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The Weekly

BSERVER An IIJNM Publication

By Bhakti Tambe bhakti.t@iijnm.org On November 8, 2016, a historic economic move took place that wiped out 86 percent of the country’s currency from circulation.

The motive publicized by the government was to ‘go cashless’ or shift to digital payment methods.

While the country is gearing up to take up digital transactions, it is important to check the efficiency of existing cyber safety measures, in order to curb cyber-crimes.

According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, in last ten years, cyber-crimes reported in India rose from 481 in 2005 to 49,995 in 2015. India now ranks third, after U.S.A. and China in cyber-crimes.

As per Symantic Corp software security firm reports produced in 2016, cyber-crimes include phishing, malicious code, website intrusion and banking related fraud. A joint study held by AS-

photo courtsey: stockimages.com

SOCHAM-PwC revealed that in 10 months of 2016, a total 39,730 incidents of cyber-crime were reported.

“It has been observed that financial gains are the major motive behind cyber-crime cases, and they account for 50 per cent of total cases in country,” according to Advocate Gaurav Jachak, cyber lawyer.

In the month of October, 2016, an ATM card hack affecting around 3.2 million debit cards dented the Indian banking and security system. The country is witnessing a digital revolution and hence efforts to enhance the cyber security are needed.

Sanjay Sahay, AGDP, Police Computer Wing, Bangalore, mentions we should have our own standards, protocol and operating system. continued on page 2

Tuesday, 07 February, 2017

Rising Bengaluru after ‘Udta Punjab’

Page 6

A post-demonetisation overview of India’s cyber security systerm

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Volume 16 Issue 16

Readers impressed by Karan Johar’s An Unsuitable Boy Are we ready to go digital?

The Weekly Observer

Page 3

Sub-urban rail still a distant dream for city

By Prabhakar Kumar Thakur prabhakar.t@iijnm.org Bengaluru: Every day, many people come to Bengaluru from as far away as Mandya, Ramnagara, Tumakuru, Hosur and Doddaballapur. They come by bus or private vehicle. For them, neither is the optimum mode of travel as they get stuck in traffic jams regularly.

“I wish there was a more robust mode of transport in the city. Even metro does not run on this route,” says Mukul, 38, who works in a small food joint in Whitefield.

He must start very early from his home in the satellite town of Kengeri in order to reach work on time. “I have to spend nearly five hours of my day in the BMTC (Bengaluru Metropolitan Trans-

port Corp.) bus.”

While the people of Bengaluru spend hours stuck in traffic, the long-awaited Bangalore Sub-urban Railway seems still a distant dream, as there was no allocation made for Bengaluru Sub-urban railways in the recent budget proposal by Prime Minister

Modi’s administration. It was the first time that a combined Union and Railway Budget were presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitely.

A feasibility study was conducted by Rail Indian Technical and Economic Services (RITES) in November 2011 for Banga-

lore Sub-urban Railway, a project aimed at connecting Bengaluru with its suburbs in order to provide a hassle-free commute to people coming from distant places.

The RITES report proposed developing the entire Suburban Railway network in three phases.

In Phase I, the routes to be developed are KSR Bengaluru/Yeshwantpur to Tumkur, Chikballapur and Hosur.

The final report, which put the cost of the Sub-urban Railway project at Rs. 9,000 crores, was submitted to Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) in No-

vember 2012.

Sub-urban Railway has been found to be the cheaper option for commute in the city. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in the Legislative Assembly in January 2016 that the first phase of Namma Metro cost Rs. 13,845 crores.

The government of Karnataka had allocated Rs. 27,000 crores for Phase II of Namma Metro.

This way, the combine cost of Phase I and Phase II of metro is Rs. 40,845 crores.

A study done in 2014 by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in collaboration with Praja - a citybased citizens’ group, found that having the Sub-urban Railway in the city is going to cost Rs. 18.5 crore, compared to Rs. 371.55 crores per kilometers for a metro train. continued on page 2

Towing cases on the rise in Bengaluru

By Mrigakshi Dixit mrigakshi.d@iijnm.org Bengaluru: With the increase in vehicles on road, very oftentwo and four wheelervehicles are found in a no parking zone. The Bengaluru Traffic Police has reported that there is an increase in the vehicle towing cases, to curb the illegal parking.

In the year 2016,a total of 91,80,348 cases were reported for car towing, and in 2015 the estimate was 76,26,671 according to the data provided by the traffic police on its site. The Motor Vehicle and Automation Act, recorded the least number of car towing cases in the year 2006 with number 16,55,470.

“There has been a gradual increase over the years as the vehicles on road are increasing and space for parking is reducing,” said Muttanah, traffic police at M.G Road. “People park vehicles anywhere,especially two-wheelers. Most of the time they just stop for some time to buy something and in seconds it causes a traffic jam.” He adds.

A total of 1.5 million vehicles are registered under the Road Transport Office (RTO). However, out of this the number of two-wheelers is estimated to be 42,19,709.

“The maximum number of vehicles towed in 2016 are twowheelers because they are mostly illegally parked followed by four wheelers and load vehicles,” said Kiran, police constable.

