citizenmatters 21apr2012 koramangala edition

LocaL news Like no one eLse does

LDA to work with citizens to

sAve AgArApage#11

Vol-4 Issue-06 21 Apr - 4 May 2012FREE¹neóÉ£ï ªÉÄålgïìð

www.citizenmatters.in

bengaluru

CitizenMatters

Koramangala - HSR Layout

biotA booteD, LAke LeAse cAnceLLeD

5 The great ORR mess & other updates

7 Meet Muralidhar Rao 8 Kerala cuisine in

Koramangala

10 Graduate voter rolls - register soon

15 A Casa way of life18 Weekend trip to Sri-

rangapatna

Meet you at the flea market! This Sunday, 11 am Page 9

# 54/2, Roopena Agrahara, Bommanahalli, Hosur Road, Bangalore-68.Ph: 9738004199

Citizen Matters Vol-4 Issue-06, 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 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.

FREECitizen Matters is delivered free at your doorstep and at pickup points.

Each of the 36000 copies.

YEt NOt FREEYou are not free to ignore what’s happening around you. Because it is

your city, your neighbourhood. By being active you are defending your neighbourhood and city from becoming unliveable.

www.citizenmatters .inWrite to us: [email protected]

633, 100 feet Ring Road JP Nagar 3rd Phase, Bengaluru - 560078Tel: 08026593210 Fax: [email protected]:9980562020 [email protected]

Dr raja Shekar Y L is the Medical Director, Shekar Nethralaya

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Eyes are the mirror of the soul, they say. But what if the mirror turns foggy? Yes, that is what happens with most of us as we age. The crystalline lens of our eyes becomes opaque, blurring our vision. Known as Cataract, this eye condition is mostly attributed to ageing. However, there could be other triggers. Here is the lowdown on Cataract and ways to get your vision back.How cataract forms?The lens of our eyes is made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a particular way that keeps the lens clear and enables clear vision. As we age, some of the proteins cluster together and cloud a portion of the lens, causing our vision to blur.Symptoms to watch out forCataract is a slow and painless process. So the symptoms are normally silent.Look for:► Reduced sharpness, and fading colour

and brightness of objects.► Lack of clarity even with new glasses.► Difficulty in driving► Glare at night, decreased vision in

bright sunlight► Inability to read for long Rush to your doctor if you find these symptoms. He will confirm/rule out Cataract with a five-minute diagnostic test – the slit lamp examination.The triggersMost common cause of Cataract is ageing. However, younger people can also be affected, especially if they are diabetic. Eye injuries, excess steroid medication, exposure to UV rays, X-rays, infrared rays could also be the culprits. Rarely though, children too get Cataract as a congenital defect.Surgery: the only cureThough change of glasses may lead to mild vision improvement in the early stages of

Cataract, it will not restore full clarity. Surgery is the only option. This safe and simple outpatient procedure involves replacing the clouded natural lens with an artificial silicone or plymer acrylate lens. Cataract surgeries have a very high success rate and patient satisfaction. Surgery costs between Rs.10000 to Rs.40000 per eye. Cost depends on the quality of service provided.Care after surgeryApart from using prescribed eye drops, wearing your protective eye shields and following the specific instructions of your surgeon, you need to take special care of your eyes as they heal. So for the first few weeks of the procedure, make sure that you:

► Avoid any kind of strenuous activity.► Do not lift anything heavy ► Avoid head bath for three days after

surgery► Protect your eye from dust and bright

light► Inform your surgeon the moment you experience any abnormality.

BEAT THE BLUR:Cut out Cataract and get crystal clear vision

SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTIONSeveral myths surround Cataract. Here, five most common ones are busted for you.

MYTH: Cataracts should be mature for surgery.

MYTH: Cataracts can relapse.

MYTH: Cataracts can be removed with LASER.

MYTH: Cataracts can spread from one eye to the other.

MYTH: There is no need for glasses after Cataract Surgery.

FACT: No. Cataract can be operated even in early stages.

FACT: Once operated, it does not grow back.

FACT: They are removed by replacing the natural lens with an artificial one.

FACT: Cataracts can develop in one eye or both of them, but it doesn’t spread.

FACT: It depends on the type of lens implanted. With a monofocal lens, patients might still need glasses to read or work on the computer. You don’t need them if you have multifocal lens implanted.

Vol-4 Issue-06 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 CITIZEN MATTERS 5

In & AROUnD‘temporary’ situation that has lasted 2 decadesLack of trash pickup points nearby has made 6th cross, 3rd block Koramangala near BDA complex a garbage dumping space for over 20 years now. Pourakarmikas say the garbage pickup truck comes about once a week to clear it. Devi, a pourakarmika says, “We have been dumping the garbage of the whole locality here. the BBMP truck comes and collects it whenever they want.”

the garbage menace has been bothering residents and shopkeepers alike. A tea stall owner outside the BDA complex, who did not want to be named, says, “people standing here for tea have to deal with the bad smell because of the garbage dump there.”

Lakshmi Raman, a resident of Koramangala says, “we can not

walk in from the 6th cross. the garbage is always all over the footpath and it stinks a lot.”

BBMP however claims that this is a temporary situation. Savithri S, Environmental Engineer, Koramangala, says, “we do not have a particular pickup point in Koramangala 3rd block so it is the temporary pickup point till the new point is decided.”

H t Bettegauda, Superintendent Engineer, South Zone, BBMP, says “I will ask the Environmental Engineer to contact the concerned person and get the garbage cleaned right away. It will not be dumped there from now.”

aNiSha Nair

Garbage dumped inside and otside the BDA complex. Pic: Anisha Nair

It is Saturday afternoon and the community welfare centre at Dr Ambedkar Nagar, Koramangala 5th block is abuzz with a bunch of excited 8 to 15 year olds. today is the day the children of this slum get to learn computers and maths from volunteers of Bhoomi, an NGO.

