Citizen Matters Koramangala - HSR Layout
Local news like no one else does
ejipura battle
who will get bbmp’s new flats? Page 11
6 Citizens’ victory: HC stays Agara-Sirsi flyovers
7 Meet Latha Heble 8 A slice of coastal cuisine 9 Looking for a one-of-a-kind outfit? 18 Oh no! There’s a veggie on my plate! To enquire for ads, give us a missed call: 080-300 88 614
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28 July - 10 Aug 2012
Reduce weight at home! Twenty-three-year-old software engineer Mohammed Ibrahim blames fast food, his life away from his home and long working hours for the 98.5 kilos that he weighed eight months ago. “I reached a point where my weight became an embarrassment. I went shopping on the New Year’s Eve, but I couldn’t find anything that fit me well. The panic button went off and I realized that losing weight is not an option, but a necessity.”
Home-based options are available in Koramangala! SMS REDUCE to 53636, call 9686761111 or register on www.talwalkars.net/reduce Ibrahim interacting with Reduce expert.
That was when Mohammed decided to get an expert consultation and assessment about his health through Talwalkars Reduce, the easy and healthy weight-loss solution. “Initially, I was very apprehensive about following the six-meal pattern of Reduce, but as the programme started, all my fears were put to rest. The counselors didn’t ask me to change my food habits. In fact, I was eating more than ever yet kept losing weight,” he says.
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special workout schedules. It helps in effectively losing weight and in effective weight management. Weekly interactions with Reduce experts helped Mohammed understand REDUCE can be performed the kind of foods he should consume anytime, anywhere - home or and how eating the essential food at office. the right time and the right quantity The low calorie, high fibre can help one reduce weight and stay foods and nutritionally balanced healthy. “The Reduce weight-loss natural food products which are solution was convenient and easy to tasty and convenient; without any follow. The best part was the taste hassles of cooking ensures that and availability in the various options, there is no unwanted starvation, which helped prevent any boredom. restriction or untimely cravings. In a month’s time, I could feel the This leads to pure loss of fat and changes in terms of inch loss. I’ve lost not water or muscle mass. At the 18.5 kilos in six months now,” says a same time, REDUCE does not proud Mohammed. require daily visits to the health REDUCE is diet based weight loss center. It cuts out travel time and program which fits into your daily does not interfere with your busy routine comfortably, without any schedules.
The process The need for weight loss is analysed – how many kilos to drop Individual lifestyle is taken cognizance of Factors contributing to weight gain are understood Any hurdles and difficulties during the day are noted – skipping meals, long gaps between meals, eating out, socializing, etc. A meal plan is prepared which fits perfectly in the member’s routine lifestyle without any hassle - no starving, food restrictions, hunger pangs or special cooking 3 REDUCE products are provided daily to support and facilitate the entire process Tele-counselling Weight check twice a week
Home-based options for Talwalkars REDUCE are available in Koramangala. Talwalkars REDUCE is also available across Bangalore with Reduce Points at Basaveshwara Nagar, Jayanagar, JP Nagar, Sadashivnagar and Ulsoor branches. Citizen Matters Vol-4 Issue-13, 28 July - 10 Aug 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.
EYE INJURIES – AN OVERVIEW Injuries to the eye can be caused by a variety of ways:
Wounded eye
Plaster patch on a wound eye
Mechanical Injury Chemical Injury Concussion or Contusion Injury Thermal Injury Radiation Injury Mechanical Injury It can be caused by a wide variety of ways which can range from a small corneal foreign body (can be particles of dust, emery, steel or iron particle, insect wing, etc.,) to a bad injury while working such as globe (eye ball) rupture with retained intra ocular foreign body. Birmungham Eye Trauma Terminology System Ocular Trauma classification group classifies trauma into Injury Closed globe injuries Contusion Lamellar Laceration
Open globe injuries Laceration Rupture Penetrating Injury Perforating Injury Intraocular FB
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Closed globe injuries can follow blunt trauma such as while playing sports (like basket ball, racket sports, baseball, cricket ball), injury by door handle,
Preventive measures to avoid an eye injury o eye injury is simple. It has N to be considered dangerous and immediately attended to. Industrial workers should be instructed to wear protective goggles compulsorily. Educating workers is very important on eye care. Goggles made of poly-carbonate should be worn by people who get engaged in sports. For high speed sports such as skiing use ultra-violet absorbing goggles. Helmets and eye shades are recommended for football and other contact sports. People with contact lenses also require an additional protection. fall on an edge, blow to eye by fist, domestic violence, etc., Blunt trauma or concussion injury can affect any part of the eye. E.g.: Corneal abrasion, Lid Hematoma, blood in anterior chamber, cataract, retinal injury, fracture of orbital wall, and in the worst case, optic nerve avulsion leading to blindness. Open globe injuries can be secondary to blunt trauma i.e., with rupture of globe where inside to outside break in coats of eye ball.
s soon as injury is noticed, place A a small bandage immediately and seek an eye doctor’s opinion. In case of blow to the eye, do not assume injury is minor - it needs thorough evaluation by ophthalmologist. In case of chemical injury, it should be treated as ocular emergency. Protective glasses should be worn especially by children while bursting crackers. Parents and teachers should be educated not to allow children to play or fight with toys with sharp edges, or with sharp pencil or pen tips. by sharp object or flying objects, when industrial workers use grinding tools, lathe work, or hammer on a chisel, etc., These objects with a propelling force can be lodge inside the eye causing loss of eyesight too.
