Citizen Matters JP Nagar-BTM-Jayanagar
No. 3/119, 9th Main, 3rd Block, Jayanagar
Local news like no one else does
Ph:42068504/05
women & public space
give us light, say women Page 11
Women’s Special
6 Stinky loos, no relief 7 Musician, writer, activist, feminist 8 Light on your pocket, heavy in your tummy 10 The unseen businesswomen of Bengaluru 14 Saroja Puthran: Against all odds 18 Things not to say before you’ve had kids of your own
ters Mato the n e itiz you t
ycle c e se Rela 5pm at u e R Mly 11am to17 C
tes
invi
Pg 5 Ju ay 1 M. See BT
d Sun
To enquire for ads, give us a missed call: 080-300 88 614
bengaluru
¹neóÉ£ï ªÉÄålgïìð
FREE fortnightly
www.citizenmatters.in Vol- 4 Issue- 12
14 - 27 July 2012
*Conditions apply. **Offer applicable on net sale value of `5000.
www.lifestylestores.com
Oasis Centre, Inner Ring Road, Koramangala. Ph: 40276400 Mantri Square, Malleshwaram. Ph: 22658934-35
Adarsh Opus, Richmond Rd. Ph: 25564555
Gopalan Signature Mall, Old Madras Road. Ph: 25340171/173
Citizen Matters Vol- 4 Issue- 12, 14 - 27 July 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, #98/1, MMR Plaza 1st Floor, Sarjapur Main Road, Jakkasandra, Koramangala 1st Block, Bangalore 560034. Editor Subramaniam Vincent.
Natural Toothache Remedies People have, at some point or the other in their lives, have experienced a toothache- be it mild or severe. When a toothache hits, it can be fairly debilitating and can be a mini emergency in itself, driving you to a phone book, looking for a dentist who can see you immediately to help relive you of your misery. While you may be able to get an appointment with a dentist, depending on the time of the day, it would be great to be equipped with some basic home care techniques which will empower you to bear the pain till you get to the dentist. Here are a few such tips on how to handle an unexpected toothache. Apply oil of cloves: You can pick this up at the pharmacy. Follow the directions for use carefully (because ingesting too much can lead to poisoning), and be sure to put it only on the tooth and NOT on the gum. Otherwise,your gums and tissues will start burningThis may distract you from your toothache. And remember, oil of cloves won’t cure the toothache; it just temporarily numbs the nerve. Cool the swelling: Put a cold compress on the outside of your cheek if you’ve got swelling from the toothache.
Keep your head up: Elevating your head can decrease the pressure in the area and may lessen throbbing pain. Rinse: You can’t really rinse away the pain (although it’s a pleasant thought), but you can rinse with warm water to remove any food debris that may be causing or aggravating the pain. A piece of food that gets stuck in the gum can hurt as much as damaged tooth pulp. Stir one teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water, swish it around in your mouth, then spit it out. Adding a pinch of salt would help alleviate the pain and act as an anti-bacterial
Remember, that if you have a toothache, there is a problem that should be attended to… when you are relieved of the pain, do not defer your trip to the dentist... go and take care of the issue, so that you do not have to deal with another such emergency!!
Chill the pain: Holding an ice cube or cold water in the mouth may relieve the pain. But if you find that it simply aggravates your sensitive tooth, skip it.
Be careful with the hot, the cold, and the sweet. These foods and beverages may aggravate an already sore and sensitive situation. Avoid these till you meet your dentist to locate the source of the problem.
Plug it with gauze or gum: If the tooth feels sensitive to air, cover it with a piece of gauze, a small piece of dental wax (available at many pharmacies), or a bit of chewed sugarless chewing gum (use the teeth on the opposite side of the mouth to chew the gum) until you can get to the dentist.
Sandhya Ramanujam
Advertiser Feature
Floss: No, it’s not a cure, but flossing is another way to remove any food debris that could be trapped. The rubber tip on your toothbrush or a toothpick (if used with caution) can help dislodge stuck food, too.
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)
women’s special
A startup to help startups T
She mentions one example, wehre she published a detailed article about registering a company on her website, after hearing about the problem faced by real entrepreneurs.
wo years ago, a direct sales company, RMP Infotech got its website redesigned adding new marketing initiatives, that subsequently increased company’s visibility to new customers. Likewise there are businesses, mostly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with minimal online presence or totally offline and there is a dire need to bring them online for their growth, says Sangeeta Dilip who was instrumental in redesigning the website. Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, Bangalore-based Sangeeta, 27, saw opportunity in this segment and founded startupfreak.com to help offline SMEs go online. She left Wipro Technologies in 2009 and pursued a one year course on entrepreneurship at IIM, Bangalore.
On the website, Startupfreak carries a host of information to help startups with online marketing and using social media effectively. Startupfreak.com is free. Sangeeta charges for training and workshops conducted for entrepreneurs. Sangeeta is also building a repository of entrepreneurs in her website. In the future, she plans to connect investors with registered entrepreneurs. Sangeeta Dilip
Sangeeta feels that every business should have an online presence for growth. She adds, “We also do research on basic issues on starting and sustaining business and write about them (on our website). Entrepreneurs can use it as a guide.”
