The weekly observer issue 12

Observer The weekly

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

VOL 13 ISSUE 12

14-year-old schoolgirl raped by cousin

BMTC staff claim they are underpaid

PAGE 3

A life of records: an interview with Limca Book record holder

PAGE 3

PAGE 4

Tortured for dowry, bride ends life According to statistics compiled by

Dowry Deaths

Vanita Sahay Vani, an NGO working for the betterment of women in the city, 214 women approached the NGO for help over dowry disputes

Tanisha Das

A

in 2012, up from 211 women the

21-year-old girl killed

year before, 209 in 2010 and 190 the

herself aer being ha-

year before that. ere have been

rassed by her husband

130 requests for help as of Aug. 31,

and in-laws for dowry.

2013.

e victim, Anitha doused herself

Priyanka Nadgi, a lawyer for Vi-

in kerosene and lit herself on 21st

mochana, an NGO working for

September at 2 o’ clock late night.

women’s rights said that they deal

She was then taken to Victoria hos-

with such cases on a regular basis.

pital in K.R Market, where the doc-

“We deal with these things all the

tor informed the Banaswadi police

time. We sometimes get even four to

station of the situation.

five cases a day. It’s horrific, pathetic

Anitha had married her husband,

and inhuman,” said Priyanka.

Manjunath three months back and was living with him at his parent’s

Under the Dowry Prohibition

house with her mother-in-law (Am-

Act, if a person gives or takes

maya), brother-in-law (Jagdish) and

dowry, he shall be punishable with

sister-in-law (Komala).

imprisonment for a term not less

Anitha and Manjunath had been

than five years, and with the fine

in a relationship for five years and

not be less than Rs 15,000 or the

they finally tied the knot three

amount of the value of such dowry,

months back in June.

whichever is more.

(Section 30, Indian Penal Code)

Problems started immediately aer they married. “My sister and her husband started fighting almost im-

e marriage certificate of Anitha and her husband Manjunath provided by the Banaswadi Police

mediately aer getting married,”

2’o clock, Anitha set herself on fire

cluding the husband, the sister and

“If they are convicted for harass-

said Sunitha, Anitha’s sister.

and she was taken to the hospital.

the brother have been arrested fol-

ment, they could go to jail for five to six years,” said Basalingappa.

Anitha was physically and men-

She however succumbed to her

lowing the death of Anitha. “All four

tally harassed by her in-laws for

burns on 27th of September. She had

of them have been arrested and are

Anitha’s family is mourning the

dowry. “We don’t know what kind of

48 percent burns.

in jail,” said Basalingappa, sub-in-

untimely death of the girl. “We don’t

spector, Banaswadi police station.

want to talk to anybody. We just

harassment she had gone through.

Anitha’s parents filed an FirstIin-

She was living at her husband’s

formation Report at the Banaswadi

He also added, “We don’t know

want the rumours to stop. No matter

house at that time,” said Sunitha.

police station on 22nd September.

what kind of harassment she had

what, my sister will never come

e entire family of Manjunath, in-

been put through.”

back,” said Sunitha.

On the night of 21st September at

A post death picture of Anitha

e Weekly Observer

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Bikers eve tease women

News Briefs

Sneha Gosh

in a jiffy. Others have even experi-

2

Rajajinagar shop on fire

IRC standards violated

Residents of a city ward are ha-

enced them taking off their trousers

A fire outbreak at Rajajinagar re-

Vehicular underpasses constructed

rassed by a gang of bikers who in-

and showing off their genitals while

sulted in heavy loss of property to a

by the BDA and BBMP in city have

vade the area regularly during

they make obscene faces at the

shop owner.

not been built according to the

evenings.

women.”

Around 4.5 lakh property loss was

standards of Indian Road Congress (IRC).