Dr. Rama Devi K. S. Senior Consultant Shekar Nethralaya
Open globe injuries can also be caused
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
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
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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.
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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)
Koramangala & HSR LaYout
Citizens victory: High Court stays Agara-Sirsi flyovers
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amicable discussions.
he High Court on July 25, 2012, disposed off the PIL by ordering a final stay on the Sirsi-Agara flyover construction work till the time the CM appointed committee submits their report. Chief Justice Aravind Kumar ordered the stay. The BDA counsel submitted that the Chief Minister has already formed a committee to study this project and take into account the citizens’ grievances. According to the HC order, the government will also have to issue an advertisement in papers inviting the public to attend the hearing and voice their opinion. Petitioners’ representative will also be called to present their case before the committee. The committee’s first meeting is to be held on August 13th, 2012. They will be submitting their findings on
The residents who filed the case are happy with the ruling. Muralidhar Rao, RWA member, Koramangala, says, “We do not know who is in the committee, but they will surely have to hear us out this time.”
Trees cut down. Pic: Anisha
September 15th, and the High Court will take a final decision on the work on October 5th, 2012. The HC also asked the petitioners to withdraw the contempt case filed against BDA and its erstwhile commissioner in the interests of
Rajeev Chandrashekar, Rajyasabha MP and Koramangala resident, says “This is a big victory for citizens participation in the decision making process and must serve as a precedent for all future projects being taken up in the city. It is important that the government must choose, on its own, to involve and engage residents before taking up any project..” The MP’s Namma Bengaluru Foundation funded the PIL against the project.
Anisha Nair
anisha@oorvani.in
Kadubeesanahalli underpass flooding problem fixed: BDA
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he underpass under construction at Kadubeesanahalli junction on the Outer Ring Road now has a proper drainage system to prevent flooding, says the BDA. Earlier in May 2012, the Outer Ring Road between Marathahalli and Kadubeesanahalli gridlocked following a heavy downpour and the flooding of the underpass, one section (south going) of which was completed. The BDA Chief Engineer TN Chikkarayappa says, “We will collect fines from the contractors for all the violations once the work is completed.” The Rs 39.8 crores project contracted to Simplex Infrastructure Ltd., has been delayed. The deadline for completion of the underpass
work was July this year. It has been extended to August now. The work will be completed by end of August and traffic will be allowed from the first week of September, says the BDA. However, the process of restoring the service roads will take another two to three months. Chikkrayappa says, “These things depend on the company. We cannot give exact date on which the work will be completed.” Though the BDA claims drainage work is completed and will prevent flooding, the next major downpour will be the real test.
6 CITIZEN MATTERS 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 Vol-4 Issue-13
Anisha Nair
Work in progress at the Kadubeesanahalli underpass. Pic: Anisha Nair
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The lady of the park
local matters
Latha Heble. Pic: Abhishek Angad
to the community. The land was in the name of three parties, who didn’t exist. He fought for 11 years. BBMP then built a park there. Also, I have penchant for Nimma gardening. When we lived neighbour in Agra, I won prizes for best garden for three years in a row. For the past two years I am taking care of this park.
What kind of investment does it take, both in terms of money and time, to maintain a park like this?
A
curator is usually a caretaker of cultural heritage like museum and art galleries but Latha Heble, curates a park. She looks after the Koramangala 3rd block park. People call her the curator of the park. Originally from Mangalore, Latha has lived mostly in Bangalore. After her husband Suresh Heble retired as Air Vice-Marshal from Air Force, they settled in Koramangala 3rd Block. A graduate from JJ school of arts, Latha paints her walls with murals in her free time.
How did you end up being a curator of the park? My husband was involved in getting the land (park) back
Right now, (maintenance) funds come from Grand Mercure, the hotel nearby, which has adopted the park. We need a lot of money for maintenance - for buying pesticides, manure. We also have to pay for labour.
What more do you think is needed in the park? We need children’s play equipments, we have been asking BBMP for a long time.
How do you think residents can take ownership of the public spaces such as parks? You cannot do single handedly, like-minded people should form a group and then can easily take care of any park.