Women entrepreneurship
Sangeeta feels that when a woman starts a business, they are taken seriously and sometimes trusted more than men are. She advises women to stop cribbing about gender bias . She adds, “Bangalore has large number of women startups. Therefore, all of us should understand that women are influential too, one just need to be professional.” abhishek angad abhishekangad@citizenmatters.in
Women’s toilet: Stinky, smelly and locked
T
he bladder is about to burst. The stomach is hurting. Nature’s call. Where to go? Men lined up in front of public walls and relieving themselves is a very common sight. But is there a place for women to pee in peace? Adjectives like stinky, smelly, dirty, unhygienic and unbearable suit the status of Bangalore’s public toilets the most.
reaches the house where she works and uses the toilet there. The situation is no different for upper income women either. They either resort to hold on till they reach home or end up rushing to the nearest cafe or mall to relieve themselves. According to a Deccan Herald report on February 25, 2012, Bangalore South Zone has a mere number of 145 toilets out of which, 23 are defunct.
the city, the BBMP has approved the construction of 1000 more toilets under public private partnership (PPP) in the new budget for 201213. But how many of these will be accessible to the population of approximately four and a half million women in the city?
Anisha Nair
anisha@citizenmatters.in
Savithamma, a domestic worker working in the residential areas of BTM layout and Jayanagar, says, “I travel from Gangenahalli (north Currently with Bangalore) everyday and come just around 500 here to work. It takes more than public toilets in two hours everyday and sometimes, especially during rains, I feel the need to relieve If you find a nonmyself but there is no place functional toilet, call to go.” She adds that she holds her bladder until she
the BBMP control room: 26566362
6 CITIZEN MATTERS 14 - 27 July 2012 Vol- 4 Issue- 12
A public toilet at Koramangala. Pic: Anisha Nair Want to book an ad or classified? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 614
local matters
Musician, writer, activist, feminist
S
he calls herself a Jayanagar resident for 20 years now, but has resided in different localities, across Bangalore after shifting from Mumbai. A national award winner in journalism, Sakuntala Narasimhan, who is in her 70s, has authored several books on topics like gender
Pic: Anisha Nair
and music. She is also known for her activism on consumer rights. She is the only vocalist in the country who holds a grade ranking in both Carnatic and Hindustani classical music. She teaches music and travels quite a bit.
Gharana and Invitation to Indian Music. Now I travel to places like Chennai to judge contests and teach music.
What books are you working on currently?
Currently I am working on three books in bits and pieces. One You have won several awards in music. book is on gender issues - Trapped. How has your journey with music been? This book addresses the issues of My mother is a musician. My interest working women. I am a feminist. I in music developed when, as a stand up for my rights and am free to do whatever I child, I saw my mother want. But when my engrossed in music. I Nimma husband or parents have completed my neighbour have some problem, PhD in musicology can I say ‘I am a - my thesis was on comparative elements of north working woman, I am a feminist. I and south Indian systems. I have will not take care of them’. performed all over the country Another book is called ‘Diary of a Doand abroad. I have authored three gooder’. It focuses on the problems books on music - A special issue on faced by citizens when they try to vanishing traditions in music, The Splendour of Rampur-Sahaswan >>Continued on page 9>>
Got feedback on our articles? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 615
Vol- 4 Issue- 12 14 - 27 July 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 7
women’s special
Light on your pocket, heavy in your tummy This time we pick two restaurants, run by women, that don’t cost a bomb to eat in and serve some great food.
B
ored of going to cafes very often? How about trying a ‘teafe’? Chaipatty Teafe in Koramangala will definitely not disappoint you. Aromas of hot pakodas and Maggi
Plain soda & Green Apple Soda. Pic: Anisha Nair
home, the variety available here vegetable, egg, chicken and exotica, will compel you to try it out. The food ought to taste good when it comes with the suffix ‘delicious’. Gobilicious, Cheesilicious, Pa n e e r i l i c i o u s . . . Tr u l y delicious. Well, it does not stop here. The desi and English breakfast is also very popular here. So every time you visit, you will want to try different items!
