The Observer
An IIJNM publication
Citizens ask police to include more categories in Public Eye app | P 2
Vol 19, Issue 20
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Shoby Krishna G
T
he Karnataka budget for 2020-2021 reflects the government’s resolve to boost the state’s revenue. It proposes raising tax on petrol and diesel, and excise duty on liquor. In his budget speech on Thursday, chief minister BS Yediyurappa announced a 3% increase in tax on petrol and diesel – a measure that will increase the price of petrol by Rs 1.60 a litre, and that of diesel by Rs 1.59 a litre. He also announced excise duty on liquor will be increased by 6%. Srinivas Alavalli, co-founder of the NGO Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB), said: “If the prices of petrol and diesel are increased, it will affect the common man. Due to a shortfall in GST revenue and reduction in grants from the central government..., the state government is forced
Around the city
•Art of Mind Control- Free
Workshop, Venue: ISKCON Temple, Chord Road, Date: Feb 29 - Mar 7. •Messy Play, a Sensory activity for toddlers, Venue: BrainArt, Garden Layout, HSR Layout, Date: Feb 26 – Mar 8. •Bharatanatyam Workshop - With Rajashree Das, Venue: kaTTe - The Creative Community, Indiranagar Date: Mar 3 – Mar 28. •Free meetup on using WhatsApp for business, Venue: Springboard Mahadevpura, East Bangalore, Date: Mar 6, Time: 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm. •Seeking Beauty through the Art of Observation, Venue: New Acropolis Jayanagar, Date: Mar 7, Time: 6:30pm 8:30pm. •Super Women 6K run, Venue: Motherhood Hospital, Banashankari, Date: Mar 8, Time: 6:00 am.
@theweeklyobserver Epaper:https://issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs Website: http://www. theweeklyobserver.in
Shahpur’s brick kilns choke workers, make soil infertile | P 4
BSY’s budget makes petrol, diesel and booze costlier Cuts stamp duty
on flats costing less than Rs 20L
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Leg-up for science
• Rs 20 crore for Bio-innovation centre in Bengaluru • Rs 20 crore for ISRO and HAL • Rs 60 crore for Artificial Intelligence research in IISc “AI is going to be the order of the day. The opportunities were not exploited earlier. Hence, it is commendable that the steps are being taken for research in the area.” - C R Janardhana, FKCCI
Live screening of the Karnataka budget 2020-2021 at FKCCI | Credit: Shoby Krishna G
to hike petrol and diesel prices. “How do states survive with respect to their revenue? We need to think of a method for fairer allocation of resources. A state that is performing well should not be penalized.” The Chief Minister, who holds the finance portfolio, didn’t leave any stone unturned to impress farmers, saying his government’s focus is to increase farmers’ income in line with the Centre’s goal of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 as suggest-
ed by Ashok Dalwai committee. The budget also lays emphasis on urban infrastructure. To make housing affordable, Yediyurappa announced that stamp duty on new flats or apartments which cost less than Rs 20 lakh will be reduced from 5% to 2%. Industry welcomed the announcement of a new industrial policy. CR Janardhana, president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), told The Observer: “The budget has done
justice to all sectors as it was presented in six verticals. The rise in petrol and diesel prices is justified and not burdensome to the common man.” The CM said Rs 6,108 crore was spent on flood relief, and Rs 6.45 lakh crore paid to farmers as compensation following the 2019 natural disaster in north Karnataka. He announced several initiatives targeting urban infrastructure. Fixing of damaged roads and lake development received Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 317 crore respectively. The government also mentioned its plans to raise Rs 82,433 crore from imposition of commercial tax. Bengaluru received funds for various infrastructure projects like Rs 14,500 crore for 56 km of Outer Ring Road, Rs 1,000 crore for development of 110 villages, which come under Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP), 75 new Hoysala vehicles for police and extension of the metro till Anjanapura. B’luru’s urban infrastructure gets major boost, P3
News Briefs
Nirbhaya convicts to be hanged on March 20 Four men convicted of raping a Delhi physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as Nirbhaya, in December 2012 will be hanged at 5.30am on March 20, a Delhi court has ruled. Their execution has already been deferred three times. The most recent date set for their hanging was March 3, but one of them, Pawan Gupta, filed a mercy petition the day before. Like the petitions of the three other convicts, his was rejected too. UK airline Flybe collapses, passengers left stranded The struggling British airline Flybe has collapsed, leaving passengers stranded and told to find their own way home. UK Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that financially troubled Flybe had entered administration. The carrier said it has failed to receive the funding it hoped to get. North Korea’s Kim writes to South Korean Prez on virus North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed the hope that neighbouring South Korea will overcome a coronavirus outbreak, President Moon Jae-in’s office said. In the letter, Kim asked about the well being of the president and also voiced his view of the situation on the Korean peninsula.
