Citizen Matters Koramangala - HSR Layout
# 54/2, Roopena Agrahara, Bommanahalli, Hosur Road, Bangalore-68. Ph: 9738004199
Local news like no one else does
biota booted, lake lease cancelled
LDA to work with citizens to
save Agara
page#11
5 The great ORR mess 10 Graduate voter rolls & other updates - register soon 7 Meet Muralidhar Rao 15 A Casa way of life 8 Kerala cuisine in 18 Weekend trip to SriKoramangala rangapatna
Meet you at the flea market! This Sunday, 11 am Page 9 www.citizenmatters.in
bengaluru
¹neóÉ£ï ªÉÄålgïìð
FREE
Vol-4 Issue-06
21 Apr - 4 May 2012
Free
Citizen Matters is delivered free at your doorstep and at pickup points. Each of the 36000 copies.
Yet not free
You are not free to ignore what’s happening around you. Because it is your city, your neighbourhood. By being active you are defending your neighbourhood and city from becoming unliveable. Write to us: edit@citizenmatters.in
www.citizenmatters
.in
Citizen Matters Vol-4 Issue-06, 21 Apr - 4 May 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.
BEAT THE BLUR:
Cut out Cataract and get crystal clear vision Eyes are the mirror of the soul, they say. But what if the mirror turns foggy? Yes, that is what happens with most of us as we age. The crystalline lens of our eyes becomes opaque, blurring our vision. Known as Cataract, this eye condition is mostly attributed to ageing. However, there could be other triggers. Here is the lowdown on Cataract and ways to get your vision back. How cataract forms? The lens of our eyes is made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a particular way that keeps the lens clear and enables clear vision. As we age, some of the proteins cluster together and cloud a portion of the lens, causing our vision to blur.
SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION
Several myths surround Cataract. Here, five most common ones are busted for you. MYTH: Cataracts should be mature for surgery.
FACT: No. Cataract can be operated even in early stages.
MYTH: Cataracts can relapse.
FACT: Once operated, it does not grow back.
Look for:
MYTH: Cataracts can be removed with LASER.
FACT: They are removed by replacing the natural lens with an artificial one.
► Reduced sharpness, and fading colour and brightness of objects.
MYTH: Cataracts can spread from one eye to the other.
FACT: Cataracts can develop in one eye or both of them, but it doesn’t spread.
► Lack of clarity even with new glasses.
MYTH: There is no need for glasses after Cataract Surgery.
FACT: It depends on the type of lens implanted. With a monofocal lens, patients might still need glasses to read or work on the computer. You don’t need them if you have multifocal lens implanted.
Symptoms to watch out for Cataract is a slow and painless process. So the symptoms are normally silent.
► Difficulty in driving ► Glare at night, decreased vision in bright sunlight ► Inability to read for long Rush to your doctor if you find these symptoms. He will confirm/rule out Cataract with a five-minute diagnostic test – the slit lamp examination. The triggers Most common cause of Cataract is ageing. However, younger people can also be affected, especially if they are diabetic. Eye injuries, excess steroid medication, exposure to UV rays, X-rays, infrared rays could also be the culprits. Rarely though, children too get Cataract as a congenital defect. Surgery: the only cure
Advertiser Feature
Though change of glasses may lead to mild vision improvement in the early stages of
Cataract, it will not restore full clarity. Surgery is the only option. This safe and simple outpatient procedure involves replacing the clouded natural lens with an artificial silicone or plymer acrylate lens. Cataract surgeries have a very high success rate and patient satisfaction. Surgery costs between Rs.10000 to Rs.40000 per eye. Cost depends on the quality of service provided. Care after surgery Apart from using prescribed eye drops, wearing your protective eye shields and following the specific instructions of your surgeon, you need to take special care of your eyes as they heal. So for the first few weeks of the procedure, make sure that you:
► Avoid any kind of strenuous activity. ► Do not lift anything heavy ► Avoid head bath for three days after surgery ► Protect your eye from dust and bright light ► Inform your surgeon the moment you experience any abnormality.
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
in & AROUND
‘Temporary’ situation that has lasted 2 decades Lack of trash pickup points nearby has made 6th cross, 3rd block Koramangala near BDA complex a garbage dumping space for over 20 years now. Pourakarmikas say the garbage pickup truck comes about once a week to clear it. Devi, a pourakarmika says, “We have been dumping the garbage of the whole locality here. The BBMP truck comes and collects it whenever they want.” The garbage menace has been bothering residents and shopkeepers alike. A tea stall owner outside the BDA complex, who did not want to be named, says, “people standing here for tea have to deal with the bad smell because of the garbage dump there.” Lakshmi Raman, a resident of Koramangala says, “we can not
walk in from the 6th cross. The garbage is always all over the footpath and it stinks a lot.” BBMP however claims that this is a temporary situation. Savithri S, Environmental Engineer, Koramangala, says, “we do not have a particular pickup point in Koramangala 3rd block so it is the temporary pickup point till the new point is decided.” H T Bettegauda, Superintendent Engineer, South Zone, BBMP, says “I will ask the Environmental Engineer to contact the concerned person and get the garbage cleaned right away. It will not be dumped there from now.”
Anisha Nair
Garbage dumped inside and otside the BDA complex. Pic: Anisha Nair
A weekend at Ambedkar Nagar slum It is Saturday afternoon and the community welfare centre at Dr Ambedkar Nagar, Koramangala 5th block is abuzz with a bunch of excited 8 to 15 year olds. Today is the day the children of this slum get to learn computers and maths from volunteers of Bhoomi, an NGO. Just as this reporter stepped in, she heard cries for Andrew. No class ever starts without Andrew, she was told. He is a student of class VIII at Sacred Heart high school, Richmond road. His eyes sparkle with dreams and his smiling face brims with confidence. Andrews Children with their volunteer teachers. Pic: Anisha Nair
S, wants to become a software engineer when he grows up. His father is an electrician and his mother, a homemaker. “My mother always wanted me to become a software engineer. Slowly, I too started believing in becoming a software engineer as I want to earn a lot of money,” he says. Andrew’s enthusiasm and eagerness makes him the favourite among the children and the volunteers. More children like Andrew take advantage of these weekend classes. Volunteers from Bhoomi centre, an NGO, come together on weekends to teach subjects like Maths and Computers to children in slum areas and orphanage homes. These classes are conducted in Koramangala, Jayanagar, JP Nagar and Adugodi on weekends. The welfare centre turns into a learning centre even for the volunteers. For 24-year-old Engineer, Aarthi Shubha, these weekends are very fulfilling. She teaches computers here but says they want to learn a lot more than just computers. “The ideas that they come up with are really unusual. In fact, there is a lot that we are learning from them.” she adds.
