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neighbourhood kids

skating into
championships
With roller skating becoming more popular as a pro sport, local clubs
like BTM Roller Skating Club and Ace Rollers are training tomorrow’s
champions. Page 11

Seized vehicles fill BTM playground 6

Adarsh Gardens initiate waste mgt 7 EXCLUSIVE:
VET kids learn about plastic roads 7 Khatas at midnight drama 10
No white uniforms please! 8 Bescom’s price hike 8
Book Fair offerings 13
The Facebook movie 18
btm, ns palya, jp nagar, sarakki, dollars colony, jayanagar
bengaluru south ¹neóÉ£ï ªÉÄålgïì 20 Nov - 3 Vol-2
Vol-2 Issue-21FREE Issue-21
Dec 2010 20MATTERS
CITIZEN Nov - 3 Dec
1 2010
 SOARING IN TO THE SKY ALONE
– MOUNT FUJI

Mt. Fuji, rising above the clouds, is the symbol of Japan and has provided a spiritual basis for the Japanese since ancient times.
This 12,380 ft high, dormant volcano is world renowned for its symmetry and serenity. Located between Yamanashi and Shizuoka,
Mt. Fuji is the main attraction of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Snow-covered tranquility in winter, vitality and energy in
summer--seasonal changes glorify this national treasure. From near or far, from plane or train, one cannot look at Mt. Fuji without
marveling at its beauty.The dramatic changes of Mt. Fuji's climate are evident in the striking difference between the climate of the
southern slope and that of the northern one. Spring brings cherry blossoms to the foot of Mt. Fuji in mid-April, followed by the
blossoming of vermillion azaleas, which announce the coming of summer greenery. July 1st is the traditional opening day for
climbers because perilous snow remains above the fifth level, at 7,868 ft, until the end of June. The alpine rose and other alpine
plants are in bloom and ready to be enjoyed by the first climbers of the season. Summer on Mt. Fuji is rather short, only lasting
until late August, when the traditional Yoshida Fire Festival brings the climbing season of Mt. Fuji to a close.

Mt. Fuji is relatively easy to climb for most people, but because of the high altitude, it is best to be well prepared. We suggest you
wear comfortable shoes and bring extra layers of clothing for sudden climate changes. Also please take time to rest at steady intervals as you climb.

FOR
ATTRACTIVE
DEALS TO JAPAN
PLEASE CONTACT
OUR TRAVEL EXPERT!!
080 - 4900 4800

2 CITIZEN MATTERS 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 Vol-2 Issue-21

Vol-2 Issue-21 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 CITIZEN MATTERS 3
 EDITORIAL quips
Bengaluru Grand Land Scam
modus operandi
 If all approvals come through, the Urban
Development Department will have a new name soon:
 Then when friendly businessmen want land at nice
prices, return favours by denotifying those chunks for
The Bengaluru Grand Land Scam Department or BGLSD. them! Don’t bother about why they were notified in the
 BGLSD’s flagship scheme, called Karnataka Free
Land Notification Grameena Yojana has been running
first place!
 More exciting bonanza with the BGLSD scheme:
as a UDD scheme for decades, but the new name for the BDA will give 50x80 sites meant for ‘eminent’ people
department itself is pending only the President’s approval to everyone you know from time to time to return old
this month, about 30 years behind schedule. favours and create and nourish new friendships!
 The KLNGY scheme works like this: First you notify
large areas of land for ‘specific purpose’ but don’t complete
 Politicians across the board have loved this power at
UDD and the renaming of the department is proof of the
the process. So chunks of limbo land exist, with no one scheme’s great success.
being able to do anything on them.

Traffic diversions ahead: Avoid South End Circle Truckers call for strike Dec 5
Commuters are advised to avoid South End Circle The All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has
quick city

for the next two months. Pillar construction work called for a nation-wide strike by deciding not to
will prevent movement of heavy vehicles. Work has ply commercial and heavy vehicles from December
update

begun on the underground reach of metro between
Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium and Majestic. Old
Post Office Road near K R Circle will be closed for
traffic first. The vehicles will move on the alternate
road created through the Central College Ground
in front of the City Court Complex.
5, following government decision to collect toll
on national highway-7 leading to the Bengaluru
International Airport.
Credits: Times of India, New Indian Express, DNA

FEEDback SMS 97409-18300 | email feedback@citizenmatters.in

Bangalore’s own
interactive newsmagazine

Puttenahalli Lake getting
filled
I’m one of those occasional
walkers along the lake and I
definitely see the changes. I
have no idea how it looked
15 years ago but I know how
it was 1 year ago!
It is indeed gratifying to see
the saplings growing well.
Kudos to Arathi, Usha and
rest of the team!
Srinivas A, JP Nagar
BBMP’s de’forest’ation
department?
Last year on Nov 20, 2009.
BBMP had demolished
our compound wall (on
Bannerghata Road) saying
that 5oo sq m of land was
encroached for the land
belonging for raja kaluve and
in that stretch there were
full 70 bloomed trees almost
aging 30 years or more
including two sandalwood
trees. We sought the help of
BBMP’s Forest Department,
which too became party to
felling of trees and also had
their share on the sale of
wood. I also overheard during
demolition - one of the BBMP
officer said “hey this tree is
good” and other officer from
forest department replied,
‘okay sir we will cut for you’.
department official sends 60
Citizen Matters
saplings to be planted in the EDITORS
same area where trees were Subramaniam Vincent
Meera K
felled last year.
Urgita, Gottigere JOURNALISM TEAM
Navya P K
Padmalatha Ravi
Bahujana hithaaya? CIRCULATION
We do not want a signal- Raghavendra
96111 06477
free tomorrow, at the cost ADVT SALES
of 3-4 bottlenecks and 8-9 Ramachandran P
9740918300
kilometers of inching... I 9901685368
do not want to spend 2-3 ©Oorvani Media Pvt Ltd. No
part of this publication can
hours per day in traffic jams be reproduced without the
permission of the publisher.
for a signal-free tomorrow -
contact@oorvani.in
probably 5 years later. Ph: 41737584
Madhavi B Gajria Vol-2 Issue-21
20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010
KARENG/2009/28904
Published, printed and
owned by
Cover credits. Meera K
Maanasvi, a resident of JP Nagar Printed at