In Basaveshwaranagar, close to

Chandan, 24, another resident

reported according to the Fire Offi-

Shankar Mutt, eve-teasing has be-

says, “e problem stems out of the

cer at Rajajinagar, Anandeep fash-

Ramesh Babu, Transport Planner

come a daily phenomenon.

fact that there is a P.G. for women

ions, on the west of chord road

at Indian Institute of Science said,

Women in the area feel particu-

here which attracts these men and

caught fire at 3:30 a.m.

“e norms set by IRC require the

larly unsafe as a group of hooded

a park which serves as a meeting

Santosh one of the residents in Ra-

vertical clearance of underpasses to

bikers patrol the streets every

point of lovers.”

evening and in the late hours at night. ey crack offensive jokes and

Resident of Basaveshwaranagar

jajinagar said: ”ere was heavy

be 5.5 meters. But 58% of the un-

When asked if any complaint had

rain and thunderstorms which re-

derpasses in Bangalore do not have

been lodged at the local police sta-

sulted in short circuit and I saw the

this required standard.”

tion, Sneha said, “I don’t think so. I

fire sprouting out from the shop

Vishwanath, Assistant Engineer,

am not sure.”

and informed the nearest fire sta-

BDA said, “I do not know about the

lewd remarks, oen pretending to

walking approached one of them to

drive the bike directly at passersby

enquire about an address and while

When T.R.Kumaraswamy, Inspec-

tion.”

problems of height and width. Aer

and even touch women inappropri-

talking to her the man grabbed her

tor at Mahalaxmi Layout Police Sta-

“As soon as we received the phone

the work is completed it is the duty

ately while driving past.

jaw and pulled it close to his face.”

tion, was questioned about the

call, we sent a fire engine along with

of the BBMP to look aer the maintenance of such constructions.”

Sneha, 26, a resident of 10th cross

Vidya, 28, who lives nearby as well

problem, he said: “We haven’t re-

six of the rescue team to the spot at

said: “It becomes very unsafe for

also experiences the similar prob-

ceived any complaints or FIRs

earliest”, said Jagannath, Fireman at

women here aer dark.

lem.

about the matter.

Siruchurapalli, Road Infrastruc-

Rajajinagar.

ture BBMP said, “BDA must hand

“ese bikers will zoom in and

She said: “e problem has been

“I will definitely look into the

Chandulal, owner of Anandeep

over everything in a proper manner

out of the different lanes and side-

continuing for some time now. At

issue. At times girls get shy and

fashions, said:”35 percent of the

including structural details and

walks and pass very obscene com-

times when we are walking back

don’t want to report such incidents.

stock was burnt and loss of prop-

documents. Hopefully all the prob-

ments.

home they will ride close by and

But we can only act aer we receive

erty accounts around 4 to 5 lakhs.”

lems will be sorted out soon.”

slap our waist and then drive away

a complaint.”

“Once a friend of mine who was

Parents force child to work Cabs driven by women ensure safety Sushmita Sen

Sneha Bengani

women. Ladies travelling in taxis

is the most experienced driver. e

A 14-year-old boy from Maha-

ree friends in Bangalore have

driven by men do not feel safe," said

others are new to the wheel. e

rashtra was rescued from the city

planned to start a unique 'for the

Mr. Mukundaraj. Advertisements

women are given remuneration ac-

railway station in the third week

women, by the women' cab serv-

inviting applications were placed in

cording to the experience they

of June.

ice.

Vijaynagar and Nagarbhavi. Ten

have. While others are paid around

Arshad Maniyar, a sixth class stu-

Angel City Cabs is the result of

women applied out of which five

Rs. 10,000, Bharathi earns Rs.

dent of Molanaazadurdu School in

three minds, that of Surya Mukun-

were selected and given training at

14,000 plus incentives every month.