Anisha Nair
Vol-4 Issue-06 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 5
otspot
Koramangala & HSR LaYout
The great ORR hotspot at Kadubeesanahalli
If good news on traffic matters evaporates the very next day, you must be in Bengaluru. Just weeks after the Devarabeesanahalli and Bellandur flyovers opened in the north-going direction, the next intersection at Kadubeesanahalli is the new choke point. The area is now a massive hotspot in the evenings with commuters and drivers getting stressed out and tempers fraying. The north going direction from Iblur/Sarjapur Road junction towards Marathahalli is packed with return commuters in cars and motorcycles the evening, along with BMTC’s packed and massive red Volvo AC buses. When traffic comes down the Devarabeesanhalli flyover (at Intel) and goes towards the Kadubeesanhalli intersection, it runs into a bottleneck due to the underpass work ongoing there. The south direction of the Kadubeesanahalli underpass has already opened. To accommodate north going traffic temporarily, BDA has allowed two lanes. One is a very narrow slip road going on the right flank of the north-underpass under construction and the other is a new lane miraculously carved up from the underpass in the south going direction. The south going underpass was made twoway temporarily to accommodate northbound traffic. Towards Marathahalli …...................... …...................... …...................... …...................... Only small …...................... vehices …...................... …...................... …...................... …...................... …...................... …...................... Under construction underpass
Buses Trucks
X
BUSES CARS
Towards Iblur/Agara TRUCKS
OUTER RING ROAD
And this is where the mess starts. Buses, trucks and heavy vehicles from the Iblur side are made to use the underpass lane, and in doing so have to collide with lighter vehicles (cars, two wheelers) using the top of the underpass-slip road. It’s a made-for-each other pathological scenario that repeats itself everyday all over Bengaluru. The buses cannot use the right lane before they turn into the underpass because buses have a stop on the left side. As a result of this hotspot, see figure, traffic backs up heavily. It can take upto half an hour to reach and then cross the hotspot, even though it takes only 5-10 minutes to cross the two flyovers. Last week, a terrible situation emerged when a portion of the road along the north going underpass work Kadubeesanahalli on caved in, resulting ORR is now a massive in traffic jammed hotspot in the evenings for hours. Though there were no with commuters and injuries sustained, drivers getting stressed v e h i c u l a r out and tempers fraying. movement on the slip road beside the underpass was stopped. Kadubeesanahalli’s north going underpass will be completed only by July this year, according to BDA PRO- K Puttaswamy. The underpass was originally supposed to finish in June 2011, as per BDA records received through RTI. The 15-month project began in March 2010. It costs Rs.39.8 crores, and is being built by Simplex Infrastructure Ltd. As of January 2012, BDA had released Rs.17.58 crores to the contractor.
Subramaniam Vincent
6 CITIZEN MATTERS 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 Vol-4 Issue-06
local matters
Citizen activist asks IT industries to move out of Koramangala Born in Kochi , Muralidhar Rao has been a Bangalorean since 1959 and a resident of Koramangala since 2005. He is a former industrialist himself.
He married his passion for writing ITES operations, should be asked to and civic mindedness and in 2006 shift out of Koramangala (residential co-founded praja.in. It is an online area). Instead of the signal-free platform to engage in discussions corridor that was proposed, perhaps on civic issues. He is also a member the Metro should have come along of the citizens group that alignment leading ‘Koramangala Initiative’. to Sarjapura. Further, Nimma His wife, Priya Rao, the 24-meter-wide neighbour works as a Associate road linking the Inner Director-Technical for Ring Road (at Ejipura Indian Spastics Society in Karnataka junction) with the Outer Ring Road region. He has a son and a daughter. at Agara, along the edge of the army property needs to be pursued Excerpts from his interview. speedily. How do you see Koramangala develop in This will help divert the through midst of all infrastructural growth? traffic which is otherwise cluttering Koramangala. Koramangala has grown far beyond the carrying capacity of its Do you have a role model? infrastructure. I can’t say I have a role model. I have What are the changes you would like to see in great admiration for Dr Jayaprakash Koramangala? Narayan, the Lok Satta party Founder. Commercial activities, particularly IT/ Abhishek Angad
NGV in rubble trouble Despite paying Rs 450 per house per month as maintenance charges residents of National Games Village apartments (NGV) are forced to live in shabby conditions. Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) had handed over the internal maintenance to residents earlier. But KHB remains in-charge of external maintenance. NGV has 14 blocks with over 2500 houses. Maintenance charge of `750 per house is collected, out of which `450 goes to the KHB for external maintenance. The remaining Rs.300 is used for internal maintenance like painting individual blocks, door-to-door garbage collection and repairs. External maintenance includes water supply, garbage clearance, cleaning the surroundings and maintaining the public toilets on NGV campus. However no work has been taken up in a while. Col Mario D’Souza, President of Nethravati block of NGV, says, “There are a lot of good facilities here like the club and playground for children. But the under-maintained condition of this society has made it difficult to stay here.”
Garbage dumped on the backside of NGV. Pic: Anisha Nair
KHB on the other hand claims that the maintenance amount collected is insufficient. Arunkumar N C, Assistant Executive Engineer, KHB, says, “The entire amount goes for water supply and we don’t have money for any other external maintenance.” However residents say water supply itself is not enough. In addition there are also cases of encroachment and illegal constructions that KHB has failed to address.