I’ve got
Trees are being cut giving
reasons like metro, road
widening, rajakaluve etc., but
and student at BTM Rollerskating Lavanya Mudrana, 19,
15th cross, Vidyapeeta
Club practicing in the BTM rink. Circle, Banashankari I
Pic: Mayur Channagere, a Stage, Bangalore 560060

something there is a huge side business. tech professional turned Place of publication

to say!
Oorvani Media
But funniest part is on 2nd professional photographer 165, 1st cross, 1st block,
october, 2010, the same forest and BTM Layout resident. Koramangala, Bangalore
560034
Editor
4 CITIZEN MATTERS 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 Vol-2 Issue-21 Subramaniam Vincent
 DENTAL IMPLANTS FOR TOOTH
REPLACEMENTS -II
(After the previous article on Implants,I received tremendous response from readers requesting more information
on the topic of dental implants…hence this is the sequel to the previous article, providing some answers to
commonly asked questions regarding implants)
Your teeth were designed
to last a lifetime, but sometimes
they don’t !! Replacing missing
teeth is important to your
general health and to the health
of your other teeth. Not only do
you lose chewing ability when
teeth are lost, but unreplaced
teeth can cause other teeth
to be lost, tipped or crowed
and cause subsequent
problems. Also, there are
problems associated with
poor appearance and loss
of self-esteem with the loss
of one or more teeth.
Dental implants should
always be considered as
an option for replacement
of a lost or failing tooth.
Treatment is considered
more predictable than
bridgework, resin-bonded
bridges and endodontic
treatment.
Q What are Implants?
Dental implants are substitutes for
the roots of missing teeth. They act
as an anchor for a replacement tooth
or “crown” or a set of replacement
teeth.
Q Am I a candidate for a
dental implant?
Implant patients are of all ages and
implants may be the right choice
for anyone missing one or more or
even all of their teeth due to injury,
For comprehensive dental care
solutions, contact:
Sandhya Ramanujam
Advertiser Feature
Consultant at Fortis Hospitals and
Swiss Smile Clinics
Consultant-Dental Legal Advisor
and Auditor
Clinical Director for Dental Implant
Training Courses, Rehabilitative
& Aesthetic Dentistry.
disease or decay. They are especially
practical for patients who can no
longer wear removable dentures.
Your dentist can determine if you are
a candidate for dental implants after
a careful evaluation of your dental
and medical history.
Q Are there different kinds of
implants?
There are many shapes, sizes
and brands of implants available.
Depending on your individual need
and situation ,your implant dentist
will know which implant is the right
one for you.
Q Do I have enough bone?
It is important for a patient to
have enough bone to support
the implant. If you do not have
enough bone, there are many
safe and effective ways to Keep the sparkle in
your smile
Perfect 32
“Green Arch” 45/A, 1st
Floor, 1st Main (Next
to Parkview Hotel),
J.P Nagar 3rd Phase,
Bangalore
www.perfect32.in
Ph: 40989896, 40981767, India),C.B.M.(USA), P.G.D.M.L.E
9880027728. (India), Fellowship in Implantology
email: care@perfect32.in
Vol-2 Issue-21 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 CITIZEN MATTERS 5
correct bone deficiency. Your dentist
will assess this and advice you if
additional bone material is needed .
Q Will this take a long time?
Treatment time can vary greatly
depending on your needs. Each
situation needs a separate evaluation,
your dentist will be able to give
you an approximate timetable.
Typically the implant
restoration is a two-stage
procedure. First the implant
is placed and left in the bone
for 3 months for integration
after which it is restored with a
crown.
Q Whom should I
consult for my implant
treatment and what is
the approximate cost ?
Your general dentist is your
first resource for this service.
The key is the implant dentist’s
training, experience and
credentials. The cost varies on the
type of implant and its purpose..it
ranges from Rs 30,000 – Rs 50,000
per implant and then the cost of the
prosthesis.
PERFECT 32
The Dental Care and
Implant Centre
Dr.Sandhya
Ramanujam
D.D.S (USA), B.D.S
(USA)
 jayanagar jp nagar & BTM
sarakki kids get medical checkup
Government school children Health camp at Sarakki High School. Pic: Darshana S.
were given a free health checkup by the JP
Nagar Citizens Association in co-ordination
with the Shekhar Nethralaya and other private
doctors on Friday, Nov 12th. Around 80-100
students from classes VIII to X were examined
for skin and eye disorders and general
health. Free medicines were distributed to
the children and a few cases were referred
to hospitals. The camp was inaugurated by
Chandra Shekhar Raju, Corporator of JP Nagar
ward.
Mohan, a class X student who was unable to
focus on his studies due to migraine hopes
to get better soon as he has been referred to
Venkateshwara hospital at the health camp.
Darshana S

Residents of MICO Layout have not been
able to use a playground for over a decade now because
the seized vehicles have been dumped there by police.
The Mico Layout police station was originally located
near the Self Financed Housing Scheme (SFHS) in BTM
2nd stage. Due to lack of space within the police station
compound they dumped the seized vehicles in the
neighbouring playground. Though the station has since
moved to 16th Main Rd a few months ago, the vehicles
still languish at the playground.
As per rules these vehicles should be auctioned off.
Police say they need authorization from the owners,
which is delaying the process. However the residents
are unwilling to believe this reasoning. “They are giving
the same excuse from the past twelve years,” says
Shubha Shivashankar, a local resident.
Residents say they are worried about robberies since
many come to steal the parts from these abandoned
vehicles. They have complained several times to the
police and the local association. “We even went on a
dharna but nothing worked,” says Shubha. SFHS sent a
letter to the Mico Layout Police five months ago, to no
avail.
Both the Mico Layout Police and the traffic police of the
Mico Layout blame each other. Janardhan C N, chief
inspector, Mico Layout police station says that orphaned
vehicles might belong to the Mico Layout traffic police
or RTO. Traffic po`lice officials say the vehicles are not
theirs! Residents await answers.
Rozelle Laha is a student at the Indian
Institute of Journalism and New Media.

