Citizen Matters Koramangala - HSR Layout
Local news like no one else does
Unruly elements
Torment btm residents Page 10
6 Kora III block park to get police chauki 6 Congratulations, Rohan Dev! 7 Meet Vijayan Menon 8 More than Roshogullas 9 Where to buy: green Ganesha 13 B ut don’t be a teacher
14 Once a caterpillar 15 Congrats, Girisha! 18 Why we overprotect kids
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www.citizenmatters.in Vol-4 Issue-16
8 - 21 Sep 2012
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Lots of HTV vehicles , trucks are plying in our residential area Roads get spoiled sooner and HTV vehicles frequently creates traffic problems, since the road is narrow and there are more than 20 apartments. We request you to kindly get HTV restriction implemented in the area.
Followup: HTV restriction request has been granted for our area (after letter sent to Traffic ACP Saleem). We had requested for HTV height limits at three key exit points from Somasandra palya to Haralur road. Sign boards will be put. Request has been forwarded by Traffic Police to BBMP. Balasubramaniam Thirunavakkarasu, Somasundarapalya
From the begining of the formation of 3rd Cross, 2nd BLock, Koramangala Layout, Madivala Post, There is no street light in the lane where Satyanarayan School is situated. S I Pasha, 23 Aug 2012
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The big Bengalurean garbage mess Everyone has to take the blame squarely for this big mess! One feels nauseated when we see the stinking piles of garbage everywhere. it starts with each individual... I would suggest the people should file a PIL against the BBMP for bringing things to this state! Jayashree A. Rajanahally
Is the clinic you visit registered? Running private clinics without them being registered under the law should not be permitted. Exemplary action should be taken by the regulatory authorities against all those who endanger the safety of citizens. Maj Pankaj Rai (Retd)
ADGP Rajvir Sharma sparks backlash by BBMP officials The blame squarely lies on outdated building by-laws. These outdated laws does not really serve to catalyse the needs for our growing city. If we need jobs, there has to be investment. Investment requires state of the art infrastructure. No matter what the honesty of Mr. Sharma is, the powers that be and we as a society should focus on the disease (viz outdated building by-laws), instead of curing the symptoms (violations). Malolan R Cadambi
Citizen Matters Vol-4 Issue-16, 8 - 21 Sep 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.
Diabetes Mellitus affects eyes the most Diabetes Mellitus is a complex systemic disorder, causing abnormally raised blood sugar levels. This condition affects almost all organs in the body. Unfortunately the eye is one of the organs affected early; It causes irreversible blindness unless detected at an early stage. Diabetes affects the blood vessels in the retina - the nerve layer lining of the eye. The damage to blood vessels and its effect in retina is known as diabetes retinopathy. Diabetes also causes cataract and is a risk factor for glaucoma. Symptoms Visual disturbances are the only complaint. The loss of vision could range from mild to near total blindness. Visual loss could be either slow in onset as the disease progresses gradually or may be sudden when there are serious complications like bleeding in the eye or retina getting detached. Patients can also see black spots floating in front of eye - onset in early stage of bleeding. Unfortunately loss of vision is a late phenomena and many a times, it is not possible to reverse the effect. One can have advanced stages of the disease without loss of vision.
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Signs Diabetes affects blood vessels in the retina which are very different from the rest of the body. The vessels in the eye and in the brain are non-leaky. When the integrity of the vessel wall is affected then retinopathy develops and it goes through many stages and the vision is affected.
Who are at the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy ? ny patient with type I or type A II diabetes. Poor glycemic control. Detection Diabetic eye disease is a silent disease and vision loss is the late symptom. The major risk factor is duration of diabetes and control. Hence periodic check up even when vision is good and diabetes is controlled, is a must. Examination of the eye after the dilating the pupil is compulsory at every visit. Treatment Prevention is the best option. Ensure good control of diabetes and other diseases, and have periodic eye check ups. As soon as the diagnosis of diabetes (Type II) is made, a eye examination should be done. Thereafter, there should be periodic checkups as per the instructions of the ophthalmogolists. Laser treatment is a standard treatment. It is an out-patient procedure with minimal discomfort.
ong duration of diabetes - in L spite of reasonably good control of diabetes. Other systemic diseases like hypertension, anemia, high serum lipids, cardiac diseases, renal problems etc. Many injections are now available that will counteract the effect produced by the chemicals that are released from the retina. These injections have to be supplemented by laser treatment for long lasting effect. For heavy bleeding, vitrectomy is done. It is a surgical procedure to remove blood and laser treatment is done at the end of the surgery to control the diabetic retinopathy. Hence, early treatment plays an important role not only in protecting vision but also in regaining lost vision due to complications of diabetes in the eye. DR. MAMATHA S R Senior Consultant Vitreo Retina Shekar Nethralaya
633, 100 feet Ring Road JP Nagar 3rd Phase, Bengaluru - 560078 Tel: 08026593210 fax: 08041209197 drrajashekaryl@shekarnethralaya.com Ph:9980562020 info@shekarnethralaya.com www.shekarnethralaya.com
Koramangala & HSR LaYout
WHEELS tries to help alleviate traffic problems
W
heels, a forum of people interested in finding solutions to traffic problems has proposed some options to improve the situation at Silkboard junction. On August 23rd, there was a meeting at Koramangala organised by Viswanath Seetharam, co-founder of wheels where representatives from ELCIA, ORRCA and EGL including N S Rama, Col. Aiyappa, Aruna Newton and Poornapragna and
Pic courtesy: Wheels
BTM/Koramangala based citizens including Nitin Seshadri, Muralidhar Rao and Vijayan Menon interacted. The group discussed various ideas like getting employees to opt for buses. They also considered introducing staggered office transport timing. One of the major points discussed was about improving Silkboard junction and introducing skywalks for pedestrians. It was also proposed to
make the road stretch from Silkboard to Jayadeva ‘Zero tolerance’ zone. e.g. no heavy vehicles allowed on this road at specified times. They felt, bus stops should also be located away from the junctions and flyovers to avoid traffic congestion. The industry representatives also agreed to sponsor more traffic wardens after discussions with the traffic police.