Just as this reporter stepped in, she heard cries for Andrew. No class ever starts without Andrew, she was told. He is a student of class VIII at Sacred Heart high school, Richmond road. His eyes sparkle with dreams and his smiling face brims with confidence. Andrews

S, wants to become a software engineer when he grows up. His father is an electrician and his mother, a homemaker. “My mother always wanted me to become a software engineer. Slowly, I too started believing in becoming a software engineer as I want to earn a lot of money,” he says.

Andrew’s enthusiasm and eagerness makes him the favourite among the children and the volunteers. More children like Andrew take advantage of these weekend classes.

Volunteers from Bhoomi centre, an NGO, come together on weekends to teach subjects like Maths and Computers to children in slum areas and orphanage homes. these classes are conducted in Koramangala, Jayanagar, JP Nagar and Adugodi on weekends.

the welfare centre turns into a learning centre even for the volunteers. For 24-year-old Engineer, Aarthi Shubha, these weekends are very fulfilling. She teaches computers here but says they want to learn a lot more than just computers. “the ideas that they come up with are really unusual. In fact, there is a lot that we are learning from them.” she adds.

aNiSha Nair

A weekend at Ambedkar nagar slum

Children with their volunteer teachers. Pic: Anisha Nair

6 CITIZEN MATTERS 21 Apr - 4 May 2012 Vol-4 Issue-06

If good news on traffic matters evaporates the very next day, you must be in Bengaluru. Just weeks after the Devarabeesanahalli and Bellandur flyovers opened in the north-going direction, the next intersection at Kadubeesanahalli is the new choke point. the area is now a massive hotspot in the evenings with commuters and drivers getting stressed out and tempers fraying.

the north going direction from Iblur/Sarjapur Road junction towards Marathahalli is packed with return commuters in cars and motorcycles the evening, along with BMtC’s packed and massive red Volvo AC buses. When traffic comes down the Devarabeesanhalli flyover (at Intel) and goes towards the Kadubeesanhalli intersection, it runs into a bottleneck due to the underpass work ongoing there. the south direction of the Kadubeesanahalli underpass has already opened.

to accommodate north going traffic temporarily, BDA has allowed two lanes. One is a very narrow slip road going on the right flank of the north-underpass under construction and the other is a new lane miraculously carved up from the underpass in the south going direction. the south going underpass was made two-way temporarily to accommodate northbound traffic.

And this is where the mess starts.

Buses, trucks and heavy vehicles from the Iblur side are made to use the underpass lane, and in doing so have to collide with lighter vehicles (cars, two wheelers) using the top of the underpass-slip road. It’s a made-for-each other pathological scenario that repeats itself everyday all over Bengaluru. the buses cannot use the right lane before they turn into the underpass because buses have a stop on the left side.

As a result of this hotspot, see figure, traffic backs up heavily. It can take upto half an hour to reach and then cross the hotspot, even though it takes only 5-10 minutes to cross the two flyovers.

Last week, a terrible situation emerged when a portion of the road along the north going underpass work caved in, resulting in traffic jammed for hours. though there were no injuries sustained, v e h i c u l a r movement on the slip road beside the underpass was

stopped.

Kadubeesanahalli’s north going underpass will be completed only by July this year, according to BDA PRO- K Puttaswamy. the underpass was originally supposed to finish in June 2011, as per BDA records received through RtI. the 15-month project began in March 2010. It costs Rs.39.8 crores, and is being built by Simplex Infrastructure Ltd. As of January 2012, BDA had released Rs.17.58 crores to the contractor.

SubraMaNiaM viNceNt

Kadubeesanahalli on ORR is now a massive hotspot in the evenings with commuters and drivers getting stressed out and tempers fraying.

KORAMAngAlA & HSR lAYOUt

…......................…......................…......................…......................…......................…......................…......................…......................…......................…......................…......................

The Great Bengaluru Kadubeesanahalli Hotspot

Towards Marathahalli

Towards Iblur/Agara

CARS

TRUCKS

BUSES

X

Under constructionunderpass

OUTER RING ROAD

Only smallvehices

BusesTrucks

the great orr hotspot at kadubeesanahalli


Born in Kochi , Muralidhar Rao has been a Bangalorean since 1959 and a resident of Koramangala since 2005. He is a former industrialist himself.

He married his passion for writing and civic mindedness and in 2006 co-founded praja.in. It is an online platform to engage in discussions on civic issues. He is also a member of the citizens group ‘Koramangala Initiative’. His wife, Priya Rao, works as a Associate Director-technical for Indian Spastics Society in Karnataka region. He has a son and a daughter.

Excerpts from his interview.

How do you see Koramangala develop in midst of all infrastructural growth?

Koramangala has grown far beyond the carrying capacity of its infrastructure.

What are the changes you would like to see in Koramangala?

Commercial activities, particularly It/

ItES operations, should be asked to shift out of Koramangala (residential area). Instead of the signal-free corridor that was proposed, perhaps the Metro should have come along

that alignment leading to Sarjapura. Further, the 24-meter-wide road linking the Inner Ring Road (at Ejipura

junction) with the Outer Ring Road at Agara, along the edge of the army property needs to be pursued speedily.

this will help divert the through traffic which is otherwise cluttering Koramangala.

Do you have a role model?

I can’t say I have a role model. I have great admiration for Dr Jayaprakash Narayan, the Lok Satta party Founder.

abhiShek aNgaD

lOcAl MAtteRS

ngv in rubble troubleDespite paying Rs 450 per house per month as maintenance charges residents of National Games Village apartments (NGV) are forced to live in shabby conditions.

Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) had handed over the internal maintenance to residents earlier. But KHB remains in-charge of external maintenance. NGV has 14 blocks with over 2500 houses.

Maintenance charge of `750 per house is collected, out of which ̀ 450 goes to the KHB for external maintenance. the remaining Rs.300 is used for internal maintenance like painting individual blocks, door-to-door garbage collection and repairs.

External maintenance includes water supply, garbage clearance, cleaning the surroundings and maintaining the public toilets on NGV campus. However no work has been taken up in a while.

