53-year-old cycle turns lifeline

A cycle gifted by his father 53 years ago, when he was just 16, has still remained to this day the sole source of livelihood for this septuagenarian Lakshman Raj, who continues to push his cycle to earn a living.

His cycle has been converted into a mini petty shop with dozens of plastic water bottles and carry bags being hung over cycle frame, which he sells along with other household items like Agarbathis, soaps, comb, hairpins and some odd stationery items.

Daily he walks around 40-45 kilometers pushing his cycle around. The day starts for him at 5am. He leaves home with his bicycle only retun late midnight night.

With a small change of Rs 10 in his pocket he leaves home everyday, but earns on an average Rs 400 to Rs 600 per day. In the money he earns, he keeps aside Rs 5 for the maintenance of cycle.

Hailing from a poor family, he has worked his way in life bringing up his children apart from earning his livelihood. Without aspiring for  the benefits offered by the government for old age people he wants to earn money on his own by selling house hold items.

Going down the memory lane he said: 'In the beginning I was distributing newspapers. Later, I decided to become self reliant. With no money to set up a petty shop, I decided to use my cycle instead. All these five decades I have been pushing the cycle that was purchased by my father paying Rs 110.'

Replying to a question as to why won't peddle his cycle to sell his products, he replies with a laugh: 'I have used up all the space in the bicycle to keep materials with no place left for me to sit. As I walk for several kilometers everyday, I am very fit inspite of being 70. I do something for my family in what I earn. I love this cycle very much, it has helped me to lead a dignified life.'

The couple have not enrolled for any old age pension. He says he did not want to waste time on it wandering from post to pillar for the  department. There is a sense of satisfaction in living in what I earn, than getting the money in a easy way.  

Street plays to educate tribals about exercising their franchise

Streets plays play a major role in educating masses and thereby usher in new reforms in the society, as it directly reaches the common man on the street. Here is a group of eight members who have dedicated their life completely to educate people through street plays about the various welfare schemes launched by the government while also create awareness on important social issues. They say they fill the gap left by the newspapers, TV and other media.

All these artistes have undergone formal training and have prior experience in theater. Under the banner, 'Sambrama Samskuthika Kala Troupe', they are staging the play across State and are creating awareness amongst people for the past 15 years on such vital issues like the HIV, H1N1, child marriage, domestic violence, prevention of deadly infections through proper hygiene and several others.

At present the troupe members are on a eight day tour in the district to educate tribal people about the importance of exercising their franchise, all through street plays at various hamlets of HD Kote, Hunsur Taluk and Girijana Colonies.

They have rehearsed the script and composed songs to educate tribals about importance of voting while not be lured by offers of money or gifts and sell their votes. The plays also demonstrate how to exercise their franchise.

The intention behind these street plays is to increase voter turnout, and exercise their franchise freely and fairly, while informing them how to choose a candidate and the dangers of not exercising their franchise.

“Youngsters play major role in electoral process and we target to grab the attention of youngsters in villages and make them educate other villagers through them,” said artiste Malraj.

“Educating people through street plays is also a part of social service. Thousands of villagers have been benefited after watching our plays and we have seen change in them. They have learnt how to treat HIV patients, have become aware of various provisions under law meant for the protection of women, government welfare programmes and much more,” said Vasantha with proud.

Manjula says: Apart from getting educated ourselves, we make others too get educated. Many of them have been educated through plays. The plays reach the people in depth and helps for reforms. The job has brought us satisfaction more than earning.

“Though the earning is not enough for livelihood. We have dedicated ourselves completely to educate people. We feel happy for it,” said the troupe members. The artistes are: Guru Sidda, Vasantha, Nagaraj, Manjula (Rajyotsava awardee), Malraj, Anusuia, Somashekar, Chandrashekar, Mastelingu who are residents of Mysore and Mandya.

 

Awareness programme for Ashodaya Workers

'Voting is not only my right but also my duty and it is a mark of self respect.' This was the message conveyed by the theater artistes here on Thursday, after staging the play at Ashodaya Samithi, which works for the welfare of transgenders and sex workers.

Sex Worker Geetha (name changed) said that the play was not only entertaining but also brought about an awareness amongst voters. The play had an impact and brought change in our views. After watching the play we have decided not to miss my voting right.

Transgender Mala said that majority of them easily get lured by politicians and this play has spread light on such issues. Without yielding for anysorts of efforts by politicians to lure us we should exercise our franchise.

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Lakhs of people educated through SVEEP programme in district

 

Through SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education And Electoral Participation) lakhs of voters in the district are being educated about the importance of taking part in electoral process.

As many as 31 departments come under SVEEP Committee in district of Mysore and all the departments are involved in educating people in one way or the other.

Through DDPI, around 40,000 first year under-graduate students across the district have been made to take an oath that they will exercise their franchise in the coming elections.

Apart from this, around 90,000 vote taking pledges were distributed amongst high school students to obtain signature from their parents and other family members that they would caste their votes. Of this, more than 72,000 have been returned so far by students obtaining signatures of around 3 lakh people in the voters pledge form.

SVEEP Co-ordinator Praveen said that the response for such educational programmes has been quite good in the district as lakhs of people are being educated through Women and Child Welfare Committee, Women SHGs, Health Department, including library and hostels. He further said that through street plays tribals residing in hamlets of HD Kote and Hunsur Taluk will be educated in the next eight days.

