Citizen Matters, 4 Jun 2011

LocaL news Like no one eLse does

CitizenMatters

bengaluru south ¹neóÉ£ï ªÉÄålgïì Vol-3 Issue-9 4-17 Jun 2011FREE

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elita Promenade’s worriedBCCI coach teaches poor kids

Getting ready for 10K runChecklist for doctor’s visit - II

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Citizen Matters Vol-3 Issue-9, 4-17 Jun 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 4-17 Jun 2011 Vol-3 Issue-9

It’s monsoon time and Bangalore has expectedly cooled off. Despite the clouds, it is a wonderfully pleasant Friday morning when this editorial goes to press.

However, for residents of Sachidanandanagar layout in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, the weather isn’t much

consolation. Clouds are looming over their long battle for khatas. The most recent spanner in the works has been the missive sent by former Mayor S K Nataraj (Sarakki ward’s corporator). Nataraj asked BBMP not to issue khatas to the fighting citizens, referring to an old

land conversion complaint against the layout.

In 2010, around 80 residents had already received their khatas by paying hefty bribes. Refusing to follow suit, a larger group of fellow residents banded together to form an andolan. They have tried everything. One lower court and the Karnataka High Court have ruled in their

favour. The Supreme Court dismissed the BBMP’s final appeal, but to no avail. Residents then got a Lok Ayukta order issued and followed that up with two rounds of Gandhigiri. BBMP Commissioner H Siddaiah finally relented in November 2010; around 120 khatas were issued, without bribes.

But into 2011 and with hundred of residents still waiting, pressure on BBMP to not issue khatas has risen again. Two days before his term as mayor ended, Nataraj dashed off a letter to the Additional Commissioner at Rajarajeshwari Nagar, ordering him not to issue khatas. Residents have been suspecting that the area’s MLA Srinivas and local BBMP officials want to topple the andolan’s no-bribe-for-khatas agenda. Srinivas has earlier said he has nothing to do with the matter. Nataraj claims the land disputed and declined to comment on the recent court verdicts.

Here’s the question for the Nataraj the politican, who with other BBMP officials including H Siddaiah are running the risk of contempt of court. If his grounds were really legal, why did he and top BBMP officials not stop the issue of 80-odd bribe-induced khatas in 2010?

Clouds over a long baTTle for khaTasEDITORIAL

Vol-3 Issue-9 4-17 Jun 2011 CITIZEN MATTERS 5

After Anna Hazare’s event on Saturday, 28th May night, I was returning home with a friend. It was around 11pm. From Kanakapura Road we took left at Gubbalala cross we encountered a damaged man hole and we both fell down from the scooter.

Luckily not much injury, but still it cost more over Rs.500 for hospital expenses, the scooter had scratches and our clothes were torn. I am 38 and I work at an Infotech firm in the city. My pillion rider Udayakumar Kollimath, 52, was lucky and escaped with an injury on his eye brow. Kollimath is an agriculture marketing professional.

Gubbalala Cross connects Kanakapura Road with Avalahalli. It goes through Hemmigepura,

Vasanthpura, and Anjanapura wards.

Few months back on the same road, my neighbour, 14-year-old Akash A died on the

spot when a speeding tanker hit the bike (he was on the pillion) when trying to avoid the open manhole. Even

after 10 months these manholes are not closed! Local residents say that the deaths on this road are quite common.

Now, who’s responsible for the loss of this bubbly life? Is it BWSSB or BBMP? Or our corporator? I have lot of questions after the accident but don’t know who will provide the answer.

The accident spot - the road from Kanakapura main road to Avalahalli. Inset: My friend who got injured in his forehead.

LOcAL mATTERs

deaTh spoT aT gubbalala Cross

The death spot. Inset: Akash the only child of my neighbor who died on this spot.

AnAnd R YAdAwAd is an IT professional and a member of Bangalore’s anti-corruption movement supporting Anna Hazare. He was one of the Bangaloreans who fasted at Freedom Park, Bangalore, in April 2011, during Hazare’s campaign in new delhi.