Anisha Nair
Vol-4 Issue-06 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 7
check outs
God’s own food in Namma Ooru! The aroma of the coconut oil being heated on a pan, the tempting curries and payasam dishes spread across the table is what God’s Own Country’s food is about. Here are some of the restaurants that serve the best of Kerala cuisine in Namma Koramangala and HSR Layout.
How can my hunt for the perfect Kerala cuisine be complete without the popular seafood from Kerala? The royal ambience at Oyster Bay, Koramangala, with scrumptious seafood sets the stage
The Kozhi Varutharacha curry (chicken curry) is prepared in roasted coconut paste. It is the perfect accompaniment with Neichoru. Average cost of meal for two is `500. Alcohol is not served.
When you set foot into Kumarakom in HSR Layout, it feels like you have stepped into an open courtyard house in Kerala with all the woodwork and high ceiling. It has with some typical Kerala features like the charu pady, chuttu vilakku and some fine cane and wood furniture. The pearl spot fish is brought from the backwaters of Kerala on a daily basis to Bangalore. The masala used here is a blend of very special spices unique to Kumarakom restaurants! Their perfectly lacy Appams and Beef Ularthiyathu is the most askedfor dish here. The Ularthiyathu has the right amount of spices and the coconut flavour is most dominant. Average cost of meal for two is `800. Alcohol is not served. The courteous and friendly staff of Back Waters on Sarjapur road makes the already tasty meal more enjoyable. The staff is helpful in choosing the dishes depending on whether you are a vegetarian or a seafood lover. The ambience is very calm and warm and gives you the perfect atmosphere for having a luxurious lunch and dinner.
to enjoy the coastal cuisine. Karimeen Pollichathu and Alleppey Curry Prawns are the delectables most preferred here. The presentation of dishes is extremely tempting. The food tastes equally delicious. Definitely a musttry! Average cost of meal for two is `1400 (without alcohol). Alcohol is served here. Café Malabari in Koramangala is a small cozy little place with great food. Kozhi Varutharacha curry and Neichoru (ghee rice)is the most sought-after combination of dish here.
The Appam and vegetable stew is a must try here. The vegetable stew is mouth-wateringly delicious. The stew is non-spicy and the slightly sweet Appam is the perfect combination to go with it. Average cost of meal for two is `400. Alcohol is not served. 8 CITIZEN MATTERS 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 Vol-4 Issue-06
A small café joint, Café Mangala, offers day-to-day Kerala meals. It offers a good variety to choose from. The most popular dish is the Rasam-rice and Sambar-rice. Majority of people come here to have their daily noon meals. If you get bored of everyday menu, Chemmeen curry is recommended. Average cost of meal for two is `400. Alcohol is not served. Kumarakom: 23, 14th Main, 4th Sector, Opposite BDA Complex, HSR Layout. Ph: 65000118 Back Waters: 334, Near Wipro Corporate Office, Dodda Kanehalli, Sarjapur Road, Ph: 28440066, 8861166555 Oyster Bay: 77/A, Cygnus Chambers, Near Bhima Jewellers, Jyothi Nivas College Road, Koramangala. Ph: 42090000 Café Malabari: 143, Next To Anand Sweets, 5th Block, Munireddy Kalyana Mandapa Road, Koramangala. Ph: 25507373 Café Mangala: 17, 6th Block, Kathalipalya, Koramangala. Ph: 40944264, 8095809819
Anisha Nair
check outs
Go upcycling this weekend Don’t know what to do with those gifts you don’t like? Want to pick up a second hand oven? The flea market this weekend has stuff to buy and ideas to try out. This Sunday’s Second to None flea market event, will have a bit of everything from used books, electronic items, furniture and home decor knick knacks. You can also pick up handmade and homemade items from paper jewellery to jams, cakes and more. The concept of garage sale may be common in western countries but it is the same philosophy of the Gujilis of the market area; accessing these gujilis are not easy though. Now there is an easier way to get rid of the gift you never opened.
File pic of the flea market. Inset: the items for sale. Pics courtesy: Second to None.
Theater systems at the flea market. What to look out for Story Revolution, founded by Angela Jain and Shalini are bringing their lovely collection of award
Anupama Gummaraju, along with her friends Reena Chengappa and Shilipa Kamath initiated Second To None, a series of flea markets to promote a healthier and a greener lifestyle. Anupama says that the idea is simple enough for people to participate and encourage recycling and reuse habit. With over 2000 people sharing their creative ideas in the online group, ‘Second To None’, this flea When: 22nd market will April, 2012, 11 be a physical am-5 pm extension to Venue: ‘Jaaga’, the regular Double Road, interaction and Opposite barter online!
Corporation
M a n y Bank, Behind committed KH Road Bus members of 220 Stand. are planning to sell stuff they no longer use at home - like laptops, massagers, Modems and Home
w i n n i n g children’s books.
Karaashilp and Anokhi Planet make handcrafted and recycled/upcycled items. Chitra Nair converts old rubber tires and oil cans to make seats and planters for your garden. Krishna Panyam will be a treat to watch, as he churns out exquisite origami creations. Also checkout Sharwari Tilloo’s jewellery from waste paper, Abhishek Agarwal’s art items with used car parts and Madani’s cloth bags made from scraps of fabric.
And What’s a market without food? don’t miss will sell Citizen Matters’ Taantra organic cakes and green tips corner Hema Mahesh’s Nature in a Bottle, at the venue to specialises in interact on Gourmet Jams of exotic fruit green ideas combinations. John
Old bottles or boxes can be recycled no doubt but to repurpose them into beautiful objects of daily use can provide pleasure as well as satisfaction. Namrata and Antara of Enthucutlets cut broken ceramic tiles to make coasters, illustrated with quirky art. They also do decoupage art and boxes made of banana fibre, pin up boards and black boards.
Fenessy will be bringing pesto and peanut butter along with fruits and vegetables from his organic farm. So see you Sunday! And don’t miss Citizen Matters’ green tips corner at the venue to share your ideas and rate ideas submitted by others. Citizen Matters is the media partner for the event.
