ഇത് അജ്മാൻറെ 'നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയ'

 

നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയ ഗായകർ പരിപാടിക്കിടയിൽ 

                         
ഒരിക്കൽ ഒരിടത്തു് ...

വര്ഷം 2014; സ്ഥലം അജ്മാൻ. സംഗീത പ്രേമികളായ കുറച്ചു യുവാക്കൾ അവിടത്തെ സായാഹ്നങ്ങളിൽ ഒത്തുകൂടുന്നു. പാട്ടും, ഈരടികളുമായി രാത്രി കനക്കുന്നത് വരെ അത് അങ്ങനെ നീളും. വെറും ആറു പേരുടെ നേരം പോക്ക്. പിന്നീട് അതിലേക്ക് അംഗങ്ങള്‍ കൂടി. കൂടുതലായി സംഗീത വാസനയുള്ളവരുടെ കടന്നു വരവോടെ ഈ കൂട്ടായ്മയെ ഒരു മ്യൂസിക് ക്ലബ് ആയി രൂപപ്പെടുത്താനുള്ള ചിന്തകളെ അവർ ക്ലബ്ബിൽ നിന്ന് സ്വരൂപിച്ചു. പിന്നീട് ആ ചിന്തകൾ കാട് കേറി. അത് 'നൊസ്റാൾജിയ' ആയി! അജ്മാൻറേം സ്വന്തം പ്രവാസി മ്യൂസിക് ബാൻഡ്: നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയ


തണലായി യൂത്ത് ഇന്ത്യ

അജ്മാനിൽ നൊസ്റാൾജിയ്ക്ക് വിത്ത് പാകിയത് കുറച്ചു കലാകാരന്മാർ ആണെങ്കിൽ അതിന്റെ തണൽ യൂത്ത് ഇന്ത്യ ക്ലബ് ആണ്. പ്രവാസി യുവാക്കളുടെ കൂട്ടായമയായ യൂത്ത് ഇന്ത്യയുടെ സംഭാവന ആണ് ഈ മ്യൂസിക് ബാൻഡ്. യൂത്ത് ഇന്ത്യയുടെ യു.എ.യിലെ ഒരു ഘടകം മാത്രം ആണ് അജ്‌മാൻ. "കല , സാഹിത്യ സാംസ്‌കാരിക ചലനങ്ങളിലൂടെ യുവാക്കളെ കൃയാത്മകമായി വഴി തെളിക്കുക എന്ന ലക്ഷ്യത്തിന്റെ മാർഗങ്ങൾ ആണ് ഇത്തരം ക്ലബ്ബ്കൾ",  യൂത്ത് ഇന്ത്യ അജ്‌മാൻ ഭാരവാഹി അജ്മൽ മുഹമ്മദ് അഭിപ്രായപെടുന്നു. പ്രവാസത്തിന്റെ ചില ഒറ്റപെട്ട തുരുത്തുകളിൽ ഉഴറി നടക്കുന്ന യുവത്വത്തെ അവരുടെ കഴിവുകളെ തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞ് കൂടെ കൂട്ടുകയാണ് യൂത്ത് ഇന്ത്യ ചെയ്യുന്നത്, എന്ന് അജ്മൽ സാക്ഷ്യപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു. യൂത്ത് ഇന്ത്യ സ്പോർട്സ് ക്ലബ്ബും പ്രവാസി മലയാളികളുടെ ഇടയിലെ വളരെ സജീവ സാന്നിധ്യം ആണ് ഇന്ന്.

പാട്ടുകാരുടെ 'ലോഞ്ചിങ് പാഡ്' 

വിരലിൽ എണ്ണാവുന്ന ആളുകളെ കൊണ്ട് യാത്ര തുടങ്ങിയ നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയ ഇപ്പോൾ പല പാട്ടുകാരുടെയും ലോഞ്ചിങ് പാഡ് കൂടിയാണ്. യു എ യിലെ തന്നെ പല മ്യൂസിക് റിയാലിറ്റി ഷോയിലേക്കും പാട്ടുകാരെ അയക്കാൻ നൊസ്റാൾജിയക്ക് സാധിച്ചു എന്നത് ബാൻഡിന്റെ ഗ്രൂമിങ് പവർ എത്രത്തോളം അംഗങ്ങൾക്കിടയിൽ സ്വാധീനിച്ചു എന്നത വ്യക്തമാകുന്നു. ഈ അടുത്ത് നടന്ന റേഡിയോ മി യിലെ സലാമി എന്ന മ്യൂസിക് റിയാലിറ്റി ഷോയില്‍ വിജയിച്ചത്  നൊസ്റാൾജിയയിലെ അംഗം ശ്രീകുമാർ ആണ്. അത് പോലെ തന്നെ അമൃത ടിവിയിലെയിലെ കസവുതട്ടം മ്യൂസിക് ഷോയിലെ മൂന്നാം സ്ഥാനം നൊസ്റാൾജിയയുടെ തന്നെ ജനറൽ സെക്രെട്ടററി അനിൽ ആദിത്യൻ ആയിരുന്നു. പല സംഗീത സദസ്സുകളിലേയും നിറ സാന്നിധ്യമാവാൻ ഈ കലാകാരന്മാർക്ക് സാധിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. ഇപ്പോൾ അവസരങ്ങൾ നൊസ്റാൾജിയയെ തേടി എത്തുന്നതാണ് ഇവരുടെ പുതിയ ആവേശം.


