I can't understand why some people can be so selfish with everything. They won't help anyone but their selves and have no regard for anyone or anything. They just simply love themselves and no respect for others.
They start any relationship because they find that being with the person they like gives them pleasure, a sense of security, a feeling that you are capable of offering love and being loved. I guess human beings love themselves the most hence fall in love with a person to make themselves happy.
Selfishness is to have a chief concern for ones own interest. To say we have a chief concern for ones own interest especially with disregard to others it to contradict the meaning. Our dependency on others is self evident and to show disregard for others is not in ones best interest.
Selfishness is a virtue and not a sin, it is the very point in having a point of view. If you don't look out for your own interests then who will?
Not all human beings are selfish.The degree of selfishness can depend on the way we were nurtured.How were brought up and what we were taught since young will influence what we are today.Some of us would prefer to stay in our comfort zone,refusing to open up to others.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Lack of Awareness on the concerning rules by both the commuters and conductors
Out of the fifty commuters in the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses twenty five take daily bus passes issued by the conductors.
Even the information on the backside of the daily passes shows that the person purchasing the pass should sign on it. The conductors are supposed to check the passes for signature and if any passes are found without signature, the person has to be fined.
"There is a rule and the bus conductors has to check the date and month and should tell the commuter to sign on it," said Vishwanath, Chief Traffic Manager (Operations).
He added that if the commuter caught with an unsigned pass then the case been registered against the conductor and the commuter both. The fine also gets raised ten times more than the cost of one daily pass.
However most of the conductor's don't follow this rule neither the most of the commuters.
"I had no idea about the subsistence of such a rule that the commuter has to sign and checked it by the conductor," Rajashree, a commuter who purchases the daily pass regularly.
I truly don't have any kind of awareness of this rule. But also we don't carry a pen with us all the time so how we suppose to sign at that point of time," said Naveen, another commuter.
"I have been traveling in BMTC bus from back twenty years and don't know about this rule, I am surprised to know about it," Mamta, another commuter.
She further added if the transport department doesn't want to pursue their own rules then why they make the rules for the citizens.
The conductors of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) don't follow their own rules.
"I am aware of this rule but no other conductor follows it then why should I bother myself," said Hanumanth Raju, a bus conductor.
He added that no authorities of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) have created trouble for him.
"It would be hard to check each pass for signatures and charge fines to them," said Uresh
Another Conductor
He added that in case of not signing the bus passes the fine is ten times higher as three hundred rupees.
He further added that it should not reasonable on the commuter's part as they are mainly unaware of the rule and if the tickets checking agents come in the bus they too usually checks for those who don't buy the tickets not for the unsigned daily bus passes. Even the conductors are not correctly educated in this respect
"We will peek into this matter quickly, or else different people will use the similar pass," said Vishwanath, Chief Traffic Manager (operations).
Even the information on the backside of the daily passes shows that the person purchasing the pass should sign on it. The conductors are supposed to check the passes for signature and if any passes are found without signature, the person has to be fined.
"There is a rule and the bus conductors has to check the date and month and should tell the commuter to sign on it," said Vishwanath, Chief Traffic Manager (Operations).
He added that if the commuter caught with an unsigned pass then the case been registered against the conductor and the commuter both. The fine also gets raised ten times more than the cost of one daily pass.
However most of the conductor's don't follow this rule neither the most of the commuters.
"I had no idea about the subsistence of such a rule that the commuter has to sign and checked it by the conductor," Rajashree, a commuter who purchases the daily pass regularly.
I truly don't have any kind of awareness of this rule. But also we don't carry a pen with us all the time so how we suppose to sign at that point of time," said Naveen, another commuter.
"I have been traveling in BMTC bus from back twenty years and don't know about this rule, I am surprised to know about it," Mamta, another commuter.
She further added if the transport department doesn't want to pursue their own rules then why they make the rules for the citizens.
The conductors of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) don't follow their own rules.
"I am aware of this rule but no other conductor follows it then why should I bother myself," said Hanumanth Raju, a bus conductor.
He added that no authorities of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) have created trouble for him.
"It would be hard to check each pass for signatures and charge fines to them," said Uresh
Another Conductor
He added that in case of not signing the bus passes the fine is ten times higher as three hundred rupees.
He further added that it should not reasonable on the commuter's part as they are mainly unaware of the rule and if the tickets checking agents come in the bus they too usually checks for those who don't buy the tickets not for the unsigned daily bus passes. Even the conductors are not correctly educated in this respect
"We will peek into this matter quickly, or else different people will use the similar pass," said Vishwanath, Chief Traffic Manager (operations).
Menace of Adulteration
The nature, type, and quality and quantity of food play an important role in the maintenance of health and well being of all individuals. Food safety is an essential public health issue for all consumers.
However many consumers in India and other developing countries, are often exposed to willful adulteration o their food stock and supply. Adulteration of milk, spices, edible oils and even alcohol and beverages and the use of colors to mask product quality to cheat the consumer are quite common. This leads to health hazards and financial losses for consumer, families, communities and countries.
Most branded products in India have become a victim of this dangerous and prevailing disease of adulteration.
Nowadays, fast food is a fashion, even to middle-income group families. The ingredients of fast food may affect the health of the users. Nobody bothers to check whether it is adulterated food or not. A system should be formed to find out the offender, so that the health of the public is not affected.
Food adulteration is a crime, which cannot be left out without any penalty to those who are behind it. Food adulteration is slow poisoning and the innocent people are dying slowly. The health hazard on this count has not received the attention it merits, as the authorities are ill equipped to tackle the situation or remain reluctant to take action against the culprits who pay them on the sly.
The threat posed by contaminated foodstuff is formidable, indeed. Chemicals used for longer shelf life of food items, to enhance their taste and looks are harmful to health. Our health depends on the kind of food we consume. As such, contaminated food items imperil our life. Consumers should refrain from buying such items and turn to fresh food items made locally.
In wide-ranging terms, a family spends nearly fifty percent of its income on food. Yet, the diet of many of us is no balanced in nutrients such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins, minerals, which are essential for good health. Due to rising prices many are not in a position to afford good food. Even the food purchased at high cost is often by substances, which are injurious to health.
In the case of vegetables, it would be better if we can cultivate them in the available space, say in sacks placed on the terrace. Shops that sell contaminated food items should be boycotted. When consumers react jointly or in large numbers, the end result will be positive.
"Even Consumers should report cases of adulteration to the authorities and pursue them relentlessly to ensure conviction. If people display greater vigilance and consumer awareness, the menace can be arrested easily" said Rateh- ul-Khan, Food Inspector, Bangalore Mahanagar Palike.
The concerted effort of various Government departments such as Agriculture, Public Health and Civil Supplies with the cooperation of civic bodies and social organisations is necessary. The farmers who produce various food crops should be persuaded to use pesticides and chemical fertilizers judiciously rather than indiscriminately
All food items prepared in factories and other units should be subjected to scientific testing to ascertain quality. There should be stringent checking on food items brought from other States.
"Polluted air is the major cause of global warming which increases children's susceptibility to diseases such as influenza, causes irritation to the respiratory systems and vehicular pollution has become a serious health issue" says Akshay Heblikar, Eco Watch, Centre for Environment and sustainable Development
Yet colors may attract, but they could also repel, once the consumer knows that such colors could be toxic. Take the case of the summer fruit, water melon. Since consumer preference is for ripe, bright red melons, they often ask the fruit vendor to cut a small piece of the fruit and show them the inside color before buying. So sellers have apparently started injecting a red dye into the fruit to give it a bright red shade.