News desk
Vol-4 Issue-06 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 9
CM Special
We will win: Ashwin Mahesh Most readers would not have heard of this election and yet it is around the corner. The second chamber of the Karnataka legislature the Council - has a special set of seats for graduate voters. This year, Bangalore’s graduate constituency seat will open up. BJP’s Ramachandra Gowda is incumbent, and his term ends in June.
Activists and citizens along with Ashwin Mahesh and Justice Hegde. Pic: Abhishek Angad
ABIDe member and socialtechnologist Ashwin Mahesh has thrown his hat into the race, contesting on a Lok Satta Party ticket. At an event in Shantinagar on 12th April, Justice Santosh Hegde endorsed Mahesh and registered as voter, along with him.
they can work better with their Endorsing Mahesh, Justice Hegde own initiatives without becoming urged people to register and vote dependent on government”, says in the election. He Mahesh. says, “I have known Mahesh, who has Ashwin Mahesh for The dates may not also been part a few years now and yet be set for the of India Against I can vouch for his Corruption integrity, sincerity for MLC elections, but movement, public service, vision campaigning has has won many for Bangalore and a c c o l a d e s his involvement with heated up. Loksatta for urban grass-root work.” candidate Ashwin development. “I think there is a Mahesh is out urging He feels that real opportunity for development this kind of politics. graduates to register. in any country I would like to push is the sum and the political system substance of to empower people already active civic development, citizenship and in taking up social issues, so that politics, but that politics is one area
What is Bangalore graduates MLC election? Members of Legislative Council (upper house of state legislature)- MLCs are like MLAs. The Bangalore Graduates Constituency is made up of graduates from 36 assembly constituencies in Bangalore Urban and Bangalore Rural. Who can vote in this election? Any citizen of India residing in Bangalore who graduated before Nov 2008 from any recognised university of india can vote in
this election. Note: The Graduate Constituency has a different process from the mp, mla, bbmp elections. The voter id card cannot be used, you have to register separately. How to register 1. Filled and signed Form 18 (available at http://smartvote.in/ Form_18.pdf ) 2. Photocopy of degree certificate. 3. Proof of current address (rental agreement, phone bill, electricity bill, DL, passport) submit 2 copies
10 CITIZEN MATTERS 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 Vol-4 Issue-06
avoided for a long time by citizens. With his campaign, Mahesh says he wants to start “rebuilding politics”. Mahesh has also filed a case in High Court asking for a directive to the Election Commision (EC) to simplify voter registrations for the graduate constituency, to promote enrollment. The EC now runs a cumbersome process, dissuading registration. A number of noted Bangaloreans are endorsing Mahesh. Noted among them are ace cricketer Anil Kumble, and former Infosys Director Mohandas Pai.
ABHISHEK ANGAD, SUBRAMANIAM VINCENT
Full disclosure: Ashwin Mahesh is also a director at Oorvani Media, publisher of Citizen Matters.
of the above to the nearest ARO. Where to register? Residents of Ward 148-Ejipura and 151-Koramangala can contact: L.Sundareshaiah, Revenue Officer, BBMP, Jayanagar Shopping Complex, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Ph:22975744 Residents of Ward 174-HSR Layout can contact Shashikala, Revenue Officer BBMP, (old CMC Office) 1st Floor, Bommanahalli, Begur Main Road, Ph:25735398
cm Exclusive
LDA and Citizens want to save Agara lake now On February 29, 2012, the Karnataka High Court cancelled the lease of Agara lake in HSR Layout which was given to Biota Natural Systems (India). Biota had filed a petition against the termination of lease of Agara lake by Lake Development Authority (LDA) in 2009. Following the High Court judgement, the lake has been handed back to the LDA.
Background Biota contested LDA’s termination in its petition. Biota claimed that it could not take up any development work on the lake due to the delay in handing over the lake. The lake was handed to Biota in August 2007. Right after that, Rudrappa, a resident of Agara village had challenged the lease of the lake by filing a PIL which was disposed off. In 2008, Environment Support Group (ESG), an NGO, filed a writ petition against the lease of the lake. ESG filed the petition on the grounds that the lease of the lake to profit-making organisations was in violation of principles of intergenerational equity and public trust. The lease was also against the Karnataka Parks Preservation Act, 1975, they claimed. This case was also disposed off.
However LDA demanded the termination of the lease of the lake in 2009 saying the lake was neglected by Biota and no development was carried out.
Residents to pitch in?
After flooding in HSR Layout due to Madiwala lake overflow few years ago, looks like stormwater drains are all connected to the sewage lines and no water is coming into Agara lake.”