As coronavirus fear spreads, masks and sanitizers fly off pharma shelves Stores unsure when supplies will come back
Aarthi N
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engaluru has a shortage of masks and sanitizers as a large number of people have started to buy them after the outbreak of coronavirus. Eight out of the ten medical stores The Observer visited on March 5 did not have masks and sanitizers. Salespersons at the stores said these are in high demand and they do not have
Medical stores unsure of arrival of fresh stocks of masks and sanitizers | Credit: Aarthi N stocks of them. “No masks and no sanitizers,” said Madhu N, working in Apoorva Medicals, Indiranagar,
to customers who had come to buy them. There is a sudden demand since March 4. Shravan L, a salesperson at Sri Ram Pharma, also in Indiranagar said: “The demand for sanitizer and masks is high for the past two days. We do not have stocks of sanitizers. We have stock of normal surgical masks, which cost about Rs 30.” Another mask, which can be used for 15 days, is priced at Rs 350. About tablets that are in demand of late, he said: “Dolo 650, Cheston Cold, Cofsils and Strepsil are the common ones people have been buying since yesterday. A few of them bought
handwashes too.” About the reusable N95 mask, Madhu said: “It costs Rs 799. Because the price is high, people do not buy it. Only two customers who enquired about it bought it from us. Other buy the surgical mask, which costs Rs 20.” People visiting medical stores enquired if they had stocks of masks and sanitizers. Sundaram R, who works for an IT company, said: “I enquired at more than three shops. They do not have sanitizers. Suddenly, there’s a high demand everywhere. They are not available in any departmental store either.” WHO says people with cough & cold to wear masks, P3
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CITY
The Observer Thursday, March 5, 2020
Citizens ask police to include more categories in Public Eye
Say application malfunctions as they upload pics Aman Bhardwaj
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he Public Eye app registers only 14 types of violation of traffic rules, while the police book people for 39 types. According to traffic police records, there is a 150% increase in traffic violation cases, but only few are mentioned in the app, which users say does not work properly. Complaining about the app, Aravindan, a resident of Jaraganahalli, said: “BTP (Bangalore Traffic Police) uses the pictures we upload in our complaints to fine traffic violators but do not take preventive measures. Sometimes the app stops working when we are uploading pictures. It is time-consuming to use it.” The Observer asked four other users of the app about its efficiency. They all agreed that it would be good if the number of violations was increased from 14 to 39 for citizens. . App user Rahul U.L. said: “The picture taken in the app needs to be clear for the police
Twitterati Talk
B.H.Anil Kumar,IAS @BBMPCOMM BBMP strives to include all sections of citizens in its welfare policies. A meeting to implement Karnataka Transgender Policy in #BBMP limits was held along with stakeholders. The meeting discussed their various needs & deliberated on positive outcomes. Thrilochan R K @thrilochanrk Everyone in #bangalore, should try out this app by @BMTC_BENGALURU What an application, it tracks real time bus locations and also with it’s REGISTRATION NUMBER! You can also plan the route ahead as it gives accurate directions which can be shared. Adarsh_RK @adarshrk1 In the midst of concerns regarding #CoronavirusOutbreak , it would be great if social parties like #Holi needs to be stopped in the coming days in #Bangalore to contain future outbreaks. @sriramulubjp @BSYBJP @CMofKarnataka @Healthministerofkarnataka
Citizens posted their reviews of the Public Eye app, asking the Bengaluru Traffic Police to upgrade it as soon as possible | Credit: Aman Bhardwaj for identification the offence and the offender.” Agreeing with Rahul, another user, Kariyappa Iyer, said collective efforts are needed for better regulation. Recalling his experience of paying a fine of Rs 3,000, car owner Ram Kumar said: “Someone uploaded pictures of my car on the app and reported a traffic violation. In reality, my car was simply parked in a parking space on M.G. Road. But I still received a notice from the traffic police. They should verify a complaint before charging anyone with a violation.” The Observer learnt from traffic inspectr, Srinivasan that
39 types of violations can be recorded in the app. “The number of traffic police inspectors and constables allotted for on-ground duty is more than the number of officials allotted for the app. This is the main reason why there is an increase in the number of cases registered by the traffic police on roads.” Manjunath, a traffic constable who keeps an eye on traffic violations on Hosur Road, said only 14 categories were introduced to keep the app light enough for users to download and use. “We are open to feedback from the public regarding the app. Soon we will upload all violation
cases on it.” Namita Aggarwal, the person in charge of the app at the NGO Janaagraha, said they receive reports of 300 to 400 violations every day. “Once a violation is reported, our review team screens the report. We forward it to the BTP after rejecting spam entries.” She added: “According to our report, as many as 98,746 Bengalurians have downloaded the app to report traffic violations. Until now, 1,73,848 have defied rules according to complaints filed on the app.” Appreciating the traffic police for introducing the app, Ashish Verma from IISC said: “No other state or city has adopted this type of app to control traffic violations. If the department adds all violation cases, then it will become heavy for users to install and upload things. They kept the app small for smooth work, but as time passes, the department will upgrade the app and also upload all violation cases in the app with the help of NGO.” The Public Eye app, launched by the traffic police in collaboration with Janaagraha in 2015, aims to help the police in catching traffic violators with help from citizens. aman.b@iijnm.org
