Citizen Matters 2 Jul 2011

LocaL news Like no one eLse does

CitizenMatters

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

MLA comes calling 5How much should the bus fare hike really be? 6

BMTC’s new routes 12Food heritage 17Short term courses, long leaps 18

bengaluru south ¹neóÉ£ï ªÉÄålgïì Vol-3 Issue-11 2 - 15 Jul 2011FREE

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MALLS: It’s BBMP vs Traffic Police

A Citizen Matters inquiry exposes a huge hole in BBMP’s mall approval rules.

Page 11

Citizen Matters Vol-3 Issue-11, 2 - 15 Jul 2011 KARENG/2009/28904. Published, Printed and owned by Meera K. 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 2 - 15 Jul 2011 Vol-3 Issue-11

Even the outsides of malls are paved nicely compared to our every dusty streets. So much so that youngsters just love to ‘hang around’ and have fun.

Everyone in our malls is usually polite. Ever seen a desi street fight break out in a mall? In the mall, we become a ‘mall public’, i.e. more civil, even as on the streets our more agressive dog-eat-dog side comes out.

But most of all, malls have well maintained sanitation. Ask the women, they’ll tell you. For years they have accustomed themselves to moving around in public without having to expect a clean toilet.

So yes, why would we not love malls? They are the ventilation for our aspirations to the good life. Little wonder then that malls have mushroomed all over urban India and Bengaluru in particular.

But Citizen Matters found out that the BBMP loves malls too. Over the past few years, your municipal adminis-tration has sanctioned scores of malls. Except BBMP’s love for malls is blind, and blind especially to traffic. The city’s outdated building bye-laws of 2003 and Revised Master Plan 2015 do not require traffic management plans to be enforced as part of mall approval.

More importantly, neither city adminstrators nor our one-year-old elected council have done anything to update the rules.

As a result, malls can pretty much come up anywhere. BBMP makes no real fuss about how and where their entries and exits or access roads and ramps need to be located. After all, Bangalore traffic cops have to deal with mess.

Don’t miss Citizen Matters reporter Navya P K’s expose this issue on how Traffic Police Commissioner has called the BBMP’s bluff on its mall sanctions.

There is still a lesson in this. Malls are definitely pre-ferred destinations for all the reasons stated earlier. But where they come up and how traffic flows around, into and out of them matters as much as the malls and conveniences within!

Everybody loves a good mall

CiRCulationraghavendra

[email protected] 06477

Yes, we all do. After all, malls are nice places to be in. They are structured spaces, they have clean toilets, swanky floors and always running escalators. People dress nicely to ‘go to the mall’.

EDITORIAL

Road widening, flyovers, Metro: What more on Bannerghatta Road?”Its a good move by BBMP, lets not fight against it just for the sake of it, please.

Sam

This road from JD Mara to Meenakshi temple was widened in 2003-2004 to ease traffic congestion and now we are back to square one and there goes BBMP again - widen it more ?

Jayadeep Purushothaman

Have they considered other options like proper traffic management before deciding on road widening? It is easy to say that, but there are always, to use management jargon, “low hanging fruits” which can be gotten at first to see how things go. Considering that the amount of work and inconvenience caused will

be humongous with all the flyover, grade separator constructions which will drag on for the next 5-10 years, the metro construction might start around the same time. Once the metro is also there, will this wider road and signal-free corridor be necessary? Am not saying it won’t, but have they made those studies? Or is this just one more “let’s find a road that needs infrastructure work and make money out of it” scheme?

Vaidya R

FEEDback [email protected]

Cover credits: All pics by Pranav B.

CITIzEN MATTERSEDITORSSubramaniam VincentMeera K

JOURNALISM TEAMPadmalatha RaviNavya P KYogaraj Mudalgi

KANNADA TRANSLATIONVasudha MurthyCIRCULATIONRaghavendra 98455 06477ADVT SALESRamachandran P 9844 22 8666 * 9901 685368©Oorvani Media Pvt Ltd. No part of this publication can be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.

[email protected] Ph: 41737584www.citizenmatters.infeedback@citizenmatters.infacebook.com/citizenmatters twitter.com/citizenmattersLonger versions of all articles are available online.

Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine

Vol-3 Issue-11 2 - 15 Jul 2011 CITIZEN MATTERS 5

KnocK, KnocK, I’M YoUR MLAIn & AROUnD

On 23rd June, early in the morning, Ward 179 (Shakambari Nagar) MLA B N Vijay Kumar, BBMP councillor for the ward, B Somashekhar with a group of some 15 people including engineers from BBMP, BWSSB and other civic agencies visited residents door to door. The ‘padayatre’, as it was termed was in its fourth day. They had earlier visited Jayanagar 5th block, 8th block and Shakambari Nagar 7th main previously.

“Ella channagidiya antha vicharskond hogakk bandidivi” (We have come to ask if everything is alright here), was the phrase heard repeatedly. The group moved briskly so as to be able to cover more than a hundred houses in a little more than an hour.

