Theweeklyobserver Volume 13 Issue 23

VOL 13 ISSUE 23

Tuesday, January 28 , 2014

‘It was the last chance for the Supreme Court to redeem itself and it has disappointed us.’ - Ramki PAGE 3

State disaster managementfunding on the rise as dozens of potentially dangerous buildings exposed PAGE 4

Daughter dead, parents poisoned Cops break down door of family home to find parents critically ill on bed with the dead, decomposing body of their one-year-old daughter

S. Vasimulla, Sub-Inspector, Kamakshipalya Police Station, Siddalinga Swamy’s residence, Harshini, the four year old daughter who died inJanuary.

NIKITA NARVEKAR & APURVA VENKAT girl was found dead and Exclusive Aherone-year-old parents comatose when police broke down the door of a family home last night.

Neighbours reported a bad smell and helped police force the door of auto driver Siddalinga Swamy’s home in Kamakshipalya.

Swamy, a resident of Kaveripura, along with his wife Manjula, are fighting for life in hospital while their one-year-old daughter, Hamsini was found dead. Her body showed signs of decomposition.

Her parents were found barely alive on the family bed beside their daughter. Police believe they had taken sleeping tablets.

S. Vasimulla, Sub-Inspector, Kamakshipalya Police Station said: “We received a call yesterday night at around 9pm from a person in the locality who complained of a foul smell coming out from the house. When we reached the place, we found the house locked from inside. When we broke open the door, we found three people lying on the bed.

While the parents were alive, the one-year-old daughter was found dead.”

S. Vasimulla added, “While the parents seemed to have consumed poison in a span of last 12 hours, the daughter, Hamsini’s body was comManjula, mother of Hamsini pletely decom-

posed. We suspect that the daughter was killed earlier as it is not possible for a body to decompose so soon.”

Kiran, a 28-year-old shopkeeper in the area, informed the police about the incident. He said, “I was going to have tea when I got the foul smell. I was suspicious and hence informed the police. I, along with the police inspector went into the house.”

Harshini, Siddalinga’s four-year-old daughter, passed away on January 6. e police claim that she had died of a lung infection but the

‘

I was going to have tea when I got the foul smell. I was suspicious and hence informed the police.

- Kiran, 28, Shopkeeper

neighbours claim she too had died of poisoning.

Kiran said: “is was Siddalinga’s second suicide attempt. e elder daughter had also died of poisoning. Siddalinga is an auto-driver and his family was passing through financial crisis. I suppose this led him to attempt suicide. None of the relatives have come till now. e younger daughter’s body is in Victoria Hospital.”

Siddalinga and his wife Manjula are in a serious condition and are being treated in Sri Lakshmi Multispecialty Hospital. Both of them have been put on ventilators. Dr Giridhar, Director General of the hospital said: “Both of them are in critical condition. ey have had an excess of sleeping tablets and tablets that control sugar and so

their blood sugar level is very low. ey are insisting to be moved to Victoria Hospital but we can’t do that. We cannot say if they will survive.”

Lakshmi, a neighbor of the family said, “We got to know this morning that the baby had died and the parents are in the hospital.

We have no clue of what happened and why they tried to commit suicide.”

Vasimulla added, “e couple has not gained consciousness yet. It will take them three to four days to gain consciousness. We will know the exact details of the incident once we record their statements. e girl’s body has been sent for post-mortem. We hope to get some information from the report. Right now, we have booked the parents under Sec 302 and 309 for murder and attempt to suicide.” e hospital authorities said that when the couple was brought to the hospital, they were not in a conscious state and both of them are still critical.

Shivanna, a relative of Siddalinga Swamy, said that within half an hour both of them will be shied to the Victoria Hospital in Chamrajpet. He avoided disclosing the reason of shiSiddalinga Swamy, father ing them.

The Weekly

Observer

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

2

City artists on the right tracks PRUTHA BHOSLE City artists are looking forward to showcasing their talent to Bangalore commuters aer the Metro offered space to exhibit.