Udgir village, Latur district was

daraj, 25, lawyer, Manjunatha

Kalyani Motors for three months.

forced to work by his parents and

Adde, 39, writer and social activist,

e service ensures point to point

this venture. All we are aiming right

and Vinay Chaithanya, 26, real-es-

pick up and drop all over Bangalore

now is to earn just enough to be

tate entrepreneur.

from 5 am to 10:30 pm. e cost is

able to run the company and pay

decided according to the time or

salaries to our drivers. We have al-

distance, whichever is higher.

ready started working. We would

was asked to leave home as he was not interested in working.

Arashd Maniyar at GCH

"We do not expect to earn from

Arshad Maniyar was found in

“Initially he was not ready to share

eir fleet currently consists of

Bangalore city railway station on

any kind of information, but when

three cabs and five workers. "We are

June 20 and was rescued by SATHI,

I said I’m from Maharashtra, he re-

starting small. Initially we had

Out of the five women drivers,

hardly make Rs. 2000 per month

a Bangalore based NGO, who

vealed all about his past. He didn’t

planned to launch the cab service

Bharathi, Chaitra, Lakshmi, Uma

from the three cars, "said Mr.

works in rescuing children on daily

want to go home, he planned to go

on October 5, but have postponed

and Harini, Bharthi, 40, the eldest,

Mukundaraj.

basis. He was sent to rehabilitation

to Bihar to meet his friends”, said

it to Diwali now. We intend to dou-

center from the NGO.

the counselor of SATHI.

ble our workforce by then so that

Arshad Maniyar said: “My par-

e SATHI staff sent him to Gov-

ents harassed me to go for work and

ernment Children Home (GCH),

they are least bothered about my

and trying to trace Arshad’s ad-

Angel city cabs are exclusively for

education. ey used to abuse me

dress. Arshad Maniyar said: “I

women. No men are allowed to

every day. One day my father asked

never wanted to come to GCH. But

enter the cabs except when they are

me to get out of the house if I don’t

I don’t remember my address in

with their families. e drivers em-

want to work and then I le the

Maharashtra

ployed hail from the weaker sec-

place and went to Hyderabad to

brought me here.”

visit one of my friends.”

therefore

they

we reach a larger number of people," said Mr. Mukundaraj.

tions of the society. "e plan was to empower our

Women drivers of Angel City Cabs

,

e Weekly Observer

Tuesday October 8, 2013

Schoolgirl raped by cousin Prutha Bhosle

home from her relative’s house.

tal and physical state.”

A 14-year-old girl was raped by her

Raghu, 22, kidnapped her and took

Rathnamma, Soma’s mother said,

uncle’s son in Kondapura village of

her to a nearby waste house. Aer

“I just have one daughter and a son.

Karnataka.

raping her, he fled from the site im-

I cannot explain my grief in words

mediately.

but she has to forget her past.”

Mallingappa, victim’s relative said,

“We belong to schedule caste in

“We started looking for Soma when

the society so it is going to be diffi-

it got late at night. One of our

cult for us to raise her but we will

neighbors found her in the waste

try our best.”

house. We rushed her to Chikkaja-

Next hearing in the court is on

jur Government Hospital. ere,

October 9, 2013. Soma wants the

the doctors confirmed that she has been raped.” immappa, 42, Soma’s father

Vijay Kumar, Soma’s Lawyer said,

said, “Soma was discharged from

“I was surprised that none of the

the hospital in one day. Later, on

villagers pressurized the family for

September 24, we lodged an FIR in

filing a case because in places like

Chikkajajur Police Station hoping

these the society does not accept

to arrest the accused.”

the family of a rape victim. Instead

Ravi Sari, Sub-Inspector Police

Raghu, 22, accused in rape case On September 21, 2013, Soma, student of Grade 8, was returning

Ravi Sari, Sub-Inspector Police

neighbors supported the family.”

said, “e FIR was lodged with case

e District School Inspector vis-

number 186/2013 under section

ited Soma soon aer the incident

366 (A), 376, 506 of IPC. On the

and motivated her to join back

same day we arrested Raghu. He ac-

school.

cepted to committing the crime.

immappa said, “As the school

We produced him in the court the

authorities encouraged my daugh-

next day where the Judge has an-

ter to move on we were able to han-

nounced him to stay in 15 day cus-

dle her. She was in severe trauma

tody. Aer that, he will be sent to

aer the incident but now she

Central Jail.”

seems to improve on both her men-

culprit to get the worst punishment possible. She has started to go to school from September 30.