'ദി ബിഗ് ഷോ'

വർഷത്തിൽ നാല് മ്യൂസിക് ഷോകളാണ് നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയ നടത്തി വരുന്നത്. ഈ വര്ഷം പ്രമുഖ പിന്നണി ഗായകൻ ബ്രഹ്മാനന്ദൻ മാസ്റ്ററുടെ എഴുപതാം ജന്മ വാർഷികത്തിനോടനുബന്ധിച് യു. എ  യിൽ നടന്ന കുട്ടികൾക്കായുള്ള സംഗീത മത്സരത്തിന്റെ ചുക്കാൻ പിടിച്ചത് നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയയാണ്. നൂറോളം ജൂനിയർ കലാകാരന്മാർ വാട്സാപ്പ് വഴി പേര് രജിസ്റ്റർ ചെയ്തപ്പോൾ തിരഞ്ഞെടുത്ത മുപ്പതോളം പേര് മാറ്റുരച്ച സംഗീത മത്സരം വലിയ വിജയമായി മാറുകയായിരുന്നു. "ഈ പരിപാടിക്ക് വേണ്ടി അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ മകൻ രാകേഷ് ബ്രഹ്മ്മാനന്ദൻ ഞങ്ങളെ നേരിട്ട്‌ ബന്ധപ്പെടുകയായിരുന്നു. ഇത് യു, എ യിലെ ഞങ്ങളുടെ സാനിധ്യം ശക്തമായി എന്നതിന് ഉദാഹരണമാണ് ഇത്. നൊസ്റാൾജിയയുടെ യശസ്സ് കടൽ കടന്നു എന്നത് ഞങ്ങളിൽ  വലിയ രീതിയിൽ  ആത്മവിശ്വാസം നിറച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്", പറയുന്നു യൂത്ത് ഇന്ത്യ ക്ലബ് സെക്രെട്ടറി അബ്ദുൽ വാസിഹ്.

സർവം സംഗീതം

ഒരു മ്യൂസിക് ബാന്ഡിന് നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയ എന്ന് പേര് നൽകുമ്പോൾ ഇത് പഴയ പാട്ടുകളെ കോർത്ത് ഇണക്കി ഒരുക്കിയ ഒരു ബാൻഡ് എന്ന സംശയം സർവ സാധാരണമാണ്. എന്നാൽ നൊസ്റാൾജിയ പഴയതും പുതിയതുമായ ഗാനങ്ങളിലൂടെ ഉള്ള ഒരു സംഗീത ഷോ ആണ്. മാപ്പിളപ്പാട്ട് മുതൽ ബോളിവുഡ്, കോളിവുഡ് പുത്തൻ നമ്പറുകൾ വരെ നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയയുടെ പാട്ട് മെനുവിൽ ഉൾപ്പെടുന്നു. അത് കൊണ്ട് തന്നെ പലപ്പോഴും കാണികളാല്‍ സമ്പന്നമാണ് നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയയുടെ സംഗീത വിരുന്നുകൾ.  


'നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയ' അതുക്കും മേലെ!

പ്രവാസം പ്രയാസം കൂടി ആണലോ; എല്ലാവര്ക്കും അല്ലെങ്കിലും ചിലർക്കൊക്കെ. ഇങ്ങനെ ഒരു കൂട്ടായമയിലൂടെ അംഗങ്ങളുടെ സർഗാത്മക കഴുവുകളെ പരിപോഷിപ്പിക്കുക എന്നതിലുപരി അവരുടെ സന്തോഷങ്ങളിലും സങ്കടങ്ങളിലും നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയ സന്തത സഹചാരി ആണ്. അംഗങ്ങളുടെ ജോലി ഭദ്രത, കുടുംബ സുരക്ഷിതത്വം, സാമ്പത്തിക പരാതീനതകൾക്ക് എല്ലാം കൈ താങ്ങാണ് നോസ്റ്റാൾജിയ. യു എ യില്‍ ഇപ്പോൾ ഇരുപത്തിനാല് ഇടങ്ങളിൽ യൂത്ത് ഇന്ത്യക്കു ഘടങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ട്. അത് കൊണ്ട് തന്നെ നൊസ്റാൾജിയയെ ബർദുബായ് , റാഷിദിയ മേഖലകളിലേക്കും പറിച്ചു നടാനുള്ള ശ്രമങ്ങൾ ഫലപ്രാപ്തിയിലാണ്. അജ്മാൻറെ നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയ നാളെകളിൽ പ്രാവാസികളുടെ മറക്കാനാവാത്ത ഒരു നൊസ്റ്റാൾജിയ ആയി മാറാനുള്ള നിതാന്ത പരിശ്രമത്തിലാണ് ഇതിന്റെ ഭാരവാഹികളും അംഗങ്ങളും.