JAyANAgAR Jp NAgAR & BTm

To bring about more awareness about traffic rules and make Bangalore city more traffic friendly, Outer Ring Roads Association (ORRCA), an association of IT and ITES in the companies is planning to observe 9th of every month as ‘Traffic Day’ beginning this June.

ORRCA is urging citizens of Bangalore to enlist as volunteers and stand at major road junctions where they manage traffic, the ‘Munnabhai’ way, give roses to those violating traffic rules.

The volunteers are also requested to record details of the number of people violating traffic norms and if possible their details.

Please stress that we are not collecting penalties, but we are there to educate people to follow traffic rules and what are the benefits.Viswanath seetharam, General secretary of OrrCa. [email protected]

TraffiC day on June 9Th

Don’t parK yourself at the parK!One afternoon, Deepika Nagabhushan Arni was waiting for a friend at BTM Layout. So she and her husband thought of waiting in the park. Unfortunately BBMP had different ideas.

Says Deepika who was shocked at the list of don’ts, “Can’t walk or sit on the lawn, and it closes shut at 10 am!”.

Nagappa Atturkar, H o r t i c u l t u r e Superintendent, BBMP South Zone says all Palike maintained parks are closed for public after 9 am so maintenance work can be done. “Very few people come to parks at this time and hence, is the best time for the staff to do maintenance work such as watering, cleaning and weeding,” he said.

What’s your take?

newsdesk

Residents of Elita Promenade, an apartment complex in JP Nagar 7th phase, are a worried lot. Elita has a strange problem - a sewage pipeline runs within the apartment’s compound, but it carries sewage not from the complex, but from other layouts.

The raw sewage flows in to the pipeline located along the compound wall and finally joins Jaraganahalli (Sarakki) lake located behind the complex. The sewage is from Uma Sanjeevini apartment and Guru Raghavendra Layout located next to Elita complex, outside its compound wall.

Elita residents complain that the line was laid without their knowledge. In addition to the threat of action by government for polluting the lake, they are concerned about health issues. “Since the line goes through our compound we may be held responsible,” says Nagendran, a

resident and an IT professional.

According to the Raghavendra layout residents, the pipeline arrangement to carry sewage from outside was made in 2005. The builder had encroached a rajakaluve (arterial storm water drain for Bangalore) which was running across the site marked for Elita. This cut off the sewage paths of the layout’s residents.

Raghavendra layout residents complained to the then Bommanahalli CMC Commissioner Udayshankar, who ordered the compound wall to be demolished. “After this the builder said they would build a pipeline within their compound and we could connect our sewage pipes to it,” says M S Nadakatti, former Secretary of Raghavendra Layout RWA. Nadakatti however adds that this was only verbal agreement.

For its own sewage, Elita has a sewage treatment plant.

naVya P k

eliTa promenade residenTs worried

The pipeline from Elita Promenade apartment joining Jaraganahalli lake. The line carries sewage from Raghavendra layout and Uma Sanjeevini apartment, and not Elita complex. Pic: Navya P K.

Pic: Deepika Nagabhushan Arni.


Sohni D S, 14, a Class IX student replies in an instant when asked to name a threat to our environment, “Plastic covers,” she says. A much younger Rajeev Singh, 10, a class V student, lists cutting trees as a threat to our environment.

Sohini and Rajeev are both students of Bangalore Scottish School in Navodaya Nagar, JP Nagar. The school with strength of close to hundred children has planned several activities on the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5th).

“We want to educate our children on the importance of environment, the impact of our actions and what we can do to have a better environment” says Viola Isaac,

Principal of the 9 year old CBSE affiliated school.

On June 6th, the school will inaugurate a green club called, ‘Green Revival’ which will be managed by Youth for Seva, a city-based NGO that enlists students and young working professionals for community service. Popular Kannada television actor, Ravi Kiran, also a resident of JP Nagar and R Sunder Raj, Secretary, Sports Association, JP Nagar 7th phase, will be the chief guests. They will also plant saplings in the school’s campus.