Kiran mentioned, the maximum

number of towing cases is reported in the Central Business District (CBD) of the city, which includes Vidhan Soudha area. Apart from CBD, Mahatma Gandhi road, Brigade road, Residency road, old Madras road and old airport road are few of the areas where maximum number of illegal parking takes place.

The criteria set up by trafPhoto courtesy: Staff fic police to tow Car towed away from ‘no parking’ zone on Church St. four wheeler vehicles, for two excuses. But there are so many, the vehicles are four- vehicles that are left aban- wheelers it is INR 750 while for and we can’t let them go.”

“My two-wheeler was towed last doned for a long time, parked on latter the fine is INR 1,100.The no parking zone, parked in a way fine for wrong parking is also in- month, during the time of demonetisation; I saw one ATM workthat creates problems for the com- cluded in that.

In 2016, Bangalore Traffic Po- ing and parked my bike on the no muters, parked in a way that leads lice collected a total fine of more parking zone. I was standing in to traffic congestion.

“Every day, we tow around than INR 30 lakhs. “Most of the the queue, with the ear plugs on. more than 70 to 80 vehicles,” said time, people leave vehicles just I was not able hear the announceKiran. He adds: “The police vehi- for some time, mostly outside ments as well,” said Shiv Kumar.

Mirza mentions, one of the facclesare 24 hours on duty, patrol- the schools they leave to get their ling the streets to check for ille- kids, or sometimes they leave to tors that can also be cited for the gal parking. We observe for how buy something from the shop. increase in the towing cases is long the vehicle is abandoned, But within that fraction of time that there are less space to park and then announce on speaker the traffic swells up,” said Aftar vehiclesespecially outside the thenumber imprinted on the plate Mirza, Head Constable. He as- crowded places, and mostly the of the vehicle. If the owner does serts, “Even though we announce parking lots are situated inside not turn up within 15 minutes of on speaker but the noise is so and to avoid waste of time, peomuch around that sometimes they ple leave their vehicles wherever announcement, we tow it.”

Under the Motor Vehicle act, the are not able to hear the warning. they find free space or according towing charges differ for two and Many a times the defaulters give to their convenience.

METRO

The Weekly Observer

Tuesday, 7 February, 2017

Jaitley’s tax reform targets lower income groups

By Yogita Chainani yogita.c@iijnm.org In a major step, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s proposed 2017-2018 Union Budget, released last week, cut the tax rate for people who fall in the Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh annual income bracket down to 5 percent.

Those who make Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore a year, however, saw a tax hike of 10 percent under the proposed budget.

The imposed tax of 15 percent for those with incomes of Rs. 1 crore will remain the same.

Other proposed tax changes include: • Individual aged 60 to 80 within the income slab of Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs will pay 5 percent under the proposed budget.

• The major benefit in the budget is for senior citizens, over the age of 80, will not have to pay any taxes if their annual income is up to Rs. 3 lakhs.

“I earn an annual salary of Rs. 9 lakhs and the reform is good for me as I’ll be making double the amount of savings,” said Visarg Shah, a market analyst, who welcomed the tax reform.

While the tax revisions are in tended to benefit the low income

GROSS ANNUAL INCOME

5 LAKH

Graphical representations of post budget tax administration for 2017- 2018.

some in the middle income bracket say the savings for them won’t increase significantly. “Initially, my salary package was Rs 4 lakhs. Now, the package has been hiked up to Rs. 8 lakhs. This means that I will have to pay more taxes than before,” said Pran Saha, 26, operational analyst, Bangalore.

“I paid Rs.1.80 lakhs for the financial year 2016-2017 and now, I will pay Rs.10, 000 less,” said Mahesh Shetty, a chartered accountant with an annual income of Rs. 12 lakhs “So basically, this scheme is not benefiting me. But

yes, people who earn less than Rs.25 lakhs will surely be benefitted by this proposed revision.”

Sandeep Dam, West Delhi head of Axis Bank, said:“I earn around 20 lakhs per annum and hence this tax revision won’t be of any use for me. I will just save up to Rs.2, 000 per month and Rs.20, 000 annually on my income.”

Dam went on to note that people whose income has been hiked to or above Rs. 50 lakhs would not be able to profit from the increase due to the changes in the tax rates and the surcharges.

Bhavna Jiandani, an employee of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., said, “I have an annual income of Rs. 21 lakhs and I will not get any benefit from this tax rate reform, however, this reform will help the young generation and will encourage people to pay their taxes.”

Businessman Anil Nagpal said the proposed tax changes in the budget contains something for everyone. “Emphasis in this budget is more on tax compliance measures, and implementation of tax avoidance measure.”

YEARLY SAVINGS IN TAX

2,575

CUT BY 50%

No allocation for Sub-urban railways in budget Continued from Page 1 The Chief Minister of Karnataka approved the railway system in the 2013-2014 State Budget. He also proposed setting up Bangalore Suburban Rail Corporation Limited.