Apart this a vehicle was flagged off by Information Department here on Thursday, displaying a hoarding and banners about the performing art troupes. The vehicle to tour 32 villages in the district in next eight days.

 

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Election has brought smiles on the faces of khadi sellers

The demand for Khadi has increased with declaration of polls, as such the Khadi shop owners are busy selling varieties of Khadi items.

With election dates approaching closer, campaigning has gained momentum. But the sweltering heat has made campaigning very tiresome, as the candidates and the campaigners have to sweat it out under the hot sun. This has forced them to wear lighter clothes, preferably those made of Khadi, such as hand woven pristine white kurta, pyjama or jubba and dhoti, though the demand for Nehru cap is moderate.

Shops selling Khadi in city said that for the past one month, workers of various political parties have been frequenting their shops seeking Khadi dresses. The pure handmade Khadi dresses, keeps the body cool in summer, the demand for the same has increased.

The white cotton variety is in more demand than the silk, woolen or any other variety. The price for a meter of Khadi white cloth ranges from Rs 140 to Rs 350.

Khadi Gramodyoga Bhandar which has three branches in Mysore is doing good business. Manager Vasu said that the demand for Khadi dresses has gone up this summer and felt that the increase was mainly due to elections. “The quality of Khadi are very good and gives comfort for wearers. It has to be maintained cleanly. No machines are used to prepare this cotton,” he added.

Tripura Khadi Stores R Bhaskar also added that the demand for khadi has increased since the elections were declared. There is about 30 per cent increase in the number of buyers compare to previous year and we have been doing a good business. Apart from politicians, even the party workers and campaigners are preferring cotton dresses, which has pushed up the demand, he added.

 

 Election fever has gripped first time voters

 

Excitement and happiness are the two emotions being experienced by the first time voters who will be exercising their franchise here on Thursday. Speaking to Express, students of several colleges said that they are eagerly waiting to get their thumb inked.

Majority of the students said that they feel great to be part of this big electoral process which has caught the attention of people across country. They said, they will be heading towards AVMs dressing neatly as they go to college every day. While, some were disheartened that there vote will not make any difference to weed out corruption.

Vijaya Vittala College Student Spandana said: “Am happily awaiting to experience this election process, how the EVMs look like and how the arrangement are done. Accompanied with few friends am planning to go on rounds in the city on the election day to know the ambience on the day.”

While, Sumitra, a student of Maharani's College said: “Though I am quite excited, I am also confused as to whom should I cast my vote. I am felling just as anxious as when I write my exams.”

NIE College Student Prayag said: “I am quite thrilled to take part in the electoral process. Exercising our franchise is our responsibility and duty. With more than 40 per cent of the electorate being youngsters, I feel we can bring about a change in the administration.”

“Though election fever has gripped the country, I feel apart from the great excitement the youngsters should think seriously as to whom they should elect as their leaders. No party is completely free of corruptions. It is a big challenge for us to elect the right candidate, which is not happening in this country inspite of being democratic,” regretted Vrunda, art student of Maharani's college, who is keenly observing politics for the past two years.

 

Elections have turned into boom for working class people 

 

Elections have turned into a boom time for these daily wagers, who otherwise had to sweat under the blazing sun for earning a few hundred rupees. 

With lot of manpower is needed for door to door campaigning, distributing pamphlets and interact with voters, the political parties paying a couple of hundreds more than what they earn in their daily work are engaging the construction workers, daily wage employees, housemaids, carpenters and other such odd jobbers, including the students for canvassing. 

With count down begins for elections, majority of the daily wage employees are taking leave from their routine work, and are campaigning for political parties. If they campaign for over time they will be paid extra. PUC students who are now having summer vacation were also seen distributing pamphlets in several localities. The students said that they are paid extra for petrol, apart from getting Rs 100 to Rs 150 per day for canvassing.   

Even housemaids are busy with campaigning after completing their work. Apart from this several Self Help Groups are also busy sending their members for canvasing. The choice of the party depends on the money they pay. 

The campaigners say: 'By putting little effort we can earn thousands within a week. We will be earning around Rs 4000 to Rs 5,000 in a month during the poll time, with provided food. (An average of Rs 200 to Rs 500 per day). The job of canvasing is free of tension.”   

 

Housemaid Mamtha said: “After completing house work, I start campaigning. The extra earned money will be used for my children's education.” Another woman who rolls Beedies at Hanumanthanagar said: "Me and two others are busy campaigning for a national party from last ten days. We are earning more than what we get by rolling beedies." 

A carpentry shop owner at Kesare who had employed four people said that all them have taken to canvas in the elections resulting in delays to deliver pending orders on time. While, contractor Bavasavaraju said that the construction workers taking leave has increased soon after elections were declared. “Though we have hiked the daily wages by another Rs 25 they are sill taking leave and am finding it difficult to search workers to complete the urgent projects.  

Areas like  Vidyaranyapuram, TK Layout, Shanthinagar, Ghousia Nagar, Udayagiri, NR Mohalla, Kesare, Hanmanthanagar, and where majority of working class or daily wage labourers reside seem to be immensely benefited. 

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An initiative to facilitate voters of Azeez Sait Nagar

 Despite several measures being taken by Election Commission of India to facilitate voters on the polling day, voters searching for their names in electoral rolls on polling day and wandering from one polling station to another is a common sight. But the people of Azeez Sait Nagar, which comes under Narasimharaja Constituency, may not face such problem this time around. 