After the inauguration of the club, students along with their parents will head to Someshwara Bhavan, a community hall nearby and perform a street play about the threats to our environment and educate passers-by about what they can do for environment. After the street play, students escorted

by teachers will head out to houses in the neighbourhood and distribute saplings, which can be planted in their homes or nearby.

yOGaraj mudalGi

As a writer, I am constantly discovering new things about places, people and myself. Since the last four years though I have been privileged to tackle perhaps my greatest discovery - the Puttenahalli Lake in JP Nagar, 7th Phase. What began as a wish to prevent misuse of the lake gathered momentum and led to the formation of the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) in June 2010. Eleven months later, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the BBMP to formally maintain the lake, the first citizens’ group to do so.

Every time we visit the lake, my fellow trustees and I find something or the other to exult over - a hundred nomadic Whistling Ducks (where did they come from?), varieties of fish (how do they enter the water in the first place?), fluttering butterflies (where were they all this

while?). We are also faced with new challenges – how to remove the invasive aquatic weeds (what are they called

anyway?) without dislodging the homes of the Common Coot or the Purple Swamphen, how to

stop trespassers from cutting the fence, etc. etc.

This new column is to share with you our experiences not just with the lake but also about our initiatives to maintain the areas around the lake. You are welcome to give your suggestions and comments as much as to laugh at us as we confront new problems

or stumble upon more refreshing discoveries at Puttenahalli Lake. Please write to: [email protected].

puTTenahalli posT

IN & AROUND

Jp nagar school to mark env day

Children of the school. Inset: Viola Isaac, Principal. Pic: YM.

Usha Rajagopal is a writer and trustee of PnLIT.


chEck OUTs

Its chic and very Ooh La La. We are talking about The French Loaf that inaugurated its latest outlet at Aurobindo Marg, J P Nagar, 1st Phase, near Indira Gandhi Circle. People can choose among a variety of The French Loaf’s specialty items such as croissants, pastries, pies and doughnuts. Those wanting a quiet tete-a-tete can enjoy the air-conditioned indoor or the outdoor seating

arrangements.

paris or davanagere?

Premachandra Kalyana Mantap is bustling with Silks of India, a textile exhibition. 60 stalls stock a vibrant collection of cottons, silk cottons, and silks. With an extensive collection of sarees, running fabric and ready made as well as ready to stitch garments, the exhibition has artisans from different states such Tamil Nadu, Chattisgarh, Kashmir, Gujarat, Assam and Rajasthan. At Premachandra Kalyana Mantap 10th Main Road, 3rd Block Jayanagar till June 5th.

The warp and wefT beCkons

Located near Sarakki Gate, on the Kanakapura Main Road, Sri R a g h a v e n d r a Davanagere Benne Dose Hotel is a favorite of the dosa connoisseurs of the area. Steaming hot dosas cooked on a rectangular iron girdle, heated by burning wood and coconut shells in an open kitchen, is enough to melt the will power of many – much like the butter which gives this variety its name! Cooked in its own special way, Davanagere Dosas stand apart for its unique potato filling and Mandakki Mirchi.

uma swamy is a jP nagar resident and columnist. write to her at [email protected]. Pi

cs: U

ma

Swam

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Schools have reopened and the market is flooded with ‘Back to School’ offers. The Jayanagar 4th block shopping complex takes the cake for all copycat products. Apart from having a great variety they also are the cheapest. Big Bazaar comes in close at second as they have standard products at reasonable prices. Chain stores such as Landmark, Crossword and Staples sell branded and higher priced products.