Citizen’s Voice
US-Taliban deal will create instability in Afghanistan Once western powers leave Afghanistan following the Taliban-US peace deal, there will be more instability in the region. It could help Donald Trump get re-elected President and make the Taliban the biggest gainer. The deal will give them legitimacy in Afghanistan. Anil Tiwari Construction material blocks BTM road Half of the road in BTM 2nd Stage is occupied by construction materials of an apartment building. Because of this, there are huge traffic jams daily. Nobody is raising their voice against this. Gopal Parthasarathy Dumps create stench on this well-laid road There is a well-laid road connecting Old Madras Road to SG Palya. At a couple of spots at the end towards SG Palya, dumps are causing great inconvenience to pedestrians. Arun Kumar Virus outbreak affects supply of medicines After the outbreak of coronavirus, supplies of basic medicines across the country have been drastically affected. Many common antibiotics and medicines for respiratory conditions are in short supply. Chirag Dutta
Dust on Gear School Rd chokes residents, protruding lids of drains cause accidents Palike says pipe work to be over ‘next week’ Shoby Krishna G
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he schoolchildren, shopkeepers and residents of Gear School Road, eastern Bengaluru, have a common piece of attire: Face masks. Dust clouds caused by dugup roads have forced the residents of Kadubeesanhalli-Doddakanelli road stretch to cover their faces. Two-wheeler riders contend with another problem on the road: Several protruding storm water drain lids. Amit Sharma, whose hardware shop is located on the road, informed The Observer: “My shop has been here for the past three years, but the problem started 6-8 months ago. To lay pipelines for a Cauvery water project and underground drainage, they dug up the roads and haven’t fixed them. They have fixed the road from AET Junction, but not this stretch.” The road leading to Dodda-
The bumpy roads with lots ot potholes in the middle of the road in Gear School Road. | Credit: Shoby Krishna G kannelli looks neatly laid out Only half of the available lane from AET Junction. But most is usable. The edges of the road of the stretch towards Kadu- are dug up, forcing vehicles beesanhalli is dug up and badly from both sides to inch through damaged. the middle of the road. The mid“During monsoon, the bad dle of the road has potholes and condition of the roads causes protruding lids. people on two-wheelers to skid Mariam John, whose house and fall. There were many such is adjacent to the road, said: incidents last year. And now it “We have lived in this area for is the dust. We have to continu- 15 years. The dust is so bad ously clean the shop entrance that I have developed chronic and keep the doors closed. The cough despite keeping windows deadline to fix the road was De- and doors locked. We are tired cember 15, which has obviously of complaining. Mostly workbeen missed.” ers come at midnight when we The Observer found that the can’t even object.” road offers a bumpy ride to In response to the citizen vehicles. There is no footpath. complaints, the BBMP execu-
tive engineer of the area who didn’t want to be named told The Observer: “We are fixing the problem. Work will be completed within one week. Because of road cutting by BWSSB for a long time, roads were dug up and not restored to a usable condition. But we are doing it properly now.” Citizens have tweeted consistently about their hardship. The citizens’ groups Doddakannelli Rising and Save Bellandur have tagged the BBMP commissioner and the local MLA in their tweets to highlight their concerns towards the issue. Dr Ramesh V, professor and head of the mechanical engineering department, Rajarajeshwari College of Engineering, explained: “There are various technicalities according to which the earth has to settle down after being dug for pipelines, and left for one season. The officials say the work would be completed in one week instead of explaining the procedures to the public and journalists they have to do their work. Other paper said the road will be fixed within 15 days. shoby.k@iijnm.org
CITY
The Observer Thursday, March 5, 2020
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Cost-effective & comfortable, utility vehicles win the market
The South Korea-made Seltos has a huge demand. According to Autocar, the company got 32,035 bookings across the country even before its launch | Credit: Aman Bhardwaj
UV cars include both a larger chassis as well as a compact monocoque chassis which have better stiffness and weight advantage. So customers get comfort and more space. They can also feel the sport mode or off road in UV cars at a lower price - Sales manager of Blue Hyundai showroom UVs have already entered the sub-4 metre category where more gasoline (petrol) SUVs are being sold than diesel ones - Rahul Singh, manager of Anant Cars, a Mahindra showroom
with an equal number of UVs. Rahul Singh, manager of Anant Cars, a Mahindra showroom on Mysuru Road, commented that customers find both comfort and power in the UV segment. “UVs have already entered the sub-4 metre category where more gasoline (petrol) SUVs are being sold than diesel ones,” Singh added. The sales manager of Blue Hyundai showroom on Mysuru Road said Hyundai is providing many features in the UV segment to fill the gap between