“Professional organizations involved in commu-

event across the world. ere were 1650 entries of artists for this event out of which 600 were exhibited.

Government bodies have also taken an initiative of sponsoring for most events that will be held at

Dhaatu Puppet Show held at Rangoli Metro Art Centre, M. G. Road nity storytelling and groups and societies associated with poetry reading, book reading, film and art appreciation can send their particulars by post to the Curator of Rangoli Metro Art Centre situated in MG Road. ey can also email their background details, professional experience and any other appropriate details that is required for consideration,” said a spokesperson from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation.

So far, ‘Letter to Gandhi’ has been the most successful event that was held in Rangoli Metro Art Centre. Around 150 media houses covered this

this centre. So far, the Indian Army and General Post Office have contributed a fare share for few events.

Members of BMRC say that this is the biggest initiative taken in the city to promote the creative work by common man.

Surekha, 48, Curator for Rangoli Metro Art Centre said: “is is an open call to check if people in the city are interested in presenting their work. We believe not just in inviting artists around the city but creative minds who can tell a story through their work.”

She added, “is platform is for everyone who understands and respects art. At our centre, we have created a public space for common men who believe in the idea of arts and cras.”

Surekha explains about the necessity to provide an opportunity to laymen, she said, “We want our centre to be accessible to the man on the street and not just for those living in penthouses. is idea will motivate in reviving our culture which is sinking down.

“Aspiring artists can contact us and get their work published for free. at is the idea behind this initiative. Artists need not pay a penny to showcase their work unlike in other situations. is way, more artists will come forward and promote arts.”

Artists in a very less number would participate in events held at the centre but aer the official announcement in January 5 2014, the response is growing.

In February 2014, ‘Swissniz’, an event is going to be held at the centre which would deal with architecture and landscape.

Anupama, an artist from Dhaatu Puppet eatre said: “It is a great initiative taken by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation in promoting arts and culture. Common artists will get an opportunity to perform and get noticed in public.

“I performed at Rangoli Centre and received appreciation from many. It was a memorable experience.”

She added, “I request other hidden artists in the city to come forward and share their story with others.”

Namma Metro will be funding Rangoli Metro Art Centre for this program.

‘

It is a great initiative taken

by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation in promoting arts and culture. Common artists will get an opportunity to perform and get noticed in public.

- Anupama, an artist from Dhaatu Puppet Theatre

Teachers demand full-time jobs SOUMYA BASU Temporary lecturers staged a protest claiming the government is hiring part-time professors to deny them full-time posts and job security.

deceiving experienced and highly qualified teachers.”

He added, “A permanent professor receive around Rs 70,000 for teaching 32 hours in a

Teachers shouted ‘We Want Justice’ at Freedom Park during the demo More than 10,000 non-permanent professors month whereas the non-permanent lecturers get Rs 5000-8000 for the same job. In neighboring from all over Karnataka assembled at the Freedom Park to demand permanent staff status. states non permanent teachers receive around Rs 25,000.

G.N. Nagraj, a social activist supporting their cause and one of the organizers of the event, “Some of the teachers are removed and reapsaid: “Government is employing non-permanent pointed aer six months and during appraisals teachers to reduce the cost of maintaining pernon-permanent teachers are fired and new ones get hired,” Said Nagraj. manent teachers. is is how the government is

Most of the protesting teachers were in their 40s and had a family to raise which they find difficult with a salary ranging between Rs 800010,000 a month.

Ravi Kumar, President of Karnataka Guest Lecturer Association, said: “We are serving for about 15 years but still they haven’t made us permanent. Our income is so low that we are finding it difficult to maintain our family.”

He added: “Salary doesn’t reach us on time and sometimes we get it aer six months. We don’t have any job security as we are fired from the government colleges every now and then.”

