JP Nagar-BTM-Jayanagar Fortnightly
Citizen Matters
No. 3/119, 9th Main, 3rd Block, Jayanagar Ph:42068504/05
Local news like no one else does
cops slog while garages
mint money Page 11
3M ore Citizen Matters writers are now book authors! 6 High Court lashes out at BDA, BBMP 7 Meet Dr Pratibha Vinay
8 Know your mangoes 10 Will 50% women councillors help? 12 Drug resistant TB: Danger is real
To enquire for ads, give us a missed call: 080-300 88 614
bengaluru
¹neóÉ£ï ªÉÄålgïìð
FREE
12 Garden Pests -I 13 “I always knew I would be a writer” 18 Parenting: Me time?
www.citizenmatters.in Vol-4 Issue-08
19 May - 1 June 2012
HELP! We want to ensure you get your copy of Citizen Matters magazine at your doorstep, every fortnight without a worry! Please send us a simple SMS so we know how effective our team is! If you get the magazine fortnightly - no problems! SMS regular <your name, area> If it is irregular, SMS irregular <your name, street, area> If you get it very rarely or never, SMS rare <your name, street, area> If you often get multiple copies at your door, SMS too many <your name, street, area>
SMS to Raghavendra at 98455 06477
EDITORIAL
More Citizen Matters writers are now book authors! A
couple of years ago, we talked about some of our writers who had authored books. We are now happy to share that more Citizen Matters writers have jumped into the bandwagon of published authors. The latest (and youngest we may add) is Malini Srikrishna. Malini writes a blog online (www. citizenmatters.in/malini-srikrishna). Malini, 14 has just published a book of her poems on Amazon. com. It is said to take the reader on a “roller coaster ride of a teen girl’s life. It talks of best friends and bitter enemies that sometimes you can’t tell apart. Of dreams, death and loss, families, friends, grandparents, memories and menageries - real and imagined.”
FEEDback Caveat emptor I purchased vegetables in Big Bazaar a few days ago and got it weighed & labeled. At the cash counter, the billing was done for each of the items. After this, we were asked for a payment of Rs 562.88. My wife who checked the bill noticed that there was an item in the bill which we had not purchased - against which an amount of Rs 388 was billed. It was for Capsicum (Simla Mirchi). When we confronted the store supervisor after checking contents in the sealed bag, he admitted it was their mistake for wrong billing. Many people buy large quantities of items, with bills running to more than Rs 2000; the bill will be long and they trust the computer to bill correctly. This may go unnoticed. Buyers should be cautious! Always
You can download the Kindle version for less than a dollar (roughly Rs.50) on Amazon. Malini plans to be a writer and we wish her all the best. Citizen Matters film critic Christina Daniels, meanwhile has been quite busy with her third book. Her book on Aamir Khan I’ll Do It My Way has been received well. She has earlier authored the novel Ginger Soda Lemon Pop, and co-authored Mind Blogs 1.0.
Sakuntala Narasimhan, our columnist of course needs no introduction to the Bangaloreans. she is an award winning journalist with a doctorate in sociology, a gold medalist musician and firebrand consumer activist. Her books include Sati - A Study of Widow Burning in India and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay - The Romantic Rebel. We enjoy bringing you articles from Bangalore’s talented writer community as much as publishing some of the best citizen writers in the city! Keep reading and keep writing to us!
email: feedback@citizenmatters.in check your bill before payment.
T N Rao, JP Nagar, III Phase.
Dhokla, Faafda, Thepla, Haandva I actually am planning to move to Bangalore, and being a Gujarati, your article relieved me a bit. Not to worry about the food now. Thank You.:) Malay Shah
Restaurants clogging up sewage pipes? This problem will continue to occur if we do not address the root cause. It costs the BWSSB Rs 17 a Kilolitre to collect,convey and treat the sewage and this is just O & M costs. We pay Rs 15 a month or 50 paise a day. As citizens, we need to pay the full cost of water and sewage treatment and demand that the institution
then live up to a performance standard for sewage collection and treatment. In any case any sewage overflow should be attended within 1 hour by the institution. Otherwise this will be like putting band-aid on chickenpox . Vishwanath Srikantaiah
ERRATA: We don’t know how many readers caught the typos on the cover headline in the last issue (vol-4 issue-7) and in the April 7th issue (vol-4 issue-5). We wrote “Who’s side is BBMP on” instead of “Whose side”. and “BDA has it’s way” instead of “its way”. A common mistake maybe, but rather careless of us! Vol-4 issue-7: Nimma Neighbour Anil Kumar was a former employee of Indian Telephone Industries, not Industrial Training Institute (as printed). Anil Kumar was never a member of Ejipura RWA, he is associated with Forward 68- Federation of RWAs of ward 68 (148 now). We apologise for the mistake.
Citizen Matters Vol-4 Issue-08, 19 May - 1 June 2012 KARENG/2009/28904. Published & printed by Meera K for Oorvani Media Pvt Ltd. Printed at Lavanya Mudrana, 19, 15th cross, Vidyapeeta Circle, BSK I Stage, Bangalore 560060 Place of publication Oorvani Media, 165, I cross, I block, Kmgla, Bangalore 560034. Editor Subramaniam Vincent.
All you need to know about red eye
Advertiser Feature
Conjunctivitis, also known as Red Eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid. What causes Red Eye? Red Eye has a number of different causes, including: ● Viruses ● Bacteria (such as gonorrhea or chlamydia) ● Irritants such as shampoos, dirt, smoke, and pool chlorine ● Allergies, like dust, pollen, or a special type of allergy that affects some contact lens wearers Red Eye caused by some bacteria and viruses can spread easily from person to person, but is not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly. Red Eye in newborn babies, however, should be reported to a doctor immediately. What Are the Symptoms of Red Eye? The symptoms of Red Eye differ based on the cause of the inflammation, but may include: ● Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid ● Increased amount of tears ● Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep ● Green or white discharge from the eye ● Itchy eyes ● Burning eyes ● Blurred vision ● Increased sensitivity to light ● Pricking / Foreign body sensation See your eye doctor if you have any of these symptoms of Red Eye. How is Red Eye treated? The treatment for Red Eye depends on the cause. What can I do to relieve symptoms of Red Eye? To relieve the symptoms of Red Eye: ● Protect your eyes from dirt and other irritating substances.
How Can I Avoid Getting Redeye? Viral redeye is highly contagious. However, maintaining proper hygiene such as frequent hand washing should minimize transmission. Avoid touching your face since the virus can enter the eyes, nose, and mouth. With regards to allergic conjunctivitis, avoiding allergens and taking proper care of your contact lenses can help reduce your risk. If someone in your household has redeye, be sure to wash hands often and thoroughly. Avoid sharing washcloths, towels, pillowcases, mascara, or eyeliner with the person. Eye drops are commonly given to treat conjunctivitis.