“

I just have one daughter and a son. I cannot explain my grief in words but she has to forget her past. We belong to schedule caste in the society so it is going to be difficult for us to raise her but we will try our best

”

Rathnamma, Soma’s mother

Minor forced to marry disabled rapist Prutha Bhosle

He added, “A very small thing had happened

Laxmi and Ravi are presently boycotted by the

A deaf-mute girl, raped by her physically chal-

and we did not want both Laxmi and Ravi’s lives

villagers and their whereabouts remain un-

lenged friend was forced to marry the culprit by

to get affected by it.”

known.

the local police.

“e girl’s parents also agreed for a compro-

Laxmi, 14, daughter of a laborer, had cordial

mise and soon a lawyer was appointed to get a

relations with her neighbor, Ravi, 22, since child-

temporary bail for Ravi.Few weeks later, in the

hood. In October 2012, at night, Ravi found

presence of the police authorities the two got

Laxmi alone in her house and raped her. He also

married to each other.”

threatened her not to reveal to anyone whatever happened between them.

Next day, when Laxmi’s parents found out, they

Rajendra said, “Although the case is on-going in the court, I’ am positive that Ravi will get free of all the charges.”

immediately filed an FIR in Belgaum Rural Po-

“ Instead of any man going to Laxmi and using

lice Station. Ravi was immediately caught and

her for their personal pleasures, the best option

put behind bars.

was to settle her in life with Ravi. He will take

Rajendra Kulkarni, Secretary of Manav Chari-

good care of her. e two are leading a good life.”

ties said, “Our NGO got to know about this in-

“If we would have waited for Laxmi to become

cident as our work was going on in Belgaum

an adult and then got the two married, there are

area. We visited the girl’s parents and told them

chances that Ravi would not agree to accepting

that instead of getting boycotted by the society

her. Laxmi would have committed suicide as

let the two get married to each other.”

well. We had no substitute solution.”

Rajendra Kulkarni, from Manav Charities

3

BMTC staff demand dues Soumya Basu

BMTC staff want more pay Persistent complaints from underpaid bus staff have fallen on deaf years. e Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus drivers are underpaid and are devoid of their Dearness Allowance.

Mohammad Hafiz, a BMTC bus driver, said: “Many of the staffs are not even getting their monthly salary and we are devoid of the DA that we are supposed to get.”

According to BMTC officials the state government does not have finance to hike the salary of their staff and also give them dearness allowance. ey also said that the state government is trying to raise the revenue. e salary of BMTC drivers varies with years of service. A fresh driver should be getting around Rs 20,000 including the allowances but according to the drivers a fresher gets Rs 70008000.

But according to B. Chinnaswamy, Director, Finance department of BMTC, said: “ere is nothing like that. e drivers are getting paid and the dearness allowance that has been sanctioned in the month of January, by the state government, will be paid to the drivers and other staffs.”

On asking Chinnaswamy about the hike in dearness allowance from 4%-9% the official said, “We still have not calculated the amount and that is why right now we cannot say anything about it.”

e Weekly Observer

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

A life of records

4

Events CULTURE

Sneha Bengani A man obsessed with setting records, Dr. S Ramesh Babu has successfully managed to register 49 unusual world records in his name.

His wide ranging achievements make it hard to believe that he is a doctorate of metallurgy.

He is the founder and director of Top of the World Center for Excellence, a company which aims to identify, encourage and nurture the hidden talents of our country.

His latest feat, fastest throw ball rally in one minute, was achieved at Green Country Public School, Bangalore, on September 21. He performed 52 Rallies in one minute at the rate of 22 km per hour.

