Citizen Matters 17 Dec 2011

LocaL news Like no one eLse does

CitizenMatters

bengaluru south ¹neóÉ£ï ªÀiÁålgïìð Vol-3 Issue-23 17-30 Dec 2011FREE

btm, ns palya, jp nagar, sarakki, dollars colony, jayanagar

www.citizenmatters.in

5 Help get health insurance for your help6 Technology for cleaner Puttenahalli lake6 School admissions update7 For your Christmas tree

Best offers for Christmas @

Govt schoolsshutKarnad, Kambar file PIl

Jayanagar children drop out, pushed to work in poor conditions

10 Residents dig borewell, tanker owner attacks!

12 Why Bangalore is so into Marathons

No. 3/119, 9th Main,3rd Block, JayanagarPh:42068504/05

P 17 *Special* COUPONS for

citizen Matters readers

Citizen Matters Vol-3 Issue-23, 17-30 Dec 2011 KARENG/2009/28904. Published & Printed by Meera K for Oorvani Media Pvt Ltd. Printed at Lavanya Mudrana, 19, 15th cross, Vidyapeeta Circle, BSK I Stage, Bangalore 560060 Place of Publication Oorvani Media, 165, I cross, I block, Kmgla, Bangalore 560034. editor Subramaniam Vincent.

4 CITIZEN MATTERS 17-30 Dec 2011 Vol-3 Issue-23

Lasers in Eye Treatments, a RevolutionA

dv

erti

ser

FeAt

ure 633, 100 feet Ring Road JP Nagar 3rd

Phase, Bengaluru - 560078Tel: 08026593210 fax: 08041209197Ph:9980562020 [email protected]

ShEKAR NEthRALAyA IS PROuD tO PRESENt LAtESt IN LASER tREAtMENtS

What is LASER?LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In Simple terms, LASER is a pure form of light.The normal light has mixture of colours whereas LASER has a single wavelength ( color) and the light waves are in perfect synchrony.Are there different types of LASER?Yes. Practically,one can have one laser for each wavelength of light.In Eye care,we commonly use DIODE green laser, YAG laser, Excimer Laser, Argon Green laser and Erbium Laser.In day to day life, laser technology is used in printing, bar code scanners,CD/DVD writers, DVD players and so on.What are the uses of LASER?LASER is extensively used in treating many eye diseases. It is quick,bloodless and very precise. After the use of lasers, the need for hospitalisation and has reduced.LASER is also used for bloodless surgery in other fields of medicine also.What are the eye diseases that can be treated with LASER?1. Freedom from glasses and contact

lenses can be achieved through LASIK treatment using EXCIMER LASER.

2. Some types of Glaucoma can be treated by YAG LASER.

3. Haziness of vision due to Posterior Capsular Opacity (PCO) which may develop after a successful cataract surgery can be treated by YAG LASER

4. Millions of Diabetic patients have been benefitted by DIODE laser and ARGON laser treatments for Diabetic retinopathy

5. FEMTO second laser is very useful for making precise incisions in eye surgery. This is finding a role in procedures like LASIK, Cataract surgery,corneal grafting, treatment of keratoconus etc.

6. Erbium laser and carbon dioxide lasers are also used in eye surgeries

LASIK for whom?All those who are wearing glasses or contact lenses can consider LASIK.Age should be above 18 years. Suitability for lasik in terms of eye health is very important. Lasik Fitness tests take 30 to 60 minutes and cost 1500 to 2000 rupees. These tests are being done FREE upto 31st Dec at Shekar

NethralayaWhat is Latest in Cataract Surgery?The most widely performed cataract surgery is Phaco emulsification. This is a 5 to 8 minute, painless, bloodless procedure with quick recovery. In 30 to 40 percent individuals, an YAG laser capsulotomy treatment will be needed some months to years following a successful cataract surgery.All those who had a cataract surgery can seek medical advice if their vision starts to cloud. There will be full visual

recovery with YAG laser Capsulotomy which is a painless, 3 to 5 minutes out -patient procedureWhat are the laser treatments for Diabetic patients?All diabetic patients should have 6

monthly periodic eye examination as a preventive care. Some people may develop a silent retinal (see the picture) condition called diabetic retinopathy. If a timely diagnosis is made, LASERS can help prevent or reduce further vision loss.Not always diabetic laser treatment can assure a stable vision. This is because,in some individuals the retinopathy progresses needing surgical intervention. Over all, millions of people have saved their eye sight because of LASER technology.

dr rAjA shekAr Y L is the Medical director, shekar Nethralaya.

Vol-3 Issue-23 17-30 Dec 2011 CITIZEN MATTERS 5

At the 7th Samarthanam’s Bailley Bengaluru walkathon on Saturday 10, December, nearly five thousand people participated. MLA B N Vijaykumar, and Byrasandra Corporator N Nagaraju, inaugurated the walkathon at the Kittur Rani Chennamma Stadium, Jayanagar.