Abhishek Angad
New office bearers for HSR 2nd sector RWA
H
SR layout, Sector 2 Resident Welfare Association (RWA) elected new office bearers for the year 2012-2013 during its Annual General Meet on Sunday, 22nd July. The AGM was held at Cambridge School premises. Around 80 people participated. Brig. RS Murthy took over from S Hiremath as the President of RWA. Sanjiv Balagopal was appointed Vice President and H E Chandrashekar as General Secretary . Brig Murthy said, “I am thankful to the residents for showing confidence in me. There are several pending issues in our area, our new team will continue pressuring the civic officials to complete the work.” The members demanded a proactive stance from the civic agencies. They asked the elected representatives
Members (from left to right) Brig R S Murthy, Mahesh, A Channakeshava, S Hiremath. pic courtesy: Brig Murthy.
to intervene and ensure fast track completion of works and provide better infrastructure facilities in the layout. Asphalting of the 27th Main road upto Somasundarpalya,
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removing encroachments, shifting of Parangipalya bus stand, garbage management were the topics of discussion during the meet.
Newsdesk
Vol-4 Issue-13 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 7
check outs
MTR oota Mavalli Tiffin Rooms has been synonymous with Karnataka food for decades. Even their newer, fancier outlets live up to the standards.
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o this time, it’s Karnataka cuisine. While interviewing Sakuntala Narasimhan, a senior journalist, she said there is dearth of restaurants that serve authentic Karnataka food in the city. So Citizen Matters did some digging. Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, popularly known as MTR, is a vegetarian restaurant that started in Bangalore in 1924. It claims to have introduced the popular South-Indian breakfast item, Rava idli. The legend goes that during the world war II, there was grave rice shortage in India, MTR experimented with Semolina (Rava) instead of rice to prepare the idli batter. And it turned out to be a huge success! MTR re-branded itself as MTR 1924 and opened a branch in JP Nagar two years ago. It has a modern ambience with ample sunlight on the fifth floor. The menu has a variety of Karnataka snack options and all of it, are on the same lines as the ones served at the old
MTR. Dosa is served with a tiny bowl of ghee and chutney. Traditional breakfast like Mosaru Vade and idlis are a delight as usual. And sweets like Badam Halwa and Chandrahara is sure to take you back to the place. The lunch options are not much but good enough to grab a quick one. With the usual poori, rice served with sambhar, saagu and a sweet in the end. You can of course decide if you want to go for the full meals or mini, either way you will be a content soul. All in all, this place sure lives up to the standards of our favourite old MTR! Average cost for two is `300. Alcohol is not served here. MTR 1924: 44, Kutchi Bhavan, Opposite Mini Forest, 1st Main, JP Nagar 3rd Phase. Ph: 26586633
Anisha Nair
A slice of coastal cuisine ‘R estaurant at the end of the ORR’, was how Kanua was described to me. And unlike the Douglas Adams’ restaurant, food is the protagonist here.
You can have these with neer dose, Mangalorean Rotti or what is popularly known as kori rotti, sannas or rotis.
The menu is inspired by coastal and Konkani cuisine. Kanua is the name of a rice variety that is now extinct. The menu says that this is their attempt at rediscovering, recreating and reviving lost cultural history. And this, they do. The menu starts off with Kokum juice. An item largely relegated to Malnad Melas and health drink category. Kanua serves a very glamourised yam by deep frying yam chips and serving it with a tamarind dipping sauce (Soorna Kachri). Konkani household staple Biskoot Rotti is also served. For
seafood
lovers,
the
most
MTR pics: Anisha Nair. Neer Dose: Wikimedia Commons.
Potato-based, fiery Batate Waagh, spinach and raw papaya-based Vaali Ambat are some options for vegetarians.
recommended item is Kaane Tawa fry. There is also the Goan favourite, pomfret-based, Maanji Recheado. Their prawn biriyani is also very popular. Although they do not serve seafood during monsoon, since it is the breeding season for fish. Kanua Ghee roast, made of chicken cooked in more than generous amounts of ghee, has to be the most recommended item on the menu. Not for cholesterol watchers.
For desserts, there is a traditional array. Pattoli, coconut and jaggery steamed in a turmeric leaf and Raagi Manni or Millet souffle if you will, are popular. They do not serve liquor. But if you carry your own poison, they will serve it with corkage charges. All this cultural history does not come cheap. It costs `1500 for two people. No.6/2, Kasavanhalli, Sarjapur Main Road . Tel: 65374471
Padmalatha Ravi
Citizen Matters reviews the restaurants anonymously and pays for the meals.
8 CITIZEN MATTERS 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 Vol-4 Issue-13
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Check outs
Looking for that ‘one-of-a-kind’ outfit? he wedding and festival season is about to kick off. Be it a wedding reception or Ganesh Chaturthi, people want to show off their personal styles. Uniqueness is the key here. Copycat designs aren’t popular. Enter, designer wear. The unique and innovative designs, not available in the regular shops, are becoming a trend. And this is not limited to young people alone. People are ready to pay huge sums for unique outfits.
some bling, it is only in the form of subtle shimmery laces or aari work (freestyle embroidery) on their outfits. Jute and wool threadworks are also in vogue. Threadworks on dupattas are much in demand. It makes dupattas heavier and makes the outfit quite grand. The Anarkali is back in fashion. But
Anarkali dresses with long jackets, that are in demand this season. These anarkalis are so long that the pants are barely visible.” The men’s fashion world has a lot of creams and pastels this season. Sherwanis with cream, soft orange and brown are the all-occasion colours. Maroons and bottle-greens are popular for weddings! Dhoti pants with knee length Sherwanis is another trend picking up. And grooms go for these pants for that different look.
