The Weekly Observer Vol 13 issue 6

Observer The weekly

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

VOL 13 ISSUE 6

Water woes for 150 families in diseasehit compound.

Attempt to remove platform vendors from KR Market.

PAGE 2

Bangalore hosts international arts festival.

PAGE 3

PAGE 4

‘Pathetic’ organ donation laws wrecking lives Prutha Bhosle Nine out of ten kidney failure patients are not given transplants in India because rules governing donation are so strict, according to a leading state surgeon.

Dr. Sonal Asthana, a senior consultant in the Department of Multi-Organ Transplantation at BGS Global Hospitals, said, “In our country, donation laws are pathetic. ere is a chain of proofs required for a donor to provide to the Authorization Committee for Organ Transplantation in order to donate his organs to the respective patient.

“A police clearance is also mandatory. It is a very long procedure. Currently, 2.5 lakh patients in India are waiting for a kidney transplant. e number of liver patients awaiting donors is the same.”

Dr Chackko Korula Jacob, a transplant specialist surgeon at Bangalore Baptist Hospital, said only a tiny fraction of organ failure patients have successful surgery in India. He said: “Only five per cent of kidney failure patients get a new organ. at has been the case for the past 20 years in the country.”

Dr Jacob said laws preventing anyone other than immediate family from donating organs have slowed the process.

One of the lucky ones: Nine-year-old transplant patient Ashwini, from Bangalore, before and aer her surgery out the country, only four states (Tamil Nadu, Andhra

been undergoing kidney dialysis. Ashok, who has been re-

Jency Antony, Chief Transplant Coordinator for the Zonal

Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra) have come up with a

ceiving treatment for the past three years, said, “We do not

Co-ordination Committee of Karnataka for Transplantation,

proper system to regulate organ transplants. Of these, the fre-

have parents. Our only sister belongs to a different blood

(ZCCK) said, “From 2007-2013, out of all the registered pa-

quency of organ donations is highest in Tamil Nadu followed

group. Our friends want to donate their organs but the law

tients with us, 760 are waiting for kidney transplants, 34 for

by Andhra Pradesh.”

forbids them to do so.”

heart, nine for lungs, 73 for liver transplants. Out of these, 59 organ donations have taken place in Karnataka.”

Lalitha Raghuram, founder of Multi Organ Harvesting Aid

Sujata, mother of a 15-year-old girl, said, “My daughter

Network (MOHAN), said “About 12 lakh people have pledged

Shweta, is undergoing kidney dialysis since she was nine.

Dr. Ramesh, a surgeon at M. S. Ramaiah Hospital, said, “We

all over the country to donate their organs to us. Despite this,

Both her kidneys have failed. e cost of dialysis is beyond

conduct three to four transplants each month here. rough-

only 81 transplants have taken place in India in 2010. Only

our reach. I cannot afford her treatment. Last year, we re-

0.08 per million population of the country indulge in organ

ceived financial assistance from an NGO of Rs. 50,000. Even

donations. In a small country like Spain, the figures show that

that was not enough. My daughter needs dialysis thrice every

36 pmp donate organs. We have to catch up.”

week. Each dialysis costs around Rs. 1400 exclusive of injec-

e Transplantation of Human Organ Act (THO) was passed in India in 1994 to streamline organ donation and

Dr. Chackko Jacob, consultant surgeon in the city

tion bills. Next month, I will be donating my kidney to Shweta aer getting a clearance from the authorities.”

transplantation activities. Broadly, the act accepted only brain

e zonal co-ordination committee maintains a list of ca-

death as a form of death and made the sale of organs a pun-

daveric donors and names of organ failure patients in the

ishable offence. As per this act, there are two types of donors.

state.

e living donor is the direct family member of the patient

Ashok’s twin brother Arvind, on dialysis for the past 11

who can donate his organ provided the blood groups match.

years, added, “A businessman, Shivalingappa, died six months

e second type is the cadaveric donor. Here, only a brain

back aer waiting for a transplant for three years. Another

dead person’s kin can decide whether to donate organs or not.

friend, Vanappa, died four months ago for the same reason.