News desk
Manage waste well, say children A
round 2,000 civic club members from CMCA (Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness) voiced their opinion on the garbage issue. The students from 50 schools signed and submitted a memorandum to Shankarlinge Gowda, the then commissioner of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), on August 3rd.
2000 CMCA members took part in a human chain to raise awareness. Pic: CMCA Got feedback on our articles? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 614
The children appealed to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to implement an effective solid waste management system by:
M aking waste segregation Citizen compulsory. Reports Introducing effective systems to ensure e-waste and toxic waste is collected and disposed safely. Creating scientific landfills. Completely banning the use of plastic bags in the city. Ensuring greater transparency in awarding and implementing garbage removal and disposal contracts. On their part, the children promised to stop using polythene bags and littering. They also said that they would educate others around them to be sensitive to the problems and conditions of Pourakarmikas and treat them with respect and dignity. Priya Krishnamurthy is the Executive Trustee, CMCA. Vol-4 Issue-16 8 - 21 Sep 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 5
in & Around
Residents start two projects at Koramangala III block park
R
esidents of Koramangala approached the Bangalore Police and BBMP for permission to construct a police chowki in the III Block BBMP playground in Koramangala. The Bangalore
Rajeev Chandra Shekar at the Bhumi puja. Pic courtesy: Nitin Seshadri
police have agreed to station police personnel in the chowki. The residents raised the funds required for the project from within the Koramangala III Block community. Responding to the citizens initiative, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP, a resident of Koramangala 3rd Block, also contributed towards the construction fund. They also decided to help find solutions to solid waste management problems. A leaf shredder has been planned at the Koramangala III Block playground. Shredded garden waste wil be transfered the output to Saahas, for composting. Rohini Nilekani, a Koramangala resident, who has for long been advocating sustainable solutions to the solid waste management problem, contributed
Rohini Nilekani at the Bhumi puja. Pic courtesy: Nitin Seshadri
towards this. On Sunday, 26th August, a Bhumi Puja was held to kick off construction work for both initiatives. Nitin Seshadri is secretary, Koramangala III Block Residents Association.
Congratulations, Rohan Dev!
Citizen Reports
Rohan Dev, a student of Bethany School, Koramangala has won the zonal finals of IIHM Young Chefs India Schools 2012.
S
tudents from more than 3000 schools across 28 states in India participated and showed their culinary skills at the event that took place on Aug 16th, 17th and 18th, hosted by International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Bangalore, based in Indira Nagar. Rohan Dev, a resident of Domlur, dished up Mint chicken Curry, Coconut Ladoo, Square Paratha, Carrot Halwa and Khatta Pani to reach the finale that will take place in London on September 25th . “I dedicate this victory to my mother, who has been a constant support “, he says.
Rohan Dev’s dish. Pic: IIHM
The event preliminary rounds were judged by expert
6 CITIZEN MATTERS 8 - 21 Sep 2012 Vol-4 Issue-16
Rohan Dev with Chef Avijit of The Leela Bangalore. Pic courtesy: IIHM.
chefs who rated the items on texture, taste, appearance, composition and overall appeal. “This competition was a fantastic way to introduce youngsters to the field of culinary arts” says Shaun Kenworthy, Director, Culinary Arts, IIHM. Minu Jose is the Admission Officer at IIHM. Want to book an ad or classified? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 614
‘Development should be uniformly distributed’
local matters
He believes that the responsibility of the citizens does not end with finding faults with the governance. Responsibility comes along with rights, he says.
V
ijayan Menon, 57, has been a issues like the recent Sirsi-Agara resident of Koramangala for 20 flyover. Did you get what you years now, and is an active member of the Koramangala Initiative wanted? (KI) group. He is a marketing Yes we have filed a lot of PILs consultant by profession but likes in different areas of interest. spending most of his time for city’s Not as a group but as individuals development issues. coming together. We His interests vary from still have a long way golfing, gardening, Nimma to go. For example, playing guitar and neighbour in the Sirsi - Agara quizzing. He talks fly-over case, we about the KI group, might not have citizens’ rights and responsibilities, achieved the permanent stay on and city governance. Excerpts from the work. But at least we made the his interview. government hear us out and re-look at their plans.
Do you think the ‘Save Koramangala’ group has saved Koramangala? What were you saving it from?
How do you find Bangalore in terms of public participation and citizen activism?
As far as saving Koramangala is concerned, there are a lot of things, for example bad planning. This is a residential layout and we need to maintain its character. There has to be safety, calmness, peace and cleanliness. There are several parameters that needs to be taken care of. And we need to work towards it.