Debasmita Ghosh, a resident of Koramangala believes that the designer clothes are custom-made to fit. “There is a brand value attached to these clothes and they are definitively exclusive and one-of-a-kind,” she adds. Bright colours like yellows, orange and hot pinks are the choice of the season. Then of course the classic festive colours, reds and greens. Dull pastel colours are out of fashion and women prefer brighter colours.
now they come with jackets. Long or short, sleeveless, embroidered jackets are worn with the dresses, with simple dupattas. Lehengas also come with light embroidery work and light bling.
Bling and shimmer are also outdated. Even if people want
Pavithra Dattakumar, owner of Khwaish boutique, says, “We have
Left cou , middle rtes y: n : Desig eem aku ns in BF mar .comW 2012 . Sh by N rew ani eema K - Ha ndic umar. P rafts ic India
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Pavithra adds that even though big showrooms stock some designer wear, there will be many similar kind of outfits. “But not with (boutiques). You have only one unique dress and (you can) get according to your requirements and choice,” she says. Price of these designer-wear starts from `2000.
Stores Khwaish Boutique: Prakruthi Investments #6, Maruthi Mansion, Opp Forum Mall, Bhuvanappa Layout, Hosur Main Road, Koramangala. Ph: 9886026039 Neema Kumar design studio: No.59/101 A, NR Maharaja Palace & BDA Complex, HSR Layout. Ph: 66496271 Samiksha Design studio: No.569, Next To State Bank Of Hyderabad, 11th Main Road, 38th Cross, Jayanagar 5th Block. Ph: 22449569 Shrishti by Latha Puttanna: No 102, Lalbagh, Siddapura, 2nd Cross, 1st Block, Jayanagar. 26567349 Khanate Studio Line: No.898/1, Opp To IBP Petrol Bunk, 80 Feet Road, 6th Block, Koramangala. Ph: 9880733308
Anisha Nair
anisha@oorvani.in
Khwaish-designer store. Pic: Khwaish Got feedback on our articles? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 615
Vol-4 Issue-13 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 9
citizen impact
Green Heart Driver’s License launched Your driving license now has an option to pledge your organs after death. Citizen lobbying has helped Karnataka become the first state in the country to start this initiative.
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egional Transport Office, Electronic City and Gift Your Organ Foundation (GYOF) launched Organ Donor option on the Driver’s license . The Deputy Chief Minister, R Ashoka unveiled the ‘Green Heart Driver’s License’ on July 23rd. The GYOF, after it made detailed presentations to the Health Department and the Transport Department, was appointed to manage the implementation of the organ donation option in the license, along with the various RTO offices in Karnataka.
Raj Sethia, Director Projects, Gift Your Organ Foundation receiving the first 'green heart'
GYOF had been working with the driver's license. Pic courtesy: Gift Your Organ Foundation Department of Health and Family cards are being issued in Karnataka the Driving License card of those Welfare and the Department alone, GYOF felt this platform is consenting to the pledge. a great way to of Transport, The project is being piloted at the reach out and Government of Electronic City RTO office. After educate the Karnataka for the the success of the pilot project, With less than one public about past few months. which has been funded by Biocon organ donation. In late June, the organ donor in-aLtd (a global biopharmaceutical State Government million in India and In the pilot company), the project will be sanctioned this pilot over three million project, those extended to other RTO offices project. deaths since 2005 due applying for in Bangalore and then the rest driverʼs license of Karnataka. All Driver’s license to non-availability of With less than one will be provided applicants will be given the option organs, there is a great organ donor ininformation on of pledging their organs by filing a-million in India need to educate the organ donation. in the Pledge Form at the time of and over three public about organ There will also be applying for their driver’s license. million deaths since donation. educative posters Those who choose to pledge their 2005 due to nonand video films organs, will have a ‘green heart’ and availability of organs, at the RTO. An a red ‘Organ Donor’ sticker put on there is a great need organ donor their driver’s license. to educate the public about organ donation. Given that every month sticker (indicated by a green heart Dr P Satish Chandra, Chairman, more than one lakh driver’s license shaped symbol) will be printed on Zonal Co-ordination Committee of Karnataka for Transplantations (ZCCK), was glad that this initiative was introduced by the Gift Your Organ Foundation and has promised all support to the Gift Your Organ Foundation on behalf of ZCCK. The pilot project has been sponsored by Biocon Ltd and the hospitality partner for the event was Lalit Ashok.