In fact during the hot summer months, it is not just the water melon. Since vegetables tend to dry up quickly, they are also given a coating of different colors to make them look fresh. Ladies finger, peas, capsicum, brinjal are only some of the many vegetables that are given a colored bath or simply given a shiny coat to fool consumers into believing that they are fresh.
Then there are other foods like pulses and spices that get a coating of paint throughout the year, irrespective of the season. Here, the color is meant to give them an attractive shine or to cover up holes left by insects or worms. Arhar dal, for example is often artificially coloured with various yellow dyes. Soak it in water and you will notice the water turning yellow in no time. Many other pulses reveal their true color only when they are put in water. The red variety of 'rajma' for example, often gives out blood red color when put in water. Dried red chillies have also been found to be colored with harmful synthetic dyes.
Food adulteration is punishable under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. The act has been amended in 1976 and a person found guilty of adulterating an article of food which is non-injurious is liable to a punishment.
There are simple tests to detect adulteration of food Stuffs. "But it is necessary to have the food analysed scientifically in the food laboratories and only on the basis of reports can merchants be prosecuted" said Manjunathan, Public analyst, Food Laboratory, Bangalore Mahanagar Palike.
Consumers need to be made aware that they are essentially consuming poison instead of food and these actions by the illegal manufacturers are in fact equivalent to committing murder.
However many consumers in India and other developing countries, are often exposed to willful adulteration o their food stock and supply. Adulteration of milk, spices, edible oils and even alcohol and beverages and the use of colors to mask product quality to cheat the consumer are quite common. This leads to health hazards and financial losses for consumer, families, communities and countries.
Most branded products in India have become a victim of this dangerous and prevailing disease of adulteration.
Nowadays, fast food is a fashion, even to middle-income group families. The ingredients of fast food may affect the health of the users. Nobody bothers to check whether it is adulterated food or not. A system should be formed to find out the offender, so that the health of the public is not affected.
Food adulteration is a crime, which cannot be left out without any penalty to those who are behind it. Food adulteration is slow poisoning and the innocent people are dying slowly. The health hazard on this count has not received the attention it merits, as the authorities are ill equipped to tackle the situation or remain reluctant to take action against the culprits who pay them on the sly.
The threat posed by contaminated foodstuff is formidable, indeed. Chemicals used for longer shelf life of food items, to enhance their taste and looks are harmful to health. Our health depends on the kind of food we consume. As such, contaminated food items imperil our life. Consumers should refrain from buying such items and turn to fresh food items made locally.
In wide-ranging terms, a family spends nearly fifty percent of its income on food. Yet, the diet of many of us is no balanced in nutrients such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins, minerals, which are essential for good health. Due to rising prices many are not in a position to afford good food. Even the food purchased at high cost is often by substances, which are injurious to health.
In the case of vegetables, it would be better if we can cultivate them in the available space, say in sacks placed on the terrace. Shops that sell contaminated food items should be boycotted. When consumers react jointly or in large numbers, the end result will be positive.
"Even Consumers should report cases of adulteration to the authorities and pursue them relentlessly to ensure conviction. If people display greater vigilance and consumer awareness, the menace can be arrested easily" said Rateh- ul-Khan, Food Inspector, Bangalore Mahanagar Palike.
The concerted effort of various Government departments such as Agriculture, Public Health and Civil Supplies with the cooperation of civic bodies and social organisations is necessary. The farmers who produce various food crops should be persuaded to use pesticides and chemical fertilizers judiciously rather than indiscriminately
All food items prepared in factories and other units should be subjected to scientific testing to ascertain quality. There should be stringent checking on food items brought from other States.
"Polluted air is the major cause of global warming which increases children's susceptibility to diseases such as influenza, causes irritation to the respiratory systems and vehicular pollution has become a serious health issue" says Akshay Heblikar, Eco Watch, Centre for Environment and sustainable Development
Yet colors may attract, but they could also repel, once the consumer knows that such colors could be toxic. Take the case of the summer fruit, water melon. Since consumer preference is for ripe, bright red melons, they often ask the fruit vendor to cut a small piece of the fruit and show them the inside color before buying. So sellers have apparently started injecting a red dye into the fruit to give it a bright red shade.
In fact during the hot summer months, it is not just the water melon. Since vegetables tend to dry up quickly, they are also given a coating of different colors to make them look fresh. Ladies finger, peas, capsicum, brinjal are only some of the many vegetables that are given a colored bath or simply given a shiny coat to fool consumers into believing that they are fresh.
Then there are other foods like pulses and spices that get a coating of paint throughout the year, irrespective of the season. Here, the color is meant to give them an attractive shine or to cover up holes left by insects or worms. Arhar dal, for example is often artificially coloured with various yellow dyes. Soak it in water and you will notice the water turning yellow in no time. Many other pulses reveal their true color only when they are put in water. The red variety of 'rajma' for example, often gives out blood red color when put in water. Dried red chillies have also been found to be colored with harmful synthetic dyes.
Food adulteration is punishable under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. The act has been amended in 1976 and a person found guilty of adulterating an article of food which is non-injurious is liable to a punishment.
There are simple tests to detect adulteration of food Stuffs. "But it is necessary to have the food analysed scientifically in the food laboratories and only on the basis of reports can merchants be prosecuted" said Manjunathan, Public analyst, Food Laboratory, Bangalore Mahanagar Palike.
Consumers need to be made aware that they are essentially consuming poison instead of food and these actions by the illegal manufacturers are in fact equivalent to committing murder.
Body Piercing is becoming more than just a trend
Body Piercing is becoming more than just a trend; it has become a culture in Bangalore.
There are traditional beliefs attached to nose and ear piercing. Earlier it was done by hand but now day’s youths can to go to a jeweler, the doctor or to a beauty salon and studios where the piercer will put a gun loaded with the stud against the significant body part and shoot it.
“Ear and Nose piercing has been their in India from decades and it has been done for beauty and aesthetic looks for the ladies and males too,” said Dr Ashok Patil, Physician and Piercing specialist.
He added that the conventional way of piercing has a risk factor and cause allergic reactions, bleeding, pain, bacterial infection, and viral infection and puss formation.
“I brought an ear piercing gadget (gunshot machine) in 1980 and this machine gives no pain, no bleeding and no infection,” said Dr. Patil.
He further added that body piercing is not advisable by Indian Medical Association and if it’s properly performed to the ear and nose, the risks can be minimized. In addition, the sterilized kits to be used to reduce the chances of infection.
“Don’t ever go for unlicensed piercer and always look for a professional ones whom you feel he or she hygienically safe,” said Aradhye Ackshatt, an engineering student.
He added that if piercing makes one feel good about how they look, it’s worth it and piercing can easily be removed if the look isn’t right or the person feels physical and mental discomfort.
He also believes that depending on the piercing and the sensitivity of the body part being pierced, he prefers hand piercing rather than gun.
“Piercing with gun on the upper ear frequently end with longer healing times and the gun was considered and used for piercing the ear lobes only,” said Dr Patil.
“I had an interest in it, I would call it an innate interest that had nothing to do with societal or fashion trends or sexual orientation trends but yes for sure it comes at a price,” said Sandeep Godara, ESPN Sports Channel, Administrator and Human Resource.
“It cost me 50 dollars for my left ear,” he said.
He added that body modification practices exist across cultures and transcend simply aesthetics and indigenous beauty standards. These practices are understood to be universal features of traditional societies, significations of status and belonging.