Seized Vehicles dumped. Pic: Rozelle Laha.

Police turn
playground
into a dump
yard

6 CITIZEN MATTERS 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 Vol-2 Issue-21

 local matters
vet school
kids learn
about
plastic
recycling
Recently I took the Children's
Movement for Civic Awareness
(CMCA) civic club members of VET
school, where I volunteer, to a plastic
waste recycling factory, 'KK Plastic
Waste Management' on Kanakapura
VET School children during their visit to KK Plastics. Pic: Radhika Rajnarayan. Road.
Raddiwallas usually refuse to take
plastics. If each one of us can make it a habit to carry
our own bag while shopping, half the problem would
be solved. Still, a considerable amount of plastic waste
adarsh gardens: does get generated. What is the solution?
This is where roads laid with recycled plastic come in.

get set, According to Rasool Khan of KK Plastics, Bangalore now

has more than a thousand

segregate kilometers of this plastic

waste roads.
Harshitha J, a student
from the CMCA Unique
club recounts what
Khan told them, ”They
Ravi Kumar of Green will collect/purchase
Technologies explaining the plastic covers, milk
segregation. Pic: Darshana S. covers and feed it to the Pic: Radhika Rajnarayan.
machines". She explains
The Owner’s Association of the Adarsh that KK Plastics then mixes
these chips with dambur (tar) and uses it for road
Residency Apartments in JP Nagar has initiated
waste recycling. It was inaugurated on November constructions, thus the roads last long as the plastic
13 by Anantaswamy, Chief Engineer, Health and does not decompose in soil.
Environment, BBMP. A seminar on ‘Effective Waste "The two machines that were used to clean and cut
Management’ was conducted by Ravi Kumar of plastic into pieces were awesome... I live in a joint
Green Technologies, specializing in waste and water family and my elders and even my younger sister are
management. following (segregation). (But) my brother is not doing
it, he never listens to me. But I am pretty sure that he
Four bins have been set up at the basement of each too will mend his ways, soon." - Supritha, Unique
block to collect different types waste. The domestic Civic Club.
help and the owners are taught to segregate dry
The civic club members at VET School where I am
and wet waste. ‘Khamba’ compost pots are used to
a civic tutor, are all fired up with enthusiasm. They
compost wet kitchen waste. “The idea is to have a
will be talking at the school assembly about this and
‘zero percent waste’ community here,” says Suma Rao,
persuading their schoolmates to join in this movement
member of Adarsh Residency Apartments Owner’s
for re-use of plastic waste.
Association and head of landscaping committee.
Radhika Rajnarayan
Darshana S.
Vol-2 Issue-21 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 CITIZEN MATTERS 7
voices
no challenge to Only three people objected
to BESCOM’s proposal

bescom’s 75p hike?

for a price hike. Why is it
that people put up with

So BESCOM wants us to pay 75 paise extra per And then there arbitrary ways of BESCOM
unit of electricity consumed, as per its proposal. And are frequent without questionING?
practically no one is opposing this. Three months breakdowns
ago, the Consumer Care Society of Banashankari that we pay for. We as users have a right to ask why
bemoaned the fact that the initial breakdowns occur so frequently,
announcement inviting citizens’ and what BESCOM is doing about it;
comments, brought in exactly because the statutory truth is that
three objections. Three, out of we as consumers have a contractual
around 60 lakh residents of the deal. The rich manage without
city? suffering inconvenience while the

Pic: Wikimedia Commons.

rest swallow their annoyance, curse,
Is it because namma ooru is or put up with powerlessness with
prospering by leaps and bounds, philosophical resignation.
that most of us don’t have to
worry about a piddling 75 paise I am using the word powerlessness
hike? Assuming that the average with deliberate intent – it is not just
middle class urban household of having one’s electricity supply cut off
four family members consumes between 70 and 100 at random, it is being at the mercy of
units of electricity per month, that works out to a hike of a service provider that draws up arbitrary rules, changes
` 50 – 75. Not a huge amount in these inflationary times, them at will, and recognises in return no obligations.
one must concede, but it is not the quantum of increase Sakuntala narasimhan
but the ramifications and range of issues underlying it.

Colours bright,
Crisp white uniforms in
school assemblies make a
pretty picture. But It’s a pain,

but just not white! keeping white dress white. is

I don’t know what school
authorities have in mind before they
decide the colour of school uniforms. But
making the lives of moms simple is not
one of them.
Many schools have white uniforms to
be worn daily, or on the days they have
the sports period. You send the child
out in a crisp white shirt and shorts in
the morning, by the end of the day you
encounter him in a garb quite unlike
the morning version. Large patches of
reddish-orange on the back are remnants
of playtime in school. A big blue spot on
the shirt where the ink pen leaked and
brown stains down the front, indicating
the rajma she had for lunch.
Try to influence schools to switch to easy to maintain
colours,
the effort that mothers put
You (or your domestic help)
spend an hour of backbreaking
in to keep it white worth it?
labour scrubbing or machine
washing it back to spick and span with
cuff and collar cleaner, bleach and heavy
duty detergents.
With more and more women working,
spending time in such unproductive
work is not worth it. Let’s face it, keeping
uniforms clean is always, always a
mother’s job! Would we not like to spend
that time with the child instead?
Also imagine the impact on the
environment with all the chemicals, just
to have clean uniforms. Phosphates in
detergents affect plants as well as aquatic
life when they percolate into soil
and water. They leave residues in
the clothes and irritate our skin.
File Pic: Meera K.