parathas and the other has a list of frankies (chapathis rolls), pizzas, pav bhaji and much more! The taste of tomato g a r l i c paratha a n d mushroom paratha (Rs 15 each) is sure to linger in your
Schezwan Frankie. Pic: Anisha Nair
memory for long. Mushroom Paratha. noodles The delicious Pic: Anisha Nair welcome you. The S c h e z w a n place has floor level seating giving Average Frankie that a comfortable feeling. cost costs just Rs 10 There is a mural of the ‘Last Supper’ for two will surely make is `200. on one wall, only everybody is you very happy. Homemade Pineapple Alcohol is not served drinking chai and not wine. On pastry. Pic: Anisha Nair The variety of sodas on here. The room also has a shelf neatly the menu surely will lift up stacked with junk jewellery, cups If you are near Hanumanthnagar your bubbly spirit! Just select your and handmade kettles that are up and you crave for some simple favourite flavour from the syrups for sale. ‘home cooked’ north Indian food, that are lined up over the fridge Taja Masala Soda is the place to The hospitality was outstanding! and keep gulping to your heart’s head to. Pushpa Yadav, the woman behind content! this cosy teafe, makes sure you feel This tiny place, more than makes up Average cost for two is `100 Alcohol at home. for lack of space with its great food is not served here. and even better prices. Don’t forget to try the Kullad Chaipatty: 1024, 7th Main, 80 Feet Road, 1st Chai at this place. It is the Block, Koramangala. Ph: 41534140, Mamtha Prabhu, speciality of Chaipatty. And 9900182596 the woman who what can be a better Taja Masala Soda: runs the shop, companion to tea #28/2, Mount Joy road, welcomes you than Pakodas? The Hanumantha Nagar. Ph: with a bright 9900252146 hot masaledaar smile and pakodas are our Citizen Matters reviews the hands out a favourite pick restaurants anonymously and couple of menu pays for the meals. here. And no matter cards. One menu Pav-Bhaji. Pic: how many times you Anisha Nair has the variety of Nagashree Gururaj anisha@citizenmatters.in make Maggi noodles at 8 CITIZEN MATTERS 14 - 27 July 2012 Vol- 4 Issue- 12
Want to book an ad or classified? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 614
For reading women W
arning: This bookstore is not a place for the coochie-cooing love stories. It’s Streelekha, which literally means ‘Women’s Writings’. Since its founding in the 1980s, Streelekha has established itself as a soughtafter reference and resource centre in the country for those in search of information on gender related issues and other social movements. It is the first feminist bookstore in Asia and also provides the facility of a library. Streelekha is housed in the same building as Vimochana, an NGO working for women’s rights. The large room, like the rest of the building, has exposed brick construction with plenty of natural light seeping in. The collection caters to those who are just curious about women’s writings to scholars. Streelekha provides research material pertaining to women’s movements and women’s writings to colleges and universities across India. “The writings and women’s studies these days is much more serious than it was in the eighties, when Streelekha started,” says Kalpana Chakravarthy who runs and manages the store.
Check outs
The bookstore reaches out to the many newly started women’s studies centres, colleges, women’s universities and documentation centres in and outside Bangalore. It also organises books and poetry readings, bimonthly meetings on issues concerning to the women’s movements and related to women’s studies. Visitors to this bookstore are mostly from the activist and NGO communities, research institutions, colleges and universities, the media, art and literary circles, professionals like lawyers and counselors, and government departments including the bureaucracy. Streelekha has also ventured into publishing in English and Kannada recently. So the next time you think of reading some books on feminism or research on women’s movements from the past, rush to Streelekha and you will find it all! Address: #33/1-9, Thyagaraja Layout, MS Nagar Post, Jai Bharath Nagar. Ph: 25492783
News Desk
Citizen Matters’ Living in Bengaluru book launching in August
<<Continued from page 7<<
Musician, activist, feminist, writer do good to a society or someone in particular.
As a long time Bangalorean, what do you think is the major problem with the way the city is growing? The city has been extremely messed up because it used to be a very peaceful, quiet, tradition-bound, cultured city; but now in the last 20 years with the IT boom, youngsters in the IT profession are coming to the city, earning more money than they do not know what to do with. Now you have the right to spend your money and you can buy a car or a two-wheeler. But where will all those cars be accommodated? People park them on the pavements, roads, and every corner that they find. The other thing is, Bangalore is no longer popular for anything in particular. Sandalwood? Sweets? Nothing at all. We should take some kind of pride in saying that Bangalore is famous for something at least! That local flavour and local culture is gone! Bangalore is in the state of flux and that is very sad.
Citizen Matters is a few weeks away from the debut of our first book ‘Living in Bengaluru’ targeting city residents and recent settlers. Getting anything from the local government authorities, for instance - birth and death certificates or khatas - is paved with trouble. The processes involved even in simple government-related tasks can make one’s head spin… and actually knowing what to expect and what you need before you go to the government office is highly helpful, in getting things done in time and without a bribe. This nearly 150 page book, laced with questions, answers, examples and pictures will make your life easier. A bonus is the special section with key facts about city landmarks with a touch of culture and history. Book Price: `99 Stay tuned for our launch announcement and events Call: 9845506477 if you’d like to advance reserve a copy.
Anisha Nair
anisha@citizenmatters.in Got feedback on our articles? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 615
Vol- 4 Issue- 12 14 - 27 July 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 9
women’s special
The unseen business women of Bengaluru O
ver the last two decades, women from lower middle class and poor families in the city have been starting their own small businesses. Mostly, this is to meet basic necessities and to educate children. Their products or services include handcrafted jewellery, food processing, cloth bags, vegetable vending etc. Many sell their products in exhibition stalls, while some supply to local retail outlets.
Mathi heads an SHG in Srirampuram slum. Pic: Navya P K
Dhanavanti Jaiin, President of AWAKE, says that the number of small women entrepreneurs has been rising. “Many women do not have the skills to take up white collar jobs, but are already exposed to skills like handcrafting or tailoring, which they build on, to start businesses.”