features.” The South Korea-made Seltos has a huge demand. According to Autocar, the company got 32,035 bookings across the country even before its launch. Dr Shridhar Kursi, professor and head of the automobile engineering department at the New Horizon College of Engineering, said: “As the new generation prefers to buy cars with sporty looks, UV cars with good ground clearance and more features at a low price are sold more.” aman.b@iijnm.org
Aman Bhardwaj
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ales of SUVs, sedans and hatchbacks are seeing a decline as buyers prefer utility vehicles (UVs), which are both cost-effective and comfortable. More than one-third of the cars sold between April 2019 and January 2020 belong to the UV segment. Akash Sharma, who visited a car showroom to book a UV, shared that these vehicles are cost-effective and convenient. “UVs are turning out to be multipurpose vehicles. They offer high ground clearance, easy mobility on bad roads, ample space for large families and more engine power.” Arvind Gouda, another customer, informed The Observer that UVs are less expensive replicas of SUVs. “I can’t afford an SUV as my salary is not very high. So I preferred to buy a UVsegment car as it would provide the same facilities and comfort as an SUV. UV cars have a good variety from where the buyer can choose according to his/her demand and choice.” According to a report by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in the past 3-4 years, the industry has launched 78 new cars in the Indian market. Of these, 36 belong to the UV segment. In the current financial year so far, 53 new cars have been introduced,
hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs. “UV cars include both a larger chassis as well as a compact monocoque chassis which have better stiffness and weight advantage. So customers get comfort, more space and can also feel the sport mode or off road in UV cars at a lower price.” Arun, sales manager of Naara KIA Motors, Jayanagar, said that in the first five months of financial year 2019-20, KIA Motors captured 6.25% of the UV segment. “We came up with the UV segment to fill the gap between the segments, with more
Quiz Corner
1. Who is honored as Father of Modern Chemistry? 2. Public Service Broadcasting Day is celebrated on? 3. Which lake has been declared Eco-Sensitive Zone by the Jammu and Kashmir Government? 4. Which state has enacted a law on contract farming? 5. The Unquiet River is Biography of which River? 6. Which female Boxer has won gold medal at Olympic test event? 7. The Government of India is planning to open how many additional Airports by 2024? 8. Who has been newly appointed as BCCI’s selection committee chairman?
Words of the day
Filch- pilfer or steal (something, especially an item of small value) in a casual way. Eg: ”they filched milk off morning doorsteps” Rectitude- morally correct behaviour or thinking; righteousness. Eg: “Mattie is a model of rectitude” Perquisite- a benefit which one enjoys or is entitled to on account of one’s job or position. Eg: “the wife of a president has all the perquisites of stardom” Interpolate- insert (something of a different nature) into something else. Eg: “illustrations were interpolated in the text” Untenable- not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection. Eg: “this argument is clearly untenable”
Budget gives boost to Only people with cough, cold urban infrastructure should wear masks says WHO
Continued from page 1
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lavalli of CfB said: “We were hoping to get a bus fare reduction. We lobbied very hard but that didn’t happen. But we are happy that the government is proceeding to buy 1,500 diesel buses. This is positive news as we were asking for doubling the bus fleet. Till now, we were getting only empty announcements.” “The other main thing from mobility point of view is the government seems to have dropped the idea of elevated corridor. Bengaluru’s traffic problems are mainly caused by inadequate public transport. The overall budget shows good intent to improve public transport.” CA IS Prasad, vice-president, FKCCI, said: “Enough stimulus has been given for rural areas as there are proposals to set up clusters and textile parks just outside Bengaluru. When the new industrial policy is released by March-end, we will have further clarity.”
Continued from page 1
M The budget contains socially inclusive measures like Rs 2000 a month for education and others | Credit: Shoby Krishna G Sudhakar S Shetty, a past president of FKCCI, agreed with Prasad. The budget also contained other socially inclusive measures like Rs 2000 a month for education of autorickshaw drivers’ children, survey of transgenders and environment protection measures like a vulture breeding centre in Ramanagara district, and the state’s first marine eco park in Uttara Kannada district. shoby.k@iijnm.org
edical stores are not sure of when the stocks will be replenished. A salesperson at Maruthi Pharma Plus, Vijayanagar, informed The Observer: “The demand is high. I guess by now most medical shops will not have them. Everyone who has come here since yesterday has asked us for masks and sanitizers, but we have none. We have no clue when the stocks will be refilled.” Even agencies that supply to pharmacies are not sure when fresh stocks will come. One such agency, Fyre Masq, said: “We do not have stocks of masks now. We supply masks to various medical shops in the city, but as of now, we do not have stock. We are also unsure of when we will receive stocks.” Dr Priya Ramachandran, who works at St John’s Hospital, pointed out that WHO guidelines say only people with cough
N95 is the mask that should be worn, but it is costly | Credit: Aarthi N and cold should wear masks. “Everyone needn’t wear masks. But because people are scared, they buy masks. People needn’t fear but take preventive steps prescribed by WHO.” Another consultant, Dr A.H. Lokesh, said: “It is better to wear a mask for safety. Other than that, people should avoid going to crowded places as there are high chances of cold and cough spreading. N95 is the mask that