Col Mario D’Souza, President of Nethravati block of NGV, says, “there are a lot of good facilities here like the club and playground for children. But the under-maintained condition of this society has made it difficult to stay here.”

KHB on the other hand claims that the maintenance amount collected is insufficient. Arunkumar N C, Assistant Executive Engineer, KHB, says, “the entire amount goes for water supply and we don’t have money for any other external maintenance.”

However residents say water supply itself is not enough. In addition there are also cases of encroachment and illegal constructions that KHB has failed to address.

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citizen activist asks it industries to move out of koramangala

Garbage dumped on the backside of NGV. Pic: Anisha Nair

NiMMa neighbour


cHecK OUtS

god’s own food in namma ooru!the aroma of the coconut oil being heated on a pan, the tempting curries and payasam dishes spread across the table is what God’s Own Country’s food is about. Here are some of the restaurants that serve the best of Kerala cuisine in Namma Koramangala and HSR Layout.

When you set foot into Kumarakom in HSR Layout, it feels like you have stepped into an open courtyard house in Kerala with all the woodwork and high ceiling. It has with some typical Kerala features like the charu pady, chuttu vilakku and some fine cane and wood furniture.

the pearl spot fish is brought from the backwaters of Kerala on a daily basis to Bangalore. the masala used here is a blend of very special spices unique to Kumarakom restaurants! their perfectly lacy Appams and Beef Ularthiyathu is the most asked-for dish here. the Ularthiyathu has the right amount of spices and the coconut flavour is most dominant. Average cost of meal for two is `800. Alcohol is not served.

the courteous and friendly staff of back Waters on Sarjapur road makes the already tasty meal more enjoyable. the staff is helpful in choosing the dishes depending on whether you are a vegetarian or a seafood lover. the ambience is very calm and warm and gives you the perfect atmosphere for having a luxurious lunch and dinner.

the Appam and vegetable stew is a must try here. the vegetable stew is mouth-wateringly delicious. the stew is non-spicy and the slightly sweet Appam is the perfect combination to go with it.

Average cost of meal for two is `400. Alcohol is not served.

How can my hunt for the perfect Kerala cuisine be complete without the popular seafood from Kerala? the royal ambience at oyster bay, Koramangala, with scrumptious seafood sets the stage

to enjoy the coastal cuisine.

Karimeen Pollichathu and Alleppey Curry Prawns are the delectables most preferred here. the presentation of dishes is extremely tempting. the food tastes equally delicious. Definitely a must-try!

Average cost of meal for two is `1400 (without alcohol). Alcohol is served here.

Café Malabari in Koramangala is a small cozy little place with great food. Kozhi Varutharacha curry and Neichoru (ghee rice)is the most

s o u g h t - a f t e r combination

of dish h e r e .

the Kozhi Varutharacha curry (chicken curry) is prepared in roasted coconut paste. It is the perfect accompaniment with Neichoru.

Average cost of meal for two is `500. Alcohol is

not served.

A small café joint, Café Mangala, offers day-to-day Kerala meals. It offers a good variety to choose from. the most popular dish is the Rasam-rice and Sambar-rice. Majority of people come here to have their daily noon meals.

If you get bored of everyday menu, Chemmeen curry is recommended. Average cost of meal for two is `400. Alcohol is not served.

Kumarakom: 23, 14th Main, 4th Sector, Opposite BDA Complex, HSR Layout. Ph: 65000118

Back Waters: 334, Near Wipro Corporate Office, Dodda Kanehalli, Sarjapur Road, Ph: 28440066, 8861166555

Oyster Bay: 77/A, Cygnus Chambers, Near Bhima Jewellers, Jyothi Nivas College Road, Koramangala. Ph: 42090000

Café Malabari: 143, Next To Anand Sweets, 5th Block, Munireddy Kalyana Mandapa Road, Koramangala. Ph: 25507373

Café Mangala: 17, 6th Block, Kathalipalya, Koramangala. Ph: 40944264, 8095809819

aNiSha Nair


cHecK OUtS

this Sunday’s Second to None flea market event, will have a bit of everything from used books, electronic items, furniture and home decor knick knacks. You can also pick up handmade and homemade items from paper jewellery to jams, cakes and more.

the concept of garage sale may be common in western countries but it is the same philosophy of the Gujilis of the market area; accessing these gujilis are not easy though. Now there is an easier way to get rid of the gift you never opened.

Anupama Gummaraju, along with her friends Reena Chengappa and Shilipa Kamath initiated Second to None, a series of flea markets to promote a healthier and a greener lifestyle. Anupama says that the idea is simple enough for people to participate and encourage recycling and reuse habit.

With over 2000 people sharing their creative ideas in the online group, ‘Second to None’, this flea market will be a physical extension to the regular interaction and barter online!

M a n y c o m m i t t e d members of 220 are planning to sell stuff they no longer use at home - like laptops, massagers, Modems and Home

theater systems at the flea market.

What to look out for

Story Revolution, founded by Angela Jain and Shalini are bringing their lovely collection of

award

w i n n i n g children’s books.

Old bottles or boxes can be recycled no doubt - but to repurpose them into beautiful objects of daily use can provide pleasure as well as satisfaction.

Namrata and Antara of Enthucutlets cut broken ceramic tiles to make coasters, illustrated with quirky art. they also do decoupage art and boxes made of banana fibre, pin up boards and black boards.

Karaashilp and Anokhi Planet make handcrafted and recycled/upcycled items. Chitra Nair converts old rubber tires and oil cans to make seats and planters for your garden.

Krishna Panyam will be a treat to watch, as he churns

out exquisite origami creations. Also checkout Sharwari tilloo’s jewellery from waste

paper, Abhishek Agarwal’s art items with used car

parts and Madani’s cloth bags made from scraps of fabric.

What’s a market without food?

taantra will sell organic cakes and Hema Mahesh’s Nature in a Bottle,

specialises in Gourmet Jams

of exotic fruit combinations. John

Fenessy will be bringing pesto and peanut butter along

with fruits and vegetables from his organic farm.