LDA’s plans for Agara lake
Residents of Koramangala and HSR Layout are making After getting the efforts to maintain responsibility of the U V Singh says and revive Agara lake, LDA believes lake now since the LDA is open that their prime focus lease to the private to involving is to ensure good company has been inflow of water to the residents in cancelled. Save Agara lake. They are also Lake is an initiative reviving the lake. planning to construct taken up by the a sewage treatment residents of Mantri plant to ensure better Sarovar towers on Outer Ring Road quality water flowing into the lake. to maintain the lake. U V Singh, CEO, LDA, says, “we are Ganesan M, 44, member of the Save preparing a draft consisting of the Agara Lake initiative, says, “A lot of requirements of the maintenance people come to this lake from far of the lake and will submit it to off places. They are keen on reviving the state government soon. Our the lake and maintaining it.” engineers are examining the longterm requirements of the lake. Residents are now trying to Depending on that, if less fund is understand the reason for lower needed, the LDA itself will fund it. If water levels in the lake. Satheesh more fund is required, we will have Amilineni, a software engineer and to ask the state government to fund an active member of the community it.” says, “the problem with Agara lake is that water from catchment Singh says LDA is open to involving area is not directed into the lake. residents in reviving the lake. Just rainwater from HSR Layout Anisha Nair is enough for the lake to get full. Vol-4 Issue-06 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 11
for your Info
Be careful of the water you drink Water is the elixir of life. But according to World Health Organisation, nearly 1.8 million people die every year due to water-borne diseases. What are these diseases that we need to be careful about? The diseases range from gastritis, diarrhoea, jaundice, polio, amoebiasis, tapeworm infest ation, hydatid disease of liver, intestine, and lungs, worms to cholera, typhoid, and so on. Vomiting, and loose motions, if persistent, lead to electrolyte imbalance and can even be fatal. Cholera is another waterborne disease which can lead to epidemics and large number of deaths. The causes of these diseases are unsafe water, lack of sanitation, and unhygienic practices. A very important cause of outbreak of
waterborne diseases is health matters due to damaged sewage Col (Retd.) Dr Mukul Saxena lines and water supply, leading to contamination ● Wash hands regularly and of water. properly: before cooking food and before eating, after using toilet, or Some of the common symptoms changing diapers, using tissues or of waterborne diseases are : handkerchief after takin care of ● Abdominal cramps people with diarrhoea, changing ● Vomitings clothes or beddings soiled with ● Jaundice stools, etc. ● Diarrhoea ● Clean water storing utensils. ● Loss of weight or ● Ensure water is purified. If facilities fatigue are not available, the water should be boiled at the least. Prevention of these diseases depends ● Children with symptoms of upon the government’s actions waterborne disease should not like providing safe potable water, attend school till asymptomatic. community awareness and actions ● People involved in cooking food at individual level. Some of the or serving food should not use important preventive actions , one cloth to dry hands after washing can take are: as they are potential source of ● Take care of hygiene - like cutting spreading infection. nails.
Property Tax Time: Your New Pid, How To Get It This year’s property tax payment process will result in your getting a new GIS-based PID (Property Identification number). This new PID is issued with the ward number, new street ID and newly allotted property number. 1. Go to the link bbmp.gov.in and click on the tab ‘GIS-based new PID’ 2. Go to the bottom of the page and click on ‘To Know your New PID Click Here’
6. For corrections, you can contact your BBMP ward office. 7. Please note: In your property tax receipt for 20122013, this new PID number will also be given.
Citizen Reports
3. Enter the application number you used for your 20082009 property tax payment or enter your current PID number and click on ‘Search’. 4. Click on your name and then click ‘Fetch’. You will get the details. Copy/print this page for your records. (Note: BBMP GIS PID project is yet to be completed and if you do not get your new PID, do not worry. It will become available on the website this year, BBMP officials say. )
Quick tips for property tax payment
BBMP started property tax collection for 2012 -2013 from April 2nd. The information required to fill the form are PID number or Khata number, SAS 20082009 and 2011-2012 application numbers, receipt and date. Computation for this year is the same as last year, so data can be taken from last year’s receipt. Tax amount includes property tax and SWM (Solid Waste Management) cess, and can be paid by cheque/DD/pay order, or credit/ debit cards.
5. Click on the tab ‘click here to view your property in GIS map’. You will get a Google Map of your area with your property details. Save/print for your records. 12 CITIZEN MATTERS 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 Vol-4 Issue-06
SRINIVASAN S is a resident of Uttarahalli. D R Prakash also shared inputs for this story. For our detailed 2012-13 guide to paying your property tax, please look out for one of our upcoming issues in May.
Extra News
Metro stations to get coffee shops
Feeder bus routes through South Bangalore
1) MF-3 that goes from Banashankari bus stand to Shivajinagar bus stand, via Jayanagar bus station, Ashoka Pillar, Shankthinagar, Nanjappa Circle, Shoolay Circle, Mayohall and MG Road station. There are 102 trips daily in both directions combined.
Metro stations in MG Road and Bayappanahalli may soon have restrooms and coffee shops. BMRC (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation) floated tenders for coffee shops on April 4th. Four shops – two each on MG Road (one on Anil Kumble Circle end, other on Brigade Road end) and Bayappanahalli (one of OMR side, another on NGEF side) – will come up.
that BMRC is expecting major brands like Cafe Coffee Day to bid for the license to start coffee shops. Coffee shop will be a kiosk that serves coffee/tea, beverages and readyto-eat bakery and confectionery of reputed brands. Rest of the area will be reserved for seating. As per the bid document in BMRC website, only those who own/operate at least 25 coffee shops of a particular brand are eligible to apply. The bidder should have operated these shops for at least three financial years with average turnover of Rs 15 cr per year.
Both restrooms and coffee shops will be open to general public in addition to Metro commuters. These structures will be outside, completely separated from the main Metro The decision to stations. Restrooms start restrooms will be built for three categories – men, women was taken after and disabled. BMRC had continued initially said that the demand of stations do not need restrooms as the time of citizens,” says journey is very short. Ravi Prakash,
Tenders for coffee shops are initially for two years, and can be extended another two terms of two years each (another four years total). Only for Bayappanahalli station’s OMR side coffee shop, contract will not be renewed after two years.
“The decision to build Manager PRO at restrooms was taken BMRC. after continued demand of citizens,” says Ravi Prakash, Manager PRO at BMRC. In addition to a fixed one-time fee, licensees have to pay a Minimum Prakash says that the tenders both Monthly Guarantee (MMG) amount for restrooms and coffee shops will to BMRC. The bidder who quotes be awarded in 1-2 months. He says the highest MMG will be awarded
2) MF-4 that goes from Silk Board to Kalyana Nagar bus stand, via Koramangala Water Tank, Inner Ring Road, Domlur, Trinity Cuircle metro station, MG Road Metro station, Commercial Street, Frazer Town, Clarence School, Kacharakanahalli. There are 98 trips daily. 3) MF-5 that goes from Madiwala to Old Bayappanahalli via Koramangala Water Tank, Inner Ring Road, Domlur, Indiranagar Metro station, SV Road Metro Station. There are 130 trips in this route. For timings, check citizenmatters.in
the license.
Feeder services gaining ground When Metro started operating in October, feeder buses were not much in demand and that has changed now. BMTC’s Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO) B G Sampangi Rame Gowda says that routes had to be rationalised in November, but not after.