Shubha B K, 29, makes ‘coconut jewellery’. She collects coconut shells from her neighbourhood and from some hotels for this. Four years ago, Shubha underwent a short training session at AWAKE (Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka), an NGO that helps women start businesses. Shubha, a resident of Byadarahalli, has two children Shubha’s coconut jewellery aged nine and six; her husband is an LIC set, a pendant and pair of earrings fetches Rs 80, of agent. which Rs 15-20 is paid to She struggled for the first three years, making the worker; excluding other jewellery by hand. With money saved over costs, profit would come to the years, she bought four machines at a cost Rs 30-40 per set. of Rs 50,000 last year and now employs five women. She usually sells the pieces by setting up stalls in exhibitions across the state. She attends 1-2 exhibitions per month and earns a monthly profit of Rs 5,000-6,000. Latha Krishnamurthy, another entrepreneur, has been in business for the last 15 years. Latha gets cloth material sourced from Tamilnadu at cheap price, stitches night gowns and supplies these to outlets in Chickpet, Cottonpet etc. She makes profit of Rs 1000-2000 per month.
Dhanavanti says that around 25,000 women from BPL families and over 30,000 from middle class families come to AWAKE annually for entrepreneurship counselling. “The recent trend is that women who do outsourced work gradually move on to manufacturing and selling their own products,” she says. Many underprivileged women use government schemes and subsidised loans from national banks for this. But this is not easy for all - lack of information about loan schemes and lack of assets to pledge as collateral for loans prevent many women from accessing loans. Mathi, 38, President of the Self Help Group (SHG), Sri Sri Chamundeswari Mahila Swasahaya Sangha in Srirampura slum, says that her group is interested in scaling up, but is wary of taking the risk. The group currently does tailoring, diya-decoration etc. that are outsourced to it by the NGO Suruchi, with which it earns Rs 10,000-15,000 per month. Suruchi procures orders and sends material to the group, and reimburses the labour cost alone per individual. Within a year, individual members of the group have been able to pay off their earlier debts. The group lends money to members for marriage, higher studies etc. Mathi says the group is not yet confident of taking loans to start its own bag manufacturing unit. Even if she starts a business, Mathi says, she will have to procure materials, pay salaries to employees and sell products. “I have no exposure to any of these, so I do not want to take the risk. If I make enough money to invest in a business myself, I may start off something.”
Sudha Rajashekhar, 42, set up a canteen six months back. Pic: Navya P K
10 CITIZEN MATTERS 14 - 27 July 2012 Vol- 4 Issue- 12
Navya P K
navya@citizenmatters.in Want to book an ad or classified? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 614
cm special
Women still prefer crowds to quiet Though noisy and chaos, women prefer crowded areas to quieter areas at evenings. South Bangalore needs more well-lit areas and police patrol.
age. “My age makes a difference when I am just walking down the road or even going by auto. I befriend auto drivers too. I would not have done this when I was younger,” says Vimala Ramakrishnan, 57, freelance communicative english trainer. Younger women in general say that they would not use autos late night;; most prefer buses. Vasumathy, who stays near Jayadeva flyover, also goes out alone mostly by walk and by bus, and gets back home by 10-10.30 pm. “There are lesser women in buses after 8 pm; may be I feel confident because of my age,” she says.
What makes an area safer?
Women prefer buses to autos. File pic.
S
eema Vijay, 29, hardly goes out of her house alone after 7 pm. Seema stays in the posh JP Nagar 2nd phase, next to JP Nagar Cultural Association. After 7 pm, the roads are dark and isolated, and harassment is common. Women rarely walk around alone at night here. There is a playground near the club, which has only added to women’s woes. Though a ‘public’ place, only boys and men use the ground. In the evenings especially, women stay away from this area as they are harassed and commented on by men. There have been some cases of chain snatching over the last few years. There are no parks nearby either, which leaves lesser hang out options for women. Seema, who has a twoand-half year old daughter, says that this especially restricts mobility of women with young children. “There are no options for children to play and they spend all their time at home. Mothers have no place to take them to, and they too cannot go out,” she says.
Women generally rated crowded areas as safer. Sangeetha says that Madhavan Park area may be unsafe because it is located in a posh residential area which is usually Even some parks are considered deserted. “Small gallies are always unsafe. Several women speaking crowded and hence chance of being to Citizen Matters say areas around attacked is lesser,” she says. Women Madhavan park in also tend to avoid Jayanagar 1st block, Police Station numbers areas that have and the JP Nagar Jayanagar: 22942562 bars. mini-forest are unsafe JP Nagar: 22942563 Proper lighting at night. Women in Banashankari: 22942564 on streets, in Koramangala and HSR subways, foot Layout raised similar over-bridges and bus stands, all are concerns about their localities when helpful. Vimala says that Jayanagar Citizen Matters spoke to them. 4th T block is safer because of police On the other hand, Jayanagar 4th patrol and well-lit streets and many block, especially areas around offices that work late. Jayanagar Shopping Complex, is T Suneel Kumar, ACP (Law and Order) rated as safe for late night outings, says that police patrol vehicles and as the area is always crowded. squads can be arranged in specific Older women more confident areas if women complain in local police stations. Older women say they may be harassed less often because of their Seema says that communities should get involved. “The main issue in my area is the lack of community. People are busy and do not know others in their locality. RWAs should be active here so that we can discuss safety concerns.”