The citizen activism has become much more in the past few years due to various reasons. Bangalore has a cosmopolitan nature and there are a lot of changes happening everyday. The rapid economic growth has
It is an ongoing process. Some really good ideas are coming our way. And most importantly, the group seems to have attracted a lot of likeminded people. This is a leaderless group and a forum for people to talk about different issues that they feel, are of concern. We work in a non-hierarchical manner and bring about, ideas and solutions.
Honestly speaking, it’s not because of some passion to make a change that I’m here. It is just that I have got new set of friends, because of this. It has got me closer to a lot of like-minded people who share similar thoughts and interests.
You have filed a couple of PILs in the High Court for town planning
What keeps you motivated?
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Pic: Anisha Nair
upset the balance. A lot of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have come up to keep a watch over the society.
What is the one fundamental change you would like to see in the way government implements infrastructure projects? First of all, the government needs to understand that infrastructure and development are two different things. Infrastructure comes under development. But here, we are spending more money on infrastructure terming it as development. The infrastructure is made to facilitate only the cars and bikes. We also need to look at the public transport, cyclists and pedestrians. Physical manifestation of development should be uniformly distributed across the society and not use towards one category of the society.
Anisha Nair
anisha@citizenmatters.in
Vol-4 Issue-16 8 - 21 Sep 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 7
check outs
What to have when you try Bengali cuisine There is more to Bengali cuisine than the ubiquitous Roshogulla. Mustard oil and mild spices play a pivotal role in the region’s cuisine.
I
f you are craving for a good mustard seeds paste and usually scrumptious meal with less spices, served with rice. This dish is a little Aloor Dum. Pic credit: wikimediacommons Bengali cuisine is the right thing tangy in flavour. Mutton gravy is to try. The food, originating from another must try, it is usually served Roshogulla or rasagulla made of West Bengal, predominantly has with Luchi. Lamb is cooked in home made cottage cheese or fish, vegetables and lentils, and is moderate amount of spices and has paneer balls, deep fried in oil, and mostly served with rice, Luchi a semi thick gravy. later dipped in sugar syrup, make or pooris or parathas. Vegetarian food lovers, for a happy ending to your meal. Generally mustard don’t need to worry, oil is used for Bengaluru has a plethora of Bengali there are ample preparation, and restaurants for you to try out. choices for you sometimes, in this cuisine. The Esplanade: 151, KHB Colony, 1st Floor, even sunflower The regular 60 Feet Road, 5th Block, Koramangala. Ph: oil. The key 40927888, 40927878 vegetable spices that Cost of two is `600 without alcohol. Alcohol curry prepared bring a different available here. with phoron flavor are Zomato has rated it 3.5 out of 5. and lentils, cumin, fennel, Bhojohori Manna, 668/B, 6th Block, and served with fenugreek, Kalonji Koramangala. Ph: 25503666, 9533803666, rice, makes for and black mustard 9620903666 a healthy diet. In Maach curry seeds, usually referred to AND almost all the Bengali as Phoron. 42, 7th Cross, Opposite RV Dental College, restaurants in Bangalore, one 1st phase, JP Nagar. Ph: 26593666, would find a vegetarian A large number of Bengalis have fish 9916972666 at least once a day. For starters, fish thali comprising one Cost of two is `500 without vegetable curry, cutlet is worth trying out. This cutlet alcohol. Alcohol not lentils and rice. is prepared with boiled and minced available here. Aloo poshto, fish and mashed potatoes, then Bangaliana: 355, (Potato cooked deep fried and topped with bread 1st ‘B’ Main, 7th with poppy crumbs. For the main course, one of Block, Opposite HDFC Bank, seed paste), is the most loved dish is Ilish Maach Koramangala. the most loved (Hilsa fish), a gravy prepared with Ph: 25711058, dish among 26482529 vegetarians. It is Cost of two is `300 generally served without alcohol. with rice or Luchi. Alcohol not available Mutton Curry Another dish called here. Shukto, prepared Howrah Bridge: 4th Floor, with mixed vegetables, has Bangalore Central Mall, 9th Block, Jayanagar. Ph: 9980577745 emphasises on the bitterness. Zomato has rated it 3.3 out of 5. Usually, the vegetables used are bitter gourd, ridge gourd, Cost of two is `400 without alcohol. Alcohol not available here. brinjals, raw bananas and radish. The bitterness of the vegetable Abhishek Angad, Anisha is retained while preparing this Nair dish.
Roshogulla pot
Desserts form the key part. Mishti Doi (sweetened curd) and
8 CITIZEN MATTERS 8 - 21 Sep 2012 Vol-4 Issue-16
Citizen Matters reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for the meals.