Navya P K
Vol-4 Issue-06 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 13
classifieds & Listings Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine
Citizen Matters EDITORS Subramaniam Vincent Meera K Padmalatha Ravi JOURNALISM TEAM Navya P K Anisha Nair Abhishek Angad edit@citizenmatters.in MKTG/CIRCULATION Raghavendra 9845506477 Satvik Kaushik 9886754908 Vasanth 9620920820 circulation@oorvani.in mktg@oorvani.in ADVT SALES Ramachandran P 9901685368 Srikant Sahu 9916235626 adsales@oorvani.in Design/Production Shivakeshava M Founded by Meera K Subramaniam Vincent ©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.
Cover credits Anisha Nair Errata
Vol-4 issue-05. In the last issue, cover headline had a typo. It should have read “Whose side is BBMP on?”, instead of “Who’s side is BBMP on?”. We apologise.
classifieds education INTENSIVE COACHING Foreign programs: ACCA/ CIMA/ CMA, Indian Programs: BE (merit coaching)/ Bank exam 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, 9742167094, 9902888485, 9448117457
Magical Music goes silver Mozart, Schubert and a Rajasthani folk song come together at the Bangalore School of Music’s 25th anniversary. Normally, if you were to walk past the East West Center - the headquarters of the Bangalore School of Music(BSM) - in RT Nagar, you would hear students rattling away at their pianos, violins and flutes. This year, and in particular, this month though, was special. This year is the BSM’s celebration of ‘Odyssey 2012’ - their musical journey that began 25 years ago. On April 10th, ninetyfive musicians performed at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, conducted by maestro Vijay Upadhyaya. The event was presented by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, New Delhi- in collaboration with BSM. This is just one of the many events celebrating Bangalore very own music school’s silver anniversary. Events and Performances such as the Jazz Fusion Fest, featuring acts such as The Rex Rosario Quintet and Peter Dickson and an International Youth Choir Festival were others. The rest of the year promises to be as exciting. BSM has come a long way since 1987, when founder Aruna Sunderlal first held classes in her Netaji Road home near Basavanagudi. When Rebecca Thomas, now a piano teacher at the BSM, joined
Rehearsal in Progress at the BSM. Pic courtesy: BSM
in 1991, there were just 60 or 70 students. Today, a well-trained faculty of 30 trains around 350 students. “I love the informal family type of setup”, says Rebecca. Behind all this, are extremely giving hands. Many students from economically weaker sections receive training for free. Over 25 years, these have numbered to more than 3500! The biggest assets of the school? “Our faculty members and our students”, says Aruna now Managing Trustee of the BSM. “Our faculty is the backbone of the school and our students are our gems.” Its motto is simple: Music Unites. The school conducts 25-30 public concerts every year, with both Indian and international performers. Salonie is a Communicative English student and Mount Carmel College.
pickup points for Citizen matters
HSR LAYOUT
19th Main
TANDOOR POINT
HSR CLUB
SRI SHAKTI RESTAURANT
SUPRIYA DEPT STORE
17TH Cross
M K AHMED BAZAR 17TH Cross
SWAGAT DEPT. STORE 9th Main
RUSH PHARMA 9th Main 7th Sector
ANDHRA SPICE 14th Main, 17th Cross
SHIVA SAGAR DARSHINI
24th Main
BDA complex 14th Main
16th Main, 22nd Cross
EASY BUY SUPER MARKET
LITTLE ITALY
Below Nagarjuna green ride Apt.
AM ENTERPRISES
KORAMANGALA Near Forum
NAMDHARIS 80 Feet Road
Opp Nagarjuna green ride Apt.
UDUPI UPAHAR
GANESH MEDICALS
FOOD CHARIOT
24th Main
14 CITIZEN MATTERS 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 Vol-4 Issue-06
7th Main, 1st Block Ashwini Layout
A M Medicals
1st Block Koramangala
Somya Stationery’s
1st Block Koramangala
The French Loaf
80ft road, 4th Block, Koramangala
Madurai idly shop
Koramangala 6th Block
New shanti sagar
7th Block Koramangala
Krishna Upahar
80ft road Koramangala
Koramangala HSr layout
A Casa state of mind Casa! And that one word captured an entire mindset and way of life - it was a sign that Bangalore was modern, it was cool, and we lived in it. There was not a moment we didn’t try to save up pocket money and go there. The waves of nostalgia that wash over me when I think about “My Bangalore” can sometimes be overwhelming. There is no other city on the planet that I am as attached to in a deep psychic sense. After all, I spent some of my most formative years here. Those parts of Bangalore I knew well, I knew because I had a bicycle and I cycled all over the city. I think I probably knew about half the city intimately and the other half not at all. Before the bicycle, there were the 131 and 7 doubledeckers, and the occasional 131D and 7A singledeckers. I distinctly remember standing in the hot sun, in front of what is now the KFC in Indiranagar, and waiting for the buses to labour their way up 100 Ft Road and then make that left onto CMH Road and then down to the Ulsoor and eventually to Devatha Plaza and the long-gone “Cash Pharmacy.” I must have made that trip in both directions hundreds of times in the years I lived in Bangalore regularly between 1983 and 1987. Sometimes I made the trip equipped with my “Exeat card” and dressed in my Bishop Cotton whites and green blazer, sometimes in casual clothes, and sometimes in khaki uniform. Most of the time I hung out on the door of the bus - being about as “native” as I could possibly be. I think about that kind of recklessness now and marvel that I survived my teenage years. When the original Casa Piccola
at the time. “My Bangalore” is probably gone for good. The last real connections I have to it are Cottons, of course, probably re-constructed to ever more unrecognizable modernity, and my grandparents’ house in Indiranagar. I knew every inch of both places and they knew me. Soon the house will be gone, too. opened, I was in the 9th standard and it was my first year back at Cottons since the earlier stint during 197778. It was such an immediate hit. We should have known then that there was this huge pent-up desire in the Indian consumer classes for the casual sit-down dining concept.