Navya P K
navya@citizenmatters.in Pic: Navya PK. Cover credits: Navya PK.
Got feedback on our articles? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 615
Vol- 4 Issue- 12 14 - 27 July 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 11
women’s special
Screening can save women with Breast cancer!
I
n 2008, according to WHO, 4,58,000 deaths were caused by breast cancer worldwide. Cancer Registry, Bangalore estimates a 2.7% annual increase in breast cancer, for the period 1982-2005 (ICMR Report). In India every year, one lakh new cases are diagnosed, 50% of them in advanced stage.
Myths Only women get breast cancer Most breast lumps are cancerous Breast cancer occurs in older women only We know what causes Breast Cancer
Some important trends over the years are S hift in cancer incidence to younger age, that are more aggressive. etection at a late stage: In D USA, 89% of women with breast cancer have a 5 year survival rate (a benchmark for control of cancer). In India, the corresponding figure
Butterflies
in my garden Your little garden is not just for your plants. It supports a lot of animal life too. Do you see butterflies and birds in your garden?
Pic: Vinita Suryanarayanan
Fact Men can also be diagnosed with it Only a few lumps are Younger women are also susceptible No. We know only the risk factors
risk. H istory of radiation.
exposure
to
T aking hormonal pills like oestrogen, progestins/ birth control pills increases susceptibility. B reastfeeding your baby longer reduces the risk.
It is obvious that early detection of cancer, and Col (Retd.) Dr Mukul Saxena meticulous treatment can improve survival. Earlier, is approximately 69%. The self examination by women difference is due to the late used to be highly recommended. detection of cancer in India. This However, research has shown that means that at least 20% more it did not result in decreased death women with breast cancer can rates. It was also reported that it led survive, if cancer is detected to more invasive procedures, for early. benign diseases. Self examination History of breast cancer in is gradually being replaced by the siblings, or mother, increases concept of breast awareness. health matters
Try this – close your eyes and describe the image that comes to mind on hearing the word ‘garden’. I tried this with my family while writing this piece and was surprised to hear the different responses that emerged.
some species will rely on only one or two plant species for survival. Adult butterflies are nectar feeders. Include a variety of nectar producing plants. Mix four or five different species as a hedge around the garden. On a Chlorophyll conversations terrace this could For my 6-yearmean planting vinita suryanarayanan old, it was all a row of pots about brightly with different coloured flowers species that could include a and toys, her father spoke of multivitamin plant, fig, flowering cobbled pathways, birds chirping bushes like Jasmine, Anota or some berry producing species. and greenery all around. For me, the word ‘garden’ always brings to Grouped pots create a humid micro-climate that will attract mind an image of butterflies flitting wildlife. around lots of plants in bright Long grass provides an excellent sunshine! habitat for grasshoppers, beetles Some ideas to support wildlife in and insects and is an important food source for caterpillars and an urban garden butterflies. So those with lawns The female butterfly is usually very could think of leaving a section of selective in the plant she chooses it uncut! to lay her eggs on and this will be If space permits, one could also add different for each species. Cosmos, a small water feature and introduce Lantana, Marigold etc attract them. frogs/toads in the garden. Butterflies are fussy eaters and
12 CITIZEN MATTERS 14 - 27 July 2012 Vol- 4 Issue- 12
Want to book an ad or classified? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 614
Fifty percent of us are women. And there is a Women's Day, yes. Yet, there are scores of stories about the struggles, achievements, journeys, and worries of women in our cities. We cannot cram all these into a paper just on Women's Day. So for our part at Citizen Matters, as the city's premier newsmagazine, we simply decided to dedicate this issue on the theme. And we found plenty to report to you. - Editors Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine
Citizen Matters edit@citizenmatters.in Associate Editor Padmalatha Ravi Community Editor Meera K Editor Subramaniam Vincent Staff Journalists Abhishek Angad Anisha Nair Navya P K Sankar C G Design & Publishing Shivakeshava M Sub-editor (New media) Nagashree Gururaj MKTG/CIRCULATION Raghavendra 9845506477 circulation@oorvani.in mktg@oorvani.in ADVT SALES Ramachandran P 080-30088614 (leave missed call) adsales@oorvani.in
©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. 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.
EDITORIAL
Gender equality begins at home M any of us may not pay attention to women related topics, unless we spend a conscience-pricked hour watching Satyameva Jayate. But much of society’s attitude is reflected in our homes.
Here are a few things to internalise as parents. If you are already there, more power to you!
other and set an example for your child. Remember, tomorrow, your son is not going to live in a society where somebody will pick up after him. You would not want your daughter to live in a society which expects her pick up after others. Teach your son and daughter to cook.
Don’t pamper
Don’t pamper your son or daughter all the time. Especially, don’t pamper your Chances are, you don’t see yourself as a son more than your daughter. feminist. You may retort, men “Feminism is the Teach them life skills and and women are not the same. radical notion that make them strong. Just like it The thing is feminism is not an women are people.” is important to leave a better alien concept. It is just about - Gloria Naylor world for our kids, we need to agreeing men and women are leave better kids for the world! politically, socially and economically equal.