An army of pourakarmikas were on standby to ensure

that any cleaning work happened on the spot. Garbage was cleared, roads swept and when residents complained of stray dog menace, dog catchers from local animal welfare association in charge of sterilisation were called in immediately. Stray cows too were rounded up and taken away by the Animal Husbandry department. Another resident complained that there was no sign announcing a dead end in her street and vehicles unaware of it would cause traffic congestion there, a barricade with a sign seemed to be magically conjured and placed.

Speaking to Citizen Matters later, Vijay Kumar said that

this was the second such pada yatre in three years. “When we announce the walks, civic authorities clear small problems in the area before we visit. Through such initiatives, we come to know about the ground issues which, otherwise, might not come to our attention.”

The majority of complaints received, he says, are related to sanitary lines being blocked. “To address the issue, we are planning to get workers in one block and get about 100 - 150 manholes cleaned in one day.” He adds that among other problems brought to their notice were garbage, water pressure and dog menace.

Pouplar theatre person, Sreenivas Kappanna, a resident of the area was impressed by the visit from Vijay Kumar and Somashekhar. “This is expected from an elected

representative in a democracy but it rarely happens. It is nice to see them reaching out to people,” he said.

Though residents were happy that their elected representatives were reaching out to them, a lot of them remained s k e p t i c a l . “We have had problems with flooding for more than ten years and it has remained u n r e s o l v e d . Though this is the first time an MLA has visited

d o o r - t o - d o o r and enquired about our problems, we will know its effectiveness only if the issues are resolved,” said Kumar, 73, retired Vice-chairman of Atomic Energy Regulatory

Board who has been living in the layout for 12 years. His sentiments were shared by most residents who had poured out their grievances.

The programme will go on for another two months with the next leg beginning in the first week of July. ⊕

Yogaraj Mudalgi

A resident talks about his greivances with the MLA (middle), councillor B Somashekhar (left) is also present. Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi.

The padyatre will likely cover more of JP Nagar from the first week of July, says MLA Vijay Kumar.


JAyAnAgAR Jp nAgAR & BTM

A BTM resident, Kumar Lakshmikanthan, 72, a retired Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) employee, wrote to Citizen Matters about the pathetic state of footpath on 7th cross and 7th main BTM II Stage. “The footpaths have been paved with expensive cobble stone but most of it is occupied by street hawkers and shops. Pedestrians are forced to use the road,” he says. Raw materials for building construction too are dumped on the footpath. This reporter verified the same when he

visited the locality.

When Citizen Matters contacted ward councilor G N R Babu, he feigned helplessness on the issue. “I have complained several times to the Health department about this. The hawkers keep coming back even after having been evicted many times.” He says that he will look in to the issue again and resolve it. ⊕

Yogaraj Mudalgi

A new bus stop was inaugurated near the Sarakki Market on 22nd June. Residents of 1st Phase, JP Nagar (Shakambari Nagar ward) can soon hope to be better connected to the rest of Bangalore.

Speaking to Citizen Matters, B Somashekhar, councillor of ward 179 said that three new bus routes will be introduced to provide for better connectivity. "There will be three buses to Majestic, two to Shivajinagar and one to KR Market." The area now has two buses (route 2A) plying to Kempegowda Bus Terminal.

Also present at the inauguration was MLA B N Vijay Kumar.

C N S R Prasad, 41, a resident nearby and an employee in a telecom company feels that the bus stop is a big help to residents. "Early we had to go to 6th Phase or Banashankari to catch a bus which was very inconvenient." N Jagadish, 30, an employee of MTR

too echoes the same sentiment. "We earlier had to catch an auto to go to Banashankari and since it was less than minimum distance, not many auto drivers would agree to come but with more buses here, commuting will be easier," says Jagadish.

Ward office inaugurated

A new ward office was inaugurated in ITI extension playground, JP Nagar 1st Phase, behind Mirambika School on 23rd June. Present at the inauguration were Transport Minister R Ashoka, Mayor Sharadamma, former Mayor S K Natraj, MLA B N Vijay Kumar.

Somashekhar said that `10 lakh was spent on constructing the office.

Gudli puja was also performed for building separate office for Works Department ⊕

Yogaraj Mudalgi

nEw BUS STAnd AT SARAKKI

Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi.

State Bank Day

On the occasion of State Bank Day, SBI JP Nagar Branch organised a Free eye and heart checkup camp at the bank’s premises at 1104, 24th Main. This was in association with Shekar Nethralaya and Mallya Hospital. Basic eye screening and testing, ECG test and consultation were provided by the team to visitors.

PAvEMEnTS UnUSABLE AT BTM

Pics: Yogaraj Mudalgi.


While BMTC has started some good initiatives like introducing new routes and Bus Day, there was a huge blow to the corporation - rise in diesel rates by `3 per litre. Immediately BMTC announced a bus fare increase - was this hike seriously necessary?

The diesel fares rose by `3. An average BMTC bus gives about 4 km/litre and some new ones go up to 5 km/litre. That means an average increase of about 75 paise per kilometre. The number of passengers travelling in a bus averages 40-45, meaning there is absolutely just less than 2 paisa increase per passenger. But BMTC has increased the fare by `1 per kilometre on average which means it has just increased BMTC’s profit per passenger.