To ease the burden of residents, ward No 55 Corporator KC Showkath Pasha has introduced an novel imitative in his ward.

He has placed the details of 12,068 voters of 13 booths which comes under his ward on a wooden board. The details have been placed based on the booth wise, polling station and the room they have to exercise their franchise. The details are informed in both Urdu and English languages.

The boards are being displayed in front of mosque, major circles where footfalls are more. The people visiting mosque, looking at their photos in the voter listare knowing about the polling station.

Even the children in large number were seen searching for the photos of family members and helping them to know their voting Station. 

“Majority of the residents at Azeez Sait Nagar or labourers mainly agarbathi and beedi workers. They are illiterates, and don't have access to advanced technology. The initiative has helped them lot to identify their polling booth without much struggle.

“First we come to know whether our name is there in voting list. By

identifying the photos, we are informing to our relatives, friends where they can exercise their franchise. Previous year, we were running from one polling station to other to cast our vote. Whereas, this time we have come to known four days early the polling stating and even the room,” said Shamshed Begum.

“By having a look at the voters list, I came to know my name is missing in the voter ID. Now, am planning to vote carrying my identity proofs,” added Nazma. 

Corporator said that the plan has benefited more than 40 per cent of people and on the polling day they will display the boards in the radius of 200 mts. This will avoid the crowd in the polling station too. He has also erected ten hoardings from last ten days in the ward, asking people to exercise their franchise without fail. 

 

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As many as 17,21,197 voters to exercise franchise for 15 candidates 

 

As many as 17,21,197 voters, out of which 8,54,665 women voters to decide the fate of 15 candidates in the Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha Constituency.  The election will take place on April 17 from 7 am to 6 pm at 1,973 polling stations. 407 booths are categorised as hyper-sensitive, 564 as sensitive and 1,017 as general.

Eight mustering and de-mustering centers have been identified in the constituency. About 2,367 electoral officers, 2,367 assistant electoral officers and 4,734 polling officers have been appointed for 1,973 polling booths. In each polling station six officers will be rendering the service. 

Apart this, 423 vehicles to transport the polling officers, which include 331 KSRTC Bus, 68 Matador, and 329 light motor vehicles. 

Video Camera and Micro Observer has been placed at selected booths. Web casting system have been made at 120 Hyper-sensitive and vulnerable polling station. 

Use of mobile phones, cameras at polling stations and broadcasting, publishing of exit polls report is prohibited on April 17 from 7 am to 6 pm. Counting is on May 16 from 8 am onwards at Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering.  

The voters have to produce Passport, Driving License, PAN card,  Aadhaar card or any other documents as ID proof to exercise the franchise.  

 

Measures taken by cops 

Mysore City Police Commissioner MA Saleem has stated in a release that appropriate measures have been taken to protect law and order and ensure the elections are held peacefully.

Stating additional police personnel will be beefed up in hyper sensitive booths, he has said that 806 polling booths come under Mysore City Police limits, out of which 222 are hyper sensitive, 64 very sensitive and 312 sensitive and 272 general.     

Cases booked 

48 cases has been registered in the Mysore District after Election Code of Conduct were declared. FIR has been booked in 33 cases. Rs 58.58 lakh cash, 4500 sarees and 185 liter alcohol beverages has been seized. 

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Women voters exceed men in three constituency

  

As per the electoral records, the number of registered women voters exceed the number of males in three constituencies out of eight, in the forthcoming Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha Elections.

As many as 106481 women (men 104326) voters will be exercising their franchise at Madikeri, while 1,14,599 at Krishnaraja Constituency (113756 men) and 1,13,841 voters at Narasimharaja constituency  against 1,13,202 male voters. The difference in the men and women voters in the three constituencies are 2155, 843 and 639 respectively.

While there is thin difference in the number of women voters at Virajpet. The men top by only 56 in the constituency. There are 10,4224 women voters against 10,4280 men voters. 

Apart  from this, 141 others (transgenders, sexual minorities) will exercise their franchise in the constituency.   

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In the close heels, of a woman Jayamma had complained with Chief Miniser Siddaramaiah against his personal assistant Kumar urinating in front of her house, the officials of Mysore City Corporation are planning to provide toilet facility. Hundreds of people throng to CM's house during his arrival to hometown and they are not provided with basic facilities. It has even  caused inconvenience for neighbours too. Thus, plans are being made to construct toilet room inside the premises of Chief Minister Siddaramaih's house at Saradadevi Nagar. 

The construction of toilets will ease the burden of BP, Sugar, Diabetic patients who will be waiting for hours together to discuss their problems with CM. As per the sources, the people visitng CM”s house had a tough time without toilet facility in the locality and it was challenging task for visitors to attend the nature call. Left with no other choice the visitors attend the nature call where they feel convinent.  

MCC Bhyrappa said that the provision to construct the public toilet in the area is difficult, whereas there is a proposal to construct toilet in the backyard of CM's house and the decision will be taken after elections. After Jayamma had complained that Kumar was urinating in front of her house, and assaulting her family members for objecting him.  

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People headed towards polling booths with smiling faces 

The scene at the 16th Lok Sabha elections was totally different unlike in the past. Residents in most residential localities were seen heading towards their respective polling booths quite early in the morning, not waiting for the day to set in. Some were seen already making a beeline at the tables of the polling agents from 6.30 am.      