should be worn, but because it is costly, people prefer to wear the normal ones, which are OK for emergency purposes.” Two days ago, a 24-year-old sofware engineer who works in Bengaluru tested positive for Covid-19 in Hyderabad. Seventy-one people who came in contact with this techie in Bengaluru are under watch. He had travelled to Dubai for work on February 15 and returned to Bengaluru on February 20. He attended work on February 20 and 21 before taking a bus to Hyderabad, whose apartment in Bengaluru has been sealed for sanitizing. Companies and business parks in Bengaluru are taking urgent measures to ensure that their premises are clean amid the increasing concern over coronavirus. They have advised employees to work from home. Schools in Karnataka are informed to provide isolation for students if they fall ill. aarthi.n@iijnm.org
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RURAL KARNATAKA
The Observer Thursday, March 5, 2020
Shahpur’s brick kilns choke workers
Aarthi N
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oppamma D, a brick kiln worker in Shahpur, coughed continuously as she added water to mud clay and poured it into a stencil to make rectangular clay bricks. Her husband picked up the dried ones stacked them, and fired them using coal. This is the daily routine for the couple and a few others working at brick kilns. Shahpur, in Yadgir district, has more than 40 kilns where red bricks and hollow block bricks are made. Soppamma, 58, informed The Observer: “We are not provided any safety equipment like masks. I have not seen anyone wearing masks here. When these bricks are heated with coal, there is a lot of heat and smoke, making it difficult for us to work.” Kotayappa, another worker at the unit, said: “We make bricks with clay soil and fire them with coal or wood by keeping it under the bricks. Burning causes pollution. Because of burning, almost everyone working here has cough. We do not know any other work. I have been doing
None of the brick kilns in Shahpur taluk has a no-objection certificate from the Pollution Control Board as mandated by the Centre | Credit: Aarthi N this for the past 20 years in various places. If they ban brickmaking, I do not know how I will survive.” None of the brick kilns in Shahpur taluk has a no-objection certificate from the Pollution Control Board as mandated by the Centre. Radhakrishna, who owns a bricks and hollow blocks factory, said: “We did not apply for a certificate.” About the facilities provided for workers, he said: “They come from various places and are given a place to stay here or in nearby villages. They are contract-based workers because we cannot produce bricks during the rainy season.”
The red brick industry is the fourth largest consumer of coal in India. It is one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide and black carbon. These kilns create a large amount of air pollution. Workers, who lack pollution masks, suffer from respiratory problems including asthma. The units are largely unregulated and unmonitored. Taluk health officer Dr Ramesh said the workers do not know the impact of burning bricks on their health. “Asthma is very common among people who work in brick kilns. They come here for treatment. Very few come for cancer treatment, and we send to Yadgir hospitals.
Most of them come only after their condition becomes worse. They do not cover themselves while working because they do not know that they should do.” Other owners of brick units The Observer spoke with said they do not have any certificate. Firing bricks makes soil infertile because earth is dug up and turned into clay for making bricks. The kilns are mostly located in agricultural fields. The Observer did not find agricultural activity near the brick units. Farmers said that crops do not grow because of the deteriorated soil. Muthaiah L, a farmer for the
Shahpur taluk’s govt hospital is ill; live and dead pigs create a stench Aarthi N
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angalam Basuvaraj sat in a corner of the hospital closing her nose with the pallu of her saree. She had accompanied her injured husband to the hospital. This is a common scene at the government hospital in Shahpur, 500 km from Bengaluru. The condition of the hospital, which caters to nearby villages and towns, is pathetic. “We do not have a place to sit. We are made to sit on the floor. There is always a bad smell at the end of each corridor as pigs are found dead. They do not clean up,” Mangalam said. Other patients said the same. But Mohammed Mashak, a second division assistant at the hospital, blamed the crowd. “The cleaning staff, though few in number, clean the hospital frequently. It is because of the crowd that the hospital turns dirty immediately.” About 2,000 patients visit the hospital every week, said Dr V.M. Patil, vector-borne disease control supervisor, National Health Mission.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, there are various guidelines that are to be followed by public health facilities. These include cleaning of the labour room, cleaning of miscellaneous areas in hospitals, cleaning of operation theatres, basic cleanliness of health care facilities, drainage, and sewage management. The number of staff recommended for a 100-200-bed hosThe Shahpur taluk government hospital campus has pigs, live and dead, creating a stench | Credit: Aarthi N pital is 15 sanitary workers plus seven for the emergency and main OTs, plus one for the blood bank. Dr Patil said: “This hospital has better facilities and treatment than PHCs. People come here because of this. We have doctors in every department. We have around 20 staff who clean the hospital regularly. Compared to other government hospitals, I would say cleanliness here is OK.” The hospital campus has pigs, live and dead, creating a stench.