● Avoid the use of makeup. ● Remove contact lenses, if you wear them. ● Non-prescription “artificial tears,” a type of eye drops, may help relieve itching and burning from the irritating substances causing your Red Eye. Note: Do not use the same bottle of drops in an uninfected eye. How can I prevent spreading Red Eye? If you or your child has Red Eye: ● Don’t touch or rub the infected eye(s). ● Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. ● Wash any discharge from your eyes
several times a day using a fresh sterilized cotton ball or paper towel. Afterwards, discard the cotton ball or paper towel and wash your hands with soap and warm water. ●W ash your bed linens, pillowcases, and towels in hot water and detergent. ● Avoid wearing eye makeup. ● Don’t share eye makeup with anyone. ● Never wear another person’s contact lenses. ●W ear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses. Throw away disposable lenses or be sure to clean extended wear lenses and all eyewear cases. ● Avoid sharing common articles such as unwashed towels, glasses and mobile phone. ●W ash your hands after applying the eye drops or ointment to your eye or your child’s eye. ● Do not use eye drops that were used for an infected eye in a non-infected eye. ● If your child has bacterial or viral Red Eye, keep your child home from school or day care until he or she is no longer contagious. It’s usually safe to return to school when symptoms have been resolved; however, it’s important to continue practicing good hygiene just to be sure. What are the complications of Red Eye? Usually, Red Eye is a self-limited disease, either clearing up on its own or after a course of antibiotics. However, certain forms of conjunctivitis can become serious and sight-threatening. They include conjunctivitis caused by gonorrhea, chlamydia or certain strains of the adeno virus.
Dr Raja Shekar Y L is the Medical Director, Shekar Nethralaya
633, 100 feet Ring Road JP Nagar 3rd Phase, Bengaluru - 560078 Tel: 08026593210 fax: 08041209197 drrajashekaryl@shekarnethralaya.com Ph:9980562020 info@shekarnethralaya.com www.shekarnethralaya.com
Tooth Jewelry – The new fad in dentistry Are you ready to spice up your image and make others fall in love with your smile?
Tooth Jewelry uses classic designs which are an elegant compliment to standard jewelry. When placed on a tooth, the jewelry creates a distinctive expression of one’s individuality. Tooth jewelry are glass crystals of different colours, real 18K white gold and 24k or 22k yellow gold jewels designed specifically for dental use. The crystals have a special coating on the back and their facet cut reflects the light and makes it sparkle. If you like the look, and the tooth to which the jewel is going to be attached is healthy, you can be a suitable candidate for this treatment. The jewel is bonded to the enamel like an orthodontic bracket or a filling to your front tooth, with very minimal drilling. The application of dental jewelry
During the consultation with your doctor, you will choose the jewel and the tooth, to which you would like the jewel to be attached. Seeing that everyone’s smile is unique, so is the placement of the jewelry. During your consultation, the specialist at Perfect 32 will help you decide the best aesthetic position and type of jewelry for your is completely painless and does not unique smile. This can make your require any anesthesia. The process is smile really perfect. Initially something similar to placing sealants on a child’s on your tooth will feel different. But tooth. a few days after the The procedure and application, you will get removal can be No pain, just fun, in used to the new feeling. compared to the 10 minutes you can Your jewelry can last placement and removal of orthodontic brackets. have a brilliant cut a relatively long time and will usually stay on When it is removed, it diamond sparkling until you decide to have is simply popped off on your tooth. it removed. How you and the tooth will be care for your teeth and polished to remove the amount of stress put any remaining bonding material. If you on the decorated tooth can cause this have ever known anyone who has had time to vary. Based on our experience, braces, then you know they leave no it will certainly stay on for 6 months mark on the tooth. It is the same with and can stay up to a few years. dental jewelry, let it sparkle as long as you like. Then just ask your dentist to So go ahead and safely enhance your remove it and polish your tooth surface. smile with a tooth jewel!! The presence of the jewelry will not
Sandhya Ramanujam
Advertiser Feature
make any difference regarding dental hygiene. However, it is recommended not to use an electric tooth brush for the first 24 hours after the jewel has been attached. Yes, you can and should still have your teeth cleaned by a professional. The jewelry will not cause a problem for the dentist cleaning your teeth. The area underneath the jewel is sealed like a filling and will not let in any bacteria. The dentist can easily polish on top and around the jewel with a soft point.
Clinical Director and Owner - Perfect 32, Consultant at Fortis Hospitals Consultant-Dental Legal Advisor & Auditor Clinical Director of International Certification Training programs in Dental Implants, Dental Law and Rehabilitative & Aesthetic Dentistry Comprehensive dental care solutions Perfect 32 “Green Arch” 45/A, 1st Floor, 1st Main (Next to Parkview Hotel), J.P Nagar 3rd Phase, Bangalore. Ph: 40989896, 40981767, 9880027728. www.perfect32.in email: care@perfect32.in
PERFECT 32
Keep the sparkle in your smile The Dental Care and Implant Centre Dr.Sandhya Ramanujam D.D.S (USA), B.D.S India),C.B.M.(USA), P.G.D.M.L.E (India), Fellowship in Implantology (USA)
jayanagar jp nagar & BTM
I
n the land grab case filed by BTM Layout’s Bank Officers’ CoOperative Housing Society(BOCOH) the High Court has ordered civic bodies for taking action against erring officials. The dispute over the ownership of a civic amenity site in BTM layout 1st Stage, measuring 2 acres 31 guntas seems to be fixed for now.
On April 20th, the Karnataka High Court confirmed in an order, that the particular land was earmarked to be developed as a park by the BDA, or later by BBMP. The court criticised BBMP for the khata transfer of civic amenity site and BDA for issuing an NOC to a private party. In 1982, BOCOH was allotted a total of 30 acres on lease agreement. Around 2 acres and 31 guntas was left out from construction works meant for a civic amenity site. In May 2005, the society gave this amount of land to maintain it as a park but the BDA officials sold it to a private
High Court lashes out at BDA, BBMP The BTM 1st Stage land grab scam is closer to getting resolved now.
party just after 6 months. This led BOCOH to file a writ petition. Justice D V Shylendra Kumar was also critical of the BDA. The BDA had justified inaction on grounds that there are proceedings before civil courts and therefore their hands are tied. These were “excuses for inaction”, said Justice Kumar.