Thanks for the repeated awareness programmes by various organisations including SVEEP, exhorting people to vote, seems to have a desired effect. The people were seemed determined to ensure they exercised their franchise without fail.  

Residents of Yadavagiri, renowned as Pensioner’s Paradise, Gokulam, Vijayanagar, Kuvempunagar, Saraswathipuram, Ramakrishnanagar were seen standing in queue from 6.30 am itself. While many stood patiently, some even 30 minutes, in long queues, before casting vote.   

 

For some their early morning brisk walk ended up at the polling booth as they caste their votes before heading back home. Women were also seen in large numbers standing in queue sharp at 7 am to cast their votes. 

A resident of Gokulam, Cheluvaraj, who was casting his vote for fourth time said that “compared to the past three elections, the response is good this year, as more number of people were coming in to cast their votes. I feel people have realised that voting was the only way to bring the desired change.”

Another resident of Kuvempunagar, Noorulla, who is a fruit vendor  said: “I open my shop daily around 6.30 am. I had displayed a notice board stating on the polling day, the shop will be opened only by 8 am as my priority today was to caste my vote first. Me and my family members  exercised our franchise as soon the polling booth opened.”

Geetha, a resident of Saraswathipuram said: “Every day I come to walk in the evening. But today I decided to vote first, so I came out early in the morning as I didn't want to let go of my voting right today.”   

  

Youngsters views.. 

 

Majority of the youngsters, including the first time voters have exercised their franchise only after thoroughly understanding and accepting the ideologies in the party. 

Speaking to Express, some of the youngsters in the age group of 18 to 35 years said that they want their leader to eradicate corruption from country, to improve the country, solve unemployment problem, eradicate poverty, women empowerment, and other address the burning issues strongly. Thus, studying the details of every candidate  we have cast vote for candidate who has good leadership qualirty. 

Voter Nikhil Kashyap said: “Watching budget from last two weeks, learning about parties have voted for a right candidate. I want India to shine.”

Voter Sanjana said she had cast vote for the candidate who has the guts to face the burning problems of country and give importance for women empowerment. 

While Deepit Sapru said: “We youngsters have decided to vote who work for the country, more than for themselves and their party. Discussing with several thinkers, keenly observing the debates have caste our vote. 

First time voter Thiruch said: “Voting was very excitement and was fascinating. The moment is unforgettable in my life. Have made sure that I have voted for a right candidate.”

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They had voter ID card, but their names were missing in list !

 

They had voter ID card, but their names were missing in list ! People wandering from one booth to other checking their names in the voter list was common sight witnessed in all the booths. 

What was surprising is at most of the booths the entire family members names were missing in the voter list, though they had the voter ID card. The people were seen inquiring and struggling hard to know their names in the voter list by checking the list with all those were helping near booths.

Family members of Sharada say: “Once we enroll the names how can the names go missing, without our notice. We had voted in the same booth five years ago. Following personnel reason we could not vote at Assembly elections. This is sad that our names have been removed from voter list.”  

While, the concerned citizen Nagaraj said that its the responsibility of the every citizen to oftenly check their names in the voter list. Its very unfortunate that amidst several awareness programmes the people had failed to check their name in the voter ID list, he regretted. 

 

Not many takers for survey in tribal haadis

Lack of motivation to work in tribal areas amongst the youngsters has delayed the implementation of some research programmes under taken by Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute (KSTRI).

KSTRI is planning to conduct a detailed survey of the tribal population by collecting details such as their socio-economic status, educational qualification, health condition and other issues, by doing a house to house visit. For this they require manpower, particularly young people, who can go around and collect the data by talking to the tribals.

According to sources, not many candidates are coming forward to work in Tribal areas, as to collect the relevant data from the tribals, they have to spend at least two to three weeks in each Haadi and have to tour all across State for six to eight months to collect data from various tribal hamlets. The selected candidates are paid Rs 12,000 per month, along with TA/DA.

The other major problem being faced by KSTRI, is to provide training to the selected candidates, as most of the candidates do not have any prior exposure or knowledge about field work. In this regard, KSTRI has written letters to several Universities in the State, seeking to assign students of Sociology, Education, Anthropology, Economics or Social Work, with the field work.

“We have corresponded with Universities, seeking to assign students with field work before the completion of their two year PG course. If Universities implement this, it will help students in their career, when they go out seeking for a job after completion of the course,” says, KSTRI Director Basavannagounda, admitting that there is lack of interest among candidates to work in tribal hamlets.

'Lack of experience and knowledge on the field work for candidates has become a stumbling block for us to undertake the task. We have invited experts from the field to provide specialised training on the methods of data collection done in cases of such intensive research programmes,' he added.

Appropriate questionnaires will be prepared and as per the list the data collection is done. Once all the data is collected it will be compiled, analysed and report is prepared, he said.

 

Mysuru ranks 12th in Human development Index

The report recommends to provide better life for the people

Mysuru District holds 12th place in State, while Mysore Taluk tops the list (0.813) in the District, with HD Kote at the bottom (0.264), according to the Human Development Index report for the year 2014.

According to the reports, High ratios of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Child Mortality Rate (CMR), malnutrition, anaemia are reported in district. Access to basic health care facilities for people residing outside the city of Mysore is very poor.

Supply of drinking water, accessibility to education and health care facilities and availability of accommodation or residential houses are quite satisfactory in Mysuru. The biggest challenge the district facing is lack of proper sanitation, keeping in mind the rise in population and livelihood in rural areas.