He also reveals that any kind of procedure which involves contact with blood or bodily fluids requires strict adherence to cross-contamination prevention and piercing guns are usually made with plastic and cannot be sterilized in an autoclave. They wipe it with alcohol or antiseptic in between uses.
“It is not unreasonable to guess that in a two-week training course, the pierces are not being taught about infection control and blood-borne pathogens and a quick wipe with a sterile pad is not effective in removing disease-carrying blood,” he said.
“I have been practicing ear piercing from back 20 years and using gun shot machine to pierce the ears and my customers has no complaint about it,” said Margaret Panthaki, a beautician
She added that the areas that used for piercing at least take a month to heal up without changing the studs.
“I am running this business from back 15 years and perform body, ear, nose and tongue piercing and charge from Rs 50 to 1000 depend upon the piercing,” said Viswanathan, a practitioner from US and UK tattoo and body piercing studio.
He added that we used US and UK products like gunshot machine, studs, and needles for our customers and the age of the customer ranges from 10 to 50 years of age.
“We are in this body piercing market from back one year and import material from US and export in India to the local jewellery shops, hospitals and local markets,” said Biju, a mechanical engineering student.
He added that it is advisable to keep the stud (earning) at least of minimum of three months without changing it and the customers prefer to theses US and UK products not the local brands.
“Nothing comes free, be it body piercing or anything else,” said Rupali Dhiman, SEO copywriter, Icronex Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
“Although I didn’t spend a fortune on my ear piercing in India, but I have couple of friends staying in abroad have spend around 20 to 30 dollars on this,” she said.
She added that I have four piercing in my both ears including tragus piercing in my left ear and all this including accessories cost around Rs 800.
However, the youth, which are exposed to western culture are following the trends otherwise piercing was always rampant among Hindu sadhus, not to mention the womenfolk throughout history.
There are traditional beliefs attached to nose and ear piercing. Earlier it was done by hand but now day’s youths can to go to a jeweler, the doctor or to a beauty salon and studios where the piercer will put a gun loaded with the stud against the significant body part and shoot it.
“Ear and Nose piercing has been their in India from decades and it has been done for beauty and aesthetic looks for the ladies and males too,” said Dr Ashok Patil, Physician and Piercing specialist.
He added that the conventional way of piercing has a risk factor and cause allergic reactions, bleeding, pain, bacterial infection, and viral infection and puss formation.
“I brought an ear piercing gadget (gunshot machine) in 1980 and this machine gives no pain, no bleeding and no infection,” said Dr. Patil.
He further added that body piercing is not advisable by Indian Medical Association and if it’s properly performed to the ear and nose, the risks can be minimized. In addition, the sterilized kits to be used to reduce the chances of infection.
“Don’t ever go for unlicensed piercer and always look for a professional ones whom you feel he or she hygienically safe,” said Aradhye Ackshatt, an engineering student.
He added that if piercing makes one feel good about how they look, it’s worth it and piercing can easily be removed if the look isn’t right or the person feels physical and mental discomfort.
He also believes that depending on the piercing and the sensitivity of the body part being pierced, he prefers hand piercing rather than gun.
“Piercing with gun on the upper ear frequently end with longer healing times and the gun was considered and used for piercing the ear lobes only,” said Dr Patil.
“I had an interest in it, I would call it an innate interest that had nothing to do with societal or fashion trends or sexual orientation trends but yes for sure it comes at a price,” said Sandeep Godara, ESPN Sports Channel, Administrator and Human Resource.
“It cost me 50 dollars for my left ear,” he said.
He added that body modification practices exist across cultures and transcend simply aesthetics and indigenous beauty standards. These practices are understood to be universal features of traditional societies, significations of status and belonging.
He also reveals that any kind of procedure which involves contact with blood or bodily fluids requires strict adherence to cross-contamination prevention and piercing guns are usually made with plastic and cannot be sterilized in an autoclave. They wipe it with alcohol or antiseptic in between uses.
“It is not unreasonable to guess that in a two-week training course, the pierces are not being taught about infection control and blood-borne pathogens and a quick wipe with a sterile pad is not effective in removing disease-carrying blood,” he said.
“I have been practicing ear piercing from back 20 years and using gun shot machine to pierce the ears and my customers has no complaint about it,” said Margaret Panthaki, a beautician
She added that the areas that used for piercing at least take a month to heal up without changing the studs.
“I am running this business from back 15 years and perform body, ear, nose and tongue piercing and charge from Rs 50 to 1000 depend upon the piercing,” said Viswanathan, a practitioner from US and UK tattoo and body piercing studio.
He added that we used US and UK products like gunshot machine, studs, and needles for our customers and the age of the customer ranges from 10 to 50 years of age.
“We are in this body piercing market from back one year and import material from US and export in India to the local jewellery shops, hospitals and local markets,” said Biju, a mechanical engineering student.
He added that it is advisable to keep the stud (earning) at least of minimum of three months without changing it and the customers prefer to theses US and UK products not the local brands.
“Nothing comes free, be it body piercing or anything else,” said Rupali Dhiman, SEO copywriter, Icronex Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
“Although I didn’t spend a fortune on my ear piercing in India, but I have couple of friends staying in abroad have spend around 20 to 30 dollars on this,” she said.
She added that I have four piercing in my both ears including tragus piercing in my left ear and all this including accessories cost around Rs 800.
However, the youth, which are exposed to western culture are following the trends otherwise piercing was always rampant among Hindu sadhus, not to mention the womenfolk throughout history.
Perils of Cycling
Cycling is the most eco-friendly mode of transport in the world but we in India are still stuck in the developing country syndrome. Instead of encouraging them, we actively discourage them and carry up new cars to create more pollution in the city.
BICYCLES MAY be the most popular two-wheeler on India’s roads, but the millions who use these to commute and to transport goods and family in towns and villages certainly don’t wear helmets, jackets or biking gloves to protect themselves, hence the risk increases.
Cycling to work makes more sense for the city’s wealthy - nearly three million vehicles obstruct 500km (300 miles) of Bangalore’s contracted roads, with 1,000 new vehicles added every day.
Bangalore is one of India’s most polluted cities, as air pollution levels are five times higher than permitted limits. Concerns over traffic conditions and the environment, combined with a sedentary lifestyles, we should all unite to promote cycling to work in Bangalore.
The Indian society equates prosperity with bigger vehicles and cycling with the poor. Cyclists are offered no facilities whatsoever in the shape of cycle lanes or bike parks.
“I am riding bicycle for the past 19 years. I find it very easy, comfortable, I need not stand in the traffic for long, though there is risk but I follow the B Trac near Chinnaswamy Stadium,” says Muthappa, a bicycle rider.
Cycling is the most eco-friendly mode of transport in the world but we in India are still stuck in the developing country syndrome. Instead of encouraging them, we actively discourage them and get new cars to create more pollution in the city.
But soon it would be no longer unusual to see perspiring people pedaling to work. While on the one hand people are persuading themselves to embrace vegetarianism, on the other they are speaking out in favour of protecting the environment through cycling. Even ‘Go green’ is a message that most people are now beginning to accept and integrate into their daily routine. Being environment-friendly seems to have become a trend these days.
Five years ago, in Bangalore, Dasarathi, the director of a software products development company, made a potent statement for an alternative mode of daily transport in the choked roads of India’s Silicon Valley. Go Cycle, an umbrella organisation of biking enthusiasts and activists, is looking to lobby corporate sponsors and the local government for amenities for urban cyclists.