“Pigs are common here. Nobody drives them away. The carcasses of pigs are taken away only after we inform the municipality,” informed a nurse who refused to share her name. Doctors’ cabins do not have name boards, making it impossible for patients to know where they should await their turn. The receptionists seem clueless about which doctor sees patients in which cabin; they ask patients find out for themselves. The hospital doesn’t have adequate lab technicians. Ta-
luk health officer Dr Ramesh said it is because of the lack of education and awareness. “In a town like Shahpur, there are not many hospitals and doctors. The lab technicians here are contract-based.” Dr Priya Ramachandran, who works at St John’s Medical Hospital, said every hospital should follow the guidelines on hygiene. “Availability of basic needs like electricity and running water along with other lab facilities should be there in every hospital irrespective of where it is located. The other is that they should know how to manage and maintain these facilities. Workers should be trained. The hospital area should be properly fenced so that animals like dogs and pigs don’t enter the premises and litter the area.” According to Indian Public Health Standards guidelines, hospitals should provide all basic specialty services; they should developspecialty services gradually. They need to be ready for epidemics and disaster management all the time. aarthi.n@iijnm.org
past ten years, shared: “Though they are small kilns, they export to other places. Nothing can be grown in that area because the soil becomes infertile.” Sandeep Anirudhan, an environmentalist, said: “Bricks used for construction are unsustainable for the environment. The bricks, when burnt, create a large carbon footprint, causing pollution, destruction of soil and waterbeds. This, in a few decades, will destroy the whole ecosystem.” According to news reports, in October 2018, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority pushed the National Capital Region governments to ensure that all brick kilns implement the “zigzag” technology, which can reduce emissions by 80%. On February 13, 2020, The Financial Express reported that illegal bricks kilns continue to sprout in Ghazipur, a district near New Delhi even after the High Court’s order to shut down all to reduce pollution in the capital. It was also causing trouble to the local people in the area. A report in The Times of India dated June 27, 2019, said 226 brick kilns in UP that were found using traditional methods were closed down. They had ignored the order to shift to the zigzag technology. aarthi.n@iijnm.org
Weather
Maximum Temperature: 31 degree Celsius Minimum Temperature: 19 degree Celsius Precipitation: 21 % Humidity: 40 % Wind: 8 km/h
QUIZ Answers
1. Antoine Lavoisier 2. November 12 3. Dal Lake 4. Tamil Nadu 5. The Brahmaputra 6. Pooja Rani 7. 100 8. Sunil Joshi
Not one unit has certification on pollution
Team Observer
Editor: Adilin Beatrice C Copy Editors: Aarthi N, Adilin Beatrice C, Aman Bhardwaj, Shoby Krishna G Reporters: Aarthi N, Shoby Krishna, Aman Bhardwaj Page Layout: Aarthi N, Shoby Krishna G, Adilin Beatrice C, Aman Bhardwaj Supplements: Nikita Gupta, Meghna Das Chowdhury, Chirag Dutta, Labani Mahanandy Supplement page layout: Ankita Mukherjee, Tamanna Yasmin
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The Observer Thursday, March 5, 2020
Arts and Culture
A Coming of Age
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SUPPLEMENT
Bollywood wakes up to the truth and beauty of homosexual love, writes Labani Mahanandy
ollywood tends to portray gay people as little more than comic relief,but writer-director Hitesh Kewalya’s Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan breaks with convention and takes a refreshing look at homosexual love. The movie begins with a recreation of the climax from the classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge with protagonist Kartik (Ayushmann Khurana) reaching out for Aman’s (Jitendra Kumar) hand to catch the train. In fact, there are many Bollywood references scattered across the movie. It is the love story of Kartik and Aman, where Kartik had accepted his sexuality but Aman is still struggling to come out of the closet. The story has Aman and Kartik attending Aman’s sister’s wedding where they ‘come out’publicly and that marks the beginning of a long fight against the prejudices of a hidebound society. Kartik tries explaining to Aman that his father, being an educated man, will understand and be more accepting of their sexuality. But he’s proved
Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhan embraces homosexual love | Credit:: Koimoi wrong, which captures the harsh reality of the large majority of our society be it educated or not.The movie poses numerous rhetorical questions that talks about the rights of the LGBTQ community, at the same time, answering some in a humorous tone. Like how in the nursery rhyme, it is always Jack and Jillnot Jack and Johnny. It reflects common social prejudices when Aman’s parents in their
denial try to get him cured of the ‘disease’. From Vicky Donor to Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, Ayushmann Khurana has come a long way, breaking stereotypes and conventions with every film he has starred in.His flamboyant appearance on screen and spectacular acting leaves the audience in awe. His counterpart, Jitendra Kumar,has done a commendable job too. For a
country where homosexuality is still a taboo, it’s the chemistry between the two actors that allows one to ignore their gender and smell the scent of freshly brewed love. Praiseworthy performances pulled off by the supporting castsadd to the charm of the film. Gajaraj Rao, as Aman’s stern father and a failed scientist looks the part while Neena Gupta as the melodramatic mother delivers some punch lines. Manu Rishias Aman’s unclesteals the show with his wry humour. The three music directors Tanishk Bagchi, Karan Kulkarni and Tony Kakkar have done a great job. Numbers like Gabru, Mere Liye Tum Kaafi ho are topping the music charts. The surprise, though is,the remake of Bappi Lahiri’s ‘Yaar Bina Chayn Kahan Re’that leaves the theatre stirred and shaken. Director Kewalya takes his time to establish the plot,which at times makes the story drag– at over two hours that’s already a challenge. Though the film could have been shorter, the
never ceasing puns, occasional sarcasm and the beautiful love story make you want to sit through it. The concluding line from Shankar Tripathi, Aman’s father, is the real message that the director wants to convey. It is not possible to break one’s thought process overnight but the least someone can do is to stop imposing their thoughts on others and let the people from LGBTQ community live without subjecting them to a judgmental glare.
