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The Observer An IIJNM publication
Vol 19, Issue 16
Households continue to mix waste as penalties not enforced strictly | P 2
Website: http://www. theweeklyobserver.in
Platforms of three train stations in Bengaluru lack CCTV coverage | P 3
Karnataka cities not integrated with it yet: Cops
Without ramps, railings, ATMs out of reach for the differently abled Adilin Beatrice C
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Aarthi N
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Emergency helpline numbers like 100 for police, 101 for fire brigade, 108 for ambulance and 1091 for women helpline were replaced by 112 in November 2019 | Credit: Adilin Beatrice C shocked to see that the call ended immediately. “I don’t know that this is an emergency number. It is usually 108 and 100 that we use when in an emergency. This number does not connect. It is the responsibility of the respective department to resolve the issue.” Manohar L, an autorickshaw driver, said: “The emergency number should always work. People will not dial the number unnecessarily. They will dial when they are in an emergency situation. People who dial it will be at a loss.” Mamta Srinivasan, a bank employee, was confused when she dialled the number. “What is the use of an emergency number if it does not work? The police should make the number accessible to the public.” During the launch of the number, it was announced that when a call is received at the 112 control room, an operator will note down the complaint of the caller and assign the caller to the department concerned. Admitting that there are glitches in the 112 emergency
number, additional commissioner of police K Ajay Kumar said: “In four cities, including Bengaluru, the helpline number 100 continues to be used. With a sudden change in the number, and with lack of awareness, people do not know about it. We are still working to facilitate the number to people in a better way.” Bengaluru, Karwar, Mysuru, Kalaburagi and Mangaluru have not yet completely merged with 112 because of technical issues. “It will take a few more years for us to merge the numbers in cities in Karnataka,” he said. The Observer tried to contact Emergency Management Research Institute (EMRI) but couldn’t reach them. Emergency helpline numbers like 100 for police, 101 for fire brigade, 108 for ambulance and 1091 for women helpline were replaced by 112 in November 2019. It was launched by chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa at a function in the communication, logistics and modernisation wing of the police department. 911 used in the US, page 3
ithdrawing cash from ATMs without help is still a dream for people with disabilities. Most of Bengaluru’s ATM centres lack ramps and railings. Kanagaraj C, a disabled person, informed The Observer: “Every time I go to withdraw cash, I take someone along to help me climb the stairs. Or I look for someone who can go and withdraw cash in my place. This is terrible when you require someone even for simple things. Most of the ATMs in the city with stairs pose a barrier for us to reach the machines. The ATMs should at least have railings so that people who have trouble walking will get support to climb stairs.” “There are people who don’t have legs and use their hands to walk. It is difficult for them to reach ATM screens. It is not just about ATMs; even banks have no ramps,” he added. The Observer found some bank branches in the city have only stairs and no ramps. “Everyone uses ATM centres frequently, so they should be user-friendly and accessible to all. Government buildings and shopping malls are slowly turning to be user-friendly for the disabled. In the same way, ATMs should also provide ramp facilities to help the differently abled,” said Sijo Varghese, a college student with a disability. According to Karnataka State Policy of Disability, the state is required to provide a barrier-free environment and supporting services which facilitate the integration of persons with disabilities into the mainstream.
Trump impeachment moves to the Senate The US House of Representatives has voted to send two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate and approve House prosecutors for only the third impeachment trial in American history. New evidence is raising fresh questions about Trump’s Ukraine dealings.
India are an example for Team Bangladesh Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo wants the team to follow the example of India to grow after years of stagnation in the long format. Bangladesh have identified winning an away Test as one of their goals in 2020.Since their 2000 debut they have managed 13 wins in 117 matches.
Under the provisions of the Differently Abled, Elderly Persons and Children, building Byelaw, 2003, at least one entrance should have an approach through a ramp. R. Prasad, additional director of town planning, BBMP, said: “We have mentioned the criteria in our Building Bye-laws, 2003. We can tell them that certain facilities should be present while you are constructing a building. But... people are not taking facilities for the disabled seriously. We can only give awareness, and not force them to do so.” “To make things easy and clear for the people, we are bringing in
The building bylaw, 2003, states that at least one entrance shouldhave an approach through a ramp.| Credit: Rhythima Agrawal a new building bylaw in which the provision needed for differently abled people is clearly mentioned including the size of the ramp that they need to provide. Earlier, when we question someone on why the ramps are missing, they will tell that the bye-law is a little unclear. But, this won’t be the case anymore,” he added. Some ATMs have ramps which are useless, page 3
Quiz Corner
News briefs Dy SP Davinder Singh stripped of medal The Jammu and Kashmir administration has forfeited the Sher-eKashmir Police Medal for Gallantry awarded to deputy superintendent of police, Davinder Singh, who has been arrested for helping terrorists to travel out of the state. He was arrested on January 11, 2020.
Epaper:https://issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Distress No. 112 doesn’t work, citizens let down he universal emergency number, 112, is useless during emergencies because calls to it get disconnected. Police say Karnataka’s cities have not been integrated with the new number yet. The number was introduced in November 2019 to replace emergency helpline numbers like 100 for police, 101 for fire brigade, 108 for ambulance and 1091 for women helpline. Brinda Adige, a women’s rights activist, said: “If the distress number does not help a woman during an emergency, what is the use of it? A helpline number is almost like electronic handholding. If civil society is not a part of this helpline, then what is it for? The police control room number 100 was not very efficient earlier.” “While dialing 100, it takes more than 40 seconds for the call to connect to a police official. When 112 is dialled, it doesn’t connect. All technical glitches should be set right immediately as these are numbers that people call during emergencies and distress,” Adige added. The Observer conducted a survey to check whether 112 was functioning. All the six persons it requested to call the number said their calls got disconnected. Also, many people do not know that 112 has been introduced as an emergency number. Prajitha P, a college student who tried calling the number, was
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Edelweiss chief questioned The ED questioned Edelweiss Chairman Rashesh Shah in connection with the investigative agency's probe into forex irregularities against currency exchange firm Capstone Forex Pvt Ltd.He said that Edelweiss has no links with firm, which is accused of Foreign Exchange Management Act violations.
1.Where is the Film and Television Institute of India located? 2.Where is Garampani sanctuary located? 3.Durand Cup is associated with which game? 4.What was the name of the Hitler’s party which came into power in 1933? 5.Fire temple is the place of worship of which religion?