Be a feminist!
Find your children strong women role models Let them watch Indira Nooyi talk on Youtube. Tell them about India’s leading women boxer, Mary Kom, a medal hope in the 2012 London Olympics.
Question stereotyped roles in media There are few TV shows and movies with independent or strong women characters. Think about how your children can overcome such biases and influences.
Meera K
Fathers and mothers, set an example
edit@citizenmatters.in
Share your home chores with each
pickup points for Citizen matters JP NAGAR
S N REFRESHMENTS 12th Main, 2nd phase THE K O SHOP 24th Main 1st phase IDBI BANK 24th Main 6th phase BENGALOORU TIFFEANS Opp Brigade millennium PRASIDHI FOOD CORNER Near IndIra Gandhi Circle1st phase KOVAI FARM FRESH 15th Cross 3rd Phase JUST KIDS 24th Main Road 5th Phase EVER FINE SUPER
Got feedback on our articles? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 615
MARKET Opp RBI Colony KothanurMainroad RANGA SHANKARA 21st Main, 9th Cross 2nd phase SAMATHVAM Health Care 24th Main 6th phase SBI 24th Main 1st Phase PARKVIEW RESTAURANT 1st Main 3rd Phase NILGIRIS 9th Cross, 2nd Phase, DIWAKAR HOSPITAL 9th Cross, 2nd Phase SHEKHAR NETRALAYA 15th Cross, 2nd
Phase NAMDHARIS 8th Main, 3rd Phase
JAYANAGAR
SRI VAIBHAVA DARSHINI 39th Cross, 9th Block RAGHAVENDRA UPAHAR Opp Ragigudda Arch 9th Block TUSCANY ICE CREAM 26th Main, 9th Block M K AHMED BAZAR 40th Main, 9th Block PRISM BOOK SHOP 11th Main, 4th Block M K AHMED BAZAR 40th Main Block
NETRADHAMA 7th Block
BTM 2nd STAGE
BALAJI’S VEG DARSHINI 7th Cross GELATO PAZZO ICE CREAM 7th Cross UDUPI GARDEN 16th Main KOVAI FARM FRESH 7th Main GARDEN ENTERPRISES 16th Main HOME NEEDS 7th Main Pragathi Book & Stationers BTM ring road ADYAR ANAND BHAVAN 16th Main
Vol- 4 Issue- 12 14 - 27 July 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 13
women’s special
“I will work for them till my death” Everything was against her - HIV infection coupled with bereavement of her husband and losing a child, broke her. But sheer willpower kept her going. Her journey from office assistant to the post of the president of Karnataka Network for People Living with HIV /AIDS.
I
t has been 11 years since doctors predicted that she would survive for just three months. She was declared HIV positive. Her husband had died within two years of being infected by HIV . As a homemaker, completely dependent on her family, nothing could have prevented her from collapsing completely. But she fought the disease successfully and works for people infected with the same disease. “I will work for them till my death,” she says. What do you think about the attitude of the society towards people living with HIV and AIDS? HIV is not a disease in itself. It is a condition where human body’s immunity goes down making it susceptible to other diseases, which eventually leads to death. HIV does
not changed. It should be changed in such a way that infected people can speak about this to the society without any hesitation. A diabetes patient can ask for sugar free tea from a shop by disclosing that he is diabetic. At the same time a HIV
What is your message to society? Women are the victims everywhere. Unlike a man she needs support to lead a healthy life. So my priority is to educate women. They should be independent enough to survive themselves when the circumstances asks for. You can get in touch with Saroja Puthran at 9448068488.
How do you perceive your growth in the last 11 years, since the doctors predicted your death? I would have ended my life if I had not met priest Jose Peru Pillai who works at an institutional care - where HIV infected people get treated in Kerala. He counselled me and showed me a new path to lead my life. From the very first day, I started learning more about the disease that was eating me. I faced the situation rationally and started working with Karnataka Network for People Living with HIV /AIDS (KNP+) as an office staff. It created an opportunity for me to interact with many infected people. My condition was no worse than them. After that experience, I decided to serve HIV people till the end of my life. Finally I rose to the position of the president (of the same organisation) where I had started working as an office staff. What was your parents’ reaction when they came to know about it? My parents and friends helped me overcome the critical stage. I lost my mother when I was 14. My father was not financially sound, but has helped me a lot. Who would you credit for getting to where you are now?
Saroja Putran. Pic: Sankar C G
not spread through hugs or touch, despite these facts the society still discriminates them. The attitude of the people towards people living with HIV or AIDS has
patient cannot ask for say hygienic food by disclosing his status. Both diseases are chronic. But a HIV infected person succumbs to the disease, more because of emotional distress.
14 CITIZEN MATTERS 14 - 27 July 2012 Vol- 4 Issue- 12
Everything is by the mercy of God. Otherwise how could I survive without having any severe problems despite being infected with HIV? My elder son has not been infected with HIV but he’s mentally challenged. I worry that I hardly have any time to spend with him. He complains to me. Even when I am home I am always working.