So see you Sunday! And don’t miss Citizen Matters’ green tips corner at the venue to share your ideas and rate ideas submitted by others. Citizen Matters is the media partner for the event.

NewS DeSk

go upcycling this weekendDon’t know what to do with those gifts you don’t like? Want to pick up a second hand oven? The flea market this weekend has stuff to buy and ideas to try out.

And don’t miss

Citizen Matters’ green tips corner at the venue to

interact on green ideas

File pic of the flea market. Inset: the items for sale. Pics courtesy: Second to None.

When: 22nd April, 2012, 11

am-5 pmVenue: ‘Jaaga’, Double Road,

Opposite Corporation

Bank, Behind KH Road Bus

Stand.


cM SpecIAl

Most readers would not have heard of this election and yet it is around the corner. the second chamber of the Karnataka legislature - the Council - has a special set of seats for graduate voters. this year, Bangalore’s graduate constituency seat will open up. BJP’s Ramachandra Gowda is incumbent, and his term ends in June.

ABIDe member and social-technologist Ashwin Mahesh has thrown his hat into the race, contesting on a Lok Satta Party ticket. At an event in Shantinagar on 12th April, Justice Santosh Hegde endorsed Mahesh and registered as voter, along with him.

Endorsing Mahesh, Justice Hegde urged people to register and vote in the election. He says, “I have known Ashwin Mahesh for a few years now and I can vouch for his integrity, sincerity for public service, vision for Bangalore and his involvement with grass-root work.”

“I think there is a real opportunity for this kind of politics. I would like to push the political system to empower people already active in taking up social issues, so that

they can work better with their own initiatives without becoming dependent on government”, says

Mahesh.

Mahesh, who has also been part of India Against C o r r u p t i o n m o v e m e n t , has won many a c c o l a d e s for urban d e v e l o p m e n t . He feels that d e v e l o p m e n t in any country is the sum and substance of

civic development, citizenship and politics, but that politics is one area

avoided for a long time by citizens. With his campaign, Mahesh says he wants to start “rebuilding politics”.

Mahesh has also filed a case in High Court asking for a directive to the Election Commision (EC) to simplify voter registrations for the graduate constituency, to promote enrollment. the EC now runs a cumbersome process, dissuading registration.

A number of noted Bangaloreans are endorsing Mahesh. Noted among them are ace cricketer Anil Kumble, and former Infosys Director Mohandas Pai.

abhiShek aNgaD,SubraMaNiaM viNceNt

Full disclosure: Ashwin Mahesh is also a director at Oorvani Media, publisher of Citizen Matters.

We will win: Ashwin Mahesh

The dates may not yet be set for the MLC elections, but campaigning has heated up. Loksatta candidate Ashwin Mahesh is out urging graduates to register.

Activists and citizens along with Ashwin Mahesh and Justice Hegde. Pic: Abhishek Angad

What is Bangalore graduates MLC election?

Members of Legislative Council (upper house of state legisla-ture)- MLCs are like MLAs. The Bangalore Graduates Constituency is made up of graduates from 36 assembly constituencies in Banga-lore Urban and Bangalore Rural.

Who can vote in this election?

Any citizen of India residing in Bangalore who graduated before Nov 2008 from any recognised university of india can vote in

this election. Note: The Graduate Constituency has a different pro-cess from the Mp, MLA, BBMp elections. The voter id card cannot be used, you have to register sepa-rately.

How to register

1. Filled and signed Form 18 (available at http://smartvote.in/Form_18.pdf )2. photocopy of degree certificate.3. proof of current address (rental agreement, phone bill, electricity bill, DL, passport) submit 2 copies

of the above to the nearest ARO.

Where to register?

Residents of Ward 148-Ejipura and 151-Koramangala can contact: L.Sundareshaiah, Revenue Of-ficer, BBMp, Jayanagar Shopping Complex, 4th Block, Jayanagar, ph:22975744

Residents of Ward 174-HSR Layout can contact Shashikala, Revenue Officer BBMp, (old CMC Office) 1st Floor, Bommanahalli, Begur Main Road, ph:25735398


On February 29, 2012, the Karnataka High Court cancelled the lease of Agara lake in HSR Layout which was given to Biota Natural Systems (India). Biota had filed a petition against the termination of lease of Agara lake by Lake Development Authority (LDA) in 2009. Following the High Court judgement, the lake has been handed back to the LDA.

Background

Biota contested LDA’s termination in its petition. Biota claimed that it could not take up any development work on the lake due to the delay in handing over the lake.

the lake was handed to Biota in August 2007. Right after that, Rudrappa, a resident of Agara village had challenged the lease of the lake by filing a PIL which was disposed off. In 2008, Environment Support Group (ESG), an NGO, filed a writ petition against the lease of the lake.

ESG filed the petition on the grounds that the lease of the lake to profit-making organisations was in violation of principles of intergenerational equity and public trust. the lease was also against the Karnataka Parks Preservation Act, 1975, they claimed. this case was also disposed off.

However LDA demanded the termination of the lease of the lake in 2009 saying the lake was neglected by Biota and no development was carried out.

Residents to pitch in?

Residents of Koramangala and HSR Layout are making efforts to maintain and revive Agara lake now since the lease to the private company has been cancelled. Save Agara Lake is an initiative taken up by the residents of Mantri Sarovar towers on Outer Ring Road to maintain the lake.

Ganesan M, 44, member of the Save Agara Lake initiative, says, “A lot of people come to this lake from far off places. they are keen on reviving the lake and maintaining it.”

Residents are now trying to understand the reason for lower water levels in the lake. Satheesh Amilineni, a software engineer and an active member of the community says, “the problem with Agara lake is that water from catchment area is not directed into the lake. Just rainwater from HSR Layout is enough for the lake to get full.

After flooding in HSR Layout due to Madiwala lake overflow few years ago, looks like stormwater drains are all connected to the sewage lines and no water is coming into Agara lake.”