Volvo buses were supposed to be incurring losses in the beginning; now they are breaking even. Tech parks like Manyata and associations like ORRCA have started hiring them too which means there is assured revenue there too.

Now where does BMTC use the revenue-apart from regular administrative expenses?

1. Replacement/procurement of buses - this wasn’t done last year according to news reports; In earlier years, JNNURM funds were used for buying new vehicles.

2. Construction of bus stands/TTMCs - mainly again through JNNURM funds.

3. School concessional passes are subsidised by

Government - BMTC’s website says this is not taken into consideration in financial statement.

BMTC has failed to look at the following aspects.

* Day passes and other passes- It was a good initiative by BMTC, but there is a catch here. Even if you need to change just two buses, you are forced to use a day pass because the ticket fares are so high. These also encourages illegal re-use of day pass tickets. This is cutting down BMTC’s revenue.

* The ticket rates for first few stages have jumped by ̀ 2. If a person has to shell out `8 for travelling 3 kms, a two-wheeler becomes a cheaper option. People may even prefer to walk the distance, and

others may team up to take an auto. These are going to be revenue losses for BMTC.

* The scheduling of depot trips is not proper. Buses often run empty to the depot from the nearest bus stop, meaning diesel is consumed but there is no revenue. This is generally noticeable in afternoons. Additionally there are only four depots that handle Volvos, so these buses often have to travel long distances from the last stop to the depot.

When a vast public service organisation like the railways has not raised the fares, why is BMTC doing so? With already high fares, where is all the revenue going? ⊕

LOcAL MATTERs

calling BMTc fare hike bluff

Siddharth S, student of commerce and resident of jP Nagar, using buses for more than a decade.

BTM skating club anniversary

Citizen Matters congratulates BTM Layout Skating Club on completing a year last month! S M Sharath Parasad, Head Coach said that the club now trains 220 children to skate. "Anniversary celebrations were to be held in June but since the local councillor G N R Babu was not in town, it was postponed. It will be held sometime within the next two months," he said.

NewSdeSkFile Pic: Mayur Chennagere.


Pics: Uma Swamy

oPTIonS foR vEgETARIAnSchEck OUTs

Café Acharya’sStarted in 2002 by Udaya Acharya, Café Acharya’s serves traditional South Indian snacks and meals. The place is popular for its masala dosas, kesari bhaath, idli vada and other savories. The place is frequented by people wanting a take away as well as those catching a quick bite before rushing to work.

Backed by 25 years in the hotel industry, Udaya, a native of Hubli, says that they use fresh vegetables and good quality ingredients, while keeping the rates of dishes within the reach of his middle class customers, ensuring value for money. Open all days a week from 7 am to 10 pm.

1396, SBI Colony, Kanakpura near Sarakki Vegetable Market.

Mandi - a fine dining Started in 2010 by Sweta and Vishal Gupta, Mandi was started to provide a fine dining experience for vegetarians in Indian, Chinese and Italian cuisine.

A special attraction is the buffet serving more 40 items for Rs. 199/- per person (including taxes) and the 50 plus items buffet at Rs. 299/- The restaurant, that can seat about 140 persons, has a private dining area for small get-togethers. While it’s usually business visitors who come in at lunch time, families frequent the place in the evenings and weekends. The space has large seating capacity.

Prior booking is necessary. Special items include the Mandi Hungama Platter, Sesame Finger Fry and Lasagne.

949, 2nd Floor, 24th Main, J P Nagar 2nd Phase. Ph 080-26581432 and 98804 93432.

uMa SwaMY is a jP Nagar resident and columnist. each fortnight, she will take you through our interesting neighbourhoods.if you have something exciting, intriguing, or just cool to report from your area, write to her at [email protected].

Pics: Uma Swamy


UMA’s pIcks

Ever wondered about the moda makers (traditional cane stools with woven jute rope seats) that you may have seen every now and then on empty plots or under the shade of a large tree? Most of them have come from Rajasthan bringing the material for making moodas with them. They return to their village after they sell off the modas and chairs made by them. The modas and the high backed chairs are made out of the hay (phus), sticks (moojh) and rope of the Seta tree. A small moda, sold for about Rs. 100/- can take upto three hours to make. Sales can vary from a no ‘bonee’ day (no sales day) to a bumper sale. Most moda makers claim to belong to families making moda and chairs since generations. They are traditional craftsmen whose modas used to grace the verandah and courtyards, especially in villages. ⊕

If you want to know the rates of the day’s vegetables and fruits at HOPCOMS outlets, just send a sms to 9243355223, and in all probability, the next message beep on your cell phone will bring you the required information. Or check out HOPCOMS website (www.hopcoms.kar.nic.in) where the rates are given in both Kannada and English under ‘Reports‘.

Yes, this is HOPCOMS’ latest technology-based value-add to its customers. The

daily fluctuating prices of vegetables and fruits leave consumers bemused. Knowing the rates of vegetables and fruits helps plan purchases.