Go Cycle is working to convince people, a locality with broad, tree-lined roads, and the Central Business District - including the MG Road and Commercial Street - to turn over unused space for the use of cycle parking.
Traffic is bad in most cities, Bangalore is one of them, and the media has shown great interest in workers who commute by bicycle. These riders report that it takes them far less time on a cycle than in a car, and slightly less or the same amount of time than on a motorcycle.
“It is difficult to built the new tracks for bicyclers, while all the new roads are come under Bangalore Development Authority and I should encourage bicycling as it creates less pollution,” says N Ramesh, In-Chief, Executive Engineer, and Bangalore Mahanagar Palike.
“Today, the 18 km drive into town from my house just outside Bangalore takes about 80 minutes at rush hour. When I was a child, it took 20 minutes. You can see why it’s so tempting to get out of the car and leave that honking, smoking mess behind. I would choose an hour of cycling over an hour of operating a perfectly nice car in first gear and second gear alone,” says Mukesh, a pedestrian.
In Bangalore, it is better to have geared bikes. There are enough ups and downs here that one may not note when in an automobile. But don’t go for 18 gear models. 5-7 gears are more than enough.
A new folding bike named Strida was in a car show here in Bangalore (Deco 2007). This triangular bike seems really attractive with a host of good features.
When you buy a bike, and intend to use it through out the year, buy one with long mudguards. Otherwise you end up spoiling the back of your shirt in rainy season. Even otherwise there is enough cow dung on the roads.
To make cycling interesting, try installing an analog or digital speedometer on your cycle. You can get the digital speedometer V100 (see my review), which is a very good model to use. Battery lasts more than 2 years.
The survey by Bangalore Commute Data articulates that 57 per cent use personal transport - car or two wheelers and 4.4 per cent use BMTC Buses and 14.7 per cents uses bicycle.
Adventurous people will love walking or even cycling in this city but for everyone else it can get quite scary. It’s a common rule in Bangalore that zebra crossings nicely painted on some streets must be ignored under any circumstance. So, don’t expect any vehicle to stop you for crossing the road.
In the beginning, even making it in one piece to the other side of a street is as exciting as jumping off a ten metre high tower at the swimming pool. Everybody is honking; trucks, buses and cars keep passing by while you are in the middle of it.
But on Brigade Road and MG Road life is easier for walkers. There are sidewalks and especially on the weekends you don’t have to do much walking yourself but just go with the flow and let the crowd sweep you from one place to the other.
When you decide on walking and cycling anywhere in Bangalore, just stays calm, ignore the constant honking and before crossing a street remember to look right first.
BICYCLES MAY be the most popular two-wheeler on India’s roads, but the millions who use these to commute and to transport goods and family in towns and villages certainly don’t wear helmets, jackets or biking gloves to protect themselves, hence the risk increases.
Cycling to work makes more sense for the city’s wealthy - nearly three million vehicles obstruct 500km (300 miles) of Bangalore’s contracted roads, with 1,000 new vehicles added every day.
Bangalore is one of India’s most polluted cities, as air pollution levels are five times higher than permitted limits. Concerns over traffic conditions and the environment, combined with a sedentary lifestyles, we should all unite to promote cycling to work in Bangalore.
The Indian society equates prosperity with bigger vehicles and cycling with the poor. Cyclists are offered no facilities whatsoever in the shape of cycle lanes or bike parks.
“I am riding bicycle for the past 19 years. I find it very easy, comfortable, I need not stand in the traffic for long, though there is risk but I follow the B Trac near Chinnaswamy Stadium,” says Muthappa, a bicycle rider.
Cycling is the most eco-friendly mode of transport in the world but we in India are still stuck in the developing country syndrome. Instead of encouraging them, we actively discourage them and get new cars to create more pollution in the city.
But soon it would be no longer unusual to see perspiring people pedaling to work. While on the one hand people are persuading themselves to embrace vegetarianism, on the other they are speaking out in favour of protecting the environment through cycling. Even ‘Go green’ is a message that most people are now beginning to accept and integrate into their daily routine. Being environment-friendly seems to have become a trend these days.
Five years ago, in Bangalore, Dasarathi, the director of a software products development company, made a potent statement for an alternative mode of daily transport in the choked roads of India’s Silicon Valley. Go Cycle, an umbrella organisation of biking enthusiasts and activists, is looking to lobby corporate sponsors and the local government for amenities for urban cyclists.
Go Cycle is working to convince people, a locality with broad, tree-lined roads, and the Central Business District - including the MG Road and Commercial Street - to turn over unused space for the use of cycle parking.
Traffic is bad in most cities, Bangalore is one of them, and the media has shown great interest in workers who commute by bicycle. These riders report that it takes them far less time on a cycle than in a car, and slightly less or the same amount of time than on a motorcycle.
“It is difficult to built the new tracks for bicyclers, while all the new roads are come under Bangalore Development Authority and I should encourage bicycling as it creates less pollution,” says N Ramesh, In-Chief, Executive Engineer, and Bangalore Mahanagar Palike.
“Today, the 18 km drive into town from my house just outside Bangalore takes about 80 minutes at rush hour. When I was a child, it took 20 minutes. You can see why it’s so tempting to get out of the car and leave that honking, smoking mess behind. I would choose an hour of cycling over an hour of operating a perfectly nice car in first gear and second gear alone,” says Mukesh, a pedestrian.
In Bangalore, it is better to have geared bikes. There are enough ups and downs here that one may not note when in an automobile. But don’t go for 18 gear models. 5-7 gears are more than enough.
A new folding bike named Strida was in a car show here in Bangalore (Deco 2007). This triangular bike seems really attractive with a host of good features.
When you buy a bike, and intend to use it through out the year, buy one with long mudguards. Otherwise you end up spoiling the back of your shirt in rainy season. Even otherwise there is enough cow dung on the roads.
To make cycling interesting, try installing an analog or digital speedometer on your cycle. You can get the digital speedometer V100 (see my review), which is a very good model to use. Battery lasts more than 2 years.
The survey by Bangalore Commute Data articulates that 57 per cent use personal transport - car or two wheelers and 4.4 per cent use BMTC Buses and 14.7 per cents uses bicycle.
Adventurous people will love walking or even cycling in this city but for everyone else it can get quite scary. It’s a common rule in Bangalore that zebra crossings nicely painted on some streets must be ignored under any circumstance. So, don’t expect any vehicle to stop you for crossing the road.
In the beginning, even making it in one piece to the other side of a street is as exciting as jumping off a ten metre high tower at the swimming pool. Everybody is honking; trucks, buses and cars keep passing by while you are in the middle of it.
But on Brigade Road and MG Road life is easier for walkers. There are sidewalks and especially on the weekends you don’t have to do much walking yourself but just go with the flow and let the crowd sweep you from one place to the other.
When you decide on walking and cycling anywhere in Bangalore, just stays calm, ignore the constant honking and before crossing a street remember to look right first.
Banned drugs still sold
Nimesulide, Rafecoxib, Analgin are banned drugs, but are still sold in markets without the doctor's prescription. There are a number of Hospitals that sell these drugs, which are have a harmful effect on the body.
NIMESULIDE, RAFECOXIB, Analgin are banned drugs but are still sold in market without the doctor's prescription.
"Nimesulide, the anti-inflammatory drug was being used mostly to treat pain, which affects the muscles and bones and in menstrual cramps," said Dr Nagraj, General Physician. These banned drugs are harmful to heart and liver but continue to be available at several medical stores across Bangalore.