Sankar C G
sankar@citizenmatters.in
Want to book an ad or classified? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 614
HEALTH & Nutrition
Realty
SRINIVASA DENTAL CARE CENTRE Dr. VISHWAS # 383, 8th main, 7th cross, Mico Layout, BTM 2nd stage, Opp to HDFC ATM, Bangalore76. Ph:41201345, 9845195605. Multi specialist Dental clinic & Implant Centre.
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
CHILDRENS DENTAL CLINIC DR. NERAJA RAJU Consultant Pedodontist. For appointment : 9845195605, 41201345. Address: # 383, 8th main, 7th cross, Opp to HDFC ATM, Mico Layout, BTM 2nd stage, Bangalore-76
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
Others PART TIME VAN DRIVER Commercial van driver option of earning extra by delivering organic milk & organic houshold product literacy must with a two wheeler Contact : 9611101630/9945384494 EARN EXTRA By selling organic products Part time/full time parties Contact: 9611101630/ 9945384494 Contact for Vasthu Based Construction And Sanction Building Plan Estimation, Valuation Blueprint 080-41141620: No.615, Avenue Road, 9141218969 / 9845673591: No.24, 36th Main, J.P.Nagar, 6th Phase 9141013566: Sri Shiradi Baba Enterprises Jambu Savari Dinne, Bangalore
Citizen Matters
Reach out to the city. Reach out to your Bangaloreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own interactive newsmagazine neighbourhood!
Over one lakh print and online readers!
For booking ads, Call Ramachandran 99016-85368, or 080-41737584 adsales@oorvani.in
see & do Workshop Theatre workshop Free theatre workshop for working candidates. Sankula 3G Theatre, Kumara Swamy Layout | Sat 14 Jul, 9am Science Utsav demo Free science demo classes for kids aged between seven and 14 years. Ph no: 9945313269 #627, 1st floor, 1st B main road, 7th block, Jayanagar (W), Near Yediyurkere, Behind Srushti hospital | Sun 15 Jul Woodworking workshop Understanding wood and the craft of carpentry or woodworking, with a special emphasis on materials. Ph: 9902059328 Esthete Studio/Factory, #24, 7th Main(Cross), Tavarekere Main Road, Opposite "Zenith", Behind HDFC ATM, Look out for Karnataka Wood and Ply. Sun, Jul 29, 10am to 12:30pm Workshop on organic terrace gardening Vittal Mallya Scientific Research Foundation, BTM II Stage, Bengaluru | Sat 21 Jul, 10am to 4pm
Music
A violin duet by Mysore M Nagaraj and Mysore M Manjunath Ph:2521 5525, Indira Nagar Sangeetha Sabha | Sat 14 Jul, 6pm
Sankaranarayanan The Indian Heritage Academy Hall, Koramangala | Sun 15 Jul, 4:15pm Centenary celebrations of Mridangam Vidwan Palghat Mani Iyer Concerts and talks, presented by Percussive Art Center Illustrated Talk by Dr.T K Murthy on 'Reminiscences of Palghat Mani Iyer (5 pm, 16 July) Seminar on Thalavadyas on ‘PALGHAT T.S. MANI IYER – BANI, MEMORIES AND FOOTPRINTS’ with presentations by Palghat T.R. Rajamani & T.R. Rajaraman (10 am 21 July) Bangalore Gayana Samaja, KR Road | July 15 to 22.
Sports
SportsMeet-Bangalore Former International and Asian AllStar footballer, Chitra Gangadharan on Indian women in Sports and International Disabled Cricketer, Vijay Kant sharing his experience on the recently concluded Pakistan tour. Ph no: Subhajyoti Banerjee: 9008299122 Christ College, Hosur Road | Sat 21 Jul
Exhibition
Exhibition of handcrafted bags and silver jewellery Ph:3018 1626, Atta Galatta, 75, 1st Block, Koramangala | Fri 20 Jul to Sat 21 Jul
Carnatic vocal concert by T V
Theatre
Music Gear
Indo-French theatre festival Alliance Française de Bangalore P.B. 108, Thimmaiah Road Vasanthanagar | Sat 21 Jul, 3pm to Thu 26 Jul, 7pm
Dealers in Musical Instruments and accessories
JP Nagar Call
9880599956
www.musicgear.in
Shabana Azmi In "Broken Images" Ph no: 080-42064969 Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Vyalikaval, Malleshwaram, Thu 19 Jul | 7:30 PM
16 CITIZEN MATTERS 14 - 27 July 2012 Vol- 4 Issue- 12
Rangashankara Plays 15 Sun, Anabhigna Shakuntala (K), 100 mins (also at 3.30 pm) 17 Tue, Mooji Muttu Mooji Loka (K), 90 mins 18 Wed, 19 Thu, Rathnan Prapancha (K), 80 mins 20 Fri, Gundaayana (K), 90 mins 21 Sat, AHA! International Theatre for Children Festival (E), 90 mins 22 Sun, Duck, Death and Tulip (E), 60 mins 29 Sun, Nam Thimthana (K), 90 mins (also at 3.30 pm) 31 Tue, Gangavatharana (K), 90 mins Rangashankara, 8th Cross, Nt To Post Off, JP Nagar, Phase II, Ph: 2649 3982.