http://cityplusepaper.jagran.com/242973/Bangalore-Banaswadi/VII-March-14-20-2014-26th-Edition#page/6/2

What is between him and I? 

What is between him and I? Does the title have an ambiguity? Yes it does have.  Neither a keen film maker’s wit nor an ordinary film maker’s observation is necessary to understand how I picked this. The terrible beauty of the name, and on whom the article is based on, would definitely weed out your doubts. Before I reveal the need of the article, I want my readers, pals even my foes to listen to a small anecdote in which I will embark the urgent need for an article like this. 
 
 It was a month ago, my father and I were having a chat in the shop ( a small stationary shop, but a quite reliance fresh for my father!). I was challenging my father’s habit of turning up late in the shop, after leaving me in the shop saying he needed a few minutes resting. As it had to be happened, I raised my voice and registered my protest. But he made me calm and could manage to bring a transition in the talk. He asked me to enlist the things out of stock in the shop. I went inside the shop and jotted down some names of a few needed things whihc have run out of stock in the shop. Again, in the meantime, some family matters came up for  discussion. Father who is very strong on family bonds started advising me, I came down heavily  on his attitude of unnecessarily unleashing emotional attacks on me. But as it would not have happened, a man, an onlooker stormed  into the shop. He had a mouth full of smile and asked me ‘are you his son”? For which I answered yeah. He suddenly laughed at us (I think he had been hiding that half moon smile to use it on an apt situation, i hate opportunists) 

The man took a step ahead  and in a hushed voice, said that he was confused if we were friends. putting it more dramatic, he asked “ are you guys really friends?. My father sported a smile on his lips  but I was still bewildered, I could only smell something fishy , “Is he making a platform  to rectify me, with another lecture series to make me understand how I should respect my father''

But astonishing me, he patted on my forhead saying he had been flattened by our duo play in the shop. He praised our father son duo in the guise of pals. father and I shared a smile together and I already fell for him. As usual, the incident had nothing to deliver than a sudden joke. But after a couple of days, when thoughts invaded sleeps, the incident started disturbing me, why he said so? Am I not that good? Do I need to pamper my father in his fifties? What was all about the incident? Yes, for me rather pampering or respecting my father, I came to the bitter but better knowledge that we have not kept a father son duo but a tight bond which often words fail to convey. But after a couple of days, the incident again landed me into the world of ‘thinkers!’

When  thoughts tread wild, some scenes from my childhood popped up. Collecting those incidents, I want to bring out a tribute to my father, the big man, Arakkal Abdul Majeed, the man whom I secretly adore.
Here, through an article, without brushing aside all the odds, I walk down the memory lane, with full of words in my quire, to post a tribute made up of words....( to be continued... )

                                             Sweet smell of success

Faris Arakkal

A residents' initiative has done wonders in the layout. An open manhole which was creating a lot of inconvenience to residents and commuters has been repaired recently after a resident made unrelenting effort and stood for the cause.  It can be recalled here that the same issue was published in Cityplus newspaper two weeks ago.

