The Observer An IIJNM Publication
Our main motive is to defeat BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, says former CM | P2
Vol 18 Issue 23
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Ongoing US-China trade war may benefit exporters from India | P3
Bengalureans are cold to Community no bar, all have a blast on Holi Half Bucket Challenge Say such actions will not help conserve water
Yohanjali R
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esidents of Bengaluru appear cold to the Half Bucket Challenge initiated by Bengaluru Apartments Federation (BAF) to conserve water this summer. Anantha S, who lives in Gopalan Olympia apartments, Kumbalgodu, informed The Observer: “How can a person manage with half a bucket of water to bathe? It’s insane that BAF expects us to follow such challenges. Water crisis is a global problem. What change will this challenge bring?” Mohini Singh, from the same apartment complex, said: “Such online challenges come and go. I’m not one to follow these things.
Bengalureans ignore the water crisis by not taking the Half Bucket Challenge. | Credit: Yohanjali R Already they provide water for a limited time. Isn’t that enough to save water? Besides, we don’t come under BAF. So why follow it?” The BAF, which has a membership of two lakh residents located across 400 complexes in the city, launched the ‘Half Bucket Challenge’ in which people were asked to use only half a bucket of water for shower and share their expe-
riences on social media. Sadly, the challenge doesn’t seem to have many takers. ShriramAditya Apartments in Banashankari is making efforts to save water by encouraging its residents to participate in the challenge, but they are not bothered. “It is impossible to bathe with half a bucket. I also don’t think that one such small action will make any difference. So better not do it,” said Malini Srinivas, a resident of the apartment. “I have lived in Bengaluru for about 5 years and we have always had this problem. The new challenge will not make a difference,” she added.. Vimal Kumar, who looks after maintenance at Aparna Elina Apartments in Yeshwantpur, emphasized on the shortage of water. Continued to Page 3
Judicial officers’ shortage affects delivery of justice Sahana.S
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chronic shortage of judges in Karnataka High Court is affecting the delivery of justice in the state. Over the years, the number of judges has come to 26 as against the 62 vacancies, resulting in cases getting prolonged. Doreswamy, a senior advocate, said: “The court is facing a shortage of judges, due to which most of the cases remain stranded for many years, especially civil cases that exceed more than six years.” According to the National
Judicial Data Grid, there are 2,15,272 cases are pending in the court. Litigants are agitated over cases being prolonged. More than 70% of the cases are pending for more than two years. Chandrasekhar T.N, whose property dispute case is pending in the court for five years, said: “I spend most of my time in hearings. Many times, the case is pushed to the next month due to lack of evidence from the opposition party.” There is immense pressure on judicial officers because thousands of cases have piled up. AP Ranganath, president of the Advocates Association Bangalore,
said: “Nearly 30 out of 60 cases are adjourned in court halls because of the immense pressure on working judges, who have to manage hearings of all cases in the stipulated time.” Retirement and transfer of judicial officers have added to the burden.Naveen Kumar, a senior advocate, said: “Seven judges have retired this year and four transferred to different states, adding to the vacancies of judges here.” The SC collegium recommended that Karnataka HC chief justice Dinesh Maheswari be appointed a judge of the apex court. sahana.s@iijnm.org
Abbinaya S
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oli is no longer a festival of a single community or a religion. People of all castes, communities and religions celebrate it and share t h e i r joy. Youngsters c e l ebrate it at their schools, colleges and workplaces. “It is amazing to play with colors. I used to hurl waterfilled balloons at my friends. I have enjoyed a lot with my friends, though I do not celebrate it traditionally with my family. I haven’t been to any Holi events but always wanted to be a part of it,” says Leo R, an engineering graduate who lives in the KR Market area. Peter J, an autorickshaw driver, said he was embarrassed when students splashed colour over him, but started loving the festival after seeing the how happy it makes youngsters. “It is no more a Marwadi or Jain festival. It was earlier not celebrated in Karnataka. But now youngsters have started celebrating with great pomp,” he added. Simran Singh, a student of the Bangalore Institute of Technology, told The Observer the mythology behind Holi. “Holi is a pledge to minus all negativity. Holi celebrations start on the night before Holi with Holika Dahan, where people perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire, and pray that their internal evil should be destroyed just as Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, was killed in the
fire. Sitting in front of the bonfire, we pledge to burn all nternal devils in that bonfire and pray to lead a positive life from the next day,” she said. Simran’s mother, Bandana, explained the cultural meaning of the celebration. “On this day, all are equal. No one is a foe. People go around playing drums in desi style. We visit our relatives and elders to seek their blessings. This day is considered to be auspicious to sort out personal issues, fights or misunderstandings with others.” Rahman Y, who works for an IT company, said: “I have celebrated Holi with my friends. In Patna, malpua is the special dish of Holi. I just love it. I miss visiting the homes of my friends and neighbours during Holi to savour delicacies. M y p a r e n t s don’t celebrate it, tor R I b u t a r st li celebrate at Illu anja m y h o Y workplace.” A c t i v i s t Sandeep Anirudhan said he is happy the celebration of Holi has evolved, but expressed concern over the hazards of chemical dyes in colour. “It is good to celebrate festivals together. But people should be aware of the chemical ingredients in the colours they use..” Ahead of Holi, airlines come up with offers for people who want to fly home to celebrate the festival with their families and friends. abbinaya.s@iijnm.org.