Newsdesk 10 CITIZEN MATTERS 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 Vol-4 Issue-13
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cm special
Unauthorised residents may get new BBMP flats A decade after the infamous EWS quarters collapse at Ejipura, the original residents have not only had to wait, but are now facing worse. The quarters about to be built will be taken away by encroachers.
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he fate of the long-delayed housing project at Ejipura’s Economically Weaker Section (EWS) colony hangs on an affidavit filed by BBMP Commissioner Shankarlinge Gowda on July 24th. The High Court had instructed BBMP on 18th July to submit the affidavit on its plan of action over the reconstruction of 1512 houses. The order came on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by 12 original allottees of quarters at the EWS colony, who are no longer living there. They were residents of the previous structure, before its collapse in 2004. The allottees went to the HC to stop unauthorised people who have enlisted themselves as beneficiaries of BBMP’s upcoming EWS flats. On 24th July, Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice Aravind Kumar allotted one week’s time for verification of BBMP’s affidavit. Speaking to Citizen Matters at the court on 24th July, Shankarlinge Gowda said, “We have presented an affidavit based on facts. Now it is up to the court to decide its fate.” The petitioners’ lawyer, Aniyan Joseph, suspects BBMP’s motives. “Many things mentioned in the affidavit are not true,” he alleges. “BBMP claimed there is no dispute with Maverick and the original allottees. It is absolutely false and we will bring up all false claims of BBMP in the affidavit, on 2nd August (in court),” said Joseph.
Original allottees with the assurance letter given by BBMP of the new flats. Pic: Sankar C G
Maverick Holdings and BBMP had signed an agreement early this year to build a commercial complex and EWS flat complex on the land.
Unauthorised people may benefit Rajamani, a homemaker, aged 54, an original allottee who currently lives in AT Halli near Richmond Circle, is worried that she will not get an EWS flat. She approached BBMP several times with the original documents given by the latter, claiming the right to a new flat. But she had to come back frustrated each time. Rajamani and hundreds of others left the wrecked quarters in 2005 after receiving a letter of assurance from BBMP that they will receive newly constructed flats. When BBMP issued biometric and identity cards, she could not get one. These cards are the basis on which BBMP now says it will hand over the new EWS flats when Maverick finishes construction. Rajamani’s is not the only case. Around 300 original allottees living in AT Halli complain that they have not received ID cards or biometric cards, but that encroachers living in the slum have received both. In all, more than 1000 original allottees are cursing their predicament for not being able to access their due. To make matters worse, the original allottees have been treated badly by the encroachers when they attempted to return, claims P S Dass, an allottee. “The present occupants are dangerous people, so we are scared to go there. It is our land, and those who encroached it need to be punished,” says M S Rajna Xavier, 50, a homemaker and original allottee from AT Halli.“ At present only less than 100 original allottees are living in the slum,” she adds.
All eyes on High Court The action now moves back to HC on August 2nd, when the court will hear the petitioners’ responses on BBMP’s plan to build and allott flats. Much will depend on the ruling. BBMP Commissioner Shankarlinge Gowda coming out of the court after the hearing. Pic: Sankar C G Got feedback on our articles? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 615
Sankar C G Vol-4 Issue-13 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 11
for your Info
Tips to prevent dengue, chikungunya Dengue fever, also known bonecrusher disease is characterised by severe headache, muscle and joint pain, fever, rash and sometimes even gastritis. This is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. The
symptoms generally appear only after 3-14 days after the infective bite. The more severe form of dengue is the dengue haemorrhagic fever, which can lead to death.
can reduce with just paracetamol and that antibiotics have no role in treating dengue and chikungunya.
Treatment and blood tests Prevention • Wear full sleeved clothes • Discard small collections of water in coconut shells, broken bottles and so on • Mesh your doors and windows • Use mosquito repellants and sprays • Clean water containers at least once a week and fill with fresh water • Cover water storage tanks with an air tight lid • Clean refrigerator and air cooler trays regularly
In the case of dengue, if there is a platelet count drop, then patients are admitted to a hospital for platelet transfusion.
Aedes aegypti mosquito. Transmitter of dengue and chikungunuya. Pic: Wikimedia commons.