The Venkataswamy Layout in Kammanahalli was in news for all the wrong reasons two weeks back. A big manhole in the middle of the road was broken and the commuters along with residents were facing a lot of hardship.   An effort from a resident and your newspaper report did all the wonders and today, the manhole is repaired. R Punitha, despite being physically challenged braved all the odds to fight the lethargic attitude of the authorities and ensued that the layout gets back to normalcy. Cityplus had published the plight of the residents and the open manhole in the middle of the road had hit the headlines.
A couple of weeks ago, a private water tanker driving in the layout crushed one of the manholes and opened its lid. Amidst the hues and cries, the vehicle left the layout but manhole was left opened. The road has never seen asphalting for the last five years and residents were demanding for a facelift. Punitha who is a social worker living in the layout was disturbed by the scene and thought to take up this issue to the authorities. As she knew of the local leaders from the area she did a small signature campaign in the layout and drafted a letter to the leader.
Speaking about this, she said, "After I drafted a letter and gave it to a local leader here, he sent it to officials and after a couple of phone calls, I was assured that the manhole will be repaired very soon". But Puntitha very well knew that the matter would not be solved very soon and she needs to make lot of noise for things to get going. After a weeks' time, this Tuesday, three men from BWSSB came to the spot and started the repair work on the manhole.
"We had to feed them with tea and snacks as we wanted the work to be finished very soon,” said Punitha. She also said that unless we strive for the change, we will not get the things done in the layout as the area is under sheer negligence. The layout has pothole filled roads; basic amenity of potable water is still a distant dream.  Now, the open manhole had turned the heat on Punitha. She works for the well being of physically challenged and keeps no airs on the same. "It was a sheer necessity that made me to take up this issue and it is in my blood", she added.  A gentle smile was visible on her face when a fellow resident appreciated her work. "She has really helped us a lot and she is a boon for our layout", said a homemaker. "The girl's physical illness didn't stop her from doing good deeds," said Rajesh, another resident.
The plight of the residents is still ruling the roost with no proper water supply, dried up borewells and a failed waste management system and Punitha wants to bring the much needed change. "Am thankful for Cityplus for addressing the issues faced by the residents and I have a seen the copy of the newspaper which had reported about the same issue", beamed Punitha. Amidst all the praises, she is setting off for another crack down. "Those two street lights are not working since many days", voices Punitha and left from the scene. The Samaritan signs off with a will to do  in do more in the future.

A PERENNIAL PARKING PROBLEM

It seems parking problems in the city are not going to end any time soon. Haphazard parking in Second Block HRBR Layout is causing lot of inconvenience to the residents staying nearby. Despite the 'no parking' boards installed on the 5th Main road, people are found indiscriminately parking their vehicles.

Wrong and haphazard parking has become a big menace in the whole of HRBR Layout. One such area which has succumbed to the problem of improper parking is the 5th Main road which connects 80 feet road to Banaswadi Police Station. Even though the boards of no parking have been put, but still people come and park their vehicles creating trouble for the residents. The residents are demanding that it should be streamlined and rectified as soon as possible.

Restaurants flout parking norms
Few restaurants in the area have violated the prescribed parking norms. Customers visiting these eateries are parking their vehicles on the main road as building owners have failed to provide a parking space in the basement. BMTC buses which are plying through this relatively small road are adding to the problem. With either sides of the road parked with vehicles, buses have a tough time to take a sharp turn leaving motorists heading from the opposite side in danger. "Due to parking menace, I have lost control of my bike many times on this particular stretch", said Rajesh who takes this road on a daily basis.

No parking here!
 It is an irony that both sides of the road have 'no parking' boards and most of the vehicles are seen parking below the board! When Cityplus questioned one of the auto rickshaw drivers who had parked his vehicle below the board, he had a frightening reply. The Cityplus reporter stood there for more than an hour to do a reality check and found many people parking their vehicles at unauthorized spots. A man coming on a motorbike stopped near the 'no parking' board and joined a couple of other men for chatting. Meanwhile, a couple of buses were caught in the traffic!

What police say?
 When Cityplus called up the Banaswadi Police Station, they did not respond properly. Most of the officers refused to answer saying that inspector has to comment on the issue. Whereas, some of the sources from the police station opined that they had warned the eateries not to park vehicles on the road but often they breached the warning.  On the other hand, inspector of the station was not available for the comments as he was said to be on a training session.

Commuters take on parking problem
"I think this eatery has bribed the police or else how can they breach law", said one of the commuters. Sarath (name changed) opines that evenings are in total chaos as many people visit the area to eat at the restaurants. When Cityplus asked one of the bus drivers, he too had a same story to narrate. "I have to be very careful while taking the turn here on the road as vehicles parked on the road are creating problem for us to commuter. And also freaky mishaps may happen soon". Moreover, one of the residents points out that the white line drawn on road for parking vehicles has exceeded and there is a very less space left for the vehicles ply the road.

What law says?
According to the BBMP rules the commercial establishments including shopping malls and restaurants should get a space in the basement for the purpose of parking that connects the building with a proper entrance and exit. Though these buildings have NOC from the BBMP, there seems to be no facility for parking.  Under Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) 2005-15, the 75 sq m of the floor area should be provided for parking space at the eateries and food joints. The parking spaces should have been checked by the BBMP before giving the trade licenses to such establishments. The savories and the delicacies offered by these food joints are of no use if enjoyed at the cost of other's happiness.

--Faris Arakkal

STILL LIVING WITHOUT BASICS

           By  Faris Arakkal

Venkataswamy Layout in Kammanahalli is a place overlooked by the civic authorities. It has a population of more than 1000 people with more than 200 households. They have been tolerating the laid back attitude of the authorities for the last four years. The basic amenities like proper roads and drinking water supply remain ignored. 

