India celebrates her 60th Republic Day!

Sometime around 1950, when Independent India was barely 3 years old, the country's leaders came together to frame the constitution of the nation. A lot of blood had been shed and the country had seen one of her greatest struggles to get her much valued freedom. The nation was now looking forward and a lot of work had to be done to get India back on her feet. On January 26, 1950, India took her first step towards attaining the status of a truly sovereign state as the constitution was framed by leaders of the nation. The Sovereign Democratic Republic of India came into being as the lengthiest and most detailed constitution of the world was framed. We have been celebrating the 26th of January as our republic day ever since.

Republic Day is one of India's most anticipated national holidays that is celebrated with great gusto every year. One of the highlights of the festival is the grand parade and celebrations at the national capital New Delhi. The parade starts from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace) and ends at the historically significant Red Fort. The Indian President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces takes salute at India Gate. He also presents medals of bravery to personnel from the armed forces for their exceptional courage and civilians who have shown different acts of valour in various situations. The parade aims to bring together all the diversity of its various states and regions to form one colourful collage that represents the true spirit of the nation. The parade is broadcast across the country on radio and television and serves as one of the biggest attractions of the day. The parade ends with a fly-past by jets from the Indian Air Force.

Apart from the national capital, celebrations unfurl in every state as well with the Governor of that particular state hoisting the national flag. Great programmes and functions mark the celebrations all across the nation. Schools and colleges organise functions to keep the fizz of patriotism alive amongst the younger lot as national flags are seen fluttering over various government buildings and offices.

India's 60th Republic Day will see Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev participate in celebrations at the India Gate in New Delhi. This is the first time a leader from the Central Asian region will be the Chief Guest of Republic Day celebrations. Another highlight of this year's Republic Day celebrations will be the 18 tableaux that will roll down Rajpath. This will showcase one of India's greatest quality of unity in diversity. From the folk culture of Mithila to the Gair dance of Rajasthan and the natural splendor of Kaziranga and Ranthambore National Parks, various features from different states will come together to depict the country's rich culture and diversity.

If you're looking to join in the festive fervor in the best possible way, there's lots you can do. Apart from being a part of Republic Day programmes, you can also get gifts for people who mean a lot to you. This will be a nice way to spread the patriotic spirit amongst loved ones. You could also get some good-old patriotic music from music stores in your town to set the tone or go out to one of these restaurants to make the most of the day. However you chose to celebrate, do take a moment to think of how lucky we are to be breathing in a free country as great as ours.

India has come a long way from being a newly independent nation to one of the fastest growing economies of the world. Hardships were plenty but our spirits came out stronger as difficulties were tackled and obstacles cleared. Urbanisation and globalisation may have led to degeneration to some levels but days like these help us relive and celebrated our much valued freedom.

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Cosmopolitan Shanti Nagar is a constituency of contrasts

Cosmopolitan Shanti Nagar is a constituency of contrasts

In this first of a series of articles ahead of the civic polls on February 21, Bhargavi Kerur focuses on Shanti Nagar constituency. She finds that although the malls, multiplexes, pubs and restaurants, boutiques and shopping complexes give it an upmarket look, its residents are facing a host of problems