"It is simple to get pills without prescription in any medical shop and I have been using Nimesulide, for a long time," said Avinash, an Engineering Student. Mallya hospital's pharmacy too sells these drugs without prescription. "Nimesulide is available in more than thirty other combinations, all of which are not approved by the drugs controller and are illegal," said Raimaya, a Chemist at Victoria Hospital.
Some of the chemists said they no longer continue to sell the drugs. "We have sent the supply back to the manufacturer," said Raju, a chemist at Mediplus store.
Samson of the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council said that the Policy was last modified in 1994 and was directed towards promoting accelerated growth of the pharmaceutical industry.
NIMESULIDE, RAFECOXIB, Analgin are banned drugs but are still sold in market without the doctor's prescription.
"Nimesulide, the anti-inflammatory drug was being used mostly to treat pain, which affects the muscles and bones and in menstrual cramps," said Dr Nagraj, General Physician. These banned drugs are harmful to heart and liver but continue to be available at several medical stores across Bangalore.
"It is simple to get pills without prescription in any medical shop and I have been using Nimesulide, for a long time," said Avinash, an Engineering Student. Mallya hospital's pharmacy too sells these drugs without prescription. "Nimesulide is available in more than thirty other combinations, all of which are not approved by the drugs controller and are illegal," said Raimaya, a Chemist at Victoria Hospital.
Some of the chemists said they no longer continue to sell the drugs. "We have sent the supply back to the manufacturer," said Raju, a chemist at Mediplus store.
Samson of the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council said that the Policy was last modified in 1994 and was directed towards promoting accelerated growth of the pharmaceutical industry.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Visit to the lake city
Udaipur called as lake City. It feels that you are in quixotic place. The place has its own uniqueness. Udaipur also known as 'The White City' is located 665 km from from Delhi.
It’s in the southern part of Rajasthan, near to Ahmedabad (in Gujarat) than to Jaipur. It has rich heritage and beautiful gardens. Situated nearly 1900 metres above the sea level. It is a part of the Aravalli ranges.
Its beauty is heightening by the presence of mountains that serenade the city from all sides, as well as by some natural and artificial beauties that can’t quite be imagined. The city appropriately derives its name from Maharana Udai Singh who was instrumental in creating it in the year 1559.
In the sandy state of Rajasthan, there are various lakes, a series of canals linking the several artificial lakes of Udaipur have dubbed it the Venice of the East.
The City Palace of Udaipur is the most incredible constructions of the Rajput rulers of Rajasthan. Situated in the heart of the city of Udaipur. The City Palace infuses a sense of admiration in the hearts of its spectators. It is the eminence authentication of Rajput passion for art and architecture.
Maharana Udai Singh of the Sisodia establishes the unique building of the palace soon after he founded the city of Udaipur. Later Maharajas added their own construction in the palace.
The Palace architecture reveals a wonderful mix of the European and Chinese architecture. The gardens inside the palace have an individual allure of their own and create a scenic view for the visitors.
Pichola Lake, the beautiful stretch of water adjoining the two splendid structures the Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir, is the salvation of Udaipur city. The lake was created in the 15th century and widened later and a dam across was also created in that period. It was Maharaja Udai Singh II build up the dam and widened the lake.
Many wonderful palaces, temples, hilly terrains, bathing ghats and many gardens, surrounded the lake. No tourist can miss this peaceful lake, which visits Udaipur.
Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the 'Garden of the Maids of Honor' of Udaipur was previously set-aside for the royal ladies who came here for a leisurely walk. A well planned garden, with broad lawns and shaded walks located on the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake. At present it has opened for the visitors. Its fountains positioned in the four picturesque pools of the garden attract tourists. The Jagdish Chowk Road is well liked amongst the tourists visiting Udaipur, featuring handmade crafts and jewellery.
Ghanta Ghar Road is famous for fabrics made in Udaipur and Rajasthan; it is also called as fabric lover’s glory. Bapu has carpenters making wooden toys in the traditional manner. They also make wooden puppet with huge eyes.
Shil Gram is a rural crafts development center structured as an artificial village.The Meera Kala Mandir (a small theatre) has one-hour every day programme of Rajasthani folk dance and music performance and puppet shows.
The most expensive place is the lake Palace Hotel, has array of cuisines, but a prior reservation is required. Check out the Rajasthani Dhaba where one can have Dal- bati churma dipped in Desi Ghee and also the Lal Mahal Restaurant where one can have authentic rajasthani food. Try the fine continental buffet at gallery restaurant and there are also quite a lot of rooftop cafes for a budget meal as well as much good quality hotels that offer superb meals.
The extravagance hotels include the Udai Vilas, Lake Palace Hotel, Trident, Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel and the Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel. There are number of budget hotels near the Pichola Lake, which include Lalghat Guest House, the Mewar Inn and Lake Shore Palace Hotel.
Karnataka govt educating farmers of organic farming
The Karnataka Government is running various programmes to educate farmers about organic farming. The movement of organic farming is growing in India and the government of India is helping farmers in saving their farm lands.
THE FARMERS of villages in Southern Indian State of Karnataka are not aware of organic farming. They are still using conventional methods of farming, which include chemical fertilizers cow dung and manure to grow their crops. “We aren’t aware about organic farming, as we use our ways to grow crops like ragi,” said Apanna, a farmer. He added that they use urea as a chemical fertilizer to cultivate their crops early and to earn more money.
“We have certain policies and schemes to educate farmers about organic farming and put various training programmes in districts and talks in Karnataka,” said Krishna Chandra, regional director of Organic Farming, Ministry of Agriculture, Bangalore. He added that they are providing funding to the Non Government Organisations and each organisation has a target to cover 1500 farmers and for that they are paying Rs 200 per farmer per year to the NGO’s to support the farmers.
They will also be providing professional extension training, whereon the professional farmers will guide the unprofessional farmers about organic farming. They will also be giving market linkage to the farmers where they could take the growing organic products and sell them to the retailers and half of the income will go to the farmer.
“There are 16 agencies in India and we give certification to farmers, as per the standards of Government of India and is equivalent to European standards of regulation, we only give certification to those farms whose farmland is purely organic and if it is under conversion, we mention that in the certification form.” Suresh, chief coordinator, Apof Organic Certification Agency, Bangalore
The movement of organic farming is growing in India and from the past three to four years, government of India is also interested in saving their farm lands. The government of Karnataka has made a separate cell called as ‘organic cell’ especially for farmers.
“The Government of Karnataka is giving 100 hectares of area in each district and taulk, being converted to organic farming and there are 29 districts in Karnataka, for which state government has selected 29 Non Government Organisations and given them the responsibility to work with farmers to make their farms organic,” said Suresh.
He also added that 50 per cent of the funding for organic farming is been done by Government of Karnataka and rest is by the farmers.
“We run various programmes, teaching students and also give training to farmers, a programme called Krishi Vignan Kendra wherein we demonstrate various organic farming practices,” said Dr Shranappa, professor of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Gandhi Krishi Vignan Kendra, Bangalore
He added that the conventional methods of farming contaminate the water and pollute the surroundings. It causes health problems and also reduces the soil productivity and increases soil erosion primary to loss of nutrients from the soil and also the microbial life cycle gets disturbed.
He further added that several fertilizers being used by the farmers, mainly used is urea potash.