Kumar B.R, guest lecturer at GFGC Bennur College, said, “We get salaries as low as Rs 50008000 and only few of us get Rs 10,000. We have families and kids. ere have been times when we have failed to pay school fees for our children resulting in warning of getting thrown out from the school.”

He added: ”It was in 1994 that the government last regularized non-permanent teachers.”

Kumar said: “We approached the government.

‘

Ravi Kumar, President of KGLA We even spoke to BS Yeddurappa (the former Chief Minister) but they didn’t heed to our problems. We will continue the protest until our demands are met.”

Government is employing non-permanent teachers to reduce the cost of maintaining permanent teachers.

This is how the government is deceiving experienced and highly qualified teachers.

- G. N. Nagraj, a social activist supporting the cause.

The Weekly

Observer

Tuesday, January 28,2014

3

Gay ‘criminals’ to protest ruling

An LGBT activist at a recent protest in Chennai over Sec.377

Arrested IVF doctor in new fake certificates police probe

SNEHA MEJARI

Police are investigating whether a doctor charged with cheating couples out of money for IVF treatment used false qualification certificates.

Documents submitted by K.T. Gurumurthy, Founder Trustee & Managing Director of Shrushti Charitable Trust, have been seized by police and sent for verification, according to the cop in charge of the enquiry.

Gurumurthy was arrested by police on January 21 aer more than 20 victims registered complaints against him and his practice. He denies any wrongdoing.

Gurumurthy claims to be an embryologist & gynecologist by profession whose health business specializes in surrogacy and other infertility related treatments.Vimla is one of the alleged victims of the trust who was in need of an egg donor to help her conceive.

Srinivas, her husband, said: “We got reference of Shrushti Gobal Care from cloud 9 Hospital in Malleswaram. We first went there in August. We were shown various videos which showed high class instruments and a lot of facilities in the hospital. We were impressed and thought it was the best place to take the treatment.”

He added: “ey gave us 100 per cent guarantee and talked about a baby that will be in my hands soon. e pre–test expense came around Rs one and a half lakh. Additionally, we had

to pay 3.5 lakhs for the entire package provided by them.” e Trust’s website shows various packages ranging from Rs 3 to 10 Lakhs.

“My wife was asked to take medicines for two months and then the doctor promised us to get a donor. When two months finished, the doctor asked for some more time. Alerted by news of fraud when we asked for our money back, they said we don’t give refunds. at’s when we had to complaint to the police,” said Srinivas.

Naina, another victim, who got to know about the trust through an advert on TV, said, “Each injection costs Rs4500. Aer few months I was told I have infection in my uterus and was asked to take another injection when I get my menstrual cycle.

“Aer this my condition got worse. I oen had severe stomach ache and when I brought it to their notice, they asked me to pay Rs one lakh then and two lakhs in the next week.I paid them 3 lakhs aer that but have not received any treatment since then.”

Investigating officer Bale Gowda said “Most of the victims have paid him more than 3 lakhs. We can’t say if these people will get their money back.

Right now the main concern is to prove whether he is a doctor or not.”

Naina claims the tablets affected her health and gave her ulcers.

TANISHA DAS India’s Supreme Court today refused to review the criminalization of gay relationships, prompting minority groups in Karnataka to organize a protest in Bangalore tomorrow (WED) A city-based NGO, Sangama, will stage a protest tomorrow, objecting to the Supreme Court’s rejection of the review petition filed by the Central Government against a ruling which criminalized gay sex.

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalizes sexual activities “against the natural order”. e Delhi High Court had decriminalized gay sex in July 2009 but the Supreme Court had ruled against it in December 2013, resulting in massive protests all over the country. e Centre had filed a review of the petition on December 11th, 2013 but it was rejected by the Supreme Court today.

Sangama, along with the Coali-

tion for Sex Workers and Sexual Minorities, will stage a protest tomorrow against Section 377.

“Sangama is holding the protest and people from sexual minority communities and sex workers will also join in on the protest,” said Gurukiran, a spokesperson for Sangama.