Use soapnut or reeta for regular clothes. What’s your take?

Use less harmful substances like sodium bicarbonate Meera K
and vinegar.

8 CITIZEN MATTERS 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 Vol-2 Issue-21


take care of your bones
Osteoporosis is a huge and
growing worldwide health problem
and quite prevalent in India too.
World Osteoporosis Day celebrated
very October 20th, creates
awareness about Osteoporosis.
In Bangalore, a Women Leaders
Round Table 2010 was organised by
the Dr. Mythri Shankar, President,
Osteoporosis Patient Society in
South Bangalore, with the theme
"Strong Women: Strong Bones".
Ashwini Nachappa (Athlete &
Inauguration of Women Leaders Round Table. Dr Mythri is on extreme left. Pic courtesy: Dr
Mythri Shankar.
Actress), Arundati Nag, founder of
Rangashankara, Vani Ganapathy,
Dancer, Rani Satish, Politician, Vidya
Virkar, owner of Strand Books and
many other women from various
backgrounds participated.
Dr. Mythri Shankar, a nuclear
medicine physician from Sagar
Apollo hospital on Bannerghata
Road, responded to Citizen Matters
via email with information on this
less known disease.
Osteoporosis was once considered
to be affecting only older women
/ post menopause but it it occurs
among younger women too. What
are the reasons for this?
Bones are like a calcium bank. The
more you put in them early on - the
more you will be left with to draw
from at a later point in your life. Bone
metabolism is hormone (estrogen)
dependent and therefore the BMD
(Bone mineral density) falls more
rapidly in women as they approach
menopause. Osteopenia is more
common in younger women, which
develops in to osteoporosis at a
later age.
It is considered to be a lifestyle
disease. What can one do to avoid
it? What are the lifestyle changes
required for this?
Sedentary lifestyle and faulty diet,
smoking are major contributors.
Eating calcium rich foods, exercise
and sunlight exposure are very
important in prevention.
Is it confined to women alone?
Men also get osteoporosis. But to a
lesser extent and at a slightly older
age (above 60 years). Prevention is
the same for both men and women.
Vol-2 Issue-21 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 CITIZEN MATTERS 9
for your info
Do we have statistics osteoporosis
patients in Bangalore?
A recent study in Bangalore showed,
in over 5000 patients, bone mineral
density was abnormally low in more
than half of those over 45 years and
warranted treatment in about 20%
of them. (The paper by Dr. Mythri
was accepted for publication in
International Osteoporosis Journal.)
Once diagnosed, what steps
need to be taken to ensure a
healthy recovery or further
deterioration?
Take steps to prevent fall accidents
- good lighting, slip proof mats,
eye testing, handles in bathrooms
or slippery areas etc. A calcium
rich diet is needed. Calcium and
Vitamin D supplements and other
medications may be prescribed by
the doctor.
What are the symptoms of
the disease and whom should
one approach for diagnosis /
medication?
This is a silent disease which is
under-recognised and under-
treated. Usually it is not noticed
until a fracture occurs. But some
patients do complain of back ache,
joints pain etc. A bone density test
(DEXA Scan) is the standard test
for Osteoporosis. It is a simple and
safe test, helps the doctor decide if
medication is needed.
Are there alternative /
complimentary treatments
available? How effective are
they?
Weight bearing exercises muscle
strengthening exercises like yoga
are good. They certainly increase
bone strength.
What can go wrong if this disease
is not treated at the right time?
Fractures. Disability & Reduced
quality of life. Not to mention the
added cost of surgery.
Padmalatha Ravi
exclusive
Sachidanandanagar residents get
Khatas at midnight
Khata processing in progress. Pic: Navya P K After BBMP
Commissioner
Siddaiah ordered
last week that khatas
be issued to the
Sachidananda Nagar
residents, they finally
got it in the middle of
the night, after a lot
of high drama!

had called Ramachandrappa

at around 8.30 pm, ordering
him not to leave office without
issuing khatas to everybody.
BBMP had earlier refused to
give khatas to the residents for
over two years.
The delay was also due to
the intrusion of Manjunath,
President of Sachidananda
On Monday, November 15th midnight, after Nagar RWA. He was there to
fighting for over two years, 120 residents of Sachidananda collect khatas for the 50 residents, from whom he had
Nagar layout got their khatas from the BBMP zonal office allegedly collected bribes to get their khatas done. He
at Rajarajeshwari Nagar in southwestern Bengaluru. was not happy that the andolana group that didn’t pay
the bribe getting the khatas before him.
“This is a great victory for us. It was ‘freedom at midnight’,”
gushes Nethrakere Uday Shankar, 54, one of the leaders Manjunath disturbed the pile of documents of the 120
of the protest, called the Sachidananda Nagar andolana. residents that the officials had already arranged. Many
Shankar is Chief Sub-Editor at a Kannada daily in the documents were torn and flung on the floor. But no
city. “I bought a plot in the layout in 1992, and planned action was taken against him.
to build a house there in 2001. I have been waiting for
It was only after Commissioner’s Siddiah’s intervention
khata since 2001,” he said.
that Manjunath was asked to leave the office, “If the
It was around 1.40 am when khatas were given away police had done this in the morning, we would have got
to all. This rare act by the BBMP officials was because of our khatas by now,” said Uday Shankar, at around 9 pm.
an order by Commissioner Siddaiah. The commissioner Navya P K

"Such protests are ideal, but public
should fight corrupt politicians
also. Commissioner Siddaiah de-
serves some credit as he seems to be
doing good work in some cases."
- DN Ramakrishna, Secretary
of JP Nagar Citizens Associa-
tion
"Sachidananda Nagara movement
10 CITIZEN MATTERS 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010
is unique in that 120 people were
willing to wait indefinitely. They
held on even though there was no
assurance of getting khata. This
shows that such actions are actu-
ally possible. Usually people, even
if they are united, give up after a
while."
- Hema Ganesan, JP Nagar
resident and Educator
Vol-2 Issue-21
"Around 60% of 125 residents in
my apartment do not have khata.
When I approached BBMP, they
asked me to pay Rs 15,000 bribe.
I did not pay and have not got the
khata. I am interested in cam-
paigning against such corruption,
but there is no forum for it."
- Srikanth M, Treasurer, Pio-
neer Paradise, JP Nagar
 cm special
The Bangalore District Skating Championship at
Chennamanakere Rink, Banashankari. Pic: Navya P K

City kids
skate to glory
Wheels on your feet, wind in your hair, skating is no more just a hobby. As roller
skating becomes more popular as a professional sport, Bengaluru’s skaters make up
for half of state’s contingent at the national level.