There was not a moment we didn’t try to save up pocket money and go there. My favorite thing to eat there was the UFO. Of course, now I know that the UFO was just pulled pieces of roasted chicken stirred together with a mixture of ketchup and mayo... but back then, it was just the most amazing thing EVER! And so very unlike anything any of us had eaten to that point. It wasn’t really American style fast food like the KFCs and McDonalds that I had been exposed to during stays in Southeast Asia, and it sure wasn’t the local neighborhood dosa and vada place. It was Casa! And that one word captured an entire mindset and way of life for the rest of my time at Cottons and Bangalore. It was a sign that Bangalore was modern, it was cool, and we lived in it and, ironically enough, experienced it from within the walls of one of the oldest and most traditional institutions in the city
And then there will just be the original buildings of Cottons and its old St. Peter’s chapel. Of course, I shouldn’t forget to mention the Girls’ school, where I spent a bit of time, or St. Mark’s Cathedral, which was for a time a vitally important place for me. For it was only at St. Mark’s that you could actually look across the aisle and see “the girls” from the Girls’ school. When I left “My Bangalore” for good near the end of August of 1987, I was very eager for the next chapter of my life. I grabbed onto it with both hands and never looked back. But “My Bangalore” insistently comes back to me in quiet moments all the time. The indelible impressions of the night watchman banging his stick on the street late at night, the imam’s calls to prayer early in the morning, the sunlight dappling through the flame of the forest trees lining the main drive of Cottons, the race from study hall to be first in line at the dining hall, the walks through Cubbon Park, and Lal Bagh, the long bicycle rides all over the city - trying as always to figure out whether going around Ulsoor Lake was shorter than going through Ulsoor itself and up CMH... to get back home. Ravee Kurian’s boarding school experiences from Bishop Cottons in the 1980s still provide him valuable life lessons in his career as a management consultant based in the Washington DC area.
Vol-4 Issue-06 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 15
WORKSHOP
Film Appreciation Workshop Designed to promote understanding and insight into the nature of cinema. The course will include discussion on independent film production, the digital age and New Media. The workshop will include basic history of film, forms of moving image media and future challenges. A Weekend Workshop: Rs. 2500 per participant 18-May to 20 May, Suchitra Film Society, No.36, 9th main, B V Karanth Road, Banashankari II Stage. Ph: 984 505 5034, 26711785
5.30 pm, Sun, 22 April, NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru), 49, Palace Road Meet the Artist Featuring: Ravi Kumar Kashi and B Devaraj, Moderated by: Suresh Jayaram. Fri, 27 April at 6 pm, Bangalore International Centre, TERI Complex, 4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlur II Stage, Ph: 98865 99675
MUSIC & DANCE
AddressHealth: Inspire 2012 A unique, free summer jamboree for children with wheezing/asthma and on inhalers. It will feature fun-tastic and innovative games which will entertain children and educate them about asthma care. For registration call +91 8105698888 1-2 May, AddressHealth clinic, Hulimavu, Bannerghatta Road
World Dance Day Alliance Française de Bangalore and its cultural partner, Ashish Khokar, present over 100 dancers on the occasion of World Dance Day, honouring the memory of pioneering French ballet artiste Jean Georges NOVERRE. This full-day event will showcase modern, classical, folk and film dances. Sunday 29 April, 10am10 pm, 21, Palace road, Vasanthnagar, Ph: 08041231340
Talk: Mysore Palace: The Making of a Monument By RG Singh of Ramsons Kala Pratishatana, Mysore. Presented by INTACH Bangalore in collaboration with NGMA, celebrating World Heritage Day. Listen to the story behind the making of this 100-yearold monument, with lots of rare, archival photos and interesting facts.
The Exercise Book Music programme by Sikkil Gurucharan and Anil Srinivasan Friday, 4 May, 7 pm, auditorium of Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Vasanthanagar. Ph: 98865 99675
TALK
Flute Recital - Unplugged by N Rajkamal, Accompanied by Ganakalashree Vid. C.Cheluvaraju 10 am Sunday 22 April, Ananya Sabhangana, Malleswaram. Ph: 9980991110 KRISHNARPANAM by Shambhavi Dance Ensemble Shama Vana, Basaveshwara Nagar, 24 Apr 6:30 pm
WALK
Daily Dump’s Trash Trail 7 am to 3 pm, #2992, 12th A Main, HAL 2nd Stage, Ph: 9916426661, www. dailydump.org
THEATRE
Trivial Disasters Harami Theatre’s collection of comic sketches. Written and directed by Ajay Krishnan, Trivial Disasters features serial killers, nervous lovers, inept kidnappers and hotheaded poets. 22 April, 1pm (Sunday) at Habanero, Whitefield & 29 April, 8.30 pm (Sunday) at Bacchus, St Marks Road. Ph: 9535779953
16 CITIZEN MATTERS 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 Vol-4 Issue-06
Plays in Rangashankara (JP Nagar) 21 Sat Boy with a Suitcase (E) 22 Sun Yen Hucchuri...Yaak Hingadtiri… (K) (also at 3.30 pm on Sun) 24 Tue 25 Wed Nam Thimthana (K)
26 Thu Santheyolagondu Maneya Maadi (K) 27 Fri, 28 Sat Spunk (E) (also at 3.30 pm on Sat) (strictly for 18 year olds and above) 29 Sun Rafta Rafta (E) (also at 3.30 pm)(strictly for 18 year olds and above) 1 to 3 May (Tue to Thu) The Interview (E) Plays at K H KalaSoudha, Hanumanth Nagar Sat, 21 Apr - Hosabelaku (K) Ph: 7259998222/333. 23-27 Apr - Narnia (K) Ph: 9341213345.