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his movie is a must watch. It’s a riot of fun and laughter with the harsh truth as its backdrop that society needs to hear. We still have a long journey ahead of us to normalize homosexual relationship but as Kartik says, one can’t understand gay love as there exist no stories about them. The only love stories, the world is aware of are Romeo Juliet, Laila Majnu, Heer Ranjha—therefore making it impossible to understand that whatever the gender, love is love.
What’s Worth Dying For? Y
ears after Martin Scorsese first teamed up with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci for Casino, movie audiences have received another treat from one of the most celebrated directors in American history. The Irishman, directed and produced by Scorsese is a crime thriller based on Charles Brandt non-fiction book, I Heard You Paint Houses. It is a tale of crime and politics that shows how truck driver Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), a WWII veteran, gets himself work with Russel Bufalino (Joe Pesci) who is the head of the Bufalino crime family and rises to gangland notoriety . The story begins with Frank, who gets caught stealing steak from his delivery truck and selling them off to local gangsters. He is saved by his lawyer and friend Bill Bufalino, who introduces Frank to Russel. Frank soon finds himself working for the crime family,
Gang wars come alive in Scorsese’s The Irishman, says Meghna Das Chowdhury
The Irishman is a masterpiece about crime and politics. | Credit: NFS ultimately becoming the most dreaded hitman in the country and then doing jobs for union boss Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), the head of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Irishman is not your standard crime story as each scene opens up to a new sub plot and unsuspected mayhem and violence. The movie travels back in time
and is narrated from Frank’s point of view, with him sitting in a wheelchair at a hospital and narrating the story. The threehour-long plot might drag at a few points but you cannot stop wondering what happens next. The plot shows how dedicated and a loyal workman Frank is and while he does the things he does only for money, he’s quite ready to give it all away on
principle. In one scene he stands up to his boss Hoffa when the latter calls him names. Passionate and fiercely loyal to those who work with him, he’s equally capable of calmly shooting his victims in public. With him, everything goes to plan and he never says no to any job he’s given. And thus, it comes as something of a shock to discover what actually makes him tick. He isn’t very close to his family and hardly has any connection with his daughters. Though he doesn’t appear to think much or care about them, it turns out they are his real life, perhaps his motivation and a lot of what he has done was essentially to keep them safe and financially secure. Al Pacino and Joe Pesci do an excellent job as supporting actors in the film. The chemistry these 3 actors share on screen is to be seen to be believed and what drives the film. Even though there are a lot of other
characters who you might lose track of, the main characters make keep the story on course and advance the plot in terms of both the narrative and in character development. As the film progresses the situations become more complex and an aging Hoffa, increasingly brusque and short tempered, gradually loses the affection and respect of his own people. Towards the climax of the film, the characters are getting old and the story likewise make slow progress.
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he Irishman is a fascinating study of impunity in how these men get away with every crime in the book in complete disregard for the law. The 209-minute crime thriller that got multiple nominations at the Academy Awards, including Best Film richly deserves many of the accolades that have come its way. Without hesitation, it is one of the most satisfying films in the past decade.