Zipping across a skating rink on a pair says that he wants to be a professional skater. He got his
first pair of skates when he was four. “It was my fourth
of wheels may only have seemed like a cool hobby to
many youngsters until a few years back. But over the last birthday gift and I still love it. I started competing in
decade, skating has quietly grown as a sport in Bengaluru championship events when I was eight,” he says. Umar
– from having 5-6 skating clubs a decade ago, the city has won around 40 medals in various championship
now has 15 registered clubs. For many kids practicing in events so far.
these clubs, skating could easily be their future career.
Like Umar, most children start skating at the ages of 3-5.
Faraz A Umar, a seventh standard student at Frank Anuradha Giridhar, a resident of JP Nagar, enrolled her
Anthony Public School and member of Force One skating 5-year old daughter Maanasvi in the BTM Skating Club
club in Banashankari, shows no hint of doubt when he last month. A former athlete herself, Anuradha believes
that it is essential for kids to focus on
one sport at least. “Maanasvi learns
The BTM Skating are held everyday. Contact: bharatnatyam already; I wanted to
Club coaches children above 96110 18988 introduce her to a sport as well.”
the age of four, in the BTM Ace Rollers, one of the But will she support her daughter
skating rink. The 4-month old older skating clubs located pursue a career in the sport?
club won seven medals in last in Jayanagar, has over 500 “Definitely. I myself love sports. It
would be unfair if I push her to learn
month's Bangalore District students and four coaches. the sport now, and expect her to
Dussera Championship. "We The club uses Jayanagar give it up later,” says Anuradha.
are focusing on teaching rink, Kittur Rani Chennama
professional skating. We have At the beginner level, Maanasvi
Corporation ground, now trains for an hour everyday at
many students in the 4-8 age Jayanagar 10th main road the BTM rink. The training required
group," says Chief Coach SM and Outer Ring Road near for professional skating is rigorous.
Sharath Prasad. Prasad and Sarjapur, for practice. http:// Sudha Babu, co-founder and coach
five assistant coaches teach acerollers.tripod.com. at the City Skaters club, based in
around 150 students. Classes Mahalakshmi Layout, says, “For

Vol-2 Issue-21 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 CITIZEN MATTERS 11


professional skating at least three hours of practice
per day is required. Children in the 8-12 age group
are most active, they train for 2-3 hours after school.”
Sudha coaches around 90 children in her club. All clubs
in Bangalore are affiliated to Bangalore District Roller
Skating Association (BDRSA).
Karnataka has consistently been winning the speed
skating championship in the national level for the last
seven years. “Some parents see skating as a fun activity
only. But better facilities and good performances by
skaters in recent times is creating more awareness now,
and more people are taking it seriously,” says Sudha.
Sure enough, it’s the parents who are more enthusiastic
at the various championship events in the city. At
the 11th district level championships held in the
Chennammanakere skating rink in Banashankari 3rd
stage from November 12-14, 190 children participated.
Though the audience comprised mostly parents, the
energy compensated for the limited numbers. The
children, dressed in skating gear, seemed restless as they
waited for their turn, but also playful. There were the
occasional assurances to a fellow competitor, a fleeting
hi-fi to a winner right on the track, someone consoling a
second-prize winner – the results did not seem to matter
as much as the process of the competition itself.
The competitions were held in five age groups – 8-10
years, 10-12, 12-14, 14-16, and above 16 years. The
number of participants seemed to come down with the
higher age groups. In the above-16 category, there were
no participants among girls at all. “Many children drop
out after a while. Some conservative families do not
allow their girls to continue too,” says Sudha.
12 CITIZEN MATTERS 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 Vol-2 Issue-21
Children at BTM Roller Skating Club in action. Pic:
Mayur Channagere.
The championship venue – a 200-metre professional-
standard skating rink by BBMP, inaugurated two months
back - is also the first of its kind in the city. There are
smaller BBMP rinks in Jayanagar, Basaveshwarnagar,
Sahakaranagar, Kanteerava stadium, Mahalakshmi
layout and BTM Layout. Skating clubs use these rinks for
practice; none of the clubs own a rink. Only a few schools
like Vidyashilp Academy in Yelahanka and Vibgyor High
Schools in Marathahalli and Haralur Road have their
own rinks.
Though coaches say that more skating rinks and
government support is needed, the skating association
members agree that the status of skating has improved a
lot. M Sathyan, Secretary of the Karnataka Roller Skating
Association (KRSA) and Additional Secretary of Roller
Skating Federation of India (RSFI), says, “New rinks are
coming up and more competitions are being held now.
Some schools in Bangalore are also teaching skating to
students.”
The 53 kids selected from the district level will participate
in the state level championship on December 3rd-5th
in Chennammanakere. The winners in the state level
will then participate in the national level competitions.
Usually, almost half of the 60-70 children selected
from the state for the national championship, are
from Bangalore. Though the state has not forayed into
innovative forms like bharatanatyam skating, pair skating
and hockey skating – as many north Indian states have
- the KRSA hopes to maintain its place in speed skating
this year too. “We are the best in the country in speed
skating,” says Sathyan.
Navya P K is a staff journalist.
 buzz
What's special
at the book fair?
Bangalore Book festival, in its eighth History, Philosophy and Religion
edition, the second largest in the country, after Kolkata, The Center for Studies in Civilization from Delhi is
kicked off last weekend at Palace Grounds. Apart from showcasing some unique books like “Science and
the usual stalls from major publishers, there are a few Spirituality”, “Yoga and science”, “Understanding Human
unusual stalls - take a look at some of these offbeat past”, “Mathematics, Astronomy and Biology in Indian
attractions. Tradition” etc. The Asian Education society (AES) stall has
Kannada AbhiManigalige books on coins, Pallava architecture, Rajasthan history
and history of Mysore. You can also find some rare
There are 94 stalls by Kannada publishers like Akshara dictionaries including Tulu and Konkani versions.
Prakashana, Abhinava, Leher recording company, Total
Kannada. Books by Ravi Belegere, Anantha Murthy are Stalls by Ramakrishna Mutt, ISKCON, and Krishnamurthy
available. For music lovers, there are plenty of Bhava Foundation offer books related to spirituality.If you are
Geete or light music CDs from Leher and over 2800 films interested in learning about the Hindu rituals, their
and more than 500 songs at Total Kannada.com. significance in your life and the power of vedic mantras,
take a look at Ved Mandir from Himachal Pradesh. The
For your kids 6-stall Salaam Centre
Want to prepare your child for the Special offers and Discounts at has Quran in 25 foreign
Olympiads? Then there is an entire the exhibition languages including
stall dedicated for course materials Spanish, Vietnamese
* 20-40% discount at Times Group. The
and exam papers. and French and in seven
discount is applicable for books on leadership,
Indian languages.
To develop your child's interest in marketing, stress management and on Jack
science, check out iKenscientifica. This Welch books.
center has developed many scientific * 10% discount on major Kannada books of The festival is on till 21
models for better understanding of Anantha Murthy. November, 11 am to 9
physics, mechanics, electronics and * Fiction books at Rs 50-100 in many stalls like pm.
chemistry topics. There is also India's International Book Case and Bookworm. The Usha Hariprasad
first CD magazine for kids called collection of books consisted of Arthur Hailey,
e-Balak. With a fee of 100 rupees per Mary Higgins, Rudyard Kipling etc.
month, this CD helps your children * Combo offers like 3 books for 100 at Prism, 3
appreciate science and maths. self help books for 90 at Partha Bhachi.