A one visit to Venkataswamy Layout in Kammanahalli area and it will shatter all the hype about Bangalore being one of the most sought after cities in India. It has the worst roads, poor water supply and most awful waste collection system. Now that the assembly elections are over, the authorities and representatives cannot excuse themselves by saying that the development works are stalled.
   And probably, in a few days, the sitting MLA has all the chances of becoming a minister in the state. Nearly, 200 families are left in the lurch without basic amenities. It seems that the layout has been isolated and this carelessness attitude by the representatives is misruling the areas.

'A road not to ply'
Every motorist who has taken the Venkatswamy Layout road has repeated these lines. Certainly the look of the road for the last four years has remained the same. Numerous potholes, muddy roads have tarnished the image of the layout.  The narrow roads in the area are adding to the existing problems. The number of humps and potholes on these roads are proving to be too risky for the motorists. The residents often complain that the road has not been asphalted for the last four years. A week ago, a water tanker was fallen prey to one of the manholes. Many bikers had a close shave with death as they are falling in the pit formed in the middle of the road.

Where water is a rare commodity 
The most basic necessity of drinking water is a scarce commodity here. Drinking water is not available in every household and the residents have to seek water supply from the private suppliers which is a costly affair. While the residents have no water to drink, they are forced to pay up the bills. "There is no proper water access and we have to wait in queues to fill water which causes a lot of problem. We have to pay water bills despite the fact that we are getting water or not. While the Cauvery water is the only potable water supplied in the layout, the water is available only for an hour on Thursdays and Fridays", alleges Rekha one of the residents. Further she adds that due to rain, the water is now mixed with mud and emanating a foul smell.
Residents also blame that they have to shell out huge money to get proper water supply.  The residents have to bribe the water serviceman to stretch the half hour duration of the Cauvery water supply to one hour.  "We have to spend so much on water. Cauvery water supply is not enough for our daily chores and the private water tankers charge Rs 600 during summer," said Sumitha, a resident.

Politics too has its role!
The area residents are not sure about whom to approach when they want to meet their ward councilor.  Residents often hear three names of corporators and are left confused about the area's jurisdiction.
The three corporators whose names which do the rounds in the layout are A Kodanda Reddy (Banaswadi Ward 27), Padmanabha Reddy (Kacharakanahlli Ward 28) and MC Srinivas ward Kammanahalli (Ward 28). Although, MC Srinivas is the corporator of the under which Venkataswamy Layout falls, the other two corporators name are often heard in the area. Residents have appealed several times with the BBMP officials for getting the road tarred but in vain. Every time, they approach the officials, they have got a reply that the project has been sanctioned and will be carried out soon. Before the elections, Padmanabha Reddy had visited the layout and had attended the ward meeting. The residents could not air their grievances at the meet was done keeping the elections in mind. According to residents, even MLA KJ George was not present in the meet. Now, the residents doubt that they have been victimized for the internal political war between the coporators and MLA. When Cityplus summoned MLA over phone he was not available.  His phone kept ringing.

Garbage galore
While water and roads are the urgent needs to be meted out, heaps of garbage lying uncleared in the layout is creating a lot of trouble. Sumitha, a resident from the layout who is been collecting waste from most of the houses, says that the lady who was assigned by the BBMP to collect garbage has never turned up and the roads are in peril.  She further adds that she cannot move her tricycle trough the road as the road is plagued with potholes. But the residents complain that the lady is too arrogant and she uses foul language.
When other layouts have newly installed borewells, why was Venkataswamy Layout left out? When all the nearby streets have descent roads why the residents of Venkataswamy Layout are bearing the brunt?  While Cityplus tried reaching out to Padmanabha Reddy and MC Srinivas for their comments, they were unavailable for the comments. It is quite appalling to see that the basic necessities are not provided to people and they are exposed to different kinds of problems due the carelessness attitude of the authorities.

THEY FOUGHT AGAINST ALL ODDS TO EMERGE VICTORS

Date of Publishing: 2013-05-10 00:00:00.0

Faris Arakkal

Some stories are never heard, but some hit the ears so hard. This week, Cityplus brings to you a success story which will stand as an inspiration to others!  