In his brief speech MLA Vijayakumar, promised to make the stadium disabled friendly. Others present on the occasion were restaurateur Sadananda Maiya, Raj Rajkumar, Director, t E Connectivity, Rev Fr Arul Raj Sampath, Parish Priest, Christha Prabhalaya Church, Jayanagar and JP Nagar Corporator, Chandrashekar Raju.

the theme for this year’s walkathon was ‘Walk for

Shelter.’ the aim was to raise funds for the upcoming disabled friendly 55,000 sq ft residential school, estimated to cost `8.25 crores, at hSR Layout.

Spoorthi Suresh, an upcoming Kannada female actor and brand ambassador of the event actively participated in the procession. She had roped in friends from the film and television industry and cheered the participants even as she surprised Bangaloreans with her impromptu jig.

there were cultural programmes at the end of it. the highlight of the event was a Bharata Natyam performance by “Sunadha” the troupe consisting of the visually impaired students of Dr Raksha Jayaram.

C r sridhAr

local matters

Pic: C R Sridhar

5000 BenGalureans ‘walK for shelter’Last Saturday afternoon, thousands

of people walked in support of disabled children.

help your domestic help get health insurance!thE Rashtriya Swasthya Bima yojana (RSBy), a health insurance scheme will bring health benefits to lakhs of domestic workers. RSBy has been launched by Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India to provide health insurance coverage for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

RSBy provides protection to BPL households from financial liabilities arising out of health shocks that involve hospitalisation. Beneficiaries under RSBy are entitled to hospitalisation coverage up to `30,000. Coverage extends to five members of the family which includes the head of household,

spouse and up to three dependents. Beneficiaries need to pay only `30/- as registration fee while Central and State Government pays the premium to

the insurer selected by the State Government.

the state Labour Department, the nodal agency in Karnataka, is working with the Domestic Workers Rights Collective (DWRC) to register the workers for the scheme. DWRC is reaching out to all RWAs especially those of apartments for support. Geeta Menon from DWRC requests RWAs to get in touch at 9845445408 so DWRC can put up a stall on a given date, at the apartment for data collection.

Newsdesk

Dear Sir/Madam,We are working closely with the Labour Department and will be collecting the data to enroll workers for RSBY health insurance. Our organisation is also part of the NAC task force on domestic workers at the centre and working on the draft policy for domestic workers.We request concerned Resident Welfare Associations for support and give us permission to collect the details, fill up the forms for the RSBY scheme. We have to complete our process by December 31st.

-Geeta Menon


jayanagar jp nagar & Btm

Bus to school admissions is waiting – Part 2Kanakapura RoadAdmissions are open at Edify School till June for classes upto standard 7th. Admissions are open from nursery onwards at Deeksha high School.KormangalaAdmissions are open at Krupanidhi Cambridge International School till the seats are full. they are open from nursery onwards with entrance exams for 8th standard students onwards.Bannerghatta Road

Admissions are open from pre primary to 7th standard at the Samhita Academy, with entrance tests for students of 1st standard onwards. Admissions for playschool till 3rd standard are open at Vibgyor high School, with entrance tests for students of 1st standard onwards.HSR LayoutAdmissions are open at Candor In-ternational School for 1st standard students onwards. Day scholars are preferred from within the radius of 45 m to one hour commute time.

EntRAnCE tEStSDeeksha High School: General interviewKrupanidhi Cambridge Interna-tional School: Above 8th standard – tests of Math and English to test linguistic and logical abilitythe Samhita Academy: Objective tests in Maths, English, Languages (Kannada/hindi)Vibgyor High School: For KG –interaction session with Principal and teachers. 1st standard onwards there is a simple competency test.

ENzEN Water Solutions, a Bengaluru based company, unveiled a possible solution to improve the quality of the water in the city lakes. this subsidiary unit of Enzen Global Solutions Pvt. Ltd announced the experiment results of the six week trial conducted at the Puttenahalli Lake in JP Nagar, 7th Phase.

In a first attempt of its kind, Enzen collaborated with the BBMP and the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement trust (PNLIt).

Phytoremediation was conducted on 15000 litres of water taken from the dirtiest part of the lake into a cement tank and mixing nano-nutrients in the water. By the second day, the odour had reduced in the water.

After a week of treatment, when the water began to gain clarity, Enzen introduced fish in the water and continued the cleansing. two weeks later the fish were seen to be healthy and thriving.

According to Easwar P, head, Enzen Water Solutions, the Nano-Nutrient solution catalyses the growth of dissolved oxygen, arrests and filters excessive nutrients in the water and is consumed by the fish. Consequently, the once blackish water turned into a clear crystal liquid. throughout the trial, Enzen and PNLIt monitored and recorded the changes in the water along with laboratory testing of the water.

ushA rAjAgopAL

Pilot proves lake water cleanedECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTION aT pUTTENahaLLI LakE

Vote and help Puttenahalli Lake winPNLIT is in the race for the Mahindra Spark the Rise contest. Spark the Rise is a good way to improve the visibility of our efforts and an opportunity for much needed funding. Emerging as the grand winner will be a dream come true. It will end our constant search for funds. It will erase the deep rooted concern that the birds which have now begun to flock, nest and roost in our lake may be left to fend for themselves for want of appropriate support. The monthly winner gets a chance to receive grants worth `4 lakhs and the grand finale winner will receive `40 lakh. To vote go to www.sparktherise.com and search for PNLIT to vote. Don’t think that your one vote won’t make a difference, because it will!