Pic: Usha Haripasad.

Vol-2 Issue-21 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 CITIZEN MATTERS 13

classifieds & Listings
REAL ESTATE
A.M propertys REALTOR’S &
DEVELOPERS
(Buying, Selling, Rents & Lease) # 971,
7th Cross, 16th Main, BTM 2nd Stage,
EWS Layout, Bangalore-76, Call:
Maqbool Ahmed
9343828486, 32018996
Wanted Houses/Flats For Rent/
Sale
Contact Shankar Associates # 504, East
End Main Road, 9th Block Jayanagar
9480709810, 8050962900
Yashaswi Real Estate & Security
Services
1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK
Call Suresh Babu 93428-28126.
Call Venkatesh Babu 9342547603
#14, 1st Floor, 7th Main, NS Palya,
BTM 2nd Stage
BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS
Manjunatha Architectural Plan,
Structure Design, Sanction Plan,
Vaastu Plan, Estimate & Constuction
Of Buildings, Shop # 1, 5th Main,
Mico Layout, BTM 2nd Stage, Near
SBI. Call Mune Gowda 9845416748,
9844468507, 32976451
EDUCATION
THARUNI ‘A Child Space’
Conducts classes for High School
students state syllabus for average
students. Hobby classes like
calligraphy, handwriting and art
classes.
At BTM 2nd stage
For details contact : 9343668622
ANAND COACHING CLASSES
Admission For 10th & 12th (CBSE
& ICSE) 2010-11 Going On For
Mathematics, Physics & Chemistry.
At Ramana maharshi Academy For
Blind, 3rd Phase JP Nagar.(Oppsite
To St. Paul’s School)
ph.No-9845548920
By. B.Tech, I.I.T Engineer
English camp
Buoyant English centre is organizing
special ’English camp’ for students
from the age of seven (7) years
onwards to improve their fluent
English, Grammar, vocabulary,
voice and accent, collocation in use,
English phrasal verbs in use, English
idioms in use, “English for business
communication”, “New international
business communication” at
BTM LAYOUT 2ND STAGE By
certified trainer Dr. Rishi, contact-
9341257144—for more details visit
-www.drrishi.org.
14 CITIZEN MATTERS 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010
GLOBAL ENGLISH
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improving reading, writing, listening,
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‘business English certificate’ exam of
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By ‘British Council’ in Bangalore.
Contact certified trainer by the
British Council. Dr. Rishi- Bean Bag
Call : 9341257144 Seat Cover XXXL Rs 1900
Rs 3600 Onwards Onwards
Speak fluent English
Feel comfortable in the English-
speaking world through Dr. Rishi’s Call : 94486 85679, 99028 01809
training. A certified trainer by the #387, 11th Cross Vijaya bank Layout
British Council for ‘fluent English Bilekahalli, Bannerghatta Road
speaking’ course, ‘Business English
Certificate’ course, “Neutral voice
and accent training vocabulary and
grammar enhancement training’,’ at
Buoyant English Centre at BTM 2nd Travel
stage, Contact:- 9341257144 – Visit Crest
www.drrishi.org
Contact us for all your travel needs
SUPERBKIDS & SUPERBTEENS
Your Child Will Be Trained And OUR SERVICES
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Study Skills: Concentration, Memory, International Exchange
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Success Strategies, Self Motivation, 080-26597855/66
Passion & Bravery. 99450 90333
Only Success Leadership Academy www.travelcrest.in
#766, 16th Main, BTM 2nd Stage
Ph: 9901938792/ 9740183249/ 080- #2031, 9th Cross 2nd Phase J.P.Nagar
41474940 Bangalore 78
SERVICES
PG Accomodation
BTM layout 2nd stage brand new,
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men, with or without food, single, c Catering
sharing, at reasonable charge for
Rs1000, 1500 & 2000 with all facilities, c Photo�&�Video
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42249045, 9686255999
c Decorations
Pet’s Vet Doctor c Printing
Experienced Veterinary Doctor at
Pet’s Veterinary Dispensary. At BTM
For�all�occasions
2nd Stage. Offers ‘Vaccination’,
‘Treatment’, “Dog Boarding”, ‘Herbal Ph�:�98450�23331
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Preventive Methods’, House visits are 1976.pavan@gmail.com
also undertaken. Call: 80880-57144
Hercules Security Service provides
Security Guards To Residential Wanted Courier Boys
Apartment, Hospitals & Schools, With DL. Staying in & Around
Colleges. 74/3. Jaraganahalli, Jayanagar, JP Nagar, BTM Layout,
Kanakapura Road, Near Metro, JP Banashankari, Bannerghatta
Nagar 6th Phase. Call Prakasha. Road. Qulification -No Bar. With
9880448894, 080-3243-2436 Or Without Experience. Contact:
Dental Art Lab. # 25/1, 19th A main,
9th Cross, JP Nagar 2nd Phase.Call
Nagaraj: 26582131, 9845276882
Vol-2 Issue-21
 citizen matters computer bazaar
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Taxi services * Tution classes * Music & dance classes * Competitive exam coaching *
CHERISH Catering * Plumbers * Electricians * Real estate * Pet walking * Personal Fitness
Pregnancy, motherhood &
Infant store
Pregnancy apparel & accessories
(Kurtis,salwars,frocks,shirts etc)
Motherhood apparel & accessories
Reach over 16000 homes
book A classifieds AD today!
Rs 150
(Feeding kurtis, Knitwear etc)
onwards
Infant products like Jablas, quilts,
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Call Ramachandran - Ph: 97409-18300,
BTM 2nd Stage. Call:9900567477 99016-85368 adsales@oorvani.in