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Check outs
Go green with Ganesha this time G
anesha Chathurthi marks the start of the Hindu festive season of the year. How about starting it on an eco-friendly note? Every year, lakes get polluted because of the chemicals used in making Ganesha idols. In order to be sympathetic towards nature, a large number of people are moving towards eco-friendly idols that are made of clay. Ecoexist is a group that encourages the concept of eco-friendly products, and you can book your eco-friendly, hand-sculpted clay Ganesha from their website - www.ecoexist.com. The clay Ganesha idols are biodegradable. These idols are sun-dried, not baked; it dissolves completely in water and can quickly enter back into the ecosystem as it does not lose its original properties. And for those of you who are enthusiastic enough to make your own, there are many workshops conducted across the city. These idols can even be immersed in a bucket of water at home and used in watering the garden. “I think these ecofriendly idols are more of a necessity today. I am glad that there is more awareness among people on how to make this Ganesh Chathurthi a little different and a little kinder on the environment,” says Shubha Sridhar, CEO of Culture Trails, where people are encouraged to make their own clay Ganesha idols. Culture Trails is a learning holiday company where people are made to experience the local culture of the place. Clay Station - which teaches pottery and Environment Support Group (ESG), an NGO, are some of the
Clay Ganesha. Pic: Culture Trails
Road. Ph: 9036605321
other places that hold workshops for making Ganesha idols out of clay.
The Living Shop: #56, Tatana Mane compound, 3rd Main, Chamrajpet. Ph: 9241715008, 9901303390
So how about making a new start of being a bit more sensitive towards the environment this Ganesh Chathurthi?
A Hundred Hands: No 4 Ashley Road, Behind Ajanta Hotel, Off Brunton Road, Behind MG Road. Ph: 25583292, 9845008482
The best part is, you don’t have to shell out a lot to go green. The price of these idols start from around `100 and can go up to thousands depending on the size and shape. You can buy your eco-friendly Ganeshas from:
Kham Design: #1, 1st Floor, Veena Kala Mandir, Tata Silk Farm Circle, KR Road. Ph: 65330339, 9901303390
Industree Crafts Pvt Ltd: 85/3, Near Dental College, Munnekolalu, , Marathahalli. Ph: 65397964/65 HyperCity Retail India: Embassy Paragon, Grnd Floor, Near Kundalahalli Gate, ITPL Road, Near Brooke Field. Ph: 9820844576 TMAD (To Make A Difference): Kamal: 9886642073 and Pullarao: 9886734321
anisha Nair
Shree Enterprises: #32, Sweet Homes Layout, Srinivasapura, Uttarahalli, Kengeri Main
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Vol-4 Issue-16 8 - 21 Sep 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 9
exclusive
Sleepless nights for BTM I stage residents Increasing theft cases and vandalism are a norm here. In addition, residents have to put up with youngsters doing wheeling late at night and creating noise. Police say they can act only if there is a written complaint.
“I
feel like relocating to a different place. I will probably sell my house,” says a depressed, rather scared 70-year-old H N Pattabhiraman. He has been a resident of BTM I Stage, 9th Main, since 1992. Like Pattabhiraman, other residents too live in fear. They feel helpless in the face of deteriorating law and order situation, and do not have much confidence in the police either. The reason for this fear is the constant trouble created by miscreants and police inaction. The residents have to bear the brunt of motorbikers drag racing with modified silencers at night, theft cases and rampant illicit smoking and gambling in the neighbourhood.
Disturbed nights Pattabhiraman says, “Small children wake up to the loud noise generated by the modified silencers of the bikes. I too am a heart patient. It has been troubling us for a long time.” He says that despite his warning the men repeatedly, they deliberately
ride around this area. He says, “They indulge in brawls using foul language, if you try to stop them.” Pattabhiraman is also the Secretary of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) of Maruthi Layout in BTM I stage. He says that he has complained to the police about the issue, but in vain. He added, “The police asked us to get hold of the miscreant and call them. But is it possible for an old person like me to catch them (miscreants)?”
Heinous crimes Citizen Matters has published an article in July, about a woman who was stabbed on her arms in BTM 1st stage. Though the criminal is in jail, the parents of the victim fear that once he is out, it will be a problem for them. C M Narayan, father of the victim, says that the area is infamous for such activities. He says that women wearing gold chains can’t walk peacefully in this area. Even his wife was a victim of chain snatching, a few years ago. In the stabbing case, the police had
10 CITIZEN MATTERS 8 - 21 Sep 2012 Vol-4 Issue-16
Quiet locality that witnesses miscreants at night. Pic: Abhishek Angad
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earlier said that since the accused was in an intoxicated state at the time of committing the crime, he may not be held liable for the crime. But Narayan asks, “Many (such toublemakers) will be set free and we will be troubled later. What is the solution?”
Illegal activities The residents complain that some miscreants use public roads to smoke pot and gamble. Whenever the residents try to stop them, they retaliate by throwing stones and breaking window glass panes.
cm special
Residents claim that the miscreants are mostly from the neighbouring Gurappanapalya. The accusations even take on communal colours. Some say the miscreants are Muslims, some think they are Hindu. However one resident says, “These people are in the age group of 1520, mostly lower income group belonging from both Hindu and Muslim community.” Citizen Matters has not been able to independently confirm these claims.