Movie listings Inox J.P Nagar 2nd Phase J P Nagar, Ph: 4112 8888 Cocktail (H) - 10am, 12.50pm, 3pm, 6pm, 6.45pm, 8.50pm, 9.15pm Billa 2 (Tam) - 10am, 12.30pm, 3.45pm, 6.20pm, 9.40pm Bol Bachchan (H) - 10am, 12.40pm, 3.45pm, 9.10pm Eega (Tel) - 10am, 12.50pm, 3.30pm, 6.20pm
Gopalan Cinemas (Bannerghatta Road), Ph: 65336764 Billa 2 (Tam) - 10am, 5pm, 10pm Cocktail (H) - 10am, 3pm, 4.40pm, 7.20pm, 10pm Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter 3D (E) 10am, 2.40pm, 8pm Bol Bachchan (H) - 12pm, 7.15pm Eega (Tel) - 12.20pm, 10pm The Amazing Spider-Man 3D (E) 12.30pm, 5.40pm Dandupalya (K) - 3pm
LIST your event free! Submit your events online www.citizenmatters.in or mail events@citizenmatters.in
Want to book an ad or classified? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 614
HAPPENING
Reuse - Recycle mela this weekend C
itizen Matters in association with ‘Second to none’ (220) is organising a ‘Reuse and Recycle mela’ this weekend at BTM Layout. 220 is an online community focused on the concept of Reduce-Recycle-Reduce waste. The flea market on Sunday, July 15th, will provide a platform to buy second hand and upcycled articles. Upcycling refers to converting useless or waste into valuable products. There will be a bit of everything from used books, electronic items, clothes and home decor knick knacks. ‘Don’t discard, reuse, don’t throw, recycle’ will be the buzz phrase this weekend. 220 member Shreeparvathi Tharavath is bringing old cassettes, CDs and unused shirts. Zehra Rafiq will be bringing candle holders, photo frames and lampshades made of refurbished teak and rosewood. In addition to the used goods sections,
that are a staple feature at all Second To None markets, this mela also features donation boxes, knowledge corners and food stalls.
The Gift Your Organ Foundation will share information and how-to of organ donation - the ultimate reuse concept! The NGO Let’s Live Together will bring pups for adoption.
NGOs like Toybank and Samarthanam will be present with 11 am - 5 pm, Sunday, 15th July You can also learn and share your their collection AICOBO Grounds, BTM 1st ideas on living a boxes to accept old Stage, Next to Adyar Ananda clothes, books, toys Bhavan. sustainable and small eco-footprint etc. Toybank is a For details, call 9886754908 life, at the Green group of volunteers Tips corner. The best who collect old toys, original tips will get a gift voucher giftwrap and present them to children from Rentoys.in, an online toy rental who cannot afford to buy them, while portal. The Alternative, a social sector Samarthanam supports people with portal will present 25 best ideas on disability. upcycling. Saahas, an NGO working on waste The event is sponsored by Zopnow, an management will take in e-waste. online hypermarket. “We look forward Saahas volunteers along with Akshay to being a part of green lifestyle which Yadav, a member of the Solid Waste Bangaloreans are adopting,” says B K Management Round Table, will Birla, founder of Zopnow. explain all about waste segregation and recycling. news desk
Got feedback on our articles? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 615
Vol- 4 Issue- 12 14 - 27 July 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 17
last word
Wait, till you have kids of your own! Y ou know how it goes. You’re sitting in a movie hall, watching Kahaani and Vidya Balan is almost being pushed in the path of a speeding train when wyaaaaaa, goes the toddler, sitting with his parents, behind you. And all you can think is, why do parents need to get children along for movies?
You do have a thought there but hold on for a second, especially if children aren’t part of the picture in your life at this moment. Once they are around, you may often have to eat words spoken in the pre-child era. Here are my top five: I’ll never raise my voice. Yes, I know. I actually thought such stuff throughout the time I was expecting the first one. The resolution lasted for about six months. Ok we shall make that a year before I get banned from these pages forever .
I’ll be completely hands on. Why do people need maids when they have taken a conscious decision to have kids and raise them. There’s nothing better than being a hands on mother. But it isn’t a rule set in
confessionS of a second time mom
Reshmi Chakraborty stone. If you need help there’s no harm in finding someone good and handing over some of the chores. I’ll never force my children to do things they don’t want to. Yes I won’t. So on mornings when the brat says, Ma I don’t want to go to
school today, I’m feeling lazy, I’ll just wrap him in an extra soft blanket, draw the curtains back and say, “Sure darling. I won’t force you. Go back to sleep.” I’ll never compare my children with others. Yes you probably don’t. Or try not to consciously. But it seeps in some way or the other. Unconsciously. I’ll never let my kid create a nuisance in a public place. Good thought but sometimes easier said than implemented. You may have a toddler at home with reasonably good table manners but take him to a restaurant, on your once in five months dinner outing and that’s the day he decides to play Dennis the Menace. So hold that thought. You never know when it may come back to haunt you.