Vol-2 Issue-21 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 CITIZEN MATTERS 15

see & do
music
Festival of Sindhi Sufi Poetry
presenting Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai
“Seeking the Beloved” : A festival of
poetry by 17th century poet Shah
Abdul Latif Bhitai – featuring folk
singers from Kutch, poetry readings
and evocative story telling of the
love legends which feature in the Sufi
poetry. A sampling of traditional Sindhi
cuisine, stalls of films, music, books,
T-shirts.
21 Nov 6-10 pm Sophia School
Auditorium, Sophia High School, 70,
Palace Road
Deepavali Music Programme
by Aneesh Vidyashankar. Presented by
SAMVAADA TRUST
6 pm, 20 Nov, Sri Jayarama Seva
Mandali. 8th Block, Jayanagar
Contact: 9845011461
BTM CULTURAL ACADEMY Presents
Haradasa Compositions
DV Nagaraj (Vocal), Mysore Dayakara
(Violin), A Renuka Prasad (Mridangam),
GS Nagaraj (Khanjira)
Ph: 65616693/65611336/26680836
Sat 20 Nov 6pm, Shree Ramana
Maharshi Acadamy for the Blind
3rd Cross, 3rd Phase, JP Nagar (Near
Ragigudda)
Workshops
Art House workshops
14 Nov: The Secrets of Drawing, a
workshop on sketching and Drawing,
26, 27 Nov, Indian Life, a watercolour
workshop, consists of lecture,
demonstrations and practicals. at
Venkatappa Art Gallery, Kasturba road
contact: krishna prasad arthousekp@
gmail.com
Active Canvas workshops
Candle-making: 20th Nov (Sat)
Graphic Composition: 20th Nov (Sat)
Ikebana: 20th Nov (Sat) and 28th Nov
(Sun)
Terracotta Jewelry: 20th Nov (Sat) and
27th Nov (Sat)
active canvas | 343, 10th A Main, 3rd
Cross | Jayanagar, I Block | Near Ashoka
Pillar
Exhibitions
The handmade collective
Hundred Hands presents a showcase
and sale of contemporary handcrafted
products.
Ahimsa Silk * Bamboo Ware * Beeswax
16 CITIZEN MATTERS 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010
Balms * Banana Fibre * Ceramics
* Embroidery * Foods * Garden
Decor * Indigo Fabrics * Jewellery *
Lacquerware * Masks * Patchwork *
Paper Crafts * Quilting * Sanjhi Art *
Stained Glass * Soaps * Terracotta *
Weaves
24 - 28 Nov,, 11 am - 7.30 pm 4, Ashley
Road, behind Hotel Ajanta, off Brunton
Road. Ph: 98807 14405, 98450 08482
Enduring Experiences
An exhibition of
paintings by Nivedita
Sen.
25th Nov to 39th
Nov, 10.30 am - 9 pm,
Crossword, Book Store,
Residency Road Ph:
255824 11.
FESTIVAL
Kilikili - Habba
Kilikili, an NGO working on inclusive
play spaces for children of all abilities
invites you to celebrate Children’s Day.
Carnival 2 - Includes Nine Pins, Outdoor TALK
games, Bubble Blowing, Pot Painting, Karnad reads from his
Clay modelling, Banner painting, autobiography
Mehendi/ tattoo, Snacks
The reading (in Kannada) is at Suchitra
27 Nov 10 am to 12 pm, M N Auditorium, followed by a discussion
Krishnarao park, Basavangudi. and lunch. For passes: Call Anand
98450 55034 or Suchitra
Theatre
Rangashankara Plays Dignity dialogue monthly discussion
20 Sat, 21 Sun: Naa Tukaram Alla Interactive session on Infrastructure
(KAN) (Also at 3.30 pm on Sun) with K Jairaj, Additional Chief
23 Tue, 24 Wed:Balura Gudikara (KAN) Secretary, Government of Karnataka on
25 Bengaluru Infrastructure
Talk on “Senior Citizen Red Carpet
Health Insurance Policy Features”
21 Nov, 10 am to 12 pm, Manandi
Samskruti Sadana, 9th Main, Opposite
42nd Cross, Jayanagar 5th Block, Near -
New ICICI bank and Thirumala Eye Clinic
Land mark: BSNL Telephone Exchange
Road
“Conservation in Forests and Cities”
By Dr. Harini Nagendra, Urban Ecology
Coordinator, ATREE, Bangalore
26 Nov at 6.30 p.m. Auditorium,
Bangalore International Centre, Domlur
II Stage. Please register with Bangalore
International Centre Phone: 98865
99675
Inauguration of Bangalore One
centre at Jayanagar 5th Block.
Location: Playground (Shalini Ground),
38th cross,10th main ,Jayanagar 5th
Thu: Ratnan Prapancha (KAN) block
26 Fri: All’s well! (ENG) 9.30 am, Monday , 22 Nov
27 Sat 3:30 pm, 28 Sun 11 am/3.30
pm:One Small Step (ENG) The Transport Department, headed
30 Tue: Kondavaraaru (KAN) by Bhaskar Rao, is organising a cycle
Ranga Shankara 36/2, 8th Cross J P rally to commemorate 'Anti-Pollution
Nagar Month' along with Karnataka
Battle of the sexes Mountaineering Association and
WANI. The rally goes around Ulsoor
A collection of three short plays Lake and ends back at the stadium.
Sun 21 Nov, Alliance Francaise, Vasanth 8 am Sunday, 21 Nov at Kanteerva
Nagar Stadium (cyclists report at 7 am).
Vol-2 Issue-21
 pick of the fortnight