Bhargavi Kerur



This is where the new Bangalore comes to spend time and money. The area also plays host to some of the oldest heritage structures. Yet, Shanti Nagar is a constituency of contrasts.
The assembly segment has seven wards with about 1.80 lakh voters. The constituency boasts of posh business and residential localities, including MG Road, Brigade Road, Langford Road, Richmond Town, parts of HAL II Stage and Johnson Market.
Malls, multiplexes, shopping complexes, pubs and restaurants, boutiques and small industrial units give a mixed character to this constituency.
This mix makes it rich. There is variety and it brings in money. It is one of the most prosperous revenue pockets. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) makes huge collection in terms of property tax and other state coffers are filled because of large number of commercial establishments.
But the high-flying Shanti Nagar suffers from mundane issues and problems on the civic front. Water scarcity and stray dog menace are on top of residents' list of complaints. Posh areas of Shanti Nagar suffer from the most fundamental problem: poor drainage system leading to clogging and flooding even when it drizzles.
The upmarket areas like Brigade Road, Residency Road, Magrath Road, Richmond Town, Shanti Nagar, Ashok Nagar, and Domlur consume more water than normally required for a residential area.
"The main problem here is water scarcity," says Elizabeth S, a salesperson in Ashok Nagar. She stays in the shadow of the popular Garuda Mall. Although there is water supply every alternate day, a few hours of supply is not sufficient, she says. "The main tap should be kept open at least till evening so that we get enough water," she says.
And the stray dog menace is second only to water problem. This could probably be due to careless and unscientific disposal of food waste, considering the high concentration of eateries in the area.
Residents have bagful of complaints on the canine culture of Shanti Nagar. "It's unbearable for the morning walkers," says housewife Sangeeta Jain. "Every morning when all is quiet, street dogs establish their kingdom, and are ready to jump on the walkers," she says.
She wants the BBMP to pay urgent attention to this threat. "The Palike officials must visit these streets and see for themselves," she says.
"Pets that go with their masters for the morning rounds suffer more," says Vijay Reddy, president of Residents' Welfare Association of Richmond Town and Langford Town. "Perhaps this may be a citywide problem," he tries to console himself.
Reddy says dogs are not the sole problem. "There are footpaths that are occupied by hawkers. Bikers, who are in a hurry to reach their destination, get on to the pavements, risking pedestrians' life," he says. Reddy should know better as he is the voice of the residents and they are his eyes and ears.
Then there is the garbage issue. "Since we are so closely located to the malls, their backyards face the garbage problem. This becomes worse during the rainy season. Water stagnates and poses a health risk," says P Maheshwari, resident of Viveknagar.
The constituency, which was reserved earlier, was made general for assembly elections. The area comprises major attractions of the city like Garuda Mall, Bangalore Central, Life Style, Home Stop and other showrooms drawing large crowds, specially the floating population during the weekends. It is estimated that a few lakh people throng the posh streets of the constituency during weekends.
The commercial activities have brought in huge traffic to the constituency. Since the area is part of old Bangalore, the roads are narrow. Hosur Road and Double Road (KH Road) are famous landmarks. They are also notorious for the heaviest traffic seen in this part of India.
The Shanti Nagar bus terminal is home to both city and outbound traffic. The traffic on Double Road is likely to be chaotic with more services being shifted from the main Kempe Gowda bus terminal.
Obviously, the residents are apprehensive and are demanding a flyover at the Vellara junction. A signal-free corridor is also coming up on Hosur Road.
An order in traffic may bring in some relief and smile, especially for parents. A large number of them always remain tense, as most educational institutions open on to busy roads. Some of the institutions are St Joseph's Commerce College, St Joseph's Arts and Science College, Baldwins Women's College, Bishop Cotton's Boys and Girls' schools, St Theresa's School, Cathedral School and Baldwin Boys' College.
Even the defence areas dotting the constituency cannot remain isolated from the problems dogging Shanti Nagar. The Bangalore Military School is a major landmark in the city. It has churned out many fine officers. The school has given up a major land portion for road widening project.
The constituency, which comprises a substantial Muslim and Christian population, has the maximum number of mosques and churches in the city. It also is dotted with burial grounds for both the communities. Still Shanti Nagar retains pride in its name and the communities co-exist in peace.
k_bhargavi@dnaindia.net
The solution
Lay concrete roads
One solution to bad roads, say residents and shopkeepers of the area, is to lay plastic roads or concrete roads rather than black-topped roads, because the plastic or concrete formations last longer and pose no problem during heavy rains. Authorities should try this. While constructing the roads, the drainage pipes should be either repaired or replaced. Flooding can be avoided if drains are properly covered and cleaned regularly.