What the authorities say
The residents have complained to the authorities many times, An aggrieved resident Prashant but no action has been taken so Bhargava says they broke his car’s far. They even complained to the windshield as his MLA Vijay Kumar mother sometimes (BJP) of Jayanagar scolds them. He says, Residents can constituency, at “Despite telling them mail DCP Harsha a public meeting many times, they four months ago. on issues like this, continue to litter But police cited at dcpsoutheast@ the area in front of lack of manpower ksp.gov.in our homes. They are to manage the dangerous; we can’t situation. The MLA involve ourselves in agrees that the fights with them.” problems exist and the lack of police A watchman of a nearby apartment, personnel is an issue. But he assures wishing to remain anonymous, says there will be action. that the miscreants make his job The police on the other hand, do difficult. But his employer insists not think this is a serious problem. that he not confront them. “The Inspector Mohan Kumar of Mico building owner says not to scream Layout police station, under whose at them, but just to make them jurisdiction the area falls, says understand and let them go. May whenever there is a complaint, they be to de-escalate the situation,” he do address it. Residents however do adds. not agree. There have been frequent cases of P S Harsha, DCP, South-East, says laptops and mobile phones stolen none of the problems have come from homes, and petrol from bikes to his notice and asked for formal in the area. Abhijeet Anand, who copies of the complaints to look stays in a rented house, says that into the matter. He adds, “There is a one of his motorbike tyres was formal mechanism and that is how stolen a few days ago. He says, “I system works. We will definitely look parked my vehicle outside my home into the matter provided we get all at night and in the morning I found the complaint details.” the rear tyre missing.” The residents do not want to put Two months ago, his mobile phone their names down on a formal was stolen from his home at night. complaint for fear of retaliation. Another resident parks his bike inside the house for fear of theft. A car was also stolen three months abhishek angad abhishekangad@citizenmatters.in ago from the same area. Got feedback on our articles? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 614
Vol-4 Issue-16 8 - 21 Sep 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 11
for your Info
Cell phones: Do they affect your health?
T
he last few decades have witnessed However, patients with certain implants an exponential rise in the number and devices like pacemakers might of cell phone users. Today, a large be affected due to electromagnetic number of people are carrying more interference. It is advised that patients than one mobile in their pockets. There on pacemakers hold the mobile on the have been occasional outcries about ear opposite to the implant. It is also the harmful advised that effect of they should not health matters carry a turnedradiation Col (Retd.) Dr Mukul Saxena on mobile close that may be to the implant associated i.e a shirt or jacket pocket. Use of with use of cellphones. hands-free would also be helpful, if We should understand the effect mobile is kept in trouser pocket. of radiation from a mobile and its implication on health. First, the Though scientific evidence available radiation emitted is in category of today does not associate significant low radio frequency. The radiation health risks with mobile phones, that is known to cause ill-effects it must be noted that the studies is ionising radiation as found in X conducted have been based on Rays. Most research till date have limited usage of cellphones. not conclusively associated radio frequency emission from mobiles with development of cancer.
Safety measures to follow: If you need to use a mobile phone for long period of time, it is better to use hands free and keep cell phones away from ears. This is especially important in case of children using cell phones. If you use any device/implant such as a pacemaker, do not keep the cell phones in your shirt pocket. Use of cell phone while driving needs to be discouraged, since it is not only a question of hands being busy, but it us also a mental distraction which may cause accidents.
How to choose a healthy plant? M
First look at the leaves and stems for signs of pests and diseases. At the first sign of tears/ holes/thread like patterns/ black spots/ yellowing, avoid the plant. Remember to check the underside
Flowering plants. Pic: Vinita
y last few visits to a local nursery have acquired new meaning, thanks to an elderly lady working there. She now effortlessly guides me – helping me choose not just the most appropriate plant but the most healthy ones too. Having benefited from her advice, I thought it might be useful to share a few such tips here. These pointers are primarily for choosing evergreens, annuals/perennials and other flowering plants.
of the leaves too. Reject any plant with wilted foliage. Choose those with lush green leaves. Chlorophyll conversations
vinita suryanarayanan
Choose plants with several thick, leafy stems that seem healthy and vibrant; rather than those with fewer thin long stems as this often indicates inadequate light and the plants may not survive too well.
12 CITIZEN MATTERS 8 - 21 Sep 2012 Vol-4 Issue-16
Look out for properly pruned plants and the ratio of the plant to container. It is
believed that any incorrect potting or pruning in the nursery is difficult (sometimes not possible) to reverse later in the life of the plant. Similarly choose those with fat flower buds rather than those in full bloom. Though the latter certainly look more appealing, they do not fare well when transplanted and weaken with time. This is one of the many things that I have learnt the hard way! Touch or gently shake the plant. Leaves, twigs and buds should not easily fall off; if they do it is a clear sign that the plant has not been properly taken care of. Dig your fingers into the soil of the plant, and check if it is moist or dry. Even if the leaves appear fine, the plant roots may actually be damaged if the pot is dry.