LDA’s plans for Agara lake

After getting the responsibility of the lake, LDA believes that their prime focus is to ensure good inflow of water to the lake. they are also planning to construct a sewage treatment plant to ensure better

quality water flowing into the lake.

U V Singh, CEO, LDA, says, “we are preparing a draft consisting of the requirements of the maintenance of the lake and will submit it to the state government soon. Our engineers are examining the long-term requirements of the lake. Depending on that, if less fund is needed, the LDA itself will fund it. If more fund is required, we will have to ask the state government to fund it.”

Singh says LDA is open to involving residents in reviving the lake.

aNiSha Nair

cM exclUSIVe

U V Singh says LDA is open to involving residents in reviving the lake.

LDA and citizens want to save Agara lake nowLDA and citizens want to save Agara lake now


Water is the elixir of life. But according to World Health Organisation, nearly 1.8 million people die every year due to water-borne diseases. What are these diseases that we need to be careful about? the diseases range from gastritis, diarrhoea, jaundice, polio, amoebiasis, tapeworm infest ation, hydatid disease of liver, intestine, and lungs, worms to cholera, typhoid, and so on.Vomiting, and loose motions, if persistent, lead to electrolyte imbalance and can even be fatal. Cholera is another waterborne disease which can lead to epidemics and large number of deaths. the causes of these diseases are unsafe water, lack of sanitation, and unhygienic practices. A very important cause of outbreak of

waterborne diseases is due to damaged sewage lines and water supply, leading to contamination of water.Some of the common symptoms of waterborne diseases are :

● Abdominal cramps● Vomitings● Jaundice● Diarrhoea● Loss of weight or

fatiguePrevention of these diseases depends

upon the government’s actions like providing safe potable water, community awareness and actions at individual level. Some of the important preventive actions , one can take are:● take care of hygiene - like cutting

nails.

● Wash hands regularly and properly: before cooking food and before eating, after using toilet, or changing diapers, using tissues or handkerchief after takin care of people with diarrhoea, changing clothes or beddings soiled with stools, etc.

● Clean water storing utensils.● Ensure water is purified. If facilities

are not available, the water should be boiled at the least.

● Children with symptoms of waterborne disease should not attend school till asymptomatic.

● People involved in cooking food or serving food should not use cloth to dry hands after washing as they are potential source of spreading infection.

fOR YOUR InfO

HeAltH MAtteRS

Col (retd.) dr MuKul Saxena

this year’s property tax payment process will result in your getting a new GIS-based PID (Property Identification number). this new PID is issued with the ward number, new street ID and newly allotted property number.

1. Go to the link bbmp.gov.in and click on the tab ‘GIS-based new PID’

2. Go to the bottom of the page and click on ‘to Know your New PID Click Here’

3. Enter the application number you used for your 2008-2009 property tax payment or enter your current PID number and click on ‘Search’.

4. Click on your name and then click ‘Fetch’. You will get the details. Copy/print this page for your records.

(Note: BBMP GIS PID project is yet to be completed and if you do not get your new PID, do not worry. It will become available on the website this year, BBMP officials say. )

5. Click on the tab ‘click here to view your property in GIS map’. You will get a Google Map of your area with your property details. Save/print for your records.

6. For corrections, you can contact your BBMP ward office.

7. Please note: In your property tax receipt for 2012-2013, this new PID number will also be given.

Quick tips for property tax payment

BBMP started property tax collection for 2012 -2013 from April 2nd. the information required to

fill the form are PID number or Khata number, SAS 2008-2009 and 2011-2012 application numbers, receipt and date.

Computation for this year is the same as last year, so data can be taken from last year’s receipt. tax amount includes property tax and SWM (Solid Waste Management) cess, and can be paid by cheque/DD/pay order, or credit/debit cards.

SRINIVASAN S is a resident of Uttarahalli. D R Prakash also shared inputs for this story.

For our detailed 2012-13 guide to paying your property tax, please look out for one of our upcoming issues in May.

ProPerty tAx tiMe: your new PiD, How to get it

be careful of the water you drink

Citizen reportS


Metro stations in MG Road and Bayappanahalli may soon have restrooms and coffee shops. BMRC (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation) floated tenders for coffee shops on April 4th. Four shops – two each on MG Road (one on Anil Kumble Circle end, other on Brigade Road end) and Bayappanahalli (one of OMR side, another on NGEF side) – will come up.

Both restrooms and coffee shops will be open to general public in addition to Metro commuters. these structures will be outside, completely separated from the main Metro stations. Restrooms will be built for three categories – men, women and disabled. BMRC had initially said that the stations do not need restrooms as the time of journey is very short.

“the decision to build restrooms was taken after continued demand of citizens,” says Ravi Prakash, Manager PRO at BMRC.

Prakash says that the tenders both for restrooms and coffee shops will be awarded in 1-2 months. He says

that BMRC is expecting major brands like Cafe Coffee Day to bid for the license to start coffee shops. Coffee shop will be a kiosk that serves coffee/tea, beverages and ready-to-eat bakery and confectionery of reputed brands. Rest of the area will be reserved for seating. As per the bid document in BMRC website, only those who own/operate at least 25 coffee shops of a particular brand are eligible to apply. the bidder should have operated these shops for at least three financial years with average turnover of Rs 15

cr per year.

tenders for coffee shops are initially for two years, and can be extended another two terms of two years each (another four years total). Only for B a y a p p a n a h a l l i station’s OMR side coffee shop, contract will not be renewed after two years.

In addition to a fixed one-time fee, licensees have to pay a Minimum Monthly Guarantee (MMG) amount to BMRC. the bidder who quotes the highest MMG will be awarded

the license.

Feeder services gaining ground

When Metro started operating in October, feeder buses were not much in demand and that has changed now. BMtC’s Divisional traffic Officer (DtO) B G Sampangi Rame Gowda says that routes had to be rationalised in November, but not after.