Citizens smile as poll roads are laid

Citizens smile as poll roads are laid
But The Big Question Is: Will Road Work Go On After Elections? Will The Tar Last?
Aarthi R | TNN

Bangalore: It’s a simple poll truth: asphalting of roads signal the arrival of elections. In India, roads and elections a seem to have a special connect. Political parties appear to think that the voter falls for the ‘seeing is believing’ trick, and roads have high visibility.
Namma Bengaluru is no different. Even as the election schedule was being finalised, road works began in full swing — as if on cue.
Today, almost all areas in the city are recharged with the new layer of asphalt. But a few months later, it could become the good old potholed road again.
FOR HOW LONG?
The big question is: will these BBMP elections bring a change, and will the tar last longer? TOI did a quick survey of some of these newly-laid roads. Areas like old Airport Road have asphalted roads but the footpaths are still to come. In other areas, road works are yet to be taken up, while Millers Road and the road around Ulsoor
Lake are already done. Here’s what the locals say:
“We don’t know, we have our fingers crossed,’’ says Mrs Thomas, 77, an old resident of Pai Layout in Beninganahalli. For many residents here since 1998, this is the first time their roads have seen some sort of tar. “It was never so fresh and black,’’ they say. However, one thing worries them: a few crossroads are still untarred. “The MLA has promised more road works, but after the new budget. But we don’t know,’’ they say.
MLAs DOUBT ROAD TOUGHNESS
Interestingly, with time, it’s not just the people but even elected representatives themselves who have become doubtful about the durability of their roads! Almost all MLAs present at the recent TOI interaction felt road works needed better monitoring. “A lot of these projects are cleared at the higher level. Asphalting has immediate impact but hardly lasts long. In the haste to build an impression, there is a lot of compromise on quality. There’s no monitoring as well. We are worried as we also use these roads,” they said.
“Unfortunately, this is the truth each time. Only the budgets become healthy, not the roads,’’ say traffic and road experts in the city. On a rough estimate, at least 60% of the total 6,000-7,000 km road network in the city still lacks ‘long-standing’ quality, observes traffic expert M N Sreehari. Road repairs are more of overlay works, while potholes and the drainage system are not treated. Each overlay should last at least 2-3 years but they fail within a year in Bangalore. They should ensure it’s done after every monsoon, than every election, he says.
Very often, one road get repeatedly tarred and others are repeatedly
ignored. “There should be a regular cycle of maintenance,’’ they suggest.
BUDGET TALK Majority of road work has been on since 2008-09; expected to be complete by March 2010. They include:
1,038 km asphalted roads: Rs 452 crore
237 km of concrete road: Rs 110 crore
A big chunk of the Rs 2,200 crore in the 2009-10 budget also spent on works to asphalt and widen 453 km of major roads
RECORD JOBS At least 17 roads in Ward 59 Maruthisevanagar asphalted in the past week — total of 17,800 sqm
Includes Milton Street, Cline Road, Loye’s Road, Lewis Road, High Street and others
Road under flyover in Sevanagar: around 1.5 km will be completely asphalted in another two days

Inadequate civic amenities

Inadequate civic amenities
Poornima Nataraj

One of the largest residential areas of the City plagued by poor infrastructure


Jayaprakash Narayan Nagar or JP Nagar is one of the few areas in the City which came into existence a few decades ago. Though the area has seen some activity in civic projects, residents here feel that they do not have certain basic needs in the locality.

Happy with the past performances of the local MLA and the ex-corporator, residents however, expect their candidate for the coming Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) election to be more proactive in getting the development projects on track.

The proposed 14.5 kilometre road-widening project from Silk Board junction to Nayandahalli has seen the residents in the ward fuming. “Many a house will be demolished for the project. We would prefer roads to be built in the stilt corridor style or elevated rapid transport systems instead,” said Dr Meundi, a resident on 15th cross.