The court also ordered BBMP to check the irregularity of transfer of khata in favour of another party. “The excuse that in the revenue records, original land owners name remained and therefore BBMP acted on such premise on the strength of the sale deed executed by such a person and the no-objection letter issued by BDA, cannot justify the inaction of BBMP any more.” On an ending note, the court ordered both BBMP and BDA to take corrective steps and the developments be placed before the court on next hearing date, on 15th June.
News Desk
edit@citizenmatters.in
Illegal construction on CA site? E
ncroachment of land or using CA site for unauthorised purposes is not new in bangalore. Yet another such instance, in JP Nagar.
Citizen Reports
An illegal and unauthorised construction of a temple in a civic amenities (CA) site in JP Nagar has started. The CA site is located between 30th A Main Road and 17th A cross road. The Supreme Court mandates that no temple construction should be allowed on a CA site and this is a clear violation of Supreme Court rule. This has been brought to the notice of MLA B Vijaya Kumar and the Joint Commissioner (South), BBMP, A B Hemachandra. They have promised to look into the matter at the earliest.
A glimpse at CA site in JP Nagar where the temple construction has started. Pic: Col Seshadri
It will be beneficial for the residents of the locality if the authorities concerned take an immediate action and stop the illegal construction. A Hopcoms and Nandini outlet can be
6 CITIZEN MATTERS 19 May - 1 June 2012 Vol-4 Issue-08
built on this site as there are no such facilities in the area. Col Seshadri is a resident of JP Nagar.
local matters
She can cure you with plants D
r Prathibha Vinay is a doctorate in botany, and resident of J P Nagar since 1997. Since 2002 she has dedicated herself to promoting medicinal plants. She even planted them at JP Nagar’s Dhanwantari park. Nimma neighbour In 2002, she founded TULSI (Treasure and Utilise the Life Sustaining Home remedies Ingredients of from Dr Pratibha Nature), an NGO that Sinus-Headache: Turpromotes medicinal meric root burnt over a plants for health and flame and fumes inhaled raises awareness on through the nostrils altheir conservation.
What are the benefits of medicinal plants?
ternatively for 5 minutes twice a day, will reduce sinus problem.
** Look out for a special article in one of Nature has provided our upcoming issues with more home a solution for every remedies provided by Dr Pratibha Vinay ailment. Knowledge of medicinal plants as healers dates back since the origin of man. These medicinal plants and trees not merely facilitate people in breathing healthy air but also prevent spreading of highly communicable, dreadful respiratory and allied maladies like tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and lung cancer amongst others.
Where do we get such plants in Bangalore? Dhanavantri nursery at Bangalore University Campus; Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions
Dr Prathibha Vinay Pic: Anisha Nair
(FRLHT) Jarakabande, Bangalore; Biological Research Centre, Bannerghatta Road; Lalbagh Nursery and also a few private nurseries.
Can Bangalore’s parks help? Yes the park spaces can be utilised. A directory of plants should be posted at the parks giving their botanical names/common names and their uses for public information.
One favorite place you would often like to go in Bangalore? I like visiting Lalbagh gardens.
Your favorite pasttime? I read books on spiritual masters.
Abhishek Angad
abhishekangad@citizenmatters.in
An excellent time they had
Young India Sports Academy’s JP Education Society, a JP Nagar Nagar Summer Camp 2012. His tenschool, to watch performances year-old daughter who by children from the performed at the event camp. Certificates were Citizen had attended the camp distributed to children Reports his summer camp is great as last year too. who had participated it offers many activities that in the cricket camp. This 300 parents, children can choose from,” says a Over was followed by sloka recitals, dance, smiling M B V Gopal who came to siblings and grandparents, all karate and yoga performances. Two attend the closing ceremony of the had assembled at the Mahatma students talked about the excellent time they had at the camp, learning Sloka recital by students Pic: Maitreyi Ananth things and making friends.
“T
Chief guest at the inauguration, Dr Sheshagiri Rao, spoke on the importance of extra-curricular activities. This year, the camp offered activities like cricket, yoga, swimming, trekking, karate, dance, horse riding etc. Western dance classes and karate classes will go on through the year. Maitreyi Ananth Vol-4 Issue-08 19 May - 1 June 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 7
check outs
Know your mangoes
Since the past week, market has been flooded with all varieties of mangoes. Here is a low down on the popular varieties.
T
his year’s mango crop was a latecomer and much smaller compared to 2011’s bumper produce. “Mango is known for alternate bearing. One year you get a good crop and the succeeding year you get a poor crop.” says Dr G K Mukund, Professor of Horticulture at the University of Agricultural Sciences. Looking around Bangalore though, it is hard to believe. From department stores toting boxes of luscious yellow fruit to vendors surrounded by mountains of them, mangoes are everywhere! And Bangaloreans are taking advantage of it.
But do you know your mango varieties?
Mallika most magnificent. Pic: Salonie Rego
More about Mangoes
Mango mapping
Mango season is from April to June. While Sendhura comes in early, most like Alphonso and Raspuri come in mid-season. Thotapuri, Mallika and Neelam are late season arrivals.
66% of the world’s mango export is from India. Badami is the leading variety in Karnataka, along with Raspuri and Malgoa. In coastal Karnataka, Appemedi and Makkeri are grown.
Named after Alphonso De Albuquerque, a Portuguese nobleman who used to carry them on trips to India, the Alphonso variety is justly called the king of fruits. “Badami and Alphonso are the same,” says Mukund. Badami is the local name for Alphonso. It grows mostly in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The sub-variety grown in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra is the best - and the costliest. It is rated as one of the best in India and abroad, thanks to its size and wonderful aroma. This explains the price - `150-250 a kilogram. Bangalore however seems to favour Banganapalli Badami: Karnataka’s leading Mango variety. Pic: Salonie Rego
which comes from Andhra Pradesh. “It is the most popular variety here,” says Krishnappa, an employee of Spencer’s Supermarket on 80ft Road in Koramangala. Price is usually `50 per kg. Neelam and Thotapuri are the other popular varieties. It is the cheapness of Thotapuri that makes it suitable for pulping. Mallika is a hybrid of Neelam and Dasheri. Individual pieces are so big that two or three pieces easily make a kilogram. It is great to eat and excellent for pulping. Two Bangalore varieties are Amlet and Aishwarya. The latter was developed from the Alphonso by Mukund and released in 2004.
Demand for organic mangoes Plenty of Bangalore’s mangoes are artificially ripened. Chemicals like calcium carbide and caltar can ripen mangoes within 12 hours, whereas the natural process takes two to three days, according to K C Raghu, Managing Director, Pristine Organics. The practice is popular with dealers looking for a higher price. “The vitamin content is low,” says Raghu, of artificially ripened mangoes. Bangaloreans are more aware of organic mangoes now. “They are pesticide-free. The taste is different and they are more nutritious,” says Vidya Sadanand, who runs the organic store Adi Naturals (included in list) with her sister-in-law Aparna.