At the Jayanagar 4th block HOPCOMS outlet, I saw the daily rate list tallied with the price list that I got through sms on my mobile.

There are nearly 250 HOPCOMS (The Horticultural Producer’s Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society Limited) fruit and vegetable outlets across the city. These were set up to protect the interests of both the farming community and the consumers by eliminating the presence of middlemen. ⊕

Know the latest veggie prices

Sitting pretty

Pics: Uma Swamy

Pics: Uma Swamy


As is widely experienced by Bangaloreans, malls, high rises and tech parks are now congestion hotspots around the city. A recent update at the Bangalore Traffic Police (BTP)’s Facebook page talks about traffic congestion at Nagavara junction in north Bangalore. Traffic at the junction is four times the capacity during peak hours; BTP attributes this to the nearly 10,000 vehicles that go to and from Manyata Tech Park for two hours every morning and evening.

Citizen Matters has found out that the city’s sanction process for malls and similar complexes is at the root of the rapidly worsening problem. Traffic management does not seem to be a concern in BBMP. Palike officials say that neither the building bye-laws nor the RMP (Revised Master Plan) demand that mall promoters get traffic related approval (an NOC) and hence it cannot be insisted on.

Traffic Police Chief at odds with BBMP

Praveen Sood, ACP (Traffic) says that BBMP bye-laws themselves are inadequate to handle the traffic situation.

He says that the biggest problem regarding malls is their entry and exit points - they should merge into the road, allowing vehicles to move smoothly.

“For many malls, entry/exit lanes are at right angles to the building. Also, for every entry point there should

be 2-3 exit points. The bye-laws are silent about all this. According to bye-law there should be one car parking for every 25 seats in a multiplex. Is this rule even relevant today?” asks Sood.

Many malls are also located at junctions. “Garuda mall, Bangalore Central are all located at junctions, for better business. They do not let in autos, causing autos to be parked outside, at the junctions. When Kempfort in Old Airport road became Total Mall, no additional parking was provided. Now the

New malls meaN eNtertaiNmeNt hubs iN the Neighbourhood. but it also adds huNdreds of cars to the streets.

BBMP’s love for malls:Traffic cops’ nightmares

ExcLUsIVE

The plan sancTion rouTeThe sanction goes through different levels in BBMp’s Town planning department - assitant/Junior engineer, assistant Director, Deputy Director, Joint Director, additional Director, engineer in chief, special commissioner (projects) and then commissioner. once the draft copy is approved, builder submits fair copies of the plan, which has to be approved again by additional Director. Multiplexes inside malls require Dc’s approval.

Pics: Pranav B.

Pics: Pranav B.

Continued on Page 13


cM spEcIAL

with iPad and facebook,Sood talks trafficBengaluru’s traffic is a pet peeve for everyone. Commissioner Praveen Sood uses Facebook to create a forum to discuss traffic rules and other related issues. Has it opened the flood gates?

Two months after Bangalore Traffic Police (BTP) started its page in Facebook, it has about 3,800 ‘likes’. In this interview with Navya P K, Praveen Sood, ACP, Bangalore Traffic, talks about the idea behind the initiative, how it has turned out

and further expectations.

What was the original idea behind starting the BTP page?

Our main intention is to educate and sensitise public about traffic rules and create a forum for discussion. We also get lot of feedback which we would not get otherwise - like, when a signal is not working.

This forum is not just a shoulder to cry on or complain. We want

public to say how we can make a difference. We want to make people part of the solution.

What information do you give on the page?

We post a question and answer every day. For eg., recently there was a question on why two receipts are issued for fines on towed vehicles. Many people think that police does not do anything, so we put statistics on action taken.

Do you participate in discussions directly?

I login with my own id, and discuss policy related matters only. I carry my iPad around and respond when

I’m on the go. Regarding violations, Traffic Management Centre (TMC) responds. The complaint will appear in the BTP website in 48 hours, but action may take 30 days.

Is there an official mechanism to post complaints?

Yes, our complaint system at BTP website is very vibrant. All complaints here are attended to the extent we can.

Do you think public should be discouraged from posting violations on the site?

No, it is an open forum and we don’t want to preach. If we censor them, the purpose will be lost. Once we put ourselves in public domain, we do not get disturbed. Even if people call us names, let others see the character of these people.

When people are posting pictures and details of violators directly, doesn’t that impact privacy?

No. We cannot talk about finding evidence on one hand, and then be concerned about privacy. Also the pictures capture only vehicles and not people themselves.

Do you have statistics of action taken on the complaints on Facebook?

We do not maintain separate statistics on that. We get roughly 13,000 complaints in a day including from field, Facebook, SMS, online complaint system etc. Of these about 10,000 violations will be dealt with and closed on the same day, rest are taken up later.

Are you happy with the response to Facebook so far?

