,” Zain, owner of Labamba Fashion store in Bangalore. With the rise of the entertainment empires like Netflix and K-
too much. Now all I have to do is log on to either TheSouledstore.com or Bawakoof.com or any other such website and get the t-shirt for half the price. It is convenient now,” said Kanishk Varun, an ardent follower of the trend. Another prominent aspect of these A number of such stores have increased in the recent times fashion trends Pop, it inspired even more artists. is the fact that in today’s inter“Earlier even if I loved a particu- net savvy world, memes and lar show, and wanted a t-shirt or sarcastic comments dominate say a cap or keychains based on the online realm and everyone it, the only option I had was to wants it on their clothes. “The get a plain white or a black t-shirt need to express oneself and stand and get it printed on by another out in the crowd is something store. That would cost me way that every youth feels these days.
Graphics and pop culture apparels are the best way of telling the world about you. We believe we have only scratched the surface in term of the influence that pop culture has on our society and we are yet to reach the tipping point,” says Vedang Patel, cofounder, TheSouledStore.com. It is quite common to see a celebrity sporting such as clothes these days. AIB, the famous comedy group were the first ones to collaborate with e-commerce websites for sale of their retailed merchandise. They collaborated with online stores like bewakoof.com and chumbak.com to produce t-shirts that had quirky saying or memes written on it. This practice saw a significant boost after that. Pop culture is not restricted to just merchandise, it has its spread in other item categories as well, from mobile covers to key chains. “I love Joey Tribiyani of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and his quotes
and I wanted them on my t-shirts in print. It was an unfulfilled dream which was fulfilled in recent times only. It is easier to buy such products and I choose them over normal plain clothes any day,” says Akshay Kashyap, an engineering student.
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trong online presence in our society is also a bane for them as by the time they finish production and push inventory, some other trend might have replaced it by then. A lot of stock goes in vain due to this. “There are times when we order or make a particular kind of apparel because that show or meme is trending but there something else replaces it in a short time, due to which sale dwindles of that particular merchandise.,” said Ryan Kashung, store manager of Animation Souk, a store that specialises and sells only pop culture or graphic, themed based apparels.
Arts & Culture
SUPPLEMENT
The Observer Friday, April 12, 2019
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Multiple-Choice Adventures
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Bandersnatch is a path breaking variation in the entertainment industry, says Shashank Dipankar
andersnatch is the latest addition to Netflix’s dystopian, anthology series Black Mirror. For the firsttime, Netflix went with a different approach and only released a single episode cum movie instead of few episodes per season. This is however undermined by the fact that Bandersnatch is a genredefininganda game-changing, phenomenon. Bandersnatch is written by series creator Charlie Brooker and directed by David Slade. It is unique as it allows the viewers to make decisions for the main character Stefan Butler played by Fionn Whitehead and is set in the year 1984. It follows the story of Stefan, a young game designer who desires to develop his own multiple-ending game, in which users have the ability to choose from a various set of actions which triggers multiple outcomes. The story revolves around how this cumbersome process takes a toll on his life, so much so that he starts the concept of free will.
The one thing which sets Bandersnatch apart from any other any other show, in general, is the choice of the adventure setup is in the hands of the viewer. It follows the same concept as seen in one of those Goosebumps books, where at a crux of an event reader is given the option to choose from a set of actions which takes the story forward and makes it possible to have
Stefan was designing also had multiple ending, creating a perfect paradox, as both the show and the game being developed have a similar structure and also plays around with the concept of free will. The whole experience of selecting between different actions is quite smooth and seamless. Whenever a point comes where one has to opt for action, the aspect ratio switches, highlighting the viewer beforehand. Credit: telegram multiple endings. In BandersThere are moments natch, these choices range from when the story comes to an awkinsignificant ones like which ward pause and rewinds asking brand of cereal to eat in breakyou to think about the choices fast to which song to play while you made, which abruptly stalls sitting on a bus. However, the the whole experience for a few real deal is the junctions of the minutes. Credit should be given story where a catastrophic plot to Netflix as they have integrated twist can be triggered dependthe decision-making system and ing on what course of action you the plot quite seamlessly, without choose. any glitch or lag. The fact that the game which The decision-making part keeps
the viewers on the toe as one cannot ‘Netflix and chill’ during its runtime. The viewer has to be constantly engaged with the story in order to make decisions as every time the prompt comes with a timer and if its missed, the automated system kicks in and randomly chooses an option.
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hoose your own adventure has been explored extensively in video games and is more immersive than its show counterpart. It lays emphasis on character development and even little choices affect the ending of the game in different ways. Games like The Witcher and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey are perfect examples of such games. Bandersnatch is a step towards something new and a more immersive experience when it comes to normal TV shows, which is the future of the entertainment industry. Streaming services like Netflix can deliver such experience which gives them an edge over traditional television shows.
Travels in Hyper Reality W
hen one watches Tom and Jerry, it not only brings back the memory of childhood but also reminds everyone about the magic of animation, which included fairy tales, comedies, and laughter. The storyline in animation has always targeted the audience at large, who watches it for pure entertainment. After the release of Netflix show ‘Love, Death & Robots’ the idea of animation has transformed to providing viewers, with new age storytelling. Every episode from the series presents new short stories, whose genres range from murder and thriller to dystopian future. Tim Miller and David Fincher take the storyline of 18 episode series of LDR to explain the zest for survival. The show not only includes human beings as protagonists but robots, cats and even yogurt. In a small five minute episode, Yogurt, (who is developed by scientists) takes
Love, Death and robots is a combination of different genre, says Raveena Bhati
over the world, to solve the problems of human race and later replaces the powerful president in the episode. The role of science and technology dominates every episode, and the special
effects are mesmerising. The life of a farmer at the countryside is considered simple and peaceful but in the Suits episode, the imagination with a life of a farmer gives one an experi-
ence of alien invasion with the pinch of Hollywood setup in the background. The animation has been crafted beautifully to represent the dark side of reality which includes
dency on science and technology has made it easier for directors to show the future via science fiction series or movies. Taking up the experiences, one felt while watching Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, which had a run time of 169 minutes, getting a similar experience while watching a 16 minutes episode in the series is quite unexpected and marvellous. The way directors have been successful in making viewers dwell deeper in their imagination through every episode. In an episode, the immortal being after acquiring all the wealth and fame across the galaxies, calls an art journalist to record his final art, where the charCredit: netflix acter disintegrate itself into post-apocalypse era and how a small swimming pool cleaner. robots make fun of human activi- This shows the unpredictable and ties. absurd concept of the series. The purpose of animation has Mere concepts applied by drastically changed over the human beings to survive, has period of time, and the depenbeen portrayed in the 10 minutes
episodes. The will and guile of the characters in surviving no matter what the consequences are have been fairly well displayed through certain scenes. An astronaut, who was stuck in space, chops off her hands to get back to her ship and back to Earth.
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hat can strike a viewer most is different storylines in every episode, without any link to prior one. Starting from the post-apocalypse, to a world, where Hitler was killed in six alternate histories. Love, Death & Robots have beautifully changed the concept of ‘nudity means obscenity’ with episodes telling the truth rather than being obscene. Viewers might not be satisfied with certain episodes, as questions will be unanswered. But the series provide the audiences with mesmerising reality and special effect concepts, with the mixture of dark reality and humour.