Organic mango choices near you Note: This is a free listing. Citizen Matters has not charged vendors for being placed here.
Nisarga Food c/o Green Foundation, BTM 2nd Stage, Dr Vanaja Ramprasad, Ph: 26784509 / 09449861043 In The Pink Organic Bazaar and Restaurant, BTM Layout 2nd Stage, Off Bannerghatta Road, Ph: 99450 01003/ 99451 68462 Adi Naturals, JP Nagar Phase III, Ph: 9945384494/9945517525 Riyaz Ahmed, Jayanagar 4th T Block, Ph: 9739584703
Salonie Rego is a student of Mount Carmel College and a summer intern with Citizen Matters. 8 CITIZEN MATTERS 19 May - 1 June 2012 Vol-4 Issue-08
Check outs
Where are the pools? We know. The rains are here and this list would have more useful earlier. Still, better late than never. Catch a local pool and still get cool!
09845398443 Timings: Depends on batch and age Booking : Membership required Timings for men, women and children? No Lifeguard: Yes
Augusta Club Brigade Gardenia Campus, 8th Phase, JP Nagar +91-80 4024 2222 (Mon to Sun - 3:30am to 7:00pm) Charges: Yes Booking: Membership Required Gender Segregation: No Hot Pools/ Jacuzzis: No Lifeguard:Yes
City Nest Sports Centre No.18-91/72, 7TH Cross, Eshwara Layout, 2ND Stage, Indiranagar 080-25258287 6.30-21.00 Booking : Pay and use Timings for men, women and children? : Separate slots Heated Pools/ Jacuzzi: Indoor heated pool Lifeguard: Yes
The Woodrose Club Brigade Millennium Campus, JP Nagar 7th Phase 080-41995999 Timings: 6:00am – 1:00pm and 3:00pm – 9:00pm (Closed on Tuesdays) Charges: Yes Booking: Membership Required Gender Segregation: No Hot Pools/ Jacuzzis: Yes (Sauna + Jacuzzi) Lifeguard : No Jayanagar BBMP Swimming Pool (PM Swimming Centre) Bairasandra Extension, Byrasandra 080 2663 0744 5:00-10:00 pm Charges: Yes Booking: No Gender Segregation: Yes Hot Pools/ Jacuzzis: No Lifeguard: Yes Basavanagudi Aquatic Center ( Bangalore Swimming Pool) Pampa Mahakavi Road, Near-Uttaradi Mutt, Basavanagudi +91-80-26916696/26612675 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM Charges: Yes Booking: No Gender Segregation: Yes Hot Pools/ Jacuzzis: No Lifeguard:Yes Sindia Swimming School No 30/4, Jyothy Aquatic Centre, Kanakapura Road, 3rd Cross, Jyothy Layout,Yelachanahalli +91-80-22428495, +91-80-65667662 +91-9880135178 5 AM to 6 PM Charges: Yes Booking: No Gender Segregation: Yes Hot Pools/ Jacuzzis: No Lifeguard:Yes OUTSIDE YOUR AREA Vijayanagar Swim Center Corporation Swimming Pool
Pic: Wikimedia commons 7th Main, 9th Cross, RPC Layout, Hampinagar 080 - 2340 7604 / 2340 7603 99169 59701 / 94492 85419 98868 33950 / 88928 63119 6:00 AM to 9:45 PM Charges: Yes Booking: No Gender Segregation: Yes Hot Pools/ Jacuzzis: No Dolphin Aquatic Dolphin Aquatics (Regd.) Ramakrishna Hegde Swimming Pool J.P.Park, Mathikere, 080 32327755 or +918147117747 5 AM to 9:15 PM Charges: Yes Booking: No Gender Segregation: Yes Hot Pools/ Jacuzzis: No Lifeguard:Yes Tarun Associates Address: 19, 2nd Cross, Bethel School road, Annasandrapalya, HAL Contact: 08025238073, 9008682709093 6.30-11.00 and 15.00-19.00 Booking : Membership needed Timings for men, women and children?: No Heated Pools/ Jacuzzi: No Lifeguard: No, only qualified coach always around Nisha Millet Swimming Pool C/O Catholic Club, No.22, Next To ST Patricks Church, Museum Road
Indiranagar Club 9th Main, 4th Cross, HAL II Stage Indiranagar 080 41153378, 41153379 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 8:30, Monday Holiday Book/walk in? : Membership required Heated Pools/ Jacuzzi: No Lifeguard: Yes Bangalore Mountaineering Club No 69, 3rd Main, KR Garden, Murgeshpalya, Old Airport Road +91-(80)-66495769, +91-(80)-42120719 6:00 AM to 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Book/Walk-in/ Membership - Membership Lifeguards: Yes Hot Pools, Jacuzzi, Sauna – No Patel’s Inn Resort No.1, near R.T.Nagar B.D.A Complex, 2ND Block, Govindraj Garden, 15th Cross, R T Nagar, +91-(80)-23330182,+91-(80)- 23337575 6AM to 2 PM , 3PM to 8PM, Monday Holiday Book/Walk-in/Membership- Membership and Booking Sauna/Jacuzzi: No Lifeguards: Yes Zela Health Clubs BF Devatha Plaza, Opposite Bangalore Club, Vittal Mallya Road 080 4334 7000, 080 6681 7411, 9663378873 Timings- Depends on Package Book/Member/ Walk-in- Only Members allowed. Hot Pools/Jacuzzi – No, but have Temperature controlled pools Lifeguards- 2 trainers at a time. Note: This is a free listing and businesses have not been charged.
News Desk
Vol-4 Issue-08 19 May - 1 June 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 9
exclusive
Will 50% women councillors help Bengaluru? The Karnataka cabinet on 7th May announced its support for 50% reservation for women in urban local bodies. Another political gimmick?
50% women reservation for BBMP council, gimmick or empowerment? File pic: Citizen Matters
T
he Karnataka state cabinet on 7th May announced its decision to amend law in the next session of the legislature to provide 50 percent reservation for women in urban local bodies, as currently being followed in panchayats. Karnataka has nine city corporations including the recently-added Tumkur. It has 205 other municipalities. If 50 percent seats went to women in the BBMP council, can this mark a difference in the quality of governance in Bengaluru? Citizen Matters asked some women’s empowerment activists. Manvel Alur, a member of the civic group Koramangala Initiative disagrees with the government. “What is more important is that a clear set of criteria be given for each position in government, and the candidates be qualified to fill that position based on the criteria (education, clear legal history, past experience in governance etc.),” says Manvel.