Lack of civic amenities

JP Nagar has 10 phases or extensions making it quite a large vicinity. More than 10 lakh people belonging to all sections of society live here and over seven lakh people are from the middle and lower middle class families. Resident here complain of not having a shopping complex, government hospital, public toilets, children’s playgrounds, community centres or a post office. "Though our area is one of the largest in terms of area, we do not have proper shopping complex where all government departments are located. We have to travel long distances even for a post office or to buy vegetables,” says, M R Dayanand, a resident.

With lack of civic amenities even organising functions have become a distant dream for residents. “There is no community hall and we have to hire the R V Dental college auditorium for any function. There is just one decent playground adjacent Oxford school, which again is not being efficiently used. School authorities use this playground as a parking lot during the day,” he added.

No proper conveyance

As the overpopulated JP Nagar tries to come to terms with civic issues, lack of proper public transport has also become a problem. Though JP Nagar is connected with some of the arterial roads like Hosur road, Bannerghatta road and Kanakapura road, apart from long distance BMTC Volvo buses that ply on them, many of the interior areas in the ward lack routine bus facilities. “As there is no proper market for our daily needs, we travel to Madiwala, Gandhi Bazaar and Banashankari for buying our daily requirements. Even to travel, we do not have proper bus service and autorickshaw drivers charge us exorbitant fare for short distances,” says Nirmala Ramesh, JP Nagar 2nd phase resident.

Underpass mess

The work on JP Nagar underpass scheduled to be completed in March 2009 still persists. Residents have to brave the mess created by BBMP.

With real estate prices dropping, residents are under distress with the prolonged construction work and accumulation of dust around their houses.

“It is not just the delayed construction of underpass, a portion of our house will also be razed for road-widening. We are fed up with the whole construction itself,” said Dr Meundi, a resident.

Palike dangles ‘BDA site’ carrot

Palike dangles ‘BDA site’ carrot
G Manjusainath, Bangalore, Jan 25, DH News Service:

The grandiose plans of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to persuade citizens to part with land for its infrastructure projects having flopped, it is now planning to dangle the carrot of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) sites to attract prospective takers.


One more major reason behind the unpopularity of the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) scheme is the recession affecting the real estate business. Another challenging factor of TDR’s popularity is the Sakrama scheme to regularise illegal structures.
Worried by the unpopularity of the TDR scheme for those set to lose property to various infrastructure projects, the BBMP has now approached the BDA for house sites that it can offer to land losers.

BBMP Commissioner Bharatlal Meena recently wrote to the BDA asking it to reserve sites for the BBMP.

“We have recently written a letter to the BDA. We had a conversation with the BDA officials in this regard but they seem unwilling. They advised us to acquire land and form layouts for the property losers, which is very difficult for us to do,” Meena said.
On his part, BDA Commissioner Siddaiah says he is yet to receive the letter from the BBMP Commissioner. “All we have received is a proposal from the BBMP Commissioner to reserve 50 acres of land in the new layouts for solid waste management and reservation of some sites for the Paurakarmikas,” said Siddaiah.

Before launching road widening projects in various parts of the city, the BBMP assured TDRs to prospective losers of property. The Palike tried to convince people that there would be great demand for the TDRs in the City, particularly among builders who planned to build more floors than sanctioned.

It appears that the TDRs did not attract people, despite BBMP’s high hopes of opening a TDR Bank. Well-placed sources in the BBMP requesting anonymity said that around 25,000 to 30,000 TDR forms were distributed among the property losers but only 35 had applied for it.

The cold response made the BBMP dump its proposal of starting a TDR bank.
The BBMP stumbled upon the idea of issuing TDRs because of its empty coffers. The BBMP has no money to pay compensation to property losers. Sources said the BBMP is running short of funds.

A few months ago, BBMP didnot even have money to pay its staff. Now the contractors are up in the arms against the Palike for not paying their dues running into crores of rupees.