The Federation of Bangalore North East Residents Welfare Association Banaswadi brought the lethargic officials into action and fixed a big menace which they had been facing for the last 20 years. The residents at 1st Block HRBR Layout had been knocking at all the doors to get their local sewage pipes connected to the main sewage line in the city but in vain. But after the federation took up the issue, the problem came to a close giving the residents an ease of life. The story unveils…

The problem kicks off 

It was in the year 1995 and 1997, the first block HRBR Layout was formed and residents started building their houses. In the initial stages there were only few houses in the layout, soon the nine 'H' and 'G' mains were formed with families moving in. But it was then when the BWSSB gave a shock to the residents who had settled down there. When BWSSB was done with the water supply in the layout, they failed to connect the sewage pipe line of both 'H' and 'G' mains to the main line. Hence the sewage water from all the houses would reach the two manholes they had dug up at the two ends on the both mains. The situation was turning grave, when it rained. The sewage water, with no way to flow into the main sewage line started creating troubles at both the manholes and sewage rushed out of the manholes forming water logging. After the filthy water started accumulating at these manholes, some people gave a try to close these holes with cement and bricks to bring an end to the water leakage. This caused more trouble with the water started flowing back to the respective toilets with the pressure mounting at both manholes. Hence people were left in the lurch, thanks BWSSB.

Much ado about nothing 

The desperate residents took the matter to the authorities but their appeals were fallen on deaf ears. Officials promised many but nothing new had happened. One of the residents on the condition of anonymity said that some simple and stupid reasons were given to the residents to get rid of the work. Residents were again promised that the problem would be solved after the monsoon was over but nobody turned up. For years, residents kept knocking the doors and officials' responses were no better. They shrugged aside the residents' queries as it was much ado about nothing!

The layout in peril

Soon the sewage water accumulating at the end of the manholes started emanating foul smell in the layout. The situation grew more serious with mosquitoes started breeding on the sewage. Several incidents of sump tanks getting mixed up with the sewage water were also reported. With no other way, the residents started shelling out huge money to remove the sewage with the help of the leeching machine brought from the BBMP. Unless the process was done often, the situation turned no good and hence the process was tedious to be carried out for long.

The trouble shooters
But the destiny had to take its course. It was in the month of February 2013, the residents came to know about the Federation and its president Subbaiah CM who lives nearby. They approached Subbaiah and they had rounds of talks with the federation. Subbaiah put before them a single choice to join the federation and fight for the cause. The decision had its impact. The residents teamed up with Federation of Bangalore North East Residents Welfare Association and a few residents like TV Velayudhan, Bhaskaran and Satheesh Nanu led the team from the front.

The rise of a federation 

Subbaiah initiated talks with then Executive Engineer and asked for an immediate facelift. When the result was zero, the residents took it to the senior officials. The higher officials including the chairman of BWSSB were informed about the issue. The team drafted a letter showcasing the issue and emailed it to the chairman.
They received an immediate reply from the chairman pointing out the issue had been handed over to the respective engineer. Within a few days, the respective contractor was sent and the work began. The residents were happy and in a week's time, the sewage line was connected to the main pipe and the problem was fixed.

Be the change 

When this reporter talked to some of the families here in the layout, each in unison profusely thanked Subbaiah and the federation. "I am thankful to Subbaiah for getting the problem fixed", says a home maker Kavitha Madhusudan.  Shruthi Alva, another home maker too remembers Subbaiah and the crew for saving their layout from a great problem.
 Satheesh Nanu who came up for the issue wonders that when youngsters were not interested into the issue, it was these old men who came forward and that had motivated him to team up with the crew. But for all for all of them, Subbaiah has only a single answer "be the change you want".
It is just not a success story of a group of determined souls, but also of the federation which saw more number of residents joining the body.

Model students upbeat with new role

Students Sena to aid police during state school arts fest  

By Faris Arakkal

 

Its sure 52nd State School Arts Fest to be held from January 16 in the district will be a tapestry of talents and Students Sena will be a pool of talented students who will be 'omnipresent' at the school fest providing assistance. Around 300 students of Model Boys School and Model Girls School are now undergoing training by DySP Mohammed Arif and crew. In mornings and evenings, they have regular lessons. Students are thrilled with this 'out of syllabus' lessons.City Police Commissioner P Vijayan came to the schools directly and asked for a few students to help the cops during the fest. "The decision to select students from model schools was taken as these schools always stand different with brimming enthusiasm," said headmistress of Govt Model Boys School CA Chempakavalli. Sudheesh, one of the members of Students Sena from Govt Model Boys, said: "We have been trained in discipline too." Yes, the programme will help students lead a disciplined life after the fest. Police are also providing refreshment to the students attending the training. The students will also be given certificates by the commissioner for rendering the service. The students wearing a different uniform will be assigned different works during the fest in order to support police. Students Sena is not a novel idea that police are carrying out. A similar one was successfully executed during the last State School Arts Festival held in Kozhikode. Although there are schools in the district with community policing, these students are new to a community venture, so they are excited.