The then-Minister for Railways, D. V. Sadanada Gowda, said when presenting the 2014-2015 Railway Budgets to Parliament: “… Madam Speaker, as you are aware, Bengaluru, with bustling, business activity, attracts large commuters from s u r The proposed cost of metro project is much higher compared to the cost of suburban railway project.

roundi n g ru-

ral areas and towns necessitating better connectivity of Bengaluru with its suburban areas and hinterland. Study to explore possibility of enhancing the existing Indian Railways network of Bengaluru for meeting the above need will be taken up. In addition, to cater to the demand

of Passenger Traffic in Bengaluru area, Byyappanahalli will be developed as a coaching terminal...”

Current Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu told in Parliament in 2016: “Bengaluru, the technology hub of the country, warrants a comprehensive suburban system.

We will partner with the state government in this endeavour.”

Construction of the Sub-urban Railways was proposed in the Rail Budget 2016 but no amount was allocated for its construction In last week’s Union Budget as well, no allocation for

city’s Sub-urban Railways was made, revealed the ‘Pink Book’ which has data related to allocations to various programs.

However, in a move which came as a relief for many commuters, two weeks ago, a Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train was started from Ramnagara to Whitefield via City Railway station. The railways announced that it will develop Yeshwantpur and Bangalore Cantonment stations as world class stations.

On January 16, the state government signed a memoran-

dum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Railways for Suburban Railway in the city.

Sanjeev Dyamanavar, a member of the citizens’ group Praja Raag and an advocate of Sub-urban Railways, said the signing of the MoU by the state government and starting a train between Ramnagara and Whitefield is a welcome move, but we were expecting some allocation for the Suburban Railway in this year’s budget so that the work could be started.

Meanwhile, the budget also proposed that the government also tried to push the agenda of cashless railway ticketing,as purchasing tickets online will become cheaper. It was also announced that service tax on the purchase of tickets through the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corp. Ltd.(IRCTC) website will not be charged.

With an increase of 10 percent points, cashless reservations have already reached 68 percent.

This is the first time, parliament witnessed merged railway budget with the union budget.

METRO

The Weekly Observer

Tuesday, 07 February, 2017

Rising Bengaluru after ‘Udta Punjab’

By Chhavi Nagpal chhavi.n@iijnm.org Bengaluru: Increasingly being re-named as the ‘drug capital of South India’, Bengaluru has 16 licensed rehabilitation centers where children as young as 13 years old, according to NIMHANS, come to seek help.

While busting drug rackets, the police nabbed over 25 in 2014 and 34 traffickers in 2015, most of whom were Indians contrary to the perception that Africans dominate the drug-dealing scene in India.

The police have been able to bust only 30 per cent of the drug racket in Bengaluru so far. In 2015, 38,094.6 kg of Ganja and 128 kg of LSD had been seized in Karnataka. By September in 2016 the Central Crime Branch (CCB) had seized INR 85.1 lakh

worth of drugs in Bengaluru itself and booked 41 people under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In November, 2016 Karnataka’s home minister G Parameshwara had revealed to the press that there had been a steady rise in drug abuse cases in the city from 279 in 2014 to 498 by October, 2016. Despite such appalling records, the NCB website only declares one raid each in the months of September and October in 2016- On 16.09.2016, NCB seized 14 kg of Weed near Devanahalli, Doddaballpur Crossing on NH -7; and on 01.10.2016, NCB seized 30 gram of Amphetamine along with Indian currency of Rs.1,23,32,700/- at VarshiniNilaya, R.K.Lake View, Hebbagudi.

More importantly, a report by the Bangalore Mirror revealed that out of the 204 cases registered under the NDPS Act from 2014 to 2016, zero convictions

were made; and while the Women and Narcotics unit of the CCB registered 93 cases in 2016, only four of them were charge-sheeted. The reason, they believe, that most cases do not make it to court is lack of evidence. It is hard to bring up proof. NDPS ACT, PITNDPS ACT, and RCS ORDER, 2013 are the three acts one can be booked under for possession, use or trade of illegal drugs.

A lot of new chemical-based drugs are being introduced to the country, but in Karnataka, the demand for traditional drugs is on the rise. While weed, cocaine, hashish, ecstasy pills, heroin, and MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) are all in demand, it is LSD (Lysergic Acid Diathylmide) that has been making big bucks. Four-five blots of LSD come to about 0.2 grams of the banned drug and each blot can either be a tiny piece of paper or even hidden in regular looking

sugar cubes. In February 2014, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) confiscated 63 LSD blots, in 2015 10 ml of LSD liquid and as many as 56 blots were confiscated, in 2016, 165 LSD blots (1.66 gram) were impounded.

While the market does not have a particular target group, according to a survey conducted by the Karnataka State Temperance Board, in 2012, about 30 percent of school and college students in Bengaluru were drug addicts, and the number is on the rise. Currently, the age group from 15-30 has been noticed to have the highest number of substance abusers.

On an average, atleast 20 parents approach clinical psychologists for their kids who are addicted to narcotics, according to the Star Life De-Addiction Centre in Bengaluru. In India, according to a survey conducted on the website www.indianjpsychiatry.org, an estimated number of 177,000 adults are injection drug users (IDUs), defined as those with ever use of injecting drugs in their lifetime.

“For beginners, the usual dose of LSD is 100-150 mic, and one strip of 100 mics usually costs INR 750-1000. There are different varieties of LSD- CheGuevra acid, Buddha acid, skull acid, etc.