Taking bus to airport costlier than ride back

Taking bus to airport costlier than ride back
By: Manjunath L Hanji Date: 2010-01-25 Place: Bangalore




Bus service says it's because road is steep on way to airport, but others say low demand the real reason

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation's (BMTC) Volvo bus service Vayu Vajra from the city to Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL) costs more than the return journey.

BMTC officials say it is because on the way to BIAL the road is steep and hence the fuel consumption is more. But according to sources, the real reason is that not many passengers will travel in BMTC buses to BIAL.

There are nearly 80 buses to BIAL every day, but they do no get enough passengers. BMTC is facing losses
and to overcome that BMTC took the step to hike the price for passengers going to BIAL.

Though, on the way back to the city, the Volvo buses have a sufficient number of passengers.


The airport to city ticket (top) for Rs 125 and the city to airport (above) ticket for Rs 140.


Crux of the matter

The reason behind not getting enough passengers is that BMTC runs Volvo buses only from specific places and not from all over the city.

The passengers prefer hiring cabs to the airport. Buses are easily available and at a lesser fare on the return journey so the passengers prefer it.

But BMTC officials are not disclosing the fact. K S Vishwanath, Chief Traffic Manager (CTM) said, "We have started charging more in Vayu Vajra since December because the road leading to BIAL is up and fuel consumption is more. Passengers are happy with our service if they get proper ticket."

Radio irks techies
Techies blame that the drivers of Volvo buses play FM Radio loudly that irritates them. The drivers and conductors tune into the FM station of their choice, ignoring the passengers.

Tabbassum Syed, a software engineer who travels daily from KS Layout to HSR Layout is frustrated with the behaviour of drivers and told MiD-DAY, "Their (drivers and conductors) behaviour is different.

I travel daily in Volvo buses so I can go peacefully, but in the bus I face disturbance. I want to get a bit relaxed but can't. Many passengers get books, but they can never read due to the loud music."

Janaagraha reaches out to 15 lakh residents

Janaagraha reaches out to 15 lakh residents
Bangalore, Jan 24, DH News Service:

In a sign of the increasing citizen participation in the City's administration, a staggering 15 lakh Bangaloreans - especially the youths as well as the golden-agers - are now in a better position to decide the civic administration of the IT hub.


Thanks to the ‘Jaagte Raho!’ campaign being undertaken by Janaagraha, a non-profit organisation striving to strengthen democracy.

Delighted over the ‘huge’ public response the campaign has generated, Janaagraha co-founder Ramesh Ramanathan said that they succeeded in reaching out to them through the 1000-odd Area Voter Mitras or AVMs who committed to volunteer for creating awareness among voters about the upcoming BBMP elections.

Active participation

Disclosing this at a lecture on “Are you a boss or a leader?” organised as part of the Lions Club International's Region II Meet here on Sunday, Janaagraha co-founder Ramesh Ramanathan stressed on the need to actively participate in the civic administration affairs.

“It's wrong to put the blame on the corrupt politicians because as citizens we must take part in the affairs of our City,” Ramanathan said.

Exemplifying the citizens' negligence towards the urban local government, he said that not many Bangaloreans knew a thing as basic as the BBMP budget which is close to $ one billion.

Who are AVMs?

Area Voter Mitras or AVMs are people who volunteer themselves, as part of the Jaagte Raho! campaign, for guiding voters about the upcoming BBMP elections on February 21. An AVM will undergo training as soon as he/she enrolls for it.

Three hours a week

Later, one has to devote at least three hours a week. ‘Jaagte Raho!’ is aimed at ensuring at least 60 pc voter turnout in the civic elections being held after 2001. Besides, ensuring 100 pc voter registration is also on the organisers' target list.
The campaign was gaining pace in constituencies like Malleswaram and Vijayanagar where youths had enrolled in large numbers, said Roshan Krishnan, a volunteer.

“Know your candidate”, an initiative to make citizens informed about their candidates, is also part of the campaign. For details, log on to www.janaagraha.org