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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 paid-for articles. They are presented by the advertiser to readers for information and promotion. No journalists were involved in preparing them. www.citizenmatters.in, feedback@ citizenmatters.in facebook.com/citizenmatters twitter.com/citizenmatters
Hats off to all teachers How many of you remembered your teachers from your school or college days this teacher’s day? If you are in your 30s or even your 40s, it can be said with some certainty that most of them will still be teaching, most likely in the same school and definitely for a salary that is only marginally higher than it was in your student days. Teaching is often considered an ‘easy’ profession. What with long summer holidays, Dasara and Christmas vacations and ‘good work timings.’ It is also considered an ideal profession for women, since they can be back when their children get back from school and also be around during vacations. Is it really easy? Let’s see - they have to manage at least 35 - 60 students in a class, for nearly eight hours a day, make sure the students learn all there is in the syllabus, organise extra curricular activities and teach them to behave better. It requires some serious understanding of people management, child psychology and common sense apart from subject knowledge. But what happens at the backend? Do they really get to switch off at the end of the day when they leave the school premises? No, they have to write what’s called notes of lesson (a record what will be taught and how it will be taught) every
week, correct answer sheets, update the syllabus, fill up innumerable records - right from marks card to student admission details and often multiple copies of it. And with emphasis on creative learning methods these days, teachers spend considerable amount of time and money in preparing charts and more. Often, the money comes from their own pockets. As for holidays, much of it is gone in writing school records and attending trainings. For all this effort, the salaries they get are often pittance. It ranges from a few thousand up to 40,000 rupees a month. Majority of the salaries however fall below 20,000 rupees a month. There are very little growth opportunities (there can be only one principal per school, right?) and even lesser opportunities to diversify. Low salaries aren’t exclusive to Bangalore or even India. World over, teachers are the least paid. What makes them stick to the profession with such high levels of stress and so little money? The answer often is either ‘the respect we earn’ or ‘the joy of working with the future generation.’ But they advice ‘teacher aaga bedamma’ (don’t become a teacher).
Padmalatha Ravi
edit@citizenmatters.in
pickup points for Citizen matters HSR LAYOUT HSR CLUB 17TH Cross M K AHMED BAZAR 17TH Cross SWAGAT DEPT. STORE 9th Main SHIVA SAGAR DARSHINI 19th Main SRI SHAKTI RESTAURANT
BDA complex 14th Main EASY BUY SUPER MARKET Below Nagarjuna green ride Apt. AM ENTERPRISES Opp Nagarjuna green ride Apt. GANESH MEDICALS 24th Main
Muthahalli Veg 19th main circle, 17the cross HSR layout Sweet Chariot 5th Main circle, 17th Cross, HSR layout Grand Solution 5th main, 20th cross, HSR 7th Sec
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Uphara Bhavan opp Maramma temple, 24the main, HSR layout 2 sector Itsy Bitsy 14th Main, 22nd cross, HSR layout KORAMANGALA LITTLE ITALY Near Forum
NAMDHARIS 80 Feet Road FOOD CHARIOT Ashwini Layout A M Medicals 1st Block Koramangala The French Loaf 80ft road, 4th Block, Koramangala
Vol-4 Issue-16 8 - 21 Sep 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 13
Feature
Caterpillar isn’t pretty, butterfly is The Praying Mantis’s eggs don’t look great, neither does the caterpillar which would turn into a butterfly. But we cannot ignore them, can we?
W
e are taught, from childhood, to abhor and fear “creepy-crawlies”... those life-forms which we see under stones, on walls, or even on our vegetables! But it can be a revelation that these creatures, which we regard with fear and loathing, and usually kill at the first opportunity, can sometimes be on their way to becoming v e r y
Nature Feature
Deepa Mohan beautiful beings!
Top: Ootheca or egg sacs of a Prayngmantis Below: Praying Mantis. All pics by Deepa Mohan
Take a look at this fat green caterpillar, for instance. This may look gross and fat. It is fat, because it is, right now, a larva. It is eating enough to last it through the next stage in its development, as a pupa. And what emerges from the pupa is the beautiful Common Lime butterfly. Other creatures of gossamer
Above: Pied Paddyfield Skimmer. RightCommon Lime: Green Caterpillar.
14 CITIZEN MATTERS 8 - 21 Sep 2012 Vol-4 Issue-16
and air are the dragonflies. Here is a female Ground Skimmer. A Pied Paddyfield Skimmer is another common dragonfly, in the (obviously!) paddyfields, but also in our gardens in the city. One also often comes across beautifully-made egg-sacs, called Ootheca; these are stuck on reeds and blades of grass, and will give rise to life later. So, do look carefully at the leaves and grass in your gardens or on trees. You may be looking at different forms of one creature, in nature.
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Koramangala HSR Layout
Congratulations, Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda
Girisha is the toast of the nation now. But the success hasn’t come easy. Despite limited resources, he pushed himself to excel.
G
irisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda, brought home India’s first silver medal in Paralympic Games in the men’s High Jump F42 held in London. 24-yearold Girisha who has an impairment in his left leg, cleared a height of 1.74 metres. He has been supported by Samarthanam, a JP Nagar based NGO for the disabled since 2008. He was always eager to win a medal at the paralympics and trained
hard, says Harish M J, English and Computer teacher at Samarthanam, “He was here with Samarthanam for a call center training course. The first question he asked me was if he could practice sports in the mornings and evenings.” He worked for ING Vysya bank for some time and later quit his job to focus on training. Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, Trustee of Samarthanam says, “He is a very spirited boy and is liked by all. He was very enthusiastic about sports so he left his job and decided to concentrate on it. ”
Pic credit: Samarthanam
Nagarajegowda had taken part in a three week long pre-games training camp at Basildon Sporting Village, which was sponsored by the Government of India. The rest of the time, he practised on his own.
HEALTH & Nutrition SRINIVASA DENTAL CARE CENTRE Dr. VISHWAS # 383, 8th main, 7th cross, Mico Layout, BTM 2nd stage, Opp to HDFC ATM, Bangalore- 76. Ph:41201345, 9845195605. Multi specialist Dental clinic & Implant Centre. 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
Hailing from Hassan district in rural Karnataka, Nagarajegowda has trained with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and also won many medals at various national and state level high jump competitions.
