The Observer, Edition 9, Volume 22

The Observer An IIJNM publication

People want low-priced pups, but high standards from breeders; most future owners prefer males | P 2

Vol 22, Issue 9

Thursday, October 20, 2022

With debris on footpaths, there’s no space to walk

By Hamsaveni N

A

Lingarajapuram underpass is in need of attention

By Yashaswini Sri

T

he Lingarajapuram underpass is in dire need of attention. The road's poor condition creates tension for people using it.

The Lingarajapuram flyover connects to Fraser Town in one direction and HRBR Layout, HBR Layout and Airport Road in the other. Just below the flyover is the crossroads that leads to Hutchins Road and Pillanna Garden.

Rual Josef, a resident of Lingarajapuram said: “After the completion back in 2016, not once did the BBMP care about its cracks and potholes.”

Continued on page 3

Avenue road is not in a good condition for vehicles and people to move around safely | Credit: Hamsaveni N coming in and going out. Customers cannot walk freely in this area. Roads aren’t in a good condition for vehicles and people to move. During the rainy season, the road is more chaotic than usual. Tar roads were far better.

The current cement roads don’t

absorb water. It is tough to even step out on to street.”

A constable who regulates traffic on the road said: “The space is not sufficient for the number of people who visit Avenue Road.

The cement roads which were constructed under the Smart City

project are already torn even before the project is completed. One of the main problems we have at Avenue Road is traffic which can be solved with good roads.”

Srinivas, a regular motorist, said: “It's a challenge driving through Avenue Road. It is important to have safe roads and footpaths on the road. It is sad there is no proper action from the government on this issue. Motorists and pedestrians are forced to cross water pipelines that lie by the road. Water pipelines have already been damaged in a few placesin the road.”

Umesh, assistant executive engineer of road infrastructure, BBMP, said: “We have passed the project plan to the government.

Work on the Avenue Road streets will start as soon as the government gives permission....We are expecting the work to start within two months.”

Previously, BBMP’s market department deputy commissioner Muralidhar had informed The Observer that the Smart City development project in and around K.R. Market would be completed by the last week of September or early October.

Continued on page 4

BBMP draft rules make no difference, pourakarmikas still work on contract Salary depends on seniority; males earn more

By Arsha B.S.

T

hough the Karnataka government has issued draft rules to make pourakarmikas its permanent employees, they continue to work under a contract system.

Prameela G, who works on Commercial Street, informed The Observer: “We come here at 6 in the morning and work till 2.30 in the afternoon. We are contract... employees, but do not have any leave like other government em-

Website: theweeklyobserver.in Epaper: https://issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver

People wait for execution of Banashankari skywalk for better traffic movement; plan is still on paper | P 3

Avenue Road has got messier as Smart City work misses deadline venue Road, one of Bengaluru’s important commercial areas, is facing twin problems – partially constructed streets and uncleared debris on footpath.

Work on the road, planned under the Bengaluru Smart City project, has missed its deadline, causing immense trouble for shop owners and others.

Savita G.L., owner of a jewellery shop on Avenue road, said: “The construction of streets has been ongoing for over one and a half years. There are many accidents involving pedestrians and motorists due to bad roads. The streets are in their worst condition. We shopkeepers decided to cover the potholes with mud.”

Sunil Kumar, owner of a digital photo shop, pointed out that the condition of the streets is responsible for traffic jams. “There are thousands of people and vehicles

@theweeklyobserver

There is a clear pay disparity |Credit: Hamsaveni.N ployees. I have been working for the BBMP for the past 22 years. I don’t know why they haven’t made me a permanent employee yet. I don’t know where to complain. The supervisors say it will

happen. I haven’t got any updates.”

The pourakarmikas work without the provision of paid or sick leave. They are marked absent from work if they punch in a minute later than 6.45. They say they put up with having to work without any leave because they are paid on time.

The people who work to keep the city clean work in unhealthy work environment.

As per the draft rules, anyone in the 18- 55 age group who is fluent in Kannada and has a medical fitness report is eligible to be a pourakarmika.

S. Kondaiah, a pourakarmika with 22 years of service, is paid Rs 14,000.

Continued on page 3

News briefs Delhi govt fine for not wearing masks goes The Delhi government on Thursday issued an order withdrawing the Rs 500 fine for not wearing masks in public places in the national capital. However, no official notification was issued. PTI

38 teachers arrested for getting jobs illegally

The Criminal Investigation Department of Karnataka, which is probing irregularities in the appointment of teachers, has arrested 38 teachers after carrying out simultaneous raids at 51 places in four districts. They are suspected of getting their jobs illegally. PTI

China blocks proposal to blacklist terrorist

China on Wednesday put a hold on a proposal by India and the US at the United Nations to blacklist Pakistan-based militant Hafiz Talah Saeed, the son of Lashkare-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed, in the second such move within two days. PTI

WHO man in Syria is accused of corruption

Staffers at the World Health Organization’s Syria office have alleged that the agency’s Syrian representative, Dr Akjemal Magtymova, mismanaged millions of dollars, plied government officials with gifts including computers, gold coins and cars and acted frivolously as Covid-19 swept the country. AP

SC dismisses TMC MLA plea against arrest

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea by Trinamool Congress MLA Manik Bhattacharya against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with alleged irregularities in primary teacher recruitment in West Bengal. PTI

PM Modi to launch Rozgar Mela

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch ‘Rozgar Mela’, a drive to recruit 10 lakh people, on October 22 via video-conference. Appointment letters will be given to 75,000 candidates during the ceremony, the Prime Minister Office said on Thursday. PTI

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CITY

The Observer Thursday, October 20, 2022

People want low-priced pups, high standards from breeders Most want males as they cannot handle litters

By Ahona Roy

W

hen it comes to purchasing dogs, people have high standards regarding breeds of dogs.

According to a 2022 survey conducted by Rakuten Insight, dogs were the most popular pets in India. According to the Statista Research Department, there was a demand for non-native dog breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskys and German Shepherds Sandarsh M.B., who works in Bangalore Puppy Farm, informed The Observer: “The customer expects a lot from the breeder….

They expect the price of the puppies to be low, but they want all the high standards.”

A Labrador pup costs between Rs 9,000 and Rs 10,000. Vaccinating these pups costs up to Rs 1,000. To cut costs, he feeds these breeds rice and lower-quality chicken. He breeds Labrador, German Shepherds, Doberman, St Bernards and poodles. A government inspection happens once every four or five months.

Around the city Wildscreen Festival, Oct 21 to Oct 24, Bangalore International Centre, 7, 4th Main Road Domlur II Stage Friday Forum, Oct 21(6 PM onwards ), Alternative Law Forum (122/4, Infantry Road, Indira Nagar Dollu Kunitha Live Folk Performance, Oct 22 (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm), Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Near Shivananada Circle

Quiz 1. Name the largest desert in the world?

2. When was the Spanish inquisition founded?

3. Who coined the term, “Utopia”?

4. At what temperature are Celsius and Fahrenheit equal?

5. What was the only sport to be played on the moon?

Tweetcasm Meesho did more sales than Amazon in current festival sales tells the capability of Indians even in open markets.

Flipkart > Meesho > Amazon (@ombharatiya)

Most of the customers ask the breeder for Golden retrievers and Shih Tzus. They like to buy such breeds only. | Courtesy: Wikipedia On an average, Sandarsh has 500 to 600 customers a year. On special occasions the sales touches 1,000 number of customers.

S. Sathish, owner of Cadaboms Kennel, a celebrity dog breeder, said the customer looks for quality and bloodline. A good bloodline ensures that the breed does not suffer from any illness.

“Healthy parents ensure long life for the dog,” he added.

Charan S, owner of Woof Babies, which sells and breeds dogs, said customers expect good lineage. Most customers do not want crossbreeds. “Ninety percent of the customers prefer males. This

is because female dogs give birth and the customers do not want to handle that.” Most customers buy golden retrievers and Shih Tzus.

About the regulations he has to follow, he replied: “The government regulations state we shouldn’t keep more than three puppies in a place.” They shouldn’t breed puppies more than one time a year. The puppies must also be given its mother’s milk for at least 50 days. The puppies should be given good food About the responsibilities of people buying pups, he said he tells them the pros and cons of keeping dogs. Out of 20 customers, there is one who will

want to return the pup one or two days after purchase. Such people do not take care of the pups properly. In such cases, he takes back the pup and puts it up for adoption by other people. Customers below the age of 18 need to bring their parents to buy pups.

Nancy Jeeva Kumari, who owns a 10-month- old Shi Tzu named Rosie, she had to take the pup for vaccination. The dog breeder from whom she had purchased the pup had given her various details as well as information about what to feed it. She purchased the dog for Rs 16,000.

Rajenna D, a veterinary doctor, said when a pup is around 45 days old it should be given DHPPI for distemper and a vaccine for leptospirosis. When it is two and a half months old, DHPPI vaccine and anti-rabies vaccine are given.

Asked when dogs are mature enough to breed, he said the minimum age should be 18 months for both males and females.

Medium breeds mature sexually at 9-10 months, while heavy breeds mature after a year or later. “They can breed twice a year up to five years.That’s the maximum amount of time we are allowed for breeding.” ahona.r@iijnm.org Read the complete story on: www.weeklyobserver.com

Citizen’s Voice Bengaluru needs to promote solar energy

Despite Bengaluru being the IT capital of India, it still lags behind when it comes to providing electricity to its people. A downtime to the corporate sectors can cost a lot. Bescom needs to get its act together to provide electricity or promote the use of solar energy.

Anuja Parashar

Indian families still hesitate to adopt

Adoption in India is still a taboo for many people. Families hesitate to make an unknown human beings their own. In the 21st century, people should come out of their social stigma and start adopting. They should start prioritizing the individual’s definition of family, whether chosen or created.

Aakriti Srivastava

Autorickshaws must run by meter

Travelling by autorickshaws in Bengaluru is expensive.

Only a few of them run on the meter; the drivers of most ask for a random exorbitant fare.

Autorickshaws, which provide last- mile connectivity , should be run on meters so that travel is made easier and fairer for every passenger who chooses to use the auto services.

Anuja Mistry

LGBTQ community people continue to struggle to find acceptance in society ‘People need to be more understanding’

By Priya Pathak

F

our years after the Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality, the LGBTQ community is still fighting for its place in society.

Sagnik Sarkar, 23, from the pride community who is a gay, informed The Observer: “Just like straight people are not expected to mention that hello, I’m straight when they meet people in society, even LGBTQ community (people) should not be expected to put it out; instead, they should get their rights gradually.”

“People judge and make comments. (Our) society is not openminded. Pride walks and groups made for LGBTQ (people) are the good side of people who support us and help us survive,” he added.

“Being a gay or lesbian or a bisexual is not our mentality; it is our personality. That’s how we are born. It’s not our fault,” Sarkar said.to The Observer Megha Iyer (name changed) is

Pride walks and LGBTQ- based groups create safe space for the LGBTQ community| Credit: Priya Pathak a lesbian who is unable to share her sexual identity with her family. She fears that she may be thrown out of the house. Only her close cousins and friends have been supportive and welcoming.

“Just like couples are stared at and judged in public, it gets difficult for same-sex couples as they

have all eyes on them. Same-sex couples are considered abnormal and beaten up in public,” she said.

Samyak Mate, 29, is a bisexual, who was clueless about the term LGBTQ till his 12th grade.

“I still remember… taking more time for myself…. Somehow

I mustered courage and put it out to my family and a close friend.”

He faced interrogation sessions by his parents.

According to the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 , an individual from the LGBTQ community can adopt a child as a single parent.

Similarly, LGBTQ couples should also have right to adopt and start their family without fearing the repuccussion of it, Mate said to The Observer.

Advocate Aniket Karkhanis said: “As we have different laws for marriages for different religions, same-sex marriages should be included and accepted under the Special Marriage Act. He added, “It is presumed that the LGBTQ community is destroying Indian culture, but it is not the case. People need to be open- minded and understanding.

That is when getting rights for LGBTQ community will be done.

Their acceptance will be easier as well to the community.”

Ahead of the Pride Walk on November 27, members of the LGBTQ community hope for a better deal from society. About 1,000 people are expected to participate in the walk and extend their support to the community. priya.p@iijnm.org

CITY

The Observer Thursday, October 20, 2022

Skywalk to ease Banashankari congestion remains on paper BMRCL, BBMP speak in different voices

By Yashaswini Sri

T

Pourakarmikas work in an unhealthy environment Continued from page 1 he prescribed pay for pourakarmikas is Rs 17,000. This could differ on the basis of seniority. While the female pourakarmikas work for Rs 13,000 per month, the male pourakarmikas get paid more.

There is a pay disparity between men and women though they all do the same work six days a week Premkumar N, a supervisor of pourakarmikas in and around M.G. Road, said: “There are 26 pourakarmikas working here.

All are contract em-ployees. Age and seniority are the criteria to make them permanent. Most of them are close to the age of 50. If the BBMP hires them, they will retire soon..., which makes it difficult to go through all the lengthy official proceedings.”

In July 2022, pourakarmikas protested to get permanent employee status. The draft rules were framed after the protest.

According to the data put up on the BBMP website, there are 18,500 pourakarmikas who work for the corporation.

Read the complete story on www.theweeklyobserver.in

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The proposed skywalk would connect Banashankari metro station to Kanakapura road | Credit: Yashaswini Sri ing in Vajrahalli, said, “I visit Banashankari often to hang out with my friends. The road outside the Banashankari Metro station is always filled with vehicles.

With small vendors blocking most of the footpath around the temple, there is almost no space for the pedestrians to walk through.”

Keshav Kumar, a frequent visitor to the Banashankari temple,

said: “I travel to the temple from my house by bus. A few months ago, when I read about talks to construct a skywalk in Banashankari, I heaved a sigh of relief. It would help a lot of people, especially devotees….It would make it easier for people to commute back to their respective destinations. With a lot of people swarming to the temple and the

Underpass will be reconstructed after authority’s approval Continued from page 1 ven when it’s not a rainy day, the underpass is always filled with water. The underpass is bumpy. Many times Josef’s vehicle was about to skid.

The BBMP has not responded to his complaints, he added.

The flyover gets congested during peak hours, so people prefer to take the underpass.

R. Sanjay, a user of the underpass, shared: “The number of people who travel through the underpass is growing by the day.

The… underpass today cannot handle more vehicles.”

“During peak hours, the traffic is unbearable, and I see no traffic police near the underpass”- he added.

The Observer noticed potholes filled with stagnant water on the underpass. The underpass now sees heavy traffic between 5 and 7 pm.

Mohan Kumar, assistant subinspector of the Banaswadi Traffic Police Station, said: “We have appointed three traffic police (constables) at the junction near the flyover to coordinate the traffic throughout. We deploy a traffic police officer to regulate the situation in the underpass during high traffic. Though we don’t as-

Wonders of World

Iguazu Falls| Courtesy:Enaldo Valadares

Iguazú Falls, or Iguaçu Falls, formerly Victoria Falls, A series of cataracts on the Iguazú River near the border between Argentina and Brazil. The horseshoe-shaped falls vary between 200 and 269 ft (60 and 82 m) in height and extend for 1.7 miles (2.7 km)—nearly three times wider than North America’s Niagara Falls Source: wikipedia

Did You Know The dancing epidemic was an epidemic that occurred during the middle ages in mainland Europe, where large groups of people would randomly dance for weeks without stopping until they collapsed from exhaustion or injury.

Quote of the Week “We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Walter Elias Disney

Quiz answers

E

1. Antarctic Desert 2. 1st November 1479 3. Thomas More 4. 40 degrees 5. Golf

here has been no progress on a skywalk, proposed by the BMRCL, between the Banashankari Metro station and the BMTC bus terminus. BBMP maintains it has received no such plan from BMRCL. Srivas Raja Gopalan, public relations officer of BMRCL, informed The Observer: “BMRCL, along with the government and city-based architecture firm Venkataramanan Associates, has prepared the design of the skywalk. The execution was left to BBMP. Our job was to finalize the proposed skywalk plan. We handed it over to the infrastructure department of BBMP. We cannot comment on the implementation of the plan because it is not our job.”

As per the plan, the crossroads will be reorganized to enhance traffic flow and create space where trees can be planted. In addition, a circular skywalk with loops is proposed to connect the station and the terminus.

V. Shashank, a student resid-

Metro station, vendors occupying half of the footpath and vehicles plying non-stop, it’s hard to walk to the bus stand without breaking a sweat.”

K. Ramesh, an autorickshaw driver, commented: “The situation is particularly bad on Tuesdays and Fridays when hundreds of people flock to the temple and shop at the adjacent market.

Traffic goes bumper-to-bumper with horns blaring in all corners.

Pedestrians find it hard to walk to their destinations as roads are crammed with vehicles.”

According to a report in The Hindu, among the old projects that found a mention in the Karnataka budget is a Rs 45-crore skywalk at Banashankari junction.However, Bala Krishna Shetty, an assistant engineer in BBMP’s infrastructure department, said: “We have not received any kind of plan from the BMRCL, nor do we have any future plans to construct a skywalk in Banashankari.”

The Metro station and the terminus will be connected by a skywalk suggested by the BMRCL earlier. The skywalk, which will serve as a pedestrian path and a secure area for vendors, will connect the TTMC bus stand, Kanakapura Road and the Banashankari temple. yashaswini.s@iijnm.org

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Weather Maximum temperature: 29°C Minimum temperature: 20°C Humidity: 60% Forecast: Thunderstorm

The Observer

The Lingarajapuram underpass road's poor condition is troubling the people using it | Credit: Yashaswini Sri sign a particular traffic police officer to regulate the traffic in the underpass, we try our best to combat the issue with temporary solutions.”

Sarvagna Nagar MLA K.J. George inaugurated the underpass on December 22, 2016.

Read the complete story on www.theweeklyobserver.in

Produced by the Print students of the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media at Nityananda Nagar, Kumbalgodu, Kengeri hobli, Bengaluru 560074.

Editor: Ahona Roy News Editor: Yashaswini Sri Copy editors: Arsha B S, Hamsaveni N Photo editor: Ahona Roy Other IIJNM publications l The Beat magazine l CityCast l The SoftCopy