I know at least 25 people in my circle who have tried these varieties. It is extremely popular among the college youth,” said a student in Bengaluru who did not wish to be named. He also added, “Peddlers are easily accessible if you know people who take this stuff. Most of the peddlers are either rich college kids or people who have recently graduated and keeping in touch with their juniors. Scoring is easy- you know a guy who knows a guy and you take the metro or an auto to that guy’s place. Since LSD is colorless, it becomes very easy to carry it.”

Karthik (name changed), owns agricultural land in Shimoga, and yet runs an underground network of dealers who supply weed and hash in Bengaluru. “I come down to the city at least once a month myself and send messages to my regular clients in advance. I get individual orders from anywhere between INR 100 to INR 10,000.

But that is only in Bengaluru. The rural areas have an even higher demand”, he said.

According to a user on the website- www.webehigh.org, the easiest way to ‘score’ (a term used by drug users for buying their substance) any substance is to just ask someone who smokes and they will give you their dealer’s number. Another one even suggested hitting any of the pubs in Indiranagara on a Saturday night to find people tripping on them.

The website provides cannabis laws, travel information and tips on finding bud, for any continent, any country, wherever you are.

Some reviewers have even suggested asking local auto drivers, who are the most trusted source to finding cheap but effective stuff. A 40-50gm (~1.5oz) pack of weed is priced at about INR 120150 (US$2.5-3.5).

People approach the auto drivers for mostly weed and marijuana.

“LSD, cocaine and hashish are more like sophisticated drugs that are sold by dealers in pubs, or at rave parties or you can call them and collect from them at a particular spot,” said Rohan Parihar, a regular partier. He also added that Residency road, Indiranagar, Tannery Road, Brigade Road and Kormangala are the most obvious places to buy your poison.

Bengaluru’s increasing drug problem has been reflected in Punjab, Mizoram, Manipur, Delhi, Tripura, Assam, Goa and Mumbai which have higher numbers of cases.

Woman in trouble with neighbours for feeding stray dogs ‘Man’s best friend’ is under attack – and in most cases, it’s by man himself.

By Sandra Branger sandra.b@iijnm.org Bengaluru: In India, a country with a population of 1.25 billion, there is one stray dog for every 25 people. Long an ongoing debate, stray dogs are not all loved, or even tolerated by many in society.

While there are people who dislike stray dogs, and try every possible means to get rid of them, there are others who fight against what they view as animal cruelty, putting themselves at serious risk economically and socially, Meenu Singh is one of the kind, “I understand that everyone cannot love animals, especially when they are the cause of rabies,” says Singh, who herself has three stray dogs she adopted as pets. “I also understand their fear, but I just want people to understand that they are not at all a threat, all the time.”

There are approximately 30 million street dogs in India, which is almost the population of countries like Ghana, Malaysia, Peru and Nepal. They are a common sight in every corner of the country. The World Health Organisation estimates that 20,000 people die in India every year from rabies, accounting for 36 percent of rabies deaths worldwide. Despite these numbers, animal lovers believe that stray dogs are part of the community and should be equally allowed to exist just as humans do.

Singh, who lobbies for animal rights independently of any organization, says that since childhood she has preferred keeping stray dogs over good breeds as her pets. “I alone go to pick up the dog in need in my car and take him to the clinic, I foster the dog until it is capable of living on its own,” says Singh. continued on page 4

Meenu Singh spends most of her time looking after stray dogs

Courtsey- Staff Photo

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No help for man’s best friend Continued from page 3 As she grew older, her interaction with stray dogs did not sit well with her neighbours, who viewed her feeding of the dogs – which only attracted more and more strays – as a nuisance. Singh cooks 20 kg of rice and chicken for the dogs in her neighbourhood every day and she gets leftovers from two hotels - Kebab Magic hotel and Hyderabad Biryani.

She adds, “I give Rs 100 per day to the hotel and collect all the leftover rice and bones, for the dogs,” she says. “For this I hear people laughing and taunting at me, as they say that I help the dogs breed that is a mess to the society.

“But the regular fights and condemnation does not stop me from doing my job, as the threats and legal notices gave me the knowledge of the existence of animal cruelty inspectors, which in a way helped me fight back for these animals legally,” says Singh, whose resolve to help stray dogs only grew stronger when she saw her pet, Moti, being taken away by animal catchers to be killed.

Singh was not allowed to hold campaigns in her apartment complex regarding the Animal Birth Control (ABC), a program considered a solution to society’s to fight against rabies and also the escalating stray animal population.

The Bruhut Bengaluru Mahanagri Palike (BBMP) initiated the

Kala Ghoda Art Festival, started in 1988 in Mumbai. The motive behind this festival is to promote the art and cultural heritage of the city.

This year, the festival started from February 4 and will go up till February 12, 2017. The festival involves various performances, by the people of Mumbai.

Various people put up their stalls, wear fancy costumes to promote the art and culture in the city.

Where: Mumbai When: February 4 to February 12.

Courtesy: Staff

ABC in the year 2000. The program is a scientifically- proven method to reduce the population of stray dogs or cats. This process includes taking dogs to the clinic and bringing them back to their own territory after sterilizing them, with a slit on the ear which identifies that the dog cannot reproduce and is no more a threat.