ArAthi MANAY YAjAMANUsha Rajagopal and Arathy Manay Yajaman are trustees of the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake

Puttenahalli Lake water after purification (left). Original murky water (right). Pic: Ramasasthri.


In & aroUnD

email: [email protected]

FOuR women in their 20s from different countries - Jessica Maria from Brazil, Salma hesham Mohammed from Egypt, Xue Chen from China and Natalija Luzar from Slovenia, shared the culture of their country with Bangalore children. And they did it in style. A belly dance by Salma and a Samba dance by Jessica Maria from Brazil had the young kids roaring for more. While Natalija performed a traditional Slovenian dance, Xue Chen sang a traditional Chinese folk song.

these young facilitators are skill coaches and shared their knowledge with the students of Edify School down Kanakapura

Road in their brief stay that lasted four days. Niti Mahendra, Principal, Edify School, said that the main purpose of this cultural exchange programme was to ensure that her wards live in a world without walls.

the visitors will now take back a better understanding of Indian culture. “your food is too spicy” she said when asked to comment on her stay here. During her short stay she taught the students about Egyptian culture, arts, music and cooking. All the four expats have decided to explore more of our country in the coming weeks before returning to their respective countries.

Applying for a ration card online thank you for publishing my views for improvement. the tip you have given at the end of the article cannot be used to get details of the ward. Please note, election wards are different from food department wards. For example, Chikkallasandra election ward is 176 Bangalore South and for ration card, it is 183. Please use the drop down menus in the first page of the online

application form to locate your ward. this is the reason I wanted a separate table for wards covering each and every locality in urban and rural areas.

S Srinivasan

BBMP pushing lakes for entertainment So is Vivekananda the new hot ‘ticket’ to personal riches through building statues for these illiterate corporators? We already have one

in ulsoor Lake and there’s another statue nearby in Basavangudi. Why do we need more statues anyway? Plant a tree and it’ll benefit thousands; a statue just benefits pigeons and the contractors who build it. We need more enlightened individuals representing us. I doubt that yediyur corporator has even read one line of Vivekananda’s teachings.

Pramod Naik

FEEDback

thE Kolaveri phenomenon still rages. Literally translated, the word means ‘murderous rage’, as is widely known by now.

the video spawned off Kolaveri derivatives in several languages, some comical, some serious. On December 5th, BBMP was put at the receiving end of at least one of them.

An upset citizen and you tube user (whose name appears to be Debashish Ghosh) shot a video asking ‘Why this Kolaveri?’ of BBMP. the city corporation recently won a high Court case on its massive tree cutting plan along Sankey Road to widen the corridor to yeshwantpur. the video is of a drive with the lush canopy of trees on either side and the Kolaveri audio track running through.

“In Bangalore, the BBMP is getting ready to chop down trees on both sides from IISc Junction upto Bhashyam Circle.......the murder starts in a few days time”, writes the citizen under his video. “this is possibly the last time one will see this canopy of huge trees and I have recorded it for posterity...Why this Kolaveri Kolaveri Kolaveri of trees indeed”.

Ironically, just around the time this video hit you tube, BBMP was conducting its groundbreaking ceremony. Rarely does BBMP do this, and it did so after the court verdict.

why thIs KolaverI for trees dI?

eDItorIal

from china, Brazil, egypt, slovenia - with love...

C R SRidhAR is a former bank official from JP Nagar. he is also an amateur cartoonist and photographer.

Pic: C R Sridhar


tIme for JInGle Bellscheck oUts

Time and tide wait for no man

this side up

this side up

this side up

WIth Christmas just round the corner, one can’t help but spot those numerous items lined up in the stores of the city.

these decorative items are ‘wallet friendly’, as the minimum range starts off at Rs. 2 and go up to a few thousands. Whether you shop or not, walking by these stores is surely a treat to the eyes.

deepthi M s

Clockwise from top: Jayanagar 4th block complex has all that you need for your Christmas decor! Christmas Balls: `20- 200. Christmas Crib Set: `450. Reindeer: `240. Christmas Bells: `30- 1200. Stockings: `35-55. Pic: Deepthi MS.


A L O N G with traffic jams, BtM also hosts numerous eating outlets. Be it European or Rasjasthani, you will find it here.

nEW FRIEnDS is the place to visit, if you are new in the city, yet to get accustomed to the local food. In the span of 12 years that it’s been around, most of the customers‘ ideas have reached the menu card. this was earlier called ‘Friends’, and it was renamed as ‘New Friends’ a year ago.

“Since we specialise in continental food, most customers came back to us asking for beer to be served along with the food. So, we decided to add it to our menu,” said Poojari BS, the owner, who has started serving beer since a year.

the place offers a variety of dishes spanning from North Indian to

European dishes. they have

a lengthy menu to choose from which may often lead to dilemma. the service is friendly. the interiors have a lot of bamboo and is cozy making it ideal for couples to hang out at.

the restaurant also hosts parties or gatherings in the garden area. home delivery and take away options are provided. Meal for two costs around Rs 400 - Rs 600 without beer.