Yes, the response is very good. The number of

followers is about to touch 4000. About 100 new people join every day. Overall it has been a very good experience. My dream is that about a lakh of people will be on our page and they can be brand ambassadors for us. They can follow rules and impact another five lakh people. It can lead to a mass movement. ⊕

NavYa P k

Pics: Navya P K


fOR yOUR InfO

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has introduced feeder services under the name of ‘Big Connect’.

The service is effective on 19 routes across Bengaluru from 26th June 2011. The service hopes to improve bus connectivity in outer areas of Bangalore. BMTC will assess

the performance of all the routes for a period of three months and then take a decision regarding continuation or otherwise. The buses will be operated on a frequency of 20 minutes starting from 7.30 am and ending at 7.30 pm. After the trial phase, BMTC will look to extend the timings to 10.30 pm.BC-1 : Dodda Nekkundi - Bellanduru (Bore-well, Yamaluru)BC-1A : Marathahalli - Electronic City ( via Bellanduru, Haraluru, AECS Layout, Chen-nakeshavanagarBC-2 : Kodathi - Varthur Kodi ( Mulluru, Kachamaranahalli, Gunjuru, Varthur)BC-3A : HSR CPWD Quarters - BTM Layout ( St.Johns hospital) ( BDA Complex, SI Apartments, Central Silk Board)BC-4 : Yelenahalli - Konanakunte Cross (Hulimavu, MNT Temple, BMT-34, Jam-busavari Dinne)BC-5 : Kaggalipura - Kengeri TTMC (Uttari, Banjara Palya, Agara, Gollarahalli, Hem-

migepura, Konasandra)BC-6 : Uttarahalli - Hullalu Sattelite Town (Channasandra, BEML 5th Phase, Raja-rajeshwariTemple, BUC Gate, BUC ADM Office, Vidyanikethan School. )BC-6A : Kengeri TTMC - Hullalu Sattelite Town (Jn.of Kommaghatta, Vishwesh-

waraiah Layout, Sonnenahalli, Amrithana-ndamayi matt.)BC-7 : Hullalu Sattelite Town - Peenya 2nd stage (Vishweshwaraiah Layout, Gida-dakonenahalli, Bharathnagar, Herohalli, Andrahalli, Thigalara Palya)BC-7A : Kodigehalli Junction - Madan-ayakana Halli (Via Janapriya Township, Baiyandahalli, Vaddarapalya)BC-7B : Byadarahalli - Dasarahalli 8th mile (Anjananagara, Herohalli, Andrahalli, Nelagadirenahalli)BC-8 : Jalahalli cross - Vidyaranyapura (Kammagondanahalli, ISRO, BEL circle, Nanjappa circle)BC-8A : Abbigere - Peenya 2nd stage ( Kammagondanahalli )BC-9 : Byatarayanapura - Nagawara Junc-tion ( Amruthhalli, Srirampura, Rachena-halli, Thanisandra)BC-11 : Byatarayanapura - Kothnur (Jakkur Layout, Jakkur, Sampigehalli, Chokkana-halli, Hedgenagar cross)BC-11A : Byatarayanapura - Kannur (Am-ruthhalli, Jakkur, Sampigehalli, Agrahara)BC-12 : K.R.Puram - Geddalahalli (T.C. Palya, Anandapura, Koshis Hospital)BC-12A : K.R.Puram Rly Stn - HAL main gate ( Narayanapura, Munireddy layout)BC-12B : Avalahalli - Kothnur (Erandahalli, Adur, Rampur)

Yogaraj Mudalgi

BMTc’S nEw fEEdER RoUTES

UID process startsAfter UID enrolment started in select Post Offices last Friday, there has been much confusion among public. Newspapers report that long queues, shortage of UID forms, lack of adequate information counters and slow registration process are troubling citizens. Public has to collect their forms, get appointments and then enrol. Each enrolment takes 20-30 minutes and UID will be mailed to individuals within 45 days of enrolment. Ashok Dalwai, Deputy Director General of the UIDAI, says that tenders for more enrolment centres will be finalised in a month – full scale enrolments will start after this, and will continue over a year.

For information on what documents you would need for UID and other details, check our previous issue, dated June 18th or go online to www.citizenmatters.in.


InfO

Chest pain can be caused due to reasons from a muscle pain to heart attack. If neglected it may have a fatal outcome. It is therefore necessary to understand how to deal with it.

Chest pain can result from severe cough, an injury, severe asthma , anxiety, stress, emotional situation, gall stones, Pneumonia , or even indigestion. Often heart attacks have been confused with acidity, and indigestion. One may only have severe upper abdominal pain, due to heart attack involving lower wall of heart.

When should you be worried about a heart attack

• If you have a history of heart disease, • Known diabetic/ family history of diabetes/ abnormal lipid profile. • Overweight • Sudden death among siblings • Smoker • if pain radiates to arms , jaw, or even back, • Excessive sweating, • Feeling of doom • Extreme weakness

However, it may not be easy to decide. But do not ignore.

Call for help, emergency number, toll free:108, available round the clock, 365 days a year.> Do not run or panic

> Lie down, except if there is breathing problem when you would feel better half reclined. > Arrange to go to the hospitalWhat should you do when you witness anyone having such pain, suddenly collapse and find no heart beat, no breathing or pulse?