Anisha Nair
classifieds 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
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Citizen Matters, The Whitefield Club in association with
The Whitefield Settlers’ & Residents’ Association invite you to the release of Citizen Matters’s book at Whitefield
Justice Santosh Hegde (Former Lokayukta and Retired Supreme Court Judge)
will release the book and share his thoughts on ‘Lokayukta’.
Sanjay Vijayaraghavan will talk about his experience with KAOA Apartment Act.
Wed, 12th Sep at 6 pm, Whitefield Club Address: Main Road, opp Reliance Fresh, next to Memorial Church
For more info, contact: Satvik, at 9886754908
Citizen Matters
Reach out to the city. Reach out to your Bangalore’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 Vol-4 Issue-16 8 - 21 Sep 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 15
see & do
Arts and culture
Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava Ranga Rang – rangoli competition, Sand Art Utsava, Biggest Ladoo, Deepotsava, high decibel performances by renowned personalities like Ilayaraja, Shankar Mahadevan and Shahrukh Khan, amongst others, Aromas of Karnataka – Traditional food …
Sun 19 Aug to 29 Sep, APS and National College Grounds, Basavanagudi. Book Release: Selected poems of Subramania Bharati Translated from tamil by Usha Rajagopalan. Fri 14 Sep, 6.30pm, British Library, Kasturba Road, Ph: 2248 9220 Comic Con Express The traveling version of
the Indian Comic Con. comicconexpress.com 8-9 Sep, 11am-7pm, Koramangala Indoor Stadium Meet the artist featuring Dimpy Menon and M C Ramesh, the artists will present their work and their artistic journey. Thu 13 Sep, 6.30pm, Bangalore International Centre, TERI Complex, 4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlur II Stage, Ph: 2535 9680 Lecture by Gieve Patel (painter, poet and playwright) Inaugural lecture of the series ‘Creative Journeys’. Fri 14 Sep, 6pm, National Gallery of Modern Art, Palace Road, Ph: 2234 2338
Photo: Rajeev Rajagopalan
Music
KAIKONDRAHALLI LAKE - PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST Inviting all enthusiastic shutterbugs to click pictures of Kaikondrahalli Lake. Last date for Submit original photographs, labelled submission of photographs under one of these categories: 15 Sep 2012 a) Human – Lake Interaction b) Landscape NO ENTRY FEE c) Nature and Wildlife Photographs can be either in Black & White or Colour. Image files not to exceed 1 MB, should be 1400 px on the longest side and uploaded as jpeg files.
Email the photos with your name, phone number, email id to kaikondarahalli@gmail.com
20 selected entries will be displayed in a Special Exhibition in Hyderabad at the Convention on Biological Diversity (part of UN) and also at the lake itself.
Organised by Mahadevpura Parisara Samrakshane Mattu Abhivrudhi Samiti
MEDIA PARTNER Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine www.citizenmatters.in
16 CITIZEN MATTERS 8 - 21 Sep 2012 Vol-4 Issue-16
Vocal Recital by Vid Ranjani Guruprasad accompanied by Master Vittal Rangan - violin N C Bharadhwaj mridanga. Sat 8 Sep, 6pm, Ananya Sabhangana, 91/2, 4th Main, Malleswaram, Ph: 99809 91110 Music programme Ananya presents Nirantara - a stage for young talents. Sun 9 Sep, 5.30pm, Ananya Sabhangana, 91/2, 4th Main, Malleswaram, Ph: 99809 91110
Theatre
Aadab Manto Saheb - A play Celebrating Manto’s birth centenary with performance of his Short
stories in Hindi, Urdu and other languages in ‘Museum Theatre Style’. Sat 8 Sep, 6pm, Atta Galatta, No 75, 2nd Main, Koramangala 1st Block, Ph: 88619 07362 Ranga Shankara plays 8 Sat, Vanity Bag (K), 75 mins 9 Sun, Hayavadana, (K), 120 mins (also at 3.30 pm) 11 Tue, 12 Wed, Chitrapata (K), 105 mins 13 Thu, 14 Fri, Lakshapati Rajana Kathe (K), 120 mins 15 Sat, Balura Gudikara (K), 120 mins (also at 3.30 pm) 16 Sun Karimayi (K), 130 mins (also at 3.30 pm) 18 Tue, 19 Wed The Prelude (E and H), 70 mins 20 Thu to 23 Sun Miss Meena (E), 120 mins (also at 3.30 pm on Sat and Sun) 21 Fri (at 3.30 pm) 22 Sat, 23 Sun (at 11am) Jujubee (Tanglish) 60 mins (for 5 year olds and above) 25 Tue, 26 Wed Aadaddella Olithe…? (K), 90 mins 27 Thu, Sambashiva Prahasana (K), 135 mins 28 Fri to 30 Sun Beyond Hattamala (E), 100 mins (also at 3.30 pm on Sat and Sun) Rangashankara, 8th Cross, Nt to Post Off, JP Nagar, Phase II, Ph: 2649 3982.
LIST your event free!