PuRABHI MIRCH MASALA, is another eatery outlet set amidst

the busy lanes of BtM. the place serves both vegetarian and non- vegetarian Punjabi

dishes. It is widely known for its Dal Makhani and Rogan Josh.

“We concentrate on offering quality food at very reasonable prices, that is the only reason for having so many regular customers who come here everyday,” says Angat Singh, proprietor.

the place is dimly lit, with soft hindi numbers playing in the background, is mostly flooded with families and

their regular customers. home delivery options are

provided. Meal for two costs around Rs 400 - Rs 600.

deepthi M s

your friendly neighbourhood eateries

New Friends, #12/11-20th main, 100ft.road, BtM Layout,Opp. SBM Bank. Bangalore - 76. Ph: 080- 26784129, 26912010.

Purabhi Mirchi Masala, #743/2, 13th main, BtM 2nd stage.Bangalore- 76. Ph: 41311222, 41311333.


RESIDENtS of Raja Rajeshwari Nivas apartment complex in Bommanahalli, had decided to dig two borewells to sort out the seven-month long water problem. But when the work started on 12 December, Monday, they were in for a rude shock. Some goons landed there with weapons demanding the work be stopped. they threatened the residents and broke the glass windows in order to convince them they don’t need to dig the borewell.

Residents say that Mohan Reddy, a local water tanker supplier could be behind the attack. the apartment complex with a thousand residents had been buying water worth Rs one lakh per month from Reddy, for the last seven months. When the residents decided to dig two more borewells to put an end to the constant expenditure on private water tankers, Reddy called the apartment association members asking them not to go ahead with the plans.

“We didn’t want to spend so much for something that is a basic necessity.

When we began digging the borewells on Monday evening, Mohan Reddy kept calling me constantly. he said we could arrive at an amicable solution,” says Madhusudan Reddy, President of the association.

the residents further allege that it was only after Reddy established base in their area, that water supply was affected in their complex. “Our security guards had noticed that many BWSSB officials would frequent Reddy’s office. We suspect that Reddy could have something to do with the disrupted water supply in our apartments,” reveals a resident discreetly. Citizen Matters is currently inquiring into the situation and has not yet verified this claim.

Residents say they immediately called the cops at the Madivala police station. “We even tried to file an FIR against him, but the cops told us to come back the next day. When we did go again to complain, they gave us an acknowledgement and said they would confront the accused and tackle the problem,” say the residents. the police however sent a constable over to provide security.

Mohan Reddy denies any role in the attack. he reached the Police Station on tuesday afternoon to recite his version. “I did speak to the residents. they have a problem and I have been very helpful to them. Now they have blamed me for something that I never even did. Once I heard about their project to dig out borewells, I quietly headed to Kamanahalli to establish my base there.” justifies Reddy.

the police on the other hand have assured the residents of all security in case they sense that there could be a law and order situation that would emerge.

the residents meanwhile resumed digging of the borewell under the police constable’s watch on tuesday.

News desk

Goons attack residents digging borewell

exclUsIVe

Residents of an apartment

complex in Bommanahalli off

Hosur Road found out that they

needed police protection to dig

a borewell in their own compound.

the residents meanwhile resumed digging of the borewell under the police constable’s watch on tuesday.

Pic: Padmalatha Ravi.

tANKER MAFIA WORRyING CItIzENS


cm specIal

Govt schools shut down, children pushed to work

IN government parlance, ‘merging schools’ is the fancy term for shutting them down. the schools are said to be closed down temporarily. Students and teachers are asked to shift to other schools nearby. But for many children from the closed down schools, education ends just as their school closes.

According to rules, education department can merge primary

schools with less than five children to better performing schools nearby.

Sathish Dharmaiah, a former 3rd standard student of Mariyamma temple LP (Lower Primary) school in tilak Nagar, now works in a meat stall close to the school. the school was shut down in June, citing lack of students. though he was seen working at the stall, speaking to

Citizen Matters, he denied working there. Another student Karthik Chinnaswamy has been working in a garage.

Students are mostly from the nearby slum. Some have moved to schools nearby, while some others do nothing and a few go to work.

the school had classes from 1st to 5th standard with 20 students. It was supposed to be merged to Gulbarga Colony LP School nearby. But only five students have moved.

Sophiya haroon, 11, who was a 5th standard student at the school, has dropped out of school. Sophiya’s mother Munni says, “She used to be good

at studies. But she is not interested in going to any other school even though I asked her to.”

Munni is a single mother of two, and supports her family by making agarbathis. Many other parents in the slum do construction work for a living. Like Munni, they were not aware that the school was going to be shut down.

Government schools are being merged. But

children are trickling out of schooling in the

process.Left: Sophiya, a V std student stopped school when the Mariyamma temple school shut down. Pic. Navya PK

the empty classroom in Jayanagar 4th t Block hPS. Inset: Ganesh, who had to move to a different school, with his brother. Pic: Navya PK.

Left: Jayanagar 4th t block school lies abandoned after shutdown. A few rooms here are used by a BBMP nursery school.