School bags• Jayanagar 4th block complex- Children’s bags

and Backpacks start from `200

• Big bazaar- canvas and polyester bags - `349 to `999.• Staples - upto 50% off on all bags and back packs• Landmark - Kids can win gifts and hampers upto `500 Lunch boxes • 4th block complex- starts from `55 • Big bazaar- `89 to `299• Landmark- Princess and Mickey lunch boxes at `129• Crossword- `110 to `349Pencil boxes• The metallic boxes - starting from `95 • Plastic pencil boxes - 4th

block complex for `20.Water bottles• Plastic water bottles – `40 onwards (4th block Jayanagar) ‘110 (Everywhere else).• Sports water bottles – ‘199 (Landmark) ‘139 to 450 (Crossword). CombosLunch boxes, bottles and pencil boxes. `65 (Jayanagar 4th block) `249 (Staples) `249 (Landmark)The USP of the chain stores were their unique back to school combos. • Stationary kit+water bottle+lunch box +magnetic pencil box= `499• Lunch box+ sipper+

pencil box+ eraser set(Hannah Montana, cars, Ben 10)= `579.Pic: Items marked [1] available at Jayanagar 4th block complex shops; [2] from Crossword, [3] Staples and [4] Landmark.We recommend the funky backpacks from Jayanagar shopping complex (pictured above, bottom-right) available for `320!

maitri Vasudev & smit Zaveri

schOOL TImE

hot deals for school shopping

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In the last one year - between April 2010 and March 2011 - 493 trees fell due to ‘natural causes’ in Bengaluru, according to BBMP. In south Bangalore alone, 329 trees were uprooted from April this year. In May, 317 branches fell.

Ecologist and scholar Harini Nagendra, 39, says that urban trees generally have shorter life spans due to stress; this combined with unscientific trimming of trees, cementing of pavements choking tree roots and pollution, cause trees to fall.

M Puttaswamy, D e p u t y Commissioner of Forests (South) in BBMP says that BBMP has already initiated action to remove the cement over tree roots. “The engineering department started work about a month back, and it is expected to be complete before monsoon, for the entire city”, he says.

Under his jurisdiction, which includes south, west, Bommanahalli and Rajarajeshwari Nagar zones, there are 11 teams to prune trees.

The teams have to get permission from the Tree Officer (South) before they cut, says Puttaswamy.

“ B B M P ’ s Forest Department does not heed citizens’ appeals to prune trees. Balanced pruning of excess height and overhang of branches

is necessary to protect trees,” says J Srinivasan, 61, a retired Koramangala-based entrepreneur, who recently captured a tree-disaster in Koramangala following gusty winds and rain.

Puttaswamy is quick to deflect this.

“BESCOM is responsible for much of the improper pruning”, he says.

He also adds that pruning cannot be rushed. “Pruning that should be done over a year is done by BESCOM within a few months. As trees here are older and stronger they shift weight easily,” he says.

A government order allows BESCOM to prune trees that interfere with electricity lines; BESCOM does not have to consult Forest Department officials for this. Puttaswamy says that BBMP cannot interfere in BESCOM’s functioning and that the only option is for BESCOM to

appoint a Tree Officer to monitor pruning.

On the other hand, BESCOM’s Public Relations Officer points out, neither Forest Department officials nor citizens have ever advised it on pruning. “We will seek Forest Department’s suggestion in the Co-ordination Committee meeting. Pruning is compulsory and our only alternative would be to lay underground cables, which are costly and need service ducts on either side of the road,” he adds.

subramaniam VinCent

they are falling like pins with every rain and thunderstorm. Bengaluru is known for its tree cover, with a citizenry that is ever so protective about it. a quick take on what’s going on, on the occasion of World environment Day

why our Trees are fallingWORLD ENVIRONmENT DAy

On June 2nd, BBMP Forest Department cut a Jacaranda tree near Nrupathunga theatre in Rajaji Nagar 1st block. See cover picture. The tree had become completely dry and useless; it would be replaced by saplings later, said department officials. Trees are cut if they are dry, if they are leaning in a way that poses danger to public, or for road widening. Citizens can send such requests to the office of BBMP's Deputy Conservator of Forests. Decisions will be taken after inspection, says the DCF.

Harini Nagendra. File pic: Meera Iyer.