Submit your events online www.citizenmatters. in or mail events@ citizenmatters.in
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Features
JP Nagar excited about Oota from their Thota
O
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Bangalore Citizen Matters, Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine Redframes, a photography collective invite you to send in your best photos
Photo Contest NATURE IN THE CITY and PEOPLE-NATURE INTERACTIONS in BANGALORE
For Rules, See: https://www.facebook.com/ events/431271633585739
b Photographs are invited in five categories b Four selected photographs from each category will be exhibited in Bangalore, during the first week 1. Urban Wetlands of October, along with a series of events on urban 2. Heritage Trees biodiversity and nature. Selected photographs will 3. Nature in my Backyard also be exhibited in Hyderabad during the 4. People and Nature second week of October, at the eleventh 5. Accommodating Nature within Cities meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP te b Mail your photograph(s) labelled t da 11) to the United Nation’s Convention on Las with a file name which states the Biological Diversity (CBD) (http://www. theme, the title of the image you have cbd.int/cop). captured, the location in Bangalore where you took the image and the name of b Max ten photographs per person; Copyright the photographer to remains with the photographer. bangalore.natureinmybackyard@gmail.com
th
25 Date: Sep 25th Last Sep
ota from your Thota (OfyT) was organised on the World Kitchen Garden Day (celebrated on the 4th Sunday of August every year) at the grounds of Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy for the Blind in JP Nagar. This was the fifth edition of the event organised by Garden City Farmers Trust, Bangalore (GCFT). The event kicked off with an inspiring talk by organic farming pioneer Narayana Reddy. There were about 40 stalls with organic and ecofriendly products like food items, saplings and cloth bags. Trisha Jain, 13, who accompanied her father to the event, happily “We provided showed off her three space for organic seedlings. organic She said, “These are terrace small organic plants gardeners to that I will grow in my display and sell garden and water.” their harvest.” GCFT members and Dr K Vishwanath OTG volunteers were Trustee, Garden City Farmers Trust busy explaining and responding to visitors’ queries on getting started, making vegetable planter beds, managing pests and more. S Laxminarayan, member, GCFT, was very happy with the response. “One (followup) call was from the office of ADGP, prisons and they are looking at ideas to use the 100 acres of space they have, for growing food,” he shares. He says the team is even more enthused to work towards creating many such roof gardens and bring back the gardens to the garden city again. Citizen Matters was the media partner at the event.
Anisha Nair Got feedback on our articles? Give us a missed call at 080-300 88 614
Vol-4 Issue-16 8 - 21 Sep 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 17
last word
Why we overprotect We are mostly a generation of overprotecting parents. When would I finally have the courage to let him be on his own, without parental supervision in every step of the way?
I
n 2008, New York based writer Lenore Skenazy let her 9-yearold son take the subway home. For weeks her son had been begging her to be allowed to travel alone and she finally relented by leaving him with a MetroCard, a subway map, some money and loose change in case he had to call her. When Skenazy wrote about the experience in her regular column, there was a flurry of reactions that ranged from calling her a child abuser to appreciating the way she allowed her son his first taste of independence. My older son was only three then and safety and ease of travel in transport systems in India are vastly different from what they are in say, New York, but the question in my mind was, when would I finally have the courage to let him be on his own, without parental supervision in every step of the way? And given the way things are in today’s overprotected parenting world, when would I finally learn to let go? My son is nearing seven now and I find myself facing that question again. We live in an apartment complex that is not ‘gated’ from all sides, leaving the road from our building to the park open to all kinds of vehicular traffic, from cars to water tankers. Sadly enough, the traffic peaks from 5 pm in the evening, just when children are out to play.
I would love to send my son out to the park alone, he’s at that age when he needs to go out and make friends on his own without mom hovering in the background. But even if I trusted him to safely keep to the (non existent) sidewalk and reach
depriving them of some much needed life skills? In his book No Fear: Growing Up in a Risk Averse Society, author Tim Gill points out that activities that previous generations of children enjoyed without a second thought have now been labelled as dangerous, and the adults confessionS of a second time mom who permit them branded Reshmi Chakraborty as irresponsible. He says that childhood, especially the the park, do I trust the speeding crucial years between 5 and 11, is cars, tankers and trucks? No I don’t, being undermined by the growth and would rather not take that risk. of risk aversion and its intrusion At least till he is eight. into every aspect of children’s lives, restricting children’s play, limiting We are mostly a generation of their freedom of movement. overprotecting parents. “By the time I was seven, I would walk to the This in turn constrains their exploration of physical, social and virtual worlds. The author is talking about UK here, but the situation could apply to India as well.
Pic: wikimediacommons
grocery store across in the locality and buy eggs for Ma,” remembers a friend who would cycle to a grocery store through roads teeming with scooters, rickshaws, cows and bikes. But the world was a safer place then, he reasons, because he wouldn’t let his 8 year old girl do the same thing now. “Not until she is at least 12 or 13.”
Most parents I know (including yours truly) do not let their children venture out much on their own. Our justifications are unsafe roads, unsafe play areas and of course, an overall unsafe world.
We are being overprotective of course. But I trust that when I finally let him be on his own (another year), it won’t be too late for him to face the opportunities and experiences that will allow him to stand his ground and teach him to overcome his fears. Yes, but the solo bus or metro ride is still a few years away.
Are we ruining our kids’ lives and
18 CITIZEN MATTERS 8 - 21 Sep 2012 Vol-4 Issue-16
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