The reservation change in BBMP would mean that women corporators’ strength is increased to 99. This is an increase of 28 seats, roughly 17 percent. Today, there are 71 women corporators from among the total 198 wards. In contrast, Jayanagar-based feminist-activist Laxmi Murthy argues that there is evidence to show that elected women representatives are generally more responsive to people’s issues - water, roads, schools, garbage collection etc. “So, if there are more women corporators, it is likely that these issues will get more attention,” she says. Still, Laxmi admits that hopes that women would be less corrupt or less prone to the influence of vested interests have not always come true.
10 CITIZEN MATTERS 19 May - 1 June 2012 Vol-4 Issue-08
Husbands as fronts In Koramangala, the corporator is a woman, B N Kokila. “B N Kokila is the front to the ‘real decision maker’, her husband. But having said that, she has learnt about issues over the years, and does respond to local issues sometimes,” says a citizen who requested anonymity. Laxmi argues that the issue of husbands controlling their wives who have been elected, is blown out of proportion. She believes that male corporators are also influenced by family members - and sons are often proxy for their fathers or other older family members. She feels that this situation can even be fixed. “There are certainly cases of husbands calling the shots instead of their wives. But these instances can be minimised by providing on-the-job training and capacity building for corporators,” argues Laxmi. Taking a different line is Brigadier (Retd) R S Murthy, Vice President, Federation of RWAs of HSR Layout. “Last mayor was a lady, but she was unable to speak English correctly and had no technical knowledge of the functionality of BBMP. That is not the kind of reservation we are looking for,” he says. Ruth Manorama, Bengaluru’s dalit empowerment activist feels that the cabinet’s move will help, but asks state politicians to fix the balance in their own legislative assembly. “We welcome the move, but at the same time we need more women in state assembly. If a mass of women jumps into politics provided conducive environment, things will change,” snaps Ruth.
Abhishek Angad
abhishekangad@citizenmatters.in
cm special
A mad rush to remove tint on glass There have been protests and even a petition online. Bangalore Police is pushing hard to help people remove film from their cars by 5th June.
F
rom 5th June*, no vehicle in the city is supposed to have films pasted on its window glasses, as per the recent Supreme Court order. While Bangalore Traffic Police (BTP) is all set to fine offenders, vehicle owners in the city are rushing to the 10 film removal centres around the city. BTP offered this service in 10 centres from May 10th, where about 10 policemen do the job of removing the film. Private garages are the other choice. At Madhavan Park in Jayanagar, one of the BTP centres, six traffic police officers are hard at work. Prabhu Raj, sub-inspector at Jayanagar traffic police station, says that around 250 cars come here daily. “This work is difficult for us. During peak traffic hours, we have to go manage traffic as well,” he says. Raj says that only traffic police remove the films here. But there have been cases of others offering to remove films for a price. Suhashish Pal, who owns a software firm in Jayanagar, says, “When I came at nine in the morning today, there were some five other cars here. Some people approached us and offered to remove films at the cost of Rs 450-500. Some car owners accepted it while others left.”
A constable removing black films from cars at traffic police’s Adugodi centre. Pic: Navya P K
of the BTP centres, workers from shops in the complex are helping the police.
cars, it takes about an hour. It is impossible for police to work on all vehicles.”
Mohammed Shariff, who works in a juice shop here, pitches in, removing films. “Traffic police asked us to help out. We accept whatever amount people give us.” Shariff teams up with another employee from a nearby xerox shop to work on cars.
Garages are doing brisk business because of the crowded traffic centres. According to transport department, there are about 7 lakh cars in the city, and 98% of them have films on glasses.
Supreme Court ruling
o films can be pasted on N glasses of vehicles. Tinted glass allowed if fitted by vehicle makers. Front and rear glasses: at least 70% light transmission Side glasses: at least 50%.
Overworked cops getting help!
While many car owners did not complain, some were miffed about having to pay. Sadashiv, an Indiranagar resident, says, “If they are asking for money, I might as well remove the film myself at home.”
Even BTP centres are not removing films for free. Overworked cops are seeking help from others. In the centres, there are people who remove films for a fee of Rs 50-100. In Indiranagar BDA Complex, one
Murthy, who is in-charge of parking in the complex, says, “There are only 12 traffic policemen to deal with over 500 vehicles that come here daily. It takes about half an hour to finish work on one car. For older
Making hay while the sun shines, private garages are charging as much as Rs 350-500.
“Violating VLT (Visual Light Transmission) rule is a minor offence and will invite penalty of Rs 100 the first time, and Rs 300 for repeated offence. Police can get the film removed from the vehicle also. If caught for the third time, license can be suspended,” says M A Saleem, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic). RTOs will also enforce the rule through their squads. A senior Transport Department officer says, on condition of anonymity, “There will be 68 RTO squads to track offenders. Our checks will be effective only if we get the films removed on the spot, along with penalty. We will decide on exact procedure after finding how many people have complied with the rule by 19th.”
Navya P K
navya@citizenmatters.in
* Original deadline was 20th May extended to 5th June
Vol-4 Issue-08 19 May - 1 June 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 11
for your Info
Drug resistant Tuberculosis: Danger is real
T
How does one suspect that he may be infected?
The good news is that deaths due to TB came down 40 percent between 1990 and 2010 .
Usually lungs are affected. However, germs can also be found in kidney, bones, spine, skin, intestine, or may affect a number of organs in a condition called military tuberculosis. If there is chronic unexplained fever with evening rise of temperature, chronic cough , blood in cough, pain in chest, weakness, losing appetite, losing weight without working on it or symptoms concerning the affected organ, you should suspect TB. DRTB may be suspected if patient develops TB again after being treated or does not respond to treatment.
How is DRTB caused?
Treatment
he spectre of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) is looming large. Drug-resistant tuberculosis is one which does not respond to standard anti-tuberculosis treatment. Globally, there were 1.2 million deaths in 2010, out of 8.8 million TB-infected. Over 95 percent of deaths occur in low and middle income countries. The risk of developing active TB is 10 percent but increases if immunity is compromised due to diabetes, HIV or smoking. (Source : WHO factsheet-2010).
The basic cause is inappropriate treatment or inadequate doses. TB spreads through air. A drug resistant TB patient sneezing, coughing or spitting, releases organisms and anyone in vicinity can get infected. The risk in our environment, with the national penchant for spitting
Treatment requires costly second line drugs. There is risk of adverse effects. In case of extreme drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB), expert care is needed in specialised institution.