New breed of robbers on the prowl

By Faris Arakkal

 

By Faris Arakkal

 

For them, robbery is not a means of living unlike conventional thieves. Youth of today indulge in theft to make quick buck for leading a luxurious life with plenty of liquor and expensive gadgets and vehicles. With the strong urge to possess material things, youngsters are increasingly resorting to dubious methods such as smuggling, racketeering, cheating and robberies to become rich overnight. 'Enjoy life by any means' is their mantra. Three robbers-Sunil, Daniel and Manikandan-who broke into a house on Monday at Mullankunnathukavu were caught from a private bar. It was found that they got drunk from another bar near Mullamkunnathukavu before committing the crime. Cases booked by Shadow Police throw light on more such robberies. Shahin (23), Nikhil (25) and Shibin from Kozhikode were recently arrested in the district for robbing a private financial institution of Rs 4,72000. When questioned, it was revealed that the gang comprises around 50 members who are ready to do anything for fulfilling their material desires like boozing and buying costly clothes and gadgets. They operate at different part of the state. Twenty youth were arrested by Shadow Police on August 25 last year while making bombs on the terrace of a house near Pavaratty. They said that they were planning to attack and rob lonely travelers. Gangsters Appayi Girish and Mani who loved a luxurious life used to leave for Ootty and Mysore after robberies. "Wine and women were their favourites," said Shadow Police officers.Gangsters arrested from the Sathyamangalam forest in July last were addicted to liquor and ganja. These gangs include students who were found threatening their teachers in schools. While crime rate in the district is alarmingly rising, drug abuse and liquor addiction are found to be the villains. Shadow Police under City Police Commissioner P Vijayan have succeeded in quelling such crimes in the city to a great extent.

RULES thrown to winds

CM deadline on student safety passes, without any action... By Faris Arakkal Most private vehicles ferrying students in the city have been found to be neglecting safety norms. Vehicles overcrowded with students are a regular sight. The stipulation that school bus drivers should have a minimum experience of 10 years and of 35 years of age are not followed. And, of course, no vehicle maintains the speed limit (under 40km per hour). "Most drivers haven't submitted their details to the school concerned yet," says the head mistress of a private school in the city. Ironically enough, the deadline set by the chief minister in the Assembly in this regard has already passed (on October 15). He had set the deadline while responding to a call-attention motion on poor safety of school buses. A meeting of headmasters and the district education officer was held in the city on October 18, notifying schools on the various measures to be taken to ensure safety of students. DEO PT George now says there must have been "a communication gap which resulted in the CM's decision being communicated to the authorities here." And nobody in the officialdom here is aware of the directive from the minister concerned to all station house officers to regularly convene meetings of school principals and SHOs of the city on the issue! The last such meeting was held before the schools had opened, says another head mistress. School authorities blame parents for the poor safety "as they force drivers to take maximum number of children in the vehicle". Worse, the drivers plead helplessness as maintaining a speed of less than 40km "is not practical". After the meeting with the DEO, schools have started collecting information on how many students take the buses/school vans. The DEO has asked each school to submit a report as soon as possible. Meanwhile, posters threatening to stage protests against the authorities' negligence on the issue have started appearing on school walls.

Watch out! Shadow police around by Faris Arakkal

You cannot trust your own shadow but you can trust the shadow police. Around 40 cases of robberies, assaults and ganja sales have been registered within four months. The shadow police was an idea conceived by city police commissioner P Vijayan. The commissioner has given complete freedom to the cops and a vehicle has also been provided. They are making it up to the expectations. The arrest of a group of gangsters by the shadow police from the Sathyamangalam forest had made the headlines. The team comprising experienced police officers from different squads is a 24/7 wing. They used to have a weekly meetings to review their operations. They are based in the West police station. Sources said that about 70% of the operations are carried out with the help of informers. Suvratha Kumar, a member of the team, said that the name 'shadow police' is to remind the fact that they will be present in every nook and corner of the city to nab criminals. The shadow police have effectively checked the ganja business in the city. Around 30 ganja cases have been registered by the team. The cops in the battalion are well aware of the modus operandi of robbers and it will help them nab culprits easily. Women are not aliens to the criminal activities. The shadow police have booked a woman who has been charged in connection with around 12 cases of ganja sale in the city. Seizure of 1,502 ampules and 50 packets of ganja from an autorickshaw and cracking gold robbery cases are their best operations ever. The shadow police include special assistant commissioner MK Gopalakrishnan, West CI A Ramachandran, sub-inspectors Shaiju, Ramesh and Philip Varghese, assistant sub-inspector Davis, senior civil police officers Ansar Muhammed Rafi, Suvratha Kumar, Biju, Rafi and Krishnakumar, civil police officers Gopalakrishnan, Ullas and Pazhani.