“We are operating a National Horticulture Mission under the Department of Horticulture, Lalbagh, in which 1500 farmers are supporting us to convert to organic farms, receiving payback profits from organic farming is time-consuming and ongoing. The end result will be seen after two years for organic crops like ragi, paddy and millet and for perennial crops like coconut, coffee and pepper will take three years.” said CN Renukaradhya, Chief Functionary, Courtesy India and a Non Government Organisation, Bangalore.
“My father was a organic farmer and I am also doing organic farming from back 10 years and in year 1998, I had used chemical fertilizers for my crops and saw the disaster, the chemical fertilizers are the killers for the crops they damage the land, crops and the environment. In India we are using banned fertilizers, wherein which were banned in other states years back. Most of the vegetables that are grown in Bangalore city are from sewage water and farmers washed the vegetables with the same water itself.
They harvest rain water to grow the crops in the farm land and sell all the organic products like sugar, soil, vegetables and oil which are fresh and healthy.” said Jairam, Organic Farmer and the owner of Eco Organic Outlet, Bangalore
THE FARMERS of villages in Southern Indian State of Karnataka are not aware of organic farming. They are still using conventional methods of farming, which include chemical fertilizers cow dung and manure to grow their crops. “We aren’t aware about organic farming, as we use our ways to grow crops like ragi,” said Apanna, a farmer. He added that they use urea as a chemical fertilizer to cultivate their crops early and to earn more money.
“We have certain policies and schemes to educate farmers about organic farming and put various training programmes in districts and talks in Karnataka,” said Krishna Chandra, regional director of Organic Farming, Ministry of Agriculture, Bangalore. He added that they are providing funding to the Non Government Organisations and each organisation has a target to cover 1500 farmers and for that they are paying Rs 200 per farmer per year to the NGO’s to support the farmers.
They will also be providing professional extension training, whereon the professional farmers will guide the unprofessional farmers about organic farming. They will also be giving market linkage to the farmers where they could take the growing organic products and sell them to the retailers and half of the income will go to the farmer.
“There are 16 agencies in India and we give certification to farmers, as per the standards of Government of India and is equivalent to European standards of regulation, we only give certification to those farms whose farmland is purely organic and if it is under conversion, we mention that in the certification form.” Suresh, chief coordinator, Apof Organic Certification Agency, Bangalore
The movement of organic farming is growing in India and from the past three to four years, government of India is also interested in saving their farm lands. The government of Karnataka has made a separate cell called as ‘organic cell’ especially for farmers.
“The Government of Karnataka is giving 100 hectares of area in each district and taulk, being converted to organic farming and there are 29 districts in Karnataka, for which state government has selected 29 Non Government Organisations and given them the responsibility to work with farmers to make their farms organic,” said Suresh.
He also added that 50 per cent of the funding for organic farming is been done by Government of Karnataka and rest is by the farmers.
“We run various programmes, teaching students and also give training to farmers, a programme called Krishi Vignan Kendra wherein we demonstrate various organic farming practices,” said Dr Shranappa, professor of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Gandhi Krishi Vignan Kendra, Bangalore
He added that the conventional methods of farming contaminate the water and pollute the surroundings. It causes health problems and also reduces the soil productivity and increases soil erosion primary to loss of nutrients from the soil and also the microbial life cycle gets disturbed.
He further added that several fertilizers being used by the farmers, mainly used is urea potash.
“We are operating a National Horticulture Mission under the Department of Horticulture, Lalbagh, in which 1500 farmers are supporting us to convert to organic farms, receiving payback profits from organic farming is time-consuming and ongoing. The end result will be seen after two years for organic crops like ragi, paddy and millet and for perennial crops like coconut, coffee and pepper will take three years.” said CN Renukaradhya, Chief Functionary, Courtesy India and a Non Government Organisation, Bangalore.
“My father was a organic farmer and I am also doing organic farming from back 10 years and in year 1998, I had used chemical fertilizers for my crops and saw the disaster, the chemical fertilizers are the killers for the crops they damage the land, crops and the environment. In India we are using banned fertilizers, wherein which were banned in other states years back. Most of the vegetables that are grown in Bangalore city are from sewage water and farmers washed the vegetables with the same water itself.
They harvest rain water to grow the crops in the farm land and sell all the organic products like sugar, soil, vegetables and oil which are fresh and healthy.” said Jairam, Organic Farmer and the owner of Eco Organic Outlet, Bangalore
Prison turns a non-smoking region in Bangalore
WITH PRISONERS striving hard to be get out of the addiction, Bangalore Central prison is in the course of becoming a non-smoking region, although many prisoners are under the misconception that smoking a ‘beedi’ or cigarette, chewing tobacco, supari and gutka gives pleasure and beats depression. http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=15764534
The Bangalore prison has 5,000 prisoners, of which 200 are females. They live in small dormitories, and are regularly affected by passive smoking. “The sale of ‘beedis’ and cigarettes in the prison canteen has reduced though not banned. We are not compelling the prisoners to give up smoking. We are inspiring them to lead an energetic and dynamic life and make this place good for living,” said chief superintendent of the prison MC Vishwanathaiah.
Many prisoners are under rehabilitation in the prison hospital. The doctors counsel to give up the addiction. “This habit should be managed with mind deviation, suppressing temptations or cravings and medicines. Most of the prisoners get trapped again into this habit due to lack of confidence and support to combat temptation and cravings, but the number of prisoners in rehabilitation process has increased in the last one month”, said superintendent of the central prisons Lakshminarayana T.H.
The withdrawal symptoms of the prisoners are the main obstacles in quitting smoking. The prisoners use these withdrawal symptoms as an excuse to delay quitting the habit. The most common symptoms are irritability, lack of concentration, depression, roller coaster of moods, craving, anxiety, tension, restlessness, tremor, tingling sensation in extremities, sleeplessness, constipation, dizziness, cough and voracious appetite.
However, these symptoms can be easily managed with will power, good diet, exercise and good environment. The project is being planned by the governor of Karnataka to introduce healthy living among the prisoners.
‘Mental Health Substance Use’, is a project to facilitate assessment and approach in prison. The people who are involved in it are Justice KA Manjunath, director and vice chancellor NIMHANS, Dr D Nagraja, additional director-deneral of police and inspector-general of prisons, ST Ramesh and Professor CR Chandrashekhar Prasad. They are all working towards making the project a national success.
The prison department provides a variety of indoor activities including chess, carom for each barrack to help them overcome the addiction. They also have a literacy programme, which includes three hours of reading, writing and arithmetic. Volleyball, yoga classes, music and dance are also added to the outdoor activities to engage them.
“It is a gradual process and the department requires sincere efforts then only we will be able to eradicate it”, said superintendent of the central prison Lakshminarayana TH.
The Bangalore prison has 5,000 prisoners, of which 200 are females. They live in small dormitories, and are regularly affected by passive smoking. “The sale of ‘beedis’ and cigarettes in the prison canteen has reduced though not banned. We are not compelling the prisoners to give up smoking. We are inspiring them to lead an energetic and dynamic life and make this place good for living,” said chief superintendent of the prison MC Vishwanathaiah.
Many prisoners are under rehabilitation in the prison hospital. The doctors counsel to give up the addiction. “This habit should be managed with mind deviation, suppressing temptations or cravings and medicines. Most of the prisoners get trapped again into this habit due to lack of confidence and support to combat temptation and cravings, but the number of prisoners in rehabilitation process has increased in the last one month”, said superintendent of the central prisons Lakshminarayana T.H.