Fallen tree. Pic: J Srinivasan..


All pics and text: VAnI MURTHY, a resident of Malleswaram. active in waste Management Initiatives.

cm spEcIAL

residenTs CheCkouT Trees

This tree is also right in the way of the pipeline. Will it be cut?

Our neighbourhood had plenty of tree cover. Now development work is taking its toll. with many trees falling in the recent past. Malleswaram 15th cross 'beautification work" will see all the streets lights replaced with LED lights and moving KEB lines underground. Tree roots are getting axed during this work!

Some members of our RWA, Malleswaram Swabhimana Initiative, decided to map the trees in the area to get an idea of the condition of the trees, measuring the girth, breast-height and noting down the species along with the location. We hope this survey can enable experts give us solutions to

saving trees.Left: Another young tree's roots brutally chopped off. These roots are the ones that anchor the tree. This is why we have so many trees falling during rains or windy days. The tree on the far-left is much better off with open soil where water can percolate.

The team doing the tree census: Jahnavi Pai (2nd from left), Anand Sirur (RWA president), Meenakshi Bharath, Malavika, Uma Kandasarma, Malaika Vijay.

The tree could have had water every day when this eatery washes their shop ....the water now goes into the drain!

The owner of the home adjacent to the tree wants the tree to be chopped off. It has pushed up the pavement slabs. He is worried that it will fall on his 125-year-old house.


fOR yOUR INfO

Checklist: Visiting doctor for a follow up

Remember that practising doctors have good PR Skills, and are trained to make you feel that they remember minute details about you or your family. However, it is equally true that they are human and may not remember all details.

* It is imperative that you maintain a file and carry it to the doctor. The file must contain all details of previous consultation, lab reports, and any advice given.

* Tell the doctor if you feel symptomatically better or worse.

* Did you notice any untoward effect of drug that was prescribed?

* Discuss investigation reports if any with your doctor.

* Tell the doctor honestly whether you took the full course of drugs or left them midway. Also, did you try any alternative medicine or diet.

Checklist: What to ask the doctor

* Specific advice about diet, drugs, exercises.

* Possible untoward effects of any drug that is prescribed.

* Do not straightaway accept advice like control your diet, make lifestyle changes, manage stress, reduce weight. Ask specifically the question HOW? If you could

do these by yourself, you would have done it.

When you are asked to come for a follow up visit:

* Ask about any conditions which may warrant a follow up sooner than expected. You are entitled to know

possible complications of any treatment/ procedure.

* In case you are unable to come to hospital for any treatment, dressings, physiotherapy, due to any

reason, ask the doctor if you can avail nursing care at home.

Doctors want you to get well fast. No doctor wishes his patient to suffer

any complication. A little attention, a little checklist, a little preparation for

Doctor’s visit, would help the doctor to give you best of treatment. Come to think of it, you, as well as your doctor, both deserve it! ⊕

how to get best results from your medical consultation - ii

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]

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fEATURE

for her, sporTs is life's Cure she is a BCCI certified a level cricket coach. the underprivileged children in Bengaluru who train with her are plain lucky. she could easily be coaching a major league state team.

“I play with children with the confidence that even an hour of play will change their lives for the better”, says Sheetal Suryavanshi, Founder President, Aata Odanaata (AO). Sheetal founded AO to encourage socio-economically challenged children to learn and play different sports. An awardee of CNN IBN-Reliance’s Real Heroes in sports category, Sheetal Suryavanshi was a sports enthusiast during her growing years. She represented her college in cricket, handball and baseball at the national level. Sheetal is also a BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) Level A certified coach.

Even as she began climbing the corporate ladder, her true calling in life made her give up her work and start AO in July 2008. AO believes in nurturing sports and building bonds, says Sheetal.

excerpts from the interview.

Did you get a chance to play after you began working in the corporate sector?