Pic: Wikimedia commons
everywhere, can well be imagined. Unlike flu or viral diseases, it does not spread fast; risk of infection depends on time spent with patient, health matters own immunity, ventilation, Col (Retd.) Dr Mukul Saxena and circulation of air.
What a pest! -1 R
ecently, at the second ‘Oota from your Thota’, I attended session on pest control by Dr Rajendra Hegde from the Vittal Mallya Scientific Research Foundation (VMSRF). He cautioned that the presence of insects on plants does not immediately necessitate an insecticide, as often only a part of the plant is affected. He urged us to observe the type of insect and its nature of ‘attack’ before exterminating it.
He also shared these tips: S ometimes, a forceful spray of water is enough to dislodge insects from the plant. iting insects (beetles and caterpillars) and sucking B insects (mealybugs, mites etc) are to be managed differently. egular check of plants would ensure that one could R immediately remove egg masses on leaves and destroy only those parts of the plant. S eparate hibiscus from other plants as it is a host for insects.
Powdery mildew. Pic: Vinita
this season is conducive for sucking pests. Neem oil, available in most gardening stores, works against biting insects. He also referred to Soluneem, a water-soluble product of VMSRF that works for sucking insects. He cautioned that most natural solutions take 7-10 days to act, so they are largely preventive and not curative. They cannot protect the plant after insect attack. Part II will discuss how to handle mildew and mealybugs.
He advised regular spraying during hot weather as 12 CITIZEN MATTERS 19 May - 1 June 2012 Vol-4 Issue-08
Vinita, a resident of Frazer Town is trying to adopt environmentallysensitive alternatives in her day-to-day activities and realises it doesn’t need to be complex.
feature
“I always knew I would be a writer” C
hristina Daniels, 36, has authored books Ginger lemon soda pop and and the recent I’ll do it my way on Aamir Khan. A movie reviewer, and a corporate communications professional, she is currently working on a book dedicated to the city that she has seen grow, Bangalore. Like many Bangaloreans, she speaks three languages and understands six! She has a masters degree from London School of Economics and Political Science.
Why Aamir? If you look at Indian cinema, Aamir’s work continuously pushes the boundaries. And he is always doing something different in his films. Lagaan changed the way we produce films. Even if you look at other films like the Taare Zameen Par and 3 idiots, he brought out subjects like dyslexia and learning and got into national debate. His films open new dimensions.
Did you get to meet Aamir during the period of writing his filmography? No I did not get to meet him personally. (Did) lots of research. I watched all his movies. I interviewed most of the producers, directors and co-stars who worked with him.
What is the next book that you are working on? I am currently working on a book on Bangalore. It started out with the idea of writing about the Cantonment area. But now, it’s going to capture the whole of Bangalore in it. One (part) is the strong documentation of photographs of Bangalore and the other is, interviews with people. So what the book will actually look at is, Bangalore – yesterday, today and tomorrow.
How did Ginger Lemon Soda Pop happen? Well, I wrote the book when I was 29, but the idea was there in my
Christina Daniels - writer and author. Pic: Anisha Nair
Bangalore (in the 70’s and 80’s) was a small town, everybody knew everybody. It was very laidback, peaceful, greener and looked very beautiful.There was elegance and charm and grace. Bangalore today is a lot more international. It is not just cosmopolitan, it’s international. It has become very vibrant and youthful. I think today, you can build a career in Bangalore unlike earlier, when people went out to make a career. mind when I was 19. It is a work of fiction but the landscape is real. It is out of the Bangalore I lived in then. This book is takes you through the ups and downs of a five-year-old girl’s second year in kindergarten.
What do you think about the evolution of movies over the generations? I think something that was really
good in the older films was; there were very good storytellers. Technology has evolved, production has evolved but somewhere on the way, we have lost the charm of storytelling. Attention spans of the audience are very short.
Something about your childhood. I had a lot of friends during my childhood. Being the only child, your friends become extremely important. We played a lot of outdoor games. I have a lot of memories of playing badminton games in parks. We watched a lot of films in the VCR, the cassettes we hired from the libraries.
Your Hobbies? I love reading and travelling. Watching movies is there all the time.
Anisha Nair
anisha@citizenmatters.in
Vol-4 Issue-08 19 May - 1 June 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 13
To bare or to wear - I A
s human beings, we walk with heel strike. It goes from heel strike to forefoot strike as we increase the cadence by jogging, running and finally sprinting. All sprinters have forefoot strike. Incidentally, the shoes that sprinters wear are all minimalist shoes with spikes in it to aid better grip and faster running.
have a distinct forefoot strike running form. From 1500m on, athletes have a distinct midfoot strike or heel strike with immediate roll over. This
is because one cannot run longer distances with forefoot strike. Anyone starting to run barefoot will naturally end up having a forefoot strike. This means the strides will be
>> Continued to page 15 >>
All athletes who run 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m, can be observed to Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine
Citizen Matters
pickup points for Citizen matters JP NAGAR
Associate Editor Padmalatha Ravi Community Editor Meera K Editor Subramaniam Vincent Staff Journalists Abhishek Angad Anisha Nair Navya P K Design & Publishing Shivakeshava M Sub-editor (New media) Nagashree Gururaj edit@citizenmatters.in MKTG/CIRCULATION Raghavendra 9845506477 circulation@oorvani.in mktg@oorvani.in ADVT SALES Ramachandran P 080-30088614 (leave missed call) adsales@oorvani.in
S N REFRESHMENTS
©Oorvani Media Pvt Ltd. No part of this publication can be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.
contact@oorvani.in Ph: 080 — 41737584 Longer versions of all articles are available online. Citizen Matters is published by Oorvani Media Pvt Ltd to chronicle current affairs of India’s cities, in depth, with a focus on governance, community and culture. More at: citizenmatters.in/main/about.