Sunday I saw this old lady on a Sunday morning at Cubbon park entrance, waiting for her first sale of the say.
Her mixed expressions leave me intrigued everytime I see her picture.
morning
What was she thinking.. was she waiting for bohni that could indicate her luck of the day, or was she
at Cubbon bored at having sit there on a Sunday, which, for everyone else, is a holiday. Or it was us photographers
Park shooting nearby, who were making her think, life is bit too hard for her. - Poonam Parihar
Photographer: Poonam Parihar is a networking professional cum freelance photographer-writer.
Her heart lies in travel and she loves to go on adventure trips and document her experience in
photographs and writing. Her areas of interests include landscapes and people. Her work can be
seen at http://flickr.com/poonamparihar and http://blog.poonamparihar.com

Pic courtesy: Bharath,

Wikimedia Commons. Olden eye
Celebrate World Heritage Week with a
Parichay to Melkote...a town where traditions
of craft, religions, literature, language and
cuisine converge. Visit some of Melkote's
famous temples, tanks and monuments; a
typical Melkote Iyengar meal; and walks
through the temple town to experience its
unique ambience. Led by INTACH, Bangalore
convenor Sathya Prakash Varanashi. Fee: `500.
Sunday, 21 November, 6 am - 6 pm.. Email
intach.blr@gmail.com.
newsdesk

Vol-2 Issue-21 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 CITIZEN MATTERS 17

cinema scope
*
Story of facebook can
make you a fan too!
This film on the making of Facebook runs with the
tagline "You don't get to 500 million friends without
making a few enemies". That indeed sums up the game
changing nature of Facebook even as the phenomenon
crosses over onto the silver screen. This is director
David Fincher's The Social Network.
With films like Fight Club, Seven and The Curious Case
of Benjamin Button behind him, there is always a fair
degree of interest around David Fincher's cinema. Yet
this film, adapted from Ben Mezrich's 2009 nonfiction
book The Accidental Billionaires, is a slight departure
from his previous work.
The film is a glimpse into the making of Facebook in
documentary style. Even when it turns its lens on the
huge egos and small hearts behind some of Silicon
New shopping opportunities
More options for your shopping expeditions are
opening up around you! Reliance Digital already
opened in JP Nagar 2nd Phase on 9th Cross last
month. Gopalan Enterprises' Innovation Shop-
ping Mall (ISM) is opening end of December at
Jayadeva Circle and Max Retail at Jayanagar 4th
block.
ISM is 71,860 sqft and has a 4-screen multiplex
with seating capacity over 1000, food court and
entertainment zone. Adidas, JASHN, Woodland,
Base Camp, Titan, Whizz, Pantaloon, Neerus,
Peter England People, are some of the brands
18 CITIZEN MATTERS 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 Vol-2 Issue-21
Pic courtesy: The Social Network movie website.
Valley's murky dealings, there is none of the brooding
darkness that makes Fincher's previous work. Yet the
story telling style of the film works, perhaps because
of Fincher's trademark brisk pace, supported by crisp
editing - both of which were first made famous in
Seven.
The performances are credible. This film will do much
to further establish Mark Zuckerberg's icon like status
amongst Generation Next. In sum, it's not revolutionary
cinema from David Fincher, but it does manage to
remain a gripping account on Silicon Valley start ups
and the creation of the engine that is driving the global
social media revolution.
Christina Daniels is a communications professional,
author of the novel Ginger Soda Lemon Pop.
coming in here.
Basement and mechanical parking for 225 cars
are included.
Reliance Digital offers consumer electronics
and home appliances under one roof, has 35 car
parks. "We have got very good response from
day one, people come on a large scale during
weekend", says John Lorcin, store manager.
Max, a division of Lifestyle International, is
opening up in Jayanagar 4th block shortly. The
inauguration date is awaited.
Bhargavi Manjunath
Vol-2 Issue-21 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 CITIZEN MATTERS 19
20 CITIZEN MATTERS 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 Vol-2 Issue-21