The withdrawal symptoms of the prisoners are the main obstacles in quitting smoking. The prisoners use these withdrawal symptoms as an excuse to delay quitting the habit. The most common symptoms are irritability, lack of concentration, depression, roller coaster of moods, craving, anxiety, tension, restlessness, tremor, tingling sensation in extremities, sleeplessness, constipation, dizziness, cough and voracious appetite.
However, these symptoms can be easily managed with will power, good diet, exercise and good environment. The project is being planned by the governor of Karnataka to introduce healthy living among the prisoners.
‘Mental Health Substance Use’, is a project to facilitate assessment and approach in prison. The people who are involved in it are Justice KA Manjunath, director and vice chancellor NIMHANS, Dr D Nagraja, additional director-deneral of police and inspector-general of prisons, ST Ramesh and Professor CR Chandrashekhar Prasad. They are all working towards making the project a national success.
The prison department provides a variety of indoor activities including chess, carom for each barrack to help them overcome the addiction. They also have a literacy programme, which includes three hours of reading, writing and arithmetic. Volleyball, yoga classes, music and dance are also added to the outdoor activities to engage them.
“It is a gradual process and the department requires sincere efforts then only we will be able to eradicate it”, said superintendent of the central prison Lakshminarayana TH.
Fake branded goods being sold in Bangalore
Many shops in Bangalore are illegally selling fake products under international brand names such as Reebok, Adidas, Puma and Nike. The shop owners replicate the logos and the design of these brands so perfectly that it looks original.
Many SHOPS in Bangalore are violating the Trade Marks Act by selling fake products under international brand names such as Reebok, Adidas, Puma and Nike.
Pick and Move, a store at Brigade Road keeps fake shirts, t-shirts and caps of brands such as Levis, Nike, Lee and Pepe. Mohammed Mosim, an employee at the shop said, “Of course, these are fake brand clothes. We produce these.”
Today's Bazaar, another garment shop at Brigade Road, which attracts a lot of customers, has many fake branded clothes and accessories for sale. Abdul, the shop owner said, “We get the clothes from Tirpur in Tamil Nadu, where such clothes are manufactured and exported. We buy them in bulk and earn 50 to 60 per cent profit.”
The shop owners replicate the logos and the design of these brands so perfectly that it looks original to an unsuspecting customer. These items can be bought for Rs 250 to Rs 400 in these shops, whereas the prices of the original items start from Rs 1000.
SN Siddaramappa, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), said that not only the City Crime Branch, even the area police inspector can go and check shops for fake branded goods. He said that the police constables report them if shopowners sell fake brands.
“We generally go for raids and seize the duplicated material, anywhere, at anytime. We also inform the company. But the company should come and cooperate with us if they know their brands are counterfeited,” said Siddaramappa.
Abhi Pradhan, Store Manager of Lee Store, Brigade Road, said that if they come to know that fake brands are being sold, he reports it to the area manager.
“We inform the legal department, later they do all the proceedings,” said Harjeet Gora, Stores Operation Manager, Adidas Regional Office.
“First we see the brand, if it is fake then we lodge the complaint and find out the root cause why it is happening,” said BG Suresh, Regional Head, Store Operations. He said that selling of fake products hampers the brand image.
“Curbing raids has not resulted in the desired effects,” said Saptrishi, a loyal customer of Levi's jeans, who has been buying original Levi's jeans since three years.
“In August, there was one case being registered under the Trade Mark Act, 1999. But the problem we are facing is that companies don't approach us,” said Siddaramappa.
Many SHOPS in Bangalore are violating the Trade Marks Act by selling fake products under international brand names such as Reebok, Adidas, Puma and Nike.
Pick and Move, a store at Brigade Road keeps fake shirts, t-shirts and caps of brands such as Levis, Nike, Lee and Pepe. Mohammed Mosim, an employee at the shop said, “Of course, these are fake brand clothes. We produce these.”
Today's Bazaar, another garment shop at Brigade Road, which attracts a lot of customers, has many fake branded clothes and accessories for sale. Abdul, the shop owner said, “We get the clothes from Tirpur in Tamil Nadu, where such clothes are manufactured and exported. We buy them in bulk and earn 50 to 60 per cent profit.”
The shop owners replicate the logos and the design of these brands so perfectly that it looks original to an unsuspecting customer. These items can be bought for Rs 250 to Rs 400 in these shops, whereas the prices of the original items start from Rs 1000.
SN Siddaramappa, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), said that not only the City Crime Branch, even the area police inspector can go and check shops for fake branded goods. He said that the police constables report them if shopowners sell fake brands.
“We generally go for raids and seize the duplicated material, anywhere, at anytime. We also inform the company. But the company should come and cooperate with us if they know their brands are counterfeited,” said Siddaramappa.
Abhi Pradhan, Store Manager of Lee Store, Brigade Road, said that if they come to know that fake brands are being sold, he reports it to the area manager.
“We inform the legal department, later they do all the proceedings,” said Harjeet Gora, Stores Operation Manager, Adidas Regional Office.
“First we see the brand, if it is fake then we lodge the complaint and find out the root cause why it is happening,” said BG Suresh, Regional Head, Store Operations. He said that selling of fake products hampers the brand image.
“Curbing raids has not resulted in the desired effects,” said Saptrishi, a loyal customer of Levi's jeans, who has been buying original Levi's jeans since three years.
“In August, there was one case being registered under the Trade Mark Act, 1999. But the problem we are facing is that companies don't approach us,” said Siddaramappa.
Dismal state of Primary Health Centres in India
Primary Health Centres in India were set up with a view to provide healthcare facilities to the poor and rural people. However, they have failed to live up to the objective and expectations with which they were established.
The Primary Health Centres in Karnataka have the provision of giving the contraceptives such as condom and oral pills. But the health centres in K Golahalli and Kumbalgudu in the outskirts of Bangalore are not providing assured services to their patients.
The Primary Health center (PHC) in K Golahalli is the only centre, which covers 20 villages and has two sub centres - one in K Golahalli and the other in Thittahalli. A new one room PHC has opened in Kumbalgudu.
The centre has only four beds and one senior doctor and one nurse, who look after minimum thirty patients a day. The centre opens at 9:00 in the morning but the doctor comes at 11:30 am and patients wait for at least one or two hours daily to get their check up done.
The shortage of resources is prevalent as is the case with most government health centres. In poor states like Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa, expense levels are low while hopes for living well stay high.
The actual problem the Primary Health Centres face is shortage of medicines, necessary drugs that are insufficient to cater to large number of patients and also the low salaries of the doctors.
"I am taking the treatment from a week, every second day I have to come and consult the doctor but she generally comes late and it creates difficulty for other villagers also," said Manjunath, a villager.
He also added that PHC services are not maintained systematically. They don’t even have proper antibiotics to give to the patients.
Shiv Kumar, health inspector in PHC, said, “There are many villagers, who use this PHC for medical check ups, but we don’t have many facilities for the patients.”
He added that every month 400 pieces of contraceptives (Nirodh) and 400 oral pills like Mala D are sent to the PHC by the government to stop unwanted pregnancy.
In the village there are very few, who know that Primary Health Centre gives contraceptive and oral pills free of cost and there is no awareness among the villagers about these pills and contraceptives.
"I have one child and we don’t use condom. I am not aware of that PHC gives contraceptive and oral pills free of cost. But right now I am planning to have one more child," said Suma, a villager’s wife.
"We go to the villages to create awareness among the villagers but we only get six pieces of condoms, if those six pieces get over then we don’t get more for the day," said Shweta, a nurse in the PHC.