12th Main, 2nd phase
RANGA SHANKARA 21st Main, 9th Cross 2nd phase
M K AHMED BAZAR 40th Main, 9th Block
PRISM BOOK SHOP
THE K O SHOP
SAMATHVAM Health Care
24th Main 1st phase
24th Main 6th phase
IDBI BANK
SBI
24th Main 6th phase
24th Main 1st Phase
BENGALOORU TIFFEANS Opp Brigade millennium
PARKVIEW RESTAURANT
PRASIDHI FOOD CORNER Near IndIra Gandhi
1st Main 3rd Phase
BTM 2nd STAGE
NILGIRIS
BALAJI’S VEG DARSHINI
Circle1st phase
9th Cross, 2nd Phase,
7th Cross
KOVAI FARM FRESH
DIWAKAR HOSPITAL
GELATO PAZZO ICE CREAM
15th Cross 3rd Phase
9th Cross, 2nd Phase
7th Cross
JUST KIDS 24th Main Road 5th Phase
SHEKHAR NETRALAYA
UDUPI GARDEN
15th Cross, 2nd Phase
16th Main
NAMDHARIS
KOVAI FARM FRESH
8th Main, 3rd Phase
7th Main
EVER FINE SUPER MARKET Opp RBI Colony KothanurMainroad
JAYANAGAR SRI VAIBHAVA DARSHINI 39th Cross, 9th
Editors note: The advertisement features in this issue are paid-for articles. They are presented by the advertiser to readers for information and promotion. No journalists were involved in preparing them. www.citizenmatters.in, feedback@ citizenmatters.in facebook.com/citizenmatters twitter.com/citizenmatters
Cover credits Navya P K 14 CITIZEN MATTERS 19 May - 1 June 2012 Vol-4 Issue-08
Block
11th Main, 4th Block
M K AHMED BAZAR 40th Main Block
NETRADHAMA 7th Block
GARDEN ENTERPRISES 16th Main HOME NEEDS
7th Main RAGHAVENDRA UPAHAR Pragathi Book & Opp Ragigudda Stationers Arch 9th Block BTM ring road TUSCANY ICE CREAM ADYAR ANAND BHAVAN 26th Main, 9th Block
16th Main
Runningstrike_Graphic source icanhasscience
Feature
<< Continued from page 15 << shorter and hence increased cadence. The foot is in contact with the ground for lesser duration. Since the strides are short, the foot strikes
close to the body’s center of gravity. The entire body weight is not shifted to the landing foot, hence there is less stress on the knees. Forefoot strike puts a lot of stress on the ankles. The barefoot runners who run longer distances will eventually switchover to a midfoot strike. Running with shoes Shoes cushion impact. When running there is a strain on the heel, ankle and knees. But the heel cushion is drives runners to develop incorrect running forms, which leads to running injuries.
Pic: Mahesh Srinivas
HEALTH & Nutrition SRINIVASA DENTAL CARE CENTRE Dr. VISHWAS # 383, 8th main, 7th cross, Mico Layout, BTM 2nd stage, Bangalore- 76. Ph:41201345, 9845195605. Multi specialist Dental clinic & Implant Centre.
LAVANYA REAL ESTATE 2 & 3 BHK Flat for Rent / Sale in BTM Layout, Bannerghatta Road, J.P. Nagar, Jayanagar & Koramangala. Contact: 9916706389, 9611444944. Email: ganeshc.srisai@gmail.com
CHILDRENS DENTAL CLINIC DR. NERAJA RAJU Consultant Pedodontist. For appointment : 9845195605, 41201345. Address: # 383, 8th main, 7th cross, Mico Layout, BTM 2nd stage, Bangalore-76
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT Jayanagar 9th block Near jayadev Excellent alternative to the BTM Ring Rd & Bannerghatta Rd Carpet area – Ground 800sqft, 1st flr 1000sqft, 2nd flr – 1000sqft. No noise and traffic hindrance, Excellent parking, North East corner. Vaastu Chandra Shekara (owner) 9980102040
Realty
Others
BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS Manjunatha Architectural Plan, Structure Design, Sanction Plan, Vaastu Plan, Estimate & Constuction Of Bldgs Shop #1, 5th Main, Mico Layout, BTM 2nd Stage, Near SBI. Call Mune Gowda 9845416748, 9844468507, 3297645
HERBAL PEST CONTROL SERVICES FOR ANT, Cockroach, Bedbug, Termite, Rat etc. 100% Safe & Effective. No Smell/Stain. 2BHK Rs. 450. We also do Annual Maintenance Contract: Rs 1200/ year only! Call: 9972711444/ 8971223206.
classifieds & Listings
The correct running form is that the foot should hit the ground in line with the knees. The landing should be on mid foot or on heel with immediate rollover. The foot strike is also slightly in front of the body’s center of gravity. This means taking shorter steps and increased cadence. (Part II - to be continued, will be more on injuries and prevention)
K Sridharan is a Bangalore-based marathon runner. He has taken part in several marathon events in Bangalore as well the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, India’s IAAF certified full marathon event.
BANGALORE TIMBER & PLYWOODS All Types OF Plywoods & Laminates. Dealers In : Teak, Honne, Sall, Neem, Beach, Silver, Round Logs & Cut Sizes. # 647, 16/2/3, Arekere Gate, Near BPL Bus Stop, Bannerghatta Road. Call: 9845604013, 26583501
education INTENSIVE COACHING Foreign programs: ACCA/ CIMA/ CMA / CPA, Indian Programs: BE (merit coaching)/ Bank exams, CA, CS, ICFAI, ICWA & MBA (all disciplines) supported by latest corporate case studies. Contact: Lalitha Group, #5, Behind Smart, 19th Cross, 24th Main, JP Nagar 5th Phase, Bangalore-78. Ph:080-26490907, 9902888485, 9448117457 Email: lalitha.class@gmail.com
Taxi services * Tution classes * Music & dance classes * Competitive exam coaching * Catering * Plumbers * Electricians * Real estate * Pet walking * Personal Fitness... Citizen Matters Classifieds reach over 36000 homes to place your ads & classifieds CALL
Ramachandran 9901685368 adsales@oorvani.in
see & do
Camps
Earth Camp 2012 Camp on careers related to environment, for students in grades 8-12. Discover the greener side of you by exploring off-beat careers through field visits, interaction with experts on the field and have loads of fun. 21-25 May, #108, 2nd main, 6th cross, Koramangala, Ph no: 9886003398, 080-65473921
Music
Youth Music Festival Listen to the renderings of Mohana Santaram, Mysore Dayakar, B S Anand and Amrith Kumar. Sun 20 May, 5 pm, The Bangalore Gayana Samaja, KR Road Vocal concert by Vijnaraja Monthly program of Nadasurabhi May 20, 4.15 pm, The Indian Heritage Academy Hall, 6th Block, Near Police Station, Koramangala
Workshop
Organic Terrace Gardening Workshop For more info: www.vmsrf.org, Ph no: 080-26687223, 9448629528 26 May, VMSRF, BTM 2nd Stage
Running to raise money for the lake where they train! Sanjeev, Subbu, Suresh, Abhijith and Arathi Manay Yajaman are running in the TCS 10K run to raise money for Puttenahalli Lake Improvement Trust. They live close by and train at Puttenahalli Lake. They will use funds raised through the Marathon to plant more indigenous trees, hire additional staff, get more water into the lake and organise more events to educate the community on the importance of lakes in our fragile eco-system. To support the run for PNLIT, please send your cheque/ DD in favour of "Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust". Call 9845079076 for info.