NavYa P k

extRA newS

Metro stations to get coffee shopsFeeder buS routeS

through South bangalore

1) MF-3 that goes from Banashankari bus stand to Shivajinagar bus stand, via Jayanagar bus station, Ashoka pillar, Shank-thinagar, Nanjappa Circle, Shoolay Circle, Mayohall and MG Road station. There are 102 trips daily in both directions combined.

2) MF-4 that goes from Silk Board to Kalyana Nagar bus stand, via Koramangala Water Tank, Inner Ring Road, Domlur, Trin-ity Cuircle metro station, MG Road Metro station, Commercial Street, Frazer Town, Clarence School, Kacharakanahalli. There are 98 trips daily.

3) MF-5 that goes from Madiwala to Old Bayap-panahalli via Koramangala Water Tank, Inner Ring Road, Domlur, Indiranagar Metro station, SV Road Metro Station. There are 130 trips in this route.

For timings, check citizenmatters.inThe decision to start restrooms was taken after continued demand of citizens,” says Ravi prakash, Manager pRO at BMRC.


clASSIfIeDS & lIStIngS

hSr laYoutHSR CLUB17TH Cross

M K AHMED BAZAR17TH Cross

SWAGAT DEPT. STORE9th Main

RUSH PHARMA9th Main 7th Sector

ANDHRA SPICE14th Main, 17th Cross

SHIVA SAGAR DARSHINI

19th Main

SRI SHAKTI RESTAURANTBDA complex 14th Main

EASY BUY SUPER MARKETBelow Nagarjuna green ride Apt. AM ENTERPRISESOpp Nagarjuna green ride Apt.

GANESH MEDICALS24th Main

TANDOOR POINT24th Main

SUPRIYA DEPT STORE16th Main, 22nd Cross

KoraMangala

LITTLE ITALYNear Forum

NAMDHARIS80 Feet Road

UDUPI UPAHAR7th Main, 1st Block

FOOD CHARIOTAshwini Layout

A M MEDICALS1st Block Koramangala

SOMYA STATIONERY’S1st Block Koramangala

THE FRENCH LOAF80ft road, 4th Block, Koramangala

MADURAI IDLY SHOPKoramangala 6th Block

NEW SHANTI SAGAR7th Block Koramangala

KRISHNA UPAHAR80ft road Koramangala

PICKUP POINTS FOR CITIZEN MATTERS

eDucatioNINTENSIVE COACHINGForeign programs: ACCA/ CIMA/ CMA, Indian Programs: BE (merit coaching)/ Bank exam CA, CS, ICFAI< ICWA & MBA (all disciplines) supported by 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 , 9742167094, 9902888485, 9448117457

Magical Music goes silverMozart, Schubert and a Rajasthani folk song come together at the Bangalore School of Music’s 25th anniversary.Normally, if you were to walk past the East West Center - the headquarters of the Bangalore School of Music(BSM) - in Rt Nagar, you would hear students rattling away at their pianos, violins and flutes. this year, and in particular, this month though, was special.this year is the BSM’s celebration of ‘Odyssey 2012’ - their musical journey that began 25 years ago. On April 10th, ninety-five musicians performed at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, conducted by maestro Vijay Upadhyaya. the event was presented by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, New Delhi- in collaboration with BSM.this is just one of the many events celebrating Bangalore very own music school’s silver anniversary. Events and Performances such as the Jazz Fusion Fest, featuring acts such as the Rex Rosario Quintet and Peter Dickson and an International Youth Choir Festival were others. the rest of the year promises to be as exciting.BSM has come a long way since 1987, when founder Aruna Sunderlal first held classes in her Netaji Road home near Basavanagudi. When Rebecca thomas, now a piano teacher at the BSM, joined

in 1991, there were just 60 or 70 students. today, a well-trained faculty of 30 trains around 350 students. “I love the informal family type of setup”, says Rebecca.Behind all this, are extremely giving hands. Many students from economically weaker sections receive training for free. Over 25 years, these have numbered to more than 3500!the biggest assets of the school? “Our faculty members and our students”, says Aruna now Managing trustee of the BSM. “Our faculty is the backbone of the school and our students are our gems.” Its motto is simple: Music Unites. the school conducts 25-30 public concerts every year, with both Indian and international performers.

SALONIe is a Communicative english student and Mount Carmel College.

Cover creditsAnisha Nair

Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine

editorS

Subramaniam VincentMeera KPadmalatha Ravi

JournaliSM teaM

Navya P KAnisha NairAbhishek [email protected]

MKtg/CirCulation

Raghavendra 9845506477Satvik [email protected]@oorvani.in

adVt SaleS

Ramachandran P9901685368Srikant [email protected]

deSign/produCtionShivakeshava M

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.

Citizen Matters

errataVOL-4 ISSUE-05. In the last issue, cover headline had a typo. It should have read “Whose side is BBMP on?”, instead of “Who’s side is BBMP on?”. We apologise.

cLaSSiFieDS

Rehearsal in Progress at the BSM. Pic courtesy: BSM


the waves of nostalgia that wash over me when I think about “My Bangalore” can sometimes be overwhelming. there is no other city on the planet that I am as attached to in a deep psychic sense. After all, I spent some of my most formative years here.

those parts of Bangalore I knew well, I knew because I had a bicycle and I cycled all over the city. I think I probably knew about half the city intimately and the other half not at all. Before the bicycle, there were the 131 and 7 doubledeckers, and the occasional 131D and 7A singledeckers. I distinctly remember standing in the hot sun, in front of what is now the KFC in Indiranagar, and waiting for the buses to labour their way up 100 Ft Road and then make that left onto CMH Road and then down to the Ulsoor and eventually to Devatha Plaza and the long-gone “Cash Pharmacy.”

I must have made that trip in both directions hundreds of times in the years I lived in Bangalore regularly between 1983 and 1987. Sometimes I made the trip equipped with my “Exeat card” and dressed in my Bishop Cotton whites and green blazer, sometimes in casual clothes, and sometimes in khaki uniform. Most of the time I hung out on the door of the bus - being about as “native” as I could possibly be. I think about that kind of recklessness now and marvel that I survived my teenage years.