I give Rs 100 per day to the hotel and collect all the leftover rice and bones, for the dogs, For this I hear people laughing and taunting at me, as they say that I help thwe dogs breed that is a mess to the society An anti-rabies vaccination -lasting for three years - is also a part of the program.

Singh said her push on the ABC program was met with resentment - members of her apartment complex association would discredit her in online forums and taunt her when they saw her. She was once threatened by a man in the neighbourhood after he took a photo of her feeding dogs, she said; the man threatened to post her photos on websites.

Singh filed a complaint against the man and members of the apartment association for the act of cruelty towards animals because, she said, they tried hitting the dogs and relocating them.

As per ABC Rules, 2001, “Stray dogs that have been operated for birth control cannot be captured or relocated by anybody, including any authority.”

Singh also said she received a Rs.82000 bill from the president of the apartment association, Mr Vidyasagar, for leaving her dogs unleashed. Vidyasagar was not available for comment.

“I never thought being good to animals would cost me this much,” says Singh. “They even said that I earned money through some animal business.”

According to the Animal Cruelty Inspector of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), Anurag Verma, dogs do not bite unless they sense danger., which is their basic instinct.

Dogs are territorial creatures, they prefer staying where they are and protecting their turf, he said.

Verma said reported cases of dogs biting people, when closely scrutinised, were due to either anger or fear.

Killing or maiming an animal, he added, is a punishable offence, and: “We should also respect and support people who work for them. “ “I feel positive when the slum kids come to help me when I help a dog,” says Singh, “I believe we should teach our kids to be compassionate, only then we can be good to other humans as well.”

Tuesday, 07 February, 2017

Cashless without digital security Continued from page 1 Dr.Ajeet Bajpai, Director General, National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre, said that post demonetisation, banking and financial sector has become critical. “Earlier cyber threats were nuisance, now they are disruptive and may become destructive,” he added.

“We are not secure when it comes to cyber-crimes,” said Mr. Vijay Mukhi, cybercrime expert.

“The situation in

disposed of a single judgement of such cases. Also, in Cyber Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi, no judge has been appointed since 2011,” adds Jachak.

There is a need for a fast redressal forum, to build confidence of people regarding digital transactions, according to Jachak.

Sarvesh Yadav, 25, a victim of cyber-crime in 2013, said “I came to Bengaluru in 2013 and started a new data entry

India is bad and it will get worse start-up called ‘Make Info when more number of people Technical Solutions’. One of my will use digital payment methclient from Calcutta, I transferred ods,” added Mukhi.

1.50 lakhs to my client’s account While explaining the reasons, in Calcutta and within seven Mukhi said, “What we need is a days I lost all my money. I came specialised court to handle cyber- to know that the company was crimes. We also need cyber fraud.” police and cyber forensic labs to Yadav further went to local deal with the cases. And more police station and passed on the importantly, we need public matter to cyber police. “The prosecutors who are well-versed cyber-police didn’t listen to me with technology.” and instead told me that I don’t “Spending money to build infraknow how to do business. I structure for cyber-crime cases, couldn’t file any complaint as training police and judiciary sys- police were not willing to listen. tem involved in handling cyberSo, I gave up and I never got my crimes is the need of the hour, to money back,” Yadav added. secure the cashless economy,” On the other hand, Balsingh said Mukhi.

Rajput, Superintendent of Police Echoing the same, Advocate (Cyber), Maharashtra thinks that Gaurav Jachak situation is not said, “Firstly, it “Spending money to as bad as it is very difficult build infrastructure for seems. “Since to arrest the demonetisation, cyber-crime cases, 80 cases of cyaccused. Even training police and judi- ber-crimes have if the accused gets caught ciary system involved in been registered and punished, Maharashtra handling cyber-crimes in victims don’t within a month, easily get their is the need of the hour, which is the money back; to secure the cashless normal crime they have to rate. There isn’t economy.” file complaints any increase or - Vijay Mukhi to the IT Secdecrease in the retary forum Cyber cime expert percentage of to get back crimes,” said their money.

Rajput.

The process is crucial and time “Demonetisation is bringing a consuming. I have 350 cases of digital revolution. Digital transcyber fraud where victims are action is the need of hour. There waiting to receive their money.” are chances of crimes, like every According to the NCRB data, a other sector has. But, cyber setotal of 11,789 cases are pending curity protocol and hygiene can investigations. 60.1 per cent of deter the cyber-crimes,” added the cybercrime cases with police Rajput. are pending, while courts have “I believe that the motive of even higher pendency rate of the government policy is not 90.3 per cent. malicious. But, the practicality The status of the cyber-crime of decision needs to be verified. conviction is shocking. For inYou expect people to use plastic stance, Maharashtra has recorded money when there are many viljust five convictions out of 4,981 lages that don’t even have banks offences registered between 2013 or ATMs nearby. It would’ve and 2015. been better if the government “The government is apathetic had considered ground reality,” towards cyber-crimes. Since said Prachit Shah, banker and 2013, Mumbai cyber court hasn’t resident of Bangalore.