Dr L. Ramakrishnan, an LGBT activist and a member of the NGO SAATHI, Solidarity and Action Against the HIV Infection India, said that a curative petition will be filed. “It is very unfortunate. e LGBT community along with their supporters, which is a large group, is very disappointed. It was the last chance for the Supreme Court to redeem itself and it has disappointed us,” said Ramakrishnan.

Justices HL Dattu and SJ Mukhopadhaya, who heard the plea for the review petition in private chambers, refused to accept the Centre's plea for reviewing the earlier decision by Justice

Singhvi and Justice Mukhopadhaya.

"It is relevant to mention here that Section 377 IPC does not criminalize a particular people or identity or orientation. It merely identifies certain acts which, if committed, would constitute an offence. Such prohibition regulates sexual conduct regardless of gender identity and orientation," Justice Singhvi said, while pronouncing the verdict.

"What Section 377 does is merely to define the particular offence and prescribe punishment for the same which can be awarded if, in the trial conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure and other statutes of the same family, the person is found guilty. erefore, the High Court was not right in declaring Section 377 ultra vires Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution," said Justice Sanghvi.

We’ll be VithU in three hours SREELAKSHMY SIVARAM Apps designed to keep women safe on the streets are not working. e VithU app and a rival application released in Bangalore yesterday, Save My Soul, promise to send messages and pinpoint locations of women who hit a panic button on their phone.

But in tests conducted by the Weekly Observer, both apps failed to pinpoint the location and one set our reporter’s location as five km from where she actually stood. e sms message to friends was also found to fail at regular intervals. On one occasion our reporter’s nominated friend, to be alerted in case of emergency, was informed of the “danger” aer three hours had passed. e applications, VithU and Save My Soul, are designed to track down the location of the user and alert a chosen set of people selected by the user.

When enabled, these applications are supposed to send alerts to users’ friends by tracking the users’ mobile numbers on a realtime basis. e VithU app, introduced in November 2013, and Save My Soul, introduced to the market yesterday, are failing to work as promised.

We tested the Save My Soul application. We were asked to register and then log in. But when login details were provided, the application failed to launch. e VithU application also requests

registration followed by logging in. e VithU app worked during the sign-on process.

We tested the VithU app three times. We pressed the panic button on the app three times. On the first test, the app took 15 minutes to send the distress sms to registered friends.

On the second attempt it took 12 minutes to send the message to the same recipients. On our last attempt, the VithU app took three hours to send the emergency message.

On all three occasions, the GPS tracking feature of the app got the location wrong. On all three tests, the app showed the phone to be located 12 kilometers away from its actual position.

Our reporter pressed the button in Kengeri Hobli, Kumbalgodu. e app showed the

phone to be at Hosadoddi, on Mysore Rd, 12 km away. e Save My Soul app was even worse. e app asked for log-in credentials on three separate occasions but failed to launch.

It asked for registration details including name, cell number and the numbers of two friends, or “guardians” as the app states.

But on all three occasions it failed to launch or register our reporter’s details.

“We are not aware of such applications. We do not deal with the technical side of issues. Contact the company from where it was manufactured” said Bhavya, Women Constable of Koramangala Police Station when asked about the technical aspects of the application.

“I am aware of these mobile applications. But I am not aware

of its functioning and technical problems” said Venkatesh Prasanna, Constable of Malleshwaram Police Station.

“I have used the app for a while. But messages cannot be sent if there is no main balance.

So I suggest internet messaging options should be activated in case of such an emergency circumstance” said Shruthi Rao, a student of Visvesvaraya College of engineering. e Save My Soul app was launched yesterday. Our reporters contacted BMS Innolabs but there was no response.

Feroza, a spokeswoman for Star India Pvt Ltd said: “It happens to be a technical problem.

It could be fixed if you take a screenshot and mail it over so we could forward it to our technical department and fix it.”

Mobile apps promoting the safety of women displayed false locations

The Weekly

Observer

Tuesday, January 28,2014

Crisis funding spikes RAJU PEETHALA Spending on disaster management in the state has increased six-fold in the past seven years.