Although I did not have much time for it, I always tried to associate with sports in whatever way I could. With

the objective to promote sports among disadvantaged children, I regularly visited an orphanage in Puttenahalli along with my friends where I played cricket with the children. In 2004, during one such session, I saw a small girl struggling to hold a ball in her hands. I learnt that the school where the girl studied did not have any provision for sports. This deeply affected me as I believe that it is the right of every child in the universe to be able to play.

So how did you try to make a difference?

I began teaching different sports to children and youth from vulnerable backgrounds without charging a penny. Many a time, I would go to playgrounds close

to the residences of children from low income groups as they could save on time and money. At times, we would meet on a public playground and play. We would play softball at National College, Jayanagar, football at National College Basavanagudi and table tennis at the Winners Choice Table Tennis Academy. It was great fun.

What are Aata Odanaata’s activities?

We take the support of professional coaches to coach children from urban poor communities on scheduled days on different sports such as softball, table tennis, football, and cricket in different public fields and school playgrounds. We have organised sports camps and sporting events, including two events for autistic children in collaboration with Kilikili.

You can volunteer too! Contact [email protected]. Read the complete interview online.

uma swamy

Sheetal Suryavanshi is a BCCI-certified cricket coach. Pic: Aravind H N

Pic: Aravind H N

cLAssIfIEDs & LIsTINgs

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CITIZEN MATTERSEDITORSSubramaniam VincentMeera K

JOURNALISM TEAMPadmalatha RaviNavya P KYogaraj Mudalgi

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Cover creditsBBMP Forest Dept cuts a dry Jacaranda tree in Rajaji Nagar. Pic: Navya P K.

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Appeal for Help

MANASA TRUST (R), JP Nagar, focuses on educating the weaker section of society. This year, 3 engg. graduates will be educated with excellent job placements. Requests upto `4 lakh fees is due to be paid.

Please donate generously towards the fund. Donations are exempted from Income Tax (80G).

Contact: [email protected]


CiviC Green Commandos events for Environment Day.4th June (9am-11am): Parallel clean up drive in 10 Govt. schools - Koramangala5th June (7am-11am): Waste management for TCS Run - MG Road5th June (9am-11am): Sapling plantation at Govt School - Marathalli5th June (10am-12am, 4:30pm-6:30pm): Clean up drive on street, cloth bag awareness and putting up stall - Big Bazaar Malleswaram5th June (9am-1pm) - Children’s awareness for Environment - Vijayanagar5th June (10am-1pm): Black spot elimination - Indiranagar

THEaTRE Chokher baliPlay based on Tagore’s novel by the same name5 Jun 3.30 pm, kyra theatre, Indiranagar, 100 ft road. Ph. 9686655333

Rangashankara Plays4 Sat Harlesden High Street (E) (also at 3.30 pm on Sat)5 Sun Treadmill (H) (Also At 3.30 pm)7 Tue, 8 Wed Gangaavatarana (K) 9 Thu, 10 Fri Dharma Stambha (K)11 Sat, 12 Sun Butter And Mashed Banana (E) (Also At 3.30 pm On Sun)17 Fri To 23 Thu Boy With A Suitcase (E) (Also At 3.30 Pm On Sat And Sun)Ranga Shankara, 8th Cross, J P nagar, II Phase. Ph: 26493982 / 26592777EXHiBiTiOn Exhibition cum sale: Edible Herbs & Vegetable Plants,.10-14 Jun, APd-Horticulture Training Centre. 9th B Main, LIC Colony HAL road Stage, Jeevan Bhima nagara. Ph: 2528867

Zodiac (raasi)Lokeshwara Rao, IFS officer showcasing a Zodiac series of painting works. Mixed media using acrylic colors, permanent markers and Jaipur gem stones.4 to 8 Jun 2011, 11am to 7.30 pmGallery Rasa, Chamarajpet, Bangalore.

