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 aer 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 aer 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 aer 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, oen 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. Aer
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 aer 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 aer 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 aer 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. Aer
“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 aer 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. Aer that, he will be sent to
aer 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)