Most likely the person has had a cardiac arrest and would require cardio pulmonary resuscitation(CPR), involving pressing the chest rhythmically and giving mouth to mouth respiration. The latest American Heart Association guidelines say that just compressions are good enough if you do not have someone to support mouth to mouth breathing. It is important because if resuscitation is not done immediately, brain cannot survive without oxygen for more than 3-5 minutes. You may be the difference between life and death.

Preventive actions include maintaining normal weight, giving up smoking, eating balanced diet, regular exercise and regular health checkups. Word of caution: One

needs to learn CPR. Individuals, Resident welfare associations, and organisations

can contact the author for information on training.

Preventing/handling medical emergencies:chEST PAIn

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]

building has many shops and all parking happens in its vicinity. In the case of Royal Meenakshi mall in Bannerghatta road, the road width was not considered while giving sanction,” says Sood.

Confusion about Traffic Management Plan approval

There seems to be no clear process for either requesting or approving a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) for a mall. (See box on what a TMP is). The BBMP, Town Planning department and traffic police have different versions of the process. None connect. “The plan has to go to the office of ACP

(Traffic) and get approved. But there is no formal mechanism for this” says a senior official in BBMP’s Town Planning department, on condition of anonymity.

Joint Director of Town Planning (South) T Nataraj, however, says that TMP is submitted to BBMP only. He was not sure of whether it was submitted to the Traffic Police.

Sood says that in the last three years since he took charge, he has not received any TMPs for sanction. “Even if we receive TMPs, we cannot do much about it. Traffic

police are not engineers to understand and approve building plans. BBMP should have a transport planner to do this,” he says. BBMP officials however say that the data on traffic situation should not be difficult for the traffic

police to understand, and that traffic police should shoulder the responsibility. ⊕

NavYa P k

An independent traffic management consultant prepares the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) for the builder. The plan is based on traffic census of the area. It would suggest entry and exit points, driveways etc depending on this. TMP will also suggest how government agencies can regulate traffic in the vicinity once the mall comes up.

Mall sanctions...Continued from Page 10

cLAssIfIEDs & LIsTIngs

Tel: 26594390 * Mob: 9845498379 * 1st Floor,16th Cross, 24th Main, 5th Phase, JP NagarTime: 10am-1pm & 5pm-9pm, Sundays: 10am to 1pm Email: [email protected] * www.nagudental.com

Nagu Nagutha Nalee Nalee ...

eduCatioN

INTENSIVE COACHINGACCA / 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. Ph: 080-26490907,9742167094, 9902888485, 9448117457

ServiCeSHERBAL PEST

CONTROL SERVICES FOR ANT, Cockroach, Bedbug, Termite, Rat etc. 100% Safe & Effective. No Smell/Stain. 2Bhk Rs. 400. Dtls. Contact: 9972711444/ 9738454704. BANGALORE TIMBER & PLYWOODSAll 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

healthSRINIVASA DENTAL

CARE CENTRE Dr. SRINIVAS # 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

AYuRVEDA TREATMENT

Visit Bharadwaja Ayurveda chikitsa Kendra No 17, 2nd main, 2nd cross, puttenahalli, JP Nagar 7th Phase for authentic Ayurveda & Classical panchakarma Treatment for Allergies, Arthritis, Skin problems, Backache, Migraines etc. Contact: 9740277255 E-mail: [email protected].

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1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK Call Suresh Babu 93428-28126. Call Venkatesh Babu 9342547603 NS Palya, BTM 2nd Stage, Bannerghata Road.

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Manjunatha Architectural Plan, Structure Design, Sanction Plan, Vaastu Plan, Estimate & Constuction Of Bldgs Shop #1, 5th Main, Mico Layout, BTM 2nd Stage, Near SBI. Call Mune Gowda 9 8 4 5 4 1 6 7 4 8 , 9 8 4 4 4 6 8 5 0 7 , 32976451

JAYANAGAR 9TH BLOCK COMML SPACE

FOR RENT Corner building opp. Ragigudda temple. Ground floor - shop, office space. 300+300+400+650 sqft. 1st floor office, retail space 1300 sqft high visibility. Mb: 9243102730, 080 42078838.

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AVAILABLE FOR RENT office space 150 sqft houses 1Bhk/2Bhk with all aminities. Contact: Gem Estate- 9845656004/ 7204581020.