Chikungunya is also transmitted by the Aedes mosquito and is characterised by fever and joint pains. This illness is not known to be fatal but the joint pain could get severe, lasting for anywhere between six months to one year. Most doctors do not recommend a test for chikungunya as there is no specific treatment for this. Dr Purnima Parthasarathy, Consultant and Head, Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospital, says the fever
Dengue symptoms • High fever • Severe headache • Pain in the back of the eyes • Body aches & joint pains • Nausea or vomiting • Skin rash Chikungunya symptons • High fever • Severe pain, swelling in joints • Skin rash Both diseases are spread by Aedes aegypti mosquito, a day-biter
Pick friends for your garden T
here are many benefits to companion planting. They act as natural insect repellents, shade and windbreaks; providing necessary nutrients to the soil and other plants and reducing the need for external fertilisers. Another advantage is you can make optimal
Pic: VS
Cucumber: This is a good to plant with corn and beans. Plant cucumber with sunflower for a great duet! Cucumber also does well with peas, beetroot, Beans: All beans radish, and carrot. Chlorophyll conversations enrich the soil with vinita suryanarayanan Radish is a good nitrogen fixed from deterrent against the air. Generally, cucumber beetles. Dill planted they are good company for carrot, with cucumbers helps by attracting celery, corn, eggplant, peas, potato, beneficial predators. Keep potato beets, radish, and cucumber. away from cucumber. Keep beans away from the alliums (flowers). Lettuce: Does well with beet, bush bean, pole bean, cabbage, carrot, Basil: Planted with tomato improves cucumber, onion, and radish. It growth and flavour. Basil is also said grows happily in the shade under to repel flies and mosquitoes. young sunflowers. Carrot: These are friends with peas, Potato: The following may be onion and tomato. One drawback planted with potato: bush bean, with tomato and carrot when cabbage, carrot, celery, corn. planted together: tomato plants can stunt the growth of the carrots Tomato: an be grown with cabbage, but the latter will still retain a good onion, radish, garlic and carrot. flavour. Keep dill away from carrot. use of available space by growing plants of differing heights. Some examples of companion planting in your vegetable garden:
12 CITIZEN MATTERS 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 Vol-4 Issue-13
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EDITORIAL
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 paidfor articles. They are presented by the advertiser to readers for information and promotion. No journalists were involved in preparing them. www.citizenmatters.in, feedback@citizenmatters.in facebook.com/citizenmatters twitter.com/citizenmatters
Cover credits: Sankar C G Errata
Vol 4- issue 12 dated 14th July. Article on women’s toilet: Pic credit was missed out. The photograph was taken by Ankita Mehta.
A little activism, a little politics T
he High Court has ruled in favour of the citizens. The stay order essentially says ‘hear them out,’ to the State and BDA. For the moment, the order comes as relief to thousands of Koramangala residents who have fought a prolonged battle for almost a year and a little too late for the numerous trees that were surreptitiously cut even before the project formally took off. The `119 crores project at four junctions – Jakkasandra (flyover), Koramangala 80 feet road (underpass), Krupanidhi College (underpass) and St John’s hospital-Koramangala 100 feet road junction (flyover and underpass), kicked off without a single Koramangala resident’s consent. People of Bengaluru are used to the high handed way most of the infrastructure projects are implemented. The protests, be it against Metro or Sankey road’s widening, have largely been ignored by the powers of corridor. For months, the Koramangala residents screamed hoarse about the impracticality of the entire project. They dug up documents that showed lack of
Living in Bengaluru Oorvani Media, publisher of Citizen Matters, is launching its first book. This is a special guidebook for living in Bangalore, with everything from Q&As to step-by-step guides and detailed insight from experts. See page 15 for more. Book launch: Reliance Timeout, Cunningham Road on Aug 3rd, 6pm. Call 98455 06477
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planning, distortion of facts and bore the brunt of official apathy. The then BDA commissioner, and CM both assured citizens of a fair hearing; only, the residents woke up to dug up roads and cut trees in the morning. Most of government action happened at midnight. Fed up, the residents hired security guards to keep watch. With this verdict, Koramangala residents have had their way. Persistence is just one aspect that paid off. Some political clout in the form of MP Rajeev Chandrashekar’s backing, did go a long way in the fight. For years activists and concerned citizens have pushed for area sabhas, to ensure citizen participation but the power to take local decisions is still lying exclusively with elected representatives and bureaucrats. Of course, even the watered down area sabha bill hasn’t seen the light of the day. It is a shame that citizens have to hold dharnas and ask the courts to intervene to be heard in a democracy. The hope though is that this will set a precedent of a new kind, where the government realises that residents won’t take it quietly.
Padmalatha Ravi
edit@citizenmatters.in
Vol-4 Issue-13 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 13
Interview
Treating Bengaluru to books for decades Sapna Book House has been a household name in Bengaluru for almost two decades now. How are they managing to survive and grow in the e-commerce era?
Pic: Abhishek Angad
I
n 1967, Suresh Shah, a Gujarati, started Sapna Book House in Majestic, in a 100 square feet space. Today the same book store is set up in a multi-storeyed building in Gandhinagar. It has been mentioned in Limca Book of Records and India Book of Records as India’s largest book mall. This year, Sapna opened its eighth book store in Karnataka and the sixth in Bangalore, on Residency Road. This is at a time when bookstores like ‘Crossword’ shut down one of its stores in the city. This may be attributed to the age of e-commerce and digitalisation. Citizen Matters spoke to Suresh Shah’s eldest son, Nitin Shah, Managing Director, Sapna Book House, about their growth, survival strategies and future plans.