Apart from Mysuru Taluk, all the taluks have remained backward interms of human development, income, education, etc. Specially, the backward taluk HD Kote has continued to remained bottom of the HDI ranking.

Women status

The status of women in Mysore taluk is good, while it has been reported to be quite disappointing in HD Kote, an backward taluk in the district. Hunsur holds first position with regard to women’s health. In matters of women empowerment, T Narasipur and Periyapatna tops with good number of working women. Over all Women empowerment Gender disparities and discrimination are quite unsatisfying.

Food Security

When it comes to food security the district ranks 11th place (0.429) in State. Both the availability of food (0.449) and real access to food is low (0.367). The status of people residing in Mysore Taluk is better, compare to HD Kote. Mysore Taluk (14) is in first place, while HD Kote (172) is in the seventh position, as far as food security is concerned. The report recommends for improved provisioning of food security in district.

Child Development

While district drops down to 20th position in Child Development. The reason being increase in IMR and CMR rates; malnutrition among children, and lack of efforts to bring the drop out children back to school. In Heealth Hunsur holds first place; Mysuru in Nutrition and Nanjangud in Education.

Status of Taluks

There is a wide difference in rankings amongst the taluks reflecting the quality of living. As for example, T Narasipur holds 47th place, while periyapatna 147 th place. In matters related to all round development Mysore city stands first (0.819); while Bannur is in the last position with 0.341 where people having access to basic facilities is quite disappointing. Mysore Taluk holds first place (0.542); and Nanjangud ranks last (0.484) in the comprehensive development of taluks. While, the district ranks 14th place in gender discrimination, Mysore taluk holds second place in Education after Nanjangud. In all, the reports will be useful in addressing the specific problems of region and finalising the plans.

Recommends

* The HDI report recommends for the over all development of district, emphasising specially in education and health sector.

* To chalk out programmes to provide better life for the people and improve their living conditions.

* To reduce the wide difference between taluks and give prominence for taluks that have remained backward for long.

* The most affected are the children who are deprived of education and health care facilities. So more importance should be give for development of children.

* To improve the livelihood of villagers of all the taluks. To give importance for agricultural activities and create jobs.

Self Help Groups in Mysuru to be on digital map soon

Self Help Groups in Mysuru to be on digital map soon. All records of about 40,000 self help groups (SHGs) in district will be digitised in this financial year, that is March 2017.

Mysuru is the only district in State, selected among the 22 districts in country for the digitisation of SHGs. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) to start collecting details of SHGs soon. An MoU has been signed with the NGO's, and enumerators will be collecting details.

The enumerators will be split into about 40 groups to collect details of SHG members, financial status, gradings, and other details. Out of 40,000 odd SHGs, about 20 per cent are male self help groups.

The collected data will be uploaded in the dedicated website to be launched soon. The Banks can access savings, lending, financial status, internal loans, repayment percentage at a click of a button.

The digitalisation helps to bring transparency, by studying any group is over financed or under financed and maintain complete data about the SHGs. With Mysore has achieved 97 per cent in Aadhar seeding, it will be easy for the enumerators to update data linked with Aadhar Number.

Lead Bank Manager Shivalingaiah says the major advantage of digitisation is dual membership, multiple loans can be reduced to higher extent. “Presently members in more than three SHGs obtains loans by banks, micro groups. The multiple finance and dual membership has increased down the years, and with digitisation it can be bring down to higher extent.”

“The initiative helps to improve the relationship between banks and SHG members. If they require any financial assistance, the bank people will study the status of SHGs and voluntarily call them and finance,” he added.

Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana will be promoted, which benefit women SHGs immensely, and improve their economic status by bringing them to the main stream of society, added another official.

Mobile app to help commuter for live tracking of city buses

KSRTC has developed an App with the help of Infosys that runs on Android enabled smart phones providing real time information not only about the arrival and departure of city buses, but also their present location.

The Android application most likely to be named 'MITRA' (Mysore Intelligent TRAnspport which in Kannada means 'friend') is scheduled to be launched in July. Officials are planning to get the App launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Infosys in the city to inaugurate the 'Smart City', though it has not been finalised yet.

The app will help for live tracking of movement of all the 440 buses ply in the city every day. Nearly 3.5 lakh commuters travel everyday in bus and with smartphones becoming popular a majority of the commuters are expected to benefit by this service.

Due to the erratic arrival and departure schedule of public transport system most of them were using their private vehicles for commuting. The launch of app could herald a new trend, by attracting non commuters, techies, specially youngsters, to switch over to public transport.

The app is of immense help to tourists and other new comers to the city. By using the search engine provided in the App, they can identify their current location and can find the buses enroute based on the destination they have to reach. 

The app will even benefit a large number of commuters, as they can plan their journey accordingly. The commuters from city bus stand can make use of the free wifi facility being provided for three hours for each number every day. 

The KSRTC officials who claimed the app is first of its kind in country operating efficiency in this level, said that the major advantage of the app is that it gives dynamic service with live tracking of buses. 

'The service is of great help in case of accidents and traffic jams during major festivals and events like Dasara, when the onboard GPS sends the status update every ten seconds to the control room, automatically updating its current location very precisely. With this the commuters will come to know the exact time of arrival of bus to their boarding point.'

'We have studied different mobile applications already implemented in the West and have chosen the best possible one suited for our needs. The soon to be launched app, will be very useful in improving the efficiency of public transport as it can reach people a large number of people,' said the officers, who dont wished to be named.

