citizen matters

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CitizenMatters

who washes whITesT & BRIGhTesT?

DhoBIs oR New LaUNDReTTes? 1

The missing litter bins of Bangalore 10 ISRO Scientist takes science to kids 6 BBMP doesn’t vote 6

Durga Puja, Garba & Gombe! 8 Lifeu Ishtene 18** M D Pallavi Charity Concert - Get your donor passes today! **

bengaluru south ¹neóÉ£ï ªÉÄålgïì Vol-3 Issue-17 24 Sep-7 Oct 2011FREE

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Citizen Matters Vol-3 Issue-17, 24 Sep-7 Oct 2011 KARENG/2009/28904. Published & Printed by Meera K for Oorvani Media Pvt Ltd. Printed at Lavanya Mudrana, 19, 15th cross, Vidyapeeta Circle, BSK I Stage, Bangalore 560060 Place of Publication Oorvani Media, 165, I cross, I block, Kmgla, Bangalore 560034. editor Subramaniam Vincent.

4 CITIZEN MATTERS 24 Sep-7 Oct 2011 Vol-3 Issue-17

Typical inTra-ocular lensThe IOL is used as a replacement to the natural lens. Earlier days when IOL was not available patients were using thick lenses (‘soda glass’) which were ugly. Nowadays with IOL implan-tation, though patients need regular spectacles, the quality of vision and the spectacle number is far more acceptable. There are a lot of op-tions for IOLs. Many a times this is confusing to patients.

Note: Intra-ocular lenses are available with different trade names. Discuss with your eye surgeon regarding what best suits your eye.IOLs are bio-compatible, last for a life time and do not need maintenance. They are placed on a thin transparent layer of eye called pos-terior capsule. This is a biological layer and sometimes tends to become thicker with time. Patients may notice mild to moderate gradual

blurring of vision after some years of successful cataract surgery. This can eas-ily be treated by a simple, painless, out-patient procedure called as ‘YAG laser Capsulotomy’.

One of the age related changes, which everyone of us will go through is gradual development of cataract. It is similar to grey-ing of hair or wrinkling of skin. Cataract of the eye is a process of clouding of the natural lens of the eye.The history of treatment of cataract surgery dates back to 800 BC. The first recorded surgical treat-ment for cataract was by Sushruta from India. There has been great progress in the under-standing and treatment options for cataract.

TreaTmenT opTions:In the early stages of cataract change of spectacles may par-tially help. This benefit is only temporary. The only known treatment for cataract is sur-gical removal of the opacity. This is generally done along with implantation of an intra-ocular lens. Diet, yoga, eye exercises, or eye drops do not help in prevent-ing or treating cataract.surgical opTions:There are different types of cataract surgeries based on the amount of cutting made (inci-sion size) and the technique used to implant the lens. They are:

ICCE (15mm), ECCE (12 mm), SICS (6 mm), Phacoemulsifica-tion (2.8mm-3.2mm), MICS (2.2 mm) and S MICS (1.8mm). In general if the incision size is less, the healing will be faster

and visual recov-ery will be quicker. Modern day cata-ract surgeries can be done in 10-15 minutes and the pa-tient can go back home on the same day. This is painless and many times it is done with topical

anaesthesia (eye drops are used to numb the eye).

role of iol (inTra-ocular lens)Intra-ocular lens, popularly known as IOL is one of the best

i n n o v a t i o n s in the medi-cal field. It was invented by Horald Ridley in 1949. Since then a lot of improvisations have been made

in the design and material. Nowadays nearly all cataract surgeries are done along with implantation of an IOL.

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Typical Intra ocular lens

Options for intra-ocular lenses

Parameter Feature/Comment

Physical Property Rigid lens Needs minimum of 6 mm cutting

Foldable lens Can be implanted in less than 3mm

Chemical Property Silicon IOLs Medical grade silicon used

Hydrophilic Acrylic One of the most common IOL materials.

Hydrophobic Acrylic Commonly used IOL type

Optical Property Monofocal Most common type. Post operatively spectacle lenses needed

Multifocal IOL An expensive option. Reduces the need for spectacles. Not suitable for all patients.

Accommodative IOL Advanced version of Multifocal IOL

Optical Surface Spheric Optics Most commonly used IOL

Aspheric Optics An expensive option. The quality of vision would be better especially in dim light situations.

Toric Optics This is a special designed lens for those who have cylindrical spectacle number.

Make Indian IOLs In the last 3-4 years the quality of Indian made IOLs are at par with many imported IOls. Some of the Indian companies are major suppliers of IOLs to the rest of the world.

Imported IOLs Many patients opt for this. There is a trend of people appreciating and accepting Indian IOLs too.