Right: Mariyamma temple school is being renovated by the temple committee for its own use, even though the school is still with the government. Pic: NPK

karnaD, kamBar sUe goVt

Continued on page 14 >>


for yoUr Info

ASthMA is a respiratory allergy characterised by difficulty in breathing, and is associated with wheezing. It is a Greek word meaning breathless, or breathing with mouth open. Genetic factors, urbanisation, pollution, stress,

and tobacco smoke are some of the important factors to determine the severity of asthma.

A study based on 20,000 patients revealed that percentage of asthma in children grew from 9% in 1979 to 29.9% in 1999 in Bangalore. Seasonal variations, viral upper respiratory tract infection, food items like grapes, guavas, bananas, ice creams, tomatoes, trigger an asthmatic episode.

the effect of pollution can be seen by the fact that prevalence of asthma in traffic cops in Bangalore was 26.12% compared to 14.09% in non traffic police personnel, indicating an 85% higher risk of developing asthma.

A good reason for traffic cops to catch pollution-causing vehicles with much more zeal!

there are other types of allergies too. Allergy is an exaggerated response of our immune system to an otherwise harmless substance, sometimes fatal. Sudden, violent bouts of sneezing is a common example.

Allergy can be caused to any substance you come in contact with, something you inhale, eat, or drink. the substance which triggers allergy is called an allergen. Common manifestation are sneezing, rashes with intense itching, also known as urticaria or hives. however, when the response affects the respiratory system, it can cause intense swelling of larynx or voice box in common parlance, and a person may die.

Immediate management is important, possibly through medicines known as anti-allergic drugs.

Allergic response is increased manifold with each exposure to an allergen. For example, a wasp sting first time may not be severe, but second time may be fatal. Even some drugs can cause allergy. A drug which may have caused a simple itching,

as an allergic reaction, first time, can cause a much stronger allergic response next time even leading to death. Similarly, vegetations, mites and hay can cause common allergies.

the message is “do not take any allergy lightly. Keep your doctor informed”.

from sneezes to wheezes

A website has been launched for auto rickshaw bookings. ‘www.safeautorickshaw.com’ contains contact details of those auto drivers who live in and around your area. Register, enter pick up/ drop point to get contact details of autorickshaw drivers who work in the area. you can then contact the auto driver and fix the timings and location, just like a taxi service.

It all began when Seetharam Vishwanath, a resident of Jayanagar, wished to bring an end to the problems faced by his family members who frequently complained about auto rickshaw drivers. Bearing the initial charges, he and a couple of his friends started this website. Started primarily for Jayanagar passengers, it is slowly expanding. the website currently has

around 40 auto driver contacts.

“there has been no proper initiative to solve this gap between auto drivers and the commuters. So, I decided to speak to some auto drivers near my house and told them about my plan. A few of them came back saying they wanted to be a part of it,” explains Vishwanath.

“today because of the website I earn about Rs. 4500 per month for sure, which I carefully invest for my future”, says Saravana, an auto rickshaw driver.

deepthi Ms

“It’s tension free” says Niranjan Radhakrishna, who had booked

an auto for his mother for her regular health check up.

CoL (Retd.) dR MUkUL SAxeNA has over 30 years of cross-functional expertise in healthcare, both in the public and private sectors. email: [email protected]

for tension-free auto rides JP NAGAR AutO DRIVERSAllah Baksh 9620413200Ramesh 9880128636

JAyANAGAR AutO DRIVERSDinesh 8050928563thimmaiah 8050945796Govindappa 8861140399yelumalai 9035616282Mohan 9242442925Ramakrishna 9342579985Manikyan 9449618048Nataraj 9480451317Syed 9686585437Ramaiah 9740837432Kumar B 9740840842Kumar Small 9740840842thimappa 9742185152Saravana 9845584184Aiyappa 9880040528Krishnaiah 9880040528Karuna 9900497169Kumar y 9900608968Sunder 9901506349Narayan 9916771448Babu 9972627648Naushad 9980378993Sharfu 9986008503Dayal 9019047898Madiyalan 9880501316 In

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Country’s only midnight

marathonthe winter chill of a December night did not deter over 8000 people geared up to run at the fifth edition of the Bengaluru International Midnight Marathon (BIMM) at Karnataka trade Promotion Organization (KPtO), Whitefield on 10th December.

featUre

Bengaluru: a runners’ haven

Runn

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Pic

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An excerpt from “As Midnight Marathon arrives, Bengaluru’s runners thrive”. Read the full article online at www.citizenmatters.in.

Was Bangalore always a running hub?

Arvind Bharathi of Runners for Life (RFL) recounts how the first edition (in 2008) of urban Stampede - India’s largest inter-corporate running race hosted in Bangalore saw 37 companies with barely 300 runners. Its fourth edition in 2011 saw a nearly four-fold increase in participants to 1200 runners from 81 companies.

Similarly the number of participants in Bengaluru’s World 10K (originally sponsored by ItC Sunfeast, now sponsored by tCS) has jumped multifold over the last three years to around 8000 participants. 10K stands for 10 kms. In fact the organisers have a tough time fielding queries when nearly 23000 places across events fill up as quickly as they do each year.

World 10K is also an International Amatetur Athletic Federations-rated Gold Road Race, a testament to its billing as a premier race for not just ordinary runners but also elite athletes. It is only one of 26 road races worldwide to be recognised like this. IAAF is the governing body for international athlethics events worldwide.