Arvind and Ashok are twin-brothers aged 40 who have both

e law needs to be changed before these numbers rise.”

e Weekly Observer

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

2

Shop owners want platform vendors out of K.R. Market Suresh Kumar A clean-up almost turned into a bust-up when shop owners tried to permanently remove platform vendors from the city market.

Taking advantage of the temporary removal of platform vendors for the ‘spring cleaning’ drive initiated by the city Mayor B S Sathyanarayana on September 16, the vendors who own shops in the market demanded BBMP officials clear street vendors from the market for good.

As a result, heated arguments ensued between the two groups but the BBMP officials did not pay heed to the demands of either and soon the situation was controlled with the help of police.

More than 200 students of APS College took part in the cleaning drive at K.R. Market. Aer 40 minutes of inaugural speech, the drive was flagged off by the state Transport Minister Nagalinga

Reddy. e Minister, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the Secretary

institutions in Bangalore to participate in the cleaning drive by

best,” particiapted in the cleaning drive as a part of their NSS activ-

Police intervene to pacify the row between shop owners and platform vendors at K.R. Market of the APS Educational Trust launched the drive by sweeping the already swept path.

According to Mr. S.S. Khandre, Public Relation Officer of BBMP,, “e Mayor has decided to clean up the market every Monday. He has requested all the educational

promoting their students’ active participation. is is one among the various steps taken by the Mayor to make Bangalore a zero garbage city.” e students who were dressed in black T-shirts that read “North or South, East or West APS is

ity. ey were divided into various groups and were assigned different areas around the market to clean along with the pourakarmikas and the gang men of BBMP. e students were provided with safety gears like gloves

and masks while many pourakarmikas worked without them.

According to Nagalakshmi, a first year arts student, “is is a new experience for us. It is interesting and we feel happy doing this.”

Hemalatha, a political science student said, “e vendors and the people must keep the market clean. It is primarily the vendors who are responsible for thie garbage.”

According to Chirag, another student, “Usually we do not do such work in our homes, but doing it here for our city feels really different.”

When asked about the temporary closure of platform shops, a vegetable vendor Kannamma said, “We lost a day’s income as these are the peak hours for our business.” But most of the vendors were happy seeing their market getting cleaned.

Congress man admits Sakala scheme is failing Shivpriya Jodha e Congress Party has admitted failing to publicise the Sakala programme since it came to power. e

complaints

portal

was

launched by the BJP but has been

effectively abandoned since Con-

nataka, “We have publicized the

party, said: “e allegations made

ple are aware about it. If you go and

gress formed the government in the

scheme through print and elec-

by the BJP are not true, we are not

ask a person who has been to a gov-

state.

tronic medium, but we would be

concentrating our energies on just

ernment office about this scheme,

“We are aware that we have failed

glad to get some input from the

one particular scheme like the BJP

then ninety-seven per cent will be

in making Sakala popular among

people suggesting how to publicize

party gave to Sakala. We are not

aware about it.”

the people,” said Vice President of

the scheme better, so we can reach

spending too much money on this

Congress party, B.L Shankar.

more people.”

particular scheme’s publicity.”

When asked about the implemen-

Lokesh, 29, a resident of Banga-

months. Of these, 566 await action.

Sakala - At a glance

“We had publi-

started by the Karnataka Govern-

tation status of the scheme, Anvar

lore, said: “ I have lived in Banga-

ment under Bharatiya Janta Party

Manippady, the spokesperson of

lore all my life and never heard

through

hoard-

(BJP) on April 2, 2012. It was inau-

BJP said: “Initially we publicized

about Sakala scheme, my shop is

ings which were

gurated by former Chief Minister

the scheme through hoardings. But

just below a lawyer’s office and

D.V Sadananda Gowda.

the Congress destroyed the hoard-

many of them come here but never

e scheme guarantees citizens

ings, because they are not sure

have heard them talking about the

solutions to complaints related to

about the solution for those com-

scheme.”

“e allegations

the government within a stipulated

plaints.”

made by the BJP

time limit. Sakala is also called the

He added that it is the Congress

and Bangalorean, said, “ I haven’t

are not true, we

Karnataka Guarantee of Services to

who are supposed to make sure that

heard about any such scheme, what

are not concen-

Citizen Act, 2011.

everyone is aware about this

does this scheme even do?”