Vol-3 Issue-17 24 Sep-7 Oct 2011 CITIZEN MATTERS 5

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jayanagar jp nagar & BTM

For two years now, Nagaraj Ananth, 43, a scientist at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has being going to schools and colleges on Saturdays and introducing children to the fascinating world of satellites and space travel. With the aid of videos, he explains the functions and different kinds of satellites, famous astronauts of the world and concepts related to space travel. A resident of JP Nagar, Ananth started a science club called ‘Galileo Science Club’.

Ananth, a diploma holder in electronics and communication and a scientist at ISRO for 22 years, was inspired after he volunteered with another club called ‘Raja Ramanna Science Club’, which conducts programmes to popularise science.

“I love interacting with kids and it is a treat to watch them discover more about astronomy. I wanted to do something exclusively about satellites and rockets, so I started Galileo Science Club”, he says.

He has conducted 50-minute programmes, free of cost, in more than 35 institutions across Bangalore, including several government schools.

Ananth conducted a session at Christ School on 17th September. More than a hundred students attended the session and were enthralled seeing videos of rockets being launched into space. John M J, 8th grade student, says “It was a wonderful programme. I wanted to visit ISRO and see how rockets are made and how they work. I wish he will help me in becoming a rocket engineer.”

Ananth can be contacted at 94484 26530 (after 7 pm) or [email protected]. ⊕

YogArAj MudALgi

he makes The kIDs see sTaRs

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahnagara Palike (BBMP) may have taken major decisions in the last few years – including increase in taxes, and road widening and infrastructure projects worth hundreds of crores of rupees. But none of these decisions were ever passed by a vote in the city council. At least in the current council and in the previous one (2001-2006), no voting has happened, says Additional Council Secretary Mario Pires.

The most recent demand for vote was made by Padmanabha Reddy, JD(S) leader in the Council, during a session about 1-2 months back, on site allotments for Economically Weaker Sections or EWS. Mayor Sharadamma Ramanjaneya (BJP) did not put the issue to vote as JD(S) was the only party demanding it. JD(S) is a minority party in the city council.

Even if opposition parties disagree on any proposal, the usual outcome is slogan shouting and walk outs. Councillors rarely ask for any issue to be put to vote.

Consequently citizens have no way of knowing what stand their elected councillor took in any issue, or how much support there was for a particular decision.

M R Hegde, former Secretary at state government’s Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation and current Advisor to the Governor, says, “Council is not functioning democratically if councillors forego their voting rights.”

But it has not always been this way. Many major decisions used to be made by vote earlier, says M Sridhar, in his eighties now, who had retired as Council Secretary in 1990. “When I was in the Council Secretariat from 1976-1990, voting was done on some budget sessions and some major resolutions. Politicians like Suresh Kumar and Ramachandra Gowda were active in the Council and used to demand votes,” he says.

NAvYA P kRead the detailed story online at citizenmatters.in.

you vote for them, but they don’t vote for you

Nagaraj Ananth during a session at Christ School, off Bannerghatt Road. Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi.


The Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) of BTM arranged a meeting with BMTC officials on Friday, 17th September, to discuss several issues related to BMTC services in BTM Layout. Prabhu Das, Chief Traffic Manager (CTM) of BMTC, interacted with more than fifty residents at Indian Water Works Association Hall (IWWA).

Residents’ main concern was lack of BMTC bus connectivity within their own neighbourhood, especially from 29th Main till the Outer Ring Road.

Das said that he would look in to introducing a feeder service from 29th Main to the Outer Ring Road till Madivala or Silk Board and back to enhance connectivity. Residents

also complained about the lack of buses from BTM to key destinations like Shivajinagar or Banashankari.

Das attributed fewer bus routes to paucity of buses available in the department. “We have placed an order to purchase 1000 new buses. Over the next few months, we will introduce newer routes to serve commuters better.”

Several senior citizens complained that many conductors accept only the id cards issued by BMTC as age proof. Das clarified that ID cards issued by Social Welfare Department of the government too are acceptable.

On the question of why there were three bus shelters in close proximity on the ORR, near Water Tank, Das said, “Bus shelters are built by BBMP, we only point out the location. We can’t do much if they build multiple shelters in one place.” ⊕

YogArAj MudALgi

lOcal MaTTerS

BTM residents demand more buses

PutteNAhALLi Post

Immersion sans pollutionSankey Tank in Malleshwaram was the immersion ground for more than 50,000 Ganeshas of varying sizes (according to local police figures). The festivity here also contributed a few lorry-loads of rotting flowers and leaves that were sent to landfills.

Puttenahalli Lake, unlike Sankey Tank is a very small lake, where idol immersion is clearly prohibited. However the PNLIT trust members expected residents of the neighbourhood would come with their Ganeshas, for want of any other convenient site and were prepared.

People were informed that immersion inside the lake was not permitted by the BBMP and instead they were offered a big water drum on the lake bund to put their Ganeshas in. Flowers and other organic material went into our compost pile to become one with the earth in a few weeks time.