METRO

The Weekly Observer

Tuesday, 7 February, 2017

Is this the end of the American dream? forecast for the sector to 8 percent to 10 percent for fiscal year 2016-17, down from a previous estimate of 10 percent to 12 percent for the same period.

On January 20, Donald Trump took oath as the 45th president Soon after the news of the H1B of the United States of America. visa bill proposal broke, Indian Ten days later, Trump administratech stocks, including Infosys, tion drafted an executive order to TCS, Wipro and Tech Mahinoverhaul the visa program, acdra reacted negatively. “Infosys cording to Bloomberg, which saw Ltd fell 4.5 percent, its steepest a copy of the order. The change in fall since six month, TCS fell U.S. policies due to administra5.5 percent, its biggest fall in 27 tive shift is also going to affect the Indian IT sector along with many months, Tech Mahindra Ltd. fell other economies in the world.

9.7percent, the most In terms of India, Trump’s ecosince 20 months, nomic and immigration policies HCL Technologies will mainly affect the information Ltd 6.3 percent, the technology sector. The proposed steepest fall in 15 H1B visa bill, if passed by the months, Wipro Ltd U.S. Congress, will ask compa4.1percent, the most nies to double the minimum wage for H1B visa-holders to $1,30,000 in nine months,” acmaking it difficult for the Americording to Livemint. can firms to replace American emThe U.S. visa ployees with foreign workers, inrules have already cluding from India, said Livemint. started worrying The U.S. Department of Homeplacement cells in land Security said that 70 perIndia. According to cent of the total 65,000 H1B Ravi Kandasamy, head of provisas in 2014 went to Indians. gramme management at KumDuring the same period, Inarguru College of Technology, dian workers also received 30 Coimbatore: “Many techies will percent of all L1 visas, an Innow occupy seats in Indian oftra-Company Transferee Visa. fices. This could result in a delay According to Bloomberg, India’s outsourcing industry is in bringing freshers on board.”

The new visa bill will also creWhat is H1B visa? ate an impact on families since H1-B visa is a multiple entry non-immigrant visa the executive order also plans which allows foreign workers employed by US com- to terminate the employment authorisation cards issued to panies to work in the United States. The workers spouses of those on work visas. who can get transferred to the United States under But, it is not just the Trump this type of visa should be engaged in specialised administration that is making occupations.

Indian IT sector’s life difficult.

In December, the U.S. Congress passed the - “9/11 Health What is L1 visa? and Compensation Act”- to L1 Visa is an Intra-Company Transferee Visa. It is fund continued healthcare for a non-immigrant visa which was mandated by the first-responders. To keep the money flowing, the bill douUS Congress in 1970. The purpose of L1 visa is to bled the fee for H1B visas for allow large multinationals - with operations across every new applicant to $4,000. various countries - to shift employees in special“These changes will be in ized positions on a temporary basis to the United force for the next 10 years States.

Courtesy: bankbazaar.com and are likely to cost the Indian IT industry $400 million a

By Bhakti Tambe bhakti.t@iijnm.org

worth $108 billion and employs nearly 3.7 million people. Also, the U.S. is Indian IT sectors’s largest market accounting for about 60 percent of business.

“Changes in the policies are likely to prompt a shift to new kinds of services like cloud computing,” according to Business Today analysis.

According to the Reserve Bank of India, India’s software services accounted for $82 billion-worth of exports in the financial year ending in March 2015 and 60 percent of that figure came from North America.

Trump made a statement on the outsourcing business on April 23, 2016, by saying,“You can’t allow policies that allow China, Mexico, Japan, Vietnam, India. You can’t allow policies that allow business to be ripped out of the United States like candy from a baby.”

In his book “Time to Get Tough”, Trump also advocated a 15 percent tax on companies that are outsourcing jobs to places like India, and 20 percent tax for importing goods and services.

Following Trump’s win, the National Association of Software, and Services Companies (NASSCOM) cut its growth

year,” according to NASSCOM. Mumbai based TCS and Bengaluru based Infosys are also fighting a lawsuit in U.S. federal court allegi n g that, they dis-

people who are consultants and highly experienced and skilled.”

NASSCOM cautioned that the bill could have a rippleeffect on other industries like nursing, life sciences and engineering.

“With the introduction of H1B visa regulations, companies like Wipro, TCS and other giants would have to spend far more than before, just to send their workers to theU.S to workand their stocks would plummet,” said Shivang Kapoor,24, software engineer at Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Limited.

Courtsey: PBS Newshour criminate against American workers while hiring and favouring South Amidst all the negative backAsians. In the near future, not just lashes of the move, it also has President Trump’s protectionan unseen benefit for start-ups ism, but his perceived xenophoin India.

“The bill paves a way bia may also impact the Indian for F1 to Lawful Residency with market. The Trump administraadditional quotas for start-ups tion has already put a temporary and small business which is a ban on Muslims and immigrants good thing,” said Mr. Sarvesh from certain countries from enYadav,26, founding member of tering the U.S.Critics say such a severe move could eventually im- the start-up Budli.in. pact Indian Muslims applying for “Trumpism will prove good for jobs in the U.S. or, in some casIndian IT industry as companies es, those already working there.