Around 350 messages and 350 voice call inquiries are received by the Intelligence Transport System server per day related to schedule of bus. Those who do not have access to smart phones and send an SMS to 98700 11012 or call toll free 18004255220 and get more details about the bus service.

Know how the app works

The app works on GPS data beamed from the bus, helps commuters for live tracking of buses and accordingly they can schedule their visit to the bus stand. The user can also get detailed information of all the routes of the buses, tracked in real time using GPS.

The list of buses that passes across that route will be displayed along with the timings of their arrival and departure. With this, they can immediately know about the next scheduled arrival of the bus and its number. Through control room the buses location will be monitored.

Special package sought for forest dependant tribes

State Primitive, Forest Tribes Forum and Tribal Joint Action Forum have requested government to include special package to forest dependant tribes in Karnataka at the Central Budget 2016-17.

The forums have demanded central government to allot the budget of Rs 5 crores to each Tribal settlement for civic amenities and scheduling the tribal areas and to implement Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, by creating separate GPs as per the constitutional provisions.

Tribes Forum State Convenor JP Raju has said in a release that to provide basic amenities Rs 7500 crores is needed, which benefit specially privileged tribal groups and other forest dwelling tribes.

Requesting for the implementation of forest Rights Act 2006, which benefits 72,000 tribal families in State, he said the total budget needed for implementation of act is Rs 6000 crores. This apart, 3418 families displaced from Nagarahole National Park need to be rehabilitated by providing 5 acres of land and Rs 10 lakh compensation, he adds.

“The present 118 Ashram Schools and 20 Murarji Schools are not providing quality education and they need to be upgraded on par with Navodaya Schools. Nearly Rs 1000 cores has to be reserved in first phase. The government should establish a tribal University in Karnataka to provide quality education from pre primary to master degree covering 20,000 tribal children and youths in the Western Ghats region,” he requested.

Action Forum State Convenor Dr S Sreekant said that there is need of establishing tribal cultural academy and tribal education board at the State-level and branches need to be started in nine district of western ghats by involving tribal community leaders, experts, for which Rs 20 crores is needed. While, Rs 700 crores sought for developing herbal gardens, agriculture department, herbal medicine distribution centers in all districts.

Hundreds of tribal settlements have dispersed in Kodagu and Chikmagalore districts as wage labourers in coffee estates. The government should trace all 1500 tribal settlements and provide them civic amenities like school, Anganawadi, roads, house sites and houses, drinking water facilities, skill development training and much more.

Karnataka has nearly 6 lakh Adivasi population under Scheduled Tribe list who are forest dependent and forest dwelling communities. There is need of separate budget for forest dwelling Adivasi Communities who are under ST list, he adds.

Tortoise hunting going hide and seek in Mandya region

Non-vegetarian freaks who delight in feasting on the flesh of endangered species of birds and animals, have now found a safe place to eat tortoise meat. Muthathi forest range, Induvalu in Mandya and K Shettahalli forest range in Srirangapatna have become favourite spots to eat lip smacking tortoise meat which belongs to species 'Indian fresh water terrapins'.

The poachers hunt wild tortoises found in nearby ponds, canals and bank of the rivers, which are then killed and sold to the relishers after the flesh is grilled on fire. Medium sized tortoises weighing around 5 to 10 kgs are found abundantly in these forest regions, and are most sought after for its medicinal value and taste. The tortoise are not suitable for export, but locally there is good demand for its flesh.

According to sources, quite a good number of foreigners visit the forest ranges, and there is demand for tortoise meat. The haunters sell the meat to the resorts they are tied up, as it fetches good money.

These tortoises emit a peculiar body odour which can be smelt even at a distance of 100 meters. Tracing this scent, poachers hunt down these tortoises. The soft skin of the tortoises is then cut open and roasted on fire. As soon as the hunters approach these tortoises they withdraw their heads inside the hard external shell that covers their body. The cruel hunters smash the tortoise body by dropping heavy stones on them.

Speaking to Express, Senior Forest officer, who dint wished to be named said that few years ago at Srirangapatna they had arrested poachers with 200 tortoise. The poachers diverting the river water into the huge pot holes created by sand dredgers along river Carvery in Srirangapatna and luring with food had hunting around 200 turtles.

'Primary diet of tortoise is they eat other animal waste, putting waste and diverting water they will be trapped easily. While, some use net, and some pot holes created by sand excavation. If no action is being taken to stop this act, the endangered species will soon have to be included under the extinct list,' added the officer.

When contacted, officials of the Department of Forests spoke of their helplessness to tackle the menace owing to the shortage of staff, which has turned out to be a big challenge for the forest department officials to protect wild life.
DCF Vasntah Reddy of Muthathi forest range said that appropriate action will be taken against the culprits. While, Mandya DFO Ramalinge Gowda said: 'Watchers have been deputed at Induvalu. Listed under the endangered species we are inquiring over the issue. The photos clearly indicated that it is indeed the flesh of tortoise, but the species cant be identified, as its completely burnt.'

Containing he informed that as there were several paddy field nurseries located in the vicinity of the Induvala forest ranges, it has become easy for the poachers to sneak in and hunt tortoises.

'Indian fresh water terrapins'

D Rajkumar of the Wildlife Conservation Foundation looking at the photograph said that these tortoise are Indian fresh water terrapins or Indian black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga) found commonly through out India. Three lines found on the Carapace of the Trijuga, that is on the upper shield of the body.