Carnatic concert appreciation - How to be an educated Rasika Lecture Demonstration by Ms. Vidya Subramanian 6.30 pm, Friday, 18 May. Bangalore International Centre, TERI Complex, 4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlur II Stage
Certificate course on Videography & Content/Technical Writing 4 months complete training on videography & technical writing by industry experts, starting this June Sri Sri Centre for Media Studies. Jayanagar 4T Block. Ph: 9945546077, 080-22448333
Dealers in Musical Instruments and accessories
Wisdom through the Lens Photography workshop by Pierre Poulain. Ph: 9900777447 / 4206 5280 Sat, Jun 16, 10.30 am -6.30 pm, New Acropolis, #203 HM Studios, 67 St. Mark’s road, behind Nandhini hotel
Music Gear
JP Nagar Call
9880599956
www.musicgear.in
Exhibition
FACE TWO FACE Debut solo photography exhibition
16 CITIZEN MATTERS 19 May - 1 June 2012 Vol-4 Issue-08
by Shivaraju 5-26 May, Gallery Sumukha, Wilson Garden
Theatre
Rangashankara Plays 19 Sat Undadi Gunda (K) (also at 3.30 pm) 20 Sun Robinson and Crusoe (E), 80 mins (for children above 8 years) (also at 3.30 pm) 22 Tue Aarkanola (K), 95 mins 23 Wed Mahimapura (K), 90 mins 24 Thu Alegalalli Antaranga (K), 70 mins 25 Fri to 27 Sun Neenaanaadre naaneenena? (K), 110 mins (also at 3.30 pm on Sun) 29 Tue Devara Hena (K), 80 mins 30 Wed, 31 Thu Nam Thimthana (K), 90 mins 1 Fri, 2 Sat: Neenaanaadrenaaneenena? Rangashankara, 8th Cross, JP Nagar, Phase II, Ph: 2649 3982 Mushaira Theatre A Theatre format where audiences share “shayari” from their lives and the actors create a play out of it on the spot and talk to each other in poetry created on the spot....!!! Come be a part of this exciting improvisational theatre format !!! May 20, 27 at 7 pm, Yours Truly Alma, CMH road, Indiranagar Ph: 9845243051, 9845853093
Movie
Julie & Julia - CinemaSophy Club A 2009 American comedy-drama starring Meryl Streep. The life of chef Julia Child in her early career contrasted with young New Yorker Julie Powell, who aspires to cook 524 recipes in 365 days. 6 pm, Sat 19 May New Acropolis Bangalore, #203 HM Studios, 67 St. Mark’s road, behind Nandhini hotel LIST your event free! Submit your events online www.citizenmatters.in or mail events@citizenmatters.in
Features
Colours in nature H
ave you ever wondered how important colours are, in the world of Nature? Colour is often a way of attracting attention; for these flowers, it is their bright colours that attract bees who will pollinate them and propagate their species.
All the pictures taken by Deepa Mohan
For animals and birds too, colour is a way of saying, “Here I am!” Nothing depicts colour better than the prismatic plumage of the peacock, flaunting his wonderful tail: The peahen, presumably, chooses the most colourful peacock to be with. Sometimes, colour helps the creature hide instead of drawing attention. When a Roseringed Parakeet sits in a tree, you can hardly see it amongst t h e
Nature Feature
Deepa Mohan leaves. This affords it protection against birds of prey, or from cats. However, sometimes the lack of colour is also interesting. Though most flowers are coloured brightly, one often sees white flowers. Flowers which bloom at night do not need colour to attract insects; so this white lotus, blooming in a stagnant pond, shows us that white can do just as well when it’s moonlight that insects are going to be flying in! Black too, is often a colour (or its absence) that helps in Nature. Look at the shiny black plumage of this Long-billed Crow (or Jungle Crow, as it is called sometimes.) The black feathers certainly help the bird fly without attracting attention. That’s why House Crows and Jungle Crows often seem to appear out of nowhere, snatch food from your hand or pick out an unwary baby
bird or egg from the nest, and go off to have a feast! So... Do look around as you walk, and observe how colours, including black and white, play their part in the natural world around us.
Vol-4 Issue-08 19 May - 1 June 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 17
last word
Me time? What’s that? I
am a mom. I don’t do me time. Except when I am reading Good Housekeeping or Femina or one of those million women’s magazines that go blue in the face extolling the virtues of leaving the children behind in the able care of your husband/mother/mother-in-law/ maid and snatching a cup of coffee in the cafe or a massage in the spa. It all sounds quite delicious, having the children out of your hair at least for a while and having some divine smelling promises-to-make-hairgreat concoction in it instead.
confessionS of a second time mom
Reshmi Chakraborty Sounds good? Certainly! Sounds doable? Well it depends on how well oiled and supported your home machinery is. In many cases it requires an obscene amount of planning, so much so that I have
Pic:publicdomainpictures.net
a friend who plans coffee/tea/ anything as long as it’s out of the house and away from the kids every month with me, only to cancel a couple of days before we are meant to meet. “It requires so much planning and coordinating with mother in law or the husband that giving up and staying home seems a better option,” she jokes. There’s another friend who worked for several years before deciding
I enter home only to find the living room carpeted with toys which are all mixed up; the child hasn’t finished his dinner and has snacked on chocopie.
18 CITIZEN MATTERS 19 May - 1 June 2012 Vol-4 Issue-08
to quit and be home with the kids. “There was a time when I could just pick up my bag and walk out of the house. I don’t know what it is but I cannot do it anymore. The moment you become a stay-at-home mom, your personal time seems to disappear. I am now the husband’s secretary on call, the kids personal chef cum craftsperson cum books and toys organizer,” she says and it sounds like someone’s repeating the voices in my head. My biggest problem with me time? The after effects. There I am sauntering home after a lovely time at the bookstore or movie hall or the restaurant thinking I should get out more often when I open the door and enter home only to find the living room carpeted with toys which are all mixed up (think Monopoly merging with Pictionary, Mastermind with Snakes and Ladder and Scrabble); the child hasn’t finished his dinner and has snacked on Chocopie instead; both kids are sleepy and waiting for their (equally sleepy) loving mother to put them to bed. Think I can summon the courage to go out the next time around?
Now, Reaching Citizen Matters just got EASIER...
Give us a MISSED CALL, and we will call you back! 080-30088614
Talk to our ad sales team Check about Ads, get tariffs, understand our reach...
080-30088615 Talk to our edit desk
Share a news alert, article idea, send article, feedback on articles...
belts - caps - wallets
#9, 12th Cross, JP Nagar Phase 2, Next to SN Refreshment
26585213, 8904040402