While some experts are con- like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Cogcerned about Trump’s recent nizant who have been publicly moves, others predict positive claimed for their H1B abuse will outcomes. According to Ashok get a hit. This in turn will help Soota, former president of Wipro many deserving Indian graduates and Executive Chairman of Hap- who aren’t getting H1B visas in piest Minds Technologies, “We the current lottery system,” Mr. will bring more of the work offYadav added. shore, which is a long-term adMeanwhile, India’s Ministry vantage for the Indian IT indusof External Affairs has said it try. Besides, it will drive Indian conveyed its concerns to the U.S. companies up in the value chain, because the kind of people who Congress and President Trump’s we send will be premium people, administration.

Tata Hexa seems to seize the premium buyers with its sleek design

By Konica Kamra konica.k@iijnm.org Tata opened a new chapter, with the launch of Tata Hexa, the second car after Tiago, that has its ‘impact’ signature design. The fine looks and the effortless design are mirrored in its look. The car dons features like clamshell bonnet; upright grilled and stretched-back headlamps give a stylish look to the car. LED elements for the brake lights, boomerang-shaped reflectors on the bumper, dual exhausts and a large scuff plate. The 19-inch wheels seem to have dramatically altered the way the car drives in terms of overall handling.

In the interiors, the central console gets a touch screen infotainment unit with navigation (that

syncs with your Smartphone). include a six-speed manual with options for AUX and USB Also, multi-functional steering either rear-wheel or all-wheel on second row which is quit wheel with cruise control, au- drive or a six-speed automatic handy when you have so dio and telephone controls, and that only powers the rear wheels. many friends going for a trip. the height is adjustable. Mood Four-wheel drive models get a However, the place to lightning is a feature where there choice of four drive modes - Com- keep the mobile while it’s are eight colours set up below fort, Dynamic, Rough and Auto. on charging is a setback. the seats. Rear leg space in both The car also has Hexa, needs a 230v 3 pin chargthe versions is good and rear ing point. Apart from this, passengers get their own AC vents things like sunroof, push in the centre and on the B-pillars. start button, electric adWith all seats up, the Hexa’s justable seats, and GPS luggage area can only be connectivity are missing. used for a few soft bags Hexa talks luxury and though the third row the sheer ride comfort is back rest can be folded very impressive, with a to increase capacity. hint of bumpiness at low Passenger gets their speeds, but unlike other own storage space and SUV’s, this car has been charging points. The tested life for engine with eight unique feature of the car is lakh km. The servicing is free that the Gearbox Hexa was launched on January 18 in Delhi(Ex Showroom) - Courtesy CarDekho.com options

for one year or up to 20,000 km.

The automatic model of SUV do not get the driving modes like manual but does get a ‘sport’ option on the gear shifter that makes it rev higher and downshifter faster than in the standard ‘drive’ mode. The car gives you a feel of smooth riding and so, it’s a thump up for Hexa.

Price: Tata Hexa’s base variant is for INR 13.1 lakh and goes upto INR 19.2 lakh (on-road) for the top end variant.

Response: Almost four weeks after the launch, it has seized the premium buyers who are seeking the package of comfort and luxury in one.

More than 80 bookings in city’s Concorde showroom have already been signed and delivery will start rolling from the next week.

UNWIND

The Weekly Observer

Classic favourites at Grapevine

By Chhavi Nagpal chhavi.n@iijnm.org 11:00 am to 11:30 pm 43, 22nd Cross Rd, Sector 3, HSR Layout Cost for two- Rs. 1200 (includes wine and taxes)

REVIEW color pencils in a glass and a doodling book to pass time.

The menu offers a wide variety of dishes. The Mushroom burnt Garlic pizza, Jalapeno Cheese balls, Garlic Prawns, Lemon Chicken with Herb rice, and Red Ve l v e t cake are their most ordered dishes.

The servers knew the menu

The restaurent serves Italian and Mediterrian food.

- Courtesy Sasha Ahuja

Located on the bustling 22nd Cross Road of HSR Layout, Bengaluru, the restaurant ‘Grapevine’ will immediately catch your eye with its warm lighting and interesting décor visible through the glass wall.

The place easily fits 12 tables and you can go in group of four or more people. The entire glass wall is lined with comfortable seats with big pillows for a cozy, private date. There is a separate section, for families, so, the kids can play and parents can dine in peace. Grapevine also has a variety of collection of books for all demographics, with book shelves in a shape of tree branches. And till your order arrives, every table has

well and were able to recommend various wines to go with our food.

They were polite, neatly dressed and very prompt with their service.

We ordered a Brownie Shake, an Oreo Shake and two bottles of Sante Shiraz which is a fruity wine.

For starters, we ordered Pita Bread with the Classic and Skordalia Hummus, soup of the Day. While, Brownie shake lived up to its name with all the chocolate crumbling in mouth, the Oreo shake can use a little tweaking, the taste of biscuit was absent and it ended up like any other chocolate shake. The Pita bread was soft, finely cut and tasted fresh.

Skordalia Hummus can give the classic ones a run for its money with its flavor just melting in your mouth and lingering for a while.