'It is hunted using nets and by luring the animal using animal waste and droppings on which usually all terrapins feed. River water will be diverted using bunds and lured by hunters using food baits. Hunted for its soft meat and sold in the market stating that it has aphrodisiac values.'

'Protected under the Wildlife protection act , Classified as near threatened in IUCN red list. it is particularly threatened by hunting for its meat which is considered as delicacy and also due to pet trade,' he added. 

Varuna Hobli to get its first Farmers Producers Organisatgion

The newly constituted Farmers Producers Organisation (FPO) will soon become a boon for small and marginal farmers in days to come. 

With the State already reeling under severe drought and farmers facing unprecedented hard-ships due to crop failure, by enrolling as member of FPO, farmers will be assured of getting money for their agricultural produces.

Officials of Horticulture Department in association with International Competent Center for Organic Agriculture are all set to establish 13 FPOs at Bengalru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya, Ramnagar, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar. In all, 58 FPOs will be established in the State in due course of time.

Once the company comes into existence it will be tied up with an external agency for marketing their produce. They will made aware of the latest technologies that have been developed and introduce them to methods of growing crops using less water like drip irrigation, rain water harvesting and judicious use of pesticides and much more. Grass root level meetings are being held in villages to educate farmers of this new setup.

Thousand farmers upon paying Rs 1000 each can become a stake holder and for every Rs 10 lakh collected, Government will provide an equity amount of Rs 10 lakh. The money will help the farmers continue farming in times of crisis. All the seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, and other materials required for the agriculture will be provided through the company.

In Mysuru district, Varuna Hobli, Hullahalli in Nanjangud Taluk and Huseenapura at Hunsur Taluk are the three places included in the list to set up FPO. Selection of a target group of 1000 farmers in the Varuna hobli is completed, whereas in other taluks the completion is nearing.

In about a month the FPO at Varuna will be registered. They can directly place order and purchase required farm equipments, packaging materials and much more.

ICCOA Project Manager said that they will be motivating farmers to switch over to organic cultivation than following the traditional cultivation and this FPO setup will immensely benefit farmers.

Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture Anand said that in two months a FPO in every district will be registered, and farmers can make use of various programmes.

The cultural capital is slowly changing down the years

Gone are the days when Mysuru was showcased as 'pensioner’s paradise', a 'sleeping city'. The cultural capital has slowly but steadily changing down the years and no wonder Mysuru will become twin city of Bengaluru in couple of years.

With the city having already accepted the mall culture, most of the big showrooms and their branches have appeared in prominent places across the city. Night life has become alive down the years. Especially the students, IT/BT employees, and other blue collar workers who visit multiplex theatres set up in big malls watch late night shows screened after 10 pm.

As the Cabinet passes model law that malls, cinemas, shops and establishments can be opened for 24x7, it might generate more employment for people to work in Malls, and private taxi services. Quite a good number of girls, specially students who were going for part time job after college hours, will also have good scope to get employed for night shifts in malls.

CII Chairperson Dr N Muthukumar said: “The city is growing fast. This is the good time for investors. The land rates has not dropped in Mysuru, whereas in most cities the it has fallen. Whereas, connectivity is the biggest problem, as one has to travel five hours to reach Bengaluru Airport. Nice roads has to be connected to Hyderbad Road which helps lot and logistics problems can be addressed. With proposed International Airport to come up in a distance of 120 kms from Mysuru, we hope the scenario will change drastically.”

Suresh Kumar Jain, General Secretary Mysore Industries Association said: “Mysuru being a tier two city, is growing good. Though there is a global recession, new industries are coming in Mysuru. No lands are available for industrialists at Kadakola, Korgalli, Hebbal. Adakanahalli, and Kadakola second stage few lands are available. A German based company to invest Rs 100 crores in automotive, and Asian Paints are coming in big way. This are all good signs for the development of city, and creates good job opportunity, attracting youngsters even from neighbouring states.”

'Improved connectivity, good infrastructure, salubrious climate, and most big companies and corporates are evincing keen interest to invest in Mysuru or shift their bases permanently here. All major IT companies, such as Wipro, Infosys, Excel Soft and others have their presence here, while several other IT/BT companies have been well settled for the past decade. Many apartments and Vilas which are coming up are also being constructed keeping the interest of IT people', say Builders.

“The city is slowly transforming into another big city and might end has an another metropolis in the coming decade. The crowd is more during weekends as all restaurants, malls, hotels can be found crowded late in the night. With the decision of cabinet, even our duty in night increases,” says an senior Police officer.

55-year-old Auto Driver Ravikumar said: “The culture and lifestyle of Mysuru has surprisingly changed to a great extent. Earlier it was hard to find people after 8.30 pm. Now we see people even upto as late as 1.30 am. Cab culture is also becoming popular among citizens, indicating threat to our business.”

Maharani's College Student Rajeshwari who works for part time at beauty parlour said: 'The move of government will generate more employment for youngsters. With family problems its inevitable for me to work and will try job in any Malls, so that will have enough time to even concentrate on my studies and get better salary.'

What attracting investors

Apart from being a famous tourist spot, Mysuru is also an epicenter for Education with international students from all over the world enrolled in well-established schools and colleges. Lot of good education institutions have emerged down the years. This cleanest city familiar as a yoga hub, many foreign students from across the world are also coming to learn music, yoga. Doubling of track between Mysuru and Bengaluru; proposed six lane of road connectivity between Mysuru-Bengaluru has brought more enthusiasm among those who are waiting to shift from Bangalore.