- Anvar Manippady, Spokesperson, BJP

trating our energies on just one

Despite all the efforts, the govern-

particular scheme, like the BJP

ment has failed to popularise the

party.”

scheme among people.

- Dr. L. Hanumanthaiah, General Secretary, Congress

been registered in the last sixteen

Sakala is a scheme that was cized the scheme

destroyed by the ruling party.”

Around 2028 complaints have

scheme and they have failed in doing so.

Ganesh, 29, a soware engineer,

e director of Sakala scheme, Dr Shalini Rajneesh, when contacted

Retaliating on the comments

about the lack of publicity said, “We

According to B.L.Shankar, Vice

made by the BJP, L.Hanumanthaiah

have put boards in all the govern-

President of Congress in Kar-

General Secretary of Congress

ment offices to make sure that peo-

Inaugurated by the former Chief Minister D.V Sadananda Gowda Was made available to the people from April 2, 2012 Empowers people of Karnataka to complain about any government body. e complaint will be addressed within a given time.

Not many people are aware about the scheme making it a failure

e Weekly Observer

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Charged over wife’s death Sneha Ghosh

Clinic treats rising number of villagers for drink and drug abuse

“We broke the doors and got her body out-

Suchitra Sharma

e husband of a woman who

side. She had burnt herself with kerosene. She

A de-addiction centre says drug

committed suicide amid claims of

was alone, Momin wasn’t home when she

and alcohol abuse among vil-

domestic violence has been ar-

died. Nasir called and informed him.”

lagers, particularly women, is on

- Zaheera, 37, a neighbor.

rested and charged by police. e victim’s mother, Rizwana

3

the rise.

“Most of the patients we get are

Khan, filed a First Information Re-

Zaheera, 37, a neighbor said: “She

denied filing a false case and even

from nearby villages and are ad-

port in D.G.Halli Police Station-

was alone. We broke the doors and

knowing Suraiyaa Khanoom. She

dicted to alcohol and drugs,” said

claiming her daughter, Suraiyya

got her body outside. She had burnt

said, “I don’t know anybody by that

Sister Lily Chunkapura, Director,

Khanoom, 35, was repeatedly

herself with kerosene. Momin

name nor do I anybody called

Treatment Rehabilitation and Ed-

Rajan who was treated at TREDA

abused by husband Momin, 47.

wasn’t home when she died. He

Momin. e police are framing me

ucation of Drug Abuse (TREDA).

addiction specialist at Cadabams

came at 2:30 p.m. when Nasir called

under false charges”.

In the month of August, 15 to 20

Mind Talk said: “We generally

women have been treated for al-

treat patients with good socio-

Suraiyya, a resident of

Modi

Junction, Zia Street, D.G. Halli, set

and informed him.”

Mr. Dinesh, Assistant to Sub-In-

herself ablaze with Kerosene in the

Two days aer the FIR was filled

spector, D.G.Halli Police Station

cohol and drug addiction at

economic conditions and most of

family home on 29th August at

by Rizwana, Nasir, the eldest son,

said, “e four children Nasir,16,

TREDA. Many of these have a

them are alcohol- addiction cases.

around 12:30 p.m. aer sending

came to the police station asking

Mehtab,14, Amen,12, and Moham-

history of sexual abuse leading to

However, the Out Patient Depart-

their four children off to school.

the Sub-Inspector, Mr. Shivprakash

mad Faiz, 9 are with their grand-

addiction. e doctors at the cen-

ment (OPD) sees a number of vil-

She even dropped off breakfast at

to release his father.

mother who is currently taking care

tre treat atleast 40 to 45 cases

lagers, especially women.”

of them”.

every month, compared to last

When asked about the treatment

year’s 500 cases in total.

and facilities for the patients,

the school before returning home and killing herself.