On September 14, he made 408 sandwiches in one hour creating another record of fastest sandwich making at Vidyanjali Academy for Learning.

Excerpts from an interview with him You want to be the Indian with highest number of world records. You already have 49 to your credit. Why such an obsession with records? How did it all begin?

It gives me immense self satisfaction to set worthy records. When I create a record, it shows that I have utilized my potential in various unconnected fields.

Over time I have realized that I feel at ease in a wide spectrum of challenging human activities that require specialized skills, endurance and speed close to human limits, which calls for great amount of dedicated hard work, time management, extensive planning of finest details and extreme levels of concentration.

I am only 57 year old and what I have achieved is only tip of the ice berg. So, I continue to relentlessly tread the unbeaten path.

I had set my first World Record in 1993 (Longest absolute non-stop Shuttle badminton rally).

You have made world records in areas as diverse as vegetable cutting, sports, Sanskrit recitation and scooter drives. Where does this versatility come from?

I am converting all my interests and experiences into records through a very methodical scientific approach. I take each record setting

Strings Attached-Children`s Special

A concert where an endearing storyteller narates stories of a veena player who was born to a family of violinists. A morsing, congo, banjo, you-name-it player who carried musical instrument in his pocket.

Venue: Jagriti eatre Date: Friday, October 11 Time: 6:30 PM Onwards

ARTS Achieving another feat last month, Ramesh Babu becomes the fastest sandwich maker experience as seriously as I did all my novel research projects.

What are the other fields that you would want to set a record in?

At any given point of time, I will have at least five record ideas working in my mind.

Presently, I have been practicing to set my 50th World Record in Fastest 100 basket ball shooting (using a single ball and without anybody’s assistance). I would like to bring this hard practice to fruition in October if I manage to get sponsorship.

Your profile deals with large numbers. How do you manage to produce such a massive output?

I do not believe in wasting time. I have several ideas to work on. So, I do all my activities in the best possible efficient way and I keep

“Ramesh Babu has at present 49 records including the edition for 2015.

We used to have non-stop lecturing but the category was dropped some years ago. He has highest number of records in the Limca Book of Records for human endeavour for which he was one of the People of Year in 2009.”

improvising any repetitive activity that I need to do.

Who is your inspiration? What keeps you going?

One of my elder brothers, Raju, who passed away in 1978, was a perfectionist in many things he did. In my childhood, I used to closely watch him and perhaps that is how I got influenced. What keeps me going is my insatiable desire to achieve excellence in all that I do (whether it be research or sports or cooking or documentation).

How do you see yourself - an academician, sportsman, record setter or something else?

A loving husband! I have been married to Usha for 31 years and I have never neglected her.

Melange- Blend of mix media art e exhibition celebrates 18 artists whose finest artworks creates “A unique blend of mix media art”. Each artwork exudes rich divine meaning, making for perfect wall displays and art curios.

Venue: Sublime Galleria, no. 801, 8th Floor ,Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore Date: ursday , October 10

THEATRE

Going Solo : International eatre Festival - Churchill Going Solo - India`s only theatre festival of solo performances staging 18 performances across 12 days Venue:MLR

Vijaya Ghose, Editor, Limca Book of Records

Convention

Centre,

Whitefield Date: Friday, October 11 Time: 7:00 PM Onwards

Observer Team: Reporters– Sneha Ghosh and Shivpriya Jodha Emergency Call Services- Sushmita Sen News Editors– Raju Peetha, Suchitra Sharma, Prutha Bhosle Picture Editor– Sreelakshmy Sivaram, Saikat Ghosh Design Desk- Sneha Bengani Sub Editors– Sneha Mejari, Vaishnavi Desai, Suresh Kumar and SoumyaBasu Proof Reader- Shweta Nair Editor- Tanisha Das Email- editor@iijnm.org An IIJNM Publication (For Private Circulation)