The platter was presented with proper garnishing, and cute little bowls for Hummus, not too exquisite but still just right. For Soup of the Day, we ordered Chicken Cream Soup, which was piping hot, rich in cream but had more vegetables than chicken. However, basic as it may be, very few places are able to get the soup right.

For the main course we took, Chicken Lasagna and Grilled Chicken Pizza. On recommendation, we also ordered, Chicken Mushroom Risotto. All four had fresh ingredients and tender chicken.

We cut through the layers of cheese, sauce and chicken in lasagna with utmost ease. I am personally not a fan of thin-crust, but pizza was large enough for two people, not difficult to chew and had a good amount of toppings. The Risotto was where two of my friends melted with rich taste, subtle presentation and ample filing of chicken, it stole the show. I could savor every grain in my mouth and the sauce teased my taste buds.

For dessert, we ordered slices of Mud Pie with scoops of Vanilla ice-cream and Rum Pots.

The Rum Pot was as silky as in the menu described with tangy taste of melting orange. The Mud Pie had three layers of chocolate, rich in taste, but could have heated a little more to make it soft.

Tuesday, 7 February, 2017

Little Things Bhakti Tambe bhakti.t@iijnm.org As I entered the beauty parlour near Kumbalgodu bus stop, Sandhya Akka, 27, who run the place, smiled at me and immediately gave me my earrings that I had forgotten on my last visit. “I couldn’t contact you as I didn’t have your number.

I was worried, glad you came back,” said Akka.

According to her, she opened her first parlour 9 years ago in the village, “I came to this village, 12 years ago, when I got married. Initially, I used to work at a parlour in Vijayanagara, but then started my own with the help of my husband.”

“I was never into learning.

Hence, after my S.S.C. my father enrolled me into a private beauty training course along with two of my sisters. I was born and brought up in Kengeri Satellite town. My parents wanted us to learn, but all three of us disappointed them,” recalled Sandhya; she runs her parlour right next to her husband’s salon.

Readers impressed with director Karan Johar’s ‘An Unsuitable Boy’

By Yogita Chainani yogita.c@iijnm.org Karan Johar is known for his sassiness and quirkiness, but, generally, Viewers tend to have a perception that celebrities lead a glamorous life but very often, they fail to see the hardships behind the veil.

‘An Unsuitable Boy’, is Karan Johar’s autobiography that traces the director, producer, and actor’s life from an ordinary under-confident boy to an internationally acclaimed moviemaker. Co-authored by Poonam Saxena, the book rewinds to the time when Karan Johar, we know today, was in the making. The book also touches upon issues like feminism, cinema, political behavior and the art of filmmaking.

The prologue of the book clearly defines what one should expect from the book. The first few chapters talk about the insecurities and troubles that Johar had to face because of

REVIEW

his effeminate behavior and his obesity. It also takes us through the phase when a timid Karan Johar mustered up courage to face his fears boldly. The book highlights Johar’s parents, his school days and his friends in a very subtle way.

The pride of him being a townie or South Bombayite is captured very well in the opening chapters.

The first few chapters are very consistent and balanced in terms of language and information.

Book in its simple terms reveal the harships faced by Johar in school.It takes us through his chidhood in a very filmy way.

The next few chapters define his journey as a filmmaker, while taking us through his directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. He speaks about his parents’ surprise on learning that their son was soon to become ‘The Karan Johar’ in the film industry. The

chapters are clearly organized and hence it is easy for the readers to understand what is taking place.

He later throws light on his relationship with his friends and his personal life. Johar used the book to openly talk about his sexual life and hints about his virginity. The book talks about all aspects of Johar’s life and creates a small masterpiece in its own.

‘An Unsuitable Boy’ is Karan Johar’s attempt at revelation, where he is in the light, direct and up front like never before.

The book makes strong points on relationships, society and cinema. The book maps the journey of a man in the crowd, in a way that is very relatable to the average reader, as he soon climbs the social ladder to be the man of the crowd.

An Unsuitable Boy, Penguin India, Price: Rs.699

She regrets that she couldn’t learn and was ignorant of its benefits. Sandhya is quite strict about her children’s education. “My 10-year-old son and 5-year-old daughters are studying in an international English medium school. They are bright and interested in music apart from their studies.”

Akka barely understands English herself, she said, “My children can talk fluently in English and this makes me happier than anything else.”

When asked what she wants her children to become, she said, “I just want to provide them the best possible education. Then, they can decide for themselves. I don’t have to worry about.”

Sandhya, who was once afraid to travel alone, now rides twowheelers and can drive a car. “I pick up and drop my children on the bike or sometimes in a car. I cannot afford their school bus fees. They also attend other classes after school so, I learned how to ride and drive for their convenience,” said Sandhya.

She doesn’t expect much from life, “I don’t really have a life beyond my family. But, I want to do everything for the betterment of my children.” she said.

THE TEAM Editor-in-chief Mrigakshi Dixit Managing editor Yogita Chainani Copy editors Chhavi Nagpal Bhakti Tambe Layout designers Aarohi Pathak Prabhakar Thakur Social Media Editors Konica Kamra Ayushee Chaudhary Photo editor Sandra Branger Proof reader Sumukh Kadekar

Courtsey: Snapdeal

Staff Ahana Chatterjee