The Timeless Essence of Indigenous People Photography by Vivek Dhage6-12 Jun , karnataka Chitrakala Parishath PERFORManCES Nadir & Uyire Two Dancers from The Attakkalari Repertory - Diya Naidu And Denny Paul Have Won The Robert Bosch Young Choreographer’s Award And Will Be Presenting Their Solos - “Nadir” And “Uyire” Alliance Francaise De Bangalore (Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore) Sat 4 Jun 7.30 pm To 9 pm“Khanjira” performance by Vidwan N Amrit under “Karnataka - Vibrant and Diverse Series” of Bangalore International Centre.3 Jun, 6 pm. RSVP 98865 99675. BIC, TeRI Complex, domlur

Sanchari Bhava Odissi Dance Recital By Kshama Rau depicting Nayikas, Abhisarika, Khanditha And Swadheena Bhartrika From ‘Geetha GovindaSunday, 5 Jun, 7.00 pm, Alliance FrancaiseShoonya, Music Of The WorldAshok Kumar – Djembe (African Drum). Friday 10 Jun, 7.30 pm Alliance Francaise, Vasanthnagar Phone. 9980344788.

Kyra programmes4 Synaps – An Alternative Rock Band10 – Chromatix- Acoustic Rock Band12 – Maple Reed - Classic Rock Band With Influences Ranging From Deep Purple To Jimi HendrixPhotography Workshop - 11 & 12 Junkyra Theatre, Indiranagar, 100 Ft RoadFiLMSChitra VarshaIn memory of Sri. S. Ramachandra Aithal, a renowned cinematographer,Chitra Samuha and K. V. Subbanna Aptha Samuha presents Kannada Feature Film “KADAMBARI”Cast: Ananth Nag, ShrutiSat 4 Jun 6 pm, Sun 5 Jun, 3:30 pm. k V Subbanna Aaptha Rangamandira, no. 151, 7th cross, Teachers’ colony 1st stage,(near dayananda Sagar College, opp to Vasudha Bhavan, kumarswamy Layout

TaLKS Book Launch: “Bangalore Calling” By Brinda Narayan Fri, 10 June, 6 pm. RSVP 98865 99675. BIC, TeRI Complex, domlur

Book reading: The All Bengali Crime DetectivesAuthor Suparna Chatterjee read from and sign copies of her new book, “The All Bengali Crime detectives.” It is a light-hearted and humorous mystery set in kolkata. 4 Jun 5 pm. Ph: 41102231. easy Library, 972 H, 1st A Main, S.T.Bed Layout, 4th Block, koramangala.

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SILVER jUBILEE CELEBRATIoNSMaasti Venkatesh Iyengar Jeevana Kaaryaalaya - the family trust with the global copyright to all the works of the renowned writer Maasti VEnkatesh Iyengar is housed in the 94 years old building from which Shri Maasti published ‘Jeevana’

monthly magazine. The trust which publishes the author’s works and maintains his assets is celebrating its 25th anniversary.Release of three new publications of Masti's writings With commentary by - Dr Narahalli Balasubramanya, noted thinker and president of Adivsory Committee to MVK TrustMusic programme by - Ganesh Desai and team4 Jun, 10 am, Indian Institute of world, BP wadia Road, Basavanagudi


With Stanley Ka Dabba, director Amol Gupte takes off where he left us with Taare Zameen Par. Here we catch our first real glimpse of the vision that shaped the idea of Taare Zameen Par. We also recognize how the involvement of Aamir Khan Productions made TZP a bigger film, though not necessarily a truer one.

As in Taare Zameen Par, Amol Gupte returns to the world of classrooms and teachers, in juxtaposition to the world of childhood and its many dreams. Yet the shades are more muted, the characters as real and the perspective uniquely his own. It is also the landscape that we can only speculate that he probably wanted to create when he first imagined Taare Zameen Par.

In Stanley ka dabba, Amol Gupte takes charge of both direction and cinematography. His wife Deepa Bhatia once again demonstrates her skill as editor, while taking on the huge responsibility of production as well. The end result is a well crafted film of many layers, exploring the child's mind with freshness,

humour and empathy.