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The Observer Thursday, March 5, 2020
Travel Blown Away by Goa
SUPPLEMENT
Few destinations in India can compare with the mix of scenery, food & fun that the coastal state offers, says Chirag Dutta
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hat is a perfect gateway? The sheer joy of a seaside vacation, with enough history and culture to interest the seasoned traveler, great food, stunning scenery, a blend of the local and the exotic, outstanding music and so much color, all lead to one place only, a paradise for visitors and a must-go in every Indian teen’s bucket list, Goa. Six hundred kilometers might seem like a very long distance to cover but an 18-hour bus journey, including a peaceful night’s sleep on a sleeper berth, or a short 10-hour car journey, takes you to Goa from Mumbai or Bangalore. Panjim or Mapusa is where you would want to de-board. Panjim is the capital, and Mapusa is the heart of north Goa, making it very easy for a visitor to reach any beach he wants in a short time. Once you reach Goa, it is very easy to explore around as renting vehicles is very pocket-friendly. Exploration is the key to enjoying Goa. Great food awaits visitors around every corner, whether
Vagator, the place where the sea ends to give rise to mountains, is waiting for you | Credit : Chirag Dutta in the city or in small villages and, of course, in the shacks that dot its beaches. Traditional Goanese food, North and SouthIndian delicacies, mouth-watering Tandoor spreads, great continental dishes, signature Goanese seafood, European and
American breakfasts, and heartwarming snacks and street food, can redefine your concept of taste. Mango Tree, Fisherman’s Warf, Goenchin, and Ritz, are some of the must-visit restaurants in Goa. If you’re looking for the perfect grub for the eve-
ning, missal pav, burgers, Goa shawarma and croquettes are there to satiate your desire for the perfect evening snack. Icecreams and desserts are also key elements of food in Goa. Goa has some of the best tourist destinations with some spectacular beaches: Vagator, Baga, Anjuna, Calangute, Monjim and Arambol, in the north & Benaulim, Colva, Cavelossim, Palolem in the south. If you love hills and have a soft corner for the sea in your heart, Arambol is waiting for you, the place where the sea ends to give rise to mountains. The Chapora and Monjim fort, St. Augustine’s Church and the Basilica of Bom Jesus are some places that give you a sense of the state’s colonial history and its religious diversity. Beautiful orchards, colorful houses, mesmerizing wall and street paintings add its charm and make for memorable experiences. To all the party lovers out there, Goa is the place where you need to be. If party destinations like Café Liliput, Café Shiva, Casa Blanca, are not enough to thrill you, there are
secret parties that take place all across Goa beaches. In fact, the beach party is the main attraction in Goa, it is an experience that demands to be lived by the tourists of Goa. These parties are for the visitors to track down and have a blast. Extraordinary music, some of the best mixologists with mind-blowing cocktails and mocktails, an electrifying ambiance is all set to bring out the party animal in you.
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oa is meant for the youth to visit, explore and extract every bit of the joy of travelling. It is the kind of place where you forget about everything in life that holds you back, makes you feel uninterested, turns your life grey and dull. It is that place where you rediscover yourself leaving all the negativity behind to live life. Every time you think about getting away from the monotony of life and reliving it once again for a while, recognize and re-appreciate the little things of life, Goa is your eye-opener and the place you need to be.
Unwinding in Gokarna A
n overloaded week at work, a dire need for vacation and an extended weekend catalyzed my longdelayed holiday to Gokarna. An overnight journey from Bangalore and you’ll find yourself in the small-sacred village, amongst stone-paved pathways lined with coconut trees. A lazy afternoon is the perfect way to start a holiday. A hippie soul is all that‘s required to step out and explore the place. During the auto-ride to Om Beach, one could feel the sea approaching, the scent of the ocean leaves you mesmerized. A long hike down to the beach, the ocean slowly unfolds to reveal itself in its strange hues and exquisite beauty. As you take a walk down the shore, you come across akkas asking if you’d like to get your hair braided in the colours of the rainbow. What catches the eye are the hundreds of dream catchers hanging from the trees filling you with hope and positivity. The beach derives its name,
It’s the perfect getaway for the stressed city dweller, writes Nikita Gupta
As the sun sets, the sky is left with a perfect shade of tangerine | Credit : Nikita Gupta or so it’s said, from the formation of ‘OM’ by the rocks scattered along the sands. The cherry on the pie is an evening spent at Namaste café. Delicious food, a bottle of Budweiser Magnum and good company is all you need to wrap up your day in style. Work doesn’t leave you even
if you leave the workplace. Next morning, I found myself meeting deadlines. Wasting half my day at the hostel and taking recommendations from friends, I headed to Kudle Beach. As I took a stroll on the coast, I felt the words, “Nothing soothes the soul like a walk on the beach.” coursing through my veins.
And what better way to spend your afternoon lying on a rock, getting tanned and waiting for the sun to set. The waves make you high on life, reminds you of all the good things, worthy of living that takes a backseat in our busy schedules and an overstressed brain. As the sun descends and disappears into the water and stars take over the night sky, I take weary steps towards ‘Little Paradise’, one of many cafés on the beach. Settling down on the first floor, a calm breeze brushes over my face. The feeling of tranquility and serenity like a good night’s sleep without any bad dreams, comes over me. You don’t realize when the time elapses like the sand slipping away faster than usual in Slughorn’s hourglass. As I took the flight up the stairs to catch an auto back, reality of being stranded at an unknown place in the middle of the night hit me hard. It was pitch black with no mode of transportation available. Gokarna lacks the charm and
magic when it comes to a happening night life. Everything shuts down by midnight and it’s unsafe to spend a night on the beach with one’s solitude. In contrast to Goa’s, nights in Gokarna are dull and stale.
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ith everything said and done, a small break amidst all the chaos is a blessing. That’s what Gokarna did to me. It came as a diversion from my monotonous, mundane routine. As I left the pristine town without any heart to do so, Pam Shaw’s words echoed in my ears: “After a visit to the beach, it’s hard to believe that we live in a material world.” Or Emilia Wickstead, who wrote, “To escape and sit quietly on the beach- that’s my idea of paradise.” The quote comes to life when you spend a day lying on the warm sand with water caressing your feet, doing nothing but taking in the beauty of nature as sun sets leaving sky a perfect shade of tangerine. That is evening at Gokarna.