Highlights

* Night life has become active in sleeping city Mysuru

* The city is growing fast and is the good time for investors

* No lands available for Industrial sectors

* Lot of scope for entrepreneurs

* Citizens seek connection of Nice roads to Hyderbad Road

Theme park to educate public about rural development schemes

 A Theme Park is coming up in Chamarajanagar to educate general public about rural development schemes and conservation of forests and wildlife. 25 models have been exhibited in a park opposite to Zilla Panchayat Meeting Hall spread across 15 guntas.These models depict various issues such as attires or traditional dresses worn by villagers, information about MGNREGA, Happy Farmers Family, Gram Sabha meetings, Water Scheme, Gram Panchayat One concept, rural services for the village, mini water scheme, Swatch Bharath Abhiyana, steps taken to make district free of open defecation and the usefulness of owning toilets and information about several other programmes of both State and Central government.With Chamarajanagar having 52 per cent forest cover, a concept of 'Vana Devathe' (Goddesses of Forest) has been depicted, to spread the message of conserving forests, prevent cutting trees and save wild lives. Artiste Ramesh accompanied with 12 other artistes from Tamil Nadu has created the models. The park will be inaugurated by the end of this month.Using some of the models exhibited during Mysuru Dasara, the Chamarajanagar Zilla Panchayat decided to rearrange the models, and came out with a novel Theme Park idea, which is said to be first of its kind in State.Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr KH Narasimhamurthy says the theme park will be useful to educate people, as well as officials about the various government schemes.'District Resource Center will be inaugurated soon where SHGs, rural women, beneficiaries of NAREGA and officers will be trained. The theme park helps them to have an overview of the programmes implemented by the government for rural development. By observing the models people will understand better about GP one, Swatch Bharath , conservation of water and other schemes,' he opined.'Government had spent nearly Rs 13.5 lakhs to erect stalls at Dasara. The models were created using cement cast spending Rs 11 lakh. While the remaining money was spent for creating the theme park. This will be a novel idea for other districts to follow and educate people,' he opines.Artiste Ramesh says: 'If the officials think of displaying cement models during dasara, in the coming days the models can be reused to display the same in city parks to enhance the beauty of gardens. If made out of fiber or PoP it cant be used for long time.' 

23 children rescued from Railways Child Protection Committee

Children who runaway from houses become easy prey for human

traffickers. People involved in this illegal business find it easy to

watch for such children at Railway Stations and Bus Stands. They are later trained in anti-social activities which earns them money.

In order provide care and protection for such runaway children found on Railway platforms and prevent them falling into the clutches of the child traffickers, a special committee has been formed called Child Protection Committee of Southern Western Railways. It has rescued 23 runaway children since September 2014 in Mysuru division of SWR.

While 15 of them have been sent back to their parents, the remaining are being housed in NGOs and other rehabilitation centers. A team comprising of five members functioning at Mysuru, Hassan, Arsikere, Chikjajur and Davangere stations will be keep a regular vigil over the movements of such children wandering in railway platforms. On finding them, the officials will approach the children and collect their details.

Team's task

Children runaway from homes for petty issues with parents and most of them invariably come to railway station to catch a train to escape from their hometown. The team's task is to counsel such children and ensure they return back to their parents. Those children whose whereabouts cannot be traced will be rehabilitated at the designated NGOs.

The team also keeps an eye on the 'Look out Notice' (Missing Child) advertisements carried in the newspapers which will help them easily identify such runaway children, while making all efforts to make them reach their parents safely. This apart, the team also provides counseling for the parents and inform them about child rearing. This initiative of Railways to safeguard and rehabilitate runaway children has been receiving good appreciation from many quarters.

V Channamallikarjuna, Divisional Security Commissioner, SWR Mysore Division said that children of different age groups have been traced and rehabilitated.

'There is need to creating public awareness about protection of such children. The public if they spot any such child, should immediately alert the officers, so they can be rescued and rehabilitated. A 24x7 helpline number 182 has also been launched for the protection of passengers, especially women and children,' he added. 

Parushuram, Founder of Odanadi Seva Samsthe, working for the rescue, rehabilitation and empowerment of trafficked and sexually exploited women and children said that it is essential to provide a separate bogie with child rescue team in trains leaving to Mumbai and Delhi, as most of the children are transported to this two cities.

'Presently children found on platforms are being rescued. Whereas,

traffickers take away children in a very systematic way and operate very secretly. Railway cops should keep eye on such groups. The child should be quizzed about his background and whether he is accompanied by any of his family member. Frequent announcements about human trafficking should be made. As a result large number of human trafficking cases can be curbed,' he suggested.

Statistics of Child Rescued

* Runway children:

Mysuru (5); Davangere (5); Shivamogga (3), Hassan (5), each from

Kasargod, Chikkamagaluru, Ramanagar, Ballari and Bengaluru.

* Rescued at: Davangere Railway Station (10); Mysuru (2); Hassan (4); Arasikere (3); Sakleshpura (1); Shivamogga (3).

Highlights

* 23 children have been rescued since September 2014

* 15 children have been sent back with parents

* Child Activists say dedicated bogie for the protection of children

is required in trains leaving to Mumbai and Delhi.