“Nasir said that his father didn’t torture his mother and his grand-

Rizwana, however denies all such

Police have now charged Momin,

mother had lodged a false case

statements made by the police. She

Suicidal tendencies are high

Rajan (name changed), 30, said:

a cloth merchant at Shivaji Nagar,

against him. e Chargesheet has

said, “I don’t know anybody called

among such people and they are

“It is very nice here. I am com-

with physical and mental abuse of

been filed against Momin, implicat-

Nasir or the others. ese are all

in continuous denial of their situ-

pletely fine now and will never go

his wife and abetment to suicide.

ing him under the sections 498a

false allegations.”

ation. “At such times their family

back to alcohol. I look forward to

members have to deliberately give

start a normal life again.”

“ey had moved in two months

and 306 of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the National Crime

back. Everything was normal. We

He is currently in Central Jail under

Records Bureau, in 2011, a total of

them alcohol so that they walk

Rajan, a resident of Hosur, was

saw smoke billowing out of the

judicial custody,” said Mr. Shiv-

5330 cases of crime against women

right in without much hassle,”

admitted three weeks ago. He had

house at 2:00 p.m.,” says Santosh,

prakash.

were lodged in Karnataka. In 2012,

said Dr. Mamata Shetty, practic-

been under the influence of alco-

524 cases of domestic violence were

ing psychiatrist at TREDA.

hol for 20 years and was addicted

lodged in Bangalore alone.

Dr. Rajashekhar Hiremath, De-

to it.

owner of a local shop and resident of the area.

But when Rizwana Khan was contacted by e Weekly Observer she

Complaints over drinking water falling on deaf ears Raju Peethala

“ere is a club just adjacent to the

Over 100 families claim they have been

C.G.compound, human excreta passes

le without water for over five months.

through this compound as there is no proper

Drinking water is not being supplied by the

pipeline and some of the customers get drunk

government, although the residents have

and abuse the ladies at night. e owners of

complained many times to the counselor and

the club continuously threatened us as we

M.L.A.

tried to complain against them.”

Residents of C.G. compound have to pay Rs

When asked about the state of C.G.com-

35 to get a drinking water can of 20 litres.

pound, Counselor, S.S.Prasad refused to

ere are 15-20 houses located in the com-

comment on the issue and said: “We will im-

Residents of C.G. compound await help from the government officials

pound where around 150 reside.

prove the things there.”

A resident, Radhamma, 70, said: “I have

people, they work for daily wages and some

a urinating area and some of them use this as

Uma Hebbal, Assistant Engineer, Bangalore

been staying here for the past 39 years. ere

of them do not have sufficient money to ed-

a way to go to railway station. Complaints

Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB)

is no drinking water facility from the past five

ucate their children.”

about this to the railway officials are un-

said: “We haven’t received any complaints

heard,” he added.

from the residents of this area. However we

months and we have to pay Rs35 to get a 20

A 37-year-old resident, Moses, said: “C.G.

litres water tin. We keep complaining about

slum, initially called Castle Green don’t even

Another resident Munivenkatappa, 40, said:

this to the concerned officials but they never

have street lights and it is very unsafe for

“We collect rain water and use it for washing

resolve it and they visit our houses during

women who live here, as there is no com-

purposes; it is very difficult to stay in house

Two weeks ago, an eight-year-old boy living

elections.”

pound wall between the railway station and

in the rainy season as all our houses have

in the slum was diagnosed with Typhoid,

the compound.”

holes on the roof. Political leaders promise

while another 12-year-old boy caught viral

many things during the time of elections and

fever at Castle Green.

When asked about the details of residents, another resident, Chotiamma, 72,

said:

“Railway vendors dispose the garbage here,

“Many of the residents who live here are poor

many of the passengers use our compound as

continuously fail to keep their promise.”

will inspect the area weekly starting from the next week.”

e Weekly Observer

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

No desks, chairs, time to teach

4

Events THEATRE

Ms. Meena is an English play about an iconic film star who returns to her village aer two decades. Directed by Rajiv Krishnan When: Oct 6, 2013 Where: Jagriti eatre, Whitefield, Bangalore Contact: 08041248298, 08041242879

Government schools lack necessary infrastructure, facilities and good quality mid-day meals.

Tulana Nayak Pupils at a government school have no chairs or desks and a teacher there claims they have no time to teach.