So the running community in Bangalore has surely been growing with more than a spring in its step. And this is borne out by the

increasing number of participants not just at the tCS World 10k, but also at RFL’s other running events: the Bangalore ultra and even the Kaveri trail Marathon (KtM). KtM is not even run in Bangalore, and yet the bulk of its participants are from the garden city!

Also online: Is Bengaluru just better suited? Who is running?

dharmendra d is a running coach in Bangalore and formerly a management consultant. he is also associated with Runners for Life (RFL).


classIfIeDs & lIstIngs

EDItORSSubramaniam VincentMeera KPadmalatha Ravi

JOuRnALISM tEAMNavya P KDeepthi M [email protected]

MKtG/CIRCuLAtIOnRaghavendra 98455 [email protected]@oorvani.in

ADVt SALESRamachandran P 98442286669901 [email protected]

DESIGn/PRInt PRODuCtIOnShivakeshava M

COMMunIty COnnECtMeera K

FOunDED By Meera KSubramaniam Vincent

©Oorvani Media Pvt Ltd. No part of this publication can be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.

[email protected] Ph: 080 — 41737584Longer versions of all articles are available online. www.citizenmatters.in, [email protected]/citizenmatterstwitter.com/citizenmatters

CItI

zEN

MAt

tERS

Margaret, mother of 4th standard student Jhansi, says, “we did not know about the school closure. When it closed, I simply shifted her to Gulbarga Colony School. It is farther than the earlier school, but I want her to continue studying.”

Some former students have shifted to private schools like Adarsha Vidyalaya and St Antony School nearby, which charge higher fees. A government school teacher on condition of anonymity, says “parents are too poor to afford travelling costs to the new school. Most are illiterate and cannot participate in decision-making at the school.”

According to Department of Public Instruction (DPI) rules, teachers of the school that shuts down have the responsibility to ensure that students are shifted to the new school. But there is no mechanism to ensure this.

Was the students’ attendance

really low?

M Munireddy, BEO (Block Education Officer) at South-3 zone, says that there were no children at all this year at the Mariyamma temple School.

“Last year there were three students in the school, this year there were none. Running cost is high and quality of education is poor in such schools,” he says. But attendance register of the school for this year, which Citizen Matters has verified, indicates that the new admissions alone were nine.

3 other schools shut down despite good infrastructure

three other schools – Jayanagar 4th t block hP (higher Primary) School, Ragigudda LPS and Ashoknagar LPS – were also shut down over the last year. Munireddy says that the Jayanagar 4th t block hPS had 60 students, but the merging was initiated by MLA Vijayakumar.

“MLA wanted to develop Marenahalli hPS and hence got the order to merge

t block hPS as well as Ragigudda LPS to it,” says Munireddy.

Vijayakumar says that not all 60 children were attending the school and quality of education was poor. “I initiated the merging. the location and atmosphere of Ragigudda and t block schools were not very good. Marenahalli school is 30 years old, already had more students and is located in a good spot, so we decided to develop it,” he says.

A visit to 4th t block school however shows that the two-storeyed school had good infrastructure; the classrooms sport teaching aids, lies abandoned.

PIL file against closures

On 3 December, litterateurs Dr G S Shivarudrappa, Prof. u R Ananthamurthy, Dr Girish Karnad and Dr Chandrashekar Kambar filed a PIL in high Court challenging closure of schools and requesting them to be reopened and strengthened.

NAvYA p k

Govt schools shut down

<< Continued from page 11

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for saleEast facing 50 ft by 80 ft, west facing 50ft by 80ft plots, Nisarga township 6 K.m from Bannerghatta Park, Jigani road, for sale.Contact: 41213372/9845231464

heALth & NutritioNsrINIVasa DeNTal Care

CeNTre Dr. VISHWAS # 383, 8th main, 7th cross, Mico Layout, BTM 2nd stage, Bangalore- 76. Ph:41201345, 9845195605. Multi specialist Dental clinic & Implant Centre.

CHIlDreNs DeNTal ClINIC DR. NERAJA RAJU Consultant Pedodontist. For appointment : 9845195605, 41201345. Address: # 383, 8th main, 7th cross, Mico Layout, BTM 2nd stage, Bangalore-76

HerBal PesT CoNTrol serVICes

FOR ANT, Cockroach, Bedbug, Termite, Rat etc. 100% Safe & Effective. No Smell/Stain. 2BHK Rs. 450. We also do Annual Maintenance Contract: Rs 1200/year only! Call: 9972711444/ 8971223206.