Primary Health Centre should be equipped with operation theatre, labour room, observation ward, ambulance, drinking water and a lady doctor. Also, the added function of PHCs consists of providing regular in-patient and outpatient health care services, implementation of family welfare programme, prevention and control of endemic diseases, basic sanitation and immunisation.
Primary Health Centres is the basis of rural healthcare and are made-up to meet the health care requirements of rural population.
In rural India, poverty and low levels of education are the grass root problems and the villagers depend on PHC for their treatment and still the state government can’t take the proper care of these health centres.
However, the practice of absenteeism amongst the doctors in PHC is very high.
Another Primary Health Centre in Kumbalgudu has only two rooms, no wards and no basic facilities.
"Panchayati Raj institution had promised us to give the building but nothing has been done till now," said Sujata, lab technician in Kumbalgudu PHC.
She added, “We don’t even have observation ward where we can do the check ups and no medicines and added that at least K Golahalli PHC has its own building, toilets, good infrastructure but here we don’t even have toilets, no storage for medicines, no water and on top of that we have a doctor, who comes rarely to look after the patients and there are about thirty patients for treatment every day.
“Primary health centre in Kumbalgudu doesn’t have contraceptives and oral pills to give to their patients and also don’t have general facilities for the patients,” she said.
She also added that panchyat of the village is the authority, which looks after the monitoring of the PHC and they are not doing anything for the welfare to the villagers.
Health as a human right
Poor health has consequences not only for women but also for their families. Women in poor health are more likely to give birth to low weight infants. They also are less likely to be able to provide food and adequate care for their children.
Each Sphere in the world is now gathering at least one human rights contract that deal with health-related rights. It comprises the right to health as well as other rights that relate to conditions necessary for health.
India has taken speedy steps in the health sector since Independence. We have a vast personal healthcare infrastructure. But serious health problems continue to take a large number of lives, babies continue to die needless deaths from diarrhea and respiratory virus and millions still do not have access to the most basic healthcare.
“There are many complaints of violation of human rights and Karnataka Human Rights Commission is not working at all and not even providing basic help to the poor,” said Dr Ida, medical practitioner and activist.
She also said that the health of Indian women is essentially related to their status in society. The contributions Indian women make to their families frequently are ignored and in its place they are looked at as economic burdens. There is a strong son preference in India, as sons are expected to care for parents as they grew old.
Poor health has consequences not only for women but also for their families. Women in poor health are more likely to give birth to low weight infants. They also are less likely to be able to provide food and adequate care for their children. Finally, a woman’s health affects the household economic well being, as a woman in poor health will be less productive in the labour force.
We exist in a globalise surroundings, characterised by increasing stress between our technological abilities and our social policies to meet the basic health needs. There are people in and around Bangalore who don’t have any place to survive.
Every woman, man, youth and child has the human right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, without bias. Indulgence of the human right to health is vital to all aspects of a person's life and well-being and is very important to the understanding of many other basic human rights and freedoms.
World Health Organisation is promoting and protecting health by fulfilling human rights. The violation of and lack of attention to human rights can have serious health consequences (eg, harmful traditional practices, slavery, torture and inhuman and degrading treatment, violence against women and children).
Health policies and programmes can promote or violate human rights in their design or implementation eg, freedom from discrimination, rights to participation, privacy and information.
According to the Anita Cheria, the director of Open Space, the non government organisation said that employees and contractors who are employed under government association are not getting enough funds to earn their livelihood. They live on the construction site in unhygienic conditions and also get diseases. The most common diseases are urinal infection because the government did not provide propr toilets to them and even if they are providing, there are 30 people for one toilet.
“The contractors pay the labourers just Rs 160 to the male and Rs 110 to the female, which is not at all sufficient to feed the whole family,” said Goirang, a labour from Orissa, working at the site near Kengri.
“We recognise that people's health is influenced by determinants that are deeply fixed in the social, political, economic, cultural and ecological fabric of life. Therefore, the core thrust our organisation is to promote community health based on the social paradigm, through policy action, training, networking and mainstreaming the people’s health movement,” said Prem Das, state conveyor, Jana Arogaya Andolan or People’s Health Movement.
He also added that health is not a medicine, it is a well being of the human body. As nations look to support the health systems, they are gradually looking to primary health care (PHC) to provide a clear and complete sense of course.
The World Health Report 2008 also says that primary health care reforms, represent that the principles of universal access, equity and social justice are a necessary reaction to the health challenges of a speedily altering world and the growing expectations of countries and their citizens for health and health care.
Each Sphere in the world is now gathering at least one human rights contract that deal with health-related rights. It comprises the right to health as well as other rights that relate to conditions necessary for health.
India has taken speedy steps in the health sector since Independence. We have a vast personal healthcare infrastructure. But serious health problems continue to take a large number of lives, babies continue to die needless deaths from diarrhea and respiratory virus and millions still do not have access to the most basic healthcare.
“There are many complaints of violation of human rights and Karnataka Human Rights Commission is not working at all and not even providing basic help to the poor,” said Dr Ida, medical practitioner and activist.
She also said that the health of Indian women is essentially related to their status in society. The contributions Indian women make to their families frequently are ignored and in its place they are looked at as economic burdens. There is a strong son preference in India, as sons are expected to care for parents as they grew old.
Poor health has consequences not only for women but also for their families. Women in poor health are more likely to give birth to low weight infants. They also are less likely to be able to provide food and adequate care for their children. Finally, a woman’s health affects the household economic well being, as a woman in poor health will be less productive in the labour force.
We exist in a globalise surroundings, characterised by increasing stress between our technological abilities and our social policies to meet the basic health needs. There are people in and around Bangalore who don’t have any place to survive.
Every woman, man, youth and child has the human right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, without bias. Indulgence of the human right to health is vital to all aspects of a person's life and well-being and is very important to the understanding of many other basic human rights and freedoms.
World Health Organisation is promoting and protecting health by fulfilling human rights. The violation of and lack of attention to human rights can have serious health consequences (eg, harmful traditional practices, slavery, torture and inhuman and degrading treatment, violence against women and children).
Health policies and programmes can promote or violate human rights in their design or implementation eg, freedom from discrimination, rights to participation, privacy and information.
According to the Anita Cheria, the director of Open Space, the non government organisation said that employees and contractors who are employed under government association are not getting enough funds to earn their livelihood. They live on the construction site in unhygienic conditions and also get diseases. The most common diseases are urinal infection because the government did not provide propr toilets to them and even if they are providing, there are 30 people for one toilet.
“The contractors pay the labourers just Rs 160 to the male and Rs 110 to the female, which is not at all sufficient to feed the whole family,” said Goirang, a labour from Orissa, working at the site near Kengri.
“We recognise that people's health is influenced by determinants that are deeply fixed in the social, political, economic, cultural and ecological fabric of life. Therefore, the core thrust our organisation is to promote community health based on the social paradigm, through policy action, training, networking and mainstreaming the people’s health movement,” said Prem Das, state conveyor, Jana Arogaya Andolan or People’s Health Movement.
He also added that health is not a medicine, it is a well being of the human body. As nations look to support the health systems, they are gradually looking to primary health care (PHC) to provide a clear and complete sense of course.
The World Health Report 2008 also says that primary health care reforms, represent that the principles of universal access, equity and social justice are a necessary reaction to the health challenges of a speedily altering world and the growing expectations of countries and their citizens for health and health care.
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