Government Model Primary School (GMPS) Uttarahalli has proper classrooms but the students of Grade I and II are made to sit on the floor. e teachers of the school claim that they don’t get enough time to teach. Indira Gowda(name changed) , a teacher at the school, said: “Half of the class time is consumed in serving food, distributing milk and record maintenance;

there’s hardly any time le to teach.”

She added: “We receive our salaries late, sometimes it’s on the10th or 15th of a month. is month we received it on the 22nd.”

Children at various government schools across the city said they found stones, cockroach wings and strands of hair in their midday meals.

Under the Ksheera Bhagya scheme, 150 ml of flavored milk is supposed to be provided to school children three times a week, but the Jaraganahalli gov-

ernment school receives it only twice a week.

Another government school at Channasandhra has not received milk packets at all, although the teachers and students are quite satisfied with the food. ey receive their mid-day meals from ISKCON Temple, Vasanthpura.

According to the revised scheme, the Education Department was requested to supply milk powder once a month along with the provisions meant for mid day meal scheme.

“ISKCON should provide it but they say they are not able to

arrange vehicle to supply milk packets to our school.” said M. Krishnabai, in-charge Headmistress of the school.

A spokesperson for ISKCON said that they were not responsible for supplying milk packets to the school. e government of Karnataka has implemented the scheme of providing hot cooked meals to the children of classes 1 to 10 of both Govt and Govt aided schools in the state with the cooperation of Government of India. - Department of Public Instruction website

CULTURE Bengaluru International Arts Festival 2013 presents Mauritius Group who will blend Mauritian dance forms. Do visit for an international dance dose!

When: Oct 5, 2013 Where: Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore Contact: 08023445810, 08023443956

SPORTS Bangalore events announce Men and Women Soccer Fest, a five-a-side InterCorporate Football Tournament on a league cum knockout basis.

When: Oct 20th, 26th and 27th, 2013 Where: HAL Sports Club, Old Airport Road, Bangalore Contact: 98455 05604 / 99804 18469

Bangalore hosts sixth edition of international arts fest Vaishnavi J. Desai An ancient theatre form Yakshagana, written by Kempe Gowda, will be performed

by Veena Murthy Vijay at Bengaluru International Arts Festival as a tribute to the garden city.

BIAF, a nine day event, presented by Artists’ Introspective Movement is one of the most sought aer arts festival in the country. AIM is a city-based art movement headed by musician Dr.Suma Sudhindra and Mrs. Veena Murthy, Kuchipudi exponent.

Following is an excerpt of an interview with Veena Murthy Vijay.

What are the star performances in BIAF,

2013?

Star performances are "Nadatarangini", a 50 Veena ensemble led by Dr Suma Sudhindra, Ganga Gowri Vilasam, by Veena Murthy Vijay will be performed as well. Folk troupes from Mauritius and Sri Lanka will be performing in the event. ere will also be a play directed by Prakash Belwadi, e Importance of Being Draupadi and a youth festival at Malleshwaram grounds.

What are the problems faced by Indian classical artistes?

Indian Artists are doing pretty well internationally in terms of music and folk arts, Dance needs much more support from agencies in Government and public private part-

nership and NGOs What according to you is the present status of Indian Art forms on international platform?

Dancers themselves are hosting festivals and inviting their peers to the festivals to perform. Sabhas are supporting music, but dance has to have more support in India too.

How does AIM plan to help artists in need?

AIM’S goal is to help needy artistes by donating a part of the fund to ‘Arogyadhara’, a welfare fund and a health helpline for artists in need.

Dr. Suma Sudhindra & Veena Murthy

Observer Team: Reporters–Tanisha Das, Soumaya Basu, Rahul Sadhu Emergency Call Services-Suresh Kumar News Editors–Sushmita Sen, Raju Peethala, Saikat Ghosh Chief Sub Editor–Sneha Mejari Picture Editor– Tulana Nayak Design Desk–Vaishnavi J.Desai , Sneha Ghosh,Sreelakshmy Sivaram Sub Editors– Shweta Nair, Sneha Bengani Proof Readers– Suchitra Sharma, Shivpriya Jodha Editor– Purtha Bhosale Email– editor@iijnm.org