When the original Casa Piccola

opened, I was in the 9th standard and it was my first year back at Cottons since the earlier stint during 1977-78. It was such an immediate hit. We should have known then that there was this huge pent-up desire in the Indian consumer classes for the casual sit-down dining concept.

It wasn’t really American style fast food like the KFCs and McDonalds that I had been exposed to during stays in Southeast Asia, and it sure wasn’t the local neighborhood dosa and vada place. It was Casa! And that one word captured an entire mindset and way of life for the rest of my time at Cottons and Bangalore. It was a sign that Bangalore was modern, it was cool, and we lived in it and, ironically enough, experienced it from within the walls of one of the oldest and most traditional institutions in the city

at the time.

“My Bangalore” is probably gone for good. the last real connections I have to it are Cottons, of course, probably re-constructed to ever more unrecognizable modernity, and my grandparents’ house in Indiranagar. I knew every inch of both places and they knew me. Soon the house will be gone, too.

And then there will just be the original buildings of Cottons and its old St. Peter’s chapel. Of course, I shouldn’t forget to mention the Girls’ school, where I spent a bit of time, or St. Mark’s Cathedral, which was for a time a vitally important place for me. For it was only at St. Mark’s that you could actually look across the aisle and see “the girls” from the Girls’ school.

When I left “My Bangalore” for good near the end of August of 1987, I was very eager for the next chapter of my life. I grabbed onto it with both hands and never looked back. But “My Bangalore” insistently comes back to me in quiet moments all the time.

the indelible impressions of the night watchman banging his stick on the street late at night, the imam’s calls to prayer early in the morning, the sunlight dappling through the flame of the forest trees lining the main drive of Cottons, the race from study hall to be first in line at the dining hall, the walks through Cubbon Park, and Lal Bagh, the long bicycle rides all over the city - trying as always to figure out whether going around Ulsoor Lake was shorter than going through Ulsoor itself and up CMH... to

get back home.

RAVee KURIAN’s boarding school experiences from Bishop Cottons in the 1980s still provide him valuable life lessons in his career as a management consultant based in the Washington DC area.

KORAMAngAlA HSR lAYOUt

A casa state of mindCasa! And that one word captured an entire mindset and way of life - it was a sign that Bangalore was modern, it was cool, and we lived in it. There was not a moment we didn’t try to save up pocket money and go there.

There was not a moment we didn’t try to save up pocket money and go there. My favorite thing to eat there was the UFO. Of course, now I know that the UFO was just pulled pieces of roasted chicken stirred together with a mixture of ketchup and mayo... but back then, it was just the most amazing thing EVER! And so very unlike anything any of us had eaten to that point.


WorKShopFilm Appreciation Workshop Designed to promote understanding and insight into the nature of cinema. the course will include discussion on independent film production, the digital age and New Media. the workshop will include basic history of film, forms of moving image media and future challenges.A Weekend Workshop: Rs. 2500 per participant18-May to 20 May, Suchitra Film Society, No.36, 9th main, B V Karanth Road, Banashankari II Stage. Ph: 984 505 5034, 26711785

AddressHealth: Inspire 2012A unique, free summer jamboree for children with wheezing/asthma and on inhalers. It will feature fun-tastic and innovative games which will entertain children and educate them about asthma care. For registration call +91 81056988881-2 May, AddressHealth clinic, Hulimavu, Bannerghatta RoadtalKTalk: Mysore Palace: The Making of a MonumentBy RG Singh of Ramsons Kala Pratishatana, Mysore. Presented by INtACH Bangalore in collaboration with NGMA, celebrating World Heritage Day. Listen to the story behind the making of this 100-year-old monument, with lots of rare, archival photos and interesting facts.

5.30 pm, Sun, 22 April, NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru), 49, Palace Road

Meet the ArtistFeaturing: Ravi Kumar Kashi and B Devaraj, Moderated by: Suresh Jayaram.

Fri, 27 April at 6 pm, Bangalore International Centre, TERI Complex, 4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlur II Stage, Ph: 98865 99675

MuSiC & danCeWorld Dance DayAlliance Française de Bangalore and its cultural partner, Ashish Khokar, present over 100 dancers on the occasion of World Dance Day, honouring the memory of pioneering French ballet artiste Jean Georges NOVERRE. this full-day event will showcase modern, classical, folk and film dances.Sunday 29 April, 10am-10 pm, 21, Palace road, Vasanthnagar, Ph: 080-41231340

The Exercise BookMusic programme by Sikkil Gurucharan and Anil Srinivasan Friday, 4 May, 7 pm, auditorium of Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Vasanthanagar. Ph: 98865 99675

Flute Recital - Unplugged by N Rajkamal, Accompanied by Ganakalashree Vid. C.Cheluvaraju 10 am Sunday 22 April, Ananya Sabhangana, Malleswaram. Ph: 9980991110

KRISHNARPANAM by Shambhavi Dance Ensemble Shama Vana, Basaveshwara Nagar, 24 Apr 6:30 pmWalKDaily Dump’s trash trail 7 am to 3 pm, #2992, 12th A Main, HAL 2nd Stage, Ph: 9916426661, www.dailydump.orgtheatretrivial Disasters Harami theatre’s collection of comic sketches. Written and directed by Ajay Krishnan, trivial Disasters features serial killers, nervous lovers, inept kidnappers and hot-headed poets.22 April, 1pm (Sunday) at Habanero, Whitefield & 29 April, 8.30 pm (Sunday) at Bacchus, St Marks Road. Ph:

9535779953

Plays in Rangashankara (JP Nagar) 21 Sat Boy with a Suitcase (E)22 Sun Yen Hucchuri...Yaak Hingadtiri… (K) (also at 3.30 pm on Sun)24 tue 25 Wed Nam thimthana (K)

26 thu Santheyolagondu Maneya Maadi (K)27 Fri, 28 Sat Spunk (E) (also at 3.30 pm on Sat)(strictly for 18 year olds and above)29 Sun Rafta Rafta (E) (also at 3.30 pm)(strictly for 18 year olds and above)1 to 3 May (tue to thu) the Interview (E)

Plays at K H KalaSoudha, Hanumanth NagarSat, 21 Apr - Hosabelaku (K) Ph: 7259998222/333.23-27 Apr - Narnia (K) Ph: 9341213345.