FILM “Copying Beethoven” - CinemaSophy Club Screening & Discussion Sat 21 Apr, 6 pm. Free Admission. New Acropolis Bangalore, #203 HM Studios, 67 St. Mark’s road, behind Nandhini hotel Also at Acropolis: Guided Music Listening at 7am, Thu 26 Apr
CHILDREN
Aptitude test Manasa Consultants will hold an aptitude testing session for 10th,I & II PU, 11th& 12th std students, to scientifically assess and guide them to the right courses. Registration compulsory. For further details, call: Annapurna Murthy-9845058349 22 - 29 Apr, # 399, 11th cross, 17th main ,II phase J.P.Nagar
Summer fun at Bal Bhavan Even before summer camps became the fad that it is now, Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park has had summer camps. The camps have been going on for over 25 years now. Divya Narayanappa, secretary of Bal Bhavan says, “We have modified the summer camps this year and introduced Sanskrit as a compulsory class to revive the traditional culture.” Around 142 children have already registered for the camps. With the registrations still on, they are expecting almost about 200 children to be enrolled in the Bal Bhavan summer camps this year. April 12 to May 20, 10 am – 4.30 pm
Features
Batch: 5 to 10 years Activities: Yoga, meditation, Sanskrit (compulsory), painting, clay modelling, dance, theatre, singing. Price: Rs. 750 Batch: 8 to 14 years Activities: Yoga, meditation, Sanskrit (compulsory), painting, clay modelling, dance, theatre, singing, mehendi, embroidery, metal embossing. Price: Rs. 1200 Batch: 12 to 16 years Activities: Yoga, meditation, Sanskrit (compulsory), painting, clay modelling, dance, theatre, singing, mehendi, embroidery, metal embossing, vegetable and
fruits carving, aeromodelling, ship modelling. Price: Rs. 1500 Bal Bhavan has tied up with Reliance Big Aims Aquarius Animation Pvt. Ltd. for animation training. This training is free for all the batches. The classes are held by trained staff and school teachers who take these classes during vacations.
Strangler Fig and Asian Koel. Pic: Deepa Mohan
Sings beautifully, a parasite all the same
The Koel lays its egg in other birds’ When we hear the word “parasites”, nests, and the birds we generally think of ignorant of this, bring leeches. But there are up the baby Koel along other creatures and with their own nestlings. plants around us, that Often, the Koel pushes are parasites - living out the other nestlings to beings which live on get more food for itself. other creatures. One of them, not often known, In the plant world, is the Braconid wasp. too, there are several This wasp ensures a parasites, best known of fresh supply of protein which, are the various orchids we for its young, by laying its eggs on grow in our gardens. But there is also a caterpillar. When the eggs hatch the Strangler Fig. on the caterpillar, they feed on the This fig tree starts caterpillar, sucking life on another tree, its blood and then, Nature Feature when it germinates as all insects do, Deepa Mohan from the seed that the larvae turn into the birds drop. It then pupae, still stuck on puts down roots that slowly form a the caterpillar’s hair. Once the eggs network around the host tree, and hatch, the larvae endsup eating the reach the ground. Over a period caterpillar. of time, the Strangler Fig literally Another creature that we often see strangles the host tree to death. In in our city, hearing its melliflous call, the photograph, you can see the Fig is the Asian Koel. The male is a blackforming its deadly network of roots coloured bird with bright red eyes, around the trunk of the host tree. and the female is dappled black-andNo one likes parasites, who live on white. others, but it’s a fact of life in Nature. Vol-4 Issue-06 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 17
last word
Going to Srirangapatna? A quick guide for you Srirangapatna is a walk down the history lane. The stone fortress, Summer Palace, Tipu Museum, Hoysala temples and Gumbaz are the remainders of a bygone era when Srirangapatna was a power centre. Sangam
A surprising fact about Srirangapatna is that the city is an island, bounded by river Cauvery from all sides. This eggshaped island is named after Sri Ranganatha, the presiding deity of the Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple which is the chief attraction in the city. The city was ruled by Ganga dynasty during the 9th century. It then came under Vijayanagara empire. During the start of 16th century it was captured by the Mysore king, Raja Wodeyar I, who made Srirangapatna his capital. It was then taken over by Hyder Ali, the general of Mysore king. He and his son Tipu Sultan converted the city into fortified city and made it a significant centre for many decades.
built by Tipu sultan in 1784 AD to commemorate his victory in the second Mysore war against the English. Daria Dowlat means “wealth from the sea” and it was so named because Tipu started extending his territory beyond the seas after his victory over the English.
Tipu’s Museum This museum dedicated to Tipu is Gumbaz located on the first floor of Daria Dowlat palace. The museum has Tipu’s personal belongings, gold and copper coins of Hyder and Tipu, weapons like swords, cannons of different sizes etc. There are also rare charcoal sketches and historical
Daria Dowlat This is a summer palace
Colonel Baillie’s dungeon
paintings like ‘The fall of Srirangapatna’, paintings of Tipu and his sons etc.
Tipu’s Death This is the spot where Tipu Sultan’s body was found. He fought against 50,000 men from British forces and the troops of Nizam of Hyderabad. The place where his body was discovered has a plaque erected, and the area has been fenced by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Getting there The Mysore Express stops at Srirangapatna. Bus services run regularly between Bangalore and Mysore. If you are driving, take the SH17 (Bangalore-Mysore Road), and Srirangapatna comes after Maddur and Mandya. The journey takes about three hours from Bangalore.
Where to eat? Srirangapatna does not boast of any good eateries. So have breakfast and pack lunch from hotels on the highway. Some good hotels are Kamat LokRuchi, Adigas, and MTR.
Usha Hariprasad
Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple. All the pics: Usha Hariprasad
18 CITIZEN MATTERS 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 Vol-4 Issue-06
Be a Citizen Journalist! Submit your articles online at
www.citizenmatters
.in
WRITE ARTICLES on problems you face, ideas you propose, local events you organise or attend and your experiences on day-to-day living in the city. SUBMIT ALERTS on issues SHARE EVENTS that your that need to be investigated. neighbours may like to attend.
COMMENT & DISCUSS on whatever matters to you.
And spread the word! This is your own community newsmagazine. A forum for topics that matter to you. All about your city, your neighbourhood, your concerns and your initiatives.
Come on, Time to get involved!