How did Sapna come into existence? My father, Suresh Shah could not continue his education after SSLC due to lack of funds. He joined a book shop to earn some money. Later he was promoted as Assistant Manager and sent to Chennai, followed by managerial post in Bangalore. In 1967, he started Sapna Book House in Bangalore. It was a concept visualised by my mother Bhanumati Shah. As you know sapna means dream. She always persuaded my father to dream big.
Can you give a glimpse of Sapna’s journey? The first store was in a rented space of around 100 square feet in Majestic. It stayed there for a few years. I joined in 1981 and planned to expand our book
“I have travelled to other south Indian states, and the acceptance is most visible in Bangalore. Of all southern states, Karnataka is the most tolerant. Sapna and Bangalore has grown together, and Bangalore is my first love.” store, along with my brothers. We took a bigger mall opposite present Tribhuvan Theatre in Gandhinagar, and we slowly started growing. It was in 2006 that we expanded to ‘Sapna Book Mall’, and as per Limca and India Book of Records it is India’s largest book mall. Today we have six book stores in Bangalore, one in Mysore and one in Mangalore.
E-commerce companies like Flipkart are luring customers with huge discounts and flexibility in payments. How do you manage your sales? I feel that they just want to build
14 CITIZEN MATTERS 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 Vol-4 Issue-13
their base because I see no reason for anyone to sell at loss. But it does not affect our sales. Firstly we have all variety of books for different age groups. Secondly, we complement our online business with the stock available in our brick-and-mortar store (Sapna Book House). Thirdly, with an Indian population of around 120 crore (to shop at bookstores)- seeing and choosing has its own charm.
You also publish Kannada books. How did you end up doing this, being a Gujarati? We started publication of Kannada books way back in 1994, since I first met Dr Shivaram Karanth, a Kannada writer and Jnanapith Awardee. I somehow started liking his ideas, beliefs, and we started publishing his books in Kannada. We started with his 3-4 titles, and later published all his titles. We slowly grew in this field and today we have around 18,000 titles. We are the number one Kannada publisher in the state. We publish two titles a day.
AbhisheK Angad
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h 12 0 unc 2 t g u La Au eo ad o d 3r Tim R Bookm, ce am p n h i 6 ia g Fr el nin R n Cu
If there was a book that could make
Living in Bengaluru closer to a cup of tea, this is it, this is it!
A truly extraordinary effort, which details how we actually live in our city and how to interact with all the agencies who impact our lives. For the first time citizenship has been made the centrepiece and focus in a publication about Bengaluru. The book should be a prized possession of every citizen of this great city. --T.V.Mohandas Pai
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Vol-4 Issue-13 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 15
see & do Workshop 'Our Theatre' presents 'An Actors Workshop'. Mon 30 Jul, 6:30pm to Mon 13 Aug, 8:30pm, #159, 13th Main ,1st Cross, BTM Stage - 1, Ph: 9900133287 "POORVA RANGA" - An acting workshop Wed 2 Aug to Wed 15 Aug, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, HK Kala Soudha Basement, Hanumantha Nagar, Ph: 8884345569 Reiki workshop Mon 6 Aug, 10:30am to Tue 21 Aug, 4:30pm, flutter@butterflywings.in, Ulsoor, Ph: 9373511077
Talks
A talk by David Orr Wipro Earthian presents a talk by David Orr on sustainability and environment. Orr is Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics at Oberlin College[1] and a James Marsh Professor at the University of Vermont.
Fri 3 Aug, 6.30pm, Bangalore International Centre Auditorium, TERI Complex, 4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlur II Stage, RSVP: 25359680 Wealth and Welfare - an IT industry perpective: IT industry perspectives Talk by C P Chandrashekhar, Professor at Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, JNU and a renowned columnist. Sun Jul 29, 2pm, KH Patil Auditorium, KH Road, Ph: 9620907912
Arts and culture
The Forest - Children's play Sun 5 Aug, 4:30pm to 7:30pm, JSS Auditorium, Jayanagar 8th Block, Ph:9900133287 The Birth Centenary Celebrations of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Late Shri Alathur Srinivasa Iyer Sat 28 Jul, 5:30pm, Ananya Sabhangana, Malleswaram, Ph: 9980991110 Sitār Vādan Ankush, Ustad Rafique Khan and Ustad Shafique Khan - Presented by Sur Sagar in collaboration with Alliance Française de Bangalore Sat Aug 4, 6:30pm, Alliance Française de Bangalore, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanthanagar, Ph: 40808181 Portrait Demonstration by Venkatachalapathy Sun Aug 5, 11am to 4pm, National Gallery of Modern Art, 49, Palace Road, Ph: 22342338
Thu 2 Aug, 4pm to 6pm, National Gallery of Modern Art, Manikyavelu Mansion, 49, Palace Road, Ph: 9739677747 The Discovery of the Higgs Boson Talk by Prof J Pasupathy, Professor, Indian Institute of Science
THEATRE
Rangashankara Plays 1 Wed, 2 Thu, Mooji Muttu Mooji Loka (Tulu), 90 mins 3 Fri, 4 Sat, Shivaratri (K), 100 mins 5 Sun Treadmill (Hin), 70 mins (also at 3.30 pm) 7 Tue, Mysooru Mallige (K), 120 mins
16 CITIZEN MATTERS 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 Vol-4 Issue-13
1st Nadasurabhi Karnataka Vaibhava - 3 Day Festival of Music A unique initiative to highlight the contribution of Karnataka to the field of Carnatic music exclusively through leading artists from the state. Saralaya Sisters (17th), D.Balakrishna and Vamshidhar on Veena – Venu (18th), T.S.Sathyavathi (19th) 17-19 Aug, The Indian Heritage Academy Hall - 6th Block, Koramangala 8 Wed Kamala (K), 90 mins 9 Thu, 10 Fri, Mooru Hejje Mooru Loka (K), 105 mins 11 Sat, Nantu – Adu Heegu Unto (K), 100 mins (also at 3.30 pm) 12 Sun, Robinson and Crusoe (E), 80 mins (also at 3.30 pm) 14 Tue, 15 Wed, Namma Metro (K), 70 mins Rangashankara, 8th Cross, Nt To Post Off, JP Nagar, Phase II, Ph: 2649 3982.