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BTM/Jp nAgAR

FREE pickup of Citizen Matters at your neighbourhood store

JP nagar* Ranga Shankara II Phase * S N Refreshments 12th Main, II Phase * The K O Shop (Jewellery) 24th Main I Phase * Samathvam Health Care VI Phase * Idbi Bank 24th Main VI Phase * Ever Fine Super Market Kothanur Main Road * Just Kids 24th Main Road V Phase * SBI 2IV Main 1st Phase * Kovai Farm Fresh 15th Cross III Phase * Bengalooru Tiffeans Opp Brigade Millennium * Prasidhi Food Corner I Phase, Near Indira Gandhi Circle * Parkview Restaurant 1st Main III Phase * Nilgiris 9th Cross, II Phase * Shekar Nethralaya, 15th Cross, III Phase

BtM* Balaji’S Veg Darshini 7th Cross Btm II Stage * Udupi Garden 16th Main II Stage * Kovai Farm Fresh II Stage * Pragathi Book & Stationers Ring Road * Gelato Pazzo Ice Cream 7th Cross * Home Needs 7th Main * Garden Enterprises 16th Main * Adyar Anand Bhavan 16th Main

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MuSiC/DanCeChinna Kala NadamNADAM presents classical dance festival for children under 13. 16 dance schools present different styles like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Yakshagana, Gotipua and Kalaripayatu.5-7 Jul, aDa Ranga MandiraPh: 98802 01608, 98458 08152

Sai Nrityotsav 26Rekha Dinesh, disciple of Guru Bhanumathi (Bharatanatyam)Shyamjith Kiran, Singapore (Bharatanatyam)Rajashree Ranganath, USA (Bharatanatyam)Navia Natarajan, USA (Bharatanatyam)Anuradha Prabhashankar, USA, disciple of Guru Lalitha Srinivasan (Bharatanatyam)Ph: 9844089035. 5.30 pm 1 Jul, Seva Sadan auditorium, 14th Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore

Tamil Compositions in Carnatic MusicVidushi K. Vrinda Acharya, H.M. Smitha - on Violin, Suneel Subramanya - on MridangamFri, 8 Jul, 6.30 pm. Bangalore International Centre auditorium, Domlur. RSVP Ph: 9886599675

Tribute to RD & SD Burman- Evergreen Burmans9 Jul 6.30 pm, Chowdiah Memorial HalleXHiBition

Unbound: Sculpted Books Visual Stories.Art by S G Vasudev, Sheela Gowda, Ayisha Abraham, Umesh Kumar, Surekha, Jayshreee Poddar, Sarita Sundar, Jason Cherian, Ram Sinam, Radha Pandey, Geethanjali Sachdev, Yasmin Sethi, Nikitha Jain, Kamini Rao2-3 July, SCIoN, Indiranagar, Ph: 41572581

tHeatReKamalamani Comedy KalyanaBy Sanchari Theatre. Dir: Mangala.N, Playwright : Ramanath. S, Music: Gajjanana.T.Naik7.30 pm, 3 Jul, K.H.Kala Soudha, Hanumanth Nagar, Ph: 93436 55466

Rangashankara plays in July1 Fri Jokumaraswamy (K)2 Sat, 3 Sun The Blue Mug (E/H)

5 Tue Gangaavatarana (K)6 Wed, 7 Thu Heegadre Hege? (K)8 Fri Kuberanigenirabeku?! (K)Ranga Shankara, 36/2, 8th Cross, J P Nagar, II Phase, Ph:26493982 / 26592777

Love in the time of 377Come share your stories, rants, poems, letters, as we celebrate the second anniversary of the Naz Foundation Judgment. Organized by Good As You and SwabhavaSat 2 Jul, 4.30 pm, Cubbon Park BandstandFilM

TUTHURI: film screening & discussionScreening of Kannada Feature Film Art: Shashidhar Adapa. Screenplay & Dialogues : P Sheshadri and J M Prahlad; Music: Hamsalekha. Directed By: P Sheshadri. Cast: Seetha Kote, Dattanna, Suchindra PrasadFollowed by discussion with the cast and crew.Sat 2 Jul 6 pm, Sun 3 Jul 3.30 pmK V Subbanna aaptha Rangamandira, No. 151, 7th cross, teachers’ colony 1st stage, (Near Dayananda Sagar College, opp to Vasudha Bhavan, Kumarswamy Layout) Ph: 9242523523

sEE & DOAHA!

International Theatre for Children Festival ‘11

9 Sat Painting Day, 2 PM to 6 PM. Children above 5 welcome to wield the brush and crayon! Theme “My idea of Theatre”. Bring your brushes and crayons. We will provide paper and paint.

9 Sat Lavanasuravadham (Episode of Lava-Kusha) Kathakali, 90 mins (Manipravalam with English subtitles)10 Sun Heungbu, Nolbu English, 60 mins (for children above 8 years)11 Mon Children’s Film Show 12 Tue Troi English, 60 mins (for children above 4 years)13 Wed Children’s Film Show 14/15 Thur/Fri Mimmi and Brumm are Having a Party English, 45 mins (for children above 3 years)16/17 Sat/Sun Storytelling programme – The Little Cloud3:30 PM – Kapila Venu, India – Koodiyattam (10 years and above)5:30 PM – Vayu Naidu, UK (6 to 12 years)6:30 PM – Padmavati Rao, India (6 to 10 years)7:30 PM – Stefo Nantsou, Australia (5 years and above) Ranga Shankara, 36/2, 8th Cross, J P Nagar, II Phase, Ph:26493982 / 26592777

Music Geardealers in Musical Instruments and accessories

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JP Nagar


South Bangalore’s legendary food joints might surprise you with the wealth of anecdotes connecting local cuisine to culture. A recent INTACH Parichay (local heritage walk) was a delight. We started at Vidyarthi Bhavan on Gandhi Bazaar main road and moved on to the Circle Lunch Home and then to Mahalakshmi Tiffin Rooms. After that we continued down the road to Brahmins. We then went to VV Puram, past Sajjan Rao circle and Janata Tiffin Rooms to New Modern Hotel.