A.R. Vijeyandra, joint director, Department of Factories and Boilers said: “ere are 74 hazardous industries operating in the state which pose a serious threat to the environment and may eventually lead to a manmade disaster.”

He added: “Devangotthe Oil Complex which is 30 km away from Bangalore is one of the many hazardous industries in the city.”

Speaking exclusively to e Daily Observer, Somasekhar, statistical officer of Karnataka State Disaster Management, said these complexes are unsure about the proceedings in the event of an industrial accident.

Somasekhar, KSDMA Statistical Officer e officer revealed that Karnataka has been vulnerable to

floods and droughts for the past 10 years which caused about Rs 4483.02 crore of property damage.

He said that there has also been an increase in the rate of property damage in the state.

From 2005-2008 the damage has been Rs 1337.84 crore and from 2008-2013 the number has been increased from Rs 1337.84 to RS 2990.92 crore.

Commenting on the reason for increase in property damage, he said: “In the duration of 20092012 there have been heavy floods in Northern Karnataka in which 157 taluks out of 170 had been declared as drought affected areas.”

“We are yet to receive the disaster funds of 2010 from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as they are yet to clarify the assessments demanded by the state ”he, added.

Somasekhar said: “Coastal and Malenadu regions are most vulnerable to floods and droughts which also includes Dakshin Kannada, Uttar Kannada, Udipi, Shimoga, Kodagu, Chikmanglur and Hasan.

“Raichur district is most vulnerable to rainfall due to excess inflow of the Krishna River from Maharastra. Months between

June and October are most vulnerable season to get affected by natural disasters,” he added.

When asked about the measures taken by the government to prevent natural disasters, he said: “ere are telemetric rain gauge stations which forecast alerts all the time and over 2000 machines are installed all over the state.”

Speaking about the functioning of his department, he said: “We will co-ordinate with the fire and emergency services department and the home department as and when rescue operations are conducted.”

He added: “Administrative training institute train the people of Karnataka regarding the rescue operations. From the past 10 years almost Rs 4 crore has been spent for the institute and district disaster management plans. e fund will be released

by National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) and Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) which includes damage caused by cyclone, drought, fire and flood.”

Bangalore West chief fire officer, K.L.Markandeyulu, said: “Around 1073 buildings which include areas East and West Bangalore have been violating

the fire and safety norms. Out of these 40 might be government buildings.”

When asked about the exact figure of Government buildings, he said: “We can’t reveal as of now because inspection is still

Bangalore East Bangalore West

373

Mangalore

425

Hubli

33

Duration

sheets and residents relieving themselves in open fields.

“Every time it rains, our house, along with all our belongings, gets destroyed and we have to rebuild it from scratch,” said Rahimullah, a 62-year-old resident of the village.

Bank report, open defecation contributes significantly to malnutrition. Mudasir’s frame is small for a 13-year-old boy.

Even popular schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have no

Alfia, a three-year-old girl and resident of Ramayanpalyam, with her grandmother.

He added that the locals had foothold in this isolated village.

One of the aims of MGNREGS taken this matter to the Panchayat on numerous occasions is to eliminate gender disparity but their pleas had been ignored. in wages by creating a common Mudasir, 13, a life-long resi- wage ceiling of Rs. 174 per day. dent of Ramayanpalyam, said is, in effect, becomes the minthat he had never used a proper imum wage in the job market.

But Jeenat, who works as a silk toilet in his life.

According to a recent World weaver in the village, had never

rough the Looking Glass What-e Kynkyny art gallery will start the year with an art exhibition which will showcase nature inspired works of leading Mumbai-based artist, Devdatta Padekar.