But it is the child actor Partho Gupte (Amol's son) whose little-big soul shines in the role of Stanley. Completely unconscious before the camera, he invites the audience to laugh, cry and dream along with him. This is true of the other child actors as well, and it is to Amol's credit that in each of them he leaves

us with real characters and not caricatures. They haunt us long after the last light in the cinema hall has returned.

Amol himself brings to life the character of Hindi teacher Babubhai Verma with the same gusto that he earlier showed in kaminey. The character that emerges in Aamol's portrayal is human both in his foibles and his later deep regret

in his failings as a mentor. It is a mark of Amol's depth as an actor that he manages to leave with the impression of a teacher who is a weak bully, yet never evil. Comedy fuses easily with tragedy, and amidst these many moments the film finds its soul.

The music from Hitesh Soni sets this soul to music, as the cinematography from Amol diffuses a gentle l i g h t over his s t o r y telling.

B u t s a d l y missing f r o m this little film with a big heart is the touch that Aamir Khan Productions brought to Taare Zameen Par, making it a film palatable to different kinds of audience. stanley ka dabba will have a more niche audience, but a trueness of spirit that nothing can take away.

I'd go with a rating of 4 on 5 for Stanley ka dabba. Don't miss this film. Its sincerity will leave you moved. ⊕

Christina daniels

sTanley ka dabba

The magiC of Childhood lingers on


“Running is my passion!” says 29 year old Seema Kotian, a technical writer during the weekdays and a marathoner by the weekend. Seema is an avid runner, preparing for

the upcoming World 10k.

Bangalore saw its first World 10k in 2008. Today, 3 marathons later, the Sunfeast World 10k has been rechristened into TCS World 10k Bangalore 2011.

Why do we run?

Everybody runs for a different reason. Like Aparna Gudaloor, a 25 year old MBA student, who decided to take part in the World 10k Majja Run for the dogs. Fond of dogs, she’s decided to run for CUPA.

Aparna isn’t the only one who is running for a cause. Seema, who has been a runner since 2008, will be running for a waste management NGO called Saahas this time. All one has to do to raise funds is send a link of their page to people who can then make donations online. The supporters run in a group and use banners and T-shirts on the day of the marathon to spread the message.

While many people run for causes, a majority of them run individually or with friends. At 42, K. Sridhar, the vice president of sales at an IT company,

who has been training for long distance running since 2008 shares, “I have run many half marathons with ‘Runners for Life’ (an association which helps runners train) but this time I will be running with a few of my friends. We have been training for it for almost 5 weeks now.”

Training for the run

“Running 10k for the first time is not easy. We must train for it” Says Sridhar. “First time runners must not think about time. They must focus on finishing. It’s not just stamina but the right technique that makes one a good runner. Eating right and drinking lots of water is the way to do it.”

Differing from him, Aparna feels that training is not everything. It’s the will power to complete. She just pumps herself with food, builds up her stamina, walks everyday and jogs occasionally.

“When I first started running; meeting other runners and surfing the internet for tips helped me. Since then, my friend and I have been coaching ourselves.” says Abhijith Karthik, account director at Fleishman who has taken part in most of the 10k’s in India.

This event has attracted people from different walks of life. Get ready to witness 2011’s World 10k Bangalore on June 5th!

Date of Run: 5 June 2011. On-the-spot registrations will be open from 1st to the 4th of June at the Koramangala indoor stadium. Only 1000 running places will be given on first come first serve basis. Route: Start from Kanteerava Stadium, go to Ulsoor road via General Kariappa park. Same route back cross Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium, High Court, Vidhana Soudha, through cubbon park and back to Kanteerava Stadium

LAsT WORD

run bengaluru, runIn its third edition, World 10k run has many takers in Bengaluru. What fuels the runners? how do they train?

smit ZaVeri, a student of communication at mt Carmels, is a summer intern at Citizen matters.

Seema Kotian at the 2008 run.

Sridhar K at KTM 2010. Pic courtesy: Sridhar K.

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Citizen Matters, 4 Jun 2011