The link between cuisine and culture was really brought to focus by Katte Ramachandra, theatre person and hard core Basavanagudiphile. He said: In the past Vidyarthi Bhavan was considered very expensive but it was the haunt of all national level writers and journalists. However it was tiny, and smoking was not permitted so it was difficult for regulars to linger. Hence the Circle Lunch Home, opposite the Bhavan became the place to hang around. It had a room upstairs, not open to everyone, where all the poets, writers and Gnanapith awardees would congregate. He vividly recollects seeing a group of them sitting in the midst of all the smoke in this room, arguing some point, on the rare occasions he was permitted entry upstairs.

Similarly, MLTR or “bhattru” hotel was also popular. Not only did it have enough room to sit and gossip, it was also affordable and it had a smoking corner in the basement. New Modern Hotel on the other hand was considered a sophisticated joint by most people. Regulars at NMH used to haunt Old Modern Hotel across the road before it shut down. NMH was popular with artistes who would either stay here or at least mingle as it was close to Benaka (Bengaluru Nagara Kalavidaru), the seminal theatre troupe, based out of RV Road.

Ready? Go.

Vidyarthi Bhavan: 6.30 am to 11.30 am and 2 pm to 8 pm, closed on Fridays. Signature dish - Masala dosa. This restaurant now owned by Ramakrishna Adiga and

his son Arun, was started by the brothers, Venkataraman and Parameshwara Ullal, hailing from Dakshina Kannada. Arun told us that though formal records date its origin to 1943, it most likely began informally in the late 1930s.

MltR: 6.30 am to 8.30 pm, closed on Saturdays. Signature dishes - Khali dosa, rice bath, pulao

Mahalakshmi tiffin Rooms was set up in 1926 by Ramakrishna Karanth and is currently managed by his son Vasudev and grandson Girish.

Brahmins: 6 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 7 pm, closed on Sundays. Signature dish - idli, vada. Established in its current location off Ranga Rao road, Shankarpuram in 1965. It was started by Nagesh Adiga at the persistence of his wife Saraswati.

Janata tiffin Rooms: 6:30am to 12:00noon and 3:30pm to 7:30pm, closed on Mondays. Signature dishes - Rava Dosa and Khali Dosa. It was established in 1966.

new Modern Hotel: Closed on Thursdays. Signature dishes - Thate idli and bonda soup/sambar. Now both a restaurant and hotel, it started life as a restaurant in 1957 in a rented place nearby, before moving to its current location in 1965. It was earlier called Brahmins Lunch Home, then Hongemarada Hotel and finally New Modern Hotel. ⊕

If it’s Basanvanagudi“hotels” must be heritage

New Modern Hotel. Pic: Devi Viswanathan

A trip to the landmark food joints in South Bangalore reminds one of the rich culture it is connected to.

KRUPa RaJaNgaM is a conservation architect and INtaCH volunteer who led the food walk.


With increasing opportunities and demands, youngsters in the city are constantly updating themselves with knowledge in new domains. For some this is a way to move into a new field, for others it is to enhance their career.

32-year-old Smitha Abraham residing in Jeevan Bheema Nagar, is a copy editor at a publishing firm. Smitha enrolled in a diploma course in Spanish language at the Instituto Hispania in Richmond Road about two years ago. “I was interested in jobs in translation. The diploma has six levels, of which I have completed four,” she says. As the course became more hectic, Smitha has put the course on hold now, but plans to get an IELTS (International

English Language Testing System) certification. (jointly run by the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge ESOL examinations.)

Though IELTS is usually taken up by those who wish to pursue studies or work abroad, Smitha plans to get

the certificate for the value it gives. “Those with IELTS c e r t i f i c a t e s are given preference in my industry during recruitment,” she says.

Interest in improving core skills is common

among youngsters today, says Dattaram Miruke, Director at SSI BIz solutions, based in JP Nagar which provides training to career aspirants in the IT sector.

But core skill improvement is not the only pursuit. Many fresh graduates enroll in soft skill courses also to increase their chances of being recruited. “Among soft skill courses, project and people management, communication and technology are more popular,” says Miruke.

Hari Krishnan, Director at the education service company People Care Business Solutions, says, “Earlier students would finish college, train in soft skills and get a job. But the

industry has changed now and it demands a good understanding of the employer, client, team dynamics and professional behaviour.”

Krishnan says that the gap in middle level management is a reason for this shift in the industry. “Many employees do not have the skills to enter middle level even after a few years of experience, causing a crisis in the industry,” he says.⊕

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Citizen Matters 2 Jul 2011