The Observer Volume 19, Issue 5

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The Observer An IIJNM publication

Rental vehicles are faulty, pose a risk to their lives; companies say their bikes are first-hand | P 2

Vol 19, Issue 5

Adilin Beatrice C

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Pigeon droppings have more creatinine, an organic compound, than in the excreta of other birds. | Credit: Adilin Beatrice C than in the excreta of other birds. It creates pathogens, bacteria, viruses or other microorganism that can cause diseases. When pathogens in pigeon droppings mix with soil, they turn to Cryptococcus and Histoplasma, fungi that affect people with low immunity, particularly those who have

advanced AIDS and cancer. These fungi also affect the respiratory organs of anaemic people. Cryptococcus neoformenas is a fungus seen mostly in dried pigeon droppings. It can even cause the death of AIDS patients. Psittacosis, also called parrot fever, is another infectious disease transmitted by bird droppings. Pigeons are uricotelic – meaning they excrete nitrogenous waste from bloodstream as uric acid instead of urea and ammonia. Like other birds, they don’t have a urinary bladder, so their urine mixes with faeces, making them semi-solid. Uric acid is converted to ammonia that can spread in air. “If the pigeons are dangerous, then the BMRCL should take action. It doesn’t mean BMRCL should kill them, but it can prevent the pigeons from entering the Metro stations and dirtying the place. It even dirts on people sometimes,” said Mahalakshmi, a Metro commuter. BMRCL has installed dartboards in the Trinity station to drive pigeons away. But the boards are only placed at the entrances and exits, not inside the station. Pigeons are seen all over the station. Floors are cleared frequently, says BMRCL PRO, P3

Disabled shun wheelchairs, ramps at BMTC stands Aarthi N

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he Karnataka government may have provided facilities like wheelchairs and ramps for the disabled in buses and at bus stands, but they remain unused. Disabled passengers refuse to use them saying they are inconvenient. “Only a few buses have ramps. It is too difficult to use ramps as we always need help from someone. They should make buses wheelchair-friendly. We cannot keep going to specific places where they have these ramps. I rarely use buses because of not having accessibility,” Fousiya Abdul Rawoof, a locomotor disability person who works as a senior coordinator at The Association of People with Disability, in-

There are 1,117 low-floor TTMC buses in the city. Also, 2,963 ordinary buses have floors that the disabled can access easily. | Credit: Aarthi N formed The Observer. The Observer found ramps at the bus station in Shantinagar gathering dust. “People do not have patience till we (disabled people) board the

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A Hakki Pikki village that is close to Wonderla amusement park gets no government benefits | P 3

People with low immunity are most vulnerable

anaemic and sick, Chandrashekar added.Veterinary microbiologists at the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries University say pathogens in pigeon droppings can cause up to 60 different diseases. Pigeon droppings have more creatinine, an organic compound,

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Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Watch out, pigeon poop at Metro stations can make you sick

ommuters of Namma Metro have a reason to worry that they are not aware of: Pigeon droppings. They can cause up to 60 diseases. “Pigeon droppings will affect the passengers if they are not cleaned for a long time. In Metro ceilings, on air conditioner vents and beside stairs, there are pigeon droppings that not cleaned regularly. If dried faeces are disturbed, they turn to aerosols. Aerosols spread in the air and can cause lung diseases among people who have low immunity,” Dr K.M. Chandrashekar, former assistant professor, veterinary microbiology, Veterinary College, informed The Observer. An aerosol is the suspension of organisms in a droplet. It spreads in the air and enters the human body. Pigeon droppings can cause secondary infections among people who are

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bus. Even if we board the bus, the seat that is reserved for us is occupied by others. It is so difficult to use public transport,” said C. Kanagaraj, a disabled person. The Karnataka State Policy of

Disability ensures the implementation of legislation related to persons with disabilities enshrining the objectives in the PWD Act, 1995. The government has implemented other facilities like free tickets and two seats for the disabled in every bus. “We do have facilities here, but people do not use them. The ramp is not properly manufactured. It is so high. Disabled people find it difficult to climb them,” Yasin Sahed, a BMTC depot security guard, said. “There are facilities for disabled people here, but I have not seen anyone using them,” Syed Iqbal, who owns a snacks shop at the Shantinagar BMTC bus stand, said. LED boards to be installed, P 3

News briefs Biofuel planes by 2030

Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director of SpiceJet, has committed to fly 10 crore passengers on biofuel-propelled plans by 2030.

Sign language dictionary

Around new 4,000 words are likely to be added in the Indian sign language dictionary by 2020, according to the Union social justice and empowerment ministry's Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre. These include words about agriculture for the first time.

SC raps Kerala govt

Kerala chief secretary Tom Jose has been slammed by the Supreme Court for a “patent beach of law” by the state government in allowing illegal structures like the Maradu high-rise apartments to come up along a fragile coastal zone. India's trade growth slips India's trade growth has slowed to 1% from 9% due to slow trade growth and growing trade tensions with International hosts.

NLSIU protest ends

A boycott of classes and exams by students of the National Law School of India University ended after an alumnus met the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who is the Chancellor of the University. The CJI promised that only a formal decision by the Chancellor regarding the appointment of a vice-chancellor was pending. A VC would be appointed soon.

Digital census

Union home minister Amit Shah has announced that the 2021 Census would be carried out digitally. He has also suggested one card for all utilities like Aadhaar, passport, bank account, driving licence and voter ID card. He spoke at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Registrar General of India (RGI) that conducts census.

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The Observer Volume 19, Issue 5 by IIJNM Bangalore - Issuu