FilM“Copying Beethoven” - CinemaSophy Club - Screening & DiscussionSat 21 Apr, 6 pm. Free Admission. New Acropolis Bangalore, #203 HM Studios, 67 St. Mark’s road, behind Nandhini hotel Also at Acropolis: Guided Music Listening at 7am, Thu 26 Apr ChildrenAptitude testManasa Consultants will hold an aptitude testing session for 10th,I & II PU, 11th& 12th std students, to scientifically assess and guide them to the right courses. Registration compulsory. For further details, call: Annapurna Murthy-984505834922 - 29 Apr, # 399, 11th cross, 17th main ,II phase J.P.Nagar


When we hear the word “parasites”, we generally think of leeches. But there are other creatures and plants around us, that are parasites - living beings which live on other creatures. One of them, not often known, is the Braconid wasp. this wasp ensures a fresh supply of protein for its young, by laying its eggs on a caterpillar. When the eggs hatch on the caterpillar, they feed on the caterpillar, sucking its blood and then, as all insects do, the larvae turn into pupae, still stuck on the caterpillar’s hair. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae endsup eating the caterpillar.

Another creature that we often see in our city, hearing its melliflous call, is the Asian Koel. the male is a black-coloured bird with bright red eyes, and the female is dappled black-and-white.

the Koel lays its egg in other birds’ nests, and the birds ignorant of this, bring up the baby Koel along with their own nestlings. Often, the Koel pushes out the other nestlings to get more food for itself.

In the plant world, too, there are several parasites, best known of

which, are the various orchids we grow in our gardens. But there is also the Strangler Fig.

this fig tree starts life on another tree, when it germinates from the seed that the birds drop. It then

puts down roots that slowly form a network around the host tree, and reach the ground. Over a period of time, the Strangler Fig literally strangles the host tree to death. In the photograph, you can see the Fig forming its deadly network of roots around the trunk of the host tree.

No one likes parasites, who live on others, but it’s a fact of life in Nature.

feAtUReS

summer fun at bal bhavanEven before summer camps became the fad that it is now, Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park has had summer camps. the camps have been going on for over 25 years now.

Divya Narayanappa, secretary of Bal Bhavan says, “We have modified the summer camps this year and introduced Sanskrit as a compulsory class to revive the traditional culture.”

Around 142 children have already registered for the camps. With the registrations still on, they are expecting almost about 200 children to be enrolled in the Bal Bhavan summer camps this year.

April 12 to May 20, 10 am – 4.30 pm

Batch: 5 to 10 years

Activities: Yoga, meditation, Sanskrit (compulsory), painting, clay modelling, dance, theatre, singing. Price: Rs. 750


Activities: Yoga, meditation, Sanskrit (compulsory), painting, clay modelling, dance, theatre, singing, mehendi, embroidery, metal embossing. Price: Rs. 1200


Activities: Yoga, meditation, Sanskrit (compulsory), painting, clay modelling, dance, theatre, singing, mehendi, embroidery, metal embossing, vegetable and

fruits carving, aeromodelling, ship modelling. Price: Rs. 1500

Bal Bhavan has tied up with Reliance Big Aims Aquarius Animation Pvt. Ltd. for animation training. This training is free for all the batches.

The classes are held by trained staff and school teachers who take these classes during vacations.

sings beautifully, a parasite all the same

Stra

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Asi

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Pic:

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lASt wORD

Srirangapatna is a walk down the history lane. the stone fortress, Summer Palace, tipu Museum, Hoysala temples and Gumbaz are the remainders of a bygone era when Srirangapatna was a power centre.

A surprising fact about Srirangapatna is that the city is an island, bounded by river Cauvery from all sides. this egg-shaped island is named after Sri Ranganatha, the presiding deity of the Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple which is the chief attraction in the city. the city was ruled by Ganga dynasty during the 9th century. It then came under Vijayanagara empire. During the start of 16th century it was captured by the Mysore king, Raja Wodeyar I, who made Srirangapatna his capital. It was then taken over by Hyder Ali, the general of Mysore king. He and his son tipu Sultan converted the city into fortified city and made it a significant centre for many decades.

Daria Dowlatthis is a summer palace

built by tipu sultan in 1784 AD to commemorate his victory in the second Mysore war against the English. Daria Dowlat means “wealth from the sea” and it was so named because tipu started extending his territory beyond the seas after his victory over the English.

Tipu’s Museumthis museum dedicated to tipu is located on the first floor of Daria Dowlat palace. the museum has tipu’s personal belongings, gold and copper coins of Hyder and tipu, weapons like swords, cannons of different sizes etc. there are also rare charcoal s k e t c h e s and historical

paintings like ‘the fall of Srirangapatna’, paintings of tipu and his sons etc.

Tipu’s Deaththis is the spot where tipu Sultan’s body was found. He fought against

50,000 men from British forces and the troops of Nizam of Hyderabad. the place where his body was discovered has a plaque erected, and the area has been fenced by the

Archaeological Survey of India.

Getting therethe Mysore Express stops at Srirangapatna. Bus services run regularly between Bangalore and Mysore. If you are driving, take the SH17 (Bangalore-Mysore Road), and Srirangapatna comes after

Maddur and Mandya. the journey takes about three hours from Bangalore.

Where to eat?Srirangapatna does not boast of any good eateries.

So have breakfast and pack lunch from hotels on the highway. Some good hotels are Kamat

LokRuchi, Adigas, and MtR.

uSha hariPraSaD

going to srirangapatna? A quick guide for you

Colonel Baillie’s dungeon

Gumbaz

Sangam

Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple. All the pics: Usha Hariprasad

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citizenmatters 21apr2012 koramangala edition

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