A project wasted
staff reporter


Wheel barrows dumped at Ayyanthole zonal office of the corporation are getting rust

Around 100 wheel barrows remain unused at Ayyanthole zonal office of the corporation which were bought under Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP) for waste disposal.
The wheel barrows were introduced for Kudumbasree units when KSUDP had launched a waste disposal project in 2009 and the Ramky Waste Management Company was entrusted with the work. But the project was dropped following technical problems.
According to the project, waste would be collected from each house using these wheel barrows and segregated at various regional centres. The segregated waste would be sent to respective dumping yards.
Former public works standing committee chairman AM Krishnan admits that lakhs of rupees were spent on buying these wheel barrows alone.
Apart from wheel barrows, there are vehicles, shovels and other equipment left unused at different zonal offices of the corporation.
City Journal had reported of eight Piaggio Apes getting rust in the corporation compound.
Buckets for carrying waste in different size and shape were also found dumped on the terrace of the zonal office.

PEECHI DAM(ned)
Faris Arakkal 


PEECHI DAM, once a favourite tourist hub of the district, is withering fast to oblivion. Lack of basic facilities and increasing number of anti-social activities are now keeping the tourists at bay.

There is no security guard to help the tourists, if needed, and the existing police aid post has been dysfunctional since many days.
This opened up the area for anti-social elements who can walk in after buying a Rs 10 entry ticket. They go into the thickets looking for small hideouts to drink and enjoy.
Absence of police and security guards goad them into do things openly and there are allegations that these anti-social elements use bawdy words and expressions on visiting families.
The areas surrounding the watch tower are extensively used by these anti-socials. Some of them, said to be lovers, indulge in open display of their affection and this is resented by visiting families.
The lone boat meant for use by tourists rests on land, covered with a plastic sheet. Tourists who come dreaming of a boat ride have to continue doing just that: dream.
There is also no provision to meet the basic needs of tourists. A rest room built by District Tourism Council has not yet been opened for use. Women visitors have a hard time.
With warning boards almost rusted, photography is not a matter of concern. That is not a bad thing considering that it is a tourist spot. The staff members do not show up to look after the needs of tourists.
The place also lacks a good restaurant. The only canteen at the entrance has been closed and tourists have to depend on nearby shacks and make do with whatever is available.
When other tourist centres are mended well by the authorities, Peechi suffers from negligence even though it is blessed with verdant hills and meadows and a beautiful water body. Still, it is patronised by hundreds of tourists who love nature.

Churning out

By Faris Arakkal Two hands move in equal pace to carve out a pot from the pure clay coming out of a potter's wheel. The show is being held live at Sangeetha Nataka Akademi as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of Thrissur Doordarshan Kendra. Raman with his magic fingers is making wonders at the Akademi. He moulds a number of patterns in your presence. After a pot is shaped out of clay, he sharpens the edge with a bamboo twig as the wheel continues to rotate. After 10 minutes of artistic demonstration, a pot is born but with no bottom. Raman keeps the pots for drying for a while. It takes a little more skill and utmost concentration thereafter to shape the bottom. Before the moulds are dry, he nurses the sides of the half-shaped pots with finesse. Lo! The bottom is covered. Then, with the help of tools, the pots are polished and given different shapes and designs. In the final phase, he keeps them on the furnace. The process strengthens their holds. Now, the pots are ready to be removed to the kitchen. In between, Thrissur Doordarshan Kendra head officer and controlling officer Dr CK Thomas said, "It's our mission to impart Gandhian ideas of swadesi goods, and such artistic jobs need to be cared for." By now, people have begun gathering around to see pottery, an skilful art under the threat of extinction. Raman left his traditional job of pottery making about two years ago. The reason is scarcity of clay. "It needs pure clay to make pots. Urbanisation is on fast pace, and has left no more fields to dig out pure clay", he said. Raman's parents used to earn their daily bread with the sale of earthern pots. But for Raman finds it difficult to find pure clay. They have to bring the clay from Arangotukara, a far away place and the journey sometimes hazardous too. The natives of Arangotukara do not take lightly of the 'invasion' from outside whether it is for clay or not.

Where are CC cameras?

The much-hyped project to install closed circuit (CC) cameras for surveillance of key junctions in the city is yet to take off. According to the project, with the installation of CC cameras, traffic violators and criminals cannot escape from police. In April, it was reported that 97 PTZ DOME cameras would be installed and eight prime spots were identified for installing them in the first phase of the project. Experts say the cameras are able to pan 90 degrees and can capture each and a very second. The statewide project was initiated three and a half years ago. Government security agencies wanted to implement the project initially in Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode cities, considering heavy traffic and security threats there. Accordingly, the project began in these cities and two phases have already been completed. Keltron is the official partner of the project. Keltron project manager G Gopalakrishnan told City Journal that the project came to a halt as the fund was not released by the authorities. Gopalakrishnan said that a recent theft at a mobile shop in Kozhikode city was easily detected with the help of CC cameras installed at the shop. City police have been entrusted with the implementation of the project using modernisation funds. But Commissioner P Vijayan said that he has to see if the fund has been released. The project is aimed at easing traffic, monitoring and controlling system.