When- Saturday February 10, from 10am to 7pm Where- e Kynkyny art gallery

2004-05

Total Amount released under NCCF+CRF(In crores) 154.26

2005-06

473.51

2006-07

370.90

2007-08

171.6

Storm Festival

2008-09

321.83

2009-10

1733.72

2010-11

160.96

2011-12

169.01

2012-13

927.23

What- A brainchild of Liquid space entertainment, the campout music festival comprises three days and two nights. e festival will be held in a 200-acre campus to show the magnitude of the event. e entry fee is 4,000 rupees.

MUSIC

When- January 31 to February 2

Amount spent by Karnataka state Disaster management Authority in the past 10 years

Deprived of state support, village in ruins GAURAV KUMAR Residents of a village on the outskirts of the city have been issued voter identity cards but can’t register for benefits from government schemes. ere has been a complete failure to implement such schemes in the village by the government, according to community leaders.

Ramayanpalyam, a village located near Kumbalgodu, sits on government-owned land. According to the local Panchayat, this is the reason for numerous government schemes not being implemented in the village.

As a result, Ramayanpalyam residents cannot register for benefits of government schemes like the ‘Indira Awas Yojna’ and the ‘Total Sanitation Campaign’, aimed at helping poor people build houses and toilets respectively.

Properties and dwellings built on government owned land are not eligible for state support and are deemed illegal constructions. is has resulted in a village full of houses made of plastic

Events ART

going on and there is a chance of increase in the number.”

Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services Department, Bangalore, believes as many as 700 buildings violate safety rules in Bangalore East alone.

Number of buildings violating Fire and safety regulations 700

Area

4

heard of such a scheme and continues to work for Rs. 130 per day.

In fact, none of the residents interviewed by e Weekly Observer were aware of MGNREGS. ey did, however, display interest in working under the employment guarantee scheme.

“Villagers don’t attend the Sabha meeting and have never asked for work. ey know about the scheme very well,” said Rudresh, Secretary of the Golahalli Panchayat.

Speaking about the non-implementation of government schemes, Rudresh said: “e non-implementation of schemes is because the village stands on government land. Unless it is regularized, the villagers can’t benefit from any scheme.”

However, Ramayanpalyam residents have been issued Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards and are able to get subsidized food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Mudasir, the 13-year-old boy who has never used a toilet, lived with his mother and father

in a hut made of plastic sheeting.

His mother Munera, 33, who works as a helper in a garment factory, said: “Mudasir’s father is unwell, mentally ill. He comes and abuses us regularly. I don’t have any idea about these schemes.”

In addition to these woes, the village is also inaccessible by road and therefore, remains hidden from outsiders.

Alfia, a three-year-old girl lives in the village with her parents and grandmother. Her father is a truck-driver and her mother is unemployed.

She couldn’t attend the nearest Anganwadi because, according to her family, it was too far away.

As a result, she failed to benefit from the government’s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), aimed at providing nutritious food to rural children below six years of age and their mothers.

“She hasn’t been going to the Anganwadi because it is too far away. ere is no road to take us there and it is impossible for a three-year-old to walk that far,” said Alfia’s grandmother.

Where- Corporate Leisure City, Sarjapura Hobli, Anekal Taluk

FOOD

Lohri Food Festival What- As a backdrop to the harvest festival Lohri, the Royal Orchid will host the diverse cuisine of Punjab.

When- Sunday, February 10, from 7pm to 11:30pm.

Where- Pinxx, Dickenson Road

GAMES

Paintball What- Paintball competitions are played across the city as a way to build corporate relationship.

When- Up to May 25, Sunday Where-Discovery Kanakpura Road.

Village,

Observer Team: Editor–Suresh Kumar Chief Sub Editor–Sushmita Sen Sub Editors– Pranay Lakshminarasimhan, Rahul Sadhu Prutha Bhosle News Editors- Raju Peethala, Gaurav Kumar, Tanisha Das Picture Editor & Design Desk– Sreelakshmy Sivaram Reporters– Sneha Mejari, Soumya Basu Proof Reader– Raju Peethala Email- editor@iijnm.org An IIJNM Publication (For Private Circulation)