launch event
Book launch: Living in Bengaluru Citizen Matters presents its first book - a guidebook to make daily life easier - from getting a birth certificate, applying for a Khata, to all about property documents. Fri 6pm, 3rd Aug 2012, Reliance Timeout, Cunningham Road. Ph: 9845506477
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Features
Birds leave the fashion to the males Peacocks are prettier than peahens and male sparrows more handsome than the females. Why is this so? Nature Feature
Deepa Mohan Similarly, compare the bright colours of the male Purple-rumped Sunbird with his much duller mate: Perhaps you may not have noticed these two birds...but here’s a bird that’s making a strong comeback after almost disappearing...the House Sparrow. Here are both the male and female, together. The only exception to this, in the common birds of our city, is the Asian Koel, where the male is black, and the female is mottled black-andwhite. In the bird world, the ladies prefer not to be highly coloured, and leave the fashion and the flaunting to their menfolk! It seems to be the general rule (with a few exceptions, of course) that the female of the species is always duller, and less brightly coloured than the male. A beautiful bird that can often be seen in Lalbagh is the male Asian Paradise
There are several theories as to the reasons for this; one is that the females prefer to look at bright As you can see, this is a spectacular plumage on the males rather than bird, and it definitely catches the on themselves (contrast this with attention of the observer as it flies human beings!). Another is that when around, flaunting that ribbon of a the females are flying to and from tail! The female is far less dressy. the nest, their dull feathers make it more difficult for predators to see them and raid the nests. Brightness of the colours is supposed to indicate the health and vitality of the male, so that the offspring may be healthier, and better able Pic:s: Deepa Mohan to survive. Flycatcher.
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TM
Contact Information: Phone: 988 676 1007 Email: info@fwm.co.in Vol-4 Issue-13 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 17
Ferdinand Wealth Management
last word
Oh no! There’s a veggie on my plate! Does your child pick mustard out of dal? Do you constantly sneak in vegetables into the child’s food? Or do you say ‘eat what’s on your plate?’ You are not alone in this all-out veggie war. Are you a sneaky mum? The type who cannot think of kneading atta without mashing dal or spinach into it? Or pasta sauce without pureeing carrots? If you do, chances are that like me you live with a fussy eater. Food in our house, at least for the brat, comes with hidden ingredients. Veggies and greens are boiled and mashed to get into the atta, parathas are stuffed with whatever can behave itself inside a paratha without peeking, pasta sauces (even
store bought ones) are revved up with pureed veggies, the list goes on... I am not the only one with a fusspot of course. A colleague mentions how her daughter started out by picking onions from the dal and is now on to the mustard. Well mine picks tomatoes.
confessionS of a second time mom
Reshmi Chakraborty
The boy is six and half now and after years of cajoling, explaining, making broccoli trees and finally taking the ‘eat what’s on your plate or none at all’ route and failing, I’ve decided that being sneaky is the way to go. At least for now.
18 CITIZEN MATTERS 28 July - 10 Aug 2012 Vol-4 Issue-13
It isn’t just us of course. There’s even a book called The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals by Missy Chase Lapine. A recent Facebook discussion pointed to a book on how French families raise their kids to eat everything (French Kids Eat Everything by Karen Le Billion), including passing on a piece of Roquefort cheese to a nine month old, saying no to snacking and never sitting down to a meal without dressing the table in all its finery, candles et al. As a mom I’ve tried to find my compromise. When the boy says no to cauliflower, unlike earlier I don’t cajole or glower. I know it’ll get into his food some way or the other.
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