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2 & 3 BHK Flat for Rent / Sale in BTM Layout, Bannerghatta Road, J.P. Nagar, Jayanagar & Koramangala. Contact: 9916706389, 9611444944. Email: [email protected]

BaNGalore TIMBer & PlY-

WooDsAll Types OF Plywoods & Laminates. Dealers In : Teak, Honne, Sall, Neem, Beach, Silver, Round Logs & Cut Sizes. # 647, 16/2/3, Arekere Gate, Near BPL Bus Stop, Bannerghatta Road. Call: 9845604013, 26583501

eduCAtioNINTeNsIVe CoaCHING

ACCA / CA / CIMA / CS / ICFAI / ICWA & MBA With Latest Corporate Case Studies. Contact : Lalitha Group, #5 Behind Smart, 19th Cross, 24th Main JP Nagar 5th Phase, Bangalore-78. P h : 0 8 0 - 2 6 4 9 0 9 0 7 , 9 7 4 2 1 6 7 0 9 4 , 9902888485, 9448117457

asTrID soluTIoNsjaYaNaGar 9TH BloCk

We offer the below courses withe 100% PLACEMENT ASSURANCE SAP all modules, ORACLE 9i/10g/11g DBA, ORACLE-RAC PL/SqL, SqL server DBA, DB2 DBA, JAVA, J2EE, ANDROID and VMware admin. pl contact Tel: 08123673106/080-41100370

WaNTeDA reputed Playschool in JP Nagar 7th Phase requires Experienced/Trainded Lady Teachers with good communication skills for playgroup/ Nursery / Kg classes and daycare Co-ordinators.Contact: 9900033224,email: [email protected]

BuIlDers/DeVeloPersManjunatha Architectural Plan, Structure Design, Sanction Plan, Vaastu Plan, Estimate & Constuction Of BldgsShop #1, 5th Main, Mico Layout, BTM 2nd Stage, Near SBI. Call Mune Gowda 9845416748, 9844468507, 3297645


COntEStUniversal Postal Union letter writing competition 2012Write a letter to an athlete or sportfigure you admire to explain “what the Olympic Games mean to you” in English or any language listed in 8th Schedule. For school children (upto the age of 15 years, as on 31/3/12). Contest on 8 Jan, 10 am. Last date for form submission: 20 dec. Contact nearest Senior Sup/Superintendent of Post offices.tHEAtRECrazy Mohan’s “Chocolate Krishna” - Comedy PlaySat, 17 dec, 7 pm, Gayana Samaj, k.R.Road, Basavanagudi(opp. kiMS hospital)

Rangashankara Plays17 Sat Mariyamla Moorane Maduve (K) (also at 3.30 pm )18 Sun Rama Dhanya (K) (also at 3.30 pm on Sun)20 tue Shivaratri (K) 21 Wed Chikkadeva Bhoopa (K) 22 thu Aarkanola (K) 95 mins23 Fri uttara Bhoopa

Beechi (K) 24 Sat Agni Loka (K) 25 Sun Dusthin Bai (K) (also at 3.30 pm)27 tue Muddannana Promotion Prasanga (K) 28 Wed Manga Manikya Prahasana (K) 29 thu Prameelarjuniyam (K) 30 Fri heegondu Prema Prasanga (K)

WORKSHOPCREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPInteractive programme in writing for children (10-16)- 4 mon long, sessions once a week. Ph: 9880302708. Registrations:FCFS. Sun 8 Jan, Just Books, koramangalaMuSICTRIO SAIYUKI three great musicians from three different countries: Guitarist Nguyên Lê, Prabhu Edouard and Mieko Miyazaki 7 pm, 18 dec, Alliance Française, Ph: 40808181

Shubha Mudgal - Live in concertSun, 25 dec 6.30 pm, Chowdiah Memorial hall

Melody KingsKishore, Rafi, Mukesh Nite.24 dec 7 pm, Chowdiah Memorial hall

movIe lIstInGsINOX – JP NAGAR MANtRI MALLPappu Can`t Dance Saala - (hin) 10 am the Dirty Picture (A) - (hin) 10:5 am 3:40 pm 9:15 pm Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (u/A) - (Eng) 10:45 am 1:25 pm 4:5 pm 6:45 pm 9:25 pm Jo hum Chahein (u/A) - (hin) 12:30 pm Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl (u/A) - (hin) 12:55 pm 6:30 pm 9:20 pm Vishnuvardhana (Kan) (u/A) - Kan 3:15 pm Oru Marubhoomi Kadha - (Mal) 6:15 pm

GOPALAN CINEMAS - B’GhAttA ROAD Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl (u/A) - (hin) 10 am 10 pm Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (u/A) - (Eng) 10:15 am 2:15 pm 5:45 pm 8:15

pm 10 pm Jo hum Chahein (u/A) - (hin) 10:20 am 1 pm Pappu Can`t Dance Saala - (hin) 12 pm 6 pmthe Dirty Picture (A) - (hin) 12:35 pm 10 pm Nuvvekkadunte Nenakkadunta (u) - telugu 3:15 pm 7:30 pm the Adventures Of tintin (3D) (u) - (Eng) 4 pm Oru Marubhoomi Kadha - (Mal) 4 pm 7 pm

CINEPOLIS, B’GhAttA ROADMission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (u/A) - (Eng) 10 am 11 am 12:30 pm 1:30 pm 3:5 pm 4:5 pm 6:40 pm 8:35 pm 9:15 pm 9:55 pm Puss in Boots (3D) (u) - (Eng) 10 am 2 pm Panjaa (telugu) (A) - telugu 10:15 am 1:10 pm 5:45 pm 9:45 pm

Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl (u/A) - (hin) 10:30 am 1:10 pm 3:50 pm 6:30 pm 9:10 pm the Dirty Picture (A) - (hin) 10:45 am 1:30 pm 7 pm 9:45 pm Priyudu (u/A) - telugu 11:15 am 1:20 pm 3:25 pm Pappu Can`t Dance Saala - (hin) 11:50 am 6 pm this information is subject to change. Please check with the cinemas for exact details.Note. Patrons between 3yrs to 18yrs will not be allowed to watch the “A” Rated movies.

see & Do

Music GearDealers in Musical Instruments and accessories

Call9880599956

www.musicgear.in

JP Nagar


JAYANAGAR 2nd Block14th Cross, South-End Circle

Call: 8892100181

COUPON VALID UPTO 31st DEC 2011

La Marvelouf

Pay Rs. 4999 for unlimited

Starters, Beverages, Gala Dinner Buffet, Live Entertainment, Fun games, Face painting and more wo r t h Rs .6999 . Even t on 31st Dec 2011, 8pm onwards

JAYANAGAR 3rd Block20, 56 CITB, 8th F Main Road

Call: 9008033074


Spice Girl Beauty Salon

Pay Rs. 349 for service includes 1 Fruit Clean Up + Herbal Face and Neck Bleach + Regular Manicure + Full Arms Waxing (including Under Arms) + Mehendi Tattoo + Full Face Threading

worth Rs. 1750

BTM LAYOUT 2nd Stage7th cross,1st A Main Road

Call: 8050976104


babybump

Pay Rs 190 for 15-day

workout + Toning + Diet & Physio Assessmente

worth Rs. 1785

JP NAGAR 2nd Phase40, Near Ranga Shankara

Call: 080 26585568


HOLLYWOOD Unisex Salon & Spa

Pay Rs 349 for Gold facial + haircut + shaving/ threading + head massage/ Aroma manicure

worth Rs. 1785

BTM LAYOUT 2ND Stage7th Main, N.S Palya

Call: 9980842316


La Femme

Pay Rs. 480 Anti Tan

Bleach + Whitening facial + Threading + Hair Wash + Deep Conditioningworth RS. 2200 78 % OFf

on Services

Bannerghatta RoadLNTSC , Mico Layout

Call: 9980842316


Mira’s Dial A CakeMira’s Dial A CakeCustomer will get 50% discount on all the products upon paying Rs.49 extra. Free home delivery till 8 Kms. Rs 50 extra charge from 8 kms to 15 kms and Rs 100 after 15 kms

Jayanagar : 080 40124352Indiranagar : 080 4094874Brigad Road : 08040913888


DPI SOLUTIONS

Pay Rs 149 for a customized mug

JAYANAGAR 4TH Block30th Cross, Tilak Nagar

Call:080 22458877


CITY Durbar

Pay Rs 270

For 3

chicken dum biryanis worth Rs.330

50 % OFf on All Cakes

50% off on one pack of Visiting cards on ivory paper worth Rs. 210and additional 10% discount on any one customized t-shirt as well as on customized t-shirt print

lil

Powered byVendors interested in participating in such offers please call: 9845506477 .com

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It is curtains up for the 4th Bengaluru International Film Festival (Biffes) on December 15, 2011. About 175 feature films from around the world will visit the city over the eight-day event. they include 130 foreign films from 40 countries, 30 from Indian Cinema and 15 from Kannada Cinema. BIFFES SChEDuLEINOX – JP NAGAR MANtRI MALL

SAtuRDAy 17tHChintu School (India) 10 amGangor (Italy) 12.30 pm the Valley of Strength (Israel) 3.30 pmAndante (Japan) 6 pm Downfall (Germany) 8.30 pm

SunDAy 18tHBarneys 10 amElena (Russia) 12.30 pmFlesh Memories (France, Spain) 3.30 pmSilent Souls (Russia) 6 pmBiutiful (Mexico) 8.30 pmMOnDAy 19tHRite Of Passage (Poland) 10 amKatalin Varga (Romania) 12.30 pmVenice (Poland) 3.30 pmKofta (Netherlands) 6 pmNo. 89 Shimen Road (China) 8.30 pmtuESDAy 20tHKiss Me Again- Baciami Ancora ( Italy, France) 10 amLovely Man (Indonesia) 12.30 pmBusong (Philippines) 3.30 pmDogtooth (Greece) 6 pmApart together (China) 8.30 pmWEDnESDAy 21StChidambaram (India) 10 am

hejjegalu (India) 12.30 pmKing Of the Devil’s Island (Norway) 3.30 pmAttenberg (Greece) 6 pmthe Weeping Meadow (Greece) 8.30 pmtHuRSDAy 22nDBeyond (Sweden) 10 amA Separation (Iran) 12.30 pm

Invisible (Israel) 3.30 pmIn the Name Of Devil (Poland) 6 pmhanezu (Japan) 8.30 pm

For full schedule, see biffes.inthis information is subject to change. Please check with the cinemas for exact details.

last worDBengaluru’s annual film festival returns with a bang!

B Jayashree won the best actress award at the Abu Dhabi International film festival. Pic: luckythemovie2011.com

Citizen Matters 17 Dec 2011

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Transcript of Citizen Matters 17 Dec 2011