We are glad that the aquatic and avian life at Puttenahalli Lake has been spared this time around. We hope that the Sankey experience next year is as nice as what it was at Puttenahalli! ⊕

ARATHI MANAY YAJAMAN is a member of Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust.

Pic: Usha Rajagopalan.

Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi.


check OuTS

With the season of festivals in full swing, different cultures will be celebrating in their unique ways.

Apartment complexes in South Bangalore have organised programmes to celebrate the Navrathris that begin on 28th September. Poorva Heights, Bannerghatta Road, will be having a session of garba (a form of traditional dance in Gujarat) on 5th and 6th October. Mantri Elite apartments will celebrate on 1st October. Pooja and bhajan will be followed by mata ki chowki and dandiya, a traditional Gujarathi dance.

L&T South City complex off Bannerghatta Road is organising Durga Puja within the apartment complex for the first time. According to members of South City Dussera Celebration Committee, the puja and accompanying celebrations are open to all and not just Bengali residents. Planned for October 3rd to 6th, the Durga Puja celebrations will include cultural programs by the residents and food stalls.

This fortnight, households belonging to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka will be unpacking their cartons of dolls and figurines to be arranged in steps.

As with many Indian festivals, gombe habba has a connection with agriculture. In ancient India, people made the dolls and figurines from the clay at river beds, and in the process de-silting the irrigation canals and river beds.

uMA swAMY

It’s a busy time for Bengali Associations across Bangalore as they are in the midst of organising Durga Pujo. This is the time of Puja, new clothes and getting together with the community to share a rich heritage of performing arts and cuisine.

One such Pujo is being organised by Bengali In Bangalore (BinB), a non-residential Bengali community online. The theme for this year’s pujo is Awkal Bodhan which depicts a scene from the Ramayana of Lord Rama doing a puja before going to Sri Lanka to rescue Goddess Sita.

Apart from this there will also be Dhunuchi Naach, a traditional dance where people, usually men, balance diyas or aarthis (lamps) on their palms and dance by turning and bending their arms. The loukik-aloukik show (the real and the unreal) is a magic show that reveals the way illusion is created.

A comedy drama based on author’s Sukumar Ray skit ‘ Ho jo bo ro lo’ will be performed by children on 3rd October. Sarangsh, a band, will having songs sung in fusion and semi-classical style. A special attraction is the recreation of the mood of Kolkata’s Maddox Square, where people come from different places to participate in a free style musical performance. BinB has invited 300 guitarists to perform at this event on 5th October.

Open to the public, people can enjoy delicacies at stalls selling traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian Bengali cuisine. This includes dum biriyani, egg rolls, chicken rolls, luchi (poori) and kosha mangso (a mutton delicacy), and fish fry. Beginning from 9 am, the programmes continue late into night on most of the days.

Bengali in Bangalore (BinB) was started in 2005. It has over 5000 members, says Barun Paul, Secretary, BinB. Being a non-profit organisation, BinB brings youth of different communities closer through a unique blend of equally strong footprint in real space as well as the online world. There are around 400 members in Bangalore.

They regularly conduct other events too. The have been conducting Saraswati Puja for four years now. They also celebrate Bengali New Year Celebration (Poyla Boishakh) and the monsoon celebration (Bawrsha Boron).

For more details, visit www.bengaliinbangalore.com or call 9880847940 (Gourab) or 9986269411(Barun).

It’s the season for garba, gombe and pujo!

File

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Sharodiya Durga Pujo, 2-6 OctAICOBOO Residents Welfare Associa-tion Ground, BTM (behind Advaith Petrol Pump, at Udupi Garden Signal).

uMa’S pIckS


check OuT

Adverse financial circumstances made P J Pai, an ex-manager of Canara Bank start Pai Foods, in 1995. Since then, Pai Foods has grown from strength to strength and is a must visit grocery store for several of its regular customers.

Pai Foods sells many vegetables that are special to Mangaloreans which include butter fruit, egg-plant (udupigulla), amtekai (hogplum) and peeled and salted jackfruit. Other prepared dishes include Mangalore pathrode, Jowar roti, chapatti with chutney, holige and Mangalore’s special halwas are also available along with regular savories. Timings are 9:45 a.m to 1:45 p.m. and 5 pm to 9.30 pm. #1296, 25th Main, 9th Block, Jayanagar. Ph: 65713926

uMA swAMY

you can get butterfruit here

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Sales of khadi dresses surge during the month of October. Khadi stores offer discounts of up to 40% on clothes. One such shop is the Khadi Sadan in Jaynagar 3rd Block, opposite Bata showroom. The shop sells readymade dresses (shirts, kurtas, sarees, shawls etc) and cloth materials of khadi and silk, carpets and rugs. Products such as herbal soaps, toothpaste, aloe vera juice, gaumutra (cow urine used for medicinal purposes) are also sold.

Vinod K G, 32, who has been running the shop for eight years, says that they sell more than 75 varieties of products, sourced from various co-operative societies from around the country.

They offer 40% percent discount on apparels and dress materials from August to November. However, the discounts are not applicable on herbal products, national flags and Gandhi topis. “Flags and topis are considered national symbols, hence there is no discount,” says Vinod.

YogArAj MudALgi

Come october, it’s time for khadi

Pic: Uma Swamy.

Pic: Uma Swamy.


excluSIVe

will Bengaluru get litter bins?Garbage bins vanished from city roads in 2000. But the Zero Garbage policy never really took off. BBMP now has new plans to make this work, even as citizens’ groups are successfully cleaning up parts of the city.

Litter bins, which almost disappeared from Bangalore’s landscape some time back, may make a comeback this year. BBMP’s Solid Waste Management (SWM) department has plans to re-introduce litter bins as part of its new policy.

Solid waste tenders, compost/dry waste centres, decentralised biogas centres are all part of the new policy. In draft stage now, the policy has to be approved first by the Standing C o m m i t t e e for Health and then by the BBMP Council. “The policy will probably go for Council’s approval next month. Currently we have no integrated policy; the new policy will be a guideline for all officials,” says an Environment Engineer at the SWM department in BBMP Head Office, on condition of anonymity. The official was authorised to speak

to Citizen Matters by B V Satish, Chief Engineer (CE) at SWM department.

The official says that the small bins will be placed in areas with high floating population like M G Road, Commercial Street and Brigade Road. Bins will not be placed in residential and market areas as the main garbage collection system is already taking care of waste there.

Individual ward offices have already c o l l e c t e d data on waste g e n e r a t i o n and finalised the number of bins. The bins will be small, with capacity

of 90-120 litres. But other details like their type, material etc will be finalised after Council’s approval.

Where did the bins go?

Bangalore adopted bin-free policy in the early 2000s, during its Swaccha Bangalore initiative. The

initiative was with the help of BATF (Bangalore Agenda Task Force) formed by the state government in 1999.

BBMP clueless on bins’ status

BBMP’s existing policy on bins is not clear. B V Satish says that the city is supposed to be free of all kind of bins and that they do not exist now. “Public should be responsible enough to carry litter and dispose it later. Many shop keepers and street vendors do keep small bins to collect litter,” he says.

However SWM department says bins do exist, but no data on numbers is available.

Citizens take action

While BBMP is making plans, some citizen groups are already active in this space. The Ugly Indian (TUI), a small group of citizens, has been anonymously placing and distributing litter bins in the city over the last 3-4 months.

The group has designed small bins with an attractive exterior design, which they call ‘tereBin’. The bins are designed so that the large garbage packets cannot be deposited in them. TUI has so far distributed around 130 bins, mainly in CBD areas like MG road, Brigade road and Church Street.

BBMP, on its part, is supportive of such initiatives. “Though we have own personnel to clear garbage, citizen initiatives are needed. We will support them,” says Satish.⊕

NAvYA P kRead the full length version of all Navya’s articles online at www.citizenmatters.in/navya-pk.

The Ugly Indian’s Tere Bin at Koramangala. Pic: Navya P K.

“Bins will not be placed in resi-dential and market areas as the main garbage collection system is already taking care of waste there”


For Samaksh Kapoor, 22, an MSc student, a laundry service is the only way he can get his clothes washed and ironed. He gives 4-5 ki-los of clothes every week to Sancy’s Launderette in 3rd Phase JP Nagar. “My family does not live in Bangalore. I don’t find time to wash my clothes.” Kapoor says. He adds the service at the launderette is quicker than a tra-ditional dhobi. “So, this is my only op-tion,” .

Ravikant Upadrasta, 29, a software pro-fessional says, “I am concerned about the kind of water traditional dhobis use. I prefer launderettes as they seem to be more hygienic”.

While it is the only option for some, some people prefer launderettes for convenience. Shama, 43, a homemaker living in JP Nagar, gives mostly her husband’s formal clothes for laundry as she feels a ma-

chine wash will result in less wear and tear. “A do-mestic worker washes our daily clothes. We give formal clothes and occasionally a rug or blanket since it is not

comfortable to wash them at home.”

Several laundrettes, par-ticularly multi-outlet chains have opened up in Bangalore. Some of them are Sancy’s Laun-derette, Village Laundry

Service (VLS), IFB launderettes and Fabric Spa. Apart from chains, there are several individual outlets dotting the city. Such launderettes only wash and iron clothes and are not the same as dry cleaning.

Premium laundrettes

Premium laundry service like Fabric Spa, a venture of Jyothi Laboratories, has five outlets across the city and handles all kinds of fabrics. It even has door-to-door pick up and delivery service. However, they don’t charge by the kilo. They charge for each article of clothing. Laundering a handkerchief costs `25, shirt costs `105, sarees are charged between `200 and `345 (depending

on the material), suits are charged between `380 and `495. Apart from basic laundering, they also dry clean, specialise in stain removal, supercreasing (infusing creases on trousers), simple darning and many other services.

IFB and VLS, outlets, which

The neighbourhood dhobi is getting stiff competition from firms providing professional laundry services. Cleaner water, customised cleaning and on time delivery seem to be their USP.

are the laundrettes taking over from the dhobis?

cM SpecIal

Chains such as Sancy’s, IFB and Village target the working and student communi-ty. They charge customers per kilo for the clothes they bring in. Sancy’s charges `46 for a kilo of clothes, IFB charges `38, VLS charges `60. Fabric Spa on the other hand charges per article.

Most of these outlets do not accept apparels like sarees, silk clothing, jackets as they require delicate handling. Delivery is usually done within a day but it may get delayed during holiday season when the load is high.

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VLS’ kiosk. Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi.

IFB’s laundromat. Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi.

Contd. on Page 14


fOr yOur InfO

That smoking kills is no news.That smoking can cause death to your near and dear ones is also perhaps known to

most. That one out of two tobacco users is destined to die is something most of smokers would not wish to know or accept. Yet, this is what World Health Organisation says. Out of the six million people who die because of tobacco use, 5 million are users and ex users. Six lakh are those who die of gift of smoke (second hand smoking) from their near and dear ones. Almost 40 % of children breathe smoke polluted air. By 2030, 8 million people will die annually due to tobacco. One Bangalore (population) stands to be wiped out every year!That smoking can make your life worse than death is perhaps known only to few. These are the unfortunate ones who suffer from cancer and chronic obstructive Lung Disease. Do we realise that every puff of smoke that we inhale takes us closer to a debilitating death. Tobacco use causes more deaths, than all deaths from HIV, illegal

drug use, Alcohol use, Motor vehicles injuries, suicides and murders taken together. According to 2008 figures, The incidence of Lung cancer in India is 10.8 per 1 lakh population.

In Bangalore it is 7.3 per lakh population. 90% of all deaths due to cancer in males and 80% of all deaths due to lung cancer in females are caused by smoking. As also 90% of all deaths are due to chronic obstructive lung disease. It increases our possibility of getting heart disease and stroke (paralysis) by 2-4 times. Some of the cancers that a smoker is at risk for, apart from lung cancer, include leukemia,

cancer of bladder, cervix, oesophagus, larynx, mouth, and stomach.Tobacco use & smoking causes 6 million deaths every year .The “joy of giving week” is close. Why not celebrate it with joy of giving up smoking. A good link to help quitting is http://www.smokefree.gov.

smoking: Your emI that makes you pay for a ventilator

A cursory look at the BBMP budget 2011-12 suggests that the body is in as much a mess as Satyam Computers was at the time of confession of fraud by its founder. Similar to Satyam Computers producing phony financials year after year, BBMP budget has been a fiction for the last several years. The new Chief Minister who is also responsible for the affairs of Bangalore could have asked the

councilors to prepare a budget with a realistic revenue figure and scrap all projects that have not even begun but have been budgeted for in the previous years.

An example of such a project would be to build a parking lot over a playground in Malleswaram. After hearing protests from citizens, BBMP commissioner assured protesters that the project will be scrapped. But in the just released Action Taken Report, an addendum to the budget, this specific project is shown as though it will be executed during this financial year. There are many such glaring contradictions.

The budget itself has nothing new.

Despite having imposed a garbage cess along with the property tax, there is no blueprint to make the city garbage free. There is silence on dog menace. 65% of the budget expenditure is geared towards building the city’s physical infrastructure while a meager 6% has been allocated to social development, a travesty to poor people of Bengaluru. Read the complete opinion online at citizenmatters.in.

N V KRIsHNAKuMAR is the General secretary - Media and Communications Wing, Karnataka state Janata Dal (secular). Views expressed are personal and not those of the party.

BBMp's budget is all fiction

Pic courtesy: Wikimedia Commons. Pic by Challiyil Eswaramangalath Vipin, Chalakudy.

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]

OpInIOn

BBMP financials are in a disarray, it desperately requires an external audit. BBMP does not know what it owns and what it owes.


feaTure

For Suthinthran Rao, 39, an entrepreneur, it was a rare chance to play one of his favourite childhood games, cricket, after several years. “Bangalore city has very less open space left for children to play. I brought my seven-year-old son to see what he is missing out on,” said Rao while he took a break from batting for his team, Himagiri Meadows.

Rao was playing at the ApnaComplex Treamis Premier League, a 15-over tennis ball cricket tournament being played at Treamis World School grounds in Electronic City on Sunday, 18th September. It is an inter-apartment and corporate event for Bangalore. 13 teams are taking part. It concludes on 2nd October.

Manish Gupta, 40, a player for Springfield apartments’ Field Fighters said it was not too to difficult playing the matches. “Most of us have played some sport or the

other so we are not all that bad. We are rediscovering our talents in this tournament,” he says humourously. The league matches conclude on 24th September and quarterfinals will begin on the same day.

YogArAj MudALgi

we can still play cricket!

Stonehill tops international school survey

Stonehill International School in Jalahobli, Bangalore North, has been ranked the best international school in Bangalore in a survey conducted by ThinkVidya.com, an online community of parents, students and schools (Citizen Matters was a media partner).

The International School Bangalore, Sarjapur Road was ranked second,

and Trio World School, Sahakarnagar and Jain International Residential School, off Kanakapura Road, were jointly ranked third. Twenty-six International schools were shortlisted for ‘International Schools in Bangalore’. It is the first time such an independent survey was being conducted in the city. Nearly 200 individuals filed responses to the survey.

The online survey was conducted between 12th April and June 30th, 2011. The report is meant

to be a guide for expatriate and Indian parents looking to enroll their children in a school with international curriculum in Bangalore.

“The influx of NRIs and expats has propelled the demand for International schools in Bangalore”, says Santosh Kevlani, co-founder, ThinkVidya.com.

The report is available at a price of Rs 450 at ThinkVidya.com. Contact Rakesh Kalra at 41539954.

YogArAj s MudALgi

Suthinthran Rao watching a game with his son. Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi.

Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi.

Schools galore and many tote the ‘international’ tag, but how do parents decide?

operate on franchisee basis, are equipped with washing and drying machine and all the processing is done in-house, Sancy’s has a factory in Koramangala and Fabric Spa, a unit in Doddaballapur where the clothes are shipped for laundering.

Laundry happy customers are not easy

Laxmikant Sansuddi, who owns Sancy’s launderette chain says that customer dissatisfaction can prove costly for business and keeping them happy with the service is an arduous task. He says on-time deliv-ery is the most important factor that keeps a customer satisfied.

K Ramchandran, 60, a regular cus-tomer of Sancy’s says that he almost stopped using the service because of delay in service. “They had some

labour issues and deliveries were getting delayed but we cannot wait till their issues are resolved. I started using the service again only after as-surances from the management. I have had no problem since.”

So are the traditional dhobis in trouble?

Eshwar, 42, who runs Sunbright dry cleaners in Jayanagar, says that laundries don’t affect their business . He says, “Many people still pre-fer traditional dhobis as they are cheaper and deliver clothes home. Also, dry cleaning is a different seg-ment altogether.”

Anjaneya, who irons clothes in BTM Layout says that laundry services have indeed hurt business but the damage is not severe. He irons up to 200 clothes in a day, charging Rs 4

for a shirt and Rs 5 for trousers. He says that there are many people who wash clothes and give it our for ironing. “They are our main custom-ers. I don’t perceive an imminent threat from laundry services as of now.”

YogArAj MudALgi

CITIzEN MATTERSEDITORSSubramaniam VincentMeera K

JOURNALISM TEAMPadmalatha RaviNavya P KYogaraj Mudalgi

KANNADA TRANSLATIONVasudha MurthyMKTG/CIRCULATIONRaghavendra 98455 06477ADVT SALESRamachandran P 9844228666 * 9901 685368

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Taxi services * Tuition classes

* Music & dance classes * Competitive

exam coaching * Catering * Plumbers *

electricians * Real estate * Pet

walking * Personal Fitness...Citizen

Matters Classifieds reach over 16000

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to place your ads & classifieds

- call 9844228666

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TIME10am to 1pm5pm to 9pm

Sunday 10am to 1pmEmail: [email protected]

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educAtioNINTENSIVE COACHING

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

heALthSRINIVASA DENTAL CARE

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

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

services ASTROLOGy CONSuLTING

Consult Service Oriented Astrologers. Preparation and Analysis of Computer Horoscopes, Matching of Horoscopes, Prashna, Astro Remedies etc. Contact Chaithanya Jyotish Kendra, No.17, 17th cross, JP Nagar 5th Phase. Call: 41200811

Sancy’s. Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi.

FRom DhoBIs To LaUNDRIes... Contd. from Page 11

HERBAL PEST CONTROL SERVICES

FOR ANT, Cockroach, Bedbug, Termite, Rat etc. 100% Safe & Effective. No Smell/Stain. 2BHK Rs. 400. We also do Annual Maintenance Contract: Rs 1200/year only! Call: 9972711444/ 8971223206.

BTM/jp nagar

ACCOuNTS JOB OPENING

Wanted Accountant Having computer knowledge to work in a reputed NGO. Located at J.P. Nagar 1st phase. Salary will be fixed depending upon the persons experience. Contact: 9901967899

BANGALORE TIMBER & PLy-

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

reAL estAte LAVANyA REAL ESTATE

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

FLAT FOR SALE2 BHK Semi Furnished Flat- 1030 Sq Ft. Located on Kanakapura Road, Very close to Metro-Cash and Carry, DPS School and ISRO Layout. Clear House documents immediate Sale. For further details contact- Vinay V Udikeri - 9663372014

yASHASWI REAL ESTATE & SECuRITy SERVICES 1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK Call Suresh Babu 93428-28126. Call Venkatesh Babu 9342547603 NS Palya, BTM 2nd Stage, Bannerghata Road.

BuILDERS/DEVELOPERSManjunatha 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 9845416748,9844468507, 3297645


theatre Rangashankara plays24 Sat, 25 Sun The Melody of Love(also at 3.30 pm on Sun)27 Tue, 28 Wed Sanje Haadu29 Thu Anke Tappida Shankarlal30 Fri, 01 Sat Sevanti PrasangaRangashankara, JP Nagar 2nd phase

Nara-Simha Yuddham -- ondu premada kathe’ Mindry.in’s take on prevalent political scenarios & a gentle love story.30 sep 7.30 pm & 1 oct 7.30 pm, KH Kala soudha, Hanumantanagar. Ph: 9900788939 or 9844358144.

Audition for “13, Margosa Mahal”Horror was never so funny. Director: P D Sathish Chandra; Music: Raghu DixitPh:9481503135, [email protected], www.ivcorner.com/1324 & 25 sep, 4 to 8 pm, KH Kala soudha

MusicBangalore Kidney Foundation Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur Hindustani Music FestivalSat 24 Sep: 5.45 pm Pt. Sugato Bhaduri - Mandolin7.30 pm Award Function: Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar8.10 pm Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar - VocalSun 25 Sep: 6 pm Pt. Ganapathi Bhatt - Vocal8.10 pm Malini Rajurkar – VocalJss Auditorium, Jayanagar

Navarathri concertsChitra Srikrishna (vocal) accompanied by MS Govindaswamy(v) and C. Cheluvaraju(m)Wed 28 oct 6:30 pm, Rajarajeshwarinagar Cultural Association 816, 16th Cross, 19th Main, Ideal Homes Township, RajarajeswarinagarChitra Srikrishna (vocal) accompanied by HM Smitha (v), Renuka Prasad (m) and Dayanand Mohite(g) Thur 29 sep 6:30 pm, sri Vani education Centre, Ramavana, 1246, 4th Main, “e” Block, 2nd stage Rajajinagar

exhibitionKabadiwaliA range of functional art is created by reusing and recycling used and discarded glass bottles, reclaimed wood, old magazine & calendar papers. Ph: 984007649224 sep to 26 sep, Chitra Kala Parishath

movIe LIsTINGsGOPALAN CINEMAS, BANNERGHATTA ROADMausam (U) - Hindi - 10.10 am, 3.30 pm, 9.20 pm Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (U/A) - Hindi - 10 pm Johnny English Reborn (U/A) - English - 10 am, 4 pm Speedy Singhs (Hindi) (U/A) - Hindi - 12 pm Engeyum Eppodhum (U) - Tamil - 6.40 pm Maryada Ramanna (Kannada) (U/A) - Kannada - 10 am 1.10 pm zookeeper (U/A) - English - 2 pm 6 pm 8 pmDookudu (U/A) - Telugu - 4 pm 7 pm 10 pm

INOx – SWAGATH GARUDA, JAYANAGARMausam (U) - Hindi - 11 am, 12.35 pm, 2.15 pm, 5.30 pm, 8 pm, 8.45 pm Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (U/A) - Hindi - 10 am, 9.25 pm Speedy Singhs (English) (U/A) - English - 10 am Maryada Ramanna (Kannada) (U/A) - Kannada - 10.15 am, 3.40 pm Johnny English Reborn (U/A) - English - 12.10 pm, 5.05 pm, 10 pm Dookudu (U/A) - Telugu - 1.20 pm, 4.40 pmLifu Ishtene (U/A) - Kannada - 2.20 pm, 6.45 pm Engeyum Eppodhum (U) - Tamil - 7.15 pm

INOx – JP NAGAR MANTRI MALLMausam (U) - Hindi - 11 am, 12.35 pm, 2.15 pm, 5.30 pm, 8 pm, 8.45 pm Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (U/A) - Hindi - 10 am, 9.25 pm Speedy Singhs (English) (U/A) - English - 10 am Maryada Ramanna (Kannada) (U/A) - Kannada - 10.15 am, 3.40 pm Johnny English Reborn (U/A) - English - 12.10 pm, 5.05 pm, 10 pm Dookudu (U/A) - Telugu - 1.20 pm, 4.40 pmLifeu Ishtene (U/A) - Kannada - 2.20 pm, 6.45 pm Engeyum Eppodhum (U) - Tamil - 7.15 pmThis information is subject to change. Please check with the cinemas for exact details.NoTe. Patrons between 3yrs to 18yrs will not be allowed to watch the “A” Rated movies.

Music GearDealers in Musical Instruments and accessories

Call9880599956

www.musicgear.in

JP Nagar

See & dOSHARAN NAvARATHRI FESTIvAL 28 sep to 6 oct , sri Vijaya Vinayakaswamy temple, JP Nagar 1st phase, 30th main.


The happy girls of Baale mane‘Baale Mane,’ a home among the lush green ragi fields, eucalyptus groves and farm lands serves as the ideal retreat for girls to grow in a nurturing environment.

‘Baale Mane’ meaning ‘Girl’s Home’ is situated in the sylvan surroundings of Gopalapura, near Nelamangala, off Tumkur Road. It was founded in 2001 by Paraspara Trust, an NGO providing shelter and a home for girl children. The girls here are orphans, street kids, from single parent homes and also rescued from abusive places of work. Several of them were homeless and arrested by police.

Sixty girls between the ages of 5-18 years are here in various stages of education. Most of the girls go to government schools while some go to government aided schools. A few are doing their PUC at Triveni College.

What ‘Baale Mane’ would like are good mentors to talk to the girls and guide them. They also need a regular supply of sandals, books and accessories for the girls. Volunteers to conduct health check-ups and psychiatric evaluation are also needed on a regular basis. Mary Chinnappan, their manager, caretaker and mother says “The teenage girls need counseling and guidance. We can use some help.” ⊕

sujA sukuMArAN

Baale Mane, No 121, Gopalapura, Railway Gollahalli Post, Ban-galore. Email: [email protected], [email protected]. http://www.baalemane.org. Ph:27737171, 9845030095

Baale Mane, along with Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA) and Rag-pickers Education and Development Scheme (REDS) will benefit from a fundraising music concert and dinner on October 2nd, at the Taj West End. The event was conceived by M K Mohan of Tuscany. Tuscany is also

contributing the entire proceeds of the sale of ice cream from its two outlets at 4th T Block and Garuda Swagath mall on the last day of the Joy of Giving Week (Oct 8) to Baale Mane.

Music & dinner fundraiser

Grand Musical Concert by M D Pallavi Arunin aid of Baale Mane, REDS, APSA Ball Room, The Taj West end 7 pm, 2nd october

Organiser Media Partner

donor passes: 9880016846 9845030095Available at Tuscany (Jayanagar & swagath Garuda Mall)


laST wOrd

contemporary, youthful cinemaCinema located in the lives of Generation Next. A film about love, letting go, life and the contradiction of living. Pawan Kumar's directorial debut Lifeu Ishtene mixes many flavours, leaving us with youthful cinema that retains its simplicity without being simplistic.

After successfully assisting Yogaraj Bhatt in the making of Manasaare and Pancharangi, Pawan gets into the director's seat with Lifeu Ishtene and does not disappoint. His cinema retains its trademark popular appeal, without losing a unique perspective. In the end he leaves us with a single thought - what is life if it is not lived truly and completely?

The film, also scripted by Pawan, takes us with young college student Vishal (Diganth) on a journey through life, replete with many unexpected twists and turns. We meet the women Diganth loves (Sindhu Lokanath as Nandini and Samyukta Belavadi as Rashmi) and the friends (Neenasam Satish as Shivu) who influence him. As Vishal evolves into the man that he will become, he also moves to gradual acceptance of both himself and life's many contradictions.

The multi-layered script is brought alive with entertaining dialogues, good performances and strong production values. All these together sustain the audience's interest in the film, coming together to give Lifeu Ishtene its best moments.

Mano Murthy gives the film an original music score, studded with great musical moments like Yarig Helona Namma Problemu and the more unusual Junior Devadasa. With two songs in the film shot in Ladakh, the film also has Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal returning to playback singing for Kannada cinema.

But above all else, the film also draws its strength from the contemporary rhythms and metaphors that find their way into the film. It speaks for young urban Karnataka more strongly than most recent cinema. Yet even

when Pawan works within the framework of popular cinema, he breaks free of clichés and magic formulas often attached to successful film-making. In Lifeu Ishtene, script finally determines action.

For all these reasons, I would go with a rating of 3 on 5 for Lifeu Ishtene. It's both an entertaining evening at the movies and a breath of fresh air for Kannada cinema. Here's wishing for many more successful films from this young director's lens! ⊕

christiNA dANieLs

Pawan Kumar's directorial debut is made for the generation next, with a unique perspective.

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No 458, 9th Cross, J.P. Nagar, 2nd Phase,

Beside Diwakar Hospital,Bangalore - 560 078,

Email: [email protected]

Celebrating 2nd Year Anniversary This September

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