The Observer

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Overtime, irregular workhours taking a heavy toll on B’luru cops’ health By Abhishek Saini Bengaluru: Police personnel in Bengaluru are at a risk of having stress­induced problems like hypertension, cardiovascular disease and depression, a study by Dr B.G. Sudarshan, medical officer and professor at the RV College of Engineering, reveals. As many as 57% of police personnel in Bengaluru could be facing stress. This can be due to operational or organisational factors. The operational stressors include overtime work and irregular workhours. Organisational factors that cause stress were found to be lack of promotion opportunities, inadequate pay and an understaffed police force. Records from the administration department shared with The Observer show that Bengaluru police are understaffed. As on September 30, 2019, the force was short of 1,664 constables. There were also over 400 vacancies of the post of sub­inspector. Owing to this,

T

he paper industry in Mumbai has seen a fall in demand since the central government enforced Janata Curfew on March 22 due to the COVID­19 pandemic. Shops in the financial capital opened only after orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs under Unlock 3.0 guidelines. The Observer spoke to several paper traders at Kandawadi, a major market for paper in South Mumbai, "The business of paper industry in Mumbai has slipped to 10% after the lockdown was imposed. Pre­ Covid the growth was up to 40­ 50%, but due to COVID­19 the business has been adversely affected,” said Ashok Shah the president of the Paper Traders Association of Kandawadi. Full story on Page 3

personnel have to work overtime and at irregular hours. Sub­inspector Nagesh informed The Observer that stress is a part of the job. “A police job comes with challenges like stress and irregular work hours, but I knew this when I joined the force. It is an honour to get a chance to wear the uniform. I am satisfied that I contribute to society.” Nagesh, posted in Kumaraswamy Layout, shared that he exercises every morning to stay fit and keep up with the

Sitamarhi: Residents of Sonbarsa village, near the India­ Nepal border, have been adversely affected economically after the government imposed a nationwide lockdown and closed the border. The lockdown across the border restricted Indian farmers from selling their produce in Nepal. The main economic occupation in Sonbarsa is farming, with rice, pulses and wheat being the major crops. Road connectivity between Sonbarsa and Sitamarhi town is in shambles; it takes about three hours to cover the 30­km distance. Ashok Kumar, a farmer, informed The Observer: “I have no other source of income and my

physical requirements of his job. Sub­inspector Chandan Kale of the Jayanagar police station shared similar thoughts. “I enjoy my job. However, we have to be ready for overtime work. Whenever the demand comes, we have to be prepared.” He also added there are good promotion opportunities available in Bengaluru police. Out of the total 1,555 police personnel included in the study, ranging from 25 years to 55 years of age, personnel in the 30­ 35 age group were found to have

more operational and organisational stressors than other age groups. As a result, this age group showed adverse results in health parameters like blood pressure, pulse rate, ECG and heart rate variability. Dr Devvarta Kumar, associate professor, department of clinical psychology, NIMHANS, said: “Anyone can have stress and mental health issues – a journalist or a doctor. And the same applies for police personnel as well. Stress has complex psychophysiological mechanisms. Prolonged or chronic stress may lead to problems related to physical and mental health.” Dr Kumar said NIMHANS has initiated a police well­being programme in collaboration with Karnataka police. “Well­being officers have been recruited who carry various activities related to positive mental health, on a regular basis, for the staff and their family members,” he informed The Observer.

CBI told to probe Uttarakhand CM Rawat SC has asked the CBI to investigate corruption charges against Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. The court asked the agency to take drastic steps towards this issue and take necessary action.

The first email was sent 49 years ago, on this day The first email was sent out by American Ray Tominson, 48 years ago on 29 October 1971. It introduced a new generation of communication, which has become a favoured tool to exchange messages.

Active coronavirus cases continue to fall New Covid­19 cases have remained below 7 lakh for a week in a row. The discharge ratefrom hospitals has also improved to 87.9 per cent. However, Health Minister Hard Vardhanis advocating taking extra precautions during the festive season.

NIA raids 6 NGOs, trusts in Kashmir The NIA has raided six NGOs and trusts in Jammu and Kashmir on suspicion of divertingfunds meant for charitable activities. The agency has seized several documents andelectronic devices.

Delhi mini temp dips to 12.5 degrees Delhi has witnessed a minimum temperature of 12.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest in October. The normal temperature for this time of the year is between 15 and 16 degreesCelsius, said the India Meteorological Department. family of five depends on land produce. Since the lockdown was imposed, I am unable to get even daily wage jobs.” In 2006, Bihar abolished the APMC mandi system and set up local bodies to buy farm produce. These bodies charge 1% from

farmers and buyers. Bhola Gupta, a daily­wage worker, spoke to The Observer. “Finding work in towns is more difficult now, and we are paid less for the same work we did before.”

Temperature Maximum ­ 27 degree Celsius Minimum ­ 18 degree Celsius Precipitation ­ 5